Officials from Illinois and Missouri came together in a special event near interstate 270 bridge to celebrate the start of construction of a new I-270 bridge. They’re building new bridges to replace the old Chain of Rocks Bridge that goes over the Mississippi River. The goal is to improve transportation in the area. Governor J.B. Pritzker said this investment is important not only for the Metro East region but for the whole country. The Chain of Rocks Bridge connects ports and railways, making sure we have a steady supply chain for people in Illinois, Missouri, and the whole nation, Governor J.B. Pritzker said.
Why construction of a new I-270 Bridge over Mississippi River
The current four-lane Chain of Rocks Bridge was built for about 51,000 cars per day, but it’s handling a lot more traffic than that. In 1975, they predicted that around 19,800 vehicles would cross the bridge each day, but it’s much higher now. Thus, new I-270 Bridge construction is important. The current Chain of Rocks Bridge was built in 1966 and it’s not very safe anymore. It has two lanes in each direction and narrow shoulders, which can be dangerous if a car breaks down or if there’s an emergency. So, Illinois decided it’s time to replace the old bridge with new I-270 bridge construction. Both the Illinois and Missouri Departments of Transportation are working together on this project, which costs $496.2 million.
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They’re going to build two new bridges, one will be in the same place as the old one and the other will be to the south. The new bridges will have wider shoulders to make it safer. They’re also thinking about expanding I-270 bridge to have three lanes in each direction in the future. This construction of new I-270 bridge project is a big step toward improving transportation in the region. The new bridges will make it easier and safer for people to travel, support economic growth, and create a more reliable transportation system for everyone. The project is expected to be finished by December 31, 2026.
