Chester Bridge, Road truss bridge in Chester, Illinois.
Chester Bridge is a truss bridge spanning the Mississippi River that connects Chester, Illinois to Perryville, Missouri. The structure comprises two main spans supported by multiple approach spans that carry two lanes of traffic across the river.
The bridge opened in 1942 as a key connection between the two riverbanks in this region. A severe storm in the following years caused significant structural damage that required major repairs.
The bridge stands near the Chester Welcome Center in Segar Park, named after E.C. Segar, who created the character Popeye based on local stories.
The bridge is open daily to vehicle traffic and requires careful attention when crossing due to its age and condition. Drivers should be aware that weight restrictions apply and the lanes are relatively narrow.
A new $284 million replacement structure, named the Don Welge Memorial Bridge, began construction in September 2023 with a three-tower cable-stayed design.
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