U.S. 150 McClugage Bridge evening closures for pier demolition

EAST PEORIA – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that, weather permitting, between 7 and 9 p.m. on Monday, July 14, the McClugage Bridge carrying U.S. 150 will close as demolition continues on the old eastbound structure.

The full bridge closure including both directions of U.S. 150 between Illinois 29 (Adams Street) in Peoria and Illinois 116 in East Peoria is necessary as the contractor utilizes explosives to demolish concrete piers 23-25 toward the East Peoria side of the bridge.

The closure is expected to last 30 minutes prior to the blast and will reopen as quickly as possible afterward when conditions are safe. Traffic will be routed off U.S. 150 at interchange ramps and will be continuously moving. No stopping on U.S. 150 will be allowed. Illinois 29 (Adams Street) will remain open in both directions.

This will be the sixth event to remove components of the old structure. The demolition schedule following Monday evening’s event will take down several piers with each blast until complete, working from east to west. Future blast dates are to be determined. The time frame for each blast event will remain consistent (between 7 and 9 p.m.).

The explosives will be detonated once the roads are closed, the security perimeter is deemed safe and the contractor has performed their final safety checks.

Anyone wishing to watch this or any of the events in person is reminded that a security perimeter around the blast area will be in effect on land and in the water. Pedestrians are also asked to be mindful of venturing onto private property without the property owners’ permission.

Drones will be used by the contractor performing this work to verify a safe and successful detonation. As such, civilian drones will be required to stay at least 1,000 feet north of the bridge and at least 300 feet above the ground. Any incursions into this area may cause postponement of the blast and the drone pilot liable for delays to the contractor. For more information on the project, please visit McClugageBridge.com.