Illinois 251 bridge ramps done, some closures likely

ROCKFORD Two years of construction season lane closures are nearly history at the Spring Creek Road and Illinois 251 bridge.

The $10.8 million project was supposed to be done in one season, but was extended to two after steel support pilings specified in a design approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation moved too much after they were driven deep into the earth.

But now its all over but the grass seeding.

We have some landscaping to do, so there may be some temporary lane closures, said John Wegmeyer, project implementation engineer for IDOT. But its finished. Theyve got all the lanes and ramps open.

Rockfords Sjostrom and Sons Construction was the contractor for rebuilding the bridge, which was built in 1956.

How do you measure this project? Here are some comparisons.

12.5 Janes Snout to tail, thats how many replicas of the Burpee Museum of Natural Historys marquee dinosaur it would take to equal the length of the bridge and approaches on both ends.

5+ minutes How long the energy in a single blow to a steel piling from a 4,200-pound hammer would keep a 100-watt light bulb lit.

2 planes The 55.5-foot distance from railing to railing atop the bridge would fit a pair of planes the size of the Spirit of St. Louis lined up tail to propeller.

158 Jeeps How many Jeep Grand Cherokees it would take to equal the 565,000 pounds of rebar that strengthens concrete on the bridge.

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Illinois 251 bridge ramps done, some closures likely