Illinois 104 bridge now open in Meredosia

MEREDOSIA, IL — A new bridge that connects Pike and Morgan counties over the Illinois River is finally open.

The new Meredosia Bridge took just over three years to build and cost $86.2 million.

"I can't believe how big it is and how nice it is. I watched it go up from day one when they started cleaning up the brush at the approach of it,” said Chambersburg Illinois resident Georgena Morton.

"The bittersweet part is that the blue bridge over there on the other side is the bridge I remember all of my days living here in Meredosia,” said former resident Pasty Cooly (Wells).

Tuesday afternoon was one for the history books in Meredosia Illinois.

"Today we are creating a gateway, a gateway that will create economic opportunity and long-term growth that will provide foundations for jobs for our children. for our children’s children in the communities they grew up,” said IDOT Secretary of Transportation Randy Blankenhorn.

The Department of Transportation welcomed members of the community and local officials to celebrate the completion of the new Illinois 104 bridge over the Illinois river.

"This structure that we stand on today represents IDOT and the governors commit to building a 21st century transportation system of infrastructure that will drive the economic future of Illinois,” said Blankenhorn.

The new bridge is nearly twice as wide as the old one.

"While safety is certainly an important part of this project, many tales about the tight squeeze to get across the old bridge, it is much more than that,” said Blankenhorn.

"You don't have to worry about somebody really hitting you with a mirror or something or getting sideswiped,” said Cooly.

Area drivers are pleased with the bridge's new 12-foot-wide driving lanes, along with 10 foot shoulders.

"This is nice because they won't have to stop traffic when the farm machinery comes over because you were always getting stopped during the farming time and having to wait several minutes to get across the bridge,” said Morton.

The old bridge there was built in the 1930's.

It's expected to be demolished later this summer.