State opens construction zones for Labor Day motorists

[August 29, 2008]  CHICAGO -- With thousands of people traveling over the upcoming holiday weekend, the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Tollway announced they will be suspending roadwork where possible to make for a smoother drive this Labor Day weekend.

Both the Department of Transportation and the Illinois Tollway have opened up various construction zones for the Labor Day weekend. IDOT construction restrictions are from 3 p.m. on Friday to midnight Monday. Illinois Tollway restrictions are from noon on Friday through 9 a.m. on Tuesday.

"Labor Day weekend is a time when everyone wants to get out and spend time with family and friends. However, we want to urge drivers as well as passengers to buckle up and drive sober before hitting the roadways," IDOT Secretary Milton R. Sees said. "We're opening as many lanes as possible to keep drivers and workers safe and make travel as smooth as possible."

"Drivers on the Illinois Tollway are traveling through more work zones than ever before as we are in the fourth year of our $6.3 billion congestion-relief program and focus on rebuilding and widening the majority of our 286-mile system," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Brian McPartlin. "We urge drivers to allow for extra travel time and to get the latest information on construction and travel times before getting on the road."

Holiday travelers are reminded that work zone speed limits will continue to be in effect 24/7 in all construction zones. Motorists should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. The minimum fine for speeding in a work zone is $375, whether there are workers present or not. Posted signs advise motorists of a $10,000 fine and 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker.

Motorists are advised to check www.dot.state.il.us for information regarding road conditions and updates on road construction. IDOT interstate road condition information is also available at 1-800-452-IDOT (4368). For information on Illinois Tollway lane closures, drivers should call 1-800-TOLL-FYI (865-5394) or go to www.illinoistollway.com for current travel time and construction information.

Permanent work zones and closures remain in place.

In the greater Chicagoland area, all lanes on the Edens, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Stevenson, Tri-State Tollway (I-94, I-294, I-80) Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) and Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), as well as I-80 and I-57 will be open.

However, due to the nature of some projects, there will be construction zones throughout the state that will continue to operate. This work is not expected to affect traffic and will help keep projects on schedule. Officials are urging motorists to slow down and drive with caution through these work zones. Holiday travelers are reminded that work zone speed limits are still in effect.

Areas that will continue to have lane closures are as follows:

Illinois Tollway construction activity

Over the Labor Day holiday weekend, from noon Friday until 9 a.m. Tuesday, the Illinois Tollway is limiting temporary lane closures for construction projects but wants motorists to be aware of major traffic shifts and ramp closures that are in place in construction work zones throughout the system.

Tri-State Tollway (I-94, I-294, I-80)

South Tri-State Tollway (I-294, I-80)

The ramp from southbound I-294 to westbound 95th Street is closed for ramp reconstruction. A detour is posted to reach westbound 95th Street, directing traffic to exit at eastbound 95th Street and exit the ramp at 76th Avenue to 95th Street, where traffic has full access to eastbound and westbound 95th Street.

The I-294 northbound exit ramp to southbound Cicero Avenue is closed. A detour is in place directing traffic to take the northbound exit ramp to 127th Street and turn left on 127th Street to reach Cicero Avenue.

Southbound mainline traffic between 95th Street and 159th Street is shifted into an express lane configuration, with one southbound lane traveling on the northbound side of the road and two local lanes traveling on new pavement on the right shoulder and right lane. Northbound traffic is shifted to the right shoulder and two right-most lanes to accommodate the counterflow configuration. Traffic using the express lane cannot pay cash at the 163rd Street Toll Plaza and does not have access to exit at 127th Street, 159th Street or westbound I-80. Drivers exiting at these ramps must stay in the two right local lanes.

Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294)

A truck detour is in place for westbound I-190 traffic entering southbound I-294. Trucks are directed to continue west on I-190 to Mannheim Road south, re-entering I-190 eastbound to reach the southbound entrance to I-294.

The southbound entrance ramp to I-294 from eastbound Touhy Avenue is closed. The posted detour will direct traffic to go south on River Road to I-190 and west on I-190 to reach the entrance ramp to southbound I-294.

At the Touhy Avenue Toll Plaza on northbound I-294, traffic planning to exit at Touhy Avenue must use the cash side of the toll plaza, which features five toll booths and one I-PASS-only lane. One lane departs the cash plaza on a collector-distributor road and joins with two Open Road Tolling lanes on the mainline.

In the southbound lanes between Dempster Street and Touhy Avenue, three lanes of traffic are traveling on the northbound side of the median. South of Touhy Avenue, traffic is shifted to the right shoulder and two right-most lanes. Three lanes remain open.

North Tri-State Tollway (I-94)

The southbound exit to U.S. Route 41 is closed. A detour is posted, directing southbound I-94 traffic to exit at Russell Road, continuing westbound on Russell Road to Old Route 41 and south on Old Route 41 to reach U.S. Route 41.

The southbound exit ramp to eastbound Grand Avenue is closed. A detour is posted directing traffic to continue southbound on I-94, exit at Milwaukee Avenue and then head north on Milwaukee Avenue to reach Grand Avenue.

Northbound traffic is shifted into a counterflow configuration from Grand Avenue to the Wisconsin state line, with one northbound lane traveling on the southbound side of the road and two local lanes traveling on new pavement on the right lane and right shoulder. Drivers in the counterflow lane do not have access to exit until 104th Street in Wisconsin. Traffic planning to exit at Rosecrans Road (Illinois Route 173) or Russell Road should stay to the right in the two local lanes.

Southbound traffic between Grand Avenue and Half Day Road and between Lake Cook Road and Dempster Street is shifted into a counterflow configuration, with one southbound lane traveling on the northbound side of the road and two local lanes traveling on new pavement on the right lane and right shoulder. Northbound traffic is shifted to the right to accommodate the counterflow lane. Drivers in the counterflow lane do not have access to exit at Milwaukee Avenue (Illinois Route 21), Buckley Road (Illinois Route 137), Townline Road (Illinois Route 60), Half Day Road (Illinois Route 22), Willow Road or Golf Road (Illinois Route 58). Traffic planning to exit I-294 before the I-90 interchange must stay in the right local lanes.

Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)

An eastbound traffic split is in place between the exit ramp to the southbound Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and York Road, with two eastbound lanes shifted left to allow for bridge work on the connector ramp. Traffic planning to exit to southbound I-294 must be in the right mainline lane to exit. The split lanes rejoin eastbound traffic prior to the exit to northbound I-294.

In the westbound direction, counterflow traffic patterns are in place for rebuilding and widening projects, with traffic split into express and local lanes between the York Road Toll Plaza and Winfield Road. The westbound express lane begins just west of Illinois Route 83 and is traveling on the eastbound side of the road in order to keep three lanes open to traffic during construction. The next available exit from the express lane is 11 miles west at Winfield Road. Drivers planning to exit at Illinois Route 83, Highland Avenue, Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) and Naperville Road should stay in the two local lanes on the right.

The Aurora Toll Plaza is being reconstructed. Two Open Road Tolling lanes remain open during construction, with three toll booths on the cash side of the plaza.

The westbound entrance ramp from Illinois Route 31 is closed to traffic. For the detour, traffic is directed to go south on Illinois Route 31 to Indian Trail Road, west on Indian Trail Road to Orchard Road, and north on Orchard Road to reach the I-88 interchange.

A rebuilding and widening project is in place between the Aurora Toll Plaza and Orchard Road. All eastbound traffic is shifted onto the westbound side of the road while the eastbound lanes are being rebuilt.

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90)

Eastbound and westbound traffic between the South Beloit Toll Plaza and Rockton Road is shifted to the right shoulder and right-most lane.

Eastbound traffic between the South Beloit Toll Plaza and the Cherry Valley interchange (I-90, I-39) is shifted onto the westbound side of the road. Westbound traffic has shifted to the right to accommodate the traffic configuration.

The exit ramp from westbound U.S. 20 to northbound I-39 is closed for ramp reconstruction and reconfiguration work. The posted detour route keeps traffic within the U.S. 20, I-39 interchange by directing motorists to continue westbound on U.S. 20 and exit at southbound I-39, take southbound I-39 and exit at eastbound U.S. 20, and take eastbound U.S. 20 to reach northbound I-39.

All traffic on State Street in Rockford is shifted onto the westbound lanes for construction of a center bridge pier support for the I-90 bridges over State Street. One lane in each direction on State Street remains open for local traffic.

Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)

Northbound traffic between 75th Street and Ogden Avenue is shifted left to the median shoulder and two left-most lanes for work to build a fourth lane.

IDOT construction activity

Cook County

Illinois 58 over Poplar Creek and the intersection of Illinois 58 at Illinois 59 in Hoffman Estates -- One lane is open in each direction for bridge work.

Emerson Street over the North Shore Channel in Skokie and Evanston -- Road closed for bridge work. Detour is posted.

Illinois 21 from Willow Road to Sanders in Glenview -- One lane is open in each direction for reconstruction and bridge work. (The road is anticipated to be open by Sept. 1.)

Sheridan Road from 10th Street to Isabella Street in Wilmette -- Southbound lanes are closed. Traffic is moved to the northbound lanes. One lane is open in each direction for road reconstruction.

Ridge Avenue from Clark Street to Howard Street in Evanston -- One lane is open in each direction for resurfacing.

Green Bay Road at Wilmette Avenue, Central Ace and Lake Avenue in Wilmette -- There are lane restrictions for roadway reconstruction.

Cumberland Avenue from Oakton Street to Church Street in Niles -- There are lane restrictions for roadway reconstruction.

Pulaski Road over Belt Railway Co. south of 71st in Chicago -- Bridge work. Two lanes southbound and one lane northbound are open from 71st Street to 75th Street.

Western Avenue, U.S. 30 in Park Forest -- Roadway reconstruction. One lane is open in each direction to Sauk Trail.

Illinois 171 and 131st in Lemont -- Intersection widening work with lane shifts and narrow lanes.

U.S. 6 from U.S. 45 (96th Avenue, LaGrange Road) to 94th Avenue in Orland Park -- Roadway reconstruction. There are split lanes protected with barricades, with two lanes open in each direction. The barricades should be removed for the holiday.

U.S. 45 (LaGrange Road) at 159th Street (U.S. 6) in Orland Park -- Intersection widening with left turn lanes closed. Split lanes protected with barricades.

127th and Maple in Blue Island -- Intersection widening with one lane open in each direction.

I-55 from Weber Road to I-80 in Shorewood and Joliet -- Roadway reconstruction. Two narrow lanes open with closed shoulders and lane shifts from Weber Road to I-80. The 55 mph work zone speed limit will be in effect and enforced over the holiday weekend.

DuPage County

Hawthorne Lane, Powis Road and Pilsen Road, Arbor Avenue in West Chicago -- One lane is open in each direction for roadway reconstruction.

Kane County

U.S. 20 (Lake Street) over the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Co. in Elgin -- Bridge work and resurfacing. One lane is open in each direction.

Illinois 31 over Mill Creek in Batavia -- Bridge work. One lane is open in each direction.

Hankes Road over Illinois 56 in Sugar Grove -- Hankes Road is reduced to one lane for bridge work. Directional traffic signals are in use.

Lake County

Illinois 60 over the Tri-State Tollway and from Riverwoods Road Boulevard to Saunders Road and Field Drive in Lake Forest -- Bridge work, reconstruction and resurfacing. By Labor Day weekend it is anticipated to have two lanes open eastbound and two lanes westbound with left turn lanes provided at signalized intersections.

Sheridan Road from Belvidere Road to Grand Avenue in Waukegan -- Roadway reconstruction. One lane is open in each direction.

Sunset Avenue from Delany Road to Illinois 131 in Waukegan and Gurnee -- Roadway reconstruction. One lane is open in each direction.

Old Elm Road over the Skokie River in Lake Forest and Highland Park -- Bridge is closed for reconstruction. Detour is posted.

McHenry County

Illinois 176 between Millstream Road and North Union Road in Marengo -- Bridge reconstruction. By Labor Day weekend it is anticipated to have two lanes eastbound and two lanes westbound with left turn lanes provided at signalized intersections.

Will County

High Road (143rd Street to Long Run Creek) in Lockport -- Bridge is closed for reconstruction. Detour is posted.

Illinois 7 over the Des Plaines River in Lockport -- Road has been closed for bridge work, with a detour posted. The road was expected to be open by Aug. 28.

Illinois 53 over Prairie Creek in Elwood -- Southbound traffic shifts to northbound 53. One open lane in each direction for bridge work.

U.S. 45 from Laraway Road to Steger Road in Frankfort -- Bridge work. One lane in each direction across the bridge. Temporary traffic signals are in place.

U.S. 45 over Prairie Creek in Frankfort -- Bridge reconstruction. One lane is open in each direction with temporary signals.

Illinois 394 from Joe Orr Road to Steger Road in Bloom Township and Crete -- Resurfacing. Night and early morning work Aug. 28-29 and Sept. 1-2. No work between 3 p.m. Friday and midnight Monday.

Illinois 59 over DuPage River in Plainfield -- Bridge work. Narrow lanes with no shoulders.

U.S. 52 over Prairie Creek in Manhattan -- Single lane for bridge work. Temporary traffic signals in place.

Illinois Route 113 (Main Street) at Illinois Route 129 (Washington Street), Illinois Route 53 (Front Street) and the Union Pacific Railroad crossing in Braidwood -- Roadway reconstruction. One lane is open in each direction.

Carroll County

U.S. 52 east of Lanark near the Ogle County line -- Culvert replacement at three locations restricts traffic to one lane controlled by temporary traffic signals.

Illinois 78 north of Mount Carroll to the Jo Daviess County line -- The contractor is replacing five separate box culverts. Traffic is restricted to one lane and controlled by temporary traffic signals at each of the five locations as the structures are replaced, half at a time.

Illinois 84 two miles north of Savanna -- Illinois 84 is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as bridge deck beams are removed and replaced.

Henry County

U.S. 6 bridge over Mudd Creek just west of Annawan -- Traffic is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as the bridge deck is replaced, half at a time.

Illinois 78 at the Green River five miles north of Annawan -- Traffic is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as the bridge deck is replaced, half at a time.

Illinois 81 just east of Andover -- The highway is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals to allow for replacement of a culvert under the roadway.

Illinois 82 at a drainage ditch four miles north of Cambridge -- Traffic is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as the culvert is replaced, half at a time.

Ogle County

Illinois 72 near Monroe Center east of I-39 -- The roadway is restricted to one lane with temporary traffic signals as two culverts are replaced near the DeKalb County line.

Rock Island County

I-80 bridge over I-88 northeast of Silvis -- Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction as the bridge is replaced, half at a time.

Illinois 5 bridge over Illinois 84 at Silvis -- Bridge deck replacement restricts traffic to one lane in each direction.

Illinois 92 bridges on the Centennial Expressway over 7th Avenue, 18th Avenue and 31st Avenue -- All are restricted to one lane in each direction as the bridge decks are replaced, half at a time.

Winnebago County

U.S. 20 at the Kishwaukee River north of Cherry Valley -- The roadway is restricted to one lane in each direction as the two bridge decks are being replaced, half at a time.

I-39 over the Kishwaukee River south of Rockford -- Traffic will be restricted to one lane in each direction as the two structures are closed, one at a time, for rehabilitation.

Montague Road over U.S. 20 southwest of Rockford -- Temporary traffic signals are being used to maintain one lane of traffic over the bridge as it is replaced, half at a time.

U.S. 20 over Prairie Road and Simpson Road southwest of Rockford -- Traffic is restricted to one lane in each direction as the two bridges are being replaced.

Bureau County

Illinois 89 over Interstate 80 -- Bridge replacement. One lane open in each direction.

Illinois 26 just south of Ohio -- Bridge replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Illinois 40 just north of Buda -- Bridge replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Illinois 89 in Spring Valley -- Bridge replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Ford County

Illinois 9 just west of Gibson City -- Bridge replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Iroquois County

Illinois 49 just south of Cissna Park -- Bridge replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

U.S. 24 4.5 miles west of I-57 -- Pavement repairs. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Kankakee County

Illinois 17 over the Kankakee River -- Bridge repairs. One lane open in each direction.

Illinois 115 at Cabery -- Bridge repairs. One lane open, controlled by signals.

LaSalle County

Interstate 39 milepost 55 -- Deck replacement on the Abe Lincoln Bridge. One lane open each direction.

Illinois 71 at Starved Rock State Park -- Bridge replacement. Road closed. Detour posted.

Illinois 178 two and three miles south of Illinois 71 -- Bridge replacements. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Illinois 71 five miles northeast of Interstate 80 -- Bridge replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Marseilles Road over Interstate 80 (Marseilles interchange) -- Bridge replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Livingston County

Illinois 47 five miles south of Illinois 116 -- Bridge replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

McDonough County

U.S. 67 near Industry -- New bridge construction. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Illinois 41 and Illinois 136 north of Adair and in Adair -- Box culvert replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

U.S. 67 south of Macomb -- Box beam replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Mercer County

Illinois 94 north of Aledo -- Deck replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Fulton County

U.S. 136 near Duncan Mills -- Box culvert replacement. One lane open, controlled by signals.

US 67 over Big Sister Creek near Lewiston -- Replacement of bridge beams. One lane open, controlled by signals.

U.S. 24 over Otter Creek south of Duncan Mills -- Bridge reconstruction. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Illinois 180 near Williamsfield -- Box culvert replacement. Closed to through traffic from the Illinois 180 and County Highway 24 intersection to the Illinois 180 and U.S. 150 intersection.

Warren County

Illinois 135 and U.S. 67 west of Alexis at Toms Creek and Middle Henderson Creek -- New bridge construction. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Putnam County

Illinois 29 north of Marshall County line -- Bridge repair. One lane open, controlled by signals.

Champaign County

Illinois 10 at Camp Creek west of Seymour -- Bridge replacement. A marked route detour is in effect.

DeWitt County

Illinois 10 at Salt Creek four miles east of Clinton -- Bridge replacement. A marked route detour is in effect.

McLean County

Illinois 9 at Sugar Creek 4.4 miles northwest of Illinois 122 -- Bridge replacement. A marked route detour is in effect.

Interstate 74 eastbound 5.9 miles east of U.S. 51-- Bridge superstructure replacement at Kickapoo Creek. Work is being completed with staged construction. One lane of traffic is open. Temporary concrete barriers are in place.

Vermilion County

Interstate 74 under Illinois 49, north-northwest of Fithian -- Bridge replacement. A marked route detour is in effect.

Piatt County

U.S. 150 at the south branch of Salt Creek, 1 mile east of Farmer City -- Beam replacements. Temporary signals are in place

Clay County

U.S. 45 near Louisville -- Bridge construction. One-lane traffic and signals.

Effingham County

Illinois 33 on east side of Effingham -- Bridge construction. One-lane traffic and signals.

Lawrence County

U.S. 50 near Lawrenceville -- Bridge construction. One-lane traffic and signals.

Macon County

Illinois 48 in Decatur -- Bridge construction. One lane in each direction.

Wayne County

U.S. 45 near Cisne -- Bridge construction. One-lane traffic and signals at three locations.

Fayette County

U.S. 51 south of Vandalia -- Bridge construction. One-lane traffic and signals.

Bond County

Illinois Route 143 approximately two miles west of Illinois Route 127 -- Motorists will encounter staged construction and temporary traffic signals. This lane restriction is necessary to replace the bridge beams for the existing structure carrying Illinois Route 143 over Beaver Creek. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Clinton County

Old U.S. Route 50 approximately one mile west of Aviston -- Closed to traffic because of bridge replacement. Motorists should follow the marked detour on Illinois Route 160, new U.S. Route 50 and Russland Street. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Madison County

Illinois 140 south of Holiday Shores -- Motorists will encounter staged construction and temporary traffic signals to maintain two-way traffic. This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing bridge carrying Illinois 140 over Cahokia Creek, approximately 2.5 miles east of the intersection of Illinois 140 and Illinois 159. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Troy Main Street, just north of U.S. 40 -- Motorists will encounter staged construction and temporary traffic signals to maintain two-way traffic. This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing bridge with a box culvert carrying Main Street over a tributary to Wendell Creek, approximately one-half mile north of U.S. 40. The project is expected to be completed by the end of August.

I-255 eastbound and westbound just south of Illinois Route 162 -- Reduced to two lanes from mile marker 28 to mile marker 29. These lane closures are necessary to remove bridge joints. The project is expected to be completed by late fall.

St. Clair County

The ramp from Piggott Avenue onto eastbound I-55-70-64 will be closed for deck repairs. Traffic will use the marked Seventh Street detour in St. Louis, Mo. This ramp is expected to be completed and opened by Oct. 31. The project consists of replacing the existing concrete deck overlay and performing structural steel repairs to the bridge. Marked detours will be established to aid the motorists during this ramp closure.

Illinois Route 13-15 just east of Green Mount Road -- Motorists will encounter a lane shift and restriction. The project is scheduled to be completed by fall.

Franklin County

Illinois 14 -- Bridge construction. One-lane with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Illinois 34 -- One-lane temporary bridge with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Hamilton County

Illinois 142 -- Bridge construction. One-lane with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Hardin County

Illinois 1 -- One-lane bridge controlled by temporary signals

Illinois 34 -- Bridge construction. One-lane traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Jefferson County

Illinois 15 -- Bridge construction. One lane with traffic controlled by temporary signals

Illinois 37 -- Bridge construction with road closed to all traffic.

Johnson County

U.S. 45 -- Bridge construction. One lane with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Pope County

Illinois 146 -- Bridge construction. One lane with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Saline County

Illinois 34-145 -- Bridge construction. One lane with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Illinois 34 -- One-lane bridge controlled by temporary signals.

Illinois 142 -- Bridge construction. One lane with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Union County

Illinois 146 -- Bridge construction. One lane with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

White County

Illinois 14 -- Two-lane runaround detour for bridge construction.

About the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways in 12 counties in northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94, I-294, I-80). In 2005 the Illinois Tollway kicked off its congestion-relief program, "Open Roads for a Faster Future," which will reduce travel times by rebuilding and restoring nearly all of the system, adding lanes to many miles of existing roads, converting 20 mainline toll plazas to barrier-free Open Road Tolling, and extending I-355 south to I-80 in Will County. Tollway customers save time and money with I-PASS electronic toll collection -- "Get I-PASS and Get Going!"

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]