(MARION, IL) — The Illinois Department of Transportation would like to alert motorists of an upcoming ramp closure on IL 148 to I-57 southbound.  Beginning Monday, May 1, 2017, the IL 148 southbound on ramp will be closed and will be reopened on Monday, May 8, 2017, weather permitting. This closure is necessary to facilitate rehabilitation of the roadway. Due to the high volume of traffic on this section of roadway, major delays can be expected daily between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Motorists should also be aware that incidents causing delays can occur at any time. This work will consist of removing the existing surface, fracturing (rubblizing) the existing concrete pavement to create the new base and placing new hot mix asphalt pavement and shoulders. Work is expected to last through late May, with all lanes open for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. A smart traffic control system will convey real-time traffic delay information to message boards located in advance of the work zone along I-57 and approaches to the interstate. Motorists are urged to pay attention to these messages and seek alternate routes when directed. Local traffic is encouraged to utilize other state routes to avoid this section of roadway if possible. IL 37, paralleling I-57 to the east, has been marked as a detour route for through traffic.