Will County Gazette

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that routine inspections of the Interstate 80 bridges over the Des Plaines River in Joliet will begin on May 5, contingent on weather conditions. The inspections will necessitate daily lane closures, starting with the westbound bridge until May 12, after which the eastbound bridge will be inspected. Both bridges' inspections are anticipated to be finished by May 16, again depending on weather conditions.

The closures will occur from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and on Saturdays if necessary. Despite the closures, at least one lane in both directions will remain open to traffic. "The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Alternative routes are encouraged," advises the Department. Drivers are also urged to adhere to flagger signals, obey speed limits, and stay vigilant for workers and equipment in the vicinity.

The replacement of the bridges, along with broader enhancements to I-80 in Will County, is part of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program. This program plans to invest $33.2 billion into the state's transportation infrastructure across various modes.

For more information, the public is directed to visit I80will.org, where they can also submit questions and comments to the project team. Traffic updates and road conditions can be checked at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. The Illinois Department of Transportation can also be followed on social media platforms Facebook and X.

For further inquiries about the project, Maria Castaneda at maria.c.castaneda@illinois.gov or (312) 447-1919, and Guy Tridgell at guy.tridgell@illinois.gov or (312) 343-1731, are available.