(VANDALIA, IL) — Most commuters who regularly travel Route 51 between Sandoval and Vandalia were anticipating its closure this week due to flooding and it finally happened Thursday night. The Illinois Department of Transportation had been monitoring the situation and clearing the roadway of debris that had been washing up from the flooded fields bordering the highway but closed the stretch of highway Thursday between Route 40 in Vandalia and Route 50 in Sandoval. IDOT has set up signs detouring motorists to Illinois Route 185 and Interstate 57 as alternate routes to the 25 mile stretch of Route 51. Water levels on the Kaskaskia River at Vandalia are expected to continue rising and crest Saturday afternoon around 10 feet above the river’s flood stage. Fayette County remains under a flood warning until 10 a.m. today.