ILLINOIS (WBC/DANA COMM.) — Entering Year Four of Rebuild Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that major projects to modernize and improve Interstates 24 and 57 in southern Illinois are planned or underway.

Ten major projects on both interstates combined represent a total investment of more than $350 million, improving safety and mobility while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region.

Of the 10 projects, two of them are scheduled to be completed in 2022 and the remaining eight to be completed in 2024 through 2028.

Once everything is completed, 29 miles of I-57 will have been widened to three lanes in each direction while 35 miles of I-24 will be resurfaced.

Reconstruction is anticipated to begin in 2025 on I-57/64 at Illinois 15 interchange. Nighttime lane closures are anticipated.

I-57 will be expanded to six lanes and bridges in phases over the next three years. The improvements will be made in four steps between mile post 63 and ultimately over mile post 92.

Bridge and structure improvements in that same stretch will go over Pond Creek, the Big Muddy River, Marcum Branch and Gun Creek, as well as Dodds Creek.