I-55 at Illinois 17 interchange to close overnight Feb. 3 and 4

OTTAWA – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that weather permitting, Interstate 55 at the Illinois 17 interchange (exit 217) in Dwight will be closed for two consecutive nights on Monday, Feb. 3 and Tuesday, Feb. 4. The closure is necessary to install structural steel on the south half of the Illinois 17 bridge over I-55.

The closures will begin at 7:30 p.m. each night and end at 7 a.m. the following morning. Traffic will be detoured off and onto I-55 using the exit and entrance ramps at Illinois 17. Illinois 17 will be open to one lane in each direction on the north half of the bridge and traffic at the intersections will be controlled by flaggers.

The work is part of a $9.1 million project to replace the Illinois 17 bridge over I-55. The project is expected to be completed this summer.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area and be prepared for slow and stopped traffic. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices, and be alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Four of Rebuild Illinois included approximately $12.1 billion of improvements statewide on 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges and 762 additional safety improvements.

For IDOT District 3 updates on X, follow us at @IDOTDistrict3. View area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map at www.GettingAroundIllinois.com.