State alerts Joliet motorists to Cass Street bridge changes

The Illinois Department of Transportation issued a reminder to motorists that it plans to change the traffic pattern at the Cass Street bridge in Joliet on Saturday, when the route will be closed for six hours to implement the change.

IDOT temporarily will convert the bridge over the Des Plaines River and a section of Cass Street to a two-way route.

The plan is to close the bridge, along with Cass Street, between Hickory and Joliet streets between 6 a.m. and noon Saturday, weather permitting, to implement the changes. Upon reopening, that section will be a two-way route.

Cass Street currently is a one-way route heading west through downtown Joliet and over the bridge.

The two-way conversion is being done to increase downtown access while repairs continue on the Jefferson Street bridge. Jefferson Street is a one-way route going east through downtown. Repairs are scheduled for completion in October.

IDOT also will maintain the existing Jefferson Street bridge detour, which takes traffic south on Raynor Avenue (Route 52), east on McDonough Street (Routes 6/52) over the river, and then north on Chicago Street (Route 53) back to Jefferson Street downtown.