159th Street Project
The Illinois Department of Transportation (Department) let two projects to reconstruct US Route 6 / Illinois Route 7 (159th Street) from Interstate 355 to US Route 45 in Will and Cook Counties in January, 2015. 159th Street needs to be updated to respond to the increased travel demands that development and growth have placed on this aged pavement. The project is located within the Villages of Homer Glen and Orland Park, Homer Township and Orland Township, and the City of Lockport in Cook and Will Counties. Upon completion, the project will provide a number of improvements for the roadway users, as it will: increase roadway and intersection capacity, correct geometric deficiencies, replace deficient bridge structures and ultimately improve safety and mobility.
Note: IDOT projects typically have three distinct phases. Phase I (or the project Study) consists of developing the project scope, environmental studies and preliminary design of a project. Phase II (Design) consists of refining the design to develop contract plans and land acquisition. Phase III (Construction) consists of the actual construction of the project.
Proposed Work
- Complete replacement and widening of the existing pavement from Interstate 355 to west of US Route 45 (LaGrange Road).
- Intersection improvements at Cedar Road, Parker Road, North & South Bell Road, Will-Cook Road, Wolf Road, 108th Avenue, and 104th Avenue.
- Complete replacement of existing highway signage and drainage system.
- Construction of two lanes 12’ wide in each direction separated by a varying 18’ to 28’ wide raised curbed median.
- Construction of a separate 10’ wide multi-use path and sidewalk is also included with the improvement.
- Traffic signal improvements at the intersections of Cedar Road, Parker Road, North & South Bell Road, Will-Cook Road, Wolf Road, 108th Avenue and 104th Avenue.
- Intersection lighting at the intersections of Cedar Road, Parker Road, North & South Bell Road, and from 113th Court to Wolf Road.
- Bridge replacement at Spring Creek and Marley Creek with reinforced concrete box culverts.
- Construction of eight (8) dry-land bridges.
- Aesthetic landscaping.
Maintenance of Traffic
- One lane of traffic in each direction will be maintained along 159th Street over the limits of improvement.
- Vehicular traffic will be shifted onto temporary pavement at times to facilitate construction.
- Temporary traffic signals will be installed at signal improvement locations.
- Three main construction stages are anticipated to carry out the proposed work.
Project Schedule
Construction tentatively is scheduled to begin in Spring 2015 and to be completed by Spring, 2019.
Project Coordination
The project has been coordinated with the Villages of Homer Glen and Orland Park as well as Cook and Will counties. It has also been coordinated with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Homer & Orland Townships, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago.
Project Benefits
- Improved safety
- Improved capacity
- Decreased maintenance needs
- Improved pedestrian/bicyclist facilities
- Creation of an estimated 400 jobs
Updates / Documents
Updates
- Both sections have moved into Stage 2
- Estimated completion is Spring, 2019
Documents
Project Location
(click on image to enlarge)
As the 159th Street Construction project website progresses, IDOT will periodically update this website to assure that the motorists of Illinois are kept informed of project developments, public involvement opportunities, and construction related activities.
If you have questions about the project, please fill out the Feedback form or contact us at:
Illinois Department of Transportation
Office of Communications
201 West Center Court
Schaumburg, IL 60196