Work is set to begin next week on reconstruction of the Kedzie Avenue Bridge over the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal on the Southwest Side.

 

Work will begin Tuesday on the three-span fixed bridge, which was first built in 1909 and reconstructed in 1969, according to the Chicago Dept. of Transportation.

 

The bridge will be completely restored with a new concrete roadway deck; repaired girders, floor beams and lateral bracing; and new sidewalks with fiberglass panels, a statement from CDOT said.

 

The $5 million project is expected to create about 50 jobs, CDOT says. It is being funded through the Illinois Dept. of Transportation.

 

Construction will be performed in two phases, which will keep one vehicle lane open in each direction from March 5 until May 28. From that point until November, the roadway will be completely closed while the deck is replaced and supports are repaired. One sidewalk will remain open throughout construction.

 

During construction, truck traffic will be detoured to the canal bridge on Pulaski Road. All other vehicles, including cars, buses and bicycles, will be detoured to cross the canal at California Avenue.

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