Final phase of Kennedy Expressway rehabilitation project begins March 17

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94) from the Edens Expressway (Interstate 94) junction to Ohio Street will resume, weather permitting, Monday, March 17. The use of alternative routes and public transportation is once again strongly encouraged.

Starting this week, to safely set up the work zone, the public should expect various overnight ramp and lane closures on the outbound Kennedy and the reversible lanes, between Ohio Street and Montrose Avenue, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Beginning Tuesday, March 18, through the duration of the project, the reversible express lanes will remain open in the outbound direction, with two mainline outbound lanes closed at a time. During the first stage of construction, the reversible mid-gate entrance and exit will be closed, with traffic in the express lanes unable to exit until the Edens Expressway at Foster Avenue. Drivers going to O’Hare International Airport from downtown Chicago must stay on the mainline Kennedy and not the express lanes. This configuration is expected to remain in place until mid-July.

Motorists also should expect lane shifts and overnight lane closures, along with various ramp closures for varying durations throughout the project. Details and impacts to traffic will be shared in advance, closer to the closure dates. ​

The work is the third and final phase of the three-year project, which is taking place over three consecutive construction seasons. Improvements to the reversible lanes were substantially completed last year, with all lanes reopening in January. The inbound lanes were improved in 2023.

This year’s work is focused on the outbound lanes and anticipated to be completed around Thanksgiving, with all lanes and ramps reopening and the express lanes resuming normal operations. Staging of the work zone and sequencing of ramp improvements will be done throughout the project to help accelerate construction.

The public 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.

Traveling during non-peak hours, taking alternative routes and utilizing public transportation, including the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line and Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line, as well as Pace, are recommended.

Made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, the overall $169 million Kennedy project consists of rehabilitating 36 bridge structures and reversible lane access control (REVLAC) system, replacing overhead sign structures, installing new signage and modernized LED lights, pavement patching and structural steel repairs, along with painting and installing new LED lighting through Hubbard’s Cave, from Grand Avenue to Wayman Street.

The Kennedy Expressway officially opened in 1960, with the last major rehabilitation completed in 1994. Prior to the start of the latest improvements, the Kennedy required frequent, unscheduled lane closures to make emergency repairs due to poor pavement conditions. The project will improve safety, traffic flow and reliability for the more than 275,000 vehicles that use the expressway each day.

For more information, visit https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/Interstate-90-Kennedy-Bridge-Study. The website features project details, maps, photos and fact sheets. The public can email questions to DOT.KennedyRehab@illinois.gov. For systemwide traffic and road conditions, visit www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and X.

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