About the Project
Project Study Area
East Lake Avenue is a minor arterial roadway that runs within the Village of Glenview and Wilmette in Cook County, IL. The East Lake Avenue Bridge over North Branch Chicago River is located between Wagner Road to the west and Harms Road to the east. The project study area is limited to the East Lake Avenue Bridge over North Branch Chicago River and any roadway improvements required will be related to the bridge replacement.
About the Bridge
The existing East Lake Avenue Bridge is approximately 90 years old and spans over the North Branch Chicago River in a west-east direction with a total length of 82 feet. The bridge carries two lanes of traffic in each direction and has sidewalks on both sides. The existing sidewalk on the south side of the bridge connects with continuous sidewalk adjacent to the bridge. The existing sidewalk on the north side of the bridge currently connects with existing sidewalk west of the bridge. There are no sidewalks currently present east of the bridge. The bridge was originally constructed in 1934 and was reconstructed in 1981. Since the deck replacement in 1981, the bridge has gone through two major rehabilitation projects; one in 1995 and a second one in 2002. In 2018, due to the continued deterioration of the structure, the bridge was shored with steel beams.
Project Need
The East Lake Avenue Bridge is approaching the end of its service life and is in need of replacement.
Project Timeline
- Preliminary (Phase I) Engineering
- Preliminary Engineering: April 2022 – December 2024
- Public Informational Meeting: January 2025
- Conclusion of Preliminary Engineering Activities: February 2025
- Detailed Design (Phase II) Engineering: Spring-Summer 2025
- Construction: 2026 (pending plan readiness and land acquisition, if required)
