January 12, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Garfield Ave. Bridge To Reopen Tomorrow
DECATUR – The Garfield Avenue Bridge between Jasper Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive is expected to reopen by 5 p.m. tomorrow barring unforeseen circumstances.
The reopening of the bridge marks the completion of the city’s first project funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus) funding. The work was done to make the overpass safe for heavier loads, as it is important for connecting the large vehicles that service our local industry to the interstate highway system.
The stimulus funding was allocated through the Decatur Urbanized Area Transportation Study (DUATS), the regional transportation planning entity for the Decatur metropolitan area. DUATS member entities include Macon County, the City of Decatur, the Village of Forsyth, the Village of Mt. Zion, the Decatur Park District, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Highway Administration.
A final punch list of items that need to be completed prior to the bridge opening should be done early tomorrow.
“This bridge is an important thoroughfare for the Decatur community, both for the hundreds of motorists who use it each and every day and for the local industries that rely on the efficient transport of products and raw materials to and from their facilities,” said City Manager Ryan McCrady. “This project came to fruition through the dedicated efforts of a number of local entities who should be commended for working hard to improve transportation for this community.”
For more information contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753.