Plainfield Officially Unveils Lockport Street Pedestrian Bridge

Though it officially opened in July, the downtown Plainfield Lockport Street Pedestrian Bridge got an official unveiling on Thursday.

Mayor Mike Collins and village trustees were joined by State Rep. Tom Cross (R-Oswego) and Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the bridge.

Collins thanked residents for their understanding and support during the project, which was originally slated to be completed in December 2012.

" ...  We are so pleased that we could provide this greatly needed project," he said of the bridge, funded primarily by a $1 million Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant. He credited Cross with helping secure the grant for Plainfield, and stressed that the project was badly needed.

"The old walkway was extremely narrow, not protected from vehicular traffic, and did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) standards," Collin  said, adding the bridge will provide an important connection between the downtown business district, Riverfront Park, Settlers' Park, Village Hall and the PACE bus stop.

"This project is a great example of people within various governmental levels working together to provide a significant safety improvement for the public," Cross said. "I am thankful for the dedication and hard work of the many people that helped make this project a reality."

Bertino-Tarrant congratulated Plainfield officials on the project's completion.