Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge

Summary

The Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge, often referred to as the New Savanna-Sabula Bridge, or by the same name as its predecessor, the Savanna-Sabula Bridge, is a steel tied-arch that carries U.S. Route 52 (US 52) across the Mississippi River. It connects the city of Savanna, Illinois, with the island city of Sabula, Iowa. Construction on the span began in 2016 and it opened on November 17, 2017. It was erected by Bumpy's Steel Erection of East St. Louis, Illinois and Edward Kraemer & Sons of Plain, Wisconsin.[1] The bridge replaced the Savanna–Sabula Bridge, which was located a few yards to the north.

Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge
Coordinates42°06′16″N 90°09′38″W / 42.10444°N 90.16056°W / 42.10444; -90.16056
Carries2 lanes of US 52 / Iowa 64 / IL 64
CrossesMississippi River, BNSF Railway
LocaleSavanna, Illinois / Jackson County, near Sabula, Iowa, River Mile 537.8
Official nameDale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge
Other name(s)Savanna-Sabula Bridge
Named forDale Gardner
Maintained byIllinois Department of Transportation
Characteristics
Designsteel tied-arch
Total length2,454 ft (748 m)
Width40 ft (12 m)
Longest span546 ft (166 m)
No. of spans12
Clearance below65 ft (20 m)
No. of lanes2
History
Constructed byKraemer North America, Bumpy's Steel Erection
Construction start2016
Construction cost$80 Million
OpenedNovember 17, 2017
ReplacesSavanna-Sabula Bridge
Location
Map

The Dale Gardner Veterans Memorial Bridge was closed on February 27, 2018 while an adjoining causeway was replaced. The Running Slough Bridge had sunk between 1 foot (30 cm) and 5 feet (1.5 m) causing a visible change to the structure.[2] The causeway bridge was deemed unsafe until the replacement was complete. The closure necessitated a 36-mile (58 km) detour to Clinton, Iowa/Fulton, Illinois. A complimentary ferry service between Savanna and Sabula began operations on June 12. The bridge was re-opened on August 31, 2018.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ "New Savanna-Sabula Bridge". Bridgehunter.com. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  2. ^ Hartman, Phillip (February 28, 2018). "Bridge closed near Savanna; drivers asked to take 36-mile detour". SaukValley.com. Sterling, Illinois. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  3. ^ Times online staff (August 31, 2018). "Mississippi River Bridge between Savanna, Sabula to open later today". Quad-City Times. Davenport, Iowa. Retrieved 2018-08-31.

See also edit