Cass Street Bridge Will Close In Downtown Joliet, But Why This Long?

JOLIET — The Illinois Department of Transportation issued a press release on Wednesday revealing that as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade the movable bridges in downtown Joliet to be controlled from a central location, Cass Street bridge over the Des Plaines River is scheduled to close for approximately six weeks beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Jan. 13.

The work originally scheduled for mid-December was postponed.

The closure is necessary to complete measurements and design plans to prepare the bridge for the upgrades, anticipated to get underway later this spring. Details and impacts to traffic will be shared in advance, prior to the start of construction.

A detour will direct traffic to Scott Street (Illinois 53), Ruby Street (Illinois 53), Broadway Street (Illinois 53), Theodore Street (Illinois 7) and Plainfield Road (U.S. 30).

The overall project will upgrade the bridge control system and tender house, allowing the bridge to be controlled from a central location, creating a more efficient system of lifting and lowering the downtown bridges and increasing safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and marine traffic.

The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are
urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits
and be on the alert for workers and equipment.
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and
nearly 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2
billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Five of Rebuild Illinois
include approximately $16 billion of improvements statewide on 6,541 miles of highway, 686
bridges and 986 additional safety improvements.