Brandon Road reopened this morning in Joliet Township

The Brandon Road bridge in Joliet Township reopened Monday morning.The drawbridge across the Des Plaines River has been closed since 2023 for repairs.It opened at 8:45 a.m., according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.Repairs will continue, including equipment testing that “will involve frequent lifting and lowering of the bridge over the next few months,” IDOT officials said in a news release.IDOT warned motorists to expect delays and suggested continued use of alternate routes.The $3.4 million maintenance and repair project included repairs of the deck, joints and brakes, according to the release. All four motors and aerial cables were replaced along with various mechanical components. Locks and structural steel also were replaced.The bridge also was upgraded to allow for bridge tender control from a central location, a project underway for all six movable bridges, including five in downtown Joliet, operated by IDOT.The Brandon Road bridge is 94 years old, according to the