Exit loops to close by noon today

By Rupert Howell

Exit loops scheduled to close yesterday at the I-55 and Highway 6 intersection were only one-half complete at press time with the project engineer estimating completion at noon today.

Secretary Brandy Copeland with MDOT relayed that the southbound exit had been completed but the northbound exit would not be completed until approximately noon Tuesday.

MDOT had reported last Thursday that the new exits would be open Monday morning.

And it may have been a blessing that the lanes and new traffic lights weren’t completed as a blinding fog Monday morning may have caused unaware motorists to be even more confused with the new alignment.

The exit loops making up the “cloverleaf” built in the early 1960s will be permanently  shut down in favor of new signal lights and turn lanes.

Drivers traveling northbound on 55 exit onto Highway 6 using Exit 243A.

Drivers traveling southbound on I-55 wishing to exit should use Exit 243B.

Once exited onto off ramps, drivers will have the option to go either east or west on Highway 6 with new traffic lights and turn lanes assisting.