Fox River Bridge Project
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)
Fox River Bridge Project
Project Overview
The Illinois Tollway is rebuilding and widening the Fox River Bridge in Elgin as part of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project. The $95 million Fox River Bridge Project began in 2014 and is scheduled to be completed in 2016, including construction of two new, wider bridge structures, drainage improvements and replacement of the existing bicycle and pedestrian path under the bridge. Currently, up to 101,300 vehicles travel on the I-90 Fox River Bridge daily.
Project Resources
Construction Update (7-01-16)
I-90
Three lanes of traffic in both directions are traveling on the westbound side of the Fox River Bridge into 2016 for reconstruction of the eastbound bridge.
Local traffic
A portion of Airport Road and West River Road between the entrance to Voyageur's Landing Forest Preserve and Exit Road is closed through 2016. The closure does not restrict access to the Voyageur's Landing Forest Preserve.
A detour of the Fox River Trail is in place through 2016 to provide bicycles and pedestrians continued access to the trail as it crosses through the Fox River Bridge Project work zone in Elgin. In addition, the bicycle and pedestrian bridge located underneath the I-90 Fox River Bridge is closed until the end of 2016 for construction.
Project Summary
Bridge Reconstruction
The Fox River Bridge Project includes construction of two new bridge structures that will increase capacity from six lanes to eight lanes with full shoulders in both directions to accommodate the new, wider I-90 roadway.
The new bridge will include two, side-by-side 1,315-foot-long structures that stand 40 feet above the surface of the Fox River and adjacent roadways.
Each of the new structures will have fewer piers to reduce the environmental impact on the waterway and forested fen below. The new bridge structures will have eight spans supported by seven piers. The existing structures have 14 piers.
The spans will include a total of 144 beams that are 150 to 170 feet in length and 7-foot 6-inches in height, weighing approximately 200,000 pounds. Stainless steel rebar will be used in the concrete decks for a longer bridge life.
To construct the new bridge structures, two temporary construction platforms have been built in the Fox River under the bridge. The platforms extend about 185 feet from each bank and are 200 feet wide, with a 180-foot gap between to allow the Fox River to flow through. The platforms are constructed with sheet piling on four sides driven deep into the river bed and then filled with 3-inch rocks, forming a platform base which is used to move equipment under the bridge for construction of the new piers to support the new bridge structures.
In addition, an innovative overhead gantry system will be used throughout the project to lift and move new bridge beams into place and eliminate the need to stage cranes on the existing bridge structure, which would have required lane closures.
The gantry system includes three main frames, each 80 feet long, 11 feet wide and 27 feet tall and positioned 150 to 170 feet apart. Each main frame has an 11-foot column on each end supporting overhead beams with cross bracing between them to carry two, 50-ton hoists and a trolley system to lift and transport the concrete beams from the delivery truck to bridge piers. Two gantries will be used to set each beam, with one gantry on each end.
Completion of the new portion of the eastbound bridge structure will allow for three lanes of traffic in each direction to be shifted onto the eastbound bridge, while the existing westbound bridge is removed as work begins to rebuild and widen the westbound structure.
In 2016, all traffic will be shifted onto the new westbound bridge and the remaining portion of the eastbound bridge will be reconstructed.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge
The Fox River Bridge Project includes the removal and reconstruction of the 660-foot-long bicycle and pedestrian bridge located underneath the I-90 Fox River Bridge providing public access to cross the Fox River in Elgin. The bridge is part of the Forest Preserve of Kane County's East-West Spur of the Fox River Trail.
When complete in 2016, the new bicycle and pedestrian bridge will be similar in length and appearance to the existing structure, however, it will be widened to improve access and assist with Tollway maintenance and inspection of the Fox River Bridge.
Stormwater Improvements
The project also includes drainage improvements including capturing all stormwater on the Fox River Bridge and directing it through a treatment process prior to discharge into the Fox River. Additionally, the Tollway will eliminate the existing storm sewer that currently drains groundwater in the area, and prevent the direct flow of stormwater runoff into the adjacent forested fen communities.
Traffic Impacts
Whenever possible, the Tollway uses traffic shifts and shoulders to keep as many lanes open during peak hours as were available before construction.
Three lanes of traffic will remain open in both directions throughout the remainder of the Fox River Bridge Project.
Fox River Trail Access
The bicycle and pedestrian access bridge located underneath the I-90 Fox River Bridge is closed through 2016 for construction. No detour or alternate route will be posted.
Throughout construction, bicycle and pedestrian access will be maintained on the Fox River Trail located on the east side of Fox River in Elgin and passing through the middle of the Fox River Bridge Project work zone. Approximately 300 feet of the Fox River Trail is temporarily relocated to the east adjacent to Duncan Avenue, extending from the Trout Park parking lot to the south, traveling under the Fox River Bridge and connecting back to the Fox River Trail to the north of the bridge.
The detour will be in place through 2016 providing a paved asphalt path with concrete barrier wall and chain link fence separation to protect bicyclists and pedestrians from traffic. In addition, a canopy is constructed above the detour path to provide a protective barrier as construction activity continues overhead. Due to tight turns entering and exiting the detour, cyclists using the 6-foot-wide path will need to dismount and walk their bicycles through the detour.
As construction continues through 2016, temporary closures of the Fox River Trail will be necessary at times for construction, and signage will be put in place to alert the public in advance of the closures.
Local Roadways
Throughout construction, Airport Road on the west side of the Fox River and Trout Park Boulevard on the east side will be used to transport construction materials in and out of the construction site. During construction, access will not be blocked, however, there will be increased construction traffic.
A portion of Airport Road and West River Road between the entrance to Voyageur's Landing Forest Preserve and Exit Road is closed through 2016. The closure does not restrict access to the Voyageur's Landing Forest Preserve.
In addition, delays and temporary, short-term closures are expected on Duncan Avenue on the east side of the Fox River as utility relocation and stormwater improvements are underway.
View Live Images
The Illinois tollway is rebuilding and widening the Fox River Bridge in Elgin as part of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project. The $95 million Fox River Bridge Project began in 2014 and is scheduled to be completed in 2016, featuring two, side-by-side 1,315-foot-long structures that will stand 40 feet above the surface of the Fox River and adjacent roadways.
Purpose
The Fox River Bridge Project on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is part of the 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. Reconstruction of the bridges will accommodate the rebuilding and widening of I-90. All work is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2016.
The Tollway is coordinating work on the Fox River Bridge Project with the city of Elgin, Kane County, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), IDNR Office of Water Resources and the Illinois Nature Preserve Commission.
Building Green
The Tollway is committed to "Building Green" and minimizing the environmental impact of construction by reducing, recycling and reusing materials.
Work Zone Safety
A 45 mph speed limit is in place in the work zone over the Fox River Bridge and a 35 mph speed limit is in place in the work zone on Duncan Avenue. Construction zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. Visit the Tollway's Work Zone Safety page.
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