Tazewell County, IL – Drivers in rural Tazewell County are facing overnight detours as Springfield Road remains closed in both directions following significant utility damage reported Wednesday evening.
According to the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, Springfield Road is shut down between Illinois Route 9 and Broadway due to several downed electric poles along the roadway. The closure impacts all traffic traveling through the area, with no through access available at this time.
Authorities say repair work is extensive, and the road is expected to remain closed through the night as utility crews work to safely restore infrastructure. Motorists are being urged to seek alternate routes and avoid the area to allow crews enough space to complete repairs.
The affected stretch of Springfield Road runs through a rural section of Tazewell County, where limited detour options may lead to longer travel times, especially for residents commuting between smaller communities and nearby population centers such as Pekin and surrounding townships.
No injuries were immediately reported in connection with the incident that caused the poles to be damaged. Officials have not yet released details on what led to the utility infrastructure being knocked down.
Law enforcement emphasized that safety remains the top priority and asked drivers not to move barricades or attempt to pass through the closed section of roadway.
Drivers should monitor local traffic updates and be prepared for continued closures into Thursday morning if repairs take longer than expected. Updates will be provided as conditions change and once the roadway is cleared for reopening.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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