Interstate 290

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced today that drivers should get ready for four major projects in the Chicago area beginning in April.   IDOT is resurfacing 27 miles of the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and rehabbing the Congress Parkway Bridge.  CDOT is reconstructing the north-south leg of Wacker Drive and improving Congress Parkway.   Increased traffic volumes, stress and deterioration of the roadways have caused damage, and these projects are needed to restore a smooth, safe ride for the motoring public, as well as provide improvements for pedestrians.

“IDOT and CDOT have worked very closely to coordinate these major projects,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig.  “We realize they will have an impact on tens of thousands of motorists and pedestrians, and we pledge to do everything we can to keep that impact as small as possible.  We ask the public to work with us; use mass transit when possible, and when driving through the work zones, please be alert for workers.  Once the construction dust settles in 2012, we know the motoring public will be pleased with result.”

CDOT Acting Commissioner Thomas H. Powers noted that the four projects, done separately, would take over a decade to complete.  “By coordinating these projects, the state and the city will minimize the duration of the construction work,” he said.

Alternate Route Information

• Congress Bridge Flyer (PDF)
• I290 Flyer (PDF)

Here is a breakdown of the four projects:

Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) resurfacing

• The general work will consist of resurfacing 27 miles along I-290 from Thorndale to the Circle Interchange (90-94) and from Interstate 355 from Army Trail Road to I-290, located within both Cook and DuPage counties.
• Repairs to 37 bridge structures and this work will include bridge deck and approach pavement patching, barrier wall repair.

This project will be completed in one construction season.  Weather permitting construction should be completed in the Fall of 2010.  Major traffic impacts to the traveling public are anticipated.

Traffic Impacts

Interstate 290 generally consists of three to four-lanes in each direction with variable width shoulders. Construction will take place in both directions simultaneously inbound and outbound and will utilize permanent lane closures and temporary nighttime lane closures.  Closures are set for the beginning April.

For the most up-to-date project information, log onto www.dot.il.gov on Projects, and in the District 1 Section, click on the top link: Interstate 290 Resurfacing Project.

Congress Street Bridge

Built in 1956, the Congress Street Bridge over the Chicago River will be closed for a major rehab. All traffic, both eastbound and westbound, will initially be shifted to the westbound lanes while crews renovate the eastbound side of the structurally deficient bridge. Traffic will be switched to the eastbound side in 2011 for the duration of the project.

Traffic Impacts

During the $33 million project, traffic on the bridge will be reduced to two lanes inbound and one lane outbound from Canal to Wells Streets for two years. Suggested alternate routes for the 139,000 vehicles that use the bridge on an average weekday include Roosevelt Road, Adams Street and Washington Street.  Closures are set to start the night of March 31 weather permitting.

The following ramps will be closed during the Congress Street Bridge Construction are as follows:

• Southbound Wacker Drive to Westbound Congress Parkway
• Northbound Franklin Avenue to Westbound Congress Parkway
• Eastbound Kennedy Expressway to Eastbound Congress Parkway
• Northbound Dan Ryan to Eastbound Congress Parkway

Wacker Drive

CDOT will rebuild the upper and lower levels of north-south Wacker Drive from Randolph Street to Congress Parkway.  The project also includes a reconfiguration of the Congress Parkway interchange to improve merge lanes, and to create three acres of new green space.

Traffic Impacts

Starting this month, crews will be performing utility work on the lower level only.  Lower Wacker will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and is intended for local traffic only.  The ramps from inbound Congress Parkway to Wacker Drive, and from Wacker Drive onto outbound Congress Parkway, are tentatively set to be closed in April.

The reconstruction of upper and lower Wacker Drive will occur in 2011 and 2012.
For more information, visit www.wackerdrive.org.

Congress Parkway Streetscape

CDOT plans to improve Congress Parkway from Wells Street to Michigan Avenue.  Funded in part by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the project is designed to improve one of the main corridors into downtown Chicago.  The project includes roadway improvements, new sidewalks, medians and sidewalk planters, lighting, traffic signal upgrades, and other elements.  Work is tentatively set to begin in summer 2010.

Traffic Impacts

During construction, Congress Parkway will be reduced to three lanes inbound and two lane outbound. For more information, visit www.cityofchicago.org/transportation.

Both IDOT and CDOT encourage motorists to use alternate routes and travel during off-peak hours.  Public transportation is strongly encouraged.