Carbondale Reporter

State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg) on Dec. 8 hailed the next phase of the Interstate 57 expansion project as part of “a long-standing continuing vision to improve and revitalize Illinois roadways.”

WSIL reported that work to widen I-57, which travels through Illinois and Missouri, will begin next month with a budget of $67.6 million.

“As a member of the state Senate and Senate Transportation Committee, I am honored to stand before you as we pave the way for better and safer roads like right here on Interstate 57,” Fowler said, according to a transcript released by his office.

Nine miles of the interstate will grow to six lanes from north of Illinois 149 to south of Illinois 154.

The project will also install a median barrier, resurface existing lanes, update deficient guardrails, and add rumble strips, as well as replace bridges over the Muddy River, according to WSIL.

The Southern Illinois segment of I-57 is part of the National Highway Freight Network.

More than 40,000 vehicles ply the interstate daily, with 14,000 of the volume being trucks.

Fowler and State Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) joined Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), in a ceremony announcing the project, which is expected to be completed in 2025.

According to Fowler, the investment is a good example of bipartisanship at work.

“Today's ceremony is an example of good bipartisanship work between both the federal and state governments,” the senator said. “As we approach the holiday season, more than ever we pray for each other's health and safety during this extremely busy time of construction. Too many times on this stretch of roadway people have died or have been seriously injured in multiple crashes.”

WSIL reported that motorists will be able to travel on two lanes as much as possible for the duration of the project.