Design and Construction Report staff writer
Repairs to Illinois’ historic Red Covered Bridge near Princeton are scheduled to begin by the end of October under a $1.25-million contract awarded to Helm Construction of Freeport.
The bridge, which crosses Big Bureau Creek on Bureau County Road 1950 E north of Princeton, was severely damaged when it was hit by a truck in 2023. The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) District 3 has overseen engineering, design and project planning since the structure was closed.
Helm Construction won the contract through the July 31 bid letting. A preconstruction meeting on Sept. 21 reviewed the work and allowed the project team to finalize details at the historic structure.
The schedule gives the contractor time to procure materials, including replacement wood sourced from nearby Dixon. Work will be completed in two phases, with the first phase expected to allow the bridge to reopen to local traffic.
Work to be completed this fall includes replacing the roof and roof cross bracing, damaged cross-bracing rods, floor beams and siding. Existing signs warning drivers of the bridge’s height restriction will also be replaced with high-visibility versions, with selected signs equipped with flashing beacons.
The bridge will close again in 2027 for the second phase of construction, which will include applying a fire-resistant coating to the interior and painting the exterior. The contractor will also repair and upgrade the pump house, replace lighting and wiring, upgrade fire suppression piping and security cameras, and install a vehicle-height detection system.
All work is expected to be completed by June 2027.
Built in 1863, the Red Covered Bridge has survived arson, erosion, high winds and several truck strikes. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and protected under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
The historic designation subjects renovation work to preservation standards and additional review requirements, extending the project timeline.
The bridge is the only state-owned covered bridge in Illinois that remains open to traffic. When open, it accommodated an average of 275 vehicles a day and also attracts tourists and visitors from around the world to the Princeton area.
