New, improved Ohio Street bridge open to traffic

The Ohio Street Bridge reopened both on time and on budget today following a multiyear project to replace the oldest bridge in Aurora with a safer, more sound bridge that meets higher safety standards.

Aurora Mayor Robert J. O'Connor, First Ward Alderman Tina Bohman, Seventh Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns and Alderman-at-Large Richard C. Irvin were joined by local residents, project engineers, construction crew members and city officials as they cut the ribbon to reopen the major thoroughfare.

Preliminary work on the bridge, which crosses the BNSF Metra railroad, began in fall 2014 and the bridge has been closed since March 2015 for complete reconstruction.

"The city of Aurora has undertaken a major task in working aggressively to replace our aging road and bridge infrastructure, capitalizing on federal funding while it is available," Mayor Robert J. O'Connor said. "I am pleased to be reopening a new Ohio Street bridge, and I want to thank city staff who have worked hard to bring this project to completion."

The $7.8 million dollar project included the complete removal of the 90-year-old bridge, which was, at the time of its closure, the oldest in Aurora. It has since been replaced with a wider, two-lane structure that includes a sidewalk on the east side of the bridge and a multi-use path for bicycles and pedestrians on the west side. The new structure is also higher to meet updated BNSF vertical clearance requirements. Eighty percent of the project costs were paid with federal highway tax funds.

"The reopening of this bridge signals our city's strong commitment to ensuring the safety of our transportation infrastructure," said Ken Schroth, director of public works and city engineer. "We want to thank the contractor D Construction as well as the engineers on the project from Transystems Corporation. We especially want to thank the nearby property owners for their patience and understanding during this complex project."

The closure and reconstruction followed a protracted schedule with crews working during overnight weekend shifts to create minimal disruption to BNSF Metra schedules.

"Ohio Street is an important road for our residents, and our residents will be very happy to see it open again," Ward 7 Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns said. "Although many constructions projects are happening simultaneously, our residents understand that it is truly for the betterment of Aurora. They are happy when we can say that another project is completed."

The Ohio Street bridge is the second bridge completed this year. The Sheffer Road bridge was reconstructed and opened in August.

"The people of Ward 1 have certainly been looking forward to this," Ward 1 Alderman Tina Bohman said. "With this Ohio Street project done and the completion of Sheffer Road earlier this year and Indian Trail last year, I think people are very happy to be able to just get around a little easier and know that the roads they're traveling on are safe."