Winnebago County Members Meet About Possible New Bridge Across The Rock River

(Winnebago and Ogle Counties) Winnebago County`s public works committee meets Tuesday night to discuss plans for a new bridge over the Rock River. One location for the bridge might be at the Route 2, Meridian Road intersection near the Ogle and Winnebago County border. Plans for the project have been discussed since the early 1970`s but county engineers say they`ll have to be entirely redone due to new concerns and issues. Curtis Cook, Ogle County Engineer, says he supports the idea of the bridge being built but adds new plans will have to be designed from those in the 1970s and adds, "At that time environmental concerns weren`t as paramount. We`re not going to be able to fill the flood plane area (as previously planned). So we`ll have to redesign it." Cook adds the total cost of the project could run "several million dollars" and take 4 to 6 years to complete. WTVO contacted Hanson Professional Services, the engineering firm that could be hired to head the project, but they declined comment Tuesday saying they have not entered into a formal agreement with the county yet, and it would be premature to make any statement at this time.