Ironworkers Memorial - McClugage Bridge Renovation Disaster - Peoria, IL
Posted by: 
NorStar
N 40° 43.517 W 089° 33.300
16T E 284220 N 4511401
Three ironworkers lost their lives during renovation of the McClugage Bridge over the Illinois River to the east of the memorial.
Waymark Code: WMJCA7
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 10/28/2013
Views: 3
In Peoria, just off Grandview Drive, and near the McClugage Bridge, is a memorial by the side of a road that is in memory of three workers who lost their lives while working on the bridge.
The memorial is located on a side road off US 24 and Grandview Drive. From US 24, go to a traffic light at the intersection of US 24, Grandview Drive, and Lorentz Avenue. Take the turn toward Grandview Drive, then go straight up Lorentz Avenue to the memorial on the right. There is a pull off on the left that has room for one car. A better parking lot is available off Grandview Drive at a picnic pavilion. Then, you will walk back to Lorentz Ave, turn right up the hill to the memorial.
The memorial is a black stone marker about 5 ft tall. It has etchings on two sides, plus a bronze plaque.
The side facing uphill has the following:
"[Etching of the bridge over the Illinois River plus clouds in the background]
Ironworkers [Hand grasping wrench design] Memorial [Ironworkers Union Logo]
April 24, 2000
Robert Foulks
John Irby
Ronald Watson
Members of Ironworkers Local Union - 112
Lost their lives during the
McClugage Bridge Renovation"
Plaque below:
"Special Thanks
United Ready-Mix
Solomon Colors
Laborers Local 165
Ironworkers Local 112
Operative Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 18
West Central IL Bldg. & Const. Trades Council"
On side toward downhill:
"Ironworkers Memorial
May those who stop here to pay their respects
take a moment to reflect on the dangers faced
by all Ironworkers at their work sites each day.
Especially remember the three Ironworkers who
paid the ultimate sacrifice pursuing their life work.
Let us learn from these losses and honor their memory
by working for safer workplaces for everyone
May they rest in peace."
According to the Wikipedia article on the bridge (link below), the three men were working on the south span of the bridge. This is the older of the two spans. The scaffolding that the workers were on collapsed on April 24, causing the workers to fall 62 ft to their deaths in the river. There was an effort to have the bridge renamed to the Ironworkers Bridge in their memory; however, this memorial was placed instead in April 2001.
Disaster Date: 04/24/2000
Date of dedication: 04/01/2001
Memorial Sponsors: International Association of Bridge Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Ironworkers, Local 112
Parking Coordinates: N 40° 00.000 W 089° 00.000
Disaster Type: Technological
Relevant Website: [Web Link]
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