Downtown Joliet Bridge Will Close 1 Day Next Week

JOLIET, IL - Benjamin Franklin is famous for coining the phrase "in this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes." But Franklin never lived around Joliet. If he had, he would have known about a third certainty: you will get stuck by an open drawbridge when traveling to and from Joliet's downtown. One day next week will be a headache for Will County-area motorists traveling downtown. The Jefferson Street will be closed all-day on Tuesday by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

"The bridge closure is necessary for crews to prepare for a bridge repair project," states a news release from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

According to IDOT, the closure will begin at 7 a.m. for both pedestrians and motorists heading into Joliet's downtown.

"A posted detour will direct traffic to south on Raynor Avenue (U.S. 52), east on McDonough Street (U.S. 52), and north on Chicago Street (Illinois 53) to meet back with eastbound U.S. 30. The bridge closure will not impact marine traffic," the statement reads.

The Jefferson Street bridge will reopen to traffic by 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24.

Image via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor