Journal Reporter

Union Pacific Railroad has hired a private contractor to survey the railroad bridge that crosses above the Northwest Highway S-curve.

The workers will close one lane of Northwest Highway in each direction sometime next week. The work was set to take place this week, but it was delayed due to a lag in traffic control plans. The exact dates and times of the lane closures are not yet known, but would likely take place on Monday and Tuesday, officials said.

According to Steve Heath of Patrick Engineering, workers will make a topographic survey of areas adjacent to the bridge to prepare for Union Pacific renovation plans.

"They're looking at renewing some of the bridge deck right now," Heath said, adding that more of the bridge's timber might be replaced with steel. "As they go over [the survey] they may decide to make more extensive work."

The bridge was built in 1930, and its quality has been criticized by Des Plaines officials for many years. The city has filed two lawsuits against Union Pacific due to debris repeatedly falling from the bridge over the past seven years, some of it hitting vehicles.

According to City Attorney Dave Wiltse, Union Pacific is considering a type of netting or screening system, and the engineers will report to the railroad on the feasibility of a screening system.

Heath said he is not aware of a feasibility report, and Scott Lutz of Patrick Engineering said he is not involved with all of the details of a feasibility report.

The city's legal action is currently pending before the Illinois Commerce Commission, and a status hearing is set for this week. Wiltse said the city is not currently pursuing active litigation.

"We're trying to cooperate and see common ground," Wiltse said.

The city is awaiting the railroad's plan for the bridge as well as its financing possibilities, he said. The cost of three renovation scenarios could reach anywhere from $28 to $40 million, and hard cost estimates are still under review.

In November, Union Pacific replaced the bridge's timber with steel. Keith Eich, manager of Union Pacific's bridge maintenance, said that the renovation is "working excellently." Wiltse said the situation has improved, but the steel is not a permanent solution.