CHESTER, Ill. (WJPF) – A new Mississippi River Bridge at Chester is closer to becoming a reality.

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that four companies are in the running to be awarded the design-build contract. Proposals from the companies will be accepted starting in September and the contract is expected to be awarded in March 2023. 

The current bridge was built in 1942 and then re-built in 1944 after a severe storm destroyed  the main span. The Chester Bridge carries about 7,000 vehicles across the Mississippi River each day.