River bridge work at halfway point

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that work to replace two Interstate 270 bridges over the Mississippi River in Madison County has reached the midway point with the completion of the south span.

The joint project with the Missouri Department of Transportation is on track to wrap up in 2026.

“Rebuild Illinois has increased safety, efficiency, and opportunities for Illinoisans all over the state – and the work on the I-270 bridges will extend those benefits to even more communities,” said Gov. Pritzker. “Reaching the halfway point of this vital project is a significant milestone, made possible by the collaboration and dedication of our teams on both sides of the river. Together, we’re revitalizing infrastructure that will improve travel and mobility for residents and travelers for years to come.”

The first of the twin bridge openings is expected to occur over four weeks in the following stages:

Stage 1: Tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 8, eastbound I-270 traffic will be shifted to the new south span on two eastbound lanes, weather permitting.

Stage 2: In January, weather permitting, westbound I-270 traffic will be shifted to the new span using a temporary crossover just west of the Canal Bridge. Westbound traffic also will have two lanes across the new bridge. Eastbound and westbound traffic will use the new bridge while the adjacent structure is built over the next two years.

Between stages 1 and 2, construction will take place for the westbound pavement connecting to the new bridge. The section of pavement cannot be constructed until the existing eastbound lanes are removed.

The overall $496.2 million joint project with MoDOT will replace the existing bridges with two structures that have wider shoulders to accommodate the eventual expansion of I-270 to three lanes in each direction. A companion $35.4 million MoDOT project will reconstruct the Riverview Drive interchange just west of the bridge.