10/28 UPDATE: Ruby Street bridge reopened to traffic Saturday, Oct. 26. The work and schedule are highly weather dependent. At this time, the installation of new aerial cables on the bridge has been postponed until further notice.

Safety, modernization project continues on downtown Joliet bridges

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade the movable bridges in downtown Joliet, Ruby Street (Illinois 53) bridge over the Des Plaines River, in Joliet, will close for approximately one week beginning, weather permitting, Thursday, Oct. 24. The work originally scheduled for earlier this week was postponed.

The closure is necessary to accommodate the installation of new aerial cables that are weather dependent and to prepare the bridge for additional upgrades, anticipated to get underway later this year. Details and impacts to traffic will be shared in advance, closer to the closure date. ​

A detour will direct motorists to northbound Scott Street (Illinois 53) via Cass Street (U.S. 30), Plainfield Road (U.S. 30), Theodore Street (Illinois 7) and Illinois 53/Illinois 7. Southbound traffic will detour via Theodore Street (Illinois 7), Plainfield Road (U.S. 30), Center Street, Jefferson Street (U.S. 30) and Broadway Street (Illinois 53). Trucks should follow the posted detours.

The overall project also will upgrade the bridge control system and tender house. Allowing the bridge to be controlled from a central location, creating a more efficient system of lifting and lowering the downtown bridges and increasing safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and marine traffic.

The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. 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 Five of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $16 billion of improvements statewide on 6,541 miles of highway, 686 bridges and 986 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.