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The latest news from every corner of the state, including policy emerging from Missouri's capitol.

Southeast MO I-57 Corridor Re-Opens After 21-Hour Major-Incident Closure Near Charleston

MODoT Announces Re-opening of I-57 After 21 Hour Major Incident-Related Closure
Missouri Department of Transportation
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MHSP Troop E Facebook/MO DoT Facebook
Facebook post from Missouri Department of Transportation on March 17th.

A major multi-vehicle incident caused a 21-hour closure of a large section of I-57 in Southeast Missouri, near Charleston, and created major travel disruptions around the Southeast part of the state.

Around 5 a.m. Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Highway Patrol re-opened the Southeast MO corridor of I-57 to traffic in both directions.

The closure was from the I-55 south exit outside of Sikeston, to the Illinois state line outside of Charleston, MO.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Jeff Kinder, a vehicle pulled in front of traffic shortly after 8 a.m. on Mar. 17, in dense fog.

That vehicle's maneuvers caused a chain reaction crash with multiple tractor trailers, as well as a fire, near mile marker 13.4.

Several emergency vehicles and multiple agencies continue to process and clear the scene, and multiple people were taken to regional hospitals. Five people were confirmed dead.

Shortly before 5 p.m. Mar. 17, I-57 remained closed in both directions from the I-55 exit outside of Sikeston to the Illinois state line, and was expected to remain closed for several hours as crews clear the scene, and transport injured passengers to area hospitals.

Missouri to Illinois river traffic is being re-routed to I-155 in Caruthersville, MO; at Route 74 in Cape Girardeau; I-255, I-64, I-70, I-270 in St. Louis and I-55 in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is providing updates on its traveler information map.

John is a proud 2006 Alum of Southeast Missouri State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication – Radio option, with a minor in Management. He has been a life-long listener of KRCU Public Radio, but began his radio career as a student DJ on Rage 103.7 KDMC-LP in 2003.