SCHAUMBURG, IL -- The McDonough Street Bridge in downtown Joliet will be closed to all traffic beginning April 28. Crews will be performing a variety of repairs to the bridge in an attempt to reduce the amount of closures for maintenance.

The work will include the replacement of the bridge deck, and other moveable portions of the bridge, bridge tender house rehabilitation, and new traffic signals and lighting. A pier protection system will reduce the likelihood of a barge damaging the bridge.

The posted detour route utilizes US 52 ( Jefferson Street ), I-80, IL 7 and IL 53 to get around the downtown closure. Work on the bridge is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The contractor for the seven million dollar project is Illinois Constructors Corporation of St. Charles , Illinois .

IDOT would like to remind motorists to abide by the posted speed limit and use extra caution when driving in work zones. When workers are present on Illinois Highways the speed limit is 45 mph, unless otherwise posted. Keep Us Alive Drive 45 is the Orange Ribbon campaign IDOT launched this construction season to recognize those who have lost their lives in work zones and to serve as a remind for motorist to slow down stay alert when driving. In 2003, 44-people were killed in work zone related accidents five of those people were construction workers. In addition, one IDOT minuteman and a tollway worker was killed while on duty.

KEEP US ALIVE - DRIVE 45

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