Brandon Road Bridge Will Stay Closed For 1 Year: IDOT

JOLIET, IL — The Illinois Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that the Brandon Road bridge over the Des Plaines River is now closed as a result of a mechanical component malfunction.

The bridge will remain closed to begin repairs, originally scheduled to start later this month, the state agency noted.

The $3.4 million project includes repairing the bridge deck, joints and brakes, replacing mechanical components and structural steel. Additionally, as part of upgrading the downtown movable bridges to allow them to be controlled from a central location, new aerial cables and control system will be installed, along with various tender house upgrades.

The project is anticipated to be completed late 2024, according to IDOT.

A detour will direct motorists to McDonough Street via U.S. 6, U.S. 52/Illinois 53 and Laraway Road to cross the river. IDOT is working to get all traffic detours signs in place.

Over the next six years, IDOT said that it is planning to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Four of Rebuild Illinois included approximately $12.1 billion of improvements statewide on 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges and 762 additional safety improvements.