Welge Memorial Bridge project complete

CHESTER — Officials from the Illinois (IDOT) and Missouri (MoDOT) Departments of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting over the weekend, marking the completion of a major construction project. The two departments, along with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, would celebrate this occasion following the completion of the Don Welge Memorial Bridge.

The project was made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital improvement program.

The ribbon cutting is the culmination of several years of collaboration between the two states to replace vital infrastructure connecting Randolph County, Illinois, with Perry County, Missouri, via Illinois Route 150 and Missouri Route 51.

Welge project replaces 80+ year old Chester Bridge

“The Don Welge Bridge is essential to connecting Chester to the region and Illinois to the Midwest,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “Through the Governor’s capital program and the strong partnership with our neighboring states, we look forward to continuing to replace and revitalize these critical border bridges up and down the state.” ​

The $307.1 million project replaces the Chester Bridge, built in 1942. The new modern bridge improves safety, mobility, and reliability for the public. This extends to commercial vehicles and agricultural traffic that travel between Illinois and Missouri each day.

The project was overseen by MoDOT. The project was made possible through a partnership between Missouri and Illinois. IDOT would invest approximately $143.2 million in the bridge and the Illinois approach through Rebuild Illinois.

Features of the Welge Memorial Bridge

The new bridge features two 12-foot lanes with shoulders. It is replacing the aging structure with a wider, safer, and more reliable crossing. The improvements ensure the bridge will continue to serve as an important transportation link supporting regional commerce, agriculture, emergency services, and local travel.

The bridge carries 7,000 vehicles daily, with approximately 25% being commercial motor vehicle traffic. Furthermore, it is named in honor of longtime Chester resident and bridge advocate Don Welge. Visit www.modot.org/donwelge for more information on the project.

Further details on Rebuild Illinois

Rebuild Illinois would start investing $33.2 billion over six years into the state’s aging transportation system beginning in 2019. Rebuild Illinois is not only the largest capital program in state history. It is also the first that touches all modes of transportation. ​

Accomplishments through March 31 of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $24 billion of improvements statewide on 23,081 miles of highways. In addition, it includes 920 bridges and 1,393 additional safety improvements.

Visit https://idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois for information and highlights of other Rebuild Illinois projects happening throughout the state. ​ ​

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.

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