08/20/2026
IDOT SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON PROPOSED SOUTHWEST CONNECTOR STUDY
The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting Thursday, August 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta to discuss the Southwest Connector Planning and Environmental Linkages study.
The study is evaluating proposed improvements from just south of Waterloo to just north of Murphysboro through Monroe, Randolph, Perry and Jackson counties.
The study is examining potential improvements along Route 3, Route 154 and Route 13/127 to enhance highway safety and mobility, reduce travel times, strengthen regional connectivity and improve freight movement between southwest Illinois and the St. Louis metro area.
The purpose of the meeting is to present alternatives and alignments, explain the alternatives screening process and obtain public input.
The meeting will be held in an open house format. No formal presentation will be made.
Handouts and display boards will be available for public review, along with information on engineering and environmental processes. Representatives from IDOT and the study consulting team will be available to discuss the study and answer questions.
Meeting materials also will be available through an on-demand, self-paced virtual public meeting on the project website at southwestconnector.com for review and comment.
The public is invited to submit comments for consideration during the study. A comment form will be provided at the meeting and on the project website.
Comments can also be mailed to 2801 Murphysboro Road, Carbondale, IL, 62901, Attn: Southwest Connector Study, or emailed to [email protected].
All comments received by September 10 will be included in the official public meeting record.
The meeting is accessible to individuals with disabilities. Anyone needing specific assistance should call Region 5 Engineer Carrie Nelson at 618-351-5280. People planning to attend the meeting who need a sign language interpreter or other reasonable accommodations should notify the TTY/TDD number 800-526-0844 or 711 at least seven days before the meeting.
