Black Road Pedestrian Bridge Installed Over I-55

SHOREWOOD, IL — A pedestrian bridge installed over Interstate 55 along Black Road this week will link two Forest Preserve District of Will County trails and provide safer passage for walkers, runners and bicyclists traveling along Black Road between Joliet and Shorewood, according to the Will County Forest Preserve District.

The construction project is set for completion during October, officials said. Finishing touches on the project still include asphalt and concrete trail connections along Black Road, retaining walls, bridge decking and traffic signal adjustments at East Frontage Road.

The work is expected to be finished in October. Until then, path users should obey the "trail closed" signs that are posted in the construction areas, the forest preserve stated.

The bridge over I-55 was the second pedestrian bridge to be installed along Black Road as part of the Forest Preserve's plan. The first bridge, a 260-foot span over the DuPage River, was installed in August 2020. The two bridges and a path along Black Road will connect the DuPage River Trail in Hammel Woods to the Rock Run Greenway Trail in Rock Run Preserve, according to forest preserve spokeswoman Cindy Cain.

"We've long focused on providing access to forest preserves and linking people, places and nature," said Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve's executive director. "With the connection of these two regional trails, folks in Shorewood, Joliet, Crest Hill, Rockdale and towns farther away are linked to each other and to additional regional and local trails, schools, colleges, libraries and places to shop, eat and explore."

In addition to linking the two trails and preserves, the Black Road project also will provide a critical link to more than 50 miles of regional trails including the I&M Canal Trail and the Old Plank Road Trail.