McKinley Bridge to reopen Monday

ST. LOUIS -- The McKinley Bridge that links St. Louis and Southern Illinois is expected to reopen to traffic on Monday, the Illinois Department of Transportation said Friday.

A ceremonial reopening for the bridge was held last month, but it should officially be open to drivers by Monday afternoon, unless there's severe winter weather, IDOT spokesman Brian Williamsen said.

The six-year, $52 million project was funded with state and federal money. About 10,000 vehicles traveled the McKinley daily before it closed in 2001 because of structural concerns. Similar numbers are expected upon its reopening, IDOT said. The structure, once a toll bridge, will now be toll-free.

Community leaders in southern Illinois have expressed hope that when the bridge reopens, it will draw more visitors to places like Granite City, Venice and Madison.

Work on the bridge included structural repairs, the reconstruction of roadway structures and the installation of new lighting. Some painting work still needs to be done, but that is expected to be completed in the spring.

It is not expected to require lane closures, Williamsen said.

A bike path on the bridge is planned to open in 2008. The Great Rivers Greenway District and the Metro East Parks and Recreation District contributed more than $4 million for the bike path.

The McKinley Bridge first opened on Nov. 10, 1910. It is named after its builder, William Brown McKinley, a railroad magnate and head of the Illinois Terminal Railroad. The bridge was originally constructed at a cost of $4 million, and became a part of the historic Route 66 Highway System in the 1930s.