(WTTW News)

Drivers taking the Kennedy Expressway should expect “significant delays” as reversible express lanes are set to close Monday night through the fall for construction, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The construction is part of the second phase of a three-year, $150 million project to rehab the I-90/I-94 Kennedy Expressway from the I-94 Edens Expressway junction to Ohio Street.

This year’s work — focused on the express lanes — is starting earlier than expected due to warmer temperatures.

Along with the express lanes closing, other expected closures include:

• the left lane on both inbound Kennedy and Edens expressways, before the Kennedy/Edens junction to the reversible express lanes entrance at Montrose Avenue
• the left lane on the inbound Kennedy from Chicago Avenue to Lake Street 
• the left lane on the outbound Kennedy from the Jane Byrne Interchange to Grand Avenue
• the westbound Randolph Street ramp to the outbound Kennedy

Additionally, temporary overnight ramp and lane closures will occur for several days next week; the ramps and lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. each morning. Below is the expected work schedule, weather permitting, according to IDOT.

Monday, March 11

• Starting at 9 p.m., the inbound Kennedy and Edens will gradually be reduced to one lane from just before the Edens junction to Irving Park Road (Illinois 19).
• At the same time, the reversible express lanes will fully close. They are anticipated to reopen in late fall.
• The following intermittent ramp closures also will take place:
  • Inbound Edens: Wilson Avenue
  • Inbound Kennedy: Montrose Avenue and Irving Park Road

Tuesday, March 12

• Starting at 9 p.m., the outbound Kennedy will be reduced to two lanes between North (Illinois 64) and Fullerton avenues.
• At the same time, outbound Kennedy intermittent ramp closures between North and Fullerton avenues also will take place.

Wednesday, March 13

• Starting at 9 p.m., the inbound Kennedy will gradually be reduced to one lane from Milwaukee Avenue to Lake Street.
• At the same time, the outbound Kennedy between Madison Street and Milwaukee Avenue also will be reduced to one lane.

Thursday, March 14

• Starting at 9 p.m., the outbound Kennedy will gradually be reduced to one lane between North and Fullerton avenues.
• At the same time, intermittent outbound Kennedy ramp closures between North and Fullerton avenues will also take place.

The construction work comes ahead of an expected busy summer in Chicago, which is hosting the Democratic National Convention in August.

The express lanes are expected to stay closed until construction is set to finish in the fall.

“Due to the nature of the overall repairs and work as part of the deck rehabilitation project IDOT does not have the ability to reopen any lanes on the Kennedy during construction,” an IDOT spokesperson told WTTW News in a statement.

On top of allowing for extra time for trips, IDOT encourages motorists to take alternative routes, travel during non-peak hours or take public transportation, if possible. Transit options include the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line and Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line.

The overall construction project consists of repairing 36 bridge structures and the reversible express lane system, replacing overhead sign structures, as well as installing new signage and LED lights.

Road construction began last year with work on the inbound Kennedy lanes. The project is expected to wrap up next year with construction work focused on the outbound lanes.

Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]