Bridge work to close Foster from Cicero to Pulaski for through traffic

by BRIAN NADIG

Foster Avenue between Cicero Avenue and Pulaski Road will be closed to through traffic from Wednesday, Sept. 7, to mid-October to allow for the rebuilding of the Foster Avenue bridge over the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Foster will be open to local traffic, allowing for access to side streets and to the Edens Expressway entrance and exit ramps located just east of Cicero, according to the state Department of Transportation. The bridge is about 1 ½ blocks west of Pulaski.

“The work will consist of reconstruction of the concrete abutments at each end of the bridge, hydro-scarification of the existing bridge deck and polymer overlay that should extend the life of the bridge for many years,” said a statement issued by the department and Alderman Margaret Laurino’s office.

Stage construction, which would leave a portion of the bridge open for traffic during the project, is not possible because of the way the bridge was reconstructed in 1985, according to the statement. The cost of the project is estimated at about $309,000, and the projected completion date is Monday, Oct. 10.

The transportation department is recommending that Lawrence Avenue be used as an alternative route. Lawrence can be reached by either Pulaski or Cicero.