Dozens of residents and business owners got a first look at what could replace the US 52/Illinois 64 bridge over the Mississippi River. It's a lifeline for people in the Savanna and Sabula areas.
The current, 80-year old structure is a mere 20 feet wide, is not up to standards and is deteriorating. One new option is what is called a "tied-arch" bridge. It has with a large arch over the center span. Second, is a "cable-stayed" bridge which is supported with cables from two towers. Residents weighed their positives and negatives Wednesday night but, for the most part, wanted to know about impact during the build.
If anyone knows the Savanna/Sabula bridge it's Burt Shaw. "Worked on the old bridge for a number of years." Thirty four years between highway maintenance, operating a toll, and plowing snow. He says the area is due for a new bridge. "It hasn't gotten any wider, it's as narrow as it ever was," quipped Shaw.
Dozens of property and business owners came out to the open house in Savanna hosted by the Illinois and Iowa Departments of Transportation. The took a look at the layout planned for the new structure which will go in 100 feet downstream from the current bridge. It is coming in very close to Patsy and Lew Lehnhardt's home. "It will all occur right where we live. That's what we asked them about. What would happen and when. If it starts at both ends of the bridge and they work towards the middle, where do they put all their equipment," said Patsy.
And will traffic crossing the river between the two communities be impacted? For the most part the Illinois DOT plans to keep everything open while building, but can't commit to zero closures. Work on the approaches will be the tough part. "All we have to do is stage the ends so we're building the new road approach to the bridge and at some point have that ready and can cut traffic over immediately to it," said Jon McCormick an Illinois DOT Studies and Plans Engineer.
"Naturally it's going to impact traffic and probably last a year and half, two years," added Shaw.
As far as the design, both options are close to the $62 million Illinois DOT has budgeted in its six-year plan. Iowa will eventually foot half the bill. The tied-arch would be more cost efficient down the road as far as upkeep. Many residents have their opinions, but say they'd go with either one. "The cable one is very nice, they're both very nice," said Shaw.
After gathering the input IDOT will finish engineering and environmental studies. In January there will be a public hearing where the preferred design will be unveiled. Finalizing that and buying out a handful of properties will happen over the next couple years. Construction of the new bridge is tentatively slated to begin in 2015 and take about two years to complete.
As opposed to the 20-foot wide steel deck now the plan is for two, 12-foot lanes and 8-foot shoulders. It will be enough to accommodate bike traffic and make it easier for future maintenance.
