Chicago Construction News staff writer
The first two spans of the I-270 bridge project opened to eastbound traffic on Dec. 8, marking a key milestone in the ongoing work to replace two Interstate 270 bridges over the Mississippi River in Madison County.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reports that the project has now reached the halfway point with the completion of the south span. This joint effort with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is on track to be completed in 2026.
“Rebuild Illinois has increased safety, efficiency, and opportunities for communities across the state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Reaching the halfway point of this vital project is a significant achievement, made possible by the collaboration and dedication of 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 phased opening of the twin bridges is expected to occur over four weeks in the following stages:
- Stage 1: Starting Dec. 8 (weather permitting), eastbound I-270 traffic will be shifted to the new south span, which will have two eastbound lanes.
- 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 will also have two lanes on the new bridge. Both eastbound and westbound traffic will use the new bridge as the adjacent structure is constructed over the next two years.
Between Stages 1 and 2, construction will focus on paving the westbound lanes connecting to the new bridge. This section of pavement cannot be built until the existing eastbound lanes are removed.
The $496.2 million project, a collaboration between IDOT and MoDOT, will replace the current bridges with two new structures featuring wider shoulders. These upgrades will help accommodate the eventual expansion of I-270 to three lanes in each direction. A companion $35.4 million MoDOT project will also reconstruct the Riverview Drive interchange just west of the bridge.
“Reaching the halfway point of this critical project for the region highlights the partnership and hard work of our teams in Illinois and Missouri,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We appreciate the continued patience of travelers through this active work zone, and we look forward to completing the second bridge, delivering a major Rebuild Illinois investment that will improve safety, mobility, and quality of life for all.”
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion in all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Five of Rebuild Illinois include $16 billion in improvements across 6,541 miles of highway, 686 bridges, and 986 additional safety upgrades statewide.
