What: The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), has been following National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines to identify a Preferred Alternative to improve the current Chester Bridge Mississippi River crossing connecting Missouri Route 51 and Illinois Route 150 at Chester, Illinois. The Chester Bridge Study’s Environmental Assessment (EA) was recently approved for public distribution by MoDOT and FHWA following a multi-year study of the existing crossing and alternatives for maintaining, rehabilitating, or replacing the crossing. This included study of flooding-related impacts at the river crossing, the cost to improve the bridge’s condition, ways to widen the bridge, and how to maintain transportation connectivity within the region. MoDOT will host study information and virtual public exhibits for the Preferred Alternative online at www.chesterbridgestudy.com with a 30-day public comment period. Additional options are available for providing comments on the Preferred Alternative and EA as described below.
Why: The Chester Bridge Study is being conducted to evaluate options to develop a safe and reliable Mississippi River crossing. The project team analyzed features to widen lanes, add shoulders, include bike/ped access, improve safety, and increase transportation accessibility. The project team studied maintenance, rehabilitation, and design alternatives and narrowed them down to one Preferred Alternative – the Near Upstream Alternative (U-1). Funding for design and construction of the Preferred Alternative has not yet been identified or programmed.
Who: MoDOT has been working with FHWA and IDOT to study and plan for the improvement of the Chester Bridge crossing connecting Missouri Route 51 and Illinois Route 150 at Chester, Illinois.
When: Currently available. Comment period concludes May 17, 2021.
Where: To view the Preferred Alternative and the entire EA report, visit www.chesterbridgestudy.com. A hardcopy version is available by appointment at the Chester Library in Chester, Illinois (733 State Street, Chester, IL 62233). Visitors are welcome inside the library by appointment only Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.– 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call the library at (618) 826-3711. Computer access to view the study website and EA is also available by appointment at the library.
How: Comments may be submitted online at www.chesterbridgestudy.com. Participants may also contact MoDOT District Construction and Materials Engineer Jason Williams at (573) 472-5290 or MoDOT Area Engineer Brian Okenfuss at (573) 258-9144 to discuss the information in more detail or share their thoughts.
Written comments may be mailed to:
Jason Williams
Missouri Department of Transportation
2675 N. Main St.
Sikeston, MO 63801
MoDOT is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Jason Williams at (573) 472-5290 prior to the end of the comment period.
The comment period concludes May 17, 2021.
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