Bridge traffic to switch in Batavia today

The next time residents cross Batavia, they should be able to tell what a finished Wilson Street bridge will be like -- if only on half of it.

Contractors will move traffic from the old north side of the bridge to the new south side of the bridge today.

In preparation, the bridge is scheduled to be completely closed from midnight to 7 a.m. today.

A new sidewalk for pedestrian access across the bridge will be open.

Although physically it's the halfway point of the project, officials said demolition and construction of the second half of the bridge will go much quicker.

There will be multiple total closures of the bridge in the coming weeks so contractors can demolish the north half of the bridge.

For the next two weekends, the bridge will be closed from 9 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday, as well as from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each weekday evening starting Wednesday through Sept. 20.

The project is scheduled to be "substantially completed" by Dec. 14, or contractor Illinois Constructors Corporation faces a potential $7,500 daily fine until the project is finished.

Originally, traffic was supposed to be switched in July, but heavy rains and a high Fox River pushed the schedule back.

The Batavia City Council denied a request this summer from contractors to completely shut the bridge down for three weeks in August to get back on schedule, saying it would be too difficult for residents and businesses.

Contractors had said a cold snap in November could push the project into 2008.