Metra is replacing 11 bridges along its Union Pacific North Line on Chicago’s North Side, requiring the closure of Irving Park Road in both directions beginning May 1.
Additional closures will affect the road throughout May and early June as the project moves forward.
The May 1 closure will allow workers to erect steel girders for a new railroad bridge over the roadway. After May 1, the eastbound lanes of Irving Park Road at the bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic through May 8. Work will then move to begin erecting the structure over the westbound lanes, which are scheduled to be closed to traffic from May 11 through May 16. The eastbound lanes will again be closed from May 18 through May 23 for additional structural work. The final closure of the roadway, in both directions, is scheduled for June 1 through June 5.
There will be additional full road closures at other locations for the bridge project throughout the month of May. From May 4 through May 8, Berteau and Sunnyside avenues are also scheduled to be closed to traffic at the railroad bridges for painting. Workers will then move to Balmoral Avenue, which is scheduled for closure May 11 and May 12 and then to Winnemac and Leland avenues, which are scheduled for closure May 11 through May 15. Wilson Avenue is also scheduled for closure May 18 through May 22.
Lawrence, Foster and Montrose avenues will also be subjected to lane closures throughout May for work related to this bridge project.
The dates of all these closures are subject to change. Signage for detour routes will be posted at all locations. Damen Avenue is the recommended north-south route around the construction areas west of the tracks and Ashland Avenue is the preferred north-south route east of the tracks.
The work is being performed by Metra’s contractor, Lisle-based Judlau Contracting Inc., and is part of a $17.2-million project to replace 11 century-old rail bridges from Grace Street north to Balmoral Avenue on Chicago’s North Side.
