MARION COUNTY – The Illinois Department of Transportation began removing construction barrels this afternoon from the northbound lanes of Interstate 57 from just south of Centralia to just south of Salem.

The move comes a few weeks earlier than previously anticipated and included the reopening of the northbound Centralia exit.

According to IDOT Spokesperson Dawn Johnson, this phase of the project was scheduled to be completed in mid-November but was completed early.

The next phase of the project will begin in the spring and will result in the same type of lane and ramp closures through the same area for the southbound section of the interstate.