Outbound Kennedy ramp closures begin May 19
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94), from the Edens Expressway (Interstate 94) junction to Ohio Street, ramp closures are scheduled to take place beginning, weather permitting, Monday, May 19.
The closures are necessary to safely complete repairs and pavement patching on the ramps. The following ramps are scheduled to close:
Monday, May 19
- Ogden Avenue to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen in approximately one week.
Wednesday, May 21
- Outbound Kennedy to Division Street, anticipated to reopen in approximately one week.
Monday, May 26
- Outbound Kennedy to Ohio Street, anticipated to reopen in approximately one week.
Wednesday, May 28
- Keeler Avenue to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen in approximately two weeks.
Motorists should follow the posted detours.
Sequencing of ramp improvements is being done throughout the project to help accelerate construction. Additional ramp closures for varying durations will be required to complete the project. Details, schedules and impacts to traffic will be shared in advance, closer to the individual closure dates.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 is anticipated around Thanksgiving.
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