Jefferson Street Bridge Reopening Next Week After Long Shutdown

JOLIET, IL — Closed since June 1, 2020, Joliet's Jefferson Street Bridge is expected to reopen to motorists heading into downtown next week, Joliet Patch has learned. On Monday, Joliet City Manager Jim Capparelli told Patch that the Illinois Department of Transportation expects to have the Jefferson Street Bridge back open, starting Monday, Feb. 21.

IDOT contractors have been repairing the bridge during the past 21 months. The closure was necessary to replace mechanical components on the movable bridge, IDOT announced in 2020.

On Jan. 26, Patch reported that for the first time in 20 months, contractors repairing the Jefferson Street Bridge in downtown Joliet are having success. That day, both spans of the Jefferson Street drawbridge were being raised and lowered at the same time.

Once the Jefferson Street Bridge is open again, IDOT will turn its attention to the Jackson Street Bridge and that bridge is expected to remain closed several weeks as it undergoes several technology upgrades allowing Joliet's bridges to be controlled through remote access.