Brace yourselves, New York—major construction on the Kennedy Expressway is set to kick off again, meaning delays and detours are on the horizon. Starting March 11, Phase 2 of the revamp will roll out on Interstate 90/94, targeting the stretch from the Edens Expressway junction up to Ohio Street, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced.
Bear in mind, commuters: the reversible express lanes will bite the dust at 9 p.m. that day, reopening only when the leaves drop in late fall. Officials are sprucing up safety, traffic flow, and reliability on a route that sees over a quarter-million vehicles daily. IDOT expects lane and ramp shutdowns on both Expressways, some closing as early as this week, with lanes and ramps reopening by 5 a.m. following the overnight work, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Spring has sprung a bit early this year, which allowed crews to jumpstart the $150 million project sooner than anticipated, IDOT mentioned, as reported by ABC 7 Chicago. The transportation department underlines that these upgrades are essential for a safer and more resilient infrastructure for the bustling region.
Along with the lane closures, the project will include bridge cleaning, painting, and installation of LED lights at Hubbard's Cave, necessitating further lane closures from Chicago Avenue to Lake Street inbound, and from the Jane Byrne Interchange to Grand Avenue outbound, IDOT states. "The project will improve safety, traffic flow, and reliability for the more than 275,000 motorists who use the expressway each day", IDOT further noted. Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman emphasized the perks of the warm weather in a news release, "While we understand construction can be inconvenient, we are taking advantage of the warm weather to start early. The result will be safer, more resilient infrastructure for the region long after the cones and barricades are removed," as per the Chicago Sun-Times.
With roadwork in full swing, IDOT is advising drivers to seek alternate routes during peak hours and to consider public transport options such as the CTA Blue Line, Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line, and Pace services. The inclusive three-phase plan aims to wrap by 2025, hoping to conclude this particular stage by the time fall colors the city’s foliage. For those looking for minute details on every closure, IDOT's website hosts all the info needed to navigate the construction chaos.
