IL HJR0007

Illinois Department of Transportation must study crossover barriers of all types for the Martin Luther King Bridge and William McKinley Bridge, both crossing the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri.

Martin Luther King Bridge is 40 feet wide and William McKinley Bridge is 55 feet wide, both narrower than modern professional standards, with four lanes causing head-on traffic at distances as close as 18 inches apart.

Twelve fatalities occurred from crossover accidents on Martin Luther King Bridge in 10 years and six fatalities on McKinley Bridge, with IDOT previously declining to investigate prevention methods due to bridge width constraints.

IDOT must report findings to the 96th General Assembly no later than six months after adoption of this resolution, with copies sent to the Illinois Secretary of State and Missouri Department of Transportation.

Innovative barrier solutions such as narrow cable barriers and moveable barriers have proven effective in preventing crossover accidents and are being implemented on other major bridges nationally.