McKinley Bridge to reopen, linking St. Louis to Illinois suburbs

VENICE, Ill. (AP) -- Commuters between St. Louis and some of its Illinois suburbs will have another option when the barricades finally get taken off the McKinley Bridge.

The reopening of the 97-year-old bridge at 3 p.m. Monday will bring a close to the six-year, $52 million rehab effort.

A ceremonial reopening for the bridge was held last month.

About 10,000 vehicles traveled the McKinley each day before it closed in 2001 because of structural concerns. At the time, the span was a toll bridge. But it won't be any more.

Community leaders hope the reopened bridge will draw more visitors to Illinois communites like Granite City, Venice and Madison.

A bike path on the bridge is planned to open in 2008.