CHICAGO (WLS) -- Drivers are now able to use the express lanes on the Kennedy once again.
After months of delays, the lanes reopened to traffic at 5 a.m. Monday after being closed for several months.
An easier commute on the Kennedy, as the express lanes reopened after several months.
"It took a long time," commuter Ian O'Connor said. "I know a lot of my coworkers are going to be excited that its open."
The express lanes were supposed to open in December, but more testing was required on the reversible gates, which led to a delay.
Work on the express lanes is part of the second phase of the Kennedy construction project.
According to I-DOT, they also updated the system that controls access to the reversible lanes which allows them to open in either direction depending on the flow of the traffic.
Two hundred and seventy-five thousand commuters use the Kennedy on a daily a basis.
Drivers say any improvements helps make their ride a little smoother.
"I live in Avondale and I normally take my kids to schools and then take Lake Shore Drive to work, but after work I take the Kennedy straight home," commuter Amanda Dagbo said. "I'm really excited honestly because it takes me an hour to get home right now."
"It cuts down the commute time especially going straight from south to the Loop without all the in between," commuter Lanetta Wims said.
The construction project kicked off in 2023 and is estimated to cost $150 million and includes pavement patching, installing new signage, lighting upgrades, and bridge structure replacements.
The third phase of the project begins in the spring of this year and will focus on the outbound Kennedy. That part of the project will wrap up by fall of this year.