Using the combination of a movable barrier system and interactive traffic management

system, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reduced traffic delays and 

driver frustrations during a $26 million rehabilitation project on the McClugage Bridge.

IDOT planned this innovative approach because, historically, projects on or near the

McClugage Bridge have resulted in 30-minute traffic delays. The bridge carries two major

highways over the Illinois River north of downtown Peoria and on an average day

approximately 42,500 vehicles cross the bridge. 

IDOT Resident Engineer Shane Larson said, “The day the project began, the headlines 

in the Peoria Journal-Star read ‘D-Day on the McClugage Bridge.’ The media was waiting 

for traffic to back up and it didn’t.” The barrier was moved twice daily to provide 

two lanes of travel in the direction of peak hour traffic flow, while the portable traffic

management system provided the public with information on delays and alternate routes.

Mr. Larson added, “No one could believe how smoothly traffic flowed because of the past

history of backups on the bridge.” 

Measures Used to Manage Traffic and Reduce Delays

With the eastbound structure closed during construction, the westbound structure

carried the two-way traffic using a reversible middle lane. To reduce the delays experienced

by motorists, the following measures were implemented:

❙ The westbound structure was reconfigured twice a day using a movable concrete barrier

to accommodate rush hour traffic into Peoria in the morning and out of the city in the

evening. Two lanes were provided for westbound traffic from 9 p.m. to 11 a.m. and 

two lanes for eastbound traffic from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

❙ Motorists were alerted to traffic congestion by portable message boards and a highway

advisory radio system. The portable traffic management system supplied motorists with

real-time delay information and suggested alternate routes of traffic when there was a

U.S. Department 

of Transportation

Federal Highway

Administration

Innovation During Bridge Rehabilitation

Improves Mobility

WINTER/SPRING 2001 5

FACT SHEET

The McClugage Bridge—carrying US 150 and US 24 over the Illinois River, Peoria, Illinois
lengthy backup on the bridge. The portable traffic management system used Doppler

radar speed detection equipment, a computer, variable electronic message boards, and 

a radio system, in combination, to provide information to the public.

Work on the eastbound structure consisted of removing and replacing the bridge deck,

removing and replacing the structural steel flooring system, and blasting and painting the

entire structure. An innovative overhead crane system facilitated placement of the deck and

movement of materials on the bridge.

According to Mr. Larson, these measures along with A+B bidding and being proactive in

working with local officials and with the media helped to make this project a success. The

bridge reopened October 31, 2000 with construction clean-up ending the following week. 

Open House Showcased Technologies

On August 2, 2000, the IDOT District 4 Office and the Federal Highway Administration

(FHWA) Illinois Division sponsored an open house in Peoria. The open house showcased, for

other State agencies and FHWA representatives, the two traffic management techniques

being used in the rehabilitation of the McClugage Bridge. Approximately 55 people from

Illinois and surrounding States participated in the open house.

A videotape of the project and technologies used during the project will be available in

January 2001. Copies of the video can be obtained by contacting the FHWA Illinois

Division Office.

To learn more, contact:

Shane Larson

IDOT Resident Engineer 

Illinois Department of

Transportation

401 Main

Peoria, IL 61602-1111

Phone:

309-671-3333

E-mail: 

larsonws@nt.dot.state.il.us

Charleen Boudreau

Construction Supervising

Field Engineer

Illinois Department of

Transportation

401 Main

Peoria, IL 61602-1111

Phone:

309-671-3657

E-mail: 

boudreauca@nt.dot.state.il.us

Daniel Mathis

FHWA Assistant Division

Administrator

Federal Highway

Administration

3250 Executive Park Drive

Springfield, IL 62703

Phone:

217-492-4641

E-mail: 

Daniel.Mathis@fhwa.dot.gov

To share your Best

Practices, contact:

Phillip Ditzler

Federal Highway

Administration

400 Seventh Street, S.W.

Washington, DC 20590

Phone: 

202-366-0855

E-mail: 

Phillip.Ditzler@fhwa.dot.gov

Publication No. FHWA-OP-01-008

U.S. Department 

of Transportation

Federal Highway

Administration

ADAPTIR real time message system in

advance of the McClugage Bridge.

Quick Change Movable barrier.

To download a copy of this fact sheet or view other Mobility and Safety fact

sheets, visit our Web site at http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/workzone.htm