The Illinois Department of Transportation will be starting construction on US 51 from Cold Springs Road in Pana to the Shelby County line today. IDOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel says the project is set to go. 

The project is going to be done to resurface the road and is expected to be finished by November.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,500 miles of highway and 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program.  

Motorists should expect delays and allow extra time for trips through the area.  People are asked to avoid the work area and to use alternate routes if they can. Pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, and refrain from using mobile devices.

The work is expected to reduce US-51 to one lane at times and will have message signs, flaggers, and barricades. 

For IDOT District 6 updates check out Twitter at @idotDistrict6 or visit www.gettingaroundillinois.com.