Lane closures for I-55 project in Joliet start Monday

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that overnight lane closures will start Monday for an Interstate 55 bridge project in Joliet that is expected to continue through the year.

IDOT also issued a reminder of weekend lane closures this weekend for an Interstate 80 project.

The new I-55 bridge is being built for the improved interchange at Route 59. Overnight lane closures will start at 9 p.m. Monday, weather permitting, IDOT said.

IDOT said three lanes in each direction will be maintained during daytime hours throughout construction, although lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The schedule for overnight lane closures during construction is 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 9 p.m. Friday to 11 a.m. Saturday, and 8 p.m. Saturday to 11 a.m. Sunday.

The new bridge carrying Route 59 north over I-55 is being built for a future diverging diamond interchange at that location. The interchange will provide full access and is part of a large project that will add auxiliary lanes on I-55 between Route 59 and the Jefferson Street interchange, improve the intersection at Route 59 and Seil Road, rebuild the East Frontage Road and provide bike and pedestrian accommodations on Route 59 crossing the interstate.

The I-80 lane closures previously announced also include closing the entrance ramp from Chicago Street to eastbound I-80 during the weekend.

The closures, which were scheduled to start at 10 p.m. Friday, will run to 5 a.m. Monday. Motorists traveling east on I-80 from Larkin Avenue to Briggs Street will be reduced to one lane. Eastbound traffic normally using Chicago Street to enter I-80 will be directed by detour to the Richards Street interchange.

The same I-80 closures are scheduled for the weekend that starts April 23.