Outbound Kennedy reopening north of Diversey
Addison Street and the Kimball Avenue ramps to reopen Wednesday
CHICAGO – As the finish line to the project draws closer, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that all Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94) lanes north of Diversey Avenue will be reopening this week, with work zones removed over the next two nights, beginning, weather permitting, tonight, , Sept. 29.
To facilitate the lanes reopening, the following overnight ramp and lane closures are scheduled to take place tonight and tomorrow, weather permitting.
Monday, Sept. 29
- Starting at midnight, the outbound Kennedy will be reduced to one lane between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street, with intermittent ramp closures beginning at 9 p.m. At midnight, the express lanes will close.
- By 5 a.m. Tuesday, the outbound Kennedy lanes will be fully reopened from Belmont Avenue heading north. The express lanes will remain open in the outbound direction only.
Tuesday, Sept. 30
- Starting at midnight, the outbound Kennedy will be reduced to one lane between Diversey and Belmont avenues, with intermittent ramp closures beginning at 9 p.m. Also at midnight, the express lanes will close.
- By 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1, the outbound Kennedy lanes will be fully reopened from Diversey Avenue heading north. Additionally, the outbound Kennedy ramp to Addison Street and the Kimball Avenue entrance ramp to the expressway will reopen. The express lanes will remain open in the outbound direction only. The reversible mid-gate entrance and exits will remain closed.
The following ramps are currently closed to accommodate ongoing repairs:
- Outbound Kennedy to Augusta Boulevard/Milwaukee Avenue, anticipated to reopen mid-October.
- Outbound Kennedy to Addison Street, anticipated to reopen Wednesday, Oct. 1.
- Kimball Avenue ramp to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen Wednesday, Oct. 1.
- Outbound Kennedy to Damen Avenue, anticipated to reopen in late October.
- Outbound Kennedy to Division Street, anticipated to reopen in mid-October.
- Outbound Kennedy to Belmont/Kedzie Avenue, anticipated to reopen early October.
- California Avenue ramp to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen mid-October.
At all times, the public should follow the posted detours, expect delays and allow extra time for trips through this area.
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.
The overall outbound Kennedy project is anticipated to be completed by Thanksgiving, with all lanes and ramps reopening and the express lanes resuming normal operations.
Expect delays and allow extra time for trips through this area. Alternate routes are encouraged. 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.
Additionally, work continues through next summer on the Ohio and Ontario Street feeder ramps, an unrelated project. Two lanes are open in each direction between Orleans Street and the Kennedy. Click here for more information.
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.
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Maria Castaneda
Guy Tridgell
