The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the inbound Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94), from the Edens Expressway (Interstate 94) junction to Ohio Street, a stage change is scheduled to take place to shift part of the work zone to recently improved pavement, beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, July 18.
Overnight lane closures will be required. Starting at 9 p.m. Tuesday, the reversible express lanes will be closed. Lane closures also will take place on the inbound mainline Kennedy between Ashland Avenue and Lake Street. At least one inbound lane will remain open at all times. A new traffic pattern will be in place by 5 a.m. Wednesday.
In the new configuration, the reversible express lanes will remain open in the inbound direction. The express lanes exit at Diversey Avenue will remain closed and motorists will not be able to exit them until Ohio Street. The two inbound mainline lanes will shift to the left on to the new pavement south of Division Street and all lanes rejoin near Ohio Street.
Two additional stage changes will be scheduled in late July and early August to move the remainder of work zone from the left lanes to the right lanes. Additional details, schedules, impacts to traffic and access to ramps will be shared in advance, closer to the individual closure dates.
Additionally, bridge cleaning, painting and LED light installation on the inbound Kennedy at Grand Avenue, Green and Hubbard streets and Kinzie to Wayman streets, will begin the week of July 17. To accommodate the work, the westbound Ontario Street ramp to the inbound Kennedy will be closed for approximately one week. During that time, motorists should follow the posted detour. Drivers also should expect various overnight shoulder and intermittent lane closures from Milwaukee Avenue to Lake Street. The work is expected to be completed later this fall. The outbound side is scheduled to take place next year.
The overall inbound Kennedy project is anticipated to be completed late fall, with all lanes and ramps reopening and the express lanes resuming normal operations. The express lanes will be worked on in 2024, with project focused on the outbound Kennedy in 2025.
Motorists should continue to expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and significant delays and to 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. Public transportation and traveling during non-peak hours are recommended if possible.
