No suprises in IDOT survey
Utica officials were not surprised at the results of a blind survey the Illinois Department of Transportation conducted in November about whether the state should tear down the existing Route 178 Illinois River bridge before constructing a new span.
Overwhelmingly, out of the 160 written comments received, 108 local residents said they were in favor of building a new bridge next to the current one rather than tearing the aging one down first, thus cutting off traffic access to Starved Rock State Park and other points south of the river.
The remaining comments offered alternative suggestions not now endorsed by IDOT or merely questioned if the state had a plan for access for emergency services to the rural area.
Community concerns included:
Economic and business impact.
Access to recreational areas, hotels, churches and other attractions.
Impact to school routes and other pubic services.
Adverse travel and related environmental impact due to potential detours.
Increased traffic and increased accidents along nearby Route 71.
Estimates range beyond $20 million for the replacement project. IDOT officials have said no funding or starting date has been finalized, but environmental surveys have been initiated and engineering studies are under way to ensure the project's compliance with impact requirements.
On Nov. 29, the La Salle County Board voted unanimously to ask IDOT to keep the existing Route 178 bridge open over the Illinois River during the entire construction phase.
County Board Chairman Jerry Hicks, D-Marseilles, told The Times the resolution supporting keeping traffic flowing at the Utica point was a "no-brainer" and board members felt little need even to discuss the action.
The resolution noted a bridge closure would not only have "a major impact" on the county's share of sales tax and tourism revenue, but also affect emergency services. The resolution said keeping a bridge in operation is necessary "to facilitate snow removal and highway maintenance operations south of the Illinois River
