Lacon bridge across Illinois River reopens

The bridge carrying Route 17 over the Illinois River in Lacon was reopened Friday, connecting Lacon and Sparland once again.

The Lacon Bridge, which had an estimated 7,000 vehicles a day, was closed since March for an $11 million project.

At 1,573 feet long and 29 feet wide, the structure is a steel continuous bridge and received its last upgrade in 1990.