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McKinley Bridge on schedule to reopen in 2006
By KURT PRENZLER

   VENICE -- The McKinley Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River near Venice, is estimated to reopen in 2006, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. In October 2001, the toll bridge, owned by the city of Venice, was closed by the state of Illinois due to bridge deterioration.

   "We are on schedule with the design plans for the McKinley Bridge renovation," said Mary Lamie, IDOT project engineer. "The governor's office has approved $36 million for this project, for fiscal year 2003 (July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003). We plan to let bids out this summer. Construction could start as early as late summer 2003, with completion in early 2006."

   But Lamie warned that construction would not begin until the state of Illinois receives ownership of the bridge, free and clear of two major debts still owed by the city of Venice. The bridge is encumbered by more than $4 million of bonds owed by Venice. In addition, Venice owes the city of St. Louis unpaid property taxes for the portion of the bridge in Missouri.

   "We're currently renegotiating the bond repayment," said Rudy Papa, retiring Madison County Board chairman. "The lawyers are continuing to meet. If they negotiate a settlement at $4.2 million, the state has already agreed to pay 50 percent of that, or $2.1 million. Our 50 percent would be split between Madison County, Madison County Transit, Bi-State Transit and St. Clair County."

   Once that hurdle is cleared, Papa said he expects that St. Louis will forgive the back real estate taxes owed by Venice in exchange for the benefit of a rehabilitated bridge, without tolls, paid for 100 percent by the state of Illinois.

   Lamie said IDOT and the Missouri Department of Transportation would equally share ownership and maintenance of the bridge. MODOT is renovating Interstate 70 and rebuilding the intersection that will connect I-70 with the approach to the McKinley Bridge.

   The old bridge had two center lanes for truck traffic and two additional outside lanes for lighter vehicles.

   "The renovated bridge will have only two traffic lanes, one in each direction, without any weight restrictions," Lamie said. "The outside lanes will be for bicycles (only). We estimate the 24-hour traffic count (both directions) will total 10,000 vehicles per day. The approaches to the bridge will be totally rebuilt."