E.T. Simonds Construction

10/09/2026

Ever wonder why you see road crews working in the middle of the night?

The biggest reason is traffic. Highways are busiest during the day, when people are commuting, hauling freight, and getting kids to school. Doing the work overnight means fewer lane closures when most people are on the road, shorter backups, and less time sitting in a work zone.

In the summer, there's another reason. Daytime temperatures on a fresh road surface can be brutal, and working after dark avoids the hottest part of the day.

It does come with a tradeoff. Night shifts mean sleeping while everyone else is awake and missing dinners at home. It's part of the job, and the crews who do it make it possible for everyone else's day to run a little smoother.

If you're driving through a work zone after dark, slow down, stay alert, and give the crew room.

10/06/2026

Did you know fresh asphalt is placed at nearly 300 degrees? That's hotter than boiling water.

It has to be that hot to spread. Once it hits the ground it starts cooling, so crews have to place it, smooth it, and roll it flat before it sets up. That's why a paving crew never really stops moving... they're racing the clock on every load.

On cool nights you can see steam rolling off a fresh mat. That's the heat of the asphalt meeting the cold air.

Next time you pass a paving crew, give them room. They've got a lot of heat to work with and not much time.

10/02/2026

09/18/2026

E.T. Simonds is helping improve Marion city streets!

Our crews will be working in areas around town throughout September, so keep an eye out for us while we’re on the job.

Please slow down, stay alert, and use caution near work zones to help keep everyone safe.

09/18/2026

09/07/2026

Today is for them.

For the operators, the laborers, the paving crews and the bridge builders... the people who start early, stay late, and work in heat and cold to build the roads Southern Illinois depends on. None of it happens without them.

To every one of our workers and the families who support them: thank you. The early mornings and long days you give to this work don't go unnoticed, and they never will. We hope today you get to set the work down and spend it with the people who matter most to you.

Happy Labor Day, from all of us at E.T. Simonds.

09/04/2026

In most cases, slowing down through a work zone adds less than a minute to your commute... but for the people working just feet away, that extra minute can mean everything.

Every barrel you pass has a person behind it, someone with a family waiting for them at home tonight. When you ease off the gas, put the phone down, and give our crews room to work, you're helping make sure they get there.

Here's the actual math. On a two-mile stretch passing through a work zone, slowing from 55 to 45 costs you about 29 seconds. That's the difference between two minutes and eleven seconds and two minutes and forty. Even dropping your speed from 65 to 45 is still a difference of under 60 seconds.

To everyone who already slows down and drives with a little extra caution: thank you. The people behind the barrels are grateful for it.

08/06/2026

https://mactc.org/ - Mid America Carpenters Regional Council

07/31/2026

We’re proud to celebrate E.T. Simonds employee, Chris Wilce for winning the Southern Illinois APA 6-9 MVP tournament!

Chris took down the competition, earned the coveted MVP jacket, and secured his spot in the Spring Regional. Congratulations on an incredible accomplishment, Chris. We’re proud to have you on the E.T. Simonds team and wish you the best of luck on the !