State Line Bridge Removal Marks New Chapter for Kankakee River

The State Line Bridge, a structure long plagued by debris and inactivity since 1999, is set to be removed from the Kankakee River. This significant event, which may occur as soon as next week, is contingent on suitable weather conditions.

During an opening ceremony for the State Line Bridge project, Craig Long and Jan Krizik captured moments for posterity. On October 28, 2026, the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission hosted the event. Scott Pelath, the executive director of the Commission, expressed the importance of the event, likening it to a pre-death eulogy for the bridge. Pelath called attention to its aesthetic and historical significance, yet underscored the practical issues it poses. “The bridge sits merely two feet above the river and has been closed to traffic since 1999,” he explained, identifying it as a significant floodwater impediment.

This blockage affects residents on both the Indiana and Illinois sides of the river. Pelath stressed that the bridge, if left unattended, could potentially be swept into Illinois during future floods, resulting in serious complications. Thus, the decision was made to dismantle it responsibly, allowing for potential future reconstruction in a safer manner.

The bridge’s components will be stored at the Lake County Highway Department garage until they can be claimed and reassembled. The entire operation, including its careful removal and storage, is a $2.5 million initiative.

Project Manager Jordan Falls and Senior Superintendent Chris Creasbaum explained the logistics. A large crane, assembled from smaller ones, is positioned on a makeshift base of stone and boards. Falls noted, “This was once all water,” indicating the marshland beneath the crane. The bridge will eventually be returned to its original state, except for the felled trees, which will be replaced. Creasbaum shared that the crane will extract the bridge’s 224-foot span from its supports, allowing it to be disassembled and labeled for future use.

The State Line Bridge has a storied history, having been relocated in 1920 from a previous site in Kankakee County. It holds dual designations as Newton County Bridge 173 and Lake County Bridge 36. The National Park Service highlights its unique construction, characterized by lightweight verticals and unconventional design elements. Initially built around 1900 near Illinois Highway 17, the bridge’s current placement has led to practical challenges, including its low height above the river, leading to frequent flooding and debris blockage.

For decades, the Kankakee River has influenced both Indiana and Illinois. In Indiana, historical efforts to straighten the river turned parts into a vast drainage channel. Conversely, Illinois resisted further alterations, preserving a natural course for the river. Local resident Toby Timmons, whose land borders the bridge, reminisced about past access to the bridge for fishing and its role as a local boundary, both recreational and official.

State Rep. Jim Pressel has advocated for improvements since joining the Indiana General Assembly. Severe flooding in his district highlighted the urgency for change. This pressure led to the formation of the Kankakee River Basin and Yellow River Basin Development Commission, focused on level improvements and obstruction removal.

Historic efforts, dating back to 1872, demonstrate the ongoing struggle to manage the river. Former commissioner Aylesworth recounted flood-related challenges and solutions over the years, including emergency interventions where sand-bagging and stone-piling were necessary to control overflow.

Alan Morrison, director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, supports the removal. He urges safe cross-river activities between residents of the two states, provided regulations like fishing licenses are observed.

The bridge’s nearby area, once home to a small shop run by a woman named Salty, holds memories for former residents and deputies like Todd Huntley. The bridge’s removal signifies both an end and a new beginning for those connected with it, including opportunities for improved river navigation and environmental management.

Many, including locals who have lived by the river for years, expressed mixed feelings. Some, like Doug Ross, recount the persistent changes and challenges faced over decades. As the bridge’s removal looms, it leaves both nostalgia and anticipation for future riverine stability and use.