Illinois and Iowa DOTs lay out 7 options for new I-80 bridge; Bison Bridge still up in the air

LECLAIRE, Iowa and ROCK ISLAND CO., Unwell. (KWQC) – The proposed Bison Bridge venture might nonetheless develop into a actuality, however its future will depend on the place Iowa and Illinois state officers determine to find the brand new I-80 bridge.

Throughout a public digital assembly Wednesday afternoon, the Illinois and Iowa Departments of Transportation alongside engineers from Parsons Transportation Group laid out seven totally different choices for the brand new bridge over the Mississippi River.

Out of these choices, 4 enable for the Bison Bridge venture to develop into a actuality, Nonetheless, as a result of Nationwide Environmental Safety Act, or NEPA, the research can’t take into account the venture of their decision-making course of.

“It’s too early to take a position on the way forward for the present bridge and its skill to be reused for [the Bison Bridge] or some other function,” Tony Pakeltis with Parsons stated.

Choice One includes demolishing the previous bridge and reconstructing the brand new one on the identical path.

Not one of the choices will take into account bettering the present bridge. Choices Two and Three transfer the brand new bridge to both facet of the previous bridge conserving it intact.

Subsequent, choices 4 and 5 will see two bridges being constructed facet to facet. The present bridge would keep up as one new bridge is constructed, then it will be demolished and changed with one other new construction. The one distinction is wherein facet the primary bridge shall be constructed on.

Lastly, choices Six and Seven will change the trail of the brand new bridge both east or west, with the previous bridge staying in place.

NEPA requires choices to be made no matter outdoors components just like the Bison Bridge or financial impacts. As a substitute, Becky Marruffo with Illinois DOT stated consideration have to be positioned on the human affect first.

“NEPA is regulation,” Marruffo stated. “NEPA particularly states there cannot be any undue outdoors affect on the willpower on what meets the aim and wish.”

After itemizing to the presentation, Chad Pregracke with the Bison Bridge Basis nonetheless has hope for the venture. He stated the following step is for the general public to talk out throughout the remark interval.

“I believed it was very upbeat and promising,” Pregracke stated. “Most of these questions have been associated or feedback have been associated to conserving the present construction and utilizing it for the pedestrian bridge and Bison Bridge.”

The research for the brand new Bridge will settle for feedback for Public Document concerning the potential choices by way of Could 25.

Feedback might be made on the research’s web site. Supplies and Wednesday’s presentation will also be discovered on the I-80 bridge web site.

The committee will then slender down some choices for an additional presentation and public remark interval later this summer season. This part of the research will then maintain an extra public remark interval subsequent 12 months, with last findings being reported late in 2023.

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