‘It’s really dangerous,’: Vermilion Co. village calls on IDOT to fix highway issue

INDIANOLA, Ill. (WCIA) — Heavy rains earlier this week have made driving difficult for some and almost impossible for others in Indianola. Residents say it has made a portion of a state highway unusable and want something done about it.

“It’s really dangerous, and it needs to be dealt with,” said Village Trustee Candace St. Pierre.

To get through town in Indianola, you either have to drive slow or row fast. Tuesday’s rain brought heavy flooding to the area of South High and Lee Lane, turning the state highway into a one-lane shoulder.

St. Pierre even helped tow a car out of the depths of the puddle on Tuesday night.

“They were leaving town. With the angle of the curve here, they weren’t able to see the water on the road in the dark,” St. Pierre said. “They came around that curve, and before they knew it, they were halfway through it, and their car had shut off and started flooding.”

Debbie Ingram, who has lived next to the spot for 30 years, said this isn’t a new problem.

“I got videos from every year it’s flooded,” she said.

Village officials have contacted IDOT several times over the years with no luck. They say the issue dates back to a broken field drainage tile that was never fixed.

“IDOT put a drainage basin underneath the road, hoping that would help relieve some of the water issues,” St. Pierre said. “It worked for a little bit, but with the angle of the road, everything just kind of washes down into that basin.”

WCIA reached out to IDOT about the area, who provided the following statement:

“IDOT is aware of the issue, we observed the area today, and we will be assessing the situation.”

For those with an unexpected beachfront property after summer showers, they hope for quick action.

“Hopeful that, you know, maybe we’re getting in contact with the right people at IDOT now,” St. Pierre said.

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