People who want to walk across Interstate 80 in Ottawa can use the new pedestrian bridge. It opened over the weekend. The $2.4 million bridge is alongside Illinois 23. It provides a way to cross on foot, on a bicycle, or in a wheelchair without having to go in the Illinois 23 traffic lanes.
Ottawa City Hall got a $2 million grant to pay for the bridge. When the overpass was built in 1993, a walkway wasn’t needed because not many people were crossing the Interstate except in motor vehicles. There are a lot more businesses north of I-80 drawing people through all modes of transportation now.
The pedestrian bridge by Illinois 23 over Interstate 80 in Ottawa
A wheelchair user crosses Interstate in the traffic lanes of Illinois 23. This photo helped Ottawa City Hall get a grant for the new pedestrian bridge. Photo provided by Ottawa City Hall.