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Current Status
Overview
Project Description
Project Schedule
Detour Map
Pace Route 685 Detour
Frequently Asked Questions
Partnership and Cost
Traffic Control and Measurement Devices
Share Your Thoughts
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Current Status (Updated July 30, 2010)
The Jefferson Avenue Bridge deck pour, which was scheduled for today, July 30, has been cancelled due to the weather. The deck pour is now scheduled to occur on Monday, August 2, weather permitting.
Overview
The Jefferson Avenue Bridge spans the West Branch of the DuPage River and is located west of downtown Naperville. Originally built in 1962, the bridge has reached the end of its life expectancy and is beginning to deteriorate.
The City of Naperville plans to replace the Jefferson Avenue Bridge. The new bridge will be designed to meet the transportation, pedestrian and safety needs of the community.
Project Description
When complete, the new Jefferson Avenue Bridge will include:
Two lanes, each wide enough to accommodate both vehicle and bicycle traffic. Protected sidewalks on each side for pedestrians.
As part of the project, the following will be completed:
Project Schedule
Following is the anticipated construction schedule for the Jefferson Avenue Bridge replacement project:
Date
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Task
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November - December 2009
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Preparations for construction begin. Temporary daytime lane closures go into effect as needed.
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February 22, 2010
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Jefferson Avenue Bridge Closes to all traffic
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Mid-late August 2010
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Bridge reopens.
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Detour Map
Following is a detour map showing the traffic and pedestrian detours for the Jefferson Avenue Bridge replacement project:
Please note: The recommended detour for cyclists is the same as the pedestrian detour, along Aurora Avenue. Experienced adult cyclists should still be following the Illinois Vehicle Code and riding in the street, however children and inexperienced adult riders should be riding or walking their bikes on the sidewalk.
Once the bridge reconstruction is complete, the new Jefferson Avenue Bridge will be wide enough to provide on-street bike lanes and a separate, protected sidewalk for pedestrian use over the DuPage River.
Pace Route 685 Detour
Effective February 22, 2010, Pace Route 685 will operate on a detour due to the closure of the Jefferson Avenue Bridge. The Route will resume normal operation when the bridge re-opens in August 2010.
Please note, Route 685 will not operate on Jefferson Ave. east of River Rd. during construction. All other routing will remain unchanged.
Following is the Pace Passenger Notice and Detour Route:
For more information about Pace Bus routes and scheduled, visit www.pacebus.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Jefferson Avenue bridge being replaced?
The bridge is coming to the end of its life cycle and needs to be fully replaced due to the deterioration it has experienced over the years. The replacement of the bridge is necessary in order to provide a safe roadway for its users.
How far will the construction zone span?
For a majority of the project the construction zone will be just west of Douglas Avenue and just east of Willoway Drive. Towards the end of the project the construction zone, east of the bridge, will be extended to Parkway Drive for 3-4 weeks while the roadway is reconstructed up to Parkway Drive.
How long will the Jefferson Avenue bridge be closed?
The contractor will be allowed to close the bridge after January 1, 2010. Depending on the weather the bridge could be closed any time following that date. The bridge will reopen to all traffic no later than August 27, 2010.
The timeline for this project was established due to the complexities of replacing the Jefferson Avenue Bridge. The project includes the complete removal and re-construction of the bridge and also involves staging in the DuPage River where extra care must be taken to preserve quality of the river.
How will traffic be detoured?
Existing traffic will most likely travel down Aurora Avenue and Ogden Avenue. The signed detour will direct traffic to Ogden Avenue along River Road on the west side and along Mill Street on the east side.
How will the city deal with increased traffic along the detour routes?
The city will use increased enforcement, speed radar signs, repainting of cross walks, and flags on signs to increase motorist awareness of existing signs in the area.
Will the alignment of the bridge change?
Yes, the bridge will be slightly shifted to the south to align better with the existing roadway and adhere to Federal design standards.
Why is it not possible to keep one lane of the bridge open during construction?
This option was evaluated during the initial planning stages of the project, however because the angle of the bridge is changing as part of the re-construction we would not have been able to efficiently construct the bridge while maintaining traffic flow.
The Jefferson Avenue Bridge project involves the complete removal and replacement of every portion of the bridge. Replacing the Jefferson Avenue Bridge one half at a time was determined not to be feasible due to the angle change. In addition, the existing bridge is not wide enough to support both traffic and construction simultaneously.
Will there be a temporary pedestrian bridge during construction to cross the river?
The city investigated this. Since the entire existing bridge is being removed, the temporary pedestrian bridge would need its own support structure. The cost for a separate pedestrian bridge would be extremely high.
How will pedestrians be detoured?
The pedestrian detour route will direct residents on the west side of the bridge to go to Aurora Avenue to Eagle Street to reach downtown. This route is approximately ½ mile longer than going over the bridge and will add about 10 to 15 minutes to the walk.
What is the detour for cyclists?
The recommended detour for cyclists is the same as the pedestrian detour, along Aurora Avenue.
Experienced adult cyclists should still be following the Illinois Vehicle Code and riding in the street, however children and inexperienced adult riders should be riding or walking their bikes on the sidewalk.
Once the bridge reconstruction is complete, the new Jefferson Avenue Bridge will be wide enough to provide on-street bike lanes and a separate, protected sidewalk for pedestrian use over the DuPage River.
What will happen to the Riverwalk?
The Riverwalk path will be closed at the Jefferson Avenue Bridge during construction it may still be accessed through Parkway Drive and through the Jackson Avenue Sidewalk. The Peace Plaza will be rebuilt and tied into the existing Riverwalk.
What will happen to the Fireman’s Memorial during construction?
The memorial will be temporarily relocated to the west of its existing location outside of the construct zone. There will be temporary seating for the area as well.
How will canoeists be addressed during construction?
The river will be open to canoeists for the majority of the project, however since the reconstruction of the bridge will require the contractor to perform work in the river there may be delays as this work occurs.
Will Will-O-Way Park be open for the duration of the project?
The park will be open to the public and there will be construction fencing delineating the construction zone from the park. There should be no impact to the park area.
How will the waterway be protected from construction?
The contractor will be required to place erosion control devices on land and pollution control measures in the water to protect the river.
Partnerships and Cost
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), in association with the Federal Bridge Repair and Replacement Program (BRRP), has granted the City of Naperville funding assistance to replace the Jefferson Avenue Bridge.
Traffic Control and Measurement Devices
Following is an overview of some of the traffic control and measurement devices that may be in use in the areas surrounding the Jefferson Avenue Bridge:
Share Your Thoughts
Do you have additional questions, suggestions or concerns about the Jefferson Avenue Bridge replacement project? We want to hear from you! Please e-mail your question or concern to jeffersonbridge@naperville.il.us.
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