I-74 bridge reopens after crash damage repaired
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<p align="justify">Traffic is moving again on a westbound Interstate 74 bridge damaged by a gasoline tanker fire in July.
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<p align="justify">One lane of the Kickapoo Creek bridge near Downs reopened over the weekend as repairs near completion. One lane is also open on the eastbound side of I-74.
<p align="justify">Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Brian Williamsen said all four lanes should be open by the end of the week.
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<p align="justify">"There is just some minor cleanup left to do. They replaced the steel beams, put in a new bridge deck, made some abutment repairs and some pavement resurfacing," Williamsen said.
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<p align="justify">The westbound bridge had been closed since the July 7 crash that killed truck driver Lowell Kolbus, 71, of Mattoon. A temporary westbound lane was constructed over the eastbound bridge while repairs proceeded.
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<p align="justify">The westbound bridge replacement project was awarded to Halverson Construction Co. Inc. of Springfield for $982,165.80. That is in addition to the $854,000 in repair work performed by IDOT workers after the crash, Williamsen said.
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<p align="justify">Williamsen said the state is trying to recover a portion of the cost associated with repairs through the insurance company which covered Kolbus's truck.
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