Access to Seventh Street from Illinois 97 in Petersburg prohibited beginning July 23

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that access to Seventh Street from Illinois 97 in Petersburg will no longer be allowed beginning Wednesday, July 23.

IDOT identified deficiencies in the 6-foot-wide masonry arch culvert located on Seventh Street just south of the Illinois 97 intersection. For safety concerns, access from Illinois 97 to Seventh Street will be prohibited.

Access to Seventh Street can be obtained utilizing Antle Street. Sidewalks over the culvert will remain open to pedestrians.

Plans for the reconstruction of Illinois 97 through Petersburg include the removal of this culvert. They also include the realignment of the Seventh Street and Illinois 97 intersection, making the culvert unnecessary. IDOT is not scheduling a project to repair this culvert. ​

The future $20.5 million improvement includes reconstructing sections of Illinois 97 and resurfacing throughout, intersection reconstruction at Illinois 97/123 with traffic signal replacement, culvert and drainage improvements, sidewalk improvements, and other miscellaneous improvements. Construction plans are currently being developed and land acquisition is beginning. Construction could possibly begin in 2027. ​

For IDOT District 6 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict6 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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