Bridge Out Spurs Mayor O'Dekirk To Offer This Idea

JOLIET, IL - This was the first week the city of Joliet endured a huge transportation nightmare. But many more weeks are ahead. On Monday, the Illinois Department of Transportation, as announced in June, shut down the Jefferson Street Bridge over the Des Plaines River. The bridge is being repaired and the work won't be done until sometime in September. Mayor Bob O'Dekirk has asked IDOT Region One Engineer Anthony Quigley to convert the nearby Cass Street Bridge into a two-way traffic route during the ongoing closure at Jefferson Street.

The mayor's letter to Quigley also explains that in addition to the current two-month bridge closure of Route 30 eastbound an additional bridge repair closure is slated for the winter of 2019 for approximately two more months as well. The Jefferson Street Bridge's closure is a huge convenience for thousands of motorists heading downtown, particularly users of the Will County Courthouse, Harrah's Casino & Hotel and also fans going to Joliet Slammers games, among the notables.

"The eastbound Route 30 bridge is one of the main entry points to downtown Joliet from the west as well as a main entry point for Harrah's Casino customers. The Harrah's Casino is a substantial revenue generator for the state of Illinois as well as the city of Joliet and the closure of this bridge creates a negative impact on casino patrons as well as visitors to downtown Joliet," O'Dekirk's letter notes.

O'Dekirk's letter asks Quigley and IDOT to establish the following local traffic detour while the Jefferson Street remains under repair for the next two months. The letter asks IDOT to convert the westbound Route 30 Cass Street Bridge to allow for local two-way traffic. O'Dekirk explained that this "has worked well in the past during the closures of eastbound Route 30 Jefferson Street Bridge."

As of Friday afternoon, IDOT officials have not given the city of Joliet a green light on their proposal.

O'Dekirk told Joliet Patch on Friday that the city has support from Will County Executive Larry Walsh Sr., State Senator Larry Walsh Jr. as well as Senator Pat McGuire as well as Harrah's representatives.

The mayor said he is optimistic that IDOT will go along with the city's recommendation.

"We believe it really helps ease the congestion with the Jefferson Street bridge being out," he said. "We've done it before."

Patch asked the mayor when he would like IDOT to implement the traffic change to the Cass Street Bridge.

"As soon as possible. We're just trying to get Cass open two way. They're working with us," O'Dekirk said of IDOT.

Patch will bring you a follow up story if the city's plans get approved. Stay tuned.

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor