Bridges At Hidden Lake Forest Preserve To Be Rebuilt, Replaced

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has announced it will repair one bridge and replace another at Hidden Lake Forest Preserve in Downers Grove.

Contractors will rebuild a bridge over the East Branch DuPage River that connects the north half of the preserve to Eagle Lake on the south end and was first built in the 1870s. The 50-foot-long wrought iron bowstring pony truss bridge will cost $20,000 to $30,000 more to rebuild, but rebuilding the bridge will make it last another 100 years as opposed to 40 years, according to the Forest Preserve District.

The aim is to rebuild the bridge so it is close to its original design in the 1870s.

The other bridge, which crosses Round Meadow Lake, will be replaced with a 14-foot-wide steel truss prefabricated bridge.

The total project is expected to cost the Forest Preserve District $800,000. Construction is expected to start in early summer 2021 and wrap up at the end of 2021.