Natalia Chi
Note: If you’re traveling to or from Chicago using the Kennedy Expressway from the northern or northwestern suburbs, you’re about to experience even more traffic and backup. A $10,000 construction project is about to begin on a busy, busy section of the seven-and-a-half-mile (7.5-mile) highway that runs from the Edens Expressway to Ohio Street.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the project is divided into three phases and includes refurbished paving, express lanes, overhead signage structures, lighting and three dozen bridges, and is expected to last through 2025.
Officials say the construction will “increase safety, reduce maintenance costs and improve traffic flow,” but as IDOT warns, “significant delays are expected.” , “Alternative routes are strongly recommended, where possible, by public transport or during off-peak hours.
IDOT said construction is expected to begin on Monday, but drivers may not feel the effects of traffic until Tuesday morning’s commute.
Here’s a breakdown of which lanes will be closed and when commuting is most likely to be impacted.
When will construction of the Kennedy Expressway begin?
Permanent construction work will begin at 10 p.m. Monday, according to IDOT. However, it will be the initial stage of “arranging the work zone”.
“It takes about five nights to fully enter that phase,” said John Schumacher, head of construction at the IDOT bureau. “So on Tuesday morning, the automobile public will head to his two lanes on the left that are closed to inbounds.”
“Work will involve setting up a work zone initially and then gradually reducing Inbound Kennedy’s 7.5-mile range to two lanes,” IDOT said. “The crew will set up a barrier that travels south from the intersection of Eden onto Ohio Street. This process is scheduled to run from 10 p.m. Expected to take weeks. Location.”
Which lanes are closed and when?
Stage 1: Inbound Lane, Spring 2023 – Fall 2023
According to IDOT, “two main inbound lanes will be closed at once,” with lane changes, nighttime closures and various ramp closures to be expected. However, “to minimize the impact on traffic, the reversible fast lane will remain open in the uphill direction and drivers will not be able to exit the fast lane until Armitage His Avenue.”
According to Schumacher, the express lane will be set up in its inbound configuration “24/7, 365 days a year.”
In the summer, the inbound tunnel underneath where Hubbard Street crosses the Kennedy Expressway is also affected.
“Painting and new LED lighting installation will begin at the inbound Hubbard Caverns between Ohio and Lake Streets later this summer,” says IDOT.
The first phase of the project is expected to be completed in the fall of 2023, when “all lanes and ramps will be reopened and the highway will resume normal operations,” officials said.
Stage 2: Express Lanes, Spring 2024 to Fall 2024
According to IDOT, the second phase of the project will work on reversible fast lanes.
Express lanes will be closed next year to accommodate renovations to the Reversible Lane Access Control System, known as REVLAC, according to a release.
“In addition, on both sides of Hubbard’s Cavern, between Ohio and Lake streets, main lanes will need to be closed to accommodate paint and new LED lighting installations,” IDOT said.
Officials said the second-phase project is expected to begin in spring 2024 and be completed in fall 2024.
Stage 3: Outbound Kennedy, Spring 2025 to Late Fall 2025
The third phase of construction will accommodate the outbound lane of the Kennedy Expressway, according to IDOT.
According to the release, lane shifts, night lane closures and various ramp closures will close two main down lanes at once. However, “reversible fast lanes will remain open in the outbound direction,” he says IDOT.
Additionally, outbound Hubbard Cavern work will continue between Ohio and Lake Street, IDOT said.
The third phase is expected to begin in spring 2025 and be completed in late fall 2025, officials said.
“Find alternate route”
IDOT officials urged drivers to adjust their schedules or find alternative modes of transportation during construction.
“Find an alternative route, take the Metra, take the CTA,” said Schumacher. “We also recommend that you consider staggering your work hours, so if you can start a few hours earlier, you may avoid the worst of rush hour traffic. People were able to work remotely. If you have people who can work remotely, it also helps to minimize the impact on traffic.”
Metra announced this week that it will be rescheduling the UP Northwest Line starting April 3, adding 12 trains to its weekday service line-up.
“Metra is monitoring passenger numbers and customer feedback, and these schedule changes are responsive to passenger trends and will increase capacity and convenience by expanding peak and off-peak service. “Metra CEO and Executive Director Jim Darwinski said in a statement. “And with a major multi-year rehabilitation project slated to begin on the Kennedy Freeway, this new schedule will enable Metra to offer more commuters a viable and less stressful alternative to driving. increase.”
IDOT also suggests commuters leave earlier and use highways to commute, but notes that it could be a process of trial and error.
“Find the route that works best for you,” said Schumacher. “And it won’t happen… The first route you take on Tuesday morning may not be the best one. See how well it works.It does.”
