The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the three right lanes of eastbound I-55/64, as well as the ramp to southbound IL-3 and the ramp to southbound Tudor Avenue in East St. Louis will close as early as April 1, weather permitting.
 
The closures are necessary to replace the bridge decks on eastbound I-55/64. Lane closures will be in place in this area until early October.
 
The ramp from northbound Piggott Avenue to eastbound I-55/64, which was closed Feb. 22, will remain closed.
 
In Missouri, the Marion Street entrance ramp to northbound I-55 as well as the right lane of northbound I-55 approaching the Poplar Street Bridge will be closed. I-64 will also be reduced to one lane approaching the Poplar Street Bridge.
 
Extensive delays are expected during weekday evening rush hours. The public is urged to plan accordingly and use alternate routes, including the I-70 Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge. Carpooling and using public transportation, following public health guidelines, are encouraged as well.
 
Drivers must pay close attention to changing conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.
 
The closures are part of a $29.8 million project, funded by Rebuild Illinois, to rehabilitate the bridges in this area. The overall project will require various lane closures, with updated information provided in advance of each new traffic configuration.  
 
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,300 miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing in all modes of transportation. Year One included improvements statewide on 1,706 miles of highway, 128 bridges and 228 additional safety improvements.
 

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the Coalfield rest areas along I-55 near Raymond will close beginning April 20.
 
The closures are necessary to repair pavement at the rest areas and will begin with the northbound side on April 20. The southbound side will close April 21. Both closures will last through the end of the week. Benefits from this project include improvements to durability and ride quality.
 
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.
 
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,300 miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Year One included approximately $2.7 billion of improvements statewide on 1,706 miles of highway, 128 bridges and 228 additional safety improvements.
 

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that repairs to the 167th Street bridge over I-57 in Oak Forest and Country Club Hills will require overnight lane and ramp closures starting at 9 p.m. Friday, April 16.
 
Motorists can expect various lane and ramp closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, from 9 p.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday and from 9 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday.
 
Work will initially start underneath the bridge on southbound I-57, closing the southbound I-57 ramp to eastbound 167th Street and the westbound 167th Street ramp to southbound I-57. After the southbound work is completed, work will flip to the northbound side, closing the northbound I-57 ramp to westbound 167th Street and the eastbound 167th Street ramp to northbound I-57.
 
Due to the short nature of the closures, no detour will be posted. Alternate routes are encouraged. The work is expected to be completed, weather permitting, later this month.  
 
Motorists can expect delays and should 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.
 
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,300 miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Year One included approximately $2.7 billion of improvements statewide on 1,706 miles of highway, 128 bridges and 228 additional safety improvements.
 

Local road lane closures scheduled on Roberts Road and 87th Street to accommodate bridge reconstruction

Beginning this week, northbound traffic on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between 95th Street and the 83rd Street Toll Plaza is scheduled to be shifted into a counterflow configuration with two lanes traveling on the southbound side for mainline bridge reconstruction as part of the $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. In addition, lane closures on local roads underneath the Tollway will begin later this month as part of this work.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to changes in traffic patterns and construction throughout the construction season. Up-to-date information regarding lane closures will be available in the Illinois Tollway’s Daily Construction Alerts.

“The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring the roadway remains safe for both drivers and workers during construction, which is part of our overall commitment to roadway safety,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We ask drivers to be attentive in work zones by watching for changing traffic patterns and using caution, especially when workers are present.”

Overnight Thursday, April 15, all northbound traffic on I-294 between the 83rd Street Toll Plaza and 95th Street will be shifted to the left with two northbound lanes traveling in counterflow lanes on the southbound side of I-294. Work will begin at 8 p.m. with a single lane closure, followed by closure of a second lane at 10 p.m. and closure of a third lane at midnight to move northbound traffic. Southbound traffic is currently shifted to the right to accommodate the new traffic pattern. All lanes are scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. on Friday, April 16.

Once the counterflow is in place, during the week of April 19, I-294 traffic between 82nd Street and  LaGrange Road will be shifted in both directions to provide a work zone for roadway reconstruction and widening work.

Mainline I-294 traffic in the area is scheduled to remain in this configuration through summer. Four lanes of traffic will be maintained in both directions.

In addition, during the week of April 19, on both Roberts Road and 87th Street lane closures will be put in place in both directions underneath I-294 to accommodate reconstruction of the I-294 mainline bridge over the local roads. On both roads, overnight, full roadway closures with detours will be scheduled to safely accommodate removal and replacement of bridge beams. However, to reduce disruption to traffic in the area, both roads will not be closed at the same time.

Additional lane closures on both I-294 and the local roads will be scheduled as needed throughout the construction season to complete mainline bridge reconstruction.

Construction updates, project information, maps and detour information for work that is part of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is available in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com.

 April 12, 2021 -- As part of the Rebuilding Michigan project on I-94 and US-31 in Berrien County, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will be closing I-94 from Napier Avenue Exit 30 to M-140 Exit 41 for the following bridge demolition in Benton Township, Berrien County:

Updated Spring Weight Restrictions Bulletin List:

Spring Weight Restriction Bulletin #6, 2021

Effective Monday, April 12, 2021, 6 a.m., weight restrictions will be lifted on all state trunkline highways from the southern Michigan border north to and including US-2/US-141 at the Menominee River bridge west of Iron Mountain, then east on US-2 to St. Ignace. Frost restrictions are still in effect for the remainder of the state and will be imposed and enforced on all state trunkline highways north of US-2 and M-185 on Mackinac Island. State trunk line highways typically carry M, I or US designations.

Weight Restriction information and updates may be obtained by calling 1-800-787-8960. For companies located in Canada or New Jersey, information may be obtained by calling 517-335-0023.

On routes designated as "All Season Routes" (green & gold on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be no reduction in legal axle weight. On routes designated as "Seasonal" (solid or dashed red on the MDOT Truck Operators Map), there will be a reduction of 25% for rigid pavements and 35% for flexible pavements.

Extended permits will be valid for oversize only in the weight restricted area.

Single trip permits will not be issued for overweight or loads exceeding 14 feet in width, 11 axles and 150 feet in overall length in the weight restricted area.

Detailed weight restriction information may be obtained by linking to www.michigan.gov/truckers Please refer to MDOT Truck Operators Map for route designations.

Motorists must merge over sooner to access ramps to I-294 south, I-190 west to O’Hare

The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public that as part of ongoing Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90) improvements, between Harlem Avenue (Illinois 43) and Interstate 190, a new collector-distributor road will open, weather permitting, by 5 a.m. Friday, April 16. The stage change, scheduled for Thursday, April 15, was postponed due to the weather.

The new design will improve safety, efficiency and reduce conflict points by separating the ramps to Cumberland Avenue (Illinois 171), Interstate 294 south and Interstate 190 west to O’Hare International Airport from mainline traffic.

In the new configuration, outbound Kennedy motorists must merge over sooner to access the ramps, as the new collector-distributor road, located just after Canfield Avenue, is approximately one-mile before the current ramp acces.

The overall Kennedy improvements, between Harlem Avenue and I-190, include widening and resurfacing, new noise and retaining walls, drainage improvements and a new collector-distributor road at the Cumberland Avenue interchange along the outbound expressway. The project is expected to be completed later this fall.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Alternative routes are strongly encouraged. 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.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,300 miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Year One included approximately $2.7 billion of improvements statewide on 1,706 miles of highway, 128 bridges and 228 additional safety improvements.

For more information on IDOT projects, click here. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and Twitter.

Seasonal weight restrictions take effect at noon March 8 on two state highways

Limits are for parts of WI-65 in Polk and St. Croix counties and WI-169 in Ashland County

Pursuant to Wisconsin statutes, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northwest Region is announcing the seasonal posting of weight limits on area state highways. The weight restrictions are 6 tons gross load for single-axle vehicles and 10 tons gross load for tandem-axle vehicles (any two axles under 8 feet apart). The maximum gross weight is 24 tons. School buses and trucks hauling milk, heating fuel and septic materials are exempt from seasonal load limits.

Seasonal weight restrictions will be effective at noon Monday, March 8, 2021, on the following highways:
 

•     WI-65, St Croix County: From the junction with County H in Star Prairie to the St. Croix-Polk County line.
•     WI-65, Polk County: From the St. Croix-Polk County line to US-8.
•     WI-169, Ashland County: From WI-13 northeast to the Ashland-Iron County line.

Seasonal weight restrictions are placed on specific highways during the spring thaw period. The restrictions are added to routes that have poor foundations, with the goal of preventing pavement damage from legal-weight loads. In the event of unpredicted cold weather, the postings in each county may be delayed as conditions require and will become effective at the discretion of the state highway engineer.

Full closure of bridge in Gurnee scheduled for nine months with posted detour

The Illinois Tollway is scheduled to begin work this week to remove and rebuild the Stearns School Road Bridge carrying traffic over the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) in Gurnee. Reconstruction of the Stearns School Road Bridge is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.

Beginning today, March 1, on I-94 daily lane closure in both directions will be scheduled between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. with up to two lanes closed at a time for advance work to prepare for bridge removal and reconstruction. In addition, overnight lane closures will be also scheduled during the week with up to three lanes closed at a time and 15-minute full closures scheduled overnight Thursday, March 4 into Friday, March 5.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place to alert drivers in advance of construction. All work is weather dependent.

Once advance work is complete, a full closure of the Stearns School Road Bridge is scheduled to begin later in March. To safely accommodate construction and reduce the duration of work, the bridge is scheduled to be closed to traffic with a posted detour for nine months. Full closure and a traffic detour are necessary because the bridge is too narrow to accommodate traffic while safely providing a work zone to complete the removal and reconstruction of the bridge. Up to 15,900 vehicles travel on this section of Stearns School Road daily.

“The Illinois Tollway understands safety is just as important as access for drivers who use the Tollway to reach work and home, and we thank them for their patience,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “Closing the bridge allows us to safely complete this work in less time and minimize the inconvenience to customers.”

Following closure of the bridge, a posted detour will be put in place directing Stearns School Road traffic to use Dilleys Road, Grand Avenue and Hunt Club Road to route around the bridge closure. Stearns School Road will be closed between Hunts Club Road and Dilleys Road, however access to Gurnee Mills Mall off Stearns School Road will remain open during construction.

In addition, on I-94, traffic shifts and overnight lane closures will continue to be scheduled in both directions as needed to accommodate work on the bridge.

Construction and detours are being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Village of Gurnee, Warren Township and Lake County, as well as local fire and police departments.

The Illinois Tollway, Village of Gurnee and Lake County Division of Transportation are working in coordination to replace the 70‐year‐old Stearns School Road Bridge over the Tri‐State Tollway (I‐94). The new bridge structure will be designed to provide for three lanes of traï¬Âƒc, as well as additional bicycle and pedestrian access.

As part of the Stearns School Road Bridge Project, the existing two‐lane bridge carrying traï¬Âƒc over the Tollway will be removed and replaced with a new, wider bridge structure. This Tollway‐led project is planned to construct a new bridge that will carry three lanes of Stearns School Road over the North Tri‐State Tollway (I‐94) along with 4‐foot‐wide shoulders, replacement of the existing pedestrian path on the north side and the addition of a new sidewalk on the south side. In addition, since the Illinois Tollway typically constructs new bridges with a 75‐year service life, the new bridge will be designed to accommodate future local roadway improvements

These repairs are necessary to extend the life of the local crossroad bridge and provide safe and convenient travel for Tollway customers. This work is part of the Tollway’s 15-year program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future, and includes in local cost participation for the improvements.

Maps and construction about the Stearns School Road Project are available in the Projects section on the Tollway’s website at Illinoistollway.com.

Effective January 9, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., Wisconsin's frozen road declaration will expand to include regions designated by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) as Zone 2 (View map: https://wisdot.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=2e56b5b256124198b0be2c4815c42a18.) It means that effective Saturday, the frozen road law will apply to roughly the northern half of Wisconsin. The frozen road determination for the southern portion of the state will be made once conditions warrant.

The frozen road law allows heavier loads for trucks carrying logs cut crosswise (not including woodchips), and salt and sand for winter maintenance while cold weather allows.

WisDOT and county highway personnel monitor temperature forecasts, along with frost tubes -- liquid-filled devices under pavement -- to help determine when roads are adequately frozen to accommodate heavier loads. This video shows how WisDOT monitors field conditions to verify frost depths: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGvOoYYKAS0

The declaration is issued once the ground under highway pavement is frozen to a depth of at least 18 inches, allowing the maximum gross weight for trucks hauling logs or salt and sand for maintaining roads in winter to go up to 98,000 pounds on vehicles with a minimum of five axles (from the normal 80,000 pounds). Special permits for hauling the increased weights are not required in the declared zones, but vehicles must be legally licensed at 80,000 pounds to handle the increased weights. The higher weight limits do not apply to county or local roads unless authorized by the local agency having maintenance authority. Also, higher weights may not be transported on any highways or bridges specifically posted for lower weight limits.

The “Motor carrier/trucker” section of the WisDOT website contains comprehensive information impacting commercial motor vehicle operators including weight restriction programs and frozen road declaration. Customers can also check a recorded message on the Frozen Road Hotline at (608) 266-8417. Haulers with specific questions can contact WisDOT’s Oversize/Overweight Permits Unit at (608) 266-7320.