I-70 and U.S. 40

This page outlines projects along the I-70/U.S 40 corridor located in the central, southeastern region of Illinois. Projects include reconstruction of I-70 westbound lanes east of the I-57/70 interchange and resurfacing of the U.S. 40 bridge in Clarke County near the Indiana border.

In-depth project information, including tree trimming initiatives, first responder meeting, and frequently asked questions can be found by selecting the menu options above or scrolling down.

• September 16, 2024
  • Resurfacing of the westbound lanes is almost complete; however, there is still more work to done before this project is finished.  Shoulder work is also near completion.  Once that is done, preparation for seeding can begin.  After seeding, contractors will start installing the guardrail and striping the road.  Once those steps are completed, westbound traffic can be switch back to the westbound lanes.  Both east and west bound passing lanes will remain closed to complete dirt work and seeding in the median area.  The removal of barrier wall from the eastbound lanes will not occur until the final striping in the eastbound passing lane is completed.  Sign placement, rumble strips and grooving/striping will require lane closures once the barrier wall has been removed. The bridge at the Montrose interchange is open but there are a few minor items that to be finished including grooving the surface deck.  This should only take a day or two to complete and will be done soon.
• July 5, 2024
  • I-70 Effingham to Montrose Contractors placed another layer of asphalt on the westbound lanes. The final layer will be placed after the placement of topsoil and bridge work has been completed. Regarding bridge work, rebar placement will begin on the bridge deck at the Montrose interchange this coming week with plans to pour the deck before the end of July. Once the deck is poured, the approach pavement and parapet walls will be constructed. Completion of the placement of topsoil should occur in August.  Other items that will be completed later this year include the construction on sign foundations, sign placement, underdrain concrete outlet pads, aggregate shoulder, guardrail, rumble strips, grooving/striping and seeding.
• April 18, 2024
  • All barrier wall and traffic control devices are up, and all traffic has been moved to the east bound lanes this afternoon on I-70 between Effingham and Montrose. East bound traffic is using the east bound driving lane and west bound traffic is crossing over into the east bound passing lane, with traffic separated by the barrier wall. The east bound on/off ramps at the Montrose interchange are open. The west bound on/off ramps are closed to all traffic except emergency personnel.
• April 11, 2024
  • Barrier walls will be placed on I-70 between Effingham and Montrose in the east bound lanes beginning on April 12 with completion expected next week. Traffic will be on the east bound driving lane and outside shoulder while construction crews place the barrier wall in the east bound passing lane. There will be no closed lanes in the west bound lanes. See images below.
• Construction will begin on the I-70 reconstruction project April 9.
  •  See the March 20, 2024 press release for more information  

Q1. What is the exact distance of the work zone? Where does it start and end? (Mile markers) A1. The work zone is 8 miles from 98.5MM to 106.MM. The actual road being reconstructed is less than 7 miles.

Q2. What work is left to be done on the project? What's left to be done eastbound? What's left to be done westbound? A2. Eastbound is finished. All work will be in the westbound lanes.

Q3. Will any new safety precautions be put in place? If yes, what are the new safety precautions? A3. Listed below are items added to help improve safety to the I-70 reconstruction from Effingham to Montrose:

• Transverse rumble strips in advance of the work zone.
• Transverse rumble strips within the work zone, roughly at 1/3 and 2/3 of the way through the project.
• Add a numeric speed to the maintain work zone speed limit signs, located every 2 miles.
• Increase Illinois State Police presence within the work zone and in advance of the queuing and ticket distracted drivers as needed.
• Communicate regularly with the Illinois Trucking Assocation and Midwest Truckers Association.
• Milestone or monthly email blast to emergency responders, local agencies and the general public.
• Message boards displaying messages to avoid distracted driving, which is being monitored.
• Add Dial 911 for Assistance signs in the emergency pull overs.
• Add 2 message boards in advance of the I-57/70 north and east bound split, helping move I-57 traffic to the left lane.
• Regularly rotate messaging on message boards to help keep motorist attention.
• Work with local first responders on accessing the highway from the frontage road for crashes and other emergency issues

Q4. What detours will be posted? How will detours be communicated (road signs, social media, press releases, etc)? A4. There are no detours unless an accident occurs. Eastbound traffic will be moved northbound onto I-57 to the Mattoon Interchange at Lake Land, south onto US 45 to IL121, south again on IL 121 to the Montrose Blacktop, then back onto I-70 eastbound at the Montrose interchange ramp. Westbound traffic will exit at Greenup south onto IL 130 to US 40, west through Montrose and Teutopolis to Effingham, then north onto US 45 to the I-57/70 & US 45 Interchange.

Q5. What is the project completion date? A5. The project is expected to be completed in mid-November.

Q6. What is the total project cost? A6. $50,277,000