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Joliet Mayor Asks For Plan To Repair Interstate 80 Bridge

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) -- The mayor of Joliet, Illinois, says because the Interstate 80 bridge over the Des Plaines River is structurally unsound, he may be forced to take action.

Joliet Mayor Bob O'Dekirk said he would take safety measures if state and federal officials fail to improve the bridge's "serious structural weaknesses."

RELATED: Northbound Lake Shore Drive Bridge Closed For 'Structural Emergency'

The Illinois Department of Transportation inspected the bridge in April 2018 and found it to be structurally deficient.

O'Dekirk says in a statement he has instructed city public safety officials to begin coordinating with the county, state and federal officials to establish a specific plan of action "in the event of a partial or complete failure" of the structure.

IDOT says plans are already in place to begin addressing structural issues and that the bridge is "safe for travel."

RELATED: Lake Shore Drive Bridge Didn't Meet Certain Federal Requirements

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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