McDowell Grove to Close for Construction

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McDowell Grove Forest Preserve has just one vehicle entrance, a single lane bridge with a five-ton weight limit that’s over 60 years old.

The age of the bridge, the low weight limit, and its condition have led the district to conclude it’s at the end of its useful life.

So a newer, bigger bridge will soon be coming to better serve the district.

“The existing bridge is going to be replaced with a new, dual lane bridge. The existing bridge a single lane, shared with both pedestrians and vehicles,” said Kevin Horsfall, Manager of Planning with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. “And what we’d like to do is separate those uses so it’s safer for the public as they come in and out of the preserve.”

During construction, portions of McDowell Grove Forest Preserve, including portions of the West Branch of the DuPage River Trail, will be closed.

The preserve is working with the city of Naperville to create a detour for the regional trail.

Construction will cost about $2 million and will begin summer 2017.

Naperville News 17’s Blane Erwin reports.