CHICAGO (WLS) — The final phase of the Kennedy Expressway rehab project is underway, and the Illinois Department of Transportation is warning Chicago drivers to brace for even more delays.
More than 275,000 vehicles use the Kennedy Expressway every day.
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The express lanes will only be going outbound until Thanksgiving.
“Traffic is always horrible,” said truck driver Miguel Ramos.
IDOT announced the long-awaited final phase of the Kennedy Expressway rehabilitation project kicked in in March, marking the last stretch of a three-year overhaul that has tested the patience of thousands of commuters.
“My commute is about to double! It’s going to go from one hour to two hours!” commuter Monse Ortega said.
Stage 3 of the Kennedy Bridge Reconstruction Project will target the outbound side of the I-90/94 from the Edens Expressway junction to Ohio Street, IDOT said.
Crews will set up work zones. That means overnight ramp and lane closures from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“That’s Chicago. We’ve been doing that for years. They’ve been working on that expressway since shoot, when I was born,” rideshare driver Robert Upton said. “So, you’re basically saying it’s going to be hard to do my job.”
The outbound lanes will undergo repairs through Thanksgiving; commuters can expect significant travel disruptions with lane closures, shifts and ramp shutdowns. Outbound Kennedy commuters will lose two mainline lanes, and the reversible express lanes will remain outbound-only.
So, if you are heading to O’Hare, IDOT warns that those taking the express lanes will not be able to exit until Foster Avenue, meaning downtown drivers should stick to the mainline on the Kennedy.
“We do anticipate some motorists that want to get to O’Hare getting in the express lanes but what we’ve done is put up quite a few signs downtown,” said Jon Schumacher, bureau chief of construction. “I drove through the River North area this morning there were a ton of signs down there we’ve put our messages on overhead signs and then should a motorist get into the express lanes they will be forced onto the Eden they will exit at Foster and we will have changeable signs there with way finding signs to get them back to the outbound Kennedy so they can still make it O’Hare.”
The $169 million Kennedy Expressway rehabilitation started in 2023. Earlier this year crews wrapped up improvements to the reversible express lanes, while inbound lane repairs were completed in 2023.
IDOT will be repairing 19 bridges, re-patching pavement, and replacing overhead signs during this final phase of the project.
For Ramos, there is a silver lining along the expressway.
“Some truck drivers do get paid per set, per mile, but some do get paid per hour, so whoever is on the clock, they got a pretty good advantage,” Ramos said. “More hours, more hours at work, since we’re on the road driving, more hours at work getting home late.”
Some ramp closures are scheduled to take place beginning May 19.
Monday, May 19: Ogden Avenue to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen in approximately one week.
Wednesday, May 21: Outbound Kennedy to Division Street, anticipated to reopen in approximately one week.
Monday, May 26: Outbound Kennedy to Ohio Street, anticipated to reopen in approximately one week.
Wednesday, May 28: Keeler Avenue to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen in approximately two weeks.
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