August 13, 2019
Highway bridge now history
BY ALYSSA MEIER
Editor
For 27 years, those traversing U.S. Highway 83 between Washburn and Underwood crossed underneath what has become a landmark in McLean County.
The landmark, a retired coal conveyor belt owned by Falkirk Mining Co., was removed permanently Monday, 18 years after it was last used.
The large white tube crossing U.S. Highway 83 between Washburn and Underwood was installed in 1992 to transport coal across the roadway. In 2001, the conveyor was retired. Since, Falkirk has used trucks to haul coal from mining sites to the plant.
The stretch of highway was closed all day Monday so the structure could be removed permanently.
