(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Officials in DuPage County are planning to install a new bridge that would replace the historic Cenacle Bridge at Blackwell Forest Preserve.
The bridge once led to the Cenacle Sisters commune near Warrenville. The retreat center was demolished years ago, but the bridge has remained in use by hikers and bikers as part of a trail system within the Blackwell Forest Preserve.
At a recent planning meeting, commissioners weighed whether it would be best to repair the aging bridge or to replace it completely. The bridge features some visually striking elements, including large stone pillars and white handrails, but Forest Preserve District Civil Engineer Chris Welch said those elements actually present a few issues.
“No modern contractor is familiar with fieldstone masonry,” he said. “Many are not comfortable with lumber of this size.”
In meetings with bidders, Welch said they expressed concerns about rehabilitating the bridge due to its age and unknown construction and condition, so a move for a full replacement was made instead.
“Most bidders noted that … this risk was added to the bids that they made: the fear that once they opened up the abutments, things would be worse than they anticipated,” Welch said. “They both noted that they believe the full replacement would be cheaper.
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