Widening I-57 to three lanes from Marion to Mt. Vernon has long been talked about and needed to ease congestion downstate. State Representative Terri Bryant says the funding is in place to make the entire project a reality.

Bryant says a day she, and likely many others have thought about, will finally come because of the recently passed infrastructure bill.

Interstate 57 is already three lanes for six miles from Marion to Johnston City, and work has started to add a third lane six more miles to West Frankfort.