The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the three right lanes of eastbound I-55/64, as well as the ramp to southbound IL-3 and the ramp to southbound Tudor Avenue in East St. Louis will close as early as April 1, weather permitting.
 
The closures are necessary to replace the bridge decks on eastbound I-55/64. Lane closures will be in place in this area until early October.
 
The ramp from northbound Piggott Avenue to eastbound I-55/64, which was closed Feb. 22, will remain closed.
 
In Missouri, the Marion Street entrance ramp to northbound I-55 as well as the right lane of northbound I-55 approaching the Poplar Street Bridge will be closed. I-64 will also be reduced to one lane approaching the Poplar Street Bridge.
 
Extensive delays are expected during weekday evening rush hours. The public is urged to plan accordingly and use alternate routes, including the I-70 Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge. Carpooling and using public transportation, following public health guidelines, are encouraged as well.
 
Drivers must pay close attention to changing conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.
 
The closures are part of a $29.8 million project, funded by Rebuild Illinois, to rehabilitate the bridges in this area. The overall project will require various lane closures, with updated information provided in advance of each new traffic configuration.  
 
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,300 miles of highway and 8.4 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing in all modes of transportation. Year One included improvements statewide on 1,706 miles of highway, 128 bridges and 228 additional safety improvements.

7/23/21 Update

Ruble Street from Roosevelt Road to Taylor Street and the entrance ramp from Roosevelt Road to the outbound Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and to inbound Ida B. Wells Drive are scheduled to reopen, weather permitting, by 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 27.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of ongoing Jane Byrne Interchange reconstruction, Ruble Street from Roosevelt Road to Taylor Street will close for approximately three weeks, weather permitting, starting at 10 p.m. Sunday, June 20.

A detour will direct Ruble Street traffic to Jefferson Street to connect to the Taylor Street entrance ramp to access the inbound Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94)

The entrance ramp from Roosevelt Road to the outbound Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and to inbound Ida B. Wells Drive will also be closed. A detour will direct traffic to Roosevelt Road and Ashland Avenue to connect to the outbound Eisenhower via the Ashland Avenue ramp. Motorists will connect to the inbound Ida B. Wells via Roosevelt Road and State Street.

The closures are necessary for the construction of structural foundations and electrical work for two high mast light towers that will be installed at a future date.

Motorists should expect 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 limit and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

The overall reconstruction project at the Jane Byrne Interchange will improve safety and traffic flow for the more than 400,000 motorists who use it each day, while also enhancing mobility for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users in the surrounding neighborhoods.

For more information, visit www.janebyrneinterchange.org. The mobile-friendly website features a detailed project timeline with an interactive map, photo galleries, a live camera feed of the work zone, and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team via a “Contact Us” link.

The improved Jane Byrne Interchange will be complete in 2022.

 

 

Part of several lane shifts and splits to occur on mainline I-90/94 through 2022

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of the ongoing Jane Byrne Interchange reconstruction, a stage change on the inbound Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) will begin, weather permitting, Tuesday, July 27.

To prepare for the next stage of the project, starting at 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, lane closures will begin on the inbound Kennedy to remove the current split-lane configuration, just before Jackson Boulevard. At 1 a.m., full closures for no longer 15 minutes at a time will take place on the inbound Kennedy. By 5 a.m. Wednesday, the new lane pattern will be in place. In the new configuration, the right lane stays as an exit lane to Monroe Street. The exit to Ida B. Wells Drive/outbound Eisenhower Expressway (Interstate 290) and Taylor Street remains the same. The three inbound through lanes will shift slightly to the right near Jackson Boulevard, with the exits remaining the same.

The new configuration will remain in place through early October.

Motorists should expect 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.

The overall reconstruction project at the Jane Byrne Interchange will improve safety and traffic flow for the more than 400,000 motorists who use it each day, while also enhancing mobility for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users in the surrounding neighborhoods.

For more information, visit www.janebyrneinterchange.org. The mobile-friendly website features a detailed project timeline with an interactive map, photo galleries, a live camera feed of the work zone, and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team via a “Contact Us” link.

The improved Jane Byrne Interchange will be complete in 2022.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces I-94 will be reduced to one lane in each direction at the US-20/35 interchange from approximately 6 p.m. on Monday, July 19 to the early morning hours of Tuesday, July 20 to set up phase two of the bridge project in this location.

Starting in the morning on July 20, two lanes of traffic will use the outside shoulder and far right lane in both directions as construction begins in the center lanes and median. The ramp from eastbound US-20 to westbound I-94 will remain closed. Motorists can use the cloverleaf ramps as a detour by taking the ramp to eastbound I-94, then the ramp to westbound US-20, followed by the ramp to westbound I-94.

This change was originally scheduled to occur during the overnight hours on Friday, July 16 but has been postponed due to rain.

This project will be ongoing through mid-September, 2021. INDOT urges drivers to stay alert near crews and follow traffic directions carefully. Motorists are encouraged to allow extra time when driving through this area and should slow down and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

7/20/21 UPDATE:

The I-55 ramp to Joliet Road reopening and the Joliet Road ramp to I-294 closure has been rescheduled to, weather permitting, Friday, July 23.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the ramp from inbound I-55 to Joliet Road will reopen, weather permitting, Tuesday, July 20.

 The ramp was closed earlier this year to accommodate the ongoing reconstruction of the Joliet Road bridge over Flagg Creek and the Illinois Tollway’s Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) project in Indian Head Park.

 Starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, the ramp from westbound Joliet Road to northbound I-294 will close, with an anticipated reopening in early November. The closure is necessary to complete Flagg Creek bridge construction near where the I-294 ramp begins. A detour will direct traffic to outbound I-55, exit County Line Road (southbound) and reenter inbound I-55 to the northbound I-294 exit.

 The $2.9 million project, which includes a new higher bridge deck and structural steel replacement, is expected to be completed in late November.

 Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,535 miles of highway and 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Two included approximately $5.2 billion of improvements statewide on 3,020 miles of highway, 270 bridges and 428 additional safety improvements.

 For more information on IDOT projects, click here. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and Twitter.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) board today enthusiastically confirmed that the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk will go on as scheduled this Labor Day, Sept. 6.

Board members welcomed the end of pandemic restrictions that will allow the event, citing its importance to the Straits area economy and the eagerly anticipated return of a beloved Michigan tradition. The board heard an update from staff today about ongoing preparations for the walk during its regular meeting at Mackinac Island City Hall.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was among the first to celebrate the news.

"The Bridge Walk is back!" said Whitmer. "I am thrilled that the Mackinac Bridge Authority has enabled the Labor Day Bridge Walk, a cherished tradition, to move forward this year. After the year we have all had, I know how excited we are to get back to activities and attending events that we all love. Michigan is putting one foot in front of the other as we continue our economic jumpstart, and I am so glad that we can enjoy this great tradition to close out a Pure Michigan summer."

The news was welcomed locally as well by Kelly Vieau, administrator of the Greater Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce (GMCCC).

 "The GMCCC is excited for the return of the Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk! For more than 60 years it has been a holiday tradition for many people, young and old," Vieau said. "The GMCCC business owners and residents are thankful it will continue on this year and hopefully for more years to come."

Based on the success of the 2018 and 2019 events, the MBA will again start the 2021 Annual Bridge Walk from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, which eliminates the need for busing and offers additional options for participants. The bridge walk was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A video, posted on the MBA website at www.MackinacBridge.org/Walk, explains the bridge walk schedule and the choices people will have whether they start from the north or south ends of the bridge.

Walkers essentially have three main options, outlined in the video:

• Starting from either end of the bridge and walking toward the center, turning around at the midpoint and returning to the city they started from, where their transportation is located. The turnaround points will move toward the ends of the bridge beginning at 10 a.m., but walkers can walk at least a portion of the bridge if they start by 11:30 a.m. Walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m.
• Walking the entire length of the bridge starting from either end. Those who choose this option must reach the midpoint before 10 a.m. or they will be turned back. Anyone who walks the entire bridge must arrange their own transportation back to the side they started once the bridge reopens to public traffic at noon.
• Crossing the bridge, starting from either end, and then turning around and walking back to the side they started from. In this option, walkers will need to cross the midpoint on their return trip by 10 a.m. or they will be turned back and need to find their own transportation back across the bridge after it reopens at noon.

The bridge will again be closed to public traffic during the 2021 walk, from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Labor Day, Sept. 6, based on recommendations from the Michigan State Police and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Emergency vehicles will still be permitted to cross the bridge, but no public vehicles will be allowed until the walk concludes and participants are off the bridge.

The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, with the exception of 2020. The 2021 walk will be the 63rd event. Between 25,000 and 30,000 people have participated in recent years.

 The Illinois Department of Transportation announced a 21-day complete closure of eastbound I-270 between I-55 and eastbound I-70, beginning on Monday, July 12, weather permitting. This section of roadway will be completely closed to traffic for 21 days starting at 5 am. The detour route for this closure is as follows:

•     From I-270 eastbound to southbound I-255 to eastbound I-55/70 to eastbound I-70
•     The eastbound I-270 ramp to northbound I-55 will remain open.
•     The eastbound I-270 ramp to southbound I-55/70 will remain open.

This stage of work is necessary to make pavement repairs and is expected to be completed by Aug. 6.
 
This stage of work is part of a larger project that will include many additional lane closures. The times and locations of future closures will be announced as the project continues. The entire project is expected to be completed by November.
 
Drivers may experience delays when traveling through the work zone. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone.

6/1/21 REMINDER:

Overnight work tonight. By 5 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, June 2 the stage change will be in place.

In the new configuration, the three inbound through lanes approaching Jackson Boulevard will split. The left two inbound lanes will continue in their current configuration, while the third inbound lane will shift over to new pavement and will merge back into traffic near Polk Street, just south of Harrison Street.

5/27/21 UPDATE:
Due to expected rain, overnight work tonight has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 1.
By 5 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, the stage change will be in place.

Lanes split just before Jackson Boulevard, exits remain the same

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced is reminding the public that as part of the ongoing Jane Byrne Interchange reconstruction, lane changes and shifts on the inbound Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94), just before Jackson Boulevard, will begin, weather permitting, Friday, May 28.

Overnight lane closures will be required to facilitate the stage change. On both Wednesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 27, inbound Kennedy closures will start at 10 p.m., with occasional full stops for no longer than 15 minutes at a time beginning at 1 a.m. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. each morning.  

By 5 a.m. Friday, the stage change will be in place. In the new configuration, there will continue to be five inbound lanes and exits remain the same. The right lane stays as an exit lane to Monroe Street. The exit to Ida B. Wells Drive/outbound Eisenhower Expressway (Interstate 290) and Taylor Street remains the same. The three inbound through lanes approaching Jackson Boulevard will split. The left two inbound lanes will continue in their current configuration, while the third inbound lane will shift over to new pavement and will merge back into traffic near Polk Street, just south of Harrison Street.

The new configuration will allow southbound center lanes to be built between Jackson Boulevard and Polk Street as part of construction on the mainline lanes of the Kennedy and Dan Ryan and will remain in place through mid-August. 

Motorists should expect 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.

The overall reconstruction project at the Jane Byrne Interchange will improve safety and traffic flow for the more than 400,000 motorists who use it each day, while also enhancing mobility for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit users in the surrounding neighborhood.

For more information, visit www.janebyrneinterchange.org. The mobile-friendly website features a detailed project timeline with an interactive map, photo galleries, a live camera feed of the work zone, and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team via a “Contact Us” link.

The improved Jane Byrne Interchange will be complete in 2022.