Cook County has approved a $37 million reconstruction of the Central Avenue bridge over the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal. (Supplied photo)
Comings & Goings: County approves $37 million Central Avenue bridge project
By Bob Bong
The Cook County Board of Commissioners has approved $37 million for the reconstruction of the Central Avenue bridge over the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal in Stickney and Forest View.
An additional $1.7 million was approved to replace sidewalk curb ramps along roadways throughout the county.
The projects are designed to boost economic development, build up regional transportation and improve the quality of life throughout Cook County.
The first project provides $32 million for a three-year, three-phase reconstruction of the Central Avenue bridge over the Chicago Ship and Sanitary Canal.
Another $4.7 million was allocated for construction management services for the project.
The project is expected to begin this summer on the southbound lanes. Work on the northbound lanes will be done in 2024. Work on the median is scheduled for the summer of 2025. During construction, the bridge capacity will be reduced from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction. Work is expected to be completed in late 2025.
Lorig Construction Co. is the contractor for the construction project. Michael Baker International is the contractor for the management services for the project.
“We must continue to bring infrastructure funding to our communities,” said Cook County Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar (D-16th). “Repairing the Central Avenue Bridge will allow for more people to take advantage of the amazing things Stickney, Forestview, and the rest of the 16th District has to offer. It increases accessibility, for residents to receive medical care, for residents to participate in community events, for residents to frequent local businesses, and much more. I will continue to look for more ways to improve our streets and transportation infrastructure.”
New York realty group expands footprint
A New York-based realty group that had previously acquired shopping malls in Matteson, Calumet City, Bourbonnais and the Southwest Side of Chicago expanded its Southland footprint with the recent purchase of Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet.
Namdar Realty of Long Island ponied up $31.4 million for the mall, which has lost two of its anchor stores in recent years but still has a healthy tenant base.
Namdar got its start in 1999 and in recent years had acquired Ford City Mall in Chicago, River Oaks Mall in Calumet City, Northfield Square in Bourbonnais and Matteson Town Center in Matteson.
The Joliet property includes more than 125 acres and about 940,000 square feet of leasable space near Route 30 and Interstate 55 exit for Joliet and Plainfield.
If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.
Local News
Keeping fighters flying
Spread the love Garfield Ridge native Brandon Tapia recently graduated from U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training with honors – a recognition earned by only the top 10% of each class. After Air Force BMT, airmen begin technical training to learn the technical skills needed to perform in their career field specialties. The field Tapia…
Offer cash reward in Chrysler Village slaying
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac . Someone somewhere knows who shot and killed Misael Sanchez. To help bring that person forward, the Cook County Crime Stoppers group is offering a cash reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the killer’s arrest. Sanchez, 23, was shot in the 5200 block of West 64th…
OLCHS Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive aids needy
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Donating to those in need during the holiday season are students at Oak Lawn Community High School. The Student Council at the high school, 9400 Southwest Hwy. in Oak Lawn, recently hosted its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. “I like the Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive because it’s an opportunity to…
Oak Lawn approves new parking lot, fieldhouse for OLCHS
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An additional parking lot and an athletic fieldhouse has been approved for Oak Lawn Community High School. Joseph McCurdy, assistant superintendent for Oak Lawn Community High School District 229, gave a brief slide presentation detailing some of the plans for the parking lot and an athletic fieldhouse during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday morning.…
Palos 118 students win at 2023 Young Inventor Challenge
Spread the loveFourth-grade students from Palos School District 118 took home three awards at the 2023 Young Inventor Challenge. Students from Palos East and West Elementaries participated in the event on November 4 and 5 in Chicago. The program gives students ages 6 to18 an opportunity to develop and pitch their original inventions to toy and game…
Brookfield VFW helps Navy recruits enjoy Thanksgiving
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam About 50 recruits undergoing Boot Camp at the Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago had plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. “This has been so challenging,” said Seaman recruit Cazja Andrades. “These nine weeks have been so hard but such a gift.” “Everyone here has been such a…
Off-duty Chicago police officer dies in Oak Lawn crash
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong An off-duty Chicago police officer was killed Sunday morning when a vehicle crashed into a tree at 95th Street and Harlem Avenue in Oak Lawn. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the driver as Edwin Espinoza, 35, of the 5300 block of South Merrimac Avenue on the city’s Southwest…
Palos Park police cadets holiday food drive underway
Spread the loveThe Palos Park Police Cadet program annual Holiday Food Drive is underway. The cadets are looking for donations of non-perishable foods such as canned goods or boxed goods. The cadets will accept donations at the Palos Park Police Department located at 8999 W. 123rd Street. Donations are accepted through January 1. This is…
Midnight Terror serves up a different kind of spirits at Christmas Fear
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong The Halloween fans at Midnight Terror in Oak Lawn have decided to extend the haunted house season into the holidays with their eighth annual Christmas Fear weekend in December. Savage Santas, eerie elves, and sinister snowmen will be running amok and showing off their own kind of Christmas spirit at…
Neighbors
Keeping fighters flying
Spread the love Garfield Ridge native Brandon Tapia recently graduated from U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training with honors – a recognition earned by only the top 10% of each class. After Air Force BMT, airmen begin technical training to learn the technical skills needed to perform in their career field specialties. The field Tapia…
Offer cash reward in Chrysler Village slaying
Spread the love. By Tim Hadac . Someone somewhere knows who shot and killed Misael Sanchez. To help bring that person forward, the Cook County Crime Stoppers group is offering a cash reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the killer’s arrest. Sanchez, 23, was shot in the 5200 block of West 64th…
OLCHS Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive aids needy
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Donating to those in need during the holiday season are students at Oak Lawn Community High School. The Student Council at the high school, 9400 Southwest Hwy. in Oak Lawn, recently hosted its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. “I like the Student Council Thanksgiving Food Drive because it’s an opportunity to…
Oak Lawn approves new parking lot, fieldhouse for OLCHS
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An additional parking lot and an athletic fieldhouse has been approved for Oak Lawn Community High School. Joseph McCurdy, assistant superintendent for Oak Lawn Community High School District 229, gave a brief slide presentation detailing some of the plans for the parking lot and an athletic fieldhouse during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday morning.…
Palos 118 students win at 2023 Young Inventor Challenge
Spread the loveFourth-grade students from Palos School District 118 took home three awards at the 2023 Young Inventor Challenge. Students from Palos East and West Elementaries participated in the event on November 4 and 5 in Chicago. The program gives students ages 6 to18 an opportunity to develop and pitch their original inventions to toy and game…
Brookfield VFW helps Navy recruits enjoy Thanksgiving
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam About 50 recruits undergoing Boot Camp at the Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago had plenty to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. “This has been so challenging,” said Seaman recruit Cazja Andrades. “These nine weeks have been so hard but such a gift.” “Everyone here has been such a…
Off-duty Chicago police officer dies in Oak Lawn crash
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong An off-duty Chicago police officer was killed Sunday morning when a vehicle crashed into a tree at 95th Street and Harlem Avenue in Oak Lawn. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the driver as Edwin Espinoza, 35, of the 5300 block of South Merrimac Avenue on the city’s Southwest…
Palos Park police cadets holiday food drive underway
Spread the loveThe Palos Park Police Cadet program annual Holiday Food Drive is underway. The cadets are looking for donations of non-perishable foods such as canned goods or boxed goods. The cadets will accept donations at the Palos Park Police Department located at 8999 W. 123rd Street. Donations are accepted through January 1. This is…
Midnight Terror serves up a different kind of spirits at Christmas Fear
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong The Halloween fans at Midnight Terror in Oak Lawn have decided to extend the haunted house season into the holidays with their eighth annual Christmas Fear weekend in December. Savage Santas, eerie elves, and sinister snowmen will be running amok and showing off their own kind of Christmas spirit at…