Westbound I-80 lane changes in Joliet begin Nov. 2
New split-lane configuration from Center Street to Houbolt Road
CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of ongoing efforts to rebuild Interstate 80 from Ridge Road in Minooka to U.S. 30 in Joliet and New Lenox, a work zone stage change with temporary split-lane configurations is scheduled to take place beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Nov. 2.
The changes are necessary to build the center lanes of the interstate and are expected to remain in place for approximately one month.
To facilitate the work zone changes, overnight lane closures, accompanied by 15-minute full traffic stops, are scheduled to take place over the following two nights.
Saturday, Oct. 31
- Starting at 8 p.m. Saturday, westbound I-80 will be reduced to one lane from Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) to Houbolt Road.
- Between midnight and 7 a.m., full stops for no longer than 15 minutes at a time will take place.
- By noon Sunday, all lanes temporarily closed overnight will reopen.
Sunday, Nov. 1
- Starting at 7 p.m. Sunday, westbound I-80 will be reduced to one lane from Chicago Street to Houbolt Road.
- At the same time, the westbound I-80 ramps to and from Larkin Avenue (Illinois 7) will close.
- Between midnight and 5 a.m., full stops for no longer than 15 minutes at a time will take place.
- By 6 a.m. Monday, all ramps and lanes temporarily closed overnight will reopen and the new traffic pattern will be in place.
In the new configuration:
- There will continue to be two westbound lanes. The lanes split after Center Street, separated by concrete barriers with the work zone in the center lane.
- Drivers will be directed by signs to stay to the right at the split to access the Larkin Avenue exit.
- The left lane will continue as a through lane and motorists will not be able to exit until Houbolt Road.
- The lanes merge back together just before Houbolt Road.
- The public should be aware of the changes, prepare to merge into their preferred lane early and anticipate some delays in the first few days of the configuration.
All schedules are subject to change due to multiple factors, including weather. Any updates will be shared with the public as far in advance as possible.
Later this fall, a similar split-lane configuration will be required to build the eastbound center lanes. Exact details will be shared as dates are scheduled.
As the I-80 reconstruction continues, the public should continue to expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and 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.
For more information, visit I80will.org, which features project information, photos and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team.
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Maria Castaneda
Guy Tridgell
