Jane Byrne Interchange ramp closures start Wednesday PM

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The inbound Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) ramp to inbound Congress Parkway will be closed late Wednesday night through the end of the month due to work on the Jane Byrne Interchange.

IDOT crews are installing large steel beams to what will become the new flyover ramp from the inbound Dan Ryan Expressway (westbound I-90/94) to the outbound Eisenhower Expressway (westbound I-290). IDOT is closing the Congress ramp because it has lower traffic.

"The ramp will close for the department to provide the contractor with some storage area for materials and equipment. There's not a lot of space out there," IDOT Project Implementation Engineer Tony Quigley said.

The ramp, which carries about 6,500 vehicles a day, will close from 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19 to 5 a.m. on Monday, August 31. The posted detour uses Roosevelt, Jefferson and Wells, but there are many other options from the inbound Kennedy into downtown.

The beam installation will take place over four weekends, the first one starts Friday at 10 p.m., which is when drivers will see a lot more ramp closures at the Byrne Circle.

Commuters are encouraged to find an alternative route or take public transportation.