Fabyan bridge to get needed repairs

Kane County officials on Wednesday approved about $30,000 in emergency repairs to a "rapidly deteriorating" support beam under the Fabyan Parkway bridge at Mill Creek, west of Geneva.

The bridge is safe to drive upon, officials said, despite the beam's condition.

"It certainly isn't going to cave in," said Jan Carlson, an Elburn Republican and chairman of the Kane County Board Transportation Committee. "But for safety reasons, additional support is needed."

Tom Rickert, deputy director of transportation, estimated the bridge is between 60 and 70 years old. It is scheduled to be replaced next summer.

The need for immediate repairs came to light during a recent inspection, said Manny Gomez, assistant director of transportation.

"We've been watching it closely because the condition of the bridge has been deteriorating more rapidly and at a faster pace than we anticipated," he said.

Officials say they don't know exactly what's causing the fast-paced deterioration.

The county board's executive committee voted unanimously to move ahead with the repairs, expected to cost $25,000 to $30,000.

Gomez said he doesn't anticipate a complete bridge closure when the work begins in coming weeks.

The rebuilding project next summer is expected to cost $1.64 million. The county plans to pay for it with $1.3 million in federal money and $411,000 in local funds.