Farmers Weekly Review

UPDATE:

This is the last of four planned weekend closures on Interstate 80 between Houbolt Road and Richards Street. Major travel delays are anticipated, alternative routes are strongly encouraged.

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, weather permitting, lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80, between Houbolt Road and Richards Street. At least one eastbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times, ramps and westbound I-80 will not be impacted.

Eastbound I-80 motorists traveling through the region should consider alternative routes to avoid the area. Local streets are unable to accommodate heavy or wide trucks, so other interstate routes are encouraged. All lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7.

The work consists of bridge deck repairs and pavement patching to keep the structures in acceptable condition while the larger I-80 corridor improvements are under construction. By scheduling the work over multiple weekends, the unplanned, emergency closures that have occurred with increasing frequency in recent years can be minimized. Also, by planning the repairs, they can be performed more safely and allow motorists the opportunity to plan ahead and use alternative routes to avoid the area when feasible.

As the I-80 reconstruction continues, the public should continue to expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and significant delays and to allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

For more information, visit I80will.org. The mobile-friendly website features project information, photos, and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team via a “Contact” link. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and X.

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, weather permitting, ramp and lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80, between Houbolt Road and Richards Street. Ramps to and from eastbound I-80 and Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) also will be closed. Additionally, the eastbound I-80 ramp to southbound Larkin Avenue (Illinois 7) will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday and the southbound Larkin Avenue ramp to eastbound I-80 will be closed from 8 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday.

 

During those times, motorists should follow the posted detours to access the interstate. At least one eastbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times and westbound I-80 will not be impacted. Eastbound I-80 motorists traveling through the region should consider alternative routes to avoid the area. Local streets are unable to accommodate heavy or wide trucks, so other interstate routes are encouraged. All lanes and ramps are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30.

 

To complete the work, one additional weekend ramp and lane closure will be required on eastbound I-80, as weather permits and announced in advance.

Major transportation projects that will have a significant impact on commuters begin this weekend and will continue for days, weeks or months.

Interstate 80: The Illinois Department of Transportation announced bridge deck repairs and pavement patching on Interstate 80, between Houbolt Road and Richards Street, in Joliet, will require ramp and lane closures over four consecutive weekends beginning, weather permitting, Friday, Sept. 13.

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, lane closures will take place on westbound I-80, between Raynor Avenue and Houbolt Road. The ramps from northbound Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) to westbound I-80 and from westbound I-80 to Chicago Street also will be closed.

During that time, motorists should follow the posted detour to access the interstate. At least one westbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times and eastbound I-80 will not be impacted.

Westbound I-80 motorists traveling through the region should consider alternative routes to avoid the area. Local streets are unable to accommodate heavy or wide trucks, so other interstate routes are encouraged. All ramps and lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16.

To complete the work, additional weekend lane and ramp closures are scheduled to take place, from 10 p.m. Fridays to 5 a.m. Mondays, on westbound and eastbound I-80 for approximately three additional weekends, weather permitting. Details and impacts to traffic will be shared in advance, closer to the closure dates.

The work consists of bridge deck repairs and pavement patching to keep the structures in acceptable condition while the larger I-80 corridor improvement are under construction. By scheduling the work over multiple weekends, the unplanned, emergency closures that have occurred with increasing frequency in recent years can be minimized.

Also, by planning the repairs, they can be performed more safely and allow motorists the opportunity to plan and use alternative routes to avoid the area when feasible.

As the I-80 reconstruction continues, the public should continue to expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and significant delays and to allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

For more information, visit I80will.org. The mobile-friendly website features project information, photos, and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team via a “Contact” link. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and X.

Jackson Street Bridge: IDOT announced the Jackson Street bridge over the Des Plaines River, in Joliet, will close for approximately three weeks beginning, weather permitting, Monday, Sept. 16. The closure is necessary for electrical work and miscellaneous mechanical repairs on the bridge.

A detour will direct traffic to Scott Street (Illinois 53), Ruby Street (Illinois 53) and Broadway Street (Illinois 53). Eastbound motorists will also use Chicago (Illinois 53) and Ottawa streets to reconnect to Jackson Street.

The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

The City of Joliet Public Utilities Department will begin construction on the Plainfield Road (Black Road – Theodore Street) Water Main project on Monday, September 16. Lane closures will be present throughout the project.

Renwick/53: The Illinois Department of Transportation announced intersection improvements at Illinois 53 (Independence Boulevard) and Illinois 7 (Renwick Road), in Lockport, Crest Hill and Romeoville will begin, weather permitting, Monday, Sept. 16.

The $2.7 million project, which involves modifying the existing intersection to allow for an additional dedicated left turn lane on southbound Illinois 53, installing new modernized traffic signals, new guardrail and improved drainage, is anticipated to be completed late 2025.

Throughout construction at least one lane in both directions will be maintained on Illinois 53 and on Illinois 7.

The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Alternative routes are encouraged. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

These projects are in addition to lane closures on the Cass Street Bridge in Joliet, and overnight and weekend lane closures on the I-55 Bridge over the Des Plaines River in Channahon, will begin, weather permitting, Tuesday, Sept. 3.

The closures are scheduled to take place, weather permitting, from approximately 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays, from 9 p.m. Fridays to 9 a.m. Saturdays and from 9 p.m. Saturdays to 11 a.m. Sundays. At least one lane in each direction will remain open.

Digital message boards will be installed in advance of the work zone to display real time traffic information. To bypass excessive backups and congestion Illinois 47 and Interstate 80 are recommended alternative routes.

The $4 million project, which consists of replacing expansion joints and installing a new deck overlay, is anticipated to be completed in December.