MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. — A nearly 20 mile stretch of I-55 in southern Illinois is closed after for the second day in a row, this time after the National Weather Service issued a Dust Storm Warning in the area. Tuesday’s warning comes a day after similar conditions caused a 72-car wreck, killing six people and injuring dozens of others.
The Illinois State Police and IDOT closed the road out of an abundance of caution, posting on Twitter that there are no crashes at this time. Blowing dust is limiting visibility in the area for a second time in as many days. They are asking drivers avoid this area and find another route.
During a Tuesday morning briefing, Brendan Kelly, the director of the Illinois State Police, was questioned if Monday's conditions made it necessary to shut down the interstate prior to the crash. Kelly commented “there was no reason to believe the interstate should have been shut down preemptively.”
ISP says the road will be closed until the winds die down. The National Weather Service has the warning in effect until 4:30 p.m.