Pat Barcas photo
The original construction of the Downer Place bridge took three years, from 1906 to 1909. Thanks to speedy work crews, the new iteration took less than a year to construct.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012
     The name of the street may be Downer, yet the party was anything but.
The newly reconstructed Downer Place bridge officially opened Dec. 12 to much fanfare, music, and, for the first time, two-way traffic.
Both Downer Place and Benton Street, which have served as the detour route throughout the construction project, will now permanently become two-way thoroughfares between Broadway Avenue (Route 25) and Lake Street (Route 31.)
The changes also prompted the installation of traffic signal equipment at multiple intersections along Downer and Benton and four-way stop signs at the intersection of Downer and Stolp.
The project started in February 2012 and was able to be finished in one construction season — the only major bridge rebuild in Aurora history to be completed in such a short time window. The aggressive construction schedule reduced by several months the inconvenience to downtown businesses, patrons, and the community than would have been experienced in the past.
“Infrastructure is so important to the community, and this represents a major leap forward in that department,” said Mayor Tom Weisner in front of a crowd that packed the bridge for the grand re-opening. Weisner said construction crews worked seven days a week to get the bridge finished and open for traffic. “This was on schedule and on budget. We want to thank downtown merchants for their patience.”
“D” Construction of Coal City, Ill., handled the deconstruction and re-building of the Downer Street bridges. It specializes in roadwork, bridgework, concrete and utilities. “D” Construction was awarded a contract through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in November 2011 for $6.8 million. Eighty percent of that cost is paid through federal funds. The city’s share is $1.4 million, but $500,000 of the amount will be offset by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The building of the bridge created many jobs for various trades.
Another change that will be implemented in 2013: free parking. Parking meters along Benton and Downer between Broadway and Lake are to be removed, and signage will be posted alerting downtown patrons that parking will be free on Downer and Benton for up to two hours through the end of this year. You can read about the costs here on fixing up the signage in this particular area.
Those attending the opening ceremony also got their first look at the Downer Place streetscape project, which is aimed at enhancing the vitality of the downtown and reducing pollutants entering the Fox River. The project consists of the removal and replacement of the sidewalk and curb and gutter on both sides of Downer between the bridges. Brick crosswalks have also been added.
“This is another gem for the city,” said second ward Alderman Juany Garza. “This is another great project, and the businesses downtown have to be proud of this.”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.