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Committee advances ordinance to vacate East St. Louis approach to MacArthur (Free) Bridge

St. Louis City Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee · February 18, 2026

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Summary

Board bill 132 would vacate and transfer a roughly 2,000-foot portion of the MacArthur/Free Bridge approach that lies on the Illinois side to East St. Louis; committee members were told the city estimates a roughly $3 million demolition liability and that the transfer is intended to remove that cost and liability from the city.

The Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee advanced board bill 132, an ordinance to vacate a portion of the MacArthur (Free) Bridge approach currently owned by the City of St. Louis on the Illinois side and transfer rights to East St. Louis and the State of Illinois.

Kevin Trapp, chief bridge engineer with the Board of Public Service, testified that the city still owns an approach of about 2,000 feet, of which roughly 900 feet has already been demolished. He described the remaining section as barricaded, a public-safety liability and a frequent site of trespass. "The City does not want it. It's a huge liability," Trapp said.

Committee members asked whether the city had precedent for transferring bridge ownership, whether East St. Louis had requested the property and who would pay for demolition. Rich Bradley, president of the Board of Public Service, said the mayor of East St. Louis requested ownership and that his office expects the city will complete a formal agreement after the ordinance is approved; Bradley noted the city's demolition estimate for the remaining section at about $3,000,000.

Committee members also discussed whether the legislation included a nominal sale price. The presenter indicated the ordinance language specifies a nominal consideration and referenced the summary language that the transaction would be for a dollar.

Members moved and seconded a motion to pass the bill with a due-pass recommendation; the clerk recorded seven aye votes and the committee advanced the ordinance.

The ordinance, as presented, directs the appropriate city department (BPS) to execute the vacation and to finalize a transfer arrangement with East St. Louis. Committee members framed the move as a way to relieve the City of St. Louis of a maintenance and liability burden for infrastructure that sits in Illinois.