Des Plaines River Bridge On I-80 Found Structurally ‘Intolerable’

Feb. 13, 2019
By Megan Hickey
CBS Channel 2 News

CHICAGO (CBS)– A day after a cracked beam was discovered in a Lake Shore Drive bridge, CBS 2 investigated another bridge in desperate need of repair.

Last spring, inspectors found the Des Plaines River bridge on I-80 in Joliet in such bad shape, it may need to close.

Several months later, nothing has been done to repair the issues.

More than 42,000 drivers drive across Des Plaines River bridge everyday, and the most recent inspection reports reveal serious safety concerns.

Will Pruitt, a resident who lives near the I-80 bridge, is concerned. After years of noticing cracks and other deterioration, he stopped using the bridge.

“With all the trucks and stuff up there, it could be any minute,” Pruitt said.

Read the full article.

 

Des Plaines Bridges News

IDOT insists I-80 bridge in Joliet is safe

The state on Thursday declared the Interstate 80 bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet is safe despite an inspection report describing sections as “critical,” “intolerable” and a “high priority for replacement.”

read more