EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced Thursday that the Illinois Department of Transportations will be finished with Interstate 255repairs a month early.   

“Highways and road systems are among the most critical components of Illinois’ infrastructure. As a nationwide hub of transportation, that infrastructure is also crucial to our state’s economy,” Belt said. “The disinvestment of I-255 was a burden for the people I represent. I’m thrilled to see this long-awaited project so near to completion, and I want to thank Gov. Pritzker and IDOT for making the drivers of the Metro East a top priority.”

The $67 million reconstruction of I-255 was one of the first projects to be completed under the Rebuild Illinois program – a $33.2 billion investment into the state’s transportation system.

“By investing in local infrastructure, Illinois is ensuring reliable transportation for our community and creating high-quality labor jobs for our workforce,” Crowe said. “Working families, students and other motorists depend on safe roads, and I thank IDOT for efficiently prioritizing this project.”

IDOT closed I-255 in February to resurface an almost completely deteriorated section of the interstate. IDOT initially slated completion by the end of November, but the latest estimates predict workers will be done by Nov. 1.

The next resurfacing project in the area, totaling $21.2 million, is expected to begin on the connecting sections of Interstates 70, 55 and 270 starting soon and divers should anticipate single-lane closures during construction. Completion is slated for fall 2021. A map and additional details are available here.

For a full list of upcoming Metro East road projects, visit IDOT’s website.