Illinois officials warn drivers about 10 month interstate closure

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is warning drivers to find alternate routes around a major interstate closure that begins this weekend and will continue through most of 2020.

Starting on February 1, 2020, a seven mile stretch of I-255 in the metro St. Louis area will be shut down for a rehabilitation and resurfacing project, IDOT says. The closure will take place between Collinsville Road and Route 15.

The project is projected to finish in about 10 months to allow the reopening of I-255 on November 24, 2020.

IDOT says that the total closure of both directions of the interstate (instead of carrying out the project in stages) will reduce the project completion time to 10 months instead of 4 years and will protect road workers from traffic. It is also expected to save taxpayers $14 million.

The project is expected to cost $64 million.

For detour maps from IDOT, click here.

For more information on the interstate closure, please click here.

You can also follow IDOT on Facebook for the latest updates on the closure.