Farewell to State Line Bridge: A Historic Transition

The State Line Bridge, dormant since 1999, will soon be removed by a giant crane from the Kankakee River. The scheduled operation, dependent on weather, could start next week. Craig Long and Jan Krizik captured photos during the project’s launch ceremony.

The event, organized by the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission, occurred on October 28, 2026. Scott Pelath, the Commission’s executive director, highlighted the effort’s culmination after half a century of intent to remove the bridge.

“This bridge is a historical marvel but hinders floodwater flow due to its low height. It’s been a barrier to safe passage on both the Indiana and Illinois sides,” Pelath stated during the ceremony.

The removal aims to prevent the bridge from potentially washing away during future floods. The bridge, now to be preserved responsibly, might be reconstructed elsewhere for public appreciation. Meanwhile, the Lake County Highway Department will store its components.

The project bears a $2.5 million price tag. Crews utilizing a colossal crane will carefully dismantle the 224-foot-long, 165,000-pound bridge, preserving parts for possible future assembly.

Project Manager Jordan Falls mentioned that the operation involves precise maneuvering of cranes, all built upon a temporary stone-built platform across the marshland.

Tony Ferraro, representing Governor Mike Braun, elabored the bridge’s historical relocation in 1920 from Kankakee County. Designated as Newton County Bridge 173 and Lake County Bridge 36, this unique Pennsylvania truss structure, identified for its uncommon engineering, offers a delicate aesthetic.

The National Park Service inventory praises the bridge’s historical significance. Bridgestunnels.com noted its initial construction around 1900, highlighting its structural shifts over time. Despite its beauty, the bridge stands ineffective, being easily flooded and an obstruction.

State Representative Jim Pressel and others recounted various flooding experiences, emphasizing the bridge’s role as a remnant of inadequate flood management. With the commission’s endeavors, improved river handling will follow this removal.

John McNamara and State Representative Mike Aylesworth, commission founders, recalled challenges over the Kankakee’s management. The bridge’s removal represents a monumental achievement in those longstanding efforts.

Nearby residents and visitors fondly recall memories surrounding the bridge, acknowledging its past community significance. Longtime neighborhood figures shared stories, asserting the bridge’s place in local lore.

The bridge symbolized many for generations. Now, its dismantling marks a final farewell, marking a turning point in the local landscape.