Flooding forces closure of Illinois 3 in Alexander County, Chester bridge could reopen Saturday

Illinois Department of Transportation announced Friday morning that Illinois 3 near McClure and Illinois 146 in East Cape Girardeau would close at 7 p.m. because of high water from continuing flooding on the Mississippi River. The closure includes the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge. The roads will remain closed until floodwaters recede, according to a statement from IDOT.

On the western side of Southern Illinois, Illinois 3 in Randolph County was opened Friday at Nine Mile Creek near Evansville, according to a statement from IDOT District 8.