The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced that the massive project to replace two Interstate 270 bridges over the Mississippi River in Madison County has reached its halfway point. 

This project, a key part of Governor JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, is being carried out in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). 

The entire project is expected to be completed by 2026, with the first of the two new bridges already finished and set to open soon.

Governor Pritzker emphasized the importance of the project, saying, “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. 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 new bridges, referred to as the south span, is expected to be opened in two major stages. The first stage, scheduled for December 8 (weather permitting), will shift eastbound I-270 traffic onto the new bridge. 

In January, westbound traffic will also be moved onto the new structure using a temporary crossover, while the second bridge is built over the next two years. During the transition period, construction crews will work on the westbound pavement, which cannot be completed until the existing eastbound lanes are removed.

The overall project has a budget of $496.2 million, with MoDOT also contributing an additional $35.4 million to reconstruct the Riverview Drive interchange west of the bridge. When completed, the new bridges will feature wider shoulders, allowing for a future expansion of I-270 to three lanes in each direction.

Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman expressed appreciation for the teamwork involved in getting the project to this point, stating, “Reaching the halfway point of this critical project for the region is a testament to the partnership and hard-working teams in both Illinois and Missouri.”

Construction on the project began in

:text=GRANITE CITY - Today, Governor JB,of the country's critical freight&utm_source=riverbender&utm_medium=article_link">late 2022, and while it remains on schedule for completion in 2026, IDOT is advising drivers to plan for potential delays as work continues. Officials urge motorists to be aware of posted signs, obey speed limits, and watch for workers and construction equipment in the area. Travelers can visit the project website, 270mrb.org, for updates, maps, fact sheets, and a detailed construction timeline.

The I-270 bridge replacement is one of many infrastructure improvements being carried out under the Rebuild Illinois program. Over the next six years, IDOT plans to upgrade more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge deck across the state. So far, approximately $16 billion has been invested statewide, leading to improvements on more than 6,500 miles of highway and nearly 700 bridges.

While the I-270 project continues, motorists traveling through Tennessee this weekend should be aware of a separate closure on the I-55 Mississippi River Bridge near Memphis. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has temporarily shut down the bridge to allow for continued construction at the I-55 and Crump interchange. The closure began early Saturday morning and is expected to last until Monday morning, weather permitting.

During the closure, I-55 southbound is closed at Bridgeport Road in Arkansas, while northbound traffic is blocked at South Parkway in Tennessee. Local traffic will still be allowed to use the McLemore exit, but the southbound ramp and westbound Crump Boulevard are also shut down. TDOT has posted detour signs and advises all drivers to follow posted instructions and drive carefully through the area.