Case study | Environmental Science
Florence Bridge Environmental Assessment
Details
Owner
Illinois Department of Transportation
Client
WSP USA
Project Cost
$128,000 (KEG Fee)
Status
Completed November 2021
Summary
Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC (KEG), in coordination with WSP USA, was contracted by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to conduct an Environmental Assessment of the Florence Bridge replacement project.
Project
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) maintains a lift bridge on Illinois Routes 100 and 106 (IL 100/106) over the Illinois River at the Scott/Pike County Line, near Florence, Illinois. The existing IL 100/106 River Bridge was constructed in 1929 and is currently considered to be beyond its useful service life. IDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), is evaluating options to determine how to improve access across the Illinois River at this location, while minimizing impacts to the environment and surrounding area. The purpose of the project is to provide safe and reliable connectivity across the Illinois River in Florence, Illinois for all modes of vehicular traffic, facilitate improved passage of barge traffic, and support local and regional economic needs while meeting current design standards and minimizing impacts to the environment and surrounding area.
The Environmental Assessment examined a variety of environmental factors, including economic, social, and environmental impacts of potential alternatives. Four build alternatives and the No Build alternative were evaluated. The build alternatives included the following: Relocating IL 100/106 approximately 100 feet north of the existing alignment; relocating IL 100/106 approximately 100 feet south of the existing alignment; relocating IL 100/106 approximately 300 feet south of the existing alignment; and relocating IL 100/106 approximately 4,500 feet south of the existing alignment.
KEG performed the environmental impact analysis for both natural and man-made resources, authored the main EA document, and compiled and formatted the entire EA with appendices for submittal to IDOT and the resource agencies for review. KEG also assisted with the traffic noise study.
The EA Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed in October of 2021.
