The southbound lanes of Route 41 from Route 21 to Grand Avenue in Gurnee are expected to be closed Thursday while crews repair the railroad bridge on Route 41 near Kilbourne Road. | Photo: Google Street View

Officials announced a road closure is expected to go into effect for a large stretch of Route 41 in Gurnee after a truck damaged a bridge along the busy highway.

The Gurnee Police Department said late Wednesday evening that the southbound lanes of Route 41 would be shut down beginning Thursday morning.

The closure on Route 41 will span from Route 21 to Grand Avenue.

It was expected to be shut down at 9 a.m. Thursday but as of 11 a.m. the road closure had not appeared to have gone into effect yet.

Crews will be working to conduct bridge repairs on the railroad bridge near Route 41 and Kilbourne Road.

A semi-truck struck the bridge on Wednesday and caused significant damage to it.

The police department asked motorists to use alternate routes and plan their travel accordingly.

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Significant traffic delays are expected in the area.

The police department said they are unsure how long the roadway will be shut down or when it could reopen.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the project is not an IDOT project and deferred comment to the Canadian National Railway.