Demolition of old I-270 bridge will temporarily close highway next week

GRANITE CITY Illinois transportation officials will close a stretch of Interstate 270 in both directions Tuesday to demolish one of the old eastbound Chain of Rocks Canal bridges.

It will be the first of three explosive demolitions of the two 50-year-old I-270 canal bridges, which were replaced last year with a new span.

IDOT officials encourage motorists to use another route that morning. The highway will close in both directions at 10 a.m. Tuesday and is expected to reopen within two hours.

Members of the public will have a limited opportunity to view the demolition at the east end of the old Chain of Rocks Road Mississippi Canal Bridge. Parking will be available on a limited basis off West Chain of Rocks Road, west of Illinois Route 3. Spectators will have to walk to the viewing area.

Traffic-control measures will be in place to guide westbound drivers around the closure.

The stretch of I-270 carries nearly 55,000 vehicles a day.

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Demolition of old I-270 bridge will temporarily close highway next week