What to know about a $48 million overhaul for bridge that links East Peoria with Peoria

The Illinois Department of Transportation has begun work on a $48 million three-phase overhaul project of the Cedar Street Bridge connecting East Peoria with Peoria over the Illinois River.

IDOT said that the first phase of the project will consist of resurfacing and rehabilitating the area on the east end of the bridge to just east of Center Street, with the intersection of the bridge and Edmund Street also included with the work.

The first phase is slated to cost $15 million and will reduce traffic to one lane in the area for much of the spring and summer. Traffic will remain open, although IDOT warns that there will be some short-term closures on the ramps and crossroads in the area.

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The next phases of the project will include replacing the bridges over Main Street at the eastern terminus of the road, along with reconstructing many of the interchanges along the route.

Work on the first phase is scheduled to be completed in late fall, although some tasks could run into 2025.

Funding for the project was secured through Rebuild Illinois, the state's infrastructure capital program that has earmarked billions of dollars for reconstruction projects like the Cedar Street initiative.

IDOT recommends that drivers going through the area expect delays and to allow for extra time when they drive over the bridge. They also ask that drivers pay close attention to changing road conditions, to obey posted speed limits and be on the lookout for road crews and their equipment.

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