Above / The Washington Street Bridge serves as a gateway from the south to downtown Naperville. Renderings of the streetscape were presented to the Riverwalk Commission on Sept. 13. Note a public open house is set to run 4-7PM Wed., Sept. 20, in Meeting Room A at the Naperville Municipal Center. (Architect’s rendering by Gary R. Weber Associates.)
NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The City of Naperville’s Transportation, Engineering and Development Business Group and their study consultant Alfred Benesch & Co will host a public open house on Wednesday, September 20 to seek the perspective of residents and businesses regarding the upcoming Downtown Washington Street Bridge Replacement Project. The meeting is open to the public and scheduled from 4 to 7PM in Meeting Room A of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St.
The City has contracted with Alfred Benesch & Company for preliminary design work on the Bridge Replacement Project, which will see the construction of a new bridge over the DuPage River where it crosses under Washington Street between Chicago Avenue and Aurora Avenue at the south end of Downtown Naperville. The project will include an analysis of existing roadway conditions, safety and capacity issues, and future transportation needs and aesthetic opportunities to enhance and promote Downtown Naperville.
Following the first public meeting, held February 9, the Alfred Benesch & Company and City staff evaluated public comments and performed additional engineering analysis to develop a preferred alternative.
The project currently is estimated to cost $6 million, 80 percent federally funded. Construction is expected to begin in 2019, lasting about 11 months. One lane of traffic will remain open north and south during construction, according to Yifang Lu, P.E., for the City of Naperville.
Riverwalk and Downtown Naperville Interests
As part of this project, the current Riverwalk low walkway under the bridge will be elevated to reduce the frequent flooding that occurs. Clearance under the bridge will be 8 feet. Other improvements associated with the bridge will complement the Riverwalk by providing a more park-like riverscape, improving visual aesthetics, lighting and pedestrian mobility.
When state funding becomes available for a grant awarded in 2014, a park planned by North Central College at 430 S. Washington Street will connect the existing covered footbridge at Fredenhagen Park to the Riverwalk west of the Washington Street Bridge.
4-7PM Wed., Sept. 20
This second public meeting will present the preferred alternative as well as seek input from members of the public.
Participants may come and go as they please during the open house. City staff and members of Alfred Benesch & Company will be on-hand throughout to answer questions.
For more information on the project, visit www.naperville.il.us/dtwashingtonbridge.
