DELAYS EXPECTED ON ROUTE 3

WARE, Ill. -- Motorists who travel Illinois Route 3 between East Cape Girardeau and Ware may want to use an alternate route Wednesday, the Illinois Department of Transportation said Monday.

Jim Zieba, construction engineer with District 9 in Carbondale, said a contractor engaged in replacing the Running Lake Ditch bridge on Route 3 will be erecting structural steel for the new deck.

"Because of this work, it will be necessary to close the highway for up to 45 minutes at a time throughout the day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.," said Zieba. "Motorists who want to avoid these extended delays should use an alternate route."

In case of poor weather conditions, Zieba said the work and would take place Thursday.

Zeiba said the best detour for all vehicles is over the Grapevine Trail Road from McClure to Tamms, and then north on Route 127 to Route 146 at Jonesboro. Those who are familiar with the Old Cape Road from Reynoldsville east to Route 127 may use it as a detour, but Zieba said it is not suitable for large trucks.

The bridge replacement project began in June, and is about 30 percent complete, Zieba said. There is signalcontrolled one-way traffic over the northbound lane of the bridge while the southbound side of the bridge is being replaced.

Zieba said the bridge is functionally obsolete because of its narrow width.