After driving 961 miles from southwest Florida to Paducah, Ky., on smooth, beautiful roads, we soon came upon the most discouraging part of the trip–Interstate Highway 57 from southern Illinois to our home. It seems unbelievable that Illinois, a rich, cosmopolitan state, could have such terrible roads.
It would seem to us that our fellow citizens in Jefferson and Cumberland Counties–to mention a few of the areas we traversed–would want to march to Springfield to demand some share of service/consideration from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Bridges were nasty on our route, full of potholes. The junction at I-70 was rocky. But, around Charleston, the governor’s hometown, conditions were acceptable.
Don’t any of the IDOT employees, in their state-furnished cars, ever get away from their desks to check into road conditions? As far back as we can remember, I-57 has suffered from neglect. In bad weather, portions of the road are not plowed or are left as snowy masses of ice with abandoned trucks in the ditch for many miles.
I-57 is a key artery in our state. It becomes the first impression visitors receive as they journey northward. I-55 seems to be in fair shape from Chicago to Springfield and St. Louis.
What is the problem Downstate? Weak representation in the state legislature? Unfair distribution of road funds? A citizenry that is thoroughly cowed?
Having attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, I know it certainly can’t be the weather entirely. The climate Downstate is more temperate than in the Chicago area. And we can’t cry foul play unless we have lots of proof. An inquiring driver would like to know!
