If you want to finally drive Route 66 over the Mississippi River to St. Louis, you’ll finally have your chance after about 3 p.m. Monday.
The Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat reports that the McKinley Bridge, which was closed since 2001 for much-needed repairs, will open at mid-afternoon Monday at the latest.
The 1910 bridge carried an early alignment of Route 66 from Venice, Ill., to St. Louis before the Chain of Rocks Bridge was built in the 1930s. The “new” McKinley Bridge will have lanes for bicyclists and pedestrians, in addition to vehicular traffic. It also will be a free bridge for the first time in decades. It’s estimated the McKinley will carry 10,000 vehicles a day once it’s reopened.