Jane Byrne Interchange weekend closures underway

CHICAGO (WLS) -- IDOT is hoping drivers will heed the warning and stay away from the Jane Byrne Interchange this weekend, as several ramps are closing as part of a massive reconstruction project.

Around 400,000 drivers use the Jane Byrne Interchange each day, which is why the closures with the most impact will be done at night.

The Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) closed early Saturday morning at the Byrne Interchange, forcing drivers onto either the Kennedy Expressway or the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/I-94). Access from the inbound Kennedy to Congress will stay closed until Monday, Aug. 31. Both directions of the Kennedy and Dan Ryan between Ohio and 18th Street will be reduced to one lane in each direction until Sunday. There will also be full lane closures for 15 minutes at a time from 8 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday.

On the Harrison Street Bridge, right next to the Byrne Interchange, is where 120-foot beams are going to be installed over the Eisenhower, the Dan Ryan and the Kennedy, all at the same time. And that means shutting down all of these ramps - all at the same time.

"If there is something seemingly as insignificant as a bolt or a hammer drops, that could have catastrophic effects if there is traffic moving below," said Guy Tridgell, IDOT spokesperson.

As the ironworkers of Chicago's Local One roll the steel cassions that will form the base of the abutments on the new flyover from the Dan Ryan to the outbound Eisenhower, the scale of the work comes into focus. Crews will work on the new flyover ramp over a series of four non-consecutive weekends.

Commuters are encouraged to avoid the area and utilize public transit; the CTA has added trains to its weekend schedule due to the construction.

"I knew about it - so when you know you plan ahead. You make the adjustments. Unfortunately I didn't really make the adjustments this morning so I'm taking a side track," said Yancy Carothers, a driver.

For a list of lane closures and a live stream of the construction, visit http://www.circleinterchange.org/.