|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
a weekly feature of Business and Technology news in Southwestern Illinois. |
by Bob Moore, SWI-News.com VENICE, IL, (SWI-News.com), June 16, 2003 - The McKinley Bridge, located in Venice, Illinois, will once again become a vital part of the transit system connecting Illinois and Missouri.
The McKinley Bridge, named after the president of the Illinois Traction System, William McKinley, opened in 1910 to carry trains and automobiles across the Mississippi River, north of St. Louis. The bridge was expanded from two lanes to four lanes in the 1930s. In 1958, the City of Venice, IL, purchased the bridge, financing the acquisition with revenue bonds supported by toll charges. In the mid-nineties, the bridge underwent a limited rehabilitation at a cost of $8 million. On October 30, 2001, the bridge, which had once carried 10,000 vehicles per day, was deemed unsafe for traffic and closed. In an interview with Southwest Illinois News following a press conference near the toll booths on the Illinois side of the McKinley Bridge, Alan Dunstan, chairman of the Madison County Board, explained the significance of the agreement for the buyout of McKinley Bridge. "There were a lot of groups involved with this, including the State of Illinois, Madison County, St. Clair County and City of St. Louis. By doing it on a regional level, we were able to it pull off and actually get the bonds paid off," said Dunstan. "Everyone has been in favor of this issue. I'm proud that I was able to play a part in it. I think the project will move real fast now and people will begin to see something done with their tax dollars," stated Dunstan. Dunstan emphasized that a lot of people shared the responsibility and now have the honor of saying that they were able to get this accomplished.
"From an industrial perspective, the Illinois landing of this bridge heads right into the industrial corridor of both Madison and St. Clair County," stated Baricevic. "Route 3, at the foot of the bridge, services the heavy metals industries in Sauget all the way up to the steel plants in Granite City and Alton. In the past years, the trucks have been rerouted to the Interstates. So, a lot of local traffic is now on the Popular Street Bridge," observed Baricevic. "So, the reopening of this bridge is important for a number of reasons," continued Baricevic. "It will provide some relief for the Popular Street Bridge and add access for Illinois residents to Missouri for jobs and economic benefit over there. It will help keep the cost of doing business for our industrial companies down so that they continue to stay here in the St. Louis region." "I think this is a win for everybody," stated Baricevic. Officials anticipate that the McKinley Bridge will open for commuters in early 2006. Once the bridge is open, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) will share in the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of the structure.
The Southwest Illinois News is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan St. Louis area. Text or graphics may not be copied, rewritten or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For more information, contact editor@slfp.com All rights reserved world wide © 1997 - 2003 Moore Design Group. |
  STL Front Page   Restaurant Guide  Advertising Information  Sports Kids Southwest Illinois News is designed & hosted by the Moore Design Group. How To Reach: Southwest Illinois News P.O. Box 1354 St. Louis, MO 63188 Voice: 314-771-0200 Fax: 314-771-0300 To submit news, contact: editor@slfp.com To advertise, contact: advertising@slfp.com |
John Baricevic, chairman of the St. Clair County Board, commented that the McKinley plays an important part in the economic growth of the St. Louis region.