Nearly $25M announced for Bob Michel Bridge improvements

PEORIA (25 News Now) - Improvements are coming to the Bob Michel Bridge that carries Illinois 40 over the Illinois River between East Peoria and Peoria.

The $24.6 million in improvements from the Rebuild Illinois initiative- tentatively scheduled to begin March 13 and last eight months - will bring new concrete overlay and bridge joints to preserve and extend the life of the deck.

Other improvements include replacing the existing five-foot sidewalk with a 14-foot wide multi-use path for use by pedestrians and bicyclists that will be protected from vehicles by a concrete barrier.

Governor JB Pritzker says that by closing the bridge and not performing the work in multiple phases, the project will be completed quicker and at a reduced cost.

That also means the safety risk to workers and motorists is lowered by eliminating live moving traffic through an active construction site.

Traffic will be detoured north to Interstate 74 and the Murray Baker Bridge.

The bridge will remain open to bikes and pedestrians throughout the project.

More information can be found on the project page.

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