A view of one of two Downer Place bridges from Waubonsee College's downtown Aurora campus.  Photo by News Bulletin staff.

Benton Street between River Street and Broadway Avenue in downtown Aurora has been reduced to one eastbound lane through Monday, Feb. 6.

The north lane has been closed while the south lane remains open to eastbound traffic. The intersection at Benton Street and Stolp Avenue has been turned into a three-way stop with the traffic lights flashing red.

The lane reduction is necessary so a City contractor can apply temporary double yellow striping that will make the Benton Street segment a two-way thoroughfare as part of the Downer Place bridge project detour route.
Both lanes on Benton Street will reopen Feb. 6, which is the scheduled start date for the bridge project and when Downer Place will be shut down for traffic.
Both Downer Place bridges spanning the Fox River will be torn down and replaced this year. The project is expected to take about nine months before the new bridges are reopened to vehicular traffic.
The bridges, originally built at the turn of the 20th century, have exceeded their useful life and have been deemed structurally deficient by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Traffic will be detoured south down Broadway Avenue, west on Benton Street, north on River Street and then continue west on Downer Place.
Temporary traffic signals were installed this month along Benton Street at Broadway Avenue and River Street but will not be activated until construction starts.
Flashing red lights and stop signs will be placed along two Stolp Avenue intersections in February at Downer Place and Benton Street.
Motorists also are encouraged to use New York Street and North Avenue to bypass the Downer Place construction zone.
Residents, business owners and other community stakeholders wanting to monitor the progress of the Downer Place bridge project will be able to find information through several outlets, including:
Website: Visit the City’s website.
Email Updates: People can receive email updates on construction progress by visiting the City’s website. Under the “Get Your City News” box, click the “Email Updates” link and sign up.
Social Media: Updates will be provided on the City’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, which can be found on the City’s website.
ACTV: Tune in to Aurora Community Television Ch. 10 to view updates on the scrolling news bulletin boards.
Customer Service Center: Call the City’s Customer Service Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 630-256-INFO.