Motorists should expect the lane closures on the Cedar Street Bridge that began Monday to last throughout most of this year.
It's the first stretch of a three-stage overhaul project to repair the bridge carrying Illinois Routes 116 and 8 over the Illinois River.
This $15 million phase focuses on the Cedar Street Extension in East Peoria from the Illinois River to east of Center Street. The work includes pavement patching, milling, resurfacing, bridge rehabilitation, earthwork, guardrail, and other improvements, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Edmund Street interchange is also included in the scope of that work.
The Illinois Department of Transportation expects most of the work should wrap up by late fall, but it may bleed into early 2025. The bridge will remain open to traffic during the work, but delays should be expected.
Future legs of the project will include replacing the Cedar Street bridges over Main Street and the Tazewell & Peoria Railroad tracks. Last year, Gov. JB Pritzker announced $48 million in funding for the project.
The Cedar Street Bridge opened in 1932. It's the oldest remaining bridge over the Illinois River open to automobile traffic in the Peoria metro area.
