UPDATE: Ohio and Ontario Street feeder ramps lane closures
UPDATE: Additional time is needed to complete the work. The project is anticipated to be completed in summer 2026.
Ohio and Ontario Street feeder ramps lane closures begin Nov. 17
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that repairs to the bridges carrying Ohio and Ontario streets over the North Branch of the Chicago River, Union Pacific Railroad and Kingsbury Street, in Chicago, will begin, weather permitting, Sunday, Nov. 17.
To safely set up the work zone, the following overnight full closures with detours are scheduled to take place on Ohio and Ontario streets.
- Ohio Street: Starting at 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, Ohio Street will gradually be reduced to one eastbound lane. By midnight, Ohio Street will be fully closed between the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94) and Orleans Street. Lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, when the new traffic pattern will be in place.
- Ontario Street: Starting at 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, Ontario Street will gradually be reduced to one westbound lane. By midnight, Ontario Street will be fully closed between the Orleans Street and the Kennedy Expressway. Lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Tuesday, when the new traffic pattern will be in place.
In the new configuration, Ohio and Ontario streets will be reduced from three to two lanes between the Kennedy and Orleans Street. The public also should expect various lane shifts on both streets approaching the bridges.
Additional overnight full closures will be required to complete the work. Details and impacts to traffic will be shared in advance, closer to the closure date.
The $15.4 million project, which consists of replacing expansion joints, structural steel and deck repairs along with the installation of a new deck overlay and resurfacing, is anticipated to be completed in late 2025.
The public can expect delays and should 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.
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Five of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $16 billion of improvements statewide on 6,541 miles of highway, 686 bridges and 986 additional safety improvements.
For more information on IDOT projects, click here. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and X.
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Maria Castaneda
Guy Tridgell
