The Illinois Department of Transportation is still reviewing possible alternatives for the Mississippi River bridge approach at Hamilton.
Flooding has been a problem with the approach at least three times in the past three decades – in 1993, 2008, and 2019.
The goal now is to raise the approach to at least two feet above the level of the 1993 flood.
IDOT Public Information Officer Paul Wappel said the agency is still evaluating three options based on comments it received during a public meeting in Hamilton in November, 2023:
- Realign Highway 136 to the south, allowing it to cross the railroad tracks at a higher point
- Raise the road along its current alignment
- Build a bridge to carry highway traffic over the train tracks and Warsaw Road
During the November meeting, IDOT said its preferred option is the first one listed above. This would move that stretch of highway further from the river and it would allow them to keep the current Route 136 open while building the new route.
This option would require the state to acquire 21.2 acres, including a gas station, asphalt plant, and some storage units.
It’s also less expensive than the other two alternatives.
IDOT deems the project a priority because 10,000 vehicles per day use the route.
The latest Rebuild Illinois five-year road plan includes $17.9 million for the Hamilton project.
IDOT anticipates advertising for bids in 2027 or 2028.
More information about the project is available here.
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