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Update at 8:10 p.m.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Illinois State Police Troop 7 has notified that Interstate 74 westbound is now open again at the Farmer City exit, located at mile marker 159.
Update at 7:30 p.m.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Portions of Interstates 55 and 74 have been shut down due to the low visibility from dust storms.
At 6:18 p.m., a Facebook update from Illinois State Police Troop 5 informed the public that they had closed sections of I-55 between South Bloomington and McLean, I-74 from South Bloomington to Farmer City, and U.S. Route 136 from McLean City to Heyworth. These closures were due to poor visibility caused by dust storms. Drivers are advised to exercise caution and avoid the area if travel is not essential.
CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Illinois State Police is on the scene of a number of accidents on Interstate 74 in the Troop 5 and Troop 7 areas.
Earlier, at around 5:38 p.m., I-74 westbound had been shut down at the Mansfield exit. By 6:10 p.m., state police were handling five accidents on I-74 in the Troop 7 zone and three in the Troop 5 region. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities reported from these incidents.
The Troop 7 area includes the following counties:
- Champaign
- Coles
- Douglas
- Edgar
- Macon
- Moultrie
- Piatt
- Shelby
- Vermilion
The Troop 5 area includes the following counties:
- DeWitt
- Ford
- Iroquois
- Kankakee
- Livingston
- McLean
At 6:31 p.m., State Police announced that Troop 7 units are assisting Troop 5 units with a traffic diversion of I-74 W at Farmer City due to high winds and dust in DeWitt and McLean Counties. Traffic is currently being diverted into Farmer City at exit 159 westbound until the conditions subside and it’s safe to travel on the interstate.
Additionally, a portion of I-55 is expected to be closed due to the weather conditions. State Police Troop 7 will continue to post updates on their Facebook page.
