Joliet’s Ruby Street bridge to reopen, Cass Street bridge to close Sept. 10

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that Ruby Street (Illinois 53) bridge over the Des Plaines River in downtown Joliet will reopen, weather permitting, Wednesday, Sept. 10.

The movable bridge was closed in early July to accommodate the installation of a new aerial cable and control system, along with various electrical and mechanical upgrades and repairs. The work is part of an ongoing project to upgrade the downtown movable bridges that will allow them to be controlled from a central location, creating a more efficient system of lifting and lowering the bridges and increasing safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and marine traffic.

Shortly after the reopening of Ruby Street, the Cass Street (U.S. 30) bridge will close for a rehabilitation project, anticipated to be completed in late 2026.

A detour will direct Cass Street traffic to Scott Street (Illinois 53), Ruby Street (Illinois 53), Broadway Street (Illinois 53), Theodore Street (Illinois 7) and Plainfield Road (U.S. 30).

The $22.8 million project consists of repairing the decks and approaches, replacing expansion joints and structural steel, electrical upgrades and miscellaneous mechanical repairs. The project also will replace deteriorated sidewalk and curbs and construct new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps.

Since August 2024, the Cass Street bridge has been reduced to one westbound lane with posted weight restrictions on the bridge. After completion, all three lanes will reopen on the bridge with no posted weight restrictions.

The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Alternative routes are encouraged. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Six of Rebuild Illinois include almost $20.8 billion of improvements statewide on 7,897 miles of highway, 815 bridges and 1,181 additional safety improvements.

For more information on IDOT projects, click here. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and X.

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