The Red, White and New – The Westminster Drive Overpass project is a standout achievement in Illinois, blending safety, functionality, and regional pride. The original overpass, more than 60 years old, no longer met modern safety or design standards. With traffic increasing due to nearby industrial growth and a new trail system in progress, a simple replacement was not enough. The community envisioned a bridge that reflected their identity and met evolving mobility needs.

Located on I-57—Illinois’ longest interstate and part of the National Highway Freight Network, the bridge supports critical freight and passenger movement. It also closes a major trail gap, improving bike and pedestrian access across the interstate. A patriotic design element emerged during early planning, when Illinois DOT replaced standard fencing with a multicolored metal American flag—a tribute to the 40,000+ veterans served annually by the nearby Marion VA Medical Center.

More than just infrastructure, the bridge has become a symbol of local pride and progress. Funded by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois program, the $7.4 million project enhanced regional connectivity, supported economic growth, and added a valuable recreational asset for southern Illinois. The passage of IIJA and the infusion of more capital funding into Illinois DOT’s planning and programming efforts were crucial to allowing many capital program projects statewide to stay on track, this one included.