Fort Madison, Iowa – Nov. 21, 2013 – The west-bound lane of the Mississippi River bridge connecting Fort Madison and Niota, Illinois, will be closed to traffic between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26. The closure will allow crews from ITC Midwest LLC (ITC) to perform maintenance on an electric transmission line that runs along the span. The bridge will remain open to traffic, but vehicles crossing in both directions during this time may be delayed as traffic alternates on the remaining open lane.
The 69-kilovolt (kV) electric transmission line is one of two transmission lines installed on structures on the bridge piers. Crews will need to close the bridge lane to make repairs on a lightning arrestor, a piece of equipment that helps protect the line in the event of a lightning strike.
While the work is underway, ITC will place a worker on bridge to alternate traffic on the remaining open lane. ITC estimates the work will take place between 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., but the west-bound lane will be opened before 11 a.m. if repairs can be completed prior to that time. (ITC-itc-M)
