By: Diane Benjamin

This road closure announcement is on the County website: https://mcleancountyil.gov/319/Road-Closures-Construction-Map

Lexington-LeRoy Rd, (CH21) or N 2600 East Rd between E 600 North Rd & E 800 North Rd, will be closed to through traffic, beginning Monday, March 24, 2025, through Friday, August 15, 2025.  For Bridge Replacement.  

Since this is a road I occasionally use and it will be closed for 144 days, I asked the head of the County Highway Department why it would take so long. Below is his response.

LARGE vehicles use this road including semi’s and farm equipment. There isn’t a great way around the construction. The two circled roads aren’t capable of heavy traffic.

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Stokes, Jerry

Thu, Mar 13 at 8:40 AM

Good morning,

Typically these types of bridges take 3-4 months to construct.  The completion date is August 15, 2025.  The start date is dependent on the Contractor.

Once the bridge is removed, steel pile are driven to support the bridge.  This usually takes a week by the time the crane is setup to drive the pile.  Once the pile are driven, the pile are encased in concrete which is another week.  The pile are then cut to the correct length and concrete is placed on top of the piles called pier caps and abutment caps.  This usually takes a couple weeks to complete.  Riprap is then placed under the bridge and on the slopes to prevent erosion which takes another week. 

Once the concrete is cured for 7-14 days on the pier and abutment caps, the contractor can begin forming the deck.  This typically takes a month to place the steel reinforcement and form the deck to hold the concrete.  Building the deck forms is a long process.  The deck needs engineered support and bracing strong enough to support the reinforcement, wet concrete and equipment to finish the concrete.  After the concrete has cured another 7-14 days to gain the proper strength, the forming and bracing are removed which takes a couple weeks to remove and haul away.

The bridge is then backfilled and then the roadwork begins on the approaches to bridge. Dirt work and pipe installation are done at this time.  The earthwork, drainage and road work usually take three weeks.  After the roadwork ands shoulders are placed, the guardrail is installed and the deck is grooved.

Rain days (especially spring), material and labor can also effect the production of the construction.

Thanks,

Jerry