Byrne Interchange ramp closures begin Tuesday night, in effect until summer 2016

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Driving through the Jane Byrne Interchange, formerly the Circle Interchange, is about to turn into a challenge.

Work to build a new flyover bridge connecting the inbound Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) to the outbound Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) will shut down several ramps to and from the Dan Ryan, and close lanes on the Dan Ryan and the Stevenson Expressway (I-55).

The ramp closures will happen in stages, starting Tuesday night. By Wednesday morning, both the Roosevelt Road and Taylor Street entrance ramps to the Dan Ryan will be closed.

"We're advising the public to be prepared for some additional congestion and delays. The loss of the lane on the Stevenson takes out a lot of capacity. There are a lot of cars on those two ramps, so we can expect delays on the Stevenson as well, not just the Ryan, said Steve Travia, Engineer of Operations for the Illinois Department of Transportation.

On Friday, March 13, these closures and lane reductions will be in effect:

-Ramp from the inbound Dan Ryan to eastbound Congress Parkway closed.

-Right lane on Dan Ryan bridge closed.

-Stevenson ramps to inbound Dan Ryan reduced to one lane in both directions.

-Ramp from inbound Dan Ryan to outbound Eisenhower remains open, but on a temporary roadway.

All of these closures will be in place through the end of summer 2016.

Drivers can access Congress Parkway from the northbound Dan Ryan using a detour on Roosevelt Road, Jefferson, Harrison and Wells streets.

Because of the narrow lanes and lack of shoulders in the work zone, IDOT will assign extra emergency traffic patrols.

"The minuteman presence is going to be really critical. We've doubled their presence and added an exclusive supervisor to keep people out of harm's way ASAP," Travia said.

As work progresses on the Jane Byrne flyover ramp, large beams will need to be installed.

These closures and lane reductions will take effect over four weekends after Labor Day:

-On first two weekends, Eisenhower closed in both directions over Kennedy Expressway (I-90).

-On last two weekends, inbound Eisenhower re-opens, outbound lanes remain closed.

-Over all four weekends, inbound Kennedy and inbound Dan Ryan reduced to one lane at the Eisenhower.

The Jane Byrne Interchange is widely considered one of the worst traffic bottle-necks in the country. Approximately 400,000 drivers use it each day.

The new bridge, which will be two lanes instead of one, is promised to relieve congestion. A longer approach to Congress is expected give drivers more time to change lane and eliminate the traffic squeeze.

For more information, visit IDOT's Byrne Circle construction website.