April 26, 2018
Posted By Grace Gerardi
History
In 1932, amidst the horrors of the Great Depression, a private toll bridge connected Savanna, Illinois and Sabula, Iowa. Spanning 520 meters over the Mississippi River, the steel truss bridge was a harbinger of the economic changes to come in the region. Not only did it augment interstate commerce and transportation, it also provided jobs for struggling inhabitants of the area. Construction of the original bridge cost $750,000 in 1932, equivalent to approximately $13.1 million today.
Although the 86-year-old bridge remained structurally sound, it was slated for demolition in May of this year. The Illinois Department of Transportation spent $80 million building its replacement. Reasons for the demolition include the bridge’s inadequately sized lanes which do not accommodate the larger size of modern vehicles, its tendency to become extremely dangerous during cold spells due to extensive ice coverage, and the large amount of road salt falling through grates and polluting the Mississippi. Other potential uses for the bridge, such as a pedestrian walkway, would not merit the cost of upkeep.
Current Events
The Iowa and Illinois state governments jointly acquired the bridge after paying off the original investors and added the bridge to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Demolition occurred on March 9, 2018. Construction of its replacement has been delayed multiple times, causing unrest in Sabula, which is an island town. While the bridge was in service, the commute between Savanna and Sabula took approximately 15 minutes. Now, it can take more than an hour. Additionally, due to a lack of efficient transportation, businesses on the Iowa side have suffered.
The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation recorded a video of the construction of the new Savanna-Sabula Bridge which can be seen here. The bridge is due to be opened by Labor Day of 2018.
The demolition of the original bridge can be seen here.
Looking for Repairs of Your Own?
ILoca Services opts for preventative maintenance rather than demolition, so we can certainly perform any vehicle maintenance you might require. This includes FHWA inspections, component replacements and repairs, custom fabrications and more! For more information, click here or call (855)- 707 – 2910 today.
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