US 45 (Eldorado to IL 141) Project

This project consists of upgrading US 45 from two to four lanes from IL 142 in Eldorado (Saline County) to IL 141 at the Gallatin/White County line. The project, approximately 9 miles in length, will construct a five-lane urban section from the southern terminus to Dewey Road, where the center turn lane will be replaced with a grass median to the project’s northern terminus. The existing two-lane section will primarily be used to carry northbound traffic, with two new lanes constructed on the west side of the existing pavement to carry the majority of southbound traffic. New lanes will be constructed to the east of the existing roadway for a portion of the project that traverses the North Fork Saline River floodplain to minimize impacts to the copperbelly water snake habitat on the west side of the existing roadway in this area. The purpose of the project is to improve regional connectivity and promote economic development in an economically depressed portion of Illinois.

Note: IDOT projects typically have three distinct phases. Phase I (or the project Study) consists of developing the project scope, environmental studies and preliminary design of a project. Phase II (Design) consists of refining the design to develop contract plans and land acquisition. Phase III (Construction) consists of the actual construction of the project.

The purpose of the project is to improve regional connectivity and promote economic development in an economically depressed portion of Illinois.

The project’s Environmental Assessment (EA), containing the final analyses and reporting on the preferred alternative, was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on April 18, 2011. On June 22, 2011 the FHWA agreed that the project would not result in a significant impact to the human environment and issued the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The EA and the FONSI may be viewed by clicking the links below:

• US 45 Environmental Assessment
• US 45 Environmental Assessment Errata
• US 45 FONSI

Any questions can be addressed by calling or visiting the IDOT Region 5, District 9 Headquarters at 2801 West Murphysboro Rd. on the west edge of Carbondale at (618) 549-2171.

Project Plans (Listed South to North)

Plan 1
Plan 2
Plan 3
Plan 4
Plan 5
Plan 6

Public Hearing Typicals
Road Closure - Grumley
Road Closure - Hazel Ridge
Road Closure - Mundy
Road Closure - Two Mile

IDOT is currently at the early stages of Phase I for this project. This site will be updated periodically as the project progresses. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) wishes to thank you for your support and patience.