UP proposes Kankakee River bridge replacement

Union Pacific Railroad has plans to replace its railroad bridge over the Kankakee River in Wilmington, Ill., as part of the Illinois High-Speed Rail project, according to a public notice issued by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

UP wants to replace the existing structure — a 540-foot, five-span bridge that carries a single track — with two side-by-side bridges that would carry two tracks. The proposed north bridge would be 573 feet long and feature eight spans. The proposed south bridge would be 604 feet long and feature nine spans, according to the notice.

The new brides would share common bridge piers, and the piers would be skewed in the direction of the angle of the river. Two temporary steel bridges would be constructed to facilitate the demolition of the existing bridge.

The IDNR is soliciting public comments on the bridge proposal through Oct. 29. UP is working with Illinois Constructors Corp. on the project.