ST. LOUIS HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION REPORT
For more information on road construction call 1-888-ASK MODOT.

"If it's happening in St. Louis, it's on Saint Louis Front Page."

How To Reach Us:
St. Louis Front Page
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

UPDATE:

New Mississippi River Bridge Project
to Ease Congestion

Illinois and Missouri state and local officials took part in an official ground breaking by turning the dirt on the deck of the Eads Bridge for the Mississippi River Bridge Project. (L - R) MoDOT Director Pete Rahn, St. Louis Mayor Francis G. Slay, U.S. Reps. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo. and Lacy Clay, Jr., D-Mo., U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, U.S. Sen. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., IL Governor Pat Quinn, IL Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig, St. Clair County Chairman Mark Kern and U.S. Sen. John Shimkus, R-Ill. (U.S. Sens. Kit Bond, R-Mo. and Dick Durbin, D-Ill. not shown.)

New Mississippi River Bridge Projected as Major Connection Between Illinois and Missouri

"It has taken an extraordinary amount of effort from Illinois and Missouri to get to this point," stated Pete Rahn, MoDOT Director, during ground breaking ceremonies for the new Mississippi River Bridge. Rahn was joined by (L - R) U.S. Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo., U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, U.S. Sen. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., IL Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.

Mississippi River Bridge Projected as Bridge to the Future of the Region
by Bob Moore, SLFP.com
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), April 19, 2010 - The concept of spanning the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri with another bridge has been years in the works with numerous proposals, a variety of opinions and an ever increasing problem of funding.

Today, that concept became a reality as the Missouri and Illinois Departments of Transportation broke ground this morning as they officially turned dirt on the main span of the new Mississippi River Bridge in a ceremony on the deck of the Eads Bridge.

In remarks before a crowd of supporters, Pete Rahn, outgoing MoDOT Director, said, "It has taken an extraordinary amount of effort from Illinois and Missouri to get to this point. Today we start realizing a regional vision more than 20 years in the making. We are confident that we are building the right bridge, in the right place, at the right time. Relocating I-70 from the Poplar Street Bridge will be key in giving the region real options."

"We are very excited to take part in building the first new bridge in more than 40 years to connect downtown St. Louis and southwestern Illinois," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. "This project is a major step forward for the region and will dramatically improve safety, relieve congestion on the Poplar Street Bridge and boost the economy in both states."

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood drew laughs when he suggested that the new Mississippi River Bridge should be renamed the Bond-Costello Bridge during ground breaking ceremonies attended by MO and IL state and local officials including (L - R) U.S. Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-Mo, U.S. Sen. Jerry Costello, D-Ill. and IL Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig.

Against a backdrop of blaring horns from river barges on the Mississippi River and the sound of heavy traffic on both the Popular Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridges, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told the audience that "Today is an example of the best bi-partisanship in America right here in the heartland of American, between two states, two delegations made up of Republicans and Democrats. Delegations made up of people who want to get things done for their people, want to create economic opportunity and create jobs."

"In the job that I have, there are no Democratic or Republican bridges or roads. What we are celebrating today by turn a shovel of dirt is a classic example of bipartisanship. Great things can happen. This was really spurred on by two people - Senators Kit Bond and Jerry Costello," said LaHood enthusiastically.

"We are connecting two states," continued LaHood. "The jobs that will be created by this project will be enormous. The economic opportunity will be enormous. I think it is a tribute to the people of both states to send people to Washington to do what the people want."

"I hope when we come back here and cut the ribbon on this new bridge, we will be cutting the ribbon on the Costello-Bond Bridge for Illinois and for Missouri," said LaHood as the audience responded with clapping and laughter. "I'm sure people have been thinking what we should call this bridge. What a better name than the Jerry Costello-Kit Bond Bridge. The way that happens is that our friends in the legislature pass a resolution naming the new bridge in honor of the guys who had the dream to make this possible to connect these two states and create this kind of economic activity."

The river bridge project is expected to contribute to more than $25 billion in new economic growth over the next 45 years and to create roughly 2,200 primary and secondary jobs.

Illustration of new landmark Mississippi River Bridge courtesy MoDOT

The New Mississippi River Bridge is part of a group of roadway improvement projects that will connect I-70 to the I-55/64/70 interchange in East St. Louis and to I-70 near Cass Avenue in Missouri. The entire project will cost a total of $670 million and is being funded through a combination of federal and state funds. The New Mississippi River Bridge project is expected to be complete in 2014.

The main span of the bridge will be constructed by a contractor team made up of Massman Construction/Traylor Brothers/Alberici Constructors (MTA). Alberici Constructors is a St. Louis based firm, Massman Construction is from Kansas City and Traylor Brothers is from Evansville, Ind.

This new bridge will be a four-lane, cable-stayed structure across the Mississippi River from St. Clair County, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri that will improve traffic safety and reduce congestion across the region by providing significant congestion relief for the Poplar Street Bridge, which now carries I-55, I-64, and I-70. This new bridge will also help to sustain economic growth and development in the St. Louis region by creating jobs for residents on both sides of the river. See related story: New Mississippi River Bridge Project to Ease Congestion, Create Jobs

Archived News:

Broadway Bridge Over Interstate 70 Reopens

MoDOT Ramps Up Bridge Work Throughout Area

Removal of Madison Avenue Overpass Begins Process for Construction of New Mississippi River Bridge

Removal of Cass Avenue Overpass Begins Process for Construction of New Mississippi River Bridge

Missouri Highway Fatalities Lowest Since 1950

Can St. Louis Become the Bridge to Somewhere?

Increases in Rest Areas and Truck Parking Keeps Drivers Safe

Snow Brings Out Road Crews on Holiday

Traffic Congestion Increases As Motorists Navigate New I-64 Interchanges

New I-64 Reconstruction Is a 'Winner' for Motorists

Hanley Road Bridge Reopens to Traffic One Month Early

MoDOT using Twitter for Traffic Updates in St. Louis, Kansas City and along I-70

New Entrance to Forest Park Opens for Summer Season

MoDOT Reveals Top 10 Work Zones To Look Out For

Hanley Road Overpass at I-64 Taking Shape

New State Transportation Program Presents Uncertain Future

Railroad Side Track to Add Capacity for Amtrack Trains

Missouri Has First-In-Nation Economic Recovery Project

Grand Party Celebrated Opening of West Half of I-64

Reconstruction of Interstate 64 Is Ahead of Schedule

YouTube Video Shows How Dedicated Truck Lanes Could Work

Drivers Reminded Not to Barrel Through Work Zones

Missouri, Illinois Reach Agreement on New $640 Million Mississippi River Bridge

MoDOT To Launch Origin/Destination Web Tool

The Saint Louis Front Page is owned and maintained by the Moore Design Group for the sole purpose of disseminating news and information about the Metropolitan Saint 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 © 1996 - 2010 Moore Design Group.