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St. Clair County - IL 13 in Belleville Phase I Study
IL Route 157 to South 23rd Street
Belleville, St. Clair County, IL
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is performing a Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study to analyze roadway improvements for IL Route 13 from IL Route 157 to South 23rd Street in Belleville.
This study will take a detailed look at improvements to IL Route 13 from IL Route 157 to South 23rd Street In Belleville. Improvements to be studied include the resurfacing of the existing pavement and intersection improvements.
IDOT and its engineering consultant team, aided by input from the public, will inventory existing conditions (such as traffic data and crash history), identify and document environmental constraints, and develop and refine improvement options (alternatives). The result of the study will be a preferred alternative that addresses identified transportation issues and serves the area’s future needs.
IDOT is performing a preliminary engineering and environmental study for potential improvements to IL Route 13 from IL Route 157 to South 23rd Street in St. Clair County, approximately 6.5 miles. This section of IL Route 13 is primarily in the City of Belleville, but has small sections in the City of Cahokia Heights, as well as unincorporated St. Clair County.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) develops and implements highway transportation improvement projects using a three-phase process:
Phase I: Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies
During this phase, IDOT studies a range of alternatives to improve IL Route 13 in the study area that address the purpose and need of the project, including a “no build” option. IDOT also conducts environmental analysis to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The project team will collect information, determine the needs of the roadway, analyze the alternatives, and identify potential effects to study area resources. Learn more about NEPA.
Phase II: Design
In this phase, IDOT refines the project design in order to develop contract plans. Any additional Right-of-Way that might be needed for the project is acquired during this phase.
Phase III: Construction
The final phase consists of the actual construction of the project.
The IL Route 13 study is currently in Phase I. During this phase, preliminary engineering and environmental studies are completed to develop a roadway improvement plan that addresses an established purpose and need for the contract. A project report will be developed, and land acquisition may begin at the end of this Phase I Study.
Phases I, II, and III are identified in the Department’s FY2025-2030 Proposed Highway & Multimodal Improvement Program.
The number of lanes is not expected to be increased with this project. Intersections will be evaluated for the appropriate traffic control stop or signalization along with left or right turn lanes. Policy shoulders along the corridor will be added where appropriate. Bike and pedestrian accommodations will be considered, and new accommodations will be evaluated. Existing drainage will be evaluated during the development of a proposed drainage system for the corridor.
IL Route 13 passes through a mix of land of use including agricultural, businesses, forested, industrial, railroad, residential, and wetlands.
The IL Route 13 Phase I Project Report will be prepared following the requirements of the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. NEPA established a national environmental policy intentionally focused on federal activities and the desire for a sustainable environment balanced with other essential needs of present and future generations. The NEPA process is intended to help public officials make decisions that are based on understanding of environmental consequences and take actions that protect, restore, and enhance the environment.
NEPA requires that any federally funded proposed or future action (such as construction of a roadway) be carefully analyzed for all impacts to natural and cultural resources and to the human environment. This analysis must be documented and made available for public review and comment near the end of the study.
Because transportation projects vary in type, size, complexity, and potential effects to the environment, NEPA encompasses three levels of documentation:
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – for projects where it is known that the action will have a significant effect on the environment.
- Environmental Assessment (EA) – for projects in which the significance of the environmental impact is not clearly established.
- Categorical Exclusions – for actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the environment.
In coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Illinois Division, the IL Route 13 Preliminary Engineering Study is anticipated to be processed as a Categorical Exclusion.
The study includes multiple opportunities for you to participate by submitting comments, attending public meetings, and keeping informed through this website and newsletters. We will update this website as the IL Route 13 Phase I Study progresses to help you stay informed.
Your participation and input are vital to the success of the study. We value your input and look forward to your participation. To get involved:
- Join our Mailing List – Please go to the Contact Us section to request to be joined to the mailing list
- Submit Comments – Please go to the Contact Us section to request to submit comments on the project
- Stay up to date on the study development by viewing documents on the Resources section
- Attend a Public Meeting
We are engaging the community in the following ways:
- Small group/individual meetings
- Public meetings
- Website updates
- Briefings and presentations
- Newsletters
- Media releases
Public Meeting #1
An in-person Public Meeting was held on October 29, 2025, at Southwestern Illinois Justice Workforce Development Campus (Welcome Center). This meeting was held as an open forum meeting and was intended to introduce the project, as well as gather information from the public. The Project Study Team was available to answer questions, take comments, and provide information about the project. Informational handouts and comment forms were provided and exhibits with information about this project were on display to view. Approximately 60 people attended the public meeting.
Displays from Public Involvement Meeting #1
Aerial exhibits from Public Involvement Meeting #1
Crash maps from Public Involvement Meeting #1
Brochure provided at Public Involvement Meeting #1
How can I find out about future public involvement activities?
- Join Our Mailing List – Visit the Contact Us page and request to be added to our mailing list.
- Look for announcements in the local newspaper.
- Look for flyers in local businesses, government agencies and community buildings.
- Watch for roadway message boards for announcements.
- Contact Sarah Wiszkon at (618) 346-3309 or Sarah.Wiszkon@illinois.gov.
- How long will it take to complete the Phase I of the Illinois Route 13 project?
It is anticipated it will take approximately 24 to 36 months to complete the Phase I study. - Will there be road closures?
The study is in an early stage, and it’s unknown if road closures will be required. - Will there be displacements?
The study is in its early stages and too early to know if displacements will be required. - What happens at the end of the study (Phase I)?
At the end of Phase I, the preliminary engineering and environmental study will be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This approval allows the project to move into Phase II, which consists of land acquisition and development of contract plans. - Does the public get a chance to comment on the improvements being developed or which alternatives are selected for moving forward? If so, how?
IDOT will be hosting open house public informational meetings where the improvements, alternatives, and their associated impacts will be illustrated and discussed.
IDOT is currently at the early stages of Phase I for this project. This site will be updated periodically as the project progresses. This Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) wishes to thank you for your support and patience.
We are interested in hearing your ideas and opinions! Please let us know what you think about the IL Route 13 Phase I Study. Join our project mailing list to stay up to date on important project information.
Please use the email address below to submit a comment or question and/or to join the mailing list.
If you prefer, you may contact us by US mail, email, or telephone:
Illinois Department of Transportation, District 8
Attn: David Holloway, P.E., Project Management Consultant for Studies & Plans
1102 Eastport Plaza Drive
Collinsville, IL 62234
Email: David.R.Holloway@illinois.gov
Phone: (618) 799-9047