Commuters on the Kennedy Expressway can look forward to a smoother drive in the near future. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today that a significant portion of the expressway north of Addison Street will soon be reinstated for traffic, as reported by the WGN-TV. With this progress, 70% of the work scheduled for this construction season will have been completed.
In preparation for these changes, IDOT will implement several overnight closures beginning Thursday, Aug. 21. "Starting at 11 p.m. Thursday, weather permitting, the outbound Kennedy will be gradually reduced to one lane from Addison Street to the Edens junction, with intermittent ramp closures beginning at 9 p.m.," as described by Chicago Sun-Times. By 5 a.m. the following day, the normal traffic pattern should resume, and the current split lane configuration near Kostner Avenue will be removed.
Drivers should note additional upcoming ramp closures, including the outbound Kennedy to Diversey Avenue and the Fullerton Avenue slip ramp to Western Avenue. They are scheduled to close on Tuesday, Aug. 26 with an approximate two-week completion window. The purpose behind these disruptions is to facilitate ongoing bridge rehabilitation and ramp repairs.
IDOT has communicated that the public should brace for significant delays during this time and to allow extra travel time. "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," according to information shared by WGN-TV. It's important for commuters to remember that all scheduled work is susceptible to change contingent on weather or other factors.
The outbound lanes of the Kennedy Expressway have been undergoing extensive work as part of a $169 million project that started three years ago. This undertaking has included the rehabilitation of 36 bridges and the redevelopment of the expressway from Ohio Street to the Edens junction. The inbound lanes were reportedly completed in 2023, with the express lanes reaching completion the following construction season, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The whole project is expected to be finalized by Thanksgiving, providing much-needed relief to the area's traffic and to those it has inconvenienced for several years.
