A single-car crash in a construction zone on eastbound Interstate 80 in southwest Joliet left one driver dead Monday afternoon and brought traffic to a standstill for miles.
Illinois State Police say the vehicle hit a concrete barrier in an active work zone near Chicago Street, and the driver was rushed to a local hospital, where they later died. Eastbound traffic was blocked at the Larkin Avenue ramps while troopers handled the investigation and cleanup.
State Police: Crash Details
Troopers with the Illinois State Police were called to the eastbound lanes at Chicago Street around 2:30 p.m., according to FOX 32 Chicago. Investigators say the car struck a concrete barrier inside an active construction zone, severely damaging the vehicle. The driver was taken to a nearby hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
All eastbound lanes at Larkin Avenue were shut down at about 3:45 p.m. so investigators could process the scene, snarling traffic along the busy corridor while troopers worked to document evidence and clear the wreckage.
I-80 Reconstruction Adds Work Zones
The stretch of I-80 running through Joliet is in the middle of a multi-year Illinois Department of Transportation modernization project that has added temporary barriers and shifted ramp patterns in recent months. Construction on the new Chicago Street interchange began the week of March 2 and includes lane shifts and ramp closures that create active work zones along this corridor, according to the I-80 Will project.
Those work zones rely on concrete barriers and lane shifts designed to protect both construction crews and passing traffic, but they can increase the risk to motorists who do not slow down and pay close attention to changing lane patterns.
Traffic Impact And Safety Reminders
Authorities did not immediately identify the driver, and it was unclear when all eastbound lanes would fully reopen, officials said. Illinois State Police are investigating the crash and plan to release more information as it becomes available.
In the meantime, the Illinois Department of Transportation is again urging drivers to treat work zones with extra caution. Motorists are asked to slow down, obey posted speed limits and follow flaggers and signage in construction areas to help prevent further tragedies, according to guidance from the Illinois Department of Transportation.
