New Happ Road Bridge Opens In Northfield

NORTHFIELD, IL — Offering improved access to nearby New Trier and Loyola Academy high schools and a local shopping district, the new Happ Road Bridge over the Skokie River in Northfield opened Wednesday after nearly six months of construction, the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways announced. The old bridge, built in 1924, had outlived its useful life and needed to be replaced, according to county officials. Work on the bridge started in June and finished ahead of schedule. It had been due for completion Dec. 11.

That's now been completely replaced with a new, three-span reinforced concrete slab bridge that handles one lane of vehicular traffic in both directions along with a 10-foot wide multi-use path on its east side of improve access for pedestrians and bicyclists as well as drivers. The bridge also has new ADA-compliant sidewalks, landscaping and signage, according to a news release announcing the new bridge.

The $1.5 million project was completed by the Cook County Department of Transportation in coordination with the villages of Northfield and Wilmette. The county secured federal funding for the project and provided local matching funds, according to a spokesperson.

» via CCDOT

_{Top photo: A newly opened, three-span reinforced concrete slab bridge across the Skokie River at Happ Road in Northfield, Nov. 22, 2017 | Courtesy Cook County Department of Transportation}