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08/28/2008 Department of Transportation and Illinois Tollway Suspend Lane Closures Over Labor Day Weekend to Give Motorists a Break
Illinois State Police and agencies urge drivers to drive sober in the midst of the 2008 “You Drink You Drive You Lose” Campaign
CHICAGO– With thousands of people traveling over the upcoming holiday weekend, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway announced they will be suspending roadwork where possible to make for a smoother drive this Labor Day weekend.
Both IDOT and the Illinois Tollway have opened up various construction zones for the Labor Day weekend. IDOT construction restrictions are on Friday, August 29th from 3:00pm to 12:00am. Illinois Tollway restrictions are from noon on Friday, August 29th at noon through 9:00am on Tuesday, September 2.
“Labor Day weekend is a time when everyone wants to get out and spend time with family and friends. However, we want to urge drivers as well as passengers to buckle up and drive sober before hitting the roadways,” IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees said. “We’re opening as many lanes as possible to keep drivers and workers safe and make travel as smooth as possible.”
"Drivers on the Illinois Tollway are traveling through more work zones than ever before as we are in the fourth year of our $6.3 billion Congestion-Relief Program and focus on rebuilding and widening the majority of our 286-mile system," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Brian McPartlin. “We urge drivers to allow for extra travel time and to get the latest information on construction and travel times before getting on the road.”
Holiday travelers are reminded that work zone speed limits will continue to be in effect 24/7 in all construction zones. Motorists should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. The minimum fine for speeding in a work zone is $375, whether there are workers present or not. Posted signs advise motorists of a $10,000 fine and 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker.
Motorists are advised to check IDOT’s Web site www.illinoisroads.info for information regarding road conditions and updates on road construction. IDOT Interstate road condition information is also available at 1-800-452-IDOT (4368). For information on Illinois Tollway lane closures road drivers should call 1-800-TOLL-FYI or go to www.illinoistollway.com for current travel time and construction information.
Permanent Work Zones and CloRemainsures in Place
In the greater Chicagoland area, all lanes on the Edens, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Stevenson, Tri-State Tollway (I-94, I-294, I-80) Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) and Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), as well as I-80 and I-57 will be open.
However, due to the nature of some projects, there will be construction zones throughout the state that will continue to operate. This work is not expected to impact traffic and will help keep projects on schedule. IDOT and the Tollway are urging motorists to slow down and drive with caution through these work zones. Holiday travelers are reminded that work zone speed limits are still in effect.
Areas that will continue to have lane closures are as follows:
Illinois Tollway Construction Activity:
The Illinois Tollway is limiting temporary lane closures for construction projects over the Labor Day holiday weekend from noon on Friday, August 29, until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 2, but wants motorists to be aware of major traffic shifts and ramp closures that are in place in construction work zones throughout the system.
Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)
South Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-80)
The ramp from southbound I-294 to westbound 95th Street is closed for ramp reconstruction. A detour is posted to reach westbound 95th Street, directing traffic to exit at eastbound 95th Street and exit the ramp at 76th Avenue to 95th Street where traffic has full access to eastbound and westbound 95th Street.
The I-294 northbound exit ramp to southbound Cicero Avenue is closed. A detour is in place directing traffic to take the northbound exit ramp to 127th Street and turn left on 127th Street to reach Cicero Avenue.
Southbound mainline traffic between 95th Street and 159th Street is shifted into an Express Lane configuration with one southbound lane traveling on the northbound side of the road and two Local Lanes traveling on new pavement on the right shoulder and right lane. Northbound traffic is shifted to the right shoulder and two right-most lanes to accommodate the counterflow configuration. Traffic using the Express Lane can not pay cash at the 163rd Street Toll Plaza and does not have access to exit at 127th Street, 159th Street, or westbound I-80. Drivers exiting at these ramps must stay in the two right Local Lanes.
Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
A truck detour is in place for westbound I-190 traffic entering southbound I-294. Trucks are directed to continue west on I-190 to Mannheim Road south, re-entering I-190 eastbound to reach the southbound entrance to I-294.
The southbound entrance ramp to I-294 from eastbound Touhy Avenue is closed. The posted detour will direct traffic to go south on River Road to I-190, west on I-190 to reach the entrance ramp to southbound I-294.
At the Touhy Avenue Toll Plaza on northbound I-294, traffic planning to exit at Touhy Avenue must use the cash side of the toll plaza, which features five toll booths and one I-PASS Only lane. One lane departs the cash plaza on a collector-distributor road and joins with two Open Road Tolling lanes on the mainline.
In the southbound lanes between Dempster Street and Touhy Avenue, three lanes of traffic are traveling on the northbound side of the median. South of Touhy Avenue, traffic is shifted to the right shoulder and two right-most lanes. Three lanes remain open.
North Tri-State Tollway (I-94)
The southbound exit to U.S. Route 41 is closed. A detour is posted, directing southbound I-94 traffic to exit at Russell Road, continuing westbound on Russell Road to Old Route 41, and south on Old Route 41 to reach U.S. Route 41.
The southbound exit ramp to eastbound Grand Avenue is closed. A detour is posted directing traffic to continue southbound on I-94 and to exit at Milwaukee Avenue, and then head north on Milwaukee Avenue to reach Grand Avenue.
Northbound traffic is shifted into a counterflow configuration from Grand Avenue to the Wisconsin state line with one northbound lane traveling on the southbound side of the road and two local lanes traveling on new pavement on the right lane and right shoulder. Drivers in the counterflow lane do not have access to exit until 104th Street in Wisconsin. Traffic planning to exit at Rosecrans Road (IL Route 173) or Russell Road should stay to the right in the two local lanes.
Southbound traffic between Grand Avenue and Half Day Road and between Lake Cook Road and Dempster Street is shifted into a counterflow configuration with one southbound lane traveling on the northbound side of the road and two local lanes traveling on new pavement on the right lane and right shoulder. Northbound traffic is shifted to the right to accommodate the counterflow lane. Drivers in the counterflow lane do not have access to exit at Milwaukee Avenue (IL Route 21), Buckley Road (IL Route 137), Townline Road (IL Route 60), Half Day Road (IL Route 22), Willow Road or Golf Road (IL Route 58). Traffic planning to exit I-294 before I-90 interchange must stay in the right local lanes.
Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)
An eastbound traffic split is in place between the exit ramp to the southbound Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and York Road, with two eastbound lanes shifted left to allow for bridge work on the connector ramp. Traffic planning to exit to southbound I-294 must be in the right mainline lane to exit. The split lanes rejoin eastbound traffic prior to the exit to northbound I-294.
In the westbound direction, counterflow traffic patterns are in place for the Rebuild & Widen Projects with traffic split into Express and Local Lanes between the York Road Toll Plaza and Winfield Road. The westbound Express Lane begins just west of IL Route 83 and is traveling on the eastbound side of the road in order to keep three lanes open to traffic during construction. The next available exit from the Express Lane is 11 miles west at Winfield Road. Drivers planning to exit at IL Route 83, Highland Avenue, Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) and Naperville Road should stay in the two Local Lanes on the right.
The Aurora Toll Plaza is being reconstructed. Two ORT lanes remain open during construction, with three toll booths on the cash side of the plaza.
The westbound entrance ramp from IL Route 31 is closed to traffic with a detour. Traffic is directed to go south on IL Route 31 to Indian Trail Road, west on Indian Trail Road to Orchard Road, and north on Orchard Road to reach the I-88 interchange.
A Rebuild & Widen Project is in place between the Aurora Toll Plaza and Orchard Road. All eastbound traffic is shifted onto the westbound side of the road while the eastbound lanes are being rebuilt.
Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)
Eastbound and westbound traffic between the South Beloit Toll Plaza and Rockton Road is shifted to the right shoulder and right-most lane.
Eastbound traffic between the South Beloit Toll Plaza and the Cherry Valley Interchange (I-90/I-39) is shifted onto the westbound side of the road. Westbound traffic has shifted to the right to accommodate the traffic configuration.
The exit ramp from westbound U.S. 20 to northbound I-39 is closed for ramp reconstruction and reconfiguration work. The posted detour route keeps traffic within the U.S. 20/I-39 interchange by directing motorists to continue westbound on U.S. 20 and exit at southbound I-39, take southbound I-39 and exit at eastbound U.S. 20 and take eastbound U.S. 20 to reach northbound I-39.
All traffic on State Street in Rockford is shifted onto the westbound lanes for construction of a center bridge pier support for the I-90 bridges over State Street. One lane in each direction on State Street remains open for local traffic.
Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)
Northbound traffic between 75th Street and Ogden Avenue is shifted left to the median shoulder and two left-most lanes for work to build a fourth lane.
IDOT Activity in Northeastern Illinois:
Cook County:
IL 58 over Poplar Creek & the intersection of IL 58 at IL 59 in Hofman Estates. One lane is open in each direction for bridge work.
Emerson St. over the North Shore Channel in Skokie & Evanston. Road closed for bridge work. Detour is posted.
IL 21 from Willow Rd. to Sanders in Glenview. One lane is open in each direction for recontruction & bridge work. (Anticipated to be open by Sept. 1).
Sheridan Rd. from 10th St. to Isabella St. in Wilmette. SB lanes are closed. Traffic was moved to the NB lanes. One lane is open in each direction for road reconstruction.
Ridge Ave. from Clark St. to Howard St. in Evanston. One lane is open in each direction for resurfacing.
Green Bay Road at Wilmette Ave., Central Ace, & Lake Ave. in Wilmette. There are lane restrictions for roadway reconstruction.
Cumberland Avenue from Oakton Street to Church Street in Niles. There are lane restrictions for roadway reconstruction.
Pulaski Rd. over Belt Railway Co. south of 71st in Chicago. Two lanes SB open & one lane NB open from 71st St. to 75th St. for bridge work.
Western Ave: US 30 in Park Forest. One lane is open in each direction to Sauk Trail for roadway reconstruction.
IL 171 & 131st in Lemont. Intersection widening work with lane shifts and narrow lanes.
US 6 from US 45 (96th Ave./LaGrange Rd.) to 94th Ave. in Orland Park. There are split lanes protected with barricades, with two lanes open in each direction for roadway reconstruction. The barricades should be removed for the holiday.
US 45 (LaGrange Rd.) at 159th St. (US 6) in Orland Park. Intersection widening with left turn lanes closed. Split lanes protected with barricades.
127th & Maple in Blue Island. Intersection widening with one lane is open in each direction.
I-55 from Weber Rd. to I-80 in Shorewood & Joliet. Two lanes open, narrow with closed shoulders and lane shifts from Weber Rd. to I-80 for roadway reconstruction.
The 55 mph Work Zone Speed Limit will be in effect and enforced over the holiday weekend.
DuPage County
Hawthorne Ln., Powis Rd. and Pilsen Rd., Arbor Ave. in West Chicago. One lane is open in each direction for roadway reconstruction.
Kane County
U.S. 20 (Lake St.) over the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co. in Elgin. One lane is open in each direction for bridge work & resurfacing.
IL 31 over Mill Creek in Batavia. One lane is open in each direction for bridge work.
Hankes Rd. over IL 56 in Sugar Grove. Hankes Rd. is reduced to one lane for bridge work with directional traffic signals.
Lake County
IL 60 over the Tri-State Tollway & from Riverwoods Rd. Blvd. to Saunders Rd./Field Dr. in Lake Forest. Anticipated by Labor Day weekend to have two lanes open EB & two lanes WB with left turn lanes provided at signalized intersections for bridge work, reconstruction & resurfacing.
Sheridan Rd. from Belvidere Rd. to Grand Ave. in Waukegan. One lane is open in each direction for roadway reconstruction.
Sunset Ave. from Delany Rd. to IL 131 in Waukegan & Gurnee. One lane is open in each direction for roadway reconstruction.
Old Elm Rd. over the Skokie River in Lake Forest & Highland Park. Bridge is closed for reconstruction. Detour is posted.
McHenry County
IL 176 between Millstream Rd. and North Union Rd. in Marengo. Anticipated by Labor Day weekend for two lanes EB & two lanes WB with left turn lanes provided at signalized intersections for bridge reconstruction.
Will County
High Rd. (143rd St. to Long Run Creek) in Lockport. Bridge is closed for reconstruction. Detour is posted.
IL 7 over the Des Plaines River in Lockport. Road closed for bridge work w/posted detour. The road should be opened by August 28, 2008.
IL 53 over Prairie Creek in Elwood. SB traffic shifts to NB 53. One open lane in each direction for bridge work.
US 45 from Laraway Rd. to Steger Rd. in Frankfort. One lane in each direction across the bridge for bridge work. Temporary traffic signals are in place.
US 45 over Prairie Creek in Frankfort. One lane is open in each direction for bridge reconstruction with temporary signals.
IL 394 from Joe Orr Rd. to Steger Rd. in Bloom Township & Crete. Night/Early Morning Work on the evenings & mornings of 8/28 to 8/29 and 9/1 to 9/2”. No work between 3PM on 8/29 and 12:01AM on 9/1 for resurfacing.
IL 59 over DuPage River in Plainfield. Narrow lanes for bridge work with NO shoulders.
US 52 over Prairie Creek in Manhattan. Single lane for bridge work. Temporary traffic signals in place.
IL Route 113 (Main St.) at IL Route 129 (Washington St.) IL Route 53 (Front St.) and the Union Pacific Railroad crossing in Braidwood. One lane is open in each direction for roadway reconstruction.
Carroll County
US 52 east of Lanark near the Ogle County line. Culvert replacements at three locations restricts traffic to one lane controlled by temporary traffic signals.
IL 78 north of Mt Carroll to the JoDaviess County line. The contractor is replacing five separate box culverts. Traffic is restricted to one lane at each of the five locations as the structures are replaced one half at a time and controlled by temporary traffic signals.
IL 84 north of Savanna. IL 84 is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as the bridge deck beams are removed and replaced at the structure two miles north of Savanna.
HENRY COUNTY
US 6 bridge over Mudd Creek just west of Annawan. Traffic is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as the bridge deck is replaced one half at a time.
IL 78 at the Green River five miles north of Annawan. Traffic is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as the bridge deck is replaced one half at a time.
IL 81 just east of Andover. The highway is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals to allow for replacement of a culvert under the roadway.
IL 82 at a drainage ditch four miles north of Cambridge. Traffic is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as the culvert is replaced one half at a time.
Ogle County
IL 72 near Monroe Center east of I-39. The roadway is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as two culverts are replaced near the DeKalb County line.
Rock Island County
I-80 bridge over I-88 northeast of Silvis. Traffic restricted to one lane in each direction as the bridge is replaced one half at a time.
IL 5 bridge over IL 84 at Silvis. Bridge deck replacement restricts traffic to one lane in each direction.
IL 92 bridges on the Centennial Expressway over 7th Avenue, 18th Avenue and 31st Avenue are all restricted to one lane in each direction as the bridge decks are replaced one half at a time.
Winnebago County
US 20 at the Kishwaukee River north of Cherry Valley. The roadway is restricted to one lane in each direction as the two bridge decks are being replaced one half at a time.
I-39 over the Kishwaukee River south of Rockford. Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction as the two structures are closed one at a time for rehabilitation.
Montague Road over US 20 southwest of Rockford. Temporary traffic signals are being used to maintain one lane of traffic over the bridge as it is replaced one half at a time.
US 20 over Prairie Road and Simpson Road southwest of Rockford. Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction as the two bridges are being replaced.
Bureau County
Illinois 89 over Interstate 80, Bridge Replacement, One lane open each direction.
Illinois 26, just south of Ohio, Bridge Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Illinois 40, just north of Buda, Bridge Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Illinois 89 in Spring Valley, Bridge Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Ford County
Illinois 9, just west of Gibson City, Bridge Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Iroquois County
Illinois 49 just south of Cissna Park, Bridge Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Iroquois County, US 24, 4 ½ miles west of I-57, Pavement repairs, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Kankakee County
Illinois 17 over the Kankakee River, Bridge Repairs, One lane open each direction.
Illinois 115 at Cabery, Bridge repairs, One lane open, controlled by signals.
LaSalle County
Interstate 39, MP 55, Deck replacement on the Abe Lincoln Bridge, One lane open each direction.
Illinois 71, Starved Rock State Park, Bridge replacement ROAD CLOSED, Detour posted.
Illinois 178, 2 and 3 miles south of Illinois 71, Bridge replacements, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Illinois 71, 5 miles northeast of Interstate 80, Bridge Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Marseilles Road over Interstate 80 (Marseilles Interchange), Bridge Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Livingston County
Illinois 47, 5 miles south of Illinois 116, Bridge Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
McDonough County
US 67 near Industry, New Bridge Construction, one lane open. Controlled by signals.
IL 41 / IL 136 North of Adair and in Adair, Box Culvert replacement, one lane open, controlled by signals
US 67 south of Macomb box beam replacement, one lane open. Controlled by signals.
Mercer County
IL 94 North of Aledo, deck replacement, one lane open. Controlled by signals.
Fulton County
US 136 near Duncan Mills, Box Culvert replacement, one lane open, controlled by signals.
US 67 over Big Sister Creek near Lewiston, Bridge beams replacement, one lane open, controlled by signals.
US 24 over Otter Creek south of Duncan Mills, Bridge reconstruction, one lane open, controlled by signals.
IL 180 near Williamsfield, Box Culvert Replacement, closed to through traffic from the IL 180 & County Highway 24 intersection to the IL 180 & US 150 intersection.
Warren County
IL 135/US 67 west of Alexis at Toms Creek and Middle Henderson Creek, New Bridge Construction, one lane open. Controlled by signals.
Putnam County
IL 29 north of Marshal County line, Bridge repair, one lane open. Controlled by signals.
Champaign County
Illinois 10, bridge replacement at Camp Creek West of Seymour. A marked route detour is in effect.
Dewitt County
Illinois 10, bridge replacement at Salt Creek 4 miles East of Clinton. A marked route detour is in effect.
Mclean County
Illinois 9, bridge replacement at Sugar Creek 4.4 miles Northwest of Illinois 122. A marked route detour is in effect.
Interstate 74 Eastbound, bridge superstructure replacement at Kickapoo Creek 5.9 miles East of US 51. Work is being completed utilizing stage construction with one lane of traffic open. Temporary concrete barriers are in place.
Vermilion County
Interstate 74, bridge replacement under Illinois 49 North northwest of Fithian. A marked route detour is in effect.
Piatt County
US 150, beam replacements at the south branch of Salt Creek 1 mile east of Farmer City. Temporary signals are in place
Clay County
near Louisville on US 45 - bridge const w/1 lane traffic & signals.
Effingham County
east side of Effingham on IL 33 - bridge const w/1 lane traffic & signals.
Lawrence County
near Lawrenceville on US 50 - bridge const w/1 lane traffic & signals.
Macon County
In Decatur on IL 48 - bridge const with 1 lane each direction
Wayne County
near Cisne on US 45, bridge const with 1 lane traffic & signals at 3 locations.
Fayette County
South of Vandalia on US 51, bridge construction with 1 lane traffic & signals.
Bond County
Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals will be encountered along Illinois Route 143 approximately 2 miles west of Illinois Route 127. This lane restriction is necessary to replace the bridge beams for the existing structure carrying Illinois Route 143 over Beaver Creek. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Clinton County
Old U.S. Route 50 will be closed to traffic for bridge replacement approximately 1 mile west of Aviston. Motorists should follow the marked detour utilizing Illinois Route 160, New U.S. Route 50, and Russland Street. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
Madison County
Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals to maintain two-way traffic will be encountered on IL 140 south of Holiday Shores. This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing bridge carrying IL 140 over Cahokia Creek, approximately 2.5 miles east of the intersection of IL 140 and IL 159. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October, 2008.
Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals to maintain two-way traffic will be encountered on Main Street just north of U.S. 40 in Troy. This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing bridge with a box culvert carrying Main Street over a tributary to Wendell Creek, approximately 1/2 mile north of U.S. 40. The project is expected to be completed by the end of August, 2008.
Eastbound and westbound I-255 will be reduced to two lanes from mile marker 28 to mile marker 29, just south of IL Route 162. These lane closures are necessary to remove bridge joints. The project is expected to be completed by late fall of 2008.
St. Clair County
The ramp from Piggott Avenue onto eastbound I-55/70/64 will be closed for deck repairs utilizing the marked Seventh Street detour in St. Louis, Missouri. This ramp is expected to be completed and opened by October 31, 2008. The project consists of replacing the existing concrete deck overlay and performing structural steel repairs to the bridge. Marked detours will be established to aid the motorists during this ramp closure.
A lane shift and restriction will be encountered along Illinois Route 13/15 just east of Green Mount Road. The project is scheduled to be completed by the Fall of 2008.
Franklin County
Illinois 14- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Illinois 34- One lane temporary bridge with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Hamilton County
Illinois 142- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Hardin County
Illinois 1- Temporary traffic signals. One lane bridge controlled by temporary signals
Illinois 34- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Jefferson County
Illinois 15- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals
Illinois 37- Bridge construction with Road closed to all traffic.
Johnson County
US 45- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals
Pope County
IL 146- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Saline County
Illinois 34/145- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Illinois 34- Temporary traffic signals. One lane bridge controlled by temporary signals.
Illinois 142- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Union County
Illinois 146- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
White County
IL 14- Two lane runaround detour for bridge construction.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80). In 2005 the Tollway kicked off its Congestion-Relief Program, Open Roads for a Faster Future, which will reduce travel times by rebuilding/restoring nearly all of the system, adding lanes to many miles of existing roads, converting 20 mainline toll plazas to barrier-free Open Road Tolling, and extending I-355 south to I-80 in Will County. Tollway customers save time and money with I-PASS electronic toll collection - Get I-PASS & Get Going!
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