Gridlock expected as 2-year bridge repair work begins at Route 31 and U.S. 20 in Elgin

What some may regard as a traffic nightmare began Monday as the Illinois Department of Transportation started a two-year project to replace the Route 31 bridge over U.S. Highway 20, affecting thousands of motorists who use the two major roadways daily.

As part of the road work, Route 31 is reduced from two lanes to one in both directions between Dana Drive and Oak Street, while U.S. 20 is reduced to one lane in each direction between Grace Street and Mclean Boulevard, according to a news release about the project start.

Motorists should also expect various lane shifts on both roads approaching the bridge, along with overnight lane closures on U.S. 20, the release stated.

The $19 million project consists of replacing the existing bridge, which is reaching the end of its useful life, with a new, wider structure, said Maria Castaneda, IDOT public information officer.

“The new bridge will improve the vertical clearance and allow for dedicated turn lanes and wider interchange ramps,” she said.

New LED lighting and modernized traffic signals will be installed, along with new sidewalks with Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps and curbs, Castaneda said.

A 2019 study found the bridge’s deck and beams were in poor condition, but the overall substructure was good.

IDOT plans to improve thousands of miles of roadway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33 billion in all modes of transportation, according to the release.

So far, IDOT has made improvements on 5,330 miles of highway, 553 bridges, and 762 additional safety improvements, the release states.

The average daily traffic count on Route 31 is 14,500 vehicles passing through, and the count on U.S. 20 is 41,700, Castaneda said.

Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2026.

Other major road construction work the city of Elgin is completing includes the $4.7 million Dundee Avenue and Summit Street intersection project. Construction was supposed to be completed last year, but it was delayed due to issues with relocating some utilities, officials explained.

The project is expected to restart next week with construction lasting through September.

Gloria Casas is a freelancer.

Caption: Construction on the Illinois Route 31 bridge over U.S. Route 20 started this week and will cause traffic delays for the next two years. Photo credit/Gloria Casas.