The McClugage Bridge is scheduled to close later this week, as crews continue demolition work on the bridge’s eastbound span.
The Illinois Department of Transportation [IDOT] said the bridge and surrounding roads will close around 10 a.m. Thursday, March 27. The closure is expected to last around an hour.
The closure will allow for the first of six planned blasts scheduled over the next three months. IDOT said the explosives will sever steel, removing girders on the east side of the bridge and making room for an eventual full removal.
During the blast, traffic will be routed from U.S. 150 [War Memorial Drive] at interchange ramps and be kept moving. The department will not allow stopping on War Memorial Drive during the closure. Adams Street will remain open in both directions.
During all six blasts, eastbound U.S. 150 from Adams Street to Illinois 116, westbound U.S. 150 from Illinois 116 to Adams Street, ramps from Illinois 116 to westbound U.S. 150 and Lorentz Avenue from Adams Street to the Illinois River will all be closed.
IDOT reminds anyone who wants to view the demolition that there is a security perimeter around the area on land and water. The department also asks viewers to be careful of trespassing on private property without the owner’s permission.
IDOT will have drones in the area to monitor the detonation. Civilian drones are required to stay 1,000 feet north of the bridge and fly more than 300 feet above the ground. A civilian drone wandering into the area could cause a delay of the blast.
Demolition is the next step in fully transitioning to the new McClugage Bridge. Drivers started using some portions of the new bridge in December 2024.
