A recent inspection of the Washington Street Bridge, which carries the roadway over the DuPage River between Chicago and Aurora Avenues, showed major deterioration, the city said earlier this week.
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In response, the city is closing a lane of traffic in each direction until the 40-year-old bridge can be replaced.
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The closures start Thursday.
The bridge replacement project is expected to begin next spring. Preparations to replace the bridge have been ongoing for several years, the city said.
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The inside eastbound lane on Aurora Avenue will also be converted into a left-turn-only lane between Webster and Main streets and closed between Main and Washington streets, and the outside southbound lane on Washington Street will be converted into a right-turn-only lane between Jackson and Chicago avenues.
City officials are asking drivers to use alternate routes if possible.