Southwest Highway improvements begin June 23

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of an ongoing improvement project, Southwest Highway (Illinois 7) from 131st Street in Palos Park to south of 135th Street in Orland Park will close, weather permitting, Monday, June 23. ​ ​ 

To accommodate the work, Southwest Highway between 131st and 135th streets will be closed through mid-September. A detour will direct traffic to La Grange Road (U.S. 45). Access for business owners along Southwest Highway will be maintained in the work zone during construction. 

The $20.6 million project consists of reconstructing and resurfacing the road, constructing new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, installing modernized traffic signals, and replacing the existing box culvert at Mill Creek as well as additional drainage improvements. The project will also build new, 8-foot-wide multi-use path on the west side of Southwest Highway between 131st and 135th streets. 

The project began in 2023 and is anticipated to be completed in 2026. ​ 

Motorists 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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