The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94), from the Edens Expressway (Interstate 94) junction to Ohio Street, a stage change is scheduled to take place beginning, weather permitting, Monday, May 15.
To accommodate bridge work at Diversey Avenue, the reversible express lanes exit at Diversey Avenue will be closed for approximately eight weeks. During that time, the express lanes will remain open in the inbound direction and motorists will not be able to exit them until Ohio Street. Drivers should continue to expect lane shifts and overnight lane closure, along with various ramp closures. Later this summer, painting and the installation of new LED lighting will begin on inbound Hubbard’s Cave, between Ohio and Lake streets.
The inbound Kennedy work is anticipated to be completed later this fall, with all lanes and ramps reopening and the express lanes resuming normal operations.
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. Public transportation and traveling during non-peak hours are recommended if possible.
The estimated $150 million project consists of rehabilitating 36 bridge structures and the Reversible Lane Access Control system, replacing overhead sign-structures, installing new signage and modernized LED lights, pavement patching and structural painting. Additionally, Hubbard’s Cave, from Grand Avenue to Wayman Street, will be painted and new LED lighting installed. The overall project is taking place over three construction seasons and is anticipated to be completed in late 2025.
The Kennedy Expressway officially opened in November 1960, with the last major rehabilitation completed in 1994. The project will improve safety, traffic flow and reliability for the more than 275,000 motorists who use the expressway each day.
For more information on this project, visit https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/Interstate-90-Kennedy-Bridge-Study. The website features project details, maps, photos and fact sheets. The public can email questions to DOT.KennedyRehab@illinois.gov.