PEORIA, Ill. – A nearly $25 million project will get underway a bit more than a month from now that will give walkers and bike riders more access to the Bob Michel Bridge.
Governor JB Pritzker used the Peoria Riverfront Museum Tuesday to talk about the work that will start March 13 and end November 17, almost just down the street.
(Illinois Department of Transportation)
“This modernization will help make the bridge smoother and safer, not only for cars and trucks, but for bikers and pedestrians, too, with a new barrier wall separating the lanes from its new multi-use path,” said Pritzker.
Pritzker says while the bridge will be completely closed to vehicle traffic between March 13 and November 17, bikers and pedestrians should still be able to use it.
“Because of the Governor’s vision, and the support from the General Assembly, we will turn a depressed asset into something we all can be proud of,” said Omer Osman, Peoria native and Illinois Department of Transportation secretary. The “Rebuild Illinois” capital program is paying for the work.
Osman says the project was designed to be done as quickly as possible, with minimal disruption to motorists, and so that
(Illinois Department of Transportation)
drivers won’t have to navigate a construction zone — something he says will help keep drivers and construction workers safe.
Also at the second of two events Pritzker attended Tuesday, he was asked about the ongoing lawsuits regarding both the SAFE-T Act, and the new state assault weapons ban.
“People have been venue-shopping to find a court that would rule in their favor at a local level,” said Pritzker. “These things have to work their way up to appellate court level, then to the (Illinois) Supreme Court, and we’ll get a final ruling from them.
Pritzker was also asked about the upcoming lifting of public health emergencies regarding COVID-19, and says the reason the disaster declaration was in place for so long was because of the potential of receiving federal dollars for healthcare needs and other benefits.
(Will Stevenson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)
