The Illinois Department of Transportation announces today that a lane closure will be installed in Rock Island County. A complete closure of I-74 eastbound/southbound will be installed on Wednesday, May 22, from 7 PM until Thursday, May 23, 6 AM. Traffic will be detoured utilizing the Avenue of the Cities on & off ramps.

Workers will be performing bridge beam repairs.

Please slow down and use extreme caution while driving through all work zones.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announces that construction on I-72 from the Sny Slough to just east of the I-172 interchange will begin Monday, May 20.

All traffic shifting onto the eastbound side for reconstruction of the westbound lanes; traffic will remain reduced to one lane in both directions

A traffic shift is scheduled next week on the Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) between Pfingsten Road and the Edens Expressway moving all traffic onto the newly reconstructed eastbound side of roadway to accommodate reconstruction of the westbound side. Traffic is expected to remain in this configuration through the fall.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place to alert drivers to scheduled lane closures, traffic patterns and work zone speed limits. Delays are expected.

Weather permitting, during the week of May 13, Edens Spur Tollway traffic in the eastbound direction will be shifted. Once that work is complete, traffic traveling in the westbound direction will also be shifted, providing for one lane of travel in both directions on the eastbound side of the Edens Spur.

In 2019, the Tollway is reconstructing the westbound lanes of the Edens Spur, between Pfingsten Road and the Edens Expressway. This work includes removing existing pavement and replacing it with new, full-depth asphalt pavement. Eight mainline bridges will be removed and replaced as part of this work.

The work is being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County and the Village of Northbrook, as well as local municipalities, fire and police departments.

The Edens Spur Improvement Project is removing and replacing all existing mainline pavement and replacing or repairing mainline bridges. Additional work includes replacing the Pfingsten Road Bridge, repairing the Waukegan Road Bridge over the Edens Spur, constructing the barrier separated median with stormwater improvements and upgrading ITS and roadway lighting. All work is scheduled to be complete in 2020.

Originally constructed in 1958, the Edens Spur consists of two lanes in each direction with 4-foot wide inside shoulders and 11-foot wide outside shoulders and an open grass median. Up to 57,000 vehicles use the Edens Spur daily.

These repairs are necessary to extend the life of the roadway 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.

Maps and construction about the Edens Spur Tollway repairs are available on the Tollway’s website at Illinoistollway.com via the Interactive Tollway Map and under “Projects Overview” in the Explore Projects section.  

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that overnight lane and ramp closures will take place on the inbound Eisenhower Expressway (I-290), in Chicago, weather permitting, Saturday, May 11, in order to adjust lane configurations in the work zone as part of the ongoing Jane Byrne Interchange reconstruction.

The change to the work zone will accommodate the continued construction of new pavement on the inbound expressway and require reducing Ida B. Wells Drive to one lane for approximately two weeks.

Starting at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, the inbound Eisenhower will be reduced to two lanes between Damen Avenue and the Old Chicago Post Office. At 1 a.m. Sunday, the inbound Eisenhower will be reduced to a single lane, with the inbound Eisenhower ramp to the outbound Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) closing. The inbound Eisenhower ramp to the outbound Kennedy will reopen at one point during the overnight hours, with the inbound Eisenhower ramp to the outbound Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) closing. Detours will be posted while the ramps are closed.

The new traffic configuration will be in effect by 8 a.m. Sunday.

In the new configuration, three inbound Eisenhower lanes will be split near Ashland Avenue. Motorists traveling to Ida B. Wells Drive should stay in the left lane. Motorists traveling to the outbound Kennedy and outbound Dan Ryan should be in the right two lanes. 

Additionally, the inbound Eisenhower as it merges into Ida B. Wells Drive will be reduced to one lane. By May 28, a second lane will reopen, with Ida B. Wells traffic in the two left lanes. 

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. 

5/1 UPDATE: Due to continued rains and additional inclement weather in the forecast,  the lane closures and inspection schedule for the westbound bridge have been cancelled for the remainder of the week. They will be rescheduled to take place after Memorial Day and announced prior. Weather permitting, the inspections still are planned for the eastbound structure next week. 

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that regularly scheduled inspections of the I-80 bridges over the Des Plaines River, in Joliet, will begin April 29, weather permitting.

Daily lane closures will be required, starting with the westbound bridge until May 6, when inspections begin on the eastbound bridge. Inspections on both bridges are expected to be complete by May 11, weather permitting.

The closures will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and Saturdays, if necessary. A minimum of two lanes will remain open while inspections are taking place.

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 remain alert for workers and equipment.

The inspections are being done in conjunction with an upcoming yearlong maintenance project on both bridges. Any additional issues discovered during the inspections will be addressed once construction begins in the field later this summer.

The larger project, currently under contract, involves steel repairs and bearing replacements. The process for fabricating new parts as already begun, with work on the bridges expected to start in June or July. The repairs will be taking place under both structures, with any necessary lane closures scheduled at night to avoid disrupting traffic during the daytime hours.

The project will be finished next summer.

Click here to find details on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1. Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www.travelmidwest.com. 

The I-35 traffic switch between the I-35W/I-35E split and MN-97 in Lino Lakes and Columbus, originally planned to be completed by Monday, April 29, has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 2.

Beginning at 2 p.m. May 2, motorists traveling on northbound I-35E will encounter a new traffic lane configuration. The left lane of northbound I-35E will be shifted to the southbound side of the freeway, south of the I-35W/I-35E split. Motorists exiting to MN-97 will need to stay in the right lane as they approach the construction zone. The lane shift will remain in place for several months, as crews resurface the inside lanes of northbound I-35.

Motorists will continue to encounter off-peak lane closures on I-35 between the I-35W/I-35W split and MN-8 as needed this spring and summer, as crews resurface the freeway and construct the new MN-97 and MN-8 bridges over I-35. Northbound I-35 may have lane closures from midnight to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to midnight, and southbound I-35 may have lane closures from midnight to 5 a.m. and from 8 a.m. to midnight.

There will also be off-peak lane closures on I-35W and I-35E, just south of the split. Northbound I-35E may have lane closures from midnight to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to midnight, and southbound I-35W/I-35E may have lane closures from midnight to 5 a.m. and from 8 a.m. to midnight.

The work is part of the I-35 North Metro Split project, which includes resurfacing the existing pavement from the I-35W/I-35E split to MN-8; replacing the MN-97 bridge with a diverging diamond interchange;  replacing the northbound I-35W bridge over I-35E and the westbound MN-8 bridge over I-35. The project will provide a better ride quality, as well as improve safety and traffic flow at the MN-97 interchange. Additional information is available at www.mndot.gov/metro/projects/i35northmetrosplit.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that construction will resume on the I-55-Weber Road interchange, in Bolingbrook and Romeoville, weather permitting, Thursday, April 11. Motorists traveling through this area should expect delays and plan accordingly.  

SPRING WEIGHT RESTRICTION BULLETIN #5, 2019

Effective Monday, April 8, 2019 at 6:00 AM, weight restrictions will be lifted from the southern Michigan border north to and including I-96 at the interchange of US-31, in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon County, then east on I-96 to I-69 in Clinton County, then continuing east on I-69 ending at the Blue Water Bridge in the city of Port Huron, St. Clair County. 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 the I-96, I-69 line.

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 or 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 weight 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 loads 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 the MDOT Truck Operator's Map for route designations.

Spring Weight Restrictions: http://mdotjboss.state.mi.us/APSWB/SWBHome.htm?bulletin=weight

Temporary, full closures planned for bridge pier removal and bridge beam placement as part of interchange improvement project

Temporary, overnight ramp closures are scheduled this weekend on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) at 159th Street in Markham for bridge replacement work. Additional closures on I-294 are scheduled in early April.

Electronic message signs will be put in place in advance to alert drivers. The temporary closures are necessary to provide a work zone to safely accommodate the repairs at the 159th Street Bridge.

On Friday, March 29, two northbound lanes on I-294 are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. Intermittent, full closures of the ramp carrying eastbound 159th Street to northbound I-294, each lasting 15 minutes, are scheduled to begin just after midnight, for bridge pier removal. Ramp closures are scheduled to end by 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 30. All lanes on I-294 are scheduled to reopen by 7 a.m.

On Saturday, March 30, two southbound lanes on I-294 are scheduled to close at 8 p.m. Intermittent, full closures of the ramp connecting southbound I-294 to eastbound 159th Street, each lasting 15 minutes,  are scheduled to begin just after midnight. Ramp closures are scheduled to end by 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 31. All lanes on I-294 are scheduled to reopen by 7 a.m.

In early April, overnight weekend lane closures on I-294 are scheduled for bridge beam placement. During those closures, two southbound lanes on I-294 are scheduled to close at 7 p.m. with a third lane closing at midnight. Intermittent, full closures of southbound I-294, each lasting 15 minutes, are scheduled to begin at midnight and be complete by 3:30 a.m. One lane in each direction is scheduled to remain closed through the weekend. A second night of similar closures in the northbound lanes will follow with intermittent, full closures of northbound I-294 scheduled to begin at 11 p.m.

In 2019, the Illinois Tollway is completing improvements at the 159th Street Interchange. Work on this project includes rebuilding the existing 159th Street Bridge and reconstructing four ramps at the 159th Street Interchange: southbound I-294 to eastbound 159th Street, eastbound 159th Street to northbound I-294, northbound I-294 to westbound 159th Street and westbound 159th Street to southbound I-294. Lighting and drainage structures will also be upgraded.

Currently, traffic on 159th Street is shifted and reduced to one lane in each direction and the ramps carrying traffic from westbound 159th Street to southbound I-294 and from northbound I-294 to westbound 159th Street are closed to traffic. Traffic is expected to remain in this configuration into summer 2019.

The 159th Street Bridge Project will extend the life of the interchange, increase traffic capacity and provide safe and convenient travel for Tollway customers. More than 13,000 vehicles use this interchange daily.

Maps, construction and detour information about the 159th Street Bridge Project is available on the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com via the Interactive Tollway Map and under “Projects Overview” in the Projects section.

The project is being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County and local fire and police departments.  

Detour will be posted for southbound County Line Road

A portion of southbound County Line Road in Elmhurst will be closed temporarily beginning next week for utility work related to the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project. A detour will be posted.

Weather permitting, during the week of March 25, southbound County Line Road between Grand Avenue and Romans Road, located north of North Avenue, will close. A detour will be posted routing southbound County Line Road traffic to Northwest Avenue via Grand Avenue. Northbound County Line Road traffic will remain open.

This closure is scheduled to last into summer. Additional closures in the area are scheduled through 2020 to realign a portion of County Line Road to accommodate the reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway and for construction of a new ramp that will connect Southbound I-294 to County Line Road thereby providing new access to North Avenue and Lake Street. The new ramp construction is part of the North Avenue Interchange Project. 

When completed, the North Avenue Interchange Project will provide a new ramp from southbound I-294 to County Line Road to help reduce congestion at the interchange and on local roads. In addition, the North Avenue and Lake Street (U.S. Route 20) intersection will be reconfigured to improve traffic flow and provide new direct access to eastbound North Avenue.

In addition, drainage improvements are planned to help alleviate flooding in the area during periods of heavy rainfall. Construction of detention ponds to hold stormwater and the installation of storm sewers will help address flooding along North Avenue. In partnership with the Illinois Tollway and cities of Northlake and Elmhurst, Cook County is leading the project's design and will be constructing the project improvements.

Construction information about the North Avenue Project is available on the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways website at cookcountyil.gov/service/construction-schedule 

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that work will begin Monday, March 18, on an intersection improvement at US-20 and IN-2 in Rolling Prairie.

This project will see a “dogbone” interchange built at this location, eliminating the traffic signal and creating a bridge carrying motorists north-south with east-west traffic passing underneath. Roundabouts will be placed at the north and south ends of the newly-constructed bridge, creating the so-called “dogbone”.

During the project, the corridor will be closed to north-south (LaPorte to New Carlisle) traffic between CR N 500 E and Oak Knoll Road, while east-west traffic (Michigan City to South Bend) will be one lane in each direction from Oak Knoll Road to CR N 600 E.

State road detours must use state-maintained roads only. Drivers wanting to leave LaPorte on IN-2 must instead detour north on US-35, then north on IN-39 and east on US-20 back to the US-20/IN- 2 intersection. Drivers who would be approaching the US-20/IN-2 intersection from the New Carlisle side must instead utilize the US-20/US-31 bypass (St. Joseph Valley Parkway) by travelling south on the bypass, then west on IN-2 to reach the US-20/IN-2 intersection.

The project is expected to wrap up in mid-November.

Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.  

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that a bridge replacement project is set to begin Monday, March 4, on the 101st Avenue bridge over I-65 in Crown Point. The project is set to wrap up in early August.

During the project, 101st Avenue will be closed and there will be overnight lane restrictions on I-65 over the next couple weeks for bridge demolition, from approximately 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

A detour will be in place for 101st Avenue. Eastbound drivers will detour north on IN-53 (Broadway), east on 93rd Avenue and south on Mississippi Street back to 101st Avenue. Westbound drivers will detour north on Mississippi Street, west on 93rd Avenue and south on IN-53 (Broadway) back to 101st.

Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.