"Portions of the Lincoln Highway were first established by identifying existing roads to be paved.  The Sauk Trail from eastern Illinois border westbound through Sauk Village was designated as a section of the original route, including the Kalvelage Bridge.  It served as the major road on daily commutes across the Illinois-Indiana state line, essential to the farmers transporting dairy, children going to school and tourist traveling into the city.  In the early highway days as automobile traffic increased, motorist often had to share the bridge with local livestock."