Southwest IL Connector

07/29/2025

Thanks to Fox2Now for the coverage.

For the next three weeks, the Illinois Department of Transportation is asking for public input as part of its $6 million study of the rural Southwestern Illinois Expressway in Randolph, Monroe, Per…

04/30/2025

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. (WSIL)-- A project looking to expand Western Illinois roadways that head to the St. Louis metro area is moving into its next phase.

04/30/2025

Thanks to The Southern Illinoisan for their coverage of today’s meeting.

The Southwest Illinois Coalition and IDOT representatives gathered Tuesday at the Randolph County Courthouse as the long-discussed Southwest Connector project took another step forward.

04/29/2025

Today at the Randolph County Courthouse in Chester a meeting of the Southwest Connector Coalition was held to discuss the Planning and Environmental Linkages Study that has been Commissioned by IDOT.
Jeff Young from HDR engineering gave a presentation outlining the community engagement aspect of the PEL study and set expectations for the timeline for completion.
Concerned citizens, agency officials and elected leaders from Jackson, Perry, Randolph and Monroe Counties were in attendance. It was a productive meeting with good discussion.

04/11/2025

Today Mayor Stephens met virtually with Joe Ballard, Associate Director in the office of Legislative Affairs at the White House. Also joining the meeting was Tony Frye. He is the Associate Administrator for Highway Policy and External Affairs for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The discussion explored the surface transportation priorities of the Trump Administration and how the Southwest Connector Coalition might help achieve those priorities. Additional conversations to come, but a very productive discussion for sure!

Find out more about the Southwest Connector at our new website.

www.swiconnector.com

04/09/2025

The Southwest Connector Coalition thanks Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch for providing a letter of support. His support is greatly appreciated. We are confident that his support will help us make progress!

03/24/2025

The Southwest Connector has a new website.

A proposed rural 4 lane expressway, created via the expansion of Illinois Routes 127 - 154 and 3 from Carbondale to St. Louis Missouri.

03/21/2025

On Wednesday March 18th, Chairman Stephens traveled to Springfield to advocate for the Southwest Connector. Productive discussions were had with State Senator Christopher Belt, State Senator Terri Bryant , Senator Dale Fowler, State Representative Paul Jacobs, State Rep. Marty Moylan, State Representative Dave Severin, State Representative David Friess, State Rep. Jay Hoffman, and staff from Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch office.
The Southwest Connector Coalition will be hosting a meeting on April 29th at the Randolph County Courthouse at 10 am to discuss the latest developments with the Coalition. The Illinois Department of Transportation will present a report, alongside HDR, the engineer that has been contracted to complete the Planning and Environmental Linkages Study for The Connector.