I-24 Ohio River bridge restrictions will begin again in March

Your unobstructed drive across the Ohio River on I-24 will end again in March.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that it plans to restart the work zone and its lane restrictions on the Interstate 24 Ohio River Bridge between Paducah and Metropolis on Monday, Mar. 2.

This marks the beginning of Phase 2 of the $38 million rehabilitation of the bridge. This phase will be in place until Oct. 13.

Once again, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. The difference this year is that following a week or two of prep work, all traffic will be shifted to the westbound lanes in a head-to-head configuration, allowing both eastbound lanes to be closed simultaneously for construction of a new concrete deck overlay. 

A temporary barrier will be placed along the center of the westbound lanes to carry two-way traffic. Please be aware that once the head-to-head pattern is implemented, a crash within the work zone will likely affect traffic in both directions.

As it was last year, motorists should expect delays during peak hours and use extreme caution in the work zone. The posted speed limit on I-24 between Kentucky's Exit 7 and the bridge is 55 mph in both directions.

Last year's phase 1, the first of three consecutive construction seasons, included deck and structural steel repairs, as well as joint replacements.

The entire 3-phase project is expected to be completed by fall of 2027.