Sangamon Co. dust storm settles, I-72 remains open
Update at 7:56 p.m.
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The dust storm warning in Sangamon County is no longer in effect, according to the National Weather Service in Lincoln.
Since it last reopened around 6 p.m., I-72 has not closed down. All lanes remain open.
Update at 6:08 p.m.
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — IDOT has released an update that I-72 is open once again.
Tuesday’s third closure lasted about 20 minutes. The area west of Springfield between Wabash Avenue and New Berlin is now reopen for travel.
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The reopening comes nearly 40 minutes before Sangamon County’s moderate dust storm warning is due to expire at 6:45 p.m. Keep an eye on WCIA 3’s Weather Alerts page for updates.
Update at 5:41 p.m.
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that I-72 has now closed for a third time in three hours as a dust storm continues to blow around the area.
The same patch between Wabash Avenue and New Berlin is currently closed to traffic, IDOT officials said. Drivers should find alternate routes and proceed with caution.
Update at 5:04 p.m.
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois State Police said I-72 is now reopen.
The moderate dust storm warning from the National Weather Service in Lincoln remains in effect until 6:45 p.m.
“High winds are expected across parts of Illinois tonight, which could cause dust blowing across roads causing decreased visibility. It could also mean roads are temporary closed,” ISP officials said in an X post. “Make sure your headlights are on and pull to the shoulder if you are driving in these conditions.”
Update at 4:40 p.m.
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Illinois Department of Transportation notified that I-72 has once again closed due to an ongoing dust storm.
Lanes are closed between Wabash Avenue and New Berlin west of Springfield. Illinois State Police specified the stretch between mileposts 84-87 as the location of the closure.
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The National Weather Service in Lincoln issued a moderate dust storm warning for Sangamon County that has now been extended from 4:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
“Dust storms lead to dangerous driving conditions with visibility reduced to near zero,” the weather alert said. “If driving, avoid dust storms if possible. If caught in one, pull off the road, turn off your lights and keep your foot off the brake.”
Motorists should continue to remain vigilant and find alternate routes.
Update at 3:54 p.m.
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois State Police announced that all lanes of I-72 have now reopened, while the dust storm conditions continue.
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — State Police have said a dust storm has started on I-72.
State Police said motorists’ speed and visibility are severely diminished. They have closed both eastbound and westbound lanes are closed from milepost 84-87 in between Springfield and New Berlin.
This dust storm comes almost a year after another dust storm covered I-55, resulting in a 72-vehicle crash that killed eight people.
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At this time, the Illinois State Police report blowing dust on I-55 between mileposts 63-72. However, the roadway has not been closed.
Officials said on Facebook motorists should slow down or use alternative routes. They also advised following ISP’s X (Twitter) page for roadway closures and updates.
This is a developing story and we have a reporter on the way to the scene.
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