Outbound Kennedy ramps, lanes rescheduled to reopen next week
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94) from Ohio Street to the Edens Expressway (I-94) junction and to avoid potential disruption to travel over the busy Labor Day weekend, ramps and lanes between Addison Street and Pulaski Road have been rescheduled to reopen, weather permitting, Wednesday, Sept. 3.
The outbound lanes from north of Pulaski Road to the Edens junction reopened last week. The repairs will continue in the section between Addison Street and Pulaski Road this week, with that section reopening after Labor Day.
To facilitate the lanes reopening, overnight ramp and lane closures are scheduled to take place next week:
- Starting at 11 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, weather permitting, the outbound Kennedy will be gradually reduced to one lane from south of Kimball Avenue to Pulaski Road with intermittent ramp closures beginning at 9 p.m.
- Starting at 9 p.m., the follow ramps also will close:
- Kimball Avenue ramp to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen in approximately three weeks.
- Outbound Kennedy to Addison Street, anticipated to reopen in approximately three weeks.
- By 5 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, any ramps and lanes temporarily closed overnight will reopen. Additionally, construction barricades will be removed and all lanes fully reopened from Addison Street to Pulaski Road.
- The following ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3:
- Outbound Kennedy to Kimball Avenue.
- Addison Street to outbound Kennedy.
- Outbound Kennedy to Pulaski Road/Irving Park Road (Illinois 19).
As a reminder, to accommodate ongoing bridge rehabilitation and ramp repairs, the following ramps are scheduled to close tonight, Aug. 26:
- Outbound Kennedy to Diversey Avenue, anticipated to reopen in approximately two weeks.
- Fullerton Avenue slip ramp to Western Avenue, anticipated to reopen in approximately two weeks. (The Fullerton Avenue entrance portion to the outbound Kennedy is currently 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.
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.
Current ramp closures:
- 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-September.
The reversible express lanes will remain open in the outbound direction. The reversible mid-gate entrance and exits will remain closed.
The overall outbound Kennedy project remains on pace to be completed by Thanksgiving, with all lanes and ramps reopening and the express lanes resuming normal operations.
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, follow any detours and remain 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