Murray Baker Bridge, Road bridge between Peoria and East Peoria, Illinois.
The Murray Baker Bridge is a road bridge spanning the Illinois River between Peoria and East Peoria, serving as a major connector across the water with two lanes in each direction. The structure employs a cantilever design that carries traffic over the river valley below.
The bridge opened in 1958 and was named after Murray Baker, the first vice president of the company that became Caterpillar Corporation. Its construction coincided with a period of industrial expansion in central Illinois.
The bridge represents the industrial growth of central Illinois, connecting communities and supporting the regional manufacturing sector throughout the decades.
The bridge lacks shoulders and is built to handle heavy traffic flowing continuously in both directions. Expect significant vehicle flow, particularly during rush periods when thousands of cars cross daily.
Each day, approximately 68,000 vehicles cross this Interstate 74 connector, which maintains its original design without shoulders along its span.
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