Officials from Northfield are looking for the positive in the plans of a state agency for a lengthy construction process that will replace the most important infrastructure in the village.
The Illinois Ministry of Transport is developing plans to replace the Winnetka Road Bridge, which includes Edens Expressway (Interstate 94), according to village officials.
In earlier similar projects, Idot has considered suggestions from municipalities to “improve the standard bridge design with aesthetic improvements such as colored fences and decorative facades”.
The representatives of Northfield in 2024 began to work with the Hitchcock Design Group to examine options for potential aesthetic improvements in the bridge. The village trustees previously discussed concepts for improvements during a meeting at the end of January when they focused on two design options.
Patrick Brennan, manager of Northfield Village, explained these two options on Tuesday, March 18, during a committee of the entire meeting of the board.
According to the Village Memo, the first concept contains the word Northfield on the Buttress walls, a field stone form liner (not colored) for the Winnetka Road-Spannerwäns, Formliner “Winnetka Road” and vinyl coated security fences. Brennan said the estimated costs for this option were $ 149,850.
The second option gives both ends of the bridge decorative columns with a field stone shape liner and a “n” letter on each side. Option two increases the costs by almost 77,000 US dollars, which increases the total estimate for this option to USD 226,650.
The village administrators quickly resulted in a consensus that they preferred option 2 and instructed the village employee to inform the idot about their preference.
The work of Idot includes the removal of the existing structure and the construction of a new bridge, which increases the height of the span over the EDENS Highway, according to the project details by about 1 1/2 foot.
The state agency also plans to include AdA-compliant sidewalks and a jointly used path on part of the Winnetka Road. In addition, the scope of the project beyond the bridge would be “rejuvenated in the approximate 3-foot increase in the road covering”, say the officials in the memo.
Brennan informed the trustees during the meeting on March 18 that the current expectation for the construction of constructions in 2027 found that Idot's estimate could change depending on several factors. The hope is that work can be completed in a construction period, said Brennan.
Idot also asks that the village plays a role in several other improvements that it has planned as part of the project.
State officials propose to install a 7-foot citizen on the north side of the structure and a 15-foot path for shared use, said Brennan during the meeting. The current sidewalk is 5 feet per village information. The jointly used path would go on the south side and make it more accessible to students who go to the New Trier High School, said Brennan.
In what Brennan referred to as a “surprise movement”, Idot official said that the agency would only be willing to install this feature if the village should take over “all future responsibilities for this way”, such as Snow Clearing, Surface Patch and even reconstruction.
“It is basically a us and give it to you,” said Brennan.
According to Brennan, Cook County is currently responsible, while the bridge is currently belonging to idot. Northfield is involved because it wants to make the aesthetic improvements.
Idot representatives have stated that the village or another agency does not take responsibility, the bridge may not be installed with the shared us path.
The trustees hesitated to take full responsibility after Idot requested. However, the board showed support for a potential compromise in which the village accepts the snow department, but does not take on inspection, maintenance or replacement responsibility.
Northfield must also work on details on road lighting and moving traffic in connection with the project.
Brennan and village employees will next discuss the proposed terms with idot officers.
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