Route 251 bridge is open

IDOT opened the Route 251 bridge South of Peru Monday night.

Several routes over the Illinois River to remain closed

The water has receded but several of the main roads over the Illinois River remain closed.

Tom Hufnagel with the Illinois Department of Transportation said Monday afternoon that due to damage caused by flood waters Routes  351 and 89 would remain closed at the river.  Some of the shoulders have been washed away and pavement has been damaged.  He wasn’t sure when the roads would be re-opened but he was sure it wouldn’t be by Tuesday morning.

In the meantime, continue to use Interstate 39 though be aware of traffic backing up down the ramps and into the driving lanes.  Several times today State Police troopers had to direct traffic to clear backups.

The Route 178 bridge in Utica reopened Sunday.

Sandy Ford Bridge to be closed for inspection Tuesday

          If the Sandy Ford Bridge over the Vermilion River is part of your ride to work, you may have to take another route.  The bridge will be closed from 7:30am to 1pm Tuesday so it can be inspected.  Workers will also be cleaning up any debris left by recent flooding. 

Items for flood victims available at the Marseilles Lions Club

Do you know a flood victim in need of clothes or food?  Every day this week between 9 until noon and 4 until 7 volunteers at the Marseilles Lions Club will be handing out personal products, clothes, food and pet supplies to victims of the flooding.  They’re also accepting donations at the Lions Club on behalf of flood victims.  Things that they especially need donated include: toothbrushes and toothpaste; soap and shampoo; diapers; garbage bags; and towels.

Ottawa officials encouraging flood victims to report damages

Before Ottawa can receive federal help for flooding damages, they need to prove how much was damaged.

If you had water in your basement, crawl space, or elsewhere in your property call city hall.  They also have cleaning kits available.

Sign Installation Means Delays On Interstates 80 and 39

Have you noticed foundations for signs lying along side Interstate’s 80 and 39? The job of putting them up starts tonight.

You can expect delays of up to 15 minutes if you drive up to a sign installation on I-80 and I-39 between 10pm and 6am.  The signs will be going up all week long.

John Burns Construction of Orland Park got the job for over 1.9 million dollars.  They are installing message signs, guardrails and concrete foundations in Bureau, La Salle and Kankakee Counties.

Search For Missing Peru Woman Resumes

The search has resumed for 62-year old Nancy Greening.

Conservation Police Sgt. Hank Frazier says dive teams are focused in the area of Route 351 between the Illinois River and I & M Canal.  The river is going down making it easier for divers but it’s also covering things up underwater because of all the murky debris.

Frazier says they were told by State Police Saturday afternoon around 3 of a mission person.  About an hour later conservation police found Greening’s van.  Frazier says Greening had driven around closed barricades into flood waters on Route 351 between the Illinois River and I & M Canal.

Greening was last seen standing next to her submerged van Friday.

Latest On Area Road Closures

When it comes to road closures, not much changed over the weekend.

The Route 251 bridge, Route 89 bridge and Shippingsport bridge in La Salle remain closed today.  The Route 178 bridge in Utica has reopened to traffic.

According to IDOT, in Bureau County, Route 26 remains closed from Interstate 180 to Route 29, or Pike Road.  Around Putnam County, Routes 18 and 26 are closed at the Henry bridge.  Route 89 remains closed in Putnam County south of the Illinois River.  A stretch of Route 17 is also closed along the Illinois River but there is a posted detour.

Peru Council Will Tackle Flooding Issues

Though they’re not getting as many headlines as Marseilles and Utica, the city of Peru is still being hit hard by the record flooding.

Before tonight’s regular council meeting, city officials will have a discussion at 6 to talk about flood related issues.  Everyone from the public is invited and it’s happening in the city council chambers.

The regular council meeting starts at 7:30.  Some of the things the council will vote on is buying a new fire truck and a new agreement with the Peru Volunteer Ambulance Service.