Faster, cheaper, safer: I-255 work wraps up this weekend in St. Clair County
$65.4 million project completed more than six weeks ahead of schedule
“Since day one as governor, I’ve made it my mission to invest in the highways, streets, and bridges that support safe commutes for the people of Illinois,” said Gov. Pritzker. “Over the years, we’ve worked to speed up these projects, minimizing construction delays and saving taxpayers money. Today’s reopening is a testament to the hard work and impressive planning from the IDOT team, and I’m excited to get drivers back on the road.”
By completely closing the work zone instead of accommodating traffic and spreading the project over multiple construction seasons, the improvements were completed faster, cheaper and safer, saving an estimated $10 million.
“Under the governor’s leadership, we are finding new ways to speed up projects to minimize the inconvenience of construction so you can experience the benefits sooner,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “We appreciate your patience. The I-255 project has been a success story that we will look to duplicate throughout the state.”
Finishing 47 days ahead of the original anticipated July 31 completion date, the project rehabilitated and resurfaced approximately 3.5 miles of I-255 in both directions. The interstate was closed Feb. 1.
Work included bridge repairs, safety upgrades, new lighting and guardrails, improved signage and drainage as well as replacement of badly deteriorated pavement dating back to when I-255 was first built in 1984. Prior to the improvements, the section between Illinois 157 and Illinois 15 required frequent unscheduled lane closures to make emergency repairs. A project webpage recapping the improvements with maps is available here.
“This is a big win for the Metro East. Thanks to smart planning and efficient execution by our friends in labor and IDOT, I-255 is reopening well ahead of schedule,” said state Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea). “That means quicker commutes, safer roads, and for many of us, a long-awaited break from the ‘scenic route’ on I-64.”
“I appreciate the diligent work from our skilled union laborers to get this project done early,” said Assistant Majority House Leader Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea). “This is a needed upgrade that makes the route safer for travelers and is another great example of our ongoing efforts to invest in our region’s infrastructure to better meet the demands of today and tomorrow.”
“Smart, focused investments in our infrastructure pay dividends and help us chart a course toward a brighter future for everyone,” said state Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville). “The early reopening of this critical regional artery represents a direct payoff for Metro East families and businesses.”
Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing I-255, which long has been identified as one of the worst roads in the state due to its poor condition.
The first section, the 7.5 miles between Collinsville Road and Illinois 15, was finished in 2020 almost a month ahead of schedule, a $67 million project that also was completed in one construction season by closing the work zone, reducing the overall cost by $14 million.
The remaining three phases to improve I-255 will continue the work between the Mississippi River and Illinois 157. Dates and timelines are still to be determined, but the projects are included in IDOT’s latest multiyear program. No decisions have been made regarding additional full closures of the work zones.
“The early completion of this I-255 rehabilitation project phase is an exciting accomplishment that will benefit St. Clair County’s residents in a multitude of ways,” said St. Clair County Chair Mark Kern. “These newer roads and safety improvements are being delivered to our residents even sooner than anticipated, and I commend Gov. Pritzker and the IDOT team on their commitment to our region.”
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Five of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $16 billion of improvements statewide on 6,541 miles of highway, 686 bridges and 986 additional safety improvements.
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