DeKALB – The bridges crossing the Kishwaukee River at North First Street and Lucinda Avenue will be closed for reconstruction beginning March 1 to mid-August.

The two bridges will be completely restructured as single span bridges, per state guidelines, since their construction more than 50 years back. Signs posted by the bridges will inform people of the detour in advance.

The project was coordinated with NIU and the DeKalb school district.

The city of DeKalb determined the projects would take longer than the summer to complete and pushed for building in early spring with completion intended for the Fall 2023 semester according to a media release.

The North First Street bridge’s reconstruction will additionally create a shared-use path underneath which is intended to provide safer travel for pedestrians and cyclists. The path will connect the NIU’s North 40 cross country course with the Clinton Rosette athletic fields from the former path that involved crossing into traffic.

Traffic disruptions are expected until the bridges’ completion. Anyone with questions can contact City Engineer Zac Gill at 815-748-2331.