The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that construction on Interstate 74 near St. Joseph begins April 12.
The project involves repairs to the bridges over the Salt Fork River and the Saline Branch just west of St. Joseph. Beginning April 12, the right eastbound lane will close and on April 13, the right westbound lane will close. The closures will extend over both sets of bridges.
The closures are necessary for a bridge deck overlay and substructure repairs with work expected to be complete by Labor Day, when construction will shift to the left lanes. The project is expected to wrap up in November.
Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,500 miles of highway and 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Two included approximately $5.2 billion of improvements statewide on 3,020 miles of highway, 270 bridges and 428 additional safety improvements.
