Chicago traffic: IDOT asks motorists to prepare for Kennedy Expressway construction
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A three-year construction project begins next week on the Kennedy Expressway and the Illinois Department of Transportation really wants people to start preparing for detours for the Kennedy construction before it starts.
Starting Monday, March 20, crews will be working to repair the bridge decks on the inbound Kennedy this year from Montrose Avenue to the Hubbard Street Tunnel.
If you think traffic on the Kennedy is bad now, just wait.
"It's gonna impact traffic severely; we're gonna see some pretty substantial backups, not just on the Kennedy itself, but on the Edens. The Dan Ryan is gonna back up for outbound, especially in the afternoon. And we also anticipate issues in the River North area, with traffic trying to get on from Ontario," said Jon Schumacher, IDOT District 1 bureau chief of construction.
Chicago's Kennedy Expressway preconstruction
Weather permitting, they'll start closing the two left lanes in that 7-and-a-half mile stretch a couple miles at a time, so the traffic patterns will change throughout the week until it's in full construction stage.
As soon as they begin, the reversible lanes will stay open to inbound traffic 24/7, until the end of this year's repairs.
SEE MORE: IDOT to begin 3-year project on 36 bridges over Kennedy Expressway; closures expected
You might be thinking, wait a minute, the Kennedy doesn't need reconstruction, it's in pretty good shape. Well, you're partially right.
"The pavement itself is actually in pretty decent condition, it's the bridge decks that are in disrepair," Schumacher said. "We're gonna be overlaying the bridge decks, so we'll be removing the top surface that's in disrepair and doing some patching and putting in new concrete surface over the top."
Because there's no easy reroute, IDOT officials want drivers to start coming up with strategies now.
CTA and Metra are going to be your best alternatives, if that's an option. You may want to use the Eisenhower or DuSable Lake Shore Drive, but you won't be the only one. Try staggering your commute times, or if possible work from home.
During this year's work on the inbound Kennedy, drivers will be able to access the express lanes from both the Kennedy and the Edens. But, keep in mind, once you're in the express lanes, you only have two opportunities to exit -- near Armitage Avenue and at Ohio Street.
IDOT will have "smart work zone" set up, using changeable message signs to keep drivers aware of incidents and travel times.
