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HAMILTON, ILL. -- There may be a solution in store for at least one area affected by flooding on the Mississippi.

The Illinois Department of TranSportation is taking the first steps to address periodic flooding over the approach for the Hamilton-Keokuk bridge over the Mississippi river.

It's hired Klingner and Associates in Quincy to begin a study of the problem and to gather concerns from the public.

During times of flooding this area of the bridge approach is normally covered with one to two feet of standing water. That can cause major problems. In fact back in 1993 the water closed the bridge linking Keokuk and Hamilton for nearly a month until IDOT allowed a local contractor to build a temporary bridge.

Hamilton Mayor Steve Woodruff can remember the troubles his town and its residents faced that year. He says residents employed in Iowa and Missouri couldn't get to work, while folks needing regular medical treatments like dialysis faced major problems.

During the flood of 2008, the Illinois Department of Transportation was more proactive, building this temporary bridge over the approach out of gravel and rock before water covered the road. That kept traffic flowing, but at a snail's pace at times. Woodruff says a new approach would mean fewer headaches in the future.

Woodruff said, "Hamilton is a bedroom community and most everyone works somewhere else. So it will be a load off for everyone, even people living in Warsaw and surrounding communities."

KHQA talked with several business owners and residents who say this solution is long overdue. Mayor Woodruff says if the approach is eventually raised, his city will have fewer water worries and can concentrate its efforts helping neighboring communities with their flood fighting efforts.

A public meeting is planned for November to gather public input on what residents want in a new bridge approach. Then a plan will be created in the coming years. This project is years away from construction and as of now, no money is allocated for the project.