Kennedy rehabilitation update: Week 18
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 July 14. The following are highlights completed during the week:
Week of July 14
- Latex concrete bridge deck preparation and placement.
- Lighting upgrades throughout the corridor.
- 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.
Next week’s work will be focused on pavement patching, bridge joint demolition forming, bridge deck preparation and pouring of latex concrete decks. 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.
To accommodate ongoing bridge rehabilitation and ramp repairs, various 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.
The following ramps are currently closed:
- Outbound Kennedy to Augusta Boulevard/Milwaukee Avenue, anticipated to reopen mid-October.
- North Avenue (Illinois 64) to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen early September.
- Outbound Kennedy to Armitage Avenue, anticipated to reopen early September.
- Fullerton Avenue to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen mid-August.
- Outbound Kennedy to Kimball Avenue, anticipated to reopen mid-August.
- Keeler Avenue to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen early September.
- Outbound Kennedy to Montrose Avenue, anticipated to reopen early August.
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.
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.
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Maria Castaneda
Guy Tridgell
