FITHIAN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Illinois Department of Transportation is cautioning drivers driving near County Road 100 East over I-74 of the road closure near Fithian in Vermilion County to repair the bridge.

The closure is to repair bridge beams that were damaged recently by an oversized load. The construction is expected to last until the end of September.

IDOT says that motorist can expect delays and should allow extra time while driving in that area. They are asking drivers to find alternative routes to avoid the work area as well as to be alerted to changing conditions and signage in work zones and to obey speed limits. Staying off cell phones and watching for workers and equipment will help keep motorists safe.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge decking as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation.

IDOT is also planning two other projects in Vermilion County which include the Perrysville Road bridge over Interstate 74 and the Bowman Avenue bridge over Texas Avenue in Danville. The Perrysville Ave. bridge has a vertical clearance level that is below the current standard for both the interstate and its ramps.

Phase I is currently being completed where preliminary engineering and environmental studies are being conducted. Pending funding, construction could begin in 2027 and is expected to last approximately two years.

The Bowman Ave. bridge would entail the structural removal of the bridge, widening of the structure with construction of a roundabout with a 10 – foot shared pedestrian/ bicycle area including new curbing and sidewalks and road re-surfacing and new traffic signals.

The Perrysville Road bridge will also see removal of the bridge, construction of a cul-de-sac north of the bridge, replace sidewalks, reconstructions of the intersection and a dead-end on Perrysville Road south of the bridge.

For more information on IDOT projects, go to https://www.idot.illinois.gov to look for featured projects.