Jefferson Street Bridge May Reopen by Month's End

The good news is work has started on the process of replacing the Jefferson Street Bridge shaft and gears that had to be specially made, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Transportation said Tuesday.

The bad is the state will need a few more weeks to install them and ensure they're working properly before the drawbridge leading into downtown Joliet over the Des Plaines River can be reopened to traffic, IDOT spokeswoman Jae Miller said.

"I'm told the shaft and gears have been delivered from Alabama and work has begun onsite," Miller said. "We're aiming for a late December reopening." 

The bridge closed on Sept. 30 for what had been expected to be about three weeks' worth, but maintenance workers soon realized that parts needed to be replaced that would force the closure to be extended until the end of October and then indefinitely.

An eastbound detour has been routing Jefferson Street traffic to Raynor Avenue, McDonough Street, Chicago Street and Washington Street. A second detour for traffic coming down U.S. 30/Plainfield Road directs vehicles to Theodore Street, Broadway Street, Ruby Street, Chicago Street and Ottawa Street.