Kennedy rehabilitation update: Week 1
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 started and continued to progress the week of March 17. The following are highlights completed during the week:
Week of March 17
- The reversible express lanes were set to the outbound direction and will remain outbound through the duration of the project.
- The express lanes mid-gate entrance and exit were closed. Traffic in the express lanes is unable to exit until the Edens Expressway at Foster Avenue, expected to remain in place until mid-July.
- The work zone went into stage from Ohio Street to Montrose Avenue, with traffic control barrels and barrier walls set in place.
- Protective shielding was installed under the Irving Park Road bridge to help protect vehicles and pedestrians from overhead construction debris.
- Inlet filters were installed at various locations to help prevent sediment and construction debris from entering the drainage system during construction.
- Mechanical bridge deck surface removal on structures at the south end of the project.
- Various concrete repairs performed on bridge piers and concrete beams.
Next week’s work will be focused on barrier wall installation, patching and bridge deck demolition. All scheduled work is subject to change due to multiple factors, including inclement weather. Also, construction activity is happening under the road as well as on it. While you might not see people in the work zone, they could be beneath the road.
As a reminder, 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, the reversible Drivers going to I-90 or 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.
This year is the third and final phase of the three-year Kennedy project and focused on the outbound lanes All lanes and ramps reopening and the express lanes resuming normal operations is anticipated around Thanksgiving.
Throughout construction, 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.
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.
Maria Castaneda
Guy Tridgell