Kennedy rehabilitation update: Week 2
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 March 24. The following are highlights completed during the week:
Week of March 24
- Various concrete repairs performed on bridge piers and concrete beams.
- Bridge deck hydro-scarification (high-pressure water jets to remove the top layer of concrete).
- Surface milling of bridge decks.
- Saw-cutting bridge expansion joints at various locations.
- Bridge deck surface removal on structures at the south end of the project.
- Bridge deck joint removal at various locations.
Next week’s work will be focused on patching, bridge deck demolition and ramp repairs. 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.
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 mid-gate entrance and exits will be closed, with traffic in the express lanes unable to exit until the Edens Expressway at Foster Avenue. 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 are anticipated around Thanksgiving.
Throughout construction, traveling during non-peak hours, taking alternate 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