COLLINSVILLE, Ill.—The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will close a stretch of Interstate 255 in St. Clair County for six months so it resurfacing. 

Crews will closed 3.5 miles between Illinois 157 to Illinois 15 in St. Clair County starting Saturday, Feb. 1.

"Hopefully the routes, the detours that have been planned, will work," said Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chair. "We're certainly expecting that we're gonna have to help IDOT tweak those as the days go on but we believe it really is the best way and the quickest way to get this project completed."

The project will cost $65.4 million, or about $10 million less than completing the work in multiple phases. Closing the interstate also reduces the risk to workers and motorists by eliminating traffic from an active construction site.

The project will include bridge repairs, safety improvements, new lighting, signing and drainage improvements. Improvements to I-255 from Illinois 15 to Collinsville Road were completed in 2020. The work on I-255 from Illinois 157 to Illinois 15 is expected to be completed July 31.

Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate and detour routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone.

For detour information and updates on the project, click here.