Bridge projects planned for DuPage, Kane
The state has announced plans to spend more than $10.1 million on separate bridge projects in Kane and DuPage counties.
The largest of the two projects will replace the bridge carrying Indian Trail Road over the Fox River in Aurora. Officials said D Construction, Inc. of Coal City will be paid more than $9.7 million to do the work, which will include new pavement, curb and gutter, storm sewer, and lighting.
Meanwhile, more than $416,000 will be spent repairing the Route 83 bridge that spans Salt Creek in Villa Park. Streamwood-based Areatha Construction Co., Inc. has been awarded the contract for the project, which will involve joint and structural steel repair, officials said.
In separate news releases, Gov. Pat Quinn praised both projects, saying they will make travel “safer and more efficient.” He also said the local economy will get a boost from the number of construction workers employed to do the work.
Both projects will be overseen by the Illinois Department of Transporation.
The state’s $31 billion capital construction program is providing the money up front for the projects. But the Federal Highway Administration will reimburse IDOT for 80 percent of the cost of the Indian Trail Road bridge, officials said. Aurora also has agreed to pay for 20 percent of that project.
On Friday, IDOT spokeswoman Paris Ervin said no start date or schedule has been set for either bridge project.
Ervin said in an email to the Daily Herald that the Villa Park project will repair joints at the end of the Route 83 bridge, where the bridge meets the pavement. In addition to fixing the old joints, the project will “help alleviate water from deteriorating the beams under the joints.”
The repairs are expected to take about two months, officials said. While the bridge will remain open, lanes will be closed to facilitate the work.
Details about how traffic in Aurora will be affected by the Indian Trail Road bridge project weren’t immediately available.
State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia and state Sen. Linda Holmes both issued statements in support of the work.
Holmes, an Aurora Democrat, said replacing the Indian Trail Road bridge is “much-needed” and will “improve the daily commute of countless Aurora motorists.”
Chapa LaVia said it’s vital for Aurora and the region to maintain a strong infrastructure.
“Investments like this provide safe roads for our community and help to create good-paying jobs,” the Aurora Democrat said.