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Drivers set to cross the Illinois River on the new McClugage bridge this week

The new eastbound McClugage Bridge arch section is maneuvered into place on December 19, 2023. That portion of the bridge will partially open on Thursday.
Tim Shelley
/
WCBU
The new eastbound McClugage Bridge arch section is maneuvered into place on Dec. 19, 2023. The new bridge is slated to open to vehicular traffic in fall 2024.

Portions of the new McClugage Bridge are set to open overnight.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the eastbound McClugage will partially open on Thursday. The process to switch traffic patterns happens overnight Wednesday, to lessen the impact on local drivers.

The McClugage Bridge connects Peoria to East Peoria, crossing the Illinois River.

Initially, the bridge will have two open lanes. A lane from War Memorial Drive and a lane from Adams Street also will be open. The multi-use path remains closed for now.

Drivers coming north from Adams access the bridge through a new ramp and don’t have to make a left turn at the signal anymore. Southbound Adams Street drivers get on the bridge the same way they always have.

War Memorial Drive will remain at one open lane leading up to the McClugage Bridge.

There’s still work to do. IDOT said the arch needs to be painted, and electrical work and construction are ongoing on both sides of the Illinois River.

Remaining construction includes finishing the bridge over Adams Street and building a full lane of road on the East Peoria side.

IDOT said construction, as well as making a multi-use path and demolishing the old bridge span, will start “as soon as possible.”

““The McClugage Bridge is not just a local landmark, but an asset that safely and reliably connects the state’s important, vital areas,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omar Osman in a media release. “We are proud to reach this milestone, knowing we are almost at the finish line.”

IDOT reminds drivers the area remains an active work zone. Slow down and plan extra time for trips through the area, as well as keeping a close look out for workers, flaggers and signs.

Collin Schopp is a reporter at WCBU. He joined the station in 2022.