Carol Stream bridge’s stability to be investigated
A bridge inspector will evaluate the stability of a pedestrian bridge between the Carol Stream Public Library and Armstrong Park after a piece of concrete fell off the bridge last month.
On Monday, the village board approved a $5,450 contract with Roselle-based Pavia-Marting & Company to inspect the bridge and recommend up to three possible solutions that could include repairing or replacing the structure.
The passageway, which sits about five feet above Klein Creek, has been closed since mid-March because of safety concerns. Two handrails that had been held in place by the concrete also fell off.
The village’s engineering staff conducted a preliminary inspection March 19 and found it to be not in “imminent danger of collapse,” said Jim Knudsen, the village’s director of engineering services. At the same time, Knudsen recommended an outside firm evaluate the bridge for a permanent solution.
Park district executive director Arnie Biondo said it’s unclear if the bridge could be fixed or if it would have to be replaced.
“To my knowledge none of us — the village, library or park district — has any idea what that means in the way of cost,” Biondo said. “We just gotta sit tight and wait for the bridge inspector’s engineering report.”
The park district, which built the bridge in 1979, would be responsible for paying the costs of any repairs.
Village Manager Joe Breinig said the village would send a letter to library and park district officials to request sharing the costs of the bridge inspection.
But he said the village thought it best to take the lead on the project because of its previous work with Pavia-Marting, a state-certified bridge inspector.
Added Trustee Matt McCarthy, “Everybody on all the boards — village, park district and library — safety is our first option.”
The firm’s report is expected to be complete within 45 days.