IL HR0699

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) selected Parsons Transportation Group, Inc. on October 21, 2020 to prepare a combined design report and environmental impact statement for replacing the I-80 bridge over the Mississippi River in Rock Island County, with Iowa and Illinois sharing costs equally.

The design report will evaluate alternatives including total replacement and widening of the structure on new alignment, with potential impacts to I-80/IL 84 and I-80/US 67 interchanges requiring exploration as the project develops.

The Bison Bridge Foundation has requested that IDOT consider repurposing the existing I-80 structure as an alternative, which could generate over $30 million in savings by eliminating removal costs and reducing multi-use facility implementation costs.

The Bison Bridge Foundation has offered to accept the existing structure at no cost and will fund the repurposing project through private and corporate donations rather than government resources, while promoting tourism, economic development, and Mississippi River area initiatives.

The House urges the Governor and IDOT Secretary to develop plans for the new I-80 bridge structure that includes incorporating the existing Bison Bridge structure.