Illinois and Missouri State officials recently gathered to celebrate the start of construction on the new Interstate 270 Chain of Rocks Bridge over the Mississippi River.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson joined the departments of transportation in both states and other officials to commemorate the beginnings of $531.6 million investment to improve one officials deem as of the country’s critical freight corridors.
“This isn’t just an investment for the Metro East region — it’s an investment for our entire nation. This major freight corridor connects our ports and railways — essential to maintaining a steady supply chain for Illinoisans, Missourians, and all Americans alike,” Pritzker said. “Up and down the Metro East region, we’re restoring and rebuilding, creating good-paying jobs, and making sure working families have the opportunities and resources they need to build good lives for themselves.”
The project, funded through the Rebuild Illinois capital program, is slated to improve safety and mobility while creating good-paying jobs in an area experiencing strong industrial and commercial growth.
“The I-270 Chain of Rocks bridge represents the great partnership between Missouri and Illinois investing in this vital freight corridor connecting I-270 to I-70,” Parson said. “Along with the bridge, Missouri is transforming I-270 as well as making historic improvements to I-70 across the entire state.”
The I-270 loop connects many of the region’s warehouses and distribution parks, ports, airports and rail yards on both sides of the Mississippi River. Nearly 70 percent of the region’s industrial tenants occupying large warehouse space in excess of 500,000 square feet are within 10 minutes of the interstate.