Downtown Washington Street Bridge Replacement Project
This project includes the replacement of the Washington Street bridge due to its deteriorating condition as well as improvements to the intersection of Aurora Avenue and Washington Street.
Project Updates
(Click the image for construction updates)
May 14, 2024: The second stage of the Washington Street Bridge replacement in downtown Naperville will begin on Tuesday, May 21. All traffic will shift to the east side of the bridge while the west side is removed and replaced. One lane of traffic will be open in each direction over the bridge. Businesses in the area are open and accessible throughout construction.
To safely perform the traffic pattern change, Washington Street will be closed to all traffic between Aurora and Chicago avenues on Tuesday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. After the traffic pattern shift is complete, the east side of the bridge will reopen to accommodate one lane of traffic in each direction through the construction zone. Crews will then begin demolition of the remaining half of the bridge as well as road improvements on Aurora Avenue at the approach to Washington Street. The sidewalk on the bridge will be closed. All pedestrians traveling north or south on Washington Street will be detoured to the Main Street Bridge.
The remaining stages of the project will begin after stage two and will include the completion of the center piece (stage three) and the completion of the east sidewalk, railing, and other amenities (stage four). The tentative completion of the Washington Bridge Replacement project is currently anticipated in late 2024 or early 2025.
Travel in this area remains greatly affected by both the Washington Street Bridge replacement and the ongoing Downtown Streetscape Improvements between Chicago Avenue and Benton Avenue. On-street parking on Washington Street between Chicago and Benton avenues continues to be restricted through at least October 2024 to accommodate construction in the area. Through traffic on Washington Street will need to allow for longer travel time. Motorists should follow all posted detours and closure signs, expect traffic delays when traveling through the impacted area and are encouraged to find alternate routes.
Access to the DuPage River that passes at the bridge is closed until further notice for the public’s safety. This includes all recreational activities such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, floating, etc.
- Project Timeline
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To lessen the impacts to the surrounding downtown, the bridge will be repaired in several stages.
Spring 2023: Stage One Construction Begins: Beginning the week of May 8, crews will demolish and replace the east side of bridge. North and southbound traffic will move to the west side of the bridge with one lane of traffic maintained in each direction.
Spring 2024: Stage Two Construction Begins May 21: Crews will demolish and replace the west side of the bride. North and southbound traffic will move to the east side of the bridge with one lane of traffic maintained in each direction.
The remaining stages of the project will begin after stage two and will include the completion of the center piece (stage three) and the completion of the east sidewalk, railing, and other amenities (stage four).
The tentative completion of the Washington Bridge Replacement project is currently anticipated in late 2024 or early 2025.
- Project Background
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Washington Street is an important thoroughfare through downtown Naperville. It is the only northâsouth route in the City that crosses both the BNSF railway tracks and the West Branch of the DuPage River. Being such a vital corridor, Washington Street sees a considerable amount of traffic. In addition to vehicular traffic, Washington Street is host to a variety of small businesses and recreational areas including Fredenhagen Park and the Naperville Riverwalk.
At the center of downtown Naperville is the Washington Street bridge. Tens of thousands of vehicles traverse this bridge every single day. The structure, which is located between Aurora Avenue and Chicago Avenue, is more than 40 years old and it is in need of replacement due to its deteriorated condition. To extend its life span, the bridge has been load posted to restrict the size of vehicle that can use the bridge. The bridge is still adequate for passenger vehicles.
Preparations to replace the bridge have been ongoing for several years. A 15-ton weight limit was imposed in 2016 to reduce damage from heavy loads. Regular inspections of the bridge have been in place since 2016 and monthly inspections of the bridge have been ongoing since January 2019.
The inspection in September 2022 showed signs of increased deterioration. After consultation with bridge engineers from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the City was directed to lower the posted weight limit from 15 tons to 8 tons and close the outside southbound lane and the inside northbound lane. The lane closures will shift traffic flow away from the affected area of the bridge and allow the City to prepare for a long-term solution. On-street parking on Washington Street will not be impacted.
A complete replacement of the bridge is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring of 2023. The City has secured federal funding from IDOT to perform the project through the Federal Bridge Program, which will cover 80 percent of the cost.