Residents, officials say Greenbrook bridge closure causing school traffic and safety concerns; staff says AT&T relocation delayed work, opening expected by late

Residents of the Tanglewood area told the Village of Hanover Park Board of Trustees on Sept. 4 that the closure of the bridge on Greenbrook/Stearns/Arlington is creating severe congestion and safety risks now that school has resumed. The board heard several public comments describing long backups, difficulty leaving neighborhoods and concerns about access for emergency vehicles.

The matter drew sustained attention during public comment. A resident said morning and dismissal traffic at two nearby schools now causes backups “all the way to Arlington, to Santa Anita to Lake Street,” and warned that “if there’s a fire, we’ve had several fires over the years in Tanglewood” and emergency equipment could be impeded. Trustee discussion emphasized the neighborhood’s safety concerns and the effect on parents and students.

John, the village engineer assigned to the project, told the board the delay was driven by AT&T’s relocation of utilities: “The delay was due to AT and T. We were waiting for them to relocate their utilities.” He said construction crews had recently poured concrete — including a bottom slab and parts of wing walls — and that there are legitimate periods when apparent inactivity reflects required cure time for structural concrete. He said, “The schedule currently, weather permitting, is that it’ll be open around Thanksgiving.”

Trustee and staff remarks noted the bridge has been weight-restricted for years and that prior short-term closures have occurred. Police Department staff said officers have visited the schools to coordinate traffic and safety; Officer Peony was mentioned as having discussed issues with a school parent-teacher organization. The chief said the department is “aware of the situation there at the school. We’ve been working with the staff. We’ll continue to work with the staff and monitor it, take action as appropriate.”

No formal board action was taken; the item was raised during public comment and handled as an operational matter for village staff and contractors. Residents asked the board to press the contractor and utilities for faster progress. Staff described the constraints—utility relocation and concrete curing—that limit how quickly visible progress can occur.