Bridgeview PD Issues Traffic Alert For Eid Services This Thursday

BRIDGEVIEW, IL — This week marks the end of Ramadan, the period of prayer and fasting for those of the Muslim faith, culminating in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr — the festival of breaking fast — which this year falls on Thursday, May 13.

The Mosque Foundation, 7360 W. 93rd St., Bridgeview, is expecting up to 10,000 people at two services scheduled for 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

To accommodate the anticipated traffic flowing into the residential neighborhood, Bridgeview police are asking area residents to consider an alternate route from 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, along Harlem Avenue between 95th and 87th streets.

“We’re estimating a huge crowd to come into a residential area,” Bridgeview Police Chief Ricardo Mancha told Patch. “We’re bringing every traffic aid, emergency management services and auxiliary officers to help alleviate some congestion. We flip-flop between the mosque and traffic from events at Seat Geek Stadium.”

Harlem Avenue is also a thoroughfare for semi-trucks making deliveries at retail businesses, which will contribute to the traffic congestion. Motorists can expect to see light boards and police officers directing traffic.

This story has been updated to reflect that Eid services will take place in the morning, not evening.