RSS 2.0 News Feed:

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announces that work on a bridge construction project on IN-51 just north of I-94 is halting until spring.

The project was originally set to finish by the end of 2018, but some design and construction delays pushed the timeline back relating to unforeseen soil conditions in the area. Because of those conditions, portions of the project needed to be redesigned, which necessitated a delay in the completion.

INDOT now expects the project to finish in summer of 2019. INDOT works hard to meet on time, on budget goals, but we also recognize the need to make changes to ensure a quality completed project for safe and efficient travel for Indiana drivers.

Drivers in Northwest Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts at any time via the District’s social media channels: www.Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest or Twitter @INDOTNorthwest. Or visit http://www.trafficwise.in.gov for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler Information Service.   

Law affects log haulers, transport of road salt/sand in Zone 1

Wisconsin's frozen road law takes effect Wednesday, December 12 at 12:01 a.m. for the region designated by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) as Zone 1 which includes US-8 along with numbered state and federal highways north of US-8. The frozen road determination for other portions of the state will be made once conditions warrant.

The frozen road law allows heavier loads for trucks carrying peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise (not including woodchips), and salt and sand for winter maintenance for a period of time determined by weather conditions. WisDOT and county highway personnel monitor temperature forecasts, along with frost tubes - liquid-filled devices under pavement - to help determine when roads are adequately frozen to accommodate heavier loads.

The declaration is issued once the ground under highway pavement is frozen to a depth of at least 18-inches, allowing the maximum gross weight for trucks hauling logs or salt and sand for maintaining roads in winter to go up to 98,000 pounds on vehicles with a minimum of five axles (from the normal 80,000 pounds). Special permits for hauling the increased weights are not required in Zone 1, however, vehicles must be legally licensed at 80,000 pounds to handle the increased weights. The higher weight limits do not apply to county or local roads unless authorized by the local agency having maintenance authority. Also, higher weights may not be transported on any highways or bridges specifically posted for lower weight limits.

The “Motor carrier/trucker” section of the WisDOT website contains comprehensive information impacting commercial motor vehicle operators including weight restriction programs and frozen road declaration. Customers can also check a recorded message on the Frozen Road Hotline at 608/266-8417. Haulers with specific questions can contact WisDOT’s Oversize/Overweight Permits Unit at 608/266-7320.  

Pavement repair work scheduled on the ramp carrying southbound I-355 to southbound I-55

An extended ramp closure is scheduled this weekend for pavement repairs on the ramp connecting the southbound Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) to southbound I-55. Traffic will be detoured onto an adjacent ramp with access to both southbound I-55 and Joliet Road.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the ramp closure and detour. The closure is necessary to safely provide a work zone for pavement patching on the ramp.

Weather permitting, the ramp to southbound I-55 is scheduled to close in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 8, reopening by 5 a.m. on Monday, December 10, ahead of the rush hour. A detour will direct traffic onto an adjacent exit ramp that accesses both southbound I-55 and Joliet Road.

In 2018, the Illinois Tollway has scheduled roadway, bridge and ramp work on throughout the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355). In addition, roadway lighting, signage and guardrail improvements are scheduled, as well as retaining wall and noisewall work.

The Tollway is repairing mainline and local crossroad bridges at the following locations: Cedar Road, US-6, Fiddyment Creek, 135th Street, Des Plains River, Internationale Parkway and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Repairs are also scheduled on the ramps at Army Trail Road, North Avenue (Illinois Route 64), Roosevelt Road (Illinois Route 38), Butterfield Road (Illinois Route 56), the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), Ogden Avenue (Illinois Route 34), Maple Avenue 63rd Street, 75th Street, Boughton Road, I-55 and I-80.

The improvements are funded by the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.

Maps and construction information about the I-355 Roadway Resurfacing and Repair work is available on the Tollway’s website at Illinoistollway.com via the Interactive Tollway map and under “Projects Overview” in the Explore Projects section. 

The 7-Eleven fuel stations and convenience stores at the Des Plaines Oasis will close Friday, December 14, to allow underground fuel tanks at the site to be removed so construction can proceed in 2019 on a full interchange that will connect the new I-490 Tollway to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90).

The ramps and the parking areas at the oasis also will close at that time.

Following the closure, 7-Eleven will remove its underground fuel tanks and perform remediation work on the site.

After that work is completed, the Illinois Tollway plans to remove the remaining structures to allow construction of the new I-490/I-90 Interchange to proceed on that site in the spring of 2019.

“This is an exciting step that allows us to continue to moving forward with the construction of the new I-490 Tollway,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Liz Gorman. “The interchange that we’re building at this site will create a new connection with I-90 that will provide easier access to the western suburbs for our customers and ultimately offer drivers western access into O’Hare International Airport.”

The new interchange will consist of four ramps, including a ramp bridge over I-90 connecting westbound I-90 to I-490, constructed west of Mount Prospect Road and will provide full access between the two Tollways.

In addition, the I-490/I-90 Interchange Project will also include construction of a new multi-span bridge that will carry I-490 over the Metropolitan Water Reclamation of Greater Chicago’s Touhy Avenue Reservoir south of I-90. The project is scheduled to be complete in 2023.

Advance work began earlier this year to prepare for construction of the new ramps and bridges that will connect I-490 to westbound I-90. That work includes construction of collector-distributor roads along I-90, retaining walls and barrier walls, as well as drainage and utility work.

To accommodate interchange construction, the inside shoulders in both directions on I-90 between Elmhurst Road and Mount Prospect Road are closed to provide a work zone to complete the center pier construction for a future bridge over I-90. This work is scheduled to be completed this month.

The outside shoulders in both directions on I-90 are closed between the Oasis and Elmhurst Road to construct the noise wall, retaining wall, drainage and bridge substructures over Higgins Creek. This work will continue through the winter.

The new I-490 Tollway, coupled with the Illinois Route 390 Tollway which was completed in 2017, will connect businesses and communities with one of the nation’s busiest airports, transit facilities, major freight transportation hubs, distribution centers and multiple interstate highways including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

Designed to accommodate access into the O’Hare International Airport, the two new cashless Tollways include 17 miles of new roads with 15 new or improved interchanges. The new I-490 Tollway will be built to carry north-south traffic around the western border of O'Hare and provide access to the airport. The Illinois Route 390 Tollway currently carries east-west traffic between Lake Street (Illinois Route 20) and Illinois Route 83 and will include an interchange connection to the new I-490 Tollway. 

Traffic Pattern to Change on I-65 in Lake County as Part of Bridge Project

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is announcing a new traffic configuration on I-65 in Lake County between I-94 and US-12/20 as part of a bridge deck replacement project.

The southbound bridge over Central Avenue and the CSX Railroad tracks is being replaced in a project that started earlier this year. On or after Tuesday, Nov. 27, the traffic pattern in that area will change.

Northbound I-65 will go back to being two lanes heading northbound, with no southbound traffic flowing on I-65 through that corridor. Because of this change, the exit ramps connecting the I-80/90 Indiana Toll Road and 15th Avenue to southbound I-65 will be closed.

This configuration is expected to remain in place until summer 2019.

Detours for these closed ramps are as follows: From the Toll Road, motorists will take Exit 21 to westbound I-94 to connect to southbound I-65; From 15th Avenue, motorists will detour west on 15th  Avenue, east on Central Avenue and west on I-94 to southbound I-65.

Work to move traffic into its winter configuration on the northern section of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and Wolf Road in Franklin Park is scheduled to begin with a final traffic shift this week. Once the shift is complete, the ramps connecting Irving Park Road to northbound I-294 will also reopen.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the traffic shift. The temporary lane closures and traffic shifts are necessary to provide a work zone and safely accommodate traffic.

Weather permitting, on Monday, November 19, traffic between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road is scheduled to be reduced to a single lane in both directions beginning at 10 p.m. During this time delays are expected. By 6 a.m. on Tuesday, November 20, all lanes will be reopened and shifted back into their pre-construction configuration.

The ramps connecting Irving Park Road to northbound I-294 in Schiller Park, which have been closed since July, are scheduled to reopen the evening of Tuesday, November 20.

While major advance work is complete, some shoulders will remain closed and off-peak mainline and local lane closures will be needed to wrap up median, signage and roadway lighting work. No additional traffic shifts or long-term lane reductions will be scheduled until construction on the project resumes in 2019.

Work on the Central Tri-State began earlier this year to repair, resurface and widen I-294 to five lanes between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road in Franklin Park, as well as to reconstruct barrier walls, medians and shoulders in this area.

Construction in this area was coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, Chicago Department of Aviation, Village of Schiller Park, Village of Rosemont and Village of Franklin Park, as well as local fire and police departments.

The Central Tri-State Tollway is being reconstructed to provide congestion relief, update old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs. This work is part of the Tollway’s 15-year program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. More than 220,000 vehicles use the Central Tri-State Tollway daily.

A detailed planning and refinement process is underway to complete design and construction plans for reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), including reconfiguring the I-290/I-88 Interchange at I-294, rebuilding the Mile Long Bridge and the BNSF Railway Bridge as well as integrating Flex Lanes and SmartRoad technology. The Central Tri-State Concept includes findings and draft recommendations being considered and evaluated by the Tollway as it moves forward in the reconstruction of the Central Tri-State.

Maps, construction and detour information about the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is available on the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com via the Interactive Tollway Map and under “Projects Overview” in the Explore Projects section.

The Forest Lake Rest Area closure has been extended through December 2018 while crews construct a new roof for the rest area building. Roof construction will begin at the end of October and continue through December. For safety reasons, the southbound I-35  access to the rest area will also remain closed until work is completed.

Motorists and truckers are encouraged to plan ahead, as the two closest rest areas for southbound I-35 travelers are the General Andrews Rest Area, 77 miles to the north, or the New Market Rest Area, 58 miles to the south.

The work is part of the I-35 North Metro Split project, which includes resurfacing the existing pavement from the I-35W/I-35E split to MN-8; replacing the MN-97 bridge with a diverging diamond interchange;  replacing the northbound I-35W bridge over I-35E and the westbound MN-8 bridge over I-35. The project will provide a better ride quality, as well as improve safety and traffic flow at the MN-97 interchange. Additional information is available at www.mndot.gov/metro/projects/i35northmetrosplit.

Major construction for the project is expected to take place in 2018 and 2019. Motorists should anticipate long-term lane closures during each year of construction. Check 511 for real-time traffic updates: www.511mn.org. 

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the reconstruction of the I-55-Weber Road interchange and other capacity improvements begin on Thursday, Oct. 4. The project in Romeoville and Bolingbrook will improve travel times and cut down on crashes in a high-growth area.

Starting Thursday, weather permitting, Weber Road approaching I-55 will be reduced to one lane in each direction during off-peak hours to prepare the work zone with temporary pavement, traffic signals and lighting. The temporary measures are necessary so Weber Road can remain two lanes in each direction until the project wraps up in late 2021.

The closures will take place this fall and next spring, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., with some overnight closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. 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.

The larger improvements, scheduled to begin in late spring, consist of adding a third lane to each direction of Weber Road between 135th Street/Romeo Road and 119th Street/Rodeo Road, with modernized traffic signals and a barrier median.

The Weber Road interchange with I-55 will be rebuilt in a diverging diamond design, the second by IDOT in the Chicago area. By essentially routing traffic to the opposite side of the road and eliminating left turns across traffic, the design has helped to cut the number of crashes in half in some locations. To accommodate the new design, a second Weber Road bridge will be built over I-55.

A simulation of how the interchange will work can be viewed on IDOT’s YouTube channel or by clicking here.  

Key Trucker Links

Federal / Regional

• Federal Highway Administration
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• Mid-West Truckers Association

Illinois

• Illinois Department of Transportation
• Getting Around Illinois
• Illinois DOT Truckers Links
• Illinois DOT Rest Areas
• Illinois Tollway
• Illinois Tollway Construction Projects
• Illinois Tollway Tolling Information
• Illinois Tollway Oasis Information
• Illinois Tollway Overweight/Overdimension Permits
• Illinois Commerce Commission - Motor Carrier/Trucking
• Illinois Department of Revenue - Motor Fuel
• Illinois State Police
• Illinois Secretary of State
• Illinois Department of Transportation - Roadway Safety
• Chicago Skyway
• City of Chicago Department of Transportation
• Illinois Trucking Association

Indiana

• Indiana Department of Transportation
• Indiana DOT TrafficWise
• Indiana DOT Commercial Motor Vehicle Guidebook
• Indiana Toll Road
• Indiana Department of Revenue
• Indiana State Police
• Indiana Motor Truck Association

Michigan

• Michigan Department of Transportation
• Michigan DOT - Info for Truckers
• Michigan Center for Truck Safety
• Michigan Secretary of State
• Michigan State Police
• Michigan Department of Treasury - IFTA / Motor Carrier License

Minnesota

• Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
• Minnesota 511 Travel Information
• MnDOT Current Construction
• Minnesota Trucking Association

Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation
• Wisconsin DOT Motor Carriers and Trucking
• Wisconsin State Patrol
• Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association