The City of Naperville is excited to announce that the new Jefferson Avenue Bridge will open by 4 p.m. on Friday, September 3, 2010.  Sidewalk access to the Riverwalk will also be restored at this time. Workers will remain on-site over the next several weeks to complete the final landscaping.

The new bridge includes two lanes, each wide enough to accommodate both vehicle and bicycle traffic and protected sidewalks on each side of the bridge for pedestrians. In addition to the new bridge, Jefferson Avenue has been reconstructed from Willoway Drive to Parkway Drive and a new Brethren Peace Plaza, bike parking and sitting areas have been created to provide a northern gateway to the Naperville Riverwalk. The landscaping for the new Riverwalk gateway will be completed in the coming weeks. 

“Despite a few setbacks, including the three-week labor strike and weather, our goal was to still have the bridge open in time for Labor Day Weekend,” Project Engineer Sean Marquez said. “We’re pleased with the outcome of the beautiful new bridge and are happy to have restored access to downtown Naperville via Jefferson Avenue in time for Naperville’s Last Fling. The residents in the area also deserve a big thank you for their patience and partnership while we worked to complete the new Jefferson Avenue Bridge.”

A dedication ceremony for the new Jefferson Avenue Bridge, as well as the Riverwalk gateway and Brethren Peace Plaza, will be scheduled in the coming weeks. More information will be distributed as it becomes available.

For more information on the Jefferson Avenue Bridge Reconstruction Project, visit the city’s website at www.naperville.il.us/jeffersonbridge.aspx.