Interstate 255 from Illinois 157 to Illinois 15 in St. Clair County recently reopened more than six weeks ahead of schedule, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), saving an estimated $10 million.
The interstate closed Feb. 1 and was schedule to have a project completion date of July 31. The $65.4 million project rehabilitated and resurfaced approximately 3.5 miles of I-255 in both directions. It is the second of five phases to repair and improve I-255.
Work included replacing badly deteriorated pavement, bridge repairs, improved signage and drainage, new lighting and guardrails, and safety upgrades.
“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,” Gov. JB Pritzker said. “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.”
I-255 was one of the worst roads in the state because of its poor condition, and unscheduled lane closures were frequent.
Phase one was completed in 2020. It improved 7.5 miles between Collinsville Road and Illinois 15.