Bridge work delays could impact Carol Stream schools

Delays in construction to replace Carol Stream's deteriorating Illini Drive bridge are expected to cause some headaches for officials at nearby schools.

Village officials hoped to have the project completed by the start of classes but have known for some time they won't be able to meet that schedule.

Assistant Village Engineer Bill Cleveland said the supplier of culverts for the project can't deliver them until Aug. 1, and there hasn't been any real progress on the bridge.

As a result, Cleveland said, the village has delayed plans to demolish the existing structure until July 28.

And if the village gets hit by storms between now and Aug. 1 and the creek's water level gets too high, Cleveland said, construction could be further delayed. Weather also will play a role in determining the project's completion date.

Carol Stream Elementary District 93 Superintendent Bill Shields said the district is figuring out how to provide alternative ways to get to Carol Stream Elementary School and Jay Stream Middle School for students whose usual routes may be obstructed by the project. The district also will work with police to deal with traffic concerns.

"Right now we're working with the bus company, we're identifying all the kids and where they could be impacted, every single child," Shields said.

At this point, he said, the district knows it will bus more students, but not exactly how many.

Shields said the district is looking into using existing bus routes to pick up some kids, as well as putting new, temporary routes in place to pick up others.