Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Illinois and Missouri Departments of Transportation are hosting a groundbreaking ceremony today (Oct. 31), to mark the construction of the Don Welge Memorial Bridge, formally called the Chester Bridge.
The ceremony will take place on the Missouri side of the Mississippi River at the new bridge construction site at 11 a.m. Leaders from both MoDOT and IDOT and the CEO of Gilster-Mary Lee are scheduled to speak at the event.
The Don Welge Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi River runs along Illinois Route 150 and Missouri Route 51, and is located between Chester, Ill. and Perryville, Mo.
Currently under construction, the $284 million new bridge will be wider and taller, allowing for more vehicles and helping to prevent floods.
Construction started in August and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Construction is funded by both Illinois and Missouri.
The bridge was named in honor of Don Welge, a former Chester resident and longtime bridge advocate.
