Consideration Chicago drivers: After months of closures, heavy visitors and main congestion, your Kennedy Expressway commuter headache might begin to ease up this weekend as all 4 outbound lanes on the busy freeway are anticipated to reopen.
In keeping with the Illinois Division of Transportation, the $169 million rehabilitation on Interstate 90/94 — which has clogged up lanes from Ontario to the Edens Junction — is forward of schedule and “shifting into the ultimate stretch,” with all mainline lanes again up-and-running by Sunday.
The challenge was anticipated to final till no less than Thanksgiving, IDOT stated. The reopening will beat that deadline.
The lanes will reopen in phases, IDOT says, with lane shifts and closures in a single day Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday because the work zone is eliminated. Early Wednesday morning, the lane shifts have been inflicting some congestion and backups on the outbound facet, NBC 5 visitors reporter Kye Martin stated.
Though mainline lanes are set to reopen, the categorical lanes will stay locked within the outbound path till November, Martin stated. And, main ramp closures, together with the Ontario Avenue feeder ramp to the outbound Kennedy are deliberate “throughout the subsequent week or two” as pavement patching and security repairs proceed, IDOT stated.
The Wilson Avenue exit ramp from the expressway can be scheduled to shut starting Oct. 6 “for an estimated two weeks,” IDOT stated.
Moreover, work on the Ontario and Ohio feeder ramps will proceed via the summer season of 2026. In keeping with IDOT, these closures are a part of an “unrelated challenge.”
“Anticipate delays and permit additional time for journeys via this space,” IDOT stated. “Alternate routes are inspired. Drivers are urged to pay shut consideration to flaggers and indicators within the work zones, obey the posted pace limits and be on the alert for employees and tools.”
This is what drivers can count on on the Kennedy Expressway main as much as the total reopening, although schedules might change and are climate dependent:
Wednesday, Oct. 1
Outbound Kennedy lanes will likely be absolutely reopened from Diversey Avenue heading north. Moreover, the outbound Kennedy ramp to Belmont/Kedzie Avenue and the California Avenue entrance ramp to the expressway will reopen. The categorical lanes will stay open within the outbound path solely.
In a single day, the outbound Kennedy will likely be diminished to 1 lane between Damen and Diversey avenues, with intermittent ramp closures starting at 9 p.m. At midnight, the categorical lanes will shut.
Thursday, Oct. 2
By 5 a.m., the outbound Kennedy lanes will likely be absolutely reopened from Damen Avenue heading north. The categorical lanes will stay open within the outbound path solely.
In a single day, the outbound Kennedy will likely be diminished to 1 lane between North and Damen avenues, with intermittent ramp closures starting at 9 p.m. At midnight, the categorical lanes will shut.
Friday, Oct. 3
By 5 a.m., the outbound Kennedy lanes will likely be absolutely reopened from North Avenue heading north. The categorical lanes will stay open within the outbound path solely.
Saturday, Oct. 4
Beginning at midnight, the outbound Kennedy will likely be diminished to 1 lane between Ohio/Ontario Avenue and North Avenue, with intermittent ramp closures starting at 9 p.m. At midnight, the categorical lanes will shut.
Sunday, Oct. 5
By 10 a.m. Sunday, your entire stretch of the outbound Kennedy will likely be absolutely reopened. Moreover, the outbound Kennedy ramps to Damen Avenue and to Augusta Boulevard/Milwaukee Avenue will reopen.
NBC Chicago Digital Producer Francie Swidler contributed to this story.
