The trail will cross over the Chicago River at Central Avenue via a bridge, according to plans. View Full Caption Facebook/Margaret Laurino

EDGEBROOK — Traffic along Central Avenue in Edgebrook will be snarled Wednesday and Thursday as crews begin installing a bridge for the extension of the North Branch Trail over the Chicago River, Ald. Margaret Laurino (39th) said.

Drivers should avoid the area near Central and Caldwell avenues after rush hour Wednesday evening until rush hour Thursday morning, Laurino said.

Starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, traffic will be reduced to one lane to allow heavy machinery to move the bridge pieces into place for installation, Laurino warned residents.

At 10 p.m. Wednesday, cars will be restricted to one lane for both north and southbound traffic, Laurino said.

The project is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Thursday, when cars will be allowed to travel in two lanes in both directions, Laurino said.

Construction began in November on the first stage of the trail extension will stretch from Devon and Caldwell avenues to Forest Glen Avenue near the Metra station on the Milwaukee District North Line.

The first stage of the trail extension — approximately 2.1 miles long — will cost $5.3 million, with the forest preserve district paying 20 percent of the cost and federal grants covering the rest of the tab.

Once completed, the project would allow runners, walkers and bikers to travel 21 miles from the Lakefront Bicycle Path to the Chicago Botanic Gardens in the North Shore.

In addition to the bridge over the river east of Central Avenue and north of Indian Road, the trail will cross over the Metra tracks near Indian Road and Ardmore Avenue via a second bridge.

For more information, call 773-736-5594 or go to aldermanlaurino.com.

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