139th Street bridge in Blue Island closed until Nov. 16

BLUE ISLAND, Ill. (WLS) -- Drivers who take 139th Street through south suburban Blue Island should prepare to take a detour around the railroad crossing near Western Avenue for the next month.

Illinois Department of Transportation officials said the bridge mover on the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad and Canadian National Railway at 139th Street will be closed for construction starting Monday.

Work will be done on the bridge joints, substructure and deck. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete by Monday, Nov. 16.

IDOT officials said drivers should follow the posted detour.

Westbound drivers will head south on Western Avenue from 139th, west on 147th Street (Sibley Boulevard) and north on Kedzie Avenue to get around the closure. Eastbound drivers will head south on Kedzie from 139th, east on 147th (Sibley) and north on Western.

IDOT recommended allowing allow extra travel time to compensate for delays.