Chicago Construction News staff writer
Construction crews have completed deck overlays on the Bob Michel Bridge and pavement has been poured.
“Currently, we are working on the parapets and median barrier to separate opposing traffic lanes for a safer, improved bridge,” Illinois Department of Transportation officials said in a statement. “The remaining sidewalk concrete is nearing completion, completion, bringing us closer to the finish line.”
Work started in March on the $24.6 million project that includes removal of sidewalks, reducing the outside shoulders to 3.5 feet wide and consolidating the bike and pedestrian space to the north side of the bridge.
The redesign will result in a 14-foot-wide multi-use path with a concrete barrier wall separating cars and the path to make it safer for all who share the bridge. The new bridge deck will include a concrete overlay and new joints to preserve and extend the life of the deck.
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 2,500 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation.
Projects approved through Year Three of Rebuild Illinois included approximately $8.6 billion of improvements statewide on 4,422 miles of highway, 412 bridges, and 621 additional safety improvements.
For more information on this project, visit https://www.bobmichelbridge.com/
