HILLCREST — Hillcrest Village officials are reviewing repair and replacement options for the Hemstock Road Bridge over the Kyte River after the structure was closed in November 2025 due to severe corrosion and structural damage. Engineers reported that all eight pilings are exposed and deteriorated, two no longer support the bridge, and cracks are present in the beam fascia of the roughly 50 year old structure located between Windmill Drive and South Queens Road. Village engineer Kaitlin Wright presented three options to the village board. The first option is a temporary emergency repair estimated at $100,000 that could reopen the bridge by summer 2026, though the remaining lifespan of the bridge would be uncertain. A second option would fully replace the bridge using federal funding through the Illinois Department of Transportation, with the village responsible for about $600,000 while federal funds would cover about 80 percent of construction costs, but the project may not occur until 2028 or 2029. A third option would replace the bridge using local funding at an estimated village cost of $900,000, which could allow construction to begin sooner with a projected completion in 2027. Officials said the village is currently paying about $3,500 per month to rent signage for the road closure and could spend about $45,000 maintaining the closure until a replacement is completed.
Trustee and Hillcrest ProTem President Dan Potter was hopeful they’ll be able to make a decision at the next trustee meeting.
“I think we’re gonna go with the repair first and see what’s gonna be better, financially for the other part. And depending on how well that repair holds up, having the feds give us part of the funds, because it’s a big chunk of change.”
