The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that a stage change will take place in the bridge replacement project on Illinois Route 31 from Ferson Creek Road to south of Crane Road, in St. Charles, beginning, weather permitting, Thursday, June 16.

In the new traffic pattern, Illinois 31 will switch back to one lane in each direction from Ferson Creek Road to south of Crane Road. Lane widths will be reduced on Illinois 31 and Wildrose Springs Drive.

The scope of the project includes replacement of the existing bridge that carries traffic on Illinois 31 over Ferson Creek. The overall improvements are scheduled to be completed by Summer 2017, weather permitting.

Motorists can expect delays and should avoid the 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.

Click here to find details on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1. Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www.travelmidwest.com.

For IDOT District 1 updates on Twitter, follow http://twitter.com/IDOTDistrict1.

SOURCE: IDOT news release

Project Description

SOURCE: IDOT website PDF

• Project Number: P-91-208-08
• Project Name: Illinois Route 31 over Ferson Creek
• Location: City of St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois
• Project Type: Bridge Replacement
• Project size: 0.35 miles

Purpose and need of the Project:

The purpose of the project is to replace the bridge that carries Illinois Route 31 over Ferson Creek, provide a northbound left turn lane at the intersection of Illinois Route 31 and Wildrose Springs Drive, provide 8-foot-wide paved shoulders, realign the roadway centerline curves to meet the design speed, and raise the roadway profile and proposed bridge to meet hydraulic requirements.

The bridge was built in 1916 and has passed its design life of 75 years. Due to the low inventory rating, condition of the superstructure and substructure, the hydraulic deficiency, and cost effectiveness the recommendation is total replacement in order to maintain safety and mobility of Illinois Route 31 over Ferson Creek.

This improvement is included in the Department’s FY 2013-2018 Proposed Multi-Modal Transportation Improvement Program.