Hinsdale Bridge Gone, But 'Annoyance' Remains

HINSDALE, IL – Hinsdale no longer has a pedestrian bridge at the end of Minneola Street.

But a resident says people keep walking through his private yard as if the bridge still existed.

Three years ago, the Tollway built a new pedestrian bridge over Interstate 295 south of the older one, along 47th Street. The structure links Hinsdale and Western Springs.

At the end of Minneola is a narrow road leading to two driveways and what was once the bridge.

One of those driveways is for the house where David Drwencke lives.

"There is still a great deal of foot traffic, and people are still going through what is effectively a private drive and our yard," Drwencke told the Village Board on Tuesday. "It's maybe more an annoyance than anything."

More than a month ago, he said, his car was stolen from his driveway, but later recovered.

He said he suspected that his car was seen by someone who was walking through to the bridge. Otherwise, he said, the car probably would not have been seen.

He asked whether the village could post some sort of sign informing people that it's not a public thruway.

Village Manager Kathleen Gargano said the village could work out something with the police and public works departments to address Drwencke's concern.