Kennedy rehabilitation update: Week 23 

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 August 18. The following are highlights completed during the week: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

Week of Aug. 18 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

Next week’s work will be focused on pavement milling and patching, asphalt placement, bridge joint demolition forming, bridge deck preparation, pouring of latex concrete decks, overhead sign foundation, anti-graffiti coating placement on retaining walls and permanent pavement striping. 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. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

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As a reminder, lanes north of Addison Street will be reopening over the next week. Reducing the overall length of the work zone by 2 miles represents the latest significant milestone in the ongoing expressway rehabilitation from Ohio Street to the Edens Expressway (I-94) junction. 

With the reopening of the north end of the project, 70% of the work scheduled for this construction season will be complete. ​ 

To accommodate ongoing bridge rehabilitation and ramp repairs, the following ramps are scheduled to close Tuesday, Aug. 26: 

Current ramp closures: ​ 

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. ​ ​ 

Motorists should follow the posted detours. ​ ​ ​ ​ 

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. ​ ​​ ​ ​ 

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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