Kennedy Expressway Construction Enters Final Phase: Major Closures Announced by IDOT

The last stage of the rehabilitation project for the Kennedy Expressway has begun, and the Illinois Department of Transportation is cautioning Chicago motorists to prepare for further traffic disruptions.

Over 275,000 cars utilize the Kennedy Expressway daily.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The express lanes will operate only for outbound traffic until Thanksgiving.

"Traffic is always horrible," said truck driver Miguel Ramos.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) unveiled that the much-anticipated concluding stage of the Kennedy Expressway refurbishment initiative commenced in March, signifying the end part of a lengthy three-year renovation that has challenged the endurance of numerous daily travelers.

"My commute is about to double! It's going to go from one hour to two hours!" commuter Monse Ortega said.

Stage 3 of the Kennedy Bridge Reconstruction Project will target the outbound side of the I-90/94 from the Edens Expressway junction to Ohio Street, IDOT said.

Work crews will establish work zones, which indicates that overnight ramps and lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Such is life in Chicago. We’ve been dealing with this for decades. The construction on that expressway has been ongoing since way back when I was born," explained Robert Upton, the ride-share driver. "So what you’re essentially telling me is that it’s going to be challenging to carry out my work.

The outbound lanes will undergo repairs through Thanksgiving; commuters can expect significant travel disruptions with lane closures, shifts and ramp shutdowns. Outbound Kennedy commuters will lose two mainline lanes, and the reversible express lanes will remain outbound-only.

If you're going to O'Hare, IDOT advises that anyone using the express lanes won’t be able to get off until they reach Foster Avenue. This means that drivers headed for downtown should use the main lanes on the Kennedy instead.

“We expect some drivers heading to O'Hare might use the express lanes, but we’ve installed numerous signs throughout the city,” stated Jon Schumacher, who leads the construction division. “This morning when I passed through River North, there were plenty of signs indicating information; additionally, we placed notices on overpasses. If someone enters the expressway, they’ll be redirected toward Eden Street where they must leave at Foster Avenue. We'll also deploy adjustable signage along with directional indicators to guide these travelers back onto the outbound Kennedy Expressway for continued access to O'Hare.”

The $169 million renovation of the Kennedy Expressway began in 2023. This year, workers finished upgrading the reversible express lanes, with the inbound lanes being repaired earlier during that same year.

During this last stage of the project, IDOT will undertake repairs on 19 bridges, repave roads, and replace overhead signs.

For Ramos, there is a silver lining along the expressway.

"Some truck drivers do get paid per set, per mile, but some do get paid per hour, so whoever is on the clock, they got a pretty good advantage," Ramos said. "More hours, more hours at work, since we're on the road driving, more hours at work getting home late."

Some ramp closures are scheduled to take place beginning May 19.

Monday, May 19: Ogden Avenue to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen in approximately one week.

Wednesday, May 21: Outbound Kennedy to Division Street, anticipated to reopen in approximately one week.

Monday, May 26: Outbound Kennedy to Ohio Street, anticipated to reopen in approximately one week.

Wednesday, May 28: Keeler Avenue to outbound Kennedy, anticipated to reopen in approximately two weeks.