Route 31 Underpass Closure Delayed By 1 Week

GENEVA, IL — The closure of the Route 31 underpass in Geneva was delayed by a week and is expected to begin July 17, officials announced.

The highway closure has been delayed as Union Pacific awaits permits from the State of Illinois. The underpass is expected to be closed to traffic for four to six weeks, weather permitting, officials said.

The closure is part of the rail company's Third Main Line project, which consists of building a third railroad near the current UP-West line. The new six-mile line will run from Peck Road in Geneva to West Chicago, Patch reported.

RELATED: Union Pacific Project Underway To Build 3rd Railroad Line In Geneva

The underpass closure will be the first of two on Route 31 associated with the project. Union Pacific's contractor will be building abutments, wing walls and other support structures south of the existing train bridge this summer.

In 2024, the project will require temporary shutdowns of the Western Avenue and Third Street grade crossings in addition to the Route 31 underpass. The bridge work is being completed in two phases due to supply chain issues with steel, city officials said. The second phase will involve constructing a new bridge and making pavement modifications.

Closures will be staggered next year to ensure only one crossing will be impacted at a time.

Starting next week, a detour route will direct drivers heading north on the state route to turn east on Fabyan Parkway, north on Kirk Road and west on Route 64 in St. Charles, back to Route 31. The detour will be reversed for southbound drivers.

The entire Third Main Line project is expected to be completed in July 2024.