Travel Midwest Construction Announcements

New split-lane configuration from Hickory Creek to after Richards Street

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of the ongoing efforts to replace the eastbound Interstate 80 bridges over Hickory Creek, Richards Street, Rowell Avenue/Canadian National Railroad, and westbound over Richards Street, in Joliet, Rockdale and New Lenox, a stage change is scheduled to take place on eastbound I-80 beginning, weather permitting, Wednesday, Aug. 17.

To prepare for the next stage of the project, starting at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, a lane closure will take place on eastbound I-80, between Chicago and Briggs streets.

By 5 a.m. Thursday, the new lane pattern will be in place. In the new configuration, eastbound I-80 traffic will be shifted onto new pavement; the two eastbound lanes will split at Hickory Creek and will join back together just after Richards Street. Additionally, the eastbound I-80 ramp to Richards Street will close for reconstruction, with an anticipated reopening in late fall. A detour will direct traffic to exit Briggs Street and re-enter westbound I-80 to access the Richard Street exit.

The new configuration will allow new pavement to be built and will remain in place through late fall. Throughout construction two lanes in each direction will remain open to traffic.

Motorists should expect significant delays and allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Agriculture today announced temporary changes in traffic patterns near the Illinois State Fairgrounds to accommodate the influx of vehicles during the fair.
 
Beginning at 5 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, IDOT will change the traffic flow around the fairgrounds to one way counterclockwise. In addition, both eastbound and westbound turn lanes at the intersection of Veterans Parkway and Eighth Street will be closed. Portable signs will be set up to inform motorists of the changes. Normal traffic patterns will resume by 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22.  
 
Twilight Parade Route
The Twilight Parade is Thursday, Aug. 11, with the route beginning in Lincoln Park. It will head north through the park to Sangamon Avenue and then east to the Main Gate and into the fairgrounds. Staging for the parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. in the park.  
 
The parade route will close to traffic at 4 p.m., and detour signs along North Grand Avenue and Veterans and J. David Jones parkways will be in place. The Parade Run begins at 5 p.m. and the parade itself at 5:30 p.m. The route is expected to remain closed until 9 p.m. No public parking will be available for parade viewing in Lincoln Park or the Nelson Center. Patrons of the Nelson Center will be able to access the center using the intersection of Third Street and Black Avenue.
 
Parking Restrictions
Beginning Thursday, Aug. 11, parking will be prohibited on neighborhood streets south of Sangamon Avenue. These changes will remain in effect until the morning of Monday, Aug. 22.
 
For more information on the 2022 Illinois State Fair, visit https://www2.illinois.gov/statefair/Pages/default.aspx

The Illinois Department of Transportation announces a left lane closure on eastbound Interstate 270 on the bridge over the Mississippi River. Work will be conducted between 8:30 AM and 5 PM beginning on Wednesday, August 10, and will be completed on Thursday, August 11, weather permitting. All entrance and exit ramps will remain open during construction.
 
These restrictions are needed to perform critical bridge deck repairs at this location.  IDOT District 8 Operations crews will make the needed improvements. Full access will be restored as soon as possible.
 
Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that repairs by the Canadian National Railroad to a crossing on Half Day Road (Illinois 22), east of Prairie Road, in Buffalo Grove, will require a full closure starting, weather permitting, 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 22.

A detour will direct motorists to Prairie Road, Aptakisic Road and Milwaukee Avenue (U.S. 45/Illinois 21). The work is expected to be complete by 7 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that a resurfacing of Waukegan Road, from Oakton Street (Illinois 43) to Milwaukee Avenue (Illinois 21), in Niles, will require intermittent daytime lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Aug. 15.

The $1.2 million project, which also includes constructing new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and replacing deteriorated curbs, is expected to be completed in November. Access to residences and businesses within the work zone will be maintained throughout construction.

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that a patching and resurfacing of northbound and southbound Interstate 55, from Weber Road to Interstate 80, in Will County, will require overnight and weekend lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Aug. 15. Major travel delays are anticipated, alternative routes are encouraged.

To complete the work, motorists should expect various overnight and weekend lane and partial ramp closures on both sides of I-55. The closures will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays, with weekend closures starting at 9 p.m. Fridays to 10 a.m. Sundays. At least one lane in each direction will remain open.

The project, which consists of resurfacing the 13.6-mile stretch of I-55, is expected to be completed in spring 2023.

August 8, 2022 - Temporary nighttime lane closures on Orchard Road north of U.S. Route 30 will begin starting the week of August 8th and will continue for 2 weeks, weather permitting. Crews will be installing storm sewer at night from 8:00 pm until 7:00 am, Monday thru Saturday nights to minimize construction impacts to daily traffic along this busy corridor. This improvement will add lanes, update traffic signals, and improve the multi-use path and is anticipated to take approximately twelve months to complete.
 
The above-mentioned road will remain open during construction, but may include temporary daily daytime and nighttime lane closures and flaggers, primarily from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm in the day and 8:00 pm to 7:00 am at night.