Crashes and Repairs Disrupt Traffic on I-57 and I-72

Northbound lanes diverted, westbound lane closed as crews responded to incidents

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:18pm

Traffic was disrupted on two major central Illinois interstates on Friday as a crash blocked northbound lanes on I-57 and emergency road repairs reduced westbound traffic to one lane on I-72 in Macon County. Drivers were diverted and experienced delays as crews worked to clear the scenes.

Why it matters

Interstate highways are critical transportation arteries, and any disruptions can cause significant delays and inconvenience for drivers. Crashes and infrastructure issues require prompt response to restore normal traffic flow and ensure public safety.

The details

On I-57, a crash blocked the northbound lanes near Exit 240, prompting officials to divert all northbound traffic off the highway while crews worked to clear the scene. Meanwhile, on I-72 in Macon County, the right westbound lane was closed for several hours near milepost 152 over Friends Creek due to emergency road repairs.

  • The incidents occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The players

Illinois Department of Transportation

The state agency responsible for maintaining and repairing Illinois' highway infrastructure.

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The takeaway

These disruptions on major interstate highways highlight the importance of prompt emergency response and infrastructure maintenance to minimize travel delays and ensure public safety on the roads.