Local News

Kirk Road lane closures north of Route 38 run into December, ahead of 2027 bridge replacement

Crews are removing the Kirk Road median, with daily lane closures listed through Dec. 14. The bigger job, replacing the 18-span bridge over the Union Pacific tracks, starts in 2027 and runs into 2028.

Geneva

By Word Round Town Staff·Published Nov 9, 2026

Key takeaways

Crews are removing the center median on Kirk Road north of Route 38. The work started the week of Nov. 2 and KDOT's advisory list runs it through Dec. 14.
Expect daily lane closures and flaggers from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Kirk Road stays open.
It's prep work for replacing the 18-span Kirk Road bridge over the Union Pacific tracks with three single-span bridges. Main construction starts in 2027.
The $36.6 million contract has a completion date of Oct. 31, 2028, plus 15 working days.

If you drive Kirk Road through Geneva, plan on lane closures and flaggers just north of Route 38 into December.

The Kane County Division of Transportation scheduled the work to start the week of Nov. 2, weather permitting. It's the first step in replacing the long Kirk Road bridge over the Union Pacific tracks, a project that will keep crews on the corridor into 2028.

Median removal north of Route 38

Crews are removing the center median on Kirk Road north of Route 38 (East State Street) and laying temporary pavement, KDOT said in an Oct. 29 release. The county expects this stage to take about four weeks. KDOT's traffic advisory list, checked Monday, Nov. 9, shows the Kirk Road advisory running from Nov. 2 through Dec. 14.

Work hours are generally 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Expect daily lane closures during those hours, with flaggers directing traffic through the work zone. Kirk Road stays open.

KDOT's advice for drivers:

Use another route if you can, and allow extra time if you can't.
Slow down in the work zone.
Follow the flaggers and posted signs.

Geneva drivers have also seen flagger delays on another stretch of Route 38 this fall. Our East State Street update has the latest on that project.

An 18-span bridge with structural problems

The current bridge sits between Route 38 and Cherry Lane. It has 18 spans, runs 1,373 feet and carries Kirk Road over the railroad, Reed Road and White's Creek, according to KDOT's project page. It has four 12-foot lanes and no sidewalk or path.

The county started the project to fix structural problems. KDOT's project page says the bridge deck needs replacement and some beams are overstressed under current design standards.

The plan replaces the single long bridge with three shorter single-span bridges, one each over Reed Road, the railroad and White's Creek. The project also adds a third striped lane, modernized traffic signals, a multi-use path, storm sewer replacement, a detention pond and retaining walls.

Cost and timeline

The Kane County Board approved a construction contract with Dunnet Bay Construction of Glendale Heights on Sept. 8. Its low bid was $36.6 million.

Federal and state money covers an estimated $24.6 million, and the county's share is about $12 million, according to the board resolution. The county set aside $14.4 million from its motor fuel tax and transportation sales tax funds, which includes a 20% cushion for overruns.

The City of Geneva says the main bridge work begins in 2027. The state's bid listing sets the contract completion date at Oct. 31, 2028, plus 15 working days. Kirk Road is expected to stay open throughout, with lane closures and delays during work hours.

Questions and closure alerts

Questions about the work go to KDOT project manager Ken Mielke at 630-406-7172 or MielkeKen@KaneCountyIL.gov. Closures and detours are posted on KDOT's traffic alerts page.