MLK Bridge Closure - East St. Louis, IL

The Illinois Department of Transportation is confirming the Martin Luther King (MLK) Bridge will be closed to all traffic for 12 days beginning Monday, October 12, 2009, weather permitting.  The closure is needed to remove the existing Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) surface, install a waterproofing membrane over the existing bridge deck surface, place a new HMA over the waterproofing membrane, place a new concrete barrier wall, restripe the lanes, and install new guardrail on the MLK Bridge from the railroad bridge to the Missouri approach. 

Traffic control devices, including permanent and mobile electronic message boards, will be utilized to assist motorists making their way through the work zone.  Motorists are asked to use alternative routes such as the Poplar Street Bridge or the Eads Bridge and to allow additional time to travel through the area.  Motorists are also urged to be patient, reduce speed, and use caution when traveling through the area as traffic patterns and travel times will likely be affected.   

The contractor on the project is Keeley & Sons, Inc. of East St. Louis, Illinois.  John Scheibal is the Supervising Field Engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation in this area.  You may contact him at 618/346-3353.