Kennedy rehabilitation update: Week 12

June 6, 2025

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94) from the Edens Expressway (I-94) junction to Ohio Street continued to progress the week of June 2. The following are highlights completed during the week:

Week of June 2

Structural concrete and steel repairs on bridge piers and concrete and steel beams under various bridges continues.
Painting of structural members of various bridges.
Saw-cutting, removal, preparation and placement of concrete pavement patches at various locations continues.
Bridge deck joint removal, forming concrete and placement continues.
Routing and filling pavement cracks.
Grooving and sealing various bridge decks.
Latex concrete deck pours continue.
Installation of large overhead sign foundations continue.

Next week’s work will be focused on pavement patching, bridge joint demolition forming, bridge deck preparation and pouring of latex concrete decks. All scheduled work is subject to change due to multiple factors, including inclement weather. Also, work 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.

The reversible express lanes will remain open in the outbound direction, with two mainline outbound lanes closed at a time. The reversible mid-gate entrance and exits will remain closed and are estimated to reopen in July.

To accommodate ongoing bridge rehabilitation and ramp repairs, the following ramps are scheduled to close, weather permitting:

Wednesday, June 11

Outbound Kennedy to Fullerton Avenue, anticipated to reopen in approximately two weeks.

Current ramp closures:

Outbound Kennedy to North Avenue, anticipated to reopen by the week of June 9.
Division Street to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen by the week of June 9.
Outbound Kennedy to Ohio Street is closed, anticipated to reopen by the week of June 9.
The ramp was originally scheduled to reopen this week is delayed. A driver entered the work zone and damaged freshly poured concrete, pushing back the reopening of this ramp by a week.

Motorists should follow the posted detours.

All scheduled work is subject to change due to multiple factors, including inclement weather. In that event, schedules will be updated and shared with the public.

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.

Additional ramp closures for varying durations will be required to complete the project, which remains on pace for an overall completion by Thanksgiving. Details, schedules and impacts to traffic will be shared in advance, closer to the individual closure dates.

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.

Photos from Week 12