Three concepts for replacing the aging Home Avenue Pedestrian Bridge go before Oak Park residents at a drop-in open house on Wednesday, July 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St.

The bridge spans Interstate 290, the CTA Blue Line, and the CSX railroad corridor, making it one of the few pedestrian crossings stitching together neighborhoods divided by the expressway. The Village says the structure needs replacement and that the new design should improve ADA accessibility, bicycle access, safety, and connectivity.

The project team developed the three replacement concepts after evaluating engineering constraints, accessibility requirements, long-term maintenance, cost, and community character, according to the Village's Engage Oak Park project page, updated Wednesday, June 24. No cost estimate or construction timeline has been released; the project remains in the alternatives-study phase.

At the July 8 open house, residents can review the designs, talk with project team members, and weigh in on walking and biking access, bridge approaches and ramps, and overall comfort. No formal presentation is planned. The Village said public input will help the team understand how the bridge is used and what improvements matter most as planning continues.

The Home Avenue project is separate from the federally funded "Bridging the Ike" study, a partnership between Oak Park and IDOT focused on expanded bridge decking at East Avenue, Oak Park Avenue, and Lombard Street. The Village has noted that other I-290 bridges, including Home Avenue, are planned for future reconstruction but fall outside that study's scope.

Residents who cannot attend July 8 can view materials and submit comments online at engageoakpark.com/homeavebridge.