The Illinois Department of Transportation is leading the bridge and corridor study, and its partners are the Iowa DOT, Federal Highway Administration, and several consultants.
Becky Marruffo from the Illinois DOT says the project team has narrowed the list of alternatives to improve and replace the bridge plus six miles of interstate. The team used a wide range of criteria to decide which options are the most feasible and desirable.
During the second public meeting in May, Marruffo says the team presented seven alternatives. Along with a "no build" option, that list includes replacing the bridge at its current location. That would require all I-80 traffic to be detoured during demolition and construction.
Another big part of the study is the reconfiguration of the I-80 and I-88 interchange. The project team came up with four options for it.
Marruffo says it's not feasible to widen the lanes of the existing, 55-year-old bridge between LeClaire and Port Byron.
The next deadline for public comment is November 10th. People may submit comments during the meeting, on the website or by mail at 819 Depot Avenue, Dixon, IL 61021-3546.
The I-80 project team expects to complete the study before the end of next year with the recommendation of a "preferred alternative" alignment in 2024. The team will hold a fourth public meeting, so people will have another chance to comment on the final recommendation.
The public meeting will be held online tomorrow online from 4 until 5:30 pm. Register to attend the virtual meeting HERE.
