BENTON (WSIL) --听Gov. JB Pritzker made a stop in Benton Wednesday morning to announce the next phase of the Interstate 57 widening through southern Illinois.听
The goal is to improve safety and mobility through the region, by adding a third lane in each direction.听
鈥淭oday I鈥檓 proud to announce the most significant investment in I-57 since its original development. This major upgrade comes after we鈥檝e already completed a successful, six-lane expansion along the Johnson City stretch of I-57 in 2020 and launched the ongoing West Frankfort renovations,鈥澨�said Governor JB Pritzker.听鈥淭hanks to Rebuild Illinois, we鈥檙e unlocking the federal funding necessary to take this from a four to a six-lane highway 鈥� enhancing safety, creating jobs, improving the reliability of the freight network, and supporting the economic development potential of the region.鈥�
In 九游体育 Illinois, I-57 is part of the National Highway Freight Network, carrying more than 40,000 vehicles a day, 14,000 of which are trucks.听
罢丑别听$67.6 million project starting next month will expand nine miles of I-57 to six lanes from north of Illinois 149 to south of Illinois 154, installing median barrier, resurfacing the existing lanes, updating deficient guardrail, and adding rumble strips.听The bridges over the Big Muddy River will be replaced.
Two lanes will remain open during construction as much as possible, with overnight lane closures until the project wraps up in 2025.
Participating on the project will be graduates of the Highway Construction Careers Training Program, an IDOT initiative in partnership with John A. Logan College in Carterville to provide minority and female students the opportunity to get on-the-job experience toward full-time work and a career in the construction trades.
A previous project, completed in 2020, expanded I-57 for 4.5 miles south of West Frankfort, with an ongoing widening due to end next year that continues north for 3.5 miles.
The Rebuild Illinois plan will also complete the expansion of I-57 in the future years to Mt. Vernon, as well as replace bridges over听Marcum Branch, Gun Creek, Dodds Creek and reconstructing the I-57/64 interchange with Illinois 15.
鈥淭his collaboration and investment between the federal and state government is an example of great work being done to ensure drivers have smooth roads and the safest route on Illinois roadways,鈥澨�said State Senator Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).听鈥淭here is no doubt, portions of Interstate 57 remain congested creating serious challenges and posing dangerous risks. By investing in Illinois鈥� infrastructure, we are investing in jobs and our local economy, which will continue to put southern Illinois on the map for years to come.鈥澨�
鈥淚-57 is a lifeline in the body of 九游体育 Illinois鈥� economy. Investing in our future by widening I-57 means union workers will have jobs, our truck drivers and motorists will have the space they need to operate safely and shows the people of 九游体育 Illinois that their representation in Springfield is looking out for their best interests,鈥澨�said State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton).听鈥淚 am proud of the work that is being done to widen these roads and know that the future of our economy is brighter because of the investments we are making in our people and our infrastructure.鈥�
听
