The Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways is the lead agency on this project.

The Central Avenue Bridge is a four lane, 0.71 mile long bridge that spans over the Sanitary & Ship Canal near the western border of Chicago and travels through the Villages of Stickney and Forest View. This bridge is located 1.3 miles away from Midway International Airport and is adjacent to the Interstate 55 and Central Avenue Interchange, making it a vital connection to the several neighboring industrial and manufacturing sites.

The scope of this project includes the following improvements:

· Full replacement of the bridge deck,

· Repairs to the bridge’s structural elements including the steel girders and concrete piers

· Repainting the bridge girders

This project is needed to bring the bridge to a state of good repair in order to support continued serviceability to freight movement in the region. The Central Avenue Bridge over Sanitary & Ship Canal is a vital roadway that serves an average of 10,000 vehicles per day traveling to surrounding neighborhoods, Midway Airport, and manufacturing and industrial yards.

This project also accomplishes several goals laid out in Cook County’s Long Range Transportation Plan which aims to strengthen transportation in the region. These goals include:

· Maintaining and modernizing what already exists

· Supporting the region’s role as North America’s freight capital

· Increasing investment in transportation

Construction began in Summer 2023.

This project began in Summer 2023 and is anticipated to conclude by the Summer 2025. Dates for construction are subject to change and updates will be provided on the project website in this event.

Communities that will be benefitted by the completion of this project include:

· Village of Stickney

· Village of Forest View

· Town of Cicero

· Cicero Township

· Stickney Township

· Lake Township

This project will require reducing the bridge from four lanes (two lanes in each direction) to two lanes (one lane in each direction) during the length of construction. Lane closure updates will be provided on the project website and updates will be provided to those registered for the project’s email listserv. Please sign up to receive project updates on the “Stay Informed ” page or by emailing the project team at info@CentralAveBridge.org.

The Central Avenue Bridge deck replacement project is approaching a significant milestone. Construction teams are finalizing the last tasks of Stage 1, paving the way for the transition to Stage 2.

This next phase involves shifting traffic to the newly built western section of the bridge, with one lane open in each direction. Following this traffic switch, demolition will begin on the eastern half of the bridge.

Stage 2 will begin on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

You may find the most recent project updates under the “Construction Updates” page or by signing up for the project’s email listserv. You may sign up on the “Stay Informed” page or by emailing the project team at info@CentralAveBridge.org.

If you cannot find an answer to your question, please contact us at info@CentralAveBridge.org or 708-316-8604.