from the Perry County MO Sheriff’s Office
The OLD Chester Bridge is scheduled for demolition on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 9:00 AM.
If you plan to watch the demolition, we HIGHLY encourage you to view it from the Chester, Illinois, side of the Mississippi River.
photo by Neal Adams
IMPORTANT VIEWING INFORMATION:
- The levee is not wide enough to safely accommodate parked vehicles and two-way traffic. Parking on the levee is prohibited when it blocks traffic or makes it unsafe for vehicles to pass.
- Farmers are currently in the middle of harvest season and are using the levee and Perry County Roads to move tractors and other harvesting equipment. Please help keep these routes clear.
- Most of the Missouri side viewing locations are on private property. Please do not park or set up on private property without permission. We do not want you to lose your viewing spot because of a property owner complaint and then have difficulty finding another location.
- There will be a 1,000 foot blast radius around the bridge. Anyone within the restricted area will be asked to move.
- The Mississippi River will be closed to boat traffic beginning in the early morning hours on the day of the demolition and will remain closed for 48 hours following the demolition. The United States Coast Guard will be on the river enforcing the closure.
Please plan ahead, respect private property, keep roadways and the levee clear, and choose a safe viewing location.