Illinois State Sen. Terri Bryant Bryant can largely thank herself for a demolition date of Aug. 21. | Facebook
Illinois State Sen. Terri Bryant Bryant can largely thank herself for a demolition date of Aug. 21. | Facebook
Republican state Sen. Terri Bryant smiles at the thought that the days are numbered for the Jefferson County train trestle.
“It’s finally happening,” the Illinois senator said in a post to Facebook. “This roadway has a demolition date.”
Bryant can largely thank herself for a demolition date of Aug. 21 that she argues is long overdue.
“I have been actively working to have this trestle demolished for more than seven years,” she added in a post to her website. “While it may have taken longer than I liked, I am so pleased to finally see progress being made to remove this hazard and make our roadways safer. Canadian National will finally take responsibility for their property.”
Bryant argues the trestle is nowhere near what it once was.
“Decades ago, this trestle was used to haul coal, but it’s been left abandoned and deteriorating for years,” she said. “Wood is rotting, trees are sprouting throughout the structure and pieces of the track are coming loose. I’m beyond grateful that we are finally able to address these safety concerns and remove the structure before someone gets hurt.”
Bryant stresses her reasons for wanting the trestle gone don’t end there.
“Given the current trestle structure, certain sized trucks and larger farm equipment couldn’t pass underneath the bridge,” she said. “The only solution was for our farmers and truckers to travel around the track, costing both time and money.”
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