Supporters of the proposed plan to revitalize the Bison Bridge received some disappointing news, as members of the Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation announced their preferred plan for the future of the I-80 bridge.
At a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15, officials announced that their plan would require demolishing the existing bridge, putting proposals to save the bridge in jeopardy. The Bison Bridge Foundation was a vocal proponent of preserving the bridge and proposed turning the current bridge into a pedestrian crossing a park space. Representatives of the foundation shared their disappointment following the decision.
"While the outcome is not what we had hoped for, we appreciate the opportunity to have been part of the decision-making process," Chad Pregracke with the Bison Bridge Foundation said in a press release. "The Bison Bridge project faces new challenges, and we are evaluating the next steps to determine the best course of action." He told News 8 that one of the silver linings to him is that planners are discussing a pedestrian option, which he thinks wouldn't have been brought up without talk of the Bison Bridge.
However, the process isn't done yet. Public comments regarding the bridge's future are open until Nov. 29 and can be submitted here.
www.wqad.com
At a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15, officials announced that their plan would require demolishing the existing bridge, putting proposals to save the bridge in jeopardy. The Bison Bridge Foundation was a vocal proponent of preserving the bridge and proposed turning the current bridge into a pedestrian crossing a park space. Representatives of the foundation shared their disappointment following the decision.
"While the outcome is not what we had hoped for, we appreciate the opportunity to have been part of the decision-making process," Chad Pregracke with the Bison Bridge Foundation said in a press release. "The Bison Bridge project faces new challenges, and we are evaluating the next steps to determine the best course of action." He told News 8 that one of the silver linings to him is that planners are discussing a pedestrian option, which he thinks wouldn't have been brought up without talk of the Bison Bridge.
However, the process isn't done yet. Public comments regarding the bridge's future are open until Nov. 29 and can be submitted here.
Bison Bridge plan may not move forward, Illinois DOT announces chosen plan for future of I-80 bridge
The current I-80 bridge will be demolished under the chosen plan.
www.wqad.com
