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I-255 Rehabilitation Project
Rehabilitating and resurfacing of I-255 from Illinois 157 to Illinois 15 to improve traffic flow, efficiency and safety in St. Clair County.
Overview
Starting in February 2025, the rehabilitation and resurfacing of Interstate 255 fixes a badly deteriorated section of the interstate in the St. Louis Metro East area. While this project will require a complete closure of the interstate to all traffic for an estimated six months, this approach will lead to a quicker project completion, increased safety, and cost savings for taxpayers.
The benefits from a complete interstate closure include:
- Completion of the project in six months instead of two years.
- Save taxpayers over $10 million, plus the ongoing costs of repairing lanes that would need to stay open with staged construction.
- Eliminate significant traffic backups entering a work zone, lane shifts for new configurations, thus reducing crashes and driver confusion.
- Ensure the safety of workers during construction by keeping traffic out of the work zone.
The project, funded by Rebuild Illinois, consists of rehabilitating and resurfacing approximately 3.5 miles of Interstate 255 from Illinois 157 to Illinois 15 in St. Clair County, with bridge repairs, safety improvements, new lighting, signing, and drainage upgrades.
Improvements to I-255 from Illinois 15 to Collinsville Road were completed in 2020. The work in 2025 will focus on I-255 from Illinois 157 to Illinois 15.
Closure: Feb. 1, 2025
Estimated Completion Date: July 31, 2025
Awarded Construction Cost: $65.4 million
Detour and Alternate Routes
Project Updates
May 2025
Summer is around the corner, and with it comes sunshine and great progress! Throughout the month of May, crews made significant headway, wrapping up bridge deck overlays. Mainline asphalt paving is nearly finished. Guardrail installation, highway signage and lighting improvements are currently in progress. In June, work will begin on pavement striping. Contractors are coordinating closely with IDOT district staff to remain on schedule. Please stay alert and watch for signs, crews and equipment when traveling through the work zone.
April 2025
April began with a visit to the construction site by students of IDOT’s Highway Construction Careers Training Program at Southwestern Illinois College in East St. Louis. The tour gave students a close-up look at ongoing bridge deck work and mainline overlays. Work also continues on the new median barrier wall, highway lighting improvements and bridge painting. In May, work will begin on installing guardrails, light towers, signage, seeding and pavement striping. Contractors are coordinating closely with IDOT district staff to remain on schedule. Please stay alert and watch for signs, crews and equipment when traveling through the work zone.
March 2025
March began with a continued focus on bridge joint removal and replacement, along with bridge deck preparation for patching and new surface overlays. Mainline pavement patching and highway lighting improvements also progressed steadily. Looking ahead, April will focus on starting bridge deck surface overlays and mainline road resurfacing. Contractors are working closely with IDOT district staff to remain on schedule.
February 2025
Interstate 255 is fully closed in both directions from Illinois 157 to Illinois 15 since Saturday, Feb. 1. Thank you for your understanding as we work to make these important improvements. The project is expected to be completed in late July!
Unrelated to the I-255 work, there will be lane restrictions on Interstate 55/64/70 from the Mississippi River to east of the Interstate 64 (Tri-Level) interchange in East St. Louis for a lighting improvement project. These restrictions will occur every weekend, starting Saturdays at 5 a.m. and ending Sundays at 5 p.m. The project is anticipated to be completed in summer 2026. The impact on I-255 detour traffic will be minimal.
We are monitoring traffic conditions closely in the initial days of the closure and will make adjustments as necessary. Please continue to choose the best route for your specific trip and drive safely.
For more information on the I-255 project, follow IDOT District 8 on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or subscribe for updates and notifications.
News
Press Releases:
Radio coverage:
Television coverage:
- KTVI (Fox2) – St. Louis – January 21, 2025
- KTVI (Fox2) – St. Louis – February 6, 2025
- KSDK-TV5 – St. Louis – February 3, 2025
- KMOV-TV4 – St. Louis – January 18, 2025
- Fox2Now – St. Louis – January 21, 2025
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For more information on the I-255 project, follow IDOT District 8 on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or subscribe for updates and notifications.
