DOWNS - It could be almost winter before traffic returns to normal on Interstate 74 near Downs, but two-direction traffic could return in a little more than one month if the eastbound bridge can support it. | Updated photo gallery | Video

The westbound bridge over Kickapoo Creek has been closed since Saturday when a gasoline tanker rolled over and caught fire, damaging the span. The eastbound bridge has been restricted to a single lane.

On Monday, Illinois Department of Transportation structural engineers checked to see if the eastbound bridge, with some repairs, could hold two lanes of traffic, said Jerry Cearlock, the IDOT district operations engineer in charge of the cleanup.

He said about 25 IDOT staff worked 24-7 to get the fire out, set up and post detours, re-evaluate routes, and assess damage.

The single eastbound lane was reopened at midnight Saturday. All westbound traffic must turn off at the U.S. 136 exit southeast of LeRoy, either to take the main detour toward U.S. 51 or to use U.S. 150 to reach Downs and LeRoy, said Cearlock.

If the eastbound bridge meets requirements for two-way traffic, workers would then build a median crossover, improve the shoulders and make any needed repairs to the bridge deck.

"We don't know if it's doable," he said of the possibility of making the eastbound bridge two-directional.

"It will likely be four to six weeks. We hope it can be sooner," Cearlock said. "If local traffic can avoid the area, it will be a big benefit for everyone."

Meanwhile, temporary traffic lights and detour signs are directing westbound motorists. One stoplight will be placed where the detour shifts from Interstate 74; another will be installed in Heyworth at a four-way stop intersection. The lights will replace flaggers now directing traffic. "It should be done by dark tonight (Monday)," he said.

Repairs to the westbound bridge, could be done "hopefully before winter," he said. "That's our best guess," he said.

Motorists westbound on Interstate 74 will see a flashing message board about four miles before the U.S. 136 turnoff southeast of LeRoy. Traffic now slows about half a mile to that exit, Cearlock said.

"We know (the delay) can be frustrating," said IDOT spokeswoman Marisa Kollias. She asked the public to be patient. The agency's "first priority is public safety," she said.

"Be alert and slow down. Be patient, be careful" Cearlock agreed.

Environmental impact

The fire damaged some nearby trees and grass, but minnows continue to swim in a nearby channel of Kickapoo Creek, said Illinois Environmental Protection Agency spokeswoman Jill Watson.

The IEPA is investigating three weekend accidents involving spills. Truck accidents in Quincy and Yorkville involved diesel spills.

At the I-74 bridge, Kickapoo Creek has two channels. A dry bed for overflow water was closest to the fire; the second channel has active minnows, she said.

Bodine Environmental of Decatur will pull fluids - mostly firefighting foam - from the dry creekbed to prevent runoff into the Kickapoo.

Soil samples are being taken to see if soils need to be scraped and removed, she said. IEPA staff will be returning later this week to investigate further, she said.

Driver died of blunt trauma

The accident occurred when a westbound gasoline tanker lost control about 1 p.m. and crashed into the guardrails before tipping over and catching on fire. The driver, Lowell Kolbus, 71, of Mattoon, died. He had been hauling a load to Ottawa.

Results of Monday's preliminary autopsy show Kolbus died from blunt chest trauma, McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling said in a statement. Confirmation of identity through dental records should be completed within days, and toxicology tests should be finished within six weeks, she said.

Hazardous material haulers in Illinois must have state approval that includes a "threat assessment," including fingerprinting and a background check, said Terry Montalbano, the commerical drivers' license administrator for Secretary of State Jesse White.

The approval is in addition to CDL requirements in Illinois, which includes a requirement for drivers to complete their written and road tests only in English, an automated format to prevent memorized answers, and a multi-part skills and road test, Montalbano said.

The Hours of Service law authorizes truckers to drive up to 11 hours and limits them to 14 hours in a duty period, said Matt Hart of Mid-West Truckers Association in Springfield.