Closures planned for 2 Joliet bridges

JOLIET – The Jackson Street bridge downtown will be closed next week, and lanes will be partially closed on an Interstate 80 bridge until May 6.

The Illinois Department of Transportation this week announced the work on the two bridges crossing the Des Plaines River.

Both projects are scheduled to start Monday, depending on the weather, IDOT stated in news releases.

The Jackson Street bridge downtown will be closed until May 1 for mechanical and electrical repairs, IDOT stated.

However, work on the Joliet drawbridges at times have stretched beyond schedule when more problems are discovered or custom-made replacement parts are needed.

The Brandon Road bridge was closed in late December for what was scheduled to be a one-month repair project. The bridge did not reopen until March 21.

Closure of the downtown bridges typically has a major impact on travel in and out of the downtown area.

"Obviously, the city's just hoping that when they get in to do the work, they don't find anything more substantial," Joliet Public Works Director Jim Trizna said.

The city does not maintain the drawbridges.

The Jackson Street bridge is part of a project to repair all six Joliet drawbridges over the Des Plaines River, IDOT stated. Jackson Street is the fifth bridge to be repaired in the past two years.

"The overall improvements will result in reliable and safe operation of the bridge, signal gates and traffic signals," IDOT stated in the news release.

I-80 bridge

Bridge inspections will require daily lane closures during off-peak travel times on the I-80 bridge over the Des Plaines River.

Partial closures start Monday on westbound lanes. Inspections are scheduled to be switched to the eastbound lanes May 1.

At least two lanes will be open on the bridges during inspections, IDOT stated.

To minimize the impact on traffic, closures are planned for 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. If needed, lanes also will close on Saturday.