Hemstock Road Bridge Repair And Replacement Plans Updated

HILLCREST – Village officials provided an update Wednesday night on plans for the closed Hemstock Road Bridge over the Kyte River following inspections that found severe corrosion in the steel support piles. The bridge has been closed since November between Windmill Drive and South Queens Road after engineers found all eight pilings exposed and deteriorated, with two no longer supporting the structure and cracking in the beam fascia. Officials said temporary repairs could cost about $85,000 to $100,000 and would require IDOT approval and sign off from a structural engineer, with a possible reopening this summer if approved. The village may waive the bid process at its next meeting and use Baxter and Woodman to connect with a contractor, with repair costs paid by the village using motor fuel tax funds. Full replacement of the 50 year old bridge is still needed and could cost up to $700,000 under a county bridge program that would cover 80 percent of construction costs, leaving Hillcrest responsible for 20 percent. IDOT would have final approval on the use of county funds and reimbursement may not occur until 2028, with a replacement timeline of several years.