Kennedy Expressway lanes to open in January
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Cars sit in traffic on the Kennedy Expressway in 2023. Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Phase two of the Kennedy Expressway construction project is nearly complete, but lanes will still be closed for holiday travel.
The latest: The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced Tuesday it is nearing the end of phase two, but it will need "testing" before the anticipated opening of the reversible express lanes on Jan. 13.
- The project was originally scheduled to end this fall.
What they're saying: "Due to the complexity of the overall Reversible Lane Access Control system, additional time is needed to ensure the safety components are fully integrated and their functions operating seamlessly," an IDOT spokesperson said in a statement.
The big picture: We are two-thirds done with this massive project that has wreaked havoc on traffic patterns in the city.
Context: Phase two began last March, closing the reversible express lanes and various ramps and bridges, which slowed traffic along the 7.5-mile stretch on the North Side.
- Construction will stop until the spring, when phase three will begin.
Zoom out: The Kennedy Expressway opened in 1960, but its last rehab project was in 1994. This three-phase project began in 2023 and should improve the expressway for the 275,000 drivers who use it daily.
- When finished, the $150 million project will rehabilitate 36 bridge structures and replace overhead signs, patch pavement and give the expressway a paint job.
What's next: Phase three is a doozy — it's a months-long project to fix the outbound lanes.
- The reversible express lanes will stay fixed in the outbound direction, while two outbound lanes will be closed at a time.
- Expect plenty of overnight lane closures, along with various ramp closures.
- IDOT will also finish work on the outbound side of Hubbard's Cave near downtown. Construction will begin in the spring and end in late 2025.
State of play: As with every phase, IDOT warns drivers there will be significant delays and to seek alternative commuting options or allow extra time for trips on the Kennedy.
The bottom line: Enjoy the Kennedy this winter, because it will be much more chaotic come spring.