Naperville, Ill. — Downtown Naperville has posted recent updates regarding the Downtown Washington Street Bridge Replacement Project. The west side lanes are open and the sidewalk is finished. The lights have been replaced. Crews have begun work on the east side. The driveway into JCLicht and Walgreens is projected to be open by the end of June.
The bridge is still anticipated to be fully opened with all construction done by July 4. All four lanes of traffic should be unobstructed for drivers.
The Downtown Washington Street Bridge Replacement Project’s objective is to replace the bridge due to its deteriorating condition. The bridge is almost 40 years old and has seen a considerable amount of traffic as the only north-south road through downtown that crosses both BNSF railroad tracks and the DuPage River. The street also hosts a number of shops and restaurants. Preparations to replace the bridge have been in motion for several years, since a 15-ton weight limit was imposed in 2016. Monthly inspections of the bridge began in January 2019. A September 2022 inspection showed enough damage that the city consulted with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to lower the weight limit to eight tons and close two lanes of traffic. Naperville has acquired federal funding from IDOT to complete the project.
The project will also make improvements to the Aurora Avenue and Washington Street intersection. Stage One construction on the project began in the spring of 2023. Construction crews demolished and replaced the east side of the bridge. In spring of 2024, Stage Two began with the demolition and replacement of the east side of the bridge. Stage Three includes the completion of the center piece, and Stage Four will complete the east sidewalk, railing and other amenities.
