Shutdown 6-Plus Hours: Joliet Bridge Finally Fixed

JOLIET, IL — The normally dependable Cass Street Bridge over the Des Plaines River was stuck in an upright position Wednesday evening, and that prompted Joliet police officers to detour traffic from both directions.

Around 11:20 p.m., repair crews for the Illinois Department of Transportation managed to get the bridge working again, according to Joliet resident Bob Hernandez, who was at the scene.

The Cass Street Bridge for decades was a one-way bridge, but last summer, it became a two-way bridge for east and west motorists because the Jefferson Street Bridge remains out.

Shortly before 7 p.m., Joliet police posted on Facebook that "there is no timetable for when the bridge will open, at this time. Please plan your route accordingly."

Hernandez was at Wednesday evening's bridge failure to produce one of his Facebook Live videos for his growing list of followers.

Wednesday's temperature was about 10 degrees around 6 p.m.

Hernandez said the bridge failure happened shortly after 5 p.m.