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IDOT Blog – Friday, March 24, 2023
Major three-year rehabilitation of the Kennedy underway
A three-year, $150 million three-stage rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway, from the Edens Expressway junction to Ohio Street in Chicago, is underway.
Overall, the project will rehabilitate 36 bridge structures and the Reversible Lane Access Control (REVLAC) system, replace overhead sign-structures, install new signage and modernized LED lights, patch pavement and paint structures. Additionally, Hubbard’s Cave will be painted and new LED lighting installed.
The work will take place over three consecutive construction seasons, broken down into the following three stages:
Stage I - Inbound Kennedy: Two mainline inbound lanes will be closed at a time. To help minimize the impact to traffic the reversible express lanes will remain open in the inbound direction and motorists will not be able to exit the express lanes until Armitage Avenue. Lane shifts and overnight lane closures, along with various ramp closures will be needed to complete the work. Later this summer, painting and the installation of new LED lighting will begin on inbound Hubbard’s Cave, between Ohio and Lake streets. Construction is anticipated to be completed later this fall, with all lanes and ramps reopening and the express lanes resuming normal operations.
Stage II - Reversible Express Lanes: The reversible express lanes will be closed to accommodate rehabilitation of the REVLAC system and bridge structures, along with pavement patching. In addition, mainline lane closures will be needed to accommodate painting and the installation of new LED lighting in both directions of Hubbard’s Cave, between Ohio and Lake streets. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2024 and be completed in fall 2024.
Stage III – Outbound Kennedy: The reversible express lanes will remain open in the outbound direction, while two mainline outbound lanes will be closed at a time. Lane shifts and overnight lane closure, along with various ramp closures will be needed to complete the work. Additionally, new LED lighting installation and painting will be completed on outbound Hubbard’s Cave, between Ohio and Lake streets. Construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2025 and be completed in late fall 2025.
Major travel delays are anticipated throughout the project and alternative routes are strongly encouraged. Visit the Interstate 90 Kennedy Bridge Study page for more information.