Bishop Ford: 159th Street daytime lane closures begin Wednesday in South Holland, Calumet City

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that temporary, daytime lane closures will take place starting Wednesday, Aug. 12, weather permitting, on 159th Street (U.S. 6) over the Bishop Ford Freeway (Interstate 94), in South Holland and Calumet City. The closures are necessary to prepare the work zone to accommodate traffic during the upcoming reconstruction of bridge as part of the ongoing $93 million rehabilitation of the Bishop Ford Freeway from west of Chicago’s Martin Luther King Drive to 159th Street.

Weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., 159th Street approaching the expressway will be reduced to one lane in each direction. All lanes will reopen during nonworking hours. Heavy congestion is anticipated. The public should consider alternative routes to avoid the area.

The changes are necessary to remove portions of the median to build temporary pavement that will allow 159th Street to remain open while the bridge over the expressway is rebuilt. ​

The daytime lane closures to prepare the work zone are anticipated to last until Sept. 1. Construction of the new bridge is expected to begin later this fall and take approximately one year to complete. ​

As the Bishop Ford reconstruction continues, the public should continue to expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures, significant delays and allow extra time for trips through the area. Please 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.

Construction on the outbound Bishop Ford began this spring and anticipated to continue through December, when the expressway returns to three lanes in both directions. Work will resume next spring on the inbound side, with the project wrapping up in late 2027.

Visit https://idot.click/Bishop-Ford for project information, photos and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and X.

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