MARION/JEFFERSON COUNTY — Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps is alerting motorists that a listed detour to get around construction on Interstate 57 isn’t available as that roadway is also under construction.

The Dix-Irvington Road at the rail crossing near I-57 is currently closed to all traffic for crossing repair.

Cripps says this route was listed as a detour route for the I-57 construction in the Southern portion of Marion County and Jefferson County; however, this route is not possible.

He suggests to use an alternate route if you’re going or coming from Mt. Vernon.

Construction on southbound I-57 was scheduled to start Wednesday but was postponed due to weather.

The pavement reconstruction and bridge repair project will require one lane to be closed on southbound and northbound Interstate 57 from just north of Illinois 161 to the Jefferson County line.

The ramps from northbound I-57 to and from Illinois 161 will remain open; however, the ramps from southbound I-57 to and from Illinois 161 will be closed for the 2024 construction season.

This stage of the project will last throughout the 2024 construction season. The times and locations of future restrictions will be announced as the project continues.

The overall $68.5 million project is to be completed by the spring of 2025.