Fire shuts down Al Bawadi restaurant
Al Bawadi Grill, 7250 W. 87th St., Bridgeview, will remain closed while repairs are completed after a fire struck the Middle Eastern and Palestinian restaurant just before closing April 3.
Firefighters responded to the fire just before 10:30 p.m. and found a large outdoor dining tent adjacent to the building on fire. The restaurant was open until 11 p.m.
Bridgeview firefighters joined by firefighters from 10 neighboring communities quickly attacked the fire and prevented serious damage to the restaurant building itself. There were no reported injuries to diners, staff or firefighters.
Al Bawadi Grill is a popular dining destination in the southwest suburbs and has been featured on many television food programs. The fire struck during the Muslim celebration of Ramadan, which requires fasting during daylight hours, so large crowds at Middle Eastern restaurants after sunset are frequent occurrences.
Bridgeview Mayor Steve Landek said, “Our emergency services and the help of our neighboring communities did an excellent job. Quick response, enough equipment and manpower helped avoid more building damage, however, most importantly, no one was hurt.”
The fire is under investigation, but it was believed to be intentionally set. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting Bridgeview officials with the investigation.
The owners posted a message on social media thanking people for their support.
“The community’s display of concern has been awe-inspiring and will always be remembered. Alhamdulilah, we are thankful that no one was harmed, and we appreciate Allah’s blessings,” the message stated. “However, Al Bawadi Grill located in Bridgeview will be closed temporarily until the necessary repairs are completed. We assure you that we will return with even better service in the near future, inshaAllah.”
The owners encouraged diners to try their sister restaurant in Niles.
The Bridgeview restaurant opened in 2008.
Tollway to begin reconstruction of Roberts Road, 87th Street
Area residents and Roberts Park Fire Protection District firefighters headquartered near 87th Street and Roberts Road have had to contend with detours and occasional road closings for months as the Illinois Tollway Authority works on the Central Tri-State Tollway Project.
So, too, have area residents near 88th Street and Cork Avenue as work progresses on the new Tollway interchange for Justice.
The work is part of the $4 billion Tollway project reconstructing and widening Tri-State Tollway lanes from 95th Street to Balmoral Avenue.
As bad as it’s been, it’s about to get worse for anyone who uses 87th Street and Roberts Road.
The Illinois Tollway was scheduled to begin work this week to reconstruct the Roberts Road and 87th Street intersection, which has taken a beating while work above the road was underway.
The work will include replacement of the existing pavement on the east side of Roberts Road and the north side of 87th Street as well as installation of new drainage, roadway lighting and traffic signals. Construction will also provide for new sidewalks and driveway approaches.
Beginning this week, on Roberts Road, southbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane and northbound traffic will be shifted with one through lane and one left-turn lane open to traffic. On 87th Street, traffic in both directions will be shifted with one through lane and one left-turn lane open to traffic in each direction.
Pedestrian access to the Pace bus stops will be maintained throughout construction.
Firefighters at the fire station about a block from the construction area have already plotted alternative routes around the construction zone.
Traffic shifts and lane closures will continue as needed. The local roadway improvements on Roberts Road and 87th Street are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.
In the meantime, construction zone speed limits are in effect and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. On I-294, a 45-mph work zone speed limit is in effect throughout the construction season. On both 87th Street and Roberts Road, a 35-mph work zone speed limit is in effect.
All of this work is, of course, weather dependent. Lots of good weather can speed construction. A rainy spring and summer can mean delays.
This work is being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, village of Bridgeview, city of Hickory Hills, village of Justice, as well as local fire and police departments.
I-80 bridge work to bring new closures
The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Monday that joint repairs and patching to the Interstate 80 bridges between Rowell and Wheeler avenues in Joliet will require ramp and lane closures over four extended weekends.
Starting at 10 p.m. April 14, lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80, between Wheeler Avenue and Gardner Street. Additionally, the ramp from Chicago Street to eastbound I-80 will be closed. During that time, motorists should follow the posted detour to access the expressway. At least one eastbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times and westbound I-80 will not be impacted. Eastbound I-80 motorists traveling through the region should consider alternative routes to avoid the area. Local streets are unable to accommodate heavy or wide trucks, so other interstate routes are encouraged. The ramp and all lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. April 17.
Additionally, the eastbound I-80 ramp to Richards Street is closed for reconstruction, with an anticipated reopening later this spring. The posted detour directs traffic to exit Briggs Street and reenter westbound I-80 to access the Richards Street exit.
To complete the project, additional weekend lane and ramp closures are scheduled to take place, from 10 p.m. Fridays to 5 a.m. Mondays, alternating between eastbound and westbound I-80 for approximately three additional weekends, weather permitting.
The overall I-80 project will redesign and rebuild 16 miles from Ridge Road, in Minooka, to U.S. 30, in Joliet and New Lenox, while adding or extending auxiliary lanes to improve safety and reduce congestion. Interchanges will be rebuilt or improved at Interstate 55, Illinois 7, Center Street, Chicago Street, Richards Street and Briggs Street, with a new flyover ramp linking southbound I-55 to eastbound I-80 to improve traffic flow and safety. More than 30 bridges will be rehabilitated or replaced, including those over the Des Plaines River.
Bob Bong is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at bobbong@hotmail.com.
