Day 2 of the I-255 closure: How is return of Super Bowl partiers affecting traffic?
Only about one-third of the 55,000-or-so weekday commuters who normally use Interstate 255 between Collinsville Road and I-64 utilized the alternate routes marked by the Illinois Department of Transportation on Monday, the region’s first work day since the four-mile stretch of highway was shut down for major repairs.
IDOT Engineer Joel Cumby attributed some of that comparatively light traffic to Super Bowl hangover, speculating that some workers took off the day the following the big game. He said Tuesday’s rush hour might paint a more accurate picture of what drivers can expect until I-255 is returned to full volume in the fall.
So, how did it go?
About 40% of the normal I-255 volume used the alternate routes and there’s room for more, Cumby said.
“We are very grateful that the motoring public are using all available alternate routes, using caution and staggering their trips, however we have noticed that there is still available capacity on IL 159,” Cumby said in an email to the News-Democrat. “We have also recognized that the detour has pushed more vehicles towards the Poplar Street Bridge and that the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge is relatively underutilized.”
Interchanges continued to see the majority of the congestion, especially IL-159 southbound at I-64. At 7:20 a.m., traffic on IL-157 was slowed significantly for about a quarter mile both north and south of the I-64 interchange, but was mostly cleared within 15 minutes.
At 7 a.m. Tuesday, traffic was heavier throughout the metro-east, especially along I-64 from the I-55/70 merger all the way to Fairview Heights, but it still was moving at the speed limit.
IL-157 in Caseyville, which saw some slowing and backups Monday, slowed once again between West James and West Lincoln. The highway backed up just north of there between 7:30 and 8 a.m. Monday as students arrived for classes at Collinsvile High School.
Traffic on IL-111 has continued to move with few disruptions. At IL-203 near the I-64 interchange, traffic slowed due to road work near East St. Louis and bridge traffic.
At 7:52 a.m., IDOT tweeted: “We are seeing congestion build on several alternate routes. Expect slow traffic at the tri-level (I-55/70 & I-64 interchange), IL-3, IL-111, and IL-157. At this time, IL-15 and IL-159 are rolling near the speed limit. Please plan ahead. #ILtraffic”
Increased use of public transit may have taken some pressure off the roads.
Though Metro did not have exact numbers on numbers to say there was increased ridership on the MetroLink and MetroBus systems, spokesman Jerry Vallely said business from Illinois commuters appeared robust.
“Anecdotally, during rush hour, I can say that the trains coming into Illinois are full,” he said. “We have the capacity for more riders too and encourage people to check our website for routes.”
The next test of the metro-east life without I-255 could come Wednesday with a forecast blast of winter weather. Cumby said road crews will give alternate routes the same priority afforded I-255 and other major arteries.
“With the forecast suggesting that winter weather is likely over the next few days, we will be putting our plan in motion to maintain the detour and the alternate routes,” he said. “ The forces and resources that would normally be used to maintain I-255 will be used to maintain the alternate routes.”
The roughly four-mile stretch of I-255 between exits 25 and 20 will be closed down in both directions until sometime in July, at which point IDOT will barricade another three miles from I-64 to IL-15 on the west side of Belleville. The entire project is expected to be completed by Nov. 24.
At a cost of $64 million, IDOT expects to resurface seven miles of I-255, complete “significant bridge repairs,” make safety improvements and drainage upgrades. It’s being funded as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital plan through the state’s gambling expansion, increases to driver’s service fees and tax hikes on tobacco.
IDOT District 8 officials have said closing all lanes of traffic will shorten the project by approximately three years and save about $14 million. They also said the closure is safer for both workers and drivers.
This story was originally published February 4, 2020 at 7:17 AM.
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