The city of Rockford plans to replace the Eighth Avenue bridge over Keith Creek in 2024. The bridge is shown Monday, April 24, 2023, in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The city plans to replace a more than century old neighborhood bridge in order to safely reconnect schoolchildren to their nearby elementary school.

The Eighth Avenue bridge over Keith Creek has a 4-ton weight restriction, which doesn’t allow for school buses to cross. The bridge would also serve as a walking route for children on their way to Constance Lane Elementary School, which is on the other side of Kishwaukee Street a couple blocks away. But right now the sidewalks are closed because of a safety hazard on the bridge.

“There’s actually a large hole in the sidewalk on the bridge that we had to fence off,” said Timothy Hinkens, city engineer. “Schoolchildren have to use the road if they want to walk to school there. That’s why it’s such a high priority for us to fix.”

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Construction is slated to happen next year. The project is getting attention now because Congressman Eric Sorensen announced he has requested $1 million in federal funds to help pay the projected $1.25 million cost. As part of the project, the city would also replace lead water service lines and relocate a sanitary sewer structure.

“Bridges are a critical connector between our residents and essential resources,” Mayor Tom McNamara said.This project will not only improve the bridge, but also upgrade century old water mains, remove toxic lead service lines, and safely reconnect children to their neighborhood elementary school.”

The city of Rockford closed sidewalks near the Eighth Avenue bridge because of a safety hazard on the structure. The bridge is shown Monday, April 24, 2023, in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

The project was initially planned to move forward last year, but city officials are working with the State Historic Preservation Office to preserve elements of the bridge that was built in 1919.

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The state has listed it as a historic bridge because of its distinct pier terminals and the rare double hitching post reinforced concrete railings.

“We are working with the preservation office on how we preserve these railings while we replace the entire structure,” Hinkens said. “The entire structure has almost reached the end of its useful life.”


This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas 

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