EFFINGHAM – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that Illinois 1 between 11th and 12th streets in Mount Carmel will close for the removal of the bridge over an abandoned railroad on Thursday, June 30.

The existing bridge has concluded its life cycle. Rather than building a new bridge, it is more cost-efficient to replace the existing bridge with a road. Benefits include a long-term cost savings and less time for Illinois 1 to be closed. A detour will be posted utilizing North Market Street/College Drive and 1550th Boulevard. Work is expected to be complete by mid-August.

Only local traffic will be permitted on Illinois 1 between North Market Street and 1550th Boulevard during the road closure. Motorists are encouraged to follow the posted detour and should allow for extra travel time. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,500 miles of highway and 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Two included approximately $5.2 billion of improvements statewide on 3,020 miles of highway, 270 bridges and 428 additional safety improvements.