Motorists can expect delays due to Highway 3 work

EAST CAPE GIRARDEAU, Ill. -- Motorists who drive along Illinois Highway 3 from the intersection of Highway 146 at McClure to north of Ware should plan to encounter some delays caused by road construction.

Joe Lenzini of the Illinois Department of Transportation's Carbondale office, says the 10-mile project began Oct. 4 and is expected to take until November of 2005 to finish.

"We will be mainly replacing or repairing pavement," Lenzini said. "We will resurface the pavement, and provide for wider shoulders and flatter slopes for more of a safety recovery area."

The road will remain a two-lane, Lenzini said.

In addition to the road work, IDOT will raise the elevation of the highway in areas that are flood prone.

"We've had some flooding problems in the past," Lenzini said. "The levee system of the Mississippi River is close to the highway and it gets flooded through under-seepage."

IDOT will add rock to raise the elevation between nine and 18 inches in various spots along the highway. The road will not have to be closed while the rock work is being done.

In addition, IDOT plans to replace a 75-foot bridge over a drainage ditch two miles south of Ware on Highway 146.

Throughout the project, Lenzini said, IDOT will address small drainage issues and lengthen culverts across the highway.

During the repaving and repairing project, IDOT will close one lane and direct traffic in both directions with flagmen. Traffic will be controlled over the bridge with temporary signals. Road work will be done during the daylight hours. Both lanes will be open during the evening.

The project is expected to cost $4.2 million.