Weather threat moves up next McClugage blast to this evening

PEORIA – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that because of the threat of inclement weather this week, the original demolition schedule for the old eastbound McClugage Bridge has been adjusted for safety purposes.

Originally scheduled for Wednesday morning, April 30, the demolition of the main truss section is now scheduled to take place tonight after 7:30 p.m. April 28, weather permitting. Roads around the McClugage Bridge will close ahead of the blast at 7:30 p.m., and demolition will occur soon after when all traffic is clear of the restricted area.

The road closures are necessary as the contractor utilizes explosives to sever the steel to the main truss section of the old bridge. The closures are expected to last at least one hour. 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. ​

This will be the fourth of eight separate similar events to remove components of the old structure. 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. No specific time can be given for the detonation.

During each of these bridge demolition events the following roads will be closed to all traffic:

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 as a mechanism 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.