Hill Avenue bridge work to start next summer near Lombard

Construction on the Hill Avenue bridge between Lombard and Glen Ellyn is scheduled to begin next summer, about five years after planning began.

On Thursday, the Lombard village board agreed to hire an engineering firm for $250,000 to oversee construction of the bridge, which spans the east branch of the DuPage River just south of the Union Pacific railroad tracks.

Public Works Director Carl Goldsmith said the company, Civiltech Engineering, Inc., has done inspections in the past and "they're very familiar with that bridge."

Lombard and Glen Ellyn have agreed to each pay 10 percent of the $2.5 million project, Goldsmith said. The remaining amount will be paid by the federal government.

The start of the project was delayed, in part, because it was "subject to when those dollars were available" from the government, Goldsmith said.

In addition, the bridge required a lot of permitting, as it crosses over waters and unincorporated areas. Design work also has been ongoing to address residents' concerns and to accommodate Glen Ellyn's request that a pedestrian walkway be included on the bridge.

"There's been a lot of back and forth with what should be included on the bridge," Goldsmith said.

Construction will impact roughly four properties, some with multi-tenant buildings.

The bridge has been in need of replacement since about 2009 due to deterioration. Goldsmith said the new bridge will be elevated much more to eliminate stormwater issues.

The village recently submitted pre-final plans to the Illinois Department of Transportation for review. Final plans are due in January, and a bid process is expected to begin in April. Goldsmith said the hope is that construction can begin in June and be completed by the end of next year.

A detour route that uses Crescent Boulevard and North Park Boulevard in Glen Ellyn already has been established. More details will be available as construction draws closer.