Project Update: Tuesday, November 22, 2016

The first stage of bridge construction has been completed and open for traffic! Thank you for your patience. See you next spring!

Project Update: Monday, November 14, 2016

The project is in the final stages for the season. The south side of the bridge is scheduled to open up the week of Thanksgiving.

This past week, repaving has been completed and the winter traffic configuration has begun to be installed. The final concrete for the wall across the bridge was poured today. Throughout the next several weeks, final details including water main, fence, sidewalk and landscaping will be worked on.

Please continue to be cautious through the area and watch for an update on the traffic configuration for the winter months.

Project Update: Monday, October 31, 2016

Last week the contractor was able to install the new curb and gutter for the widened pavement as well as begin pouring the parapet wall that runs along the edge of the bridge. In the upcoming weeks, parapet wall, utility items, final bridge work, sidewalk and pavement surface should be completed. Once this has concluded, the construction site will close down for the winter.

Please bear with us for the final push to finish up the southern half of the bridge!

Project Update: Thursday, October 13, 2016

Now that the beams are installed, you will begin to see the new sidewalk and wall on the south side being installed. In the coming weeks, the area will begin to look like a normal road with sidewalk, curb and gutter, and new pavement. The southern portion of the bridge is scheduled to be completed this year. Thank you for your continued patience! 

Project Update: Monday, October 3, 2016

On Tuesday, October 4, Lorig Construction will be placing new beams for the south half of the Chestnut Avenue bridge.  Starting at 9:00 am, there will be intermittent traffic stops and delays for approximately 5 minutes or less as the beams are removed from trucks and placed onto the bridge.  The work should be complete by 1:00 pm and traffic should return to normal.  

Project Update: Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Over the past week, concrete has been poured for the new bridge beam supports. New concrete beams are tentatively scheduled to be placed on Tuesday, October 4. Please be advised of delays while beams are being placed and avoid the area. Message boards in the area will provide updated information.

Expect elevated levels of noise periodically over the next week or so, as the temporary soil retention system is removed.

Thank you for your continued patience and elevated awareness while in the area!

Project Update: Wednesday, September 14, 2016

This week concrete has been poured for the bridge substructure. The next step will be removing the existing beams from the south portion of the bridge in order to complete the demolition of the existing bridge.

Friday, September 16 beginning around 9 am through mid-afternoon, traffic on Chestnut Avenue will be stopped for 10-15 minute durations. This will enable the contractor to remove the existing bridge beams as quickly and as safely as possible. If at all possible please try to avoid the area on Friday to prevent being held up by these delays.

Project Update: Friday, September 9, 2016

Even with the short week, many tasks have been accomplished. The contractor has begun to pour concrete for the supports of the bridge on the east side. Next week, they will begin the same on the west side. Large machinery has been in the area removing soil, breaking concrete, and shifting materials around. Due to the condition of the bridge while under construction, the contractor sometimes must use the traffic side of the bridge in order to move from one side to the other. It’s a small work space for a lot of activity, please bear with us!

  

Remember, this is a construction work zone.  Please be sure to follow all traffic and detour signs to keep a safe working environment.

There will be occasional Saturday work during the normal business hours of 9 am- 7 pm. Please be conscious of this while traveling through the area.

Project Update: Wednesday, September 7, 2016

This past week has been a loud one. The contractor has been busy installing temporary soil retention systems in order to dig out room for the substructure for the new bridge. The excessive noise and vibrations should dampen down for a while.  

This week expect to see the contractor drilling for the new bridge supports and continued demolition of the existing bridge. 

Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation through the different phases of the project! 

Project Update: Thursday, August 25, 2016

This week, bridge demolition has been in full swing. The contractor has removed the south side railing, sidewalk and a majority of the bridge deck. The deck beams will remain in place until the contractor is ready to begin excavating on the west side for the new bridge abutment. In the next several weeks, expect to see large pieces of equipment including cranes and drill rigs on site.

Please continue to be cautious, as there is expected to be an increase in construction truck traffic transporting materials and equipment from the construction zone!

Project Update: Friday, August 19, 2016

Construction is underway! Wednesday, the signal was turned on and traffic funneled into one lane over the bridge. We appreciate all of your patience and understanding, as the new routing adds up to about 5 minutes onto your trip depending on the time of day.

In addition to the signal, several other work operations have started this week. Construction signage has been added in the immediate work zone in means of helping to direct traffic, warn of the new signal, and provide sidewalk/crosswalk guidance.  As of Thursday, part of the bridge deck on the south side of the barrier wall is beginning to be removed. The south half of the bridge will need to be fully demolished before any of the new bridge can begin to be built.

Thank you for your continued consideration and support while the project progresses. 

Project Update: Tuesday August 17, 2016

The last couple weeks has been a continuation of behind the scenes coordination. ComEd has energized the traffic signals and they are being made operational this week. The contractor has moved into the construction site and completed preliminary site preparation around and under the bridge for other upcoming work.

Starting this week, traffic across the Chestnut Avenue bridge will be a single lane. Things to expect include: traffic shifts, new pavement markings and traffic channeling features, additional construction signage and an increase in construction vehicles and machinery.

As these changes begin to be implemented and roadway/bridge demolition begins, we encourage all motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to be observant in the immediate vicinity around the bridge. Being an active work site, activities may change frequently. Be alert and help to make a safe working zone for all, pedestrians, motorists and workers!

Project Update: Monday July 18, 2016

Last week there was a lot of behind the scenes action to coordinate our upcoming work.  We have coordinated with the contractor and ComEd to begin temporary traffic signal installation.

Advance warning signs are being posted in preparation of the coming truck detour and lane closures across the bridge.

We are in the process of procuring the traffic signals, and plan to begin installing the signals at the end of this week. ComEd will be able to energize the signals a week or two after the signals are installed.

Expect to see temporary daily lane closures this week for the traffic signal installation. However, all lanes will be reopened at the end of the workday. The full time lane closure on the bridge deck as well as bridge demolition work will not begin until the traffic signal is completely installed and is operational.  This closure is expected to begin in 2-3 weeks.

Please take time to try some alternate routes this week. We are encouraging everyone to use Chestnut Avenue only as needed during construction to keep traffic delays to a minimum.

Project Update: Monday July 11, 2016

With the resolution of the Illinois budget crisis last week, work has been cleared to begin on all Illinois Department of Transportation projects. The first item of work is coordinating with Comed to provide power for our temporary traffic signals. The contractor is currently in contact with ComEd to establish a connection date. Keep checking back for updates to see when you can expect the beginning of physical work.

Welcome to our Project Blog!

Welcome to our blog for the reconstruction of the Chestnut Avenue bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Here you will be able find weekly updates on the work that has been completed, what work will be coming up in the following week, and other important project information.

Currently, the Illinois Department of Transportation has put all state funded roadway projects on hold due to the Illinois budget dilemma. This includes the Chestnut Avenue Bridge Reconstruction. IDOT will announce when construction may begin. Please follow this for link for details on the impact of the IDOT work cessation.

Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to working on this project.