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Florence Bridge River Crossing Project
The Illinois River lift bridge at Florence, Illinois which is located on IL Routes 100 and 106 at the Scott/Pike County Line, was opened to traffic on May 19, 1930. The bridge throughout its 90 plus year lifespan has undergone several rehabilitation and repair contracts to keep the bridge open to vehicular and river traffic. Several of the more recent contracts have closed IL 100/106 to traffic for extended periods of time. In order to improve system reliability and reduce the ever-increasing costs to maintain, the existing bridge needs to be replaced.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has conducted a Phase I Study of the IL 100/106 Illinois River Crossing at Florence, Illinois. This study was preceded by the 2013 Lower Illinois River Regional Crossing Study (LIRRCS). The LIRRCS examined the feasibility of several potential solutions to provide local and regional crossing mobility across the Illinois River in Scott, Pike, Green, and Calhoun counties. The Phase I study considered alternatives from the LIRRCS and explored entirely new alternatives.
At the conclusion of the study, a new bridge was recommended to be built 300-feet south of the current structure. The new bridge will include wider traffic lanes and shoulders which will improve safety for motorists and better accommodate farm implements and bicyclists. The new bridge will also increase the width and vertical clearance of the river navigation span which will improve safety for river traffic and eliminate the need for around the clock lift operators.
This website will continue to be updated as the project progresses into the construction phase.
Note: IDOT projects typically have three distinct phases. Phase I (or the project Study) consists of developing the project scope, environmental studies and preliminary design of a project. Phase II (Design) consists of refining the design to develop contract plans and land acquisition. Phase III (Construction) consists of the actual construction of the project.
Feasability Study
The Illinois 100/106, Florence Bridge, River Crossing Project Study was preceded by the Lower Illinois River Regional Crossing Study (LIRRCS), which was completed in 2013. LIRRCS examined the feasibility of several potential solutions to provide local and regional crossing mobility across the Illinois River in Scott, Pike, Greene and Calhoun counties.
Phase I - Engineering
Phase II - Design/Land Acquisition
The Department selected Parsons Transportation Group to complete design plans for the Florence Bridge replacement. The project team is currently finalizing the Type, Size and Location (TS&L) design for the Illinois River Bridge, working on preliminary roadway plans, and confirming the additional Right-of- Way needed to construct the project.
Phase III - Construction
IDOT is currently in the design phase of the project with construction anticipated to begin in 2024.