COLLINSVILLE, IL -- The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that the northbound Illinois Route 3 ramp to eastbound Interstate 55/70/64 will be closed beginning Wednesday, July 7, 2004 for deck repairs. Motorists traveling north on IL Route 3 that want to travel eastbound on I-55/64/70 should follow the marked detour to Seventh Street in St. Louis, MO. This ramp is scheduled to be completed and opened by October 24, 2004. The entire project consists of four phases of work replacing the concrete deck overlay and bridge rail and performing earthquake modifications on seven structures at the Illinois Route 3 ramps and Interstate 55/70/64 near the Poplar Street Bridge in East St. Louis and Sauget, Illinois. This work on northbound IL 3 to EB I-55/70/64 is the third phase. Work on phase 2, eastbound I-55/64/70 to southbound IL Route 3, is ongoing and remains on schedule to be completed by August 1, 2004. The contractor on this project is Keeley & Sons, Inc. from East St. Louis, Illinois.

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IDOT would like to remind motorists to abide by the posted speed limit and use extra caution when driving in work zones. When workers are present on Illinois highways the speed limit is 45 mph, unless otherwise posted. Keep Us Alive Drive 45 is the Orange Ribbon campaign IDOT launched this construction season to recognize those who have lost their lives in work zones and to remind motorists to slow down and stay alert when driving. In 2003, 44 people were killed in work zone related accidents. Five of those people were construction workers. In addition, one IDOT minuteman and a tollway worker were killed while on duty.

KEEP US ALIVE - DRIVE 45