Historic Route 66 Tourists Could Find It Difficult To Visit Joliet This Summer

JOLIET — Less than six months after Mayor Terry D'Arcy, city planner Jayne Bernhard and State Rep. Larry Walsh Jr. gathered to mark the rededication of Joliet's Route 66 Park, Joliet is making it more difficult for tourists to visit the Broadway Street corridor, which includes the Rich & Creamy Ice Cream shop.

On Thursday, Joliet officials issued a press release to spread the word that the city's next major street project is along Broadway Street, which is Route 53.

The city of Joliet will be tearing apart Broadway Street from Ruby Street all the way to Theodore Street, and the work won't be done until November, the press release noted. That's right. The water main project will take around eight months to finish.

The work on Broadway begins on Monday, April 14.

The City of Joliet Public Utilities Department noted that the project will replace the water main on Broadway Street (Route 53) from Theodore Street to Ruby Street. Traffic on Broadway Street will be reduced to a single lane in each direction between Theodore Street and Ruby Street throughout the project. The work on Broadway Street is anticipated to be completed by November 1, 2025. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternative routes for the duration of the work.

"We appreciate your patience and ask that you drive slowly and cautiously through any construction zone," the city of Joliet announced.

Back in October, when Joliet leaders gathered to re-dedicate the Route 66 Park at the Broadway Street Greenway, there was no discussion about plans to rip apart Broadway Street and create significant traffic congestion for both citizens of Joliet and Historic Route 66 tourists.

Joliet Patch reported that the Route 66 Park was considered a major tourist stop and new signs were placed at the entrances and on the nearby Rich & Creamy Ice Cream stand building. The improvements featured several new interpretive signs detailing Joliet’s history and enhanced landscaping. Notable selfie opportunities included a giant neon Route 66 shield and a large “Greetings from Joliet” postcard.