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Farnham Street bridge closed for reconstruction starting today

Another major Galesburg construction project is getting underway as a portion of Farnham Street closed today for six months while a bridge over railroad tracks is reconstructed.Galesburg Director of Planning and Public Works Wayne Carl says that the contractor, Sangamo Construction, are scheduled to complete work by November.

The work will run from Summit to Grove.

Carl says that guidelines from the railroad and Illinois Commerce Commission are dictating that the bridge be raised by about about a foot and a half.

“That unfortunately leads to more time and expense,” Carl says. “Which is why the project is an estimated $2.8 million, largely due to having to raise the bridge up.”

Carl says he’s fielded many questions asking why the bridge that was reconstructed in 1976 needs to be replaced again.

He says the precast deck beams typically have about a 50 year life, however some on them have been corroded by salt water that runs down the curb line in the winter.

The bridge replacement was purposely delayed until the day after District 205 went on summer break.

Carl says this was to avoid the confusion and danger of students walking through a construction zone.

However, the bridge will not be completed by the time classes resume in August.

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