Joliet Bridge Still Showing ‘Permanent Deformation’ Worrying Engineers’

By Megan Hickey
Channel 2 News
March 14, 2019

CHICAGO (CBS) — It’s a story we brought you first on CBS 2 about a bridge in Joliet with one of the worst structural ratings in the state.

Now, engineers are talking about what makes bridge so dangerous. CBS 2’s Megan Hickey has the story from the I-80 Des Plaines River Bridge in Joliet.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has repeatedly said the bridge is safe, but state inspectors found it to be in such critical condition that it may require closure.

The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 had been waiting patiently for the state report that details each of the structural deficiencies of the bridge.

What they got was…

“Black, black, black,” said the union’s Ed Maher, referring to the heavily redacted report. “Because it’s so bad, that it would be a threat if people knew how bad it was.”

Two documents filled with redactions. IDOT said that the photos and other details were covered up because they revealed vulnerabilities with the bridges.

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