Bridge project to start March 13 on U.S. 40 over I-70 just west of the Indiana state line

EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WAND) - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced bridge work on U.S. 40 over Interstate 70, just west of the Indiana state line, will start Wednesday, March 13.

The bridge work includes bridge deck patching, joint repair and a new concrete wearing surface.

Drivers are told to expect daily lane closures on Interstate 70, and flaggers will be present on U.S. 40 for traffic control until April 8, the date of the solar eclipse.

Afterward, the bridge work will be completed under staged construction, with signals in place to direct traffic across the bridge.

All interchange ramps will be open with signals in place to direct traffic at the ramps.

A lane closure on I-70 will be needed at times during the various stages.

IDOT said the project will result in a smoother driving surface.

The project is expected to be completed by mid-summer.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway and nearly 10 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.