Pfingsten Road Bridge Over Edens Reopens Thursday

DEERFIELD, IL — A project that wasn't supposed to be completed until the end of August has been finished more than a month ahead of time. The complete reconstruction of the Pfingsten Road Bridge over the Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) opens Thursday to traffic, according to Illinois Tollway.

Reconstruction of the Pfingsten Road Bridge is part of the $109 million Edens Spur Improvement Project.

Work to remove and rebuild the Pfingsten Road Bridge began in March with a full closure and detour scheduled to be in place for six months. Up to 15,600 vehicles use the bridge carrying traffic over the Edens Spur Tollway daily, according to a press release from Illinois Tollway. Temporary, off-peak lane closures may be scheduled as needed to complete punch-list items and complete final inspections with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

"As part of the Illinois Tollway’s dedication to safety, we are committed to prioritizing the safety of both drivers and workers during construction," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez in the release. "We understand the inconvenience that this approach to roadwork can cause, so we are always working to find ways when possible to reduce the impact of this disruption to our customers."

The work provides for a new water main that was constructed under the Edens Spur at Pfingsten Road to provide a future connection between the Villages of Deerfield and Northbrook.

The new Pfingsten Road Bridge features a wider bridge deck to accommodate vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists traveling over the Edens Spur Tollway. To improve safety for pedestrian and bicycle access, the wider bridge provides space for construction of a wider sidewalk on the northbound side of the bridge and a new barrier-separated path on the southbound side of the bridge to tie into a future multi-use path, according to the release.

The Edens Spur Improvement Project is removing and replacing all existing mainline asphalt pavement and replacing or repairing mainline bridges. Additional work includes replacing the Pfingsten Road Bridge, repairing the Waukegan Road Bridge over the Edens Spur, constructing the barrier separated median with stormwater improvements and upgrading ITS and roadway lighting. All work is scheduled to be complete in 2020, according to the release.