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I-80 Progress Update:

October 18, 2024

We’re excited to share that the project has hit another milestone! We completed paving three new lanes of a 2.8-mile section between Ridge Road and River Road.

Here’s a look at the hard work that went into it:

2,120 truckloads of concrete
136,200 pounds of steel reinforcement placed by hand
13,500 tons of asphalt placed as a stabilized subbase under the pavement

We’re making steady progress as part of the larger plan to reconstruct 16 miles of I-80, and there’s more to come!

Closures on I-80 in Joliet over four consecutive weekends

Major travel delays are anticipated – alternative routes are strongly encouraged

September 13, 2024

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that bridge deck repairs and pavement patching on Interstate 80, between Houbolt Road and Richards Street, in Joliet, will require ramp and lane closures over four consecutive weekends beginning, weather permitting, Friday, Sept. 13.

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, lane closures will take place on westbound I-80, between Raynor Avenue and Houbolt Road. The ramps from northbound Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) to westbound I-80 and from westbound I-80 to Chicago Street also will be closed. During that time, motorists should follow the posted detour to access the interstate. At least one westbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times and eastbound I-80 will not be impacted. Westbound I-80 motorists traveling through the region should consider alternative routes to avoid the area. Local streets are unable to accommodate heavy or wide trucks, so other interstate routes are encouraged. All ramps and lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16.

To complete the work, additional weekend lane and ramp closures are scheduled to take place, from 10 p.m. Fridays to 5 a.m. Mondays, on westbound and eastbound I-80 for approximately three additional weekends, weather permitting. Details and impacts to traffic will be shared in advance, closer to the closure dates.

The work consists of bridge deck repairs and pavement patching to keep the structures in acceptable condition while the larger I-80 corridor improvement are under construction. By scheduling the work over multiple weekends, the unplanned, emergency closures that have occurred with increasing frequency in recent years can be minimized. Also, by planning the repairs, they can be performed more safely and allow motorists the opportunity to plan ahead and use alternative routes to avoid the area when feasible.

As the I-80 reconstruction continues, the public should continue to expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and significant delays and to allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

The overall I-80 project will redesign and rebuild 16 miles from Ridge Road, in Minooka, to U.S. 30, in Joliet and New Lenox, while adding or extending auxiliary lanes to improve safety and reduce congestion. Interchanges will be rebuilt or improved at Interstate 55, Illinois 7, Center Street, Chicago Street, Richards Street and Briggs Street, with a new flyover ramp linking southbound I-55 to eastbound I-80 to improve traffic flow and safety. More than 30 bridges will be rehabilitated or replaced, including those over the Des Plaines River. The projected $1.3 billion project is anticipated to be substantially complete by the end of 2028, with landscaping, bridge demolition and miscellaneous work extending into 2029.

Construction: Overnight lane closures on I-80 at Wheeler Avenue begin July 18

July 18, 2024

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that as part of ongoing efforts to replace the bridge carrying Wheeler Avenue over Interstate 80, in Joliet, overnight lane closures, accompanied by 15-minute full expressway traffic stops, are scheduled to take place beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, July 18. The closures are necessary to safely remove the existing Wheeler Avenue bridge over the expressway.

To complete the work, motorists should expect various overnight lane closures in both directions of I-80 near Wheeler Avenue. The closures are scheduled to take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, from 10 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday and from 9 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday, with full stops for no longer than 15 minutes at a time starting at 1 a.m. each night. The work is anticipated to be completed by 5 a.m. Friday, July 28.

The $5.7 million project will replace the existing bridge with a new structure that will accommodate the widening of I-80. New storm sewers and ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps also will be installed. The project is anticipated to be completed in December.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

The overall I-80 improvement project will redesign and rebuild 16 miles from Ridge Road, in Minooka, to U.S. 30, in Joliet and New Lenox, while adding or extending auxiliary lanes to improve safety and reduce congestion. Interchanges will be rebuilt or improved at Interstate 55, Illinois 7, Center Street, Chicago Street, Richards Street and Briggs Street, with a new flyover ramp linking southbound I-55 to eastbound I-80 to improve traffic flow and safety. More than 30 bridges will be rehabilitated or replaced, including those over the Des Plaines River.

Overnight lane closures on I-80 at River Road begin May 8

May 8, 2024

Ongoing work to replace the bridge carrying River Road over I-80, in Shorewood, will require closures on I-80 over four nights beginning, weather permitting, Wednesday, May 8. The closures are necessary to install steel support beams for the new bridge over the interstate.

Wednesday, May 8 and Thursday, May 9

Eastbound I-80

8 p.m. – eastbound I-80 reduced to one lane approaching River Road
1 a.m.- 5 a.m. – full traffic stops for up to 15 minutes at a time
5 a.m. – all lanes reopened

Monday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 14

Eastbound I-80

8 p.m. – eastbound I-80 reduced to one lane approaching River Road
1 a.m. - 5 a.m. – full traffic stops for up to 15 minutes at a time
5 a.m. – all lanes reopened

Westbound I-80

9 p.m. – westbound I-80 reduced to one lane approaching River Road
1 a.m. - 5 a.m. – full traffic stops for up to 15 minutes at a time
6 a.m. – all lanes reopened

Rebuilding I-80: Mainline construction begins April 1

March 29, 2024

The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public that as part of ongoing efforts to rebuild Interstate 80, work will begin on the mainline lanes, weather permitting, Monday, April 1, signaling an important milestone for the project.. View the article.

Weekend lane closures on eastbound I-80

March 25, 2024

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that emergency repairs and pavement patching on eastbound Interstate 80 in Joliet will require lane closures beginning tonight, March 25. Major travel delays are anticipated, and alternative routes are encouraged.

Starting at 10 p.m. tomorrow, lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80 between Wheeler Avenue and Briggs Street. Additionally, the entrance ramp from Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) to eastbound I-80 will be closed. During that time, a detour will direct motorists to U.S. 52 and Richards Street to access the expressway. At least one eastbound lane will remain open at all times and westbound I-80 will not be impacted. The ramp and all lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, March 28.

2023

Pritzker in Joliet promotes I-80 rebuild progress, Houbolt Road interchange

November 2, 2023

State and local leaders in Will County celebrated the re-opening of the “supercool” Houbolt Road interchange and other milestones achieved in the ongoing overhaul of Interstate 80, considered the second longest freeway in the nation. View the article.

A Key Milestone Reached On $1.3 Billion I-80 Corridor Project

November 2, 2023

Local officials and community leaders joined Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) on Wednesday to announce several important milestones on the $1.3 billion overhaul of Interstate 80, setting up one of the cornerstone projects in the governor’s Rebuild Illinois capital program to be almost fully under construction in the spring. View the article.

Gov. Pritzker Announces Key Milestones Reached on $1.3B I-80 Corridor Project

November 1, 2023

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) were joined today by local officials and community leaders to celebrate several important milestones on the $1.3 billion overhaul of Interstate 80, setting up one of the cornerstone projects in the governor's Rebuild Illinois capital program to be almost fully under construction in the spring. View the article.

2022

$1.2 Billion, 6-Year Corridor Improvement Project Announced for I-80 Will County

October 17, 2022

Come 2028, the 50-year-old Interstate 80 corridor in Joliet and Will County will be transformed into a modern, safe roadway that motorists can depend on following completion of a massive $1.2 billion reconstruction project. View the article.

Website launched to keep public informed on I-80

September 27, 2022

The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched a new website, I80will.org, to provide the public with the latest information on the $1.2 billion reconstruction of Interstate 80 through Will County, one of the cornerstone projects of Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. View the article.

I-80 in Joliet extended weekend ramp, lane closures continue

September 26, 2022

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that bridge deck patching and repairs to Interstate 80 between Raynor Avenue and Gardner Street, in Joliet, will require ramp and lane closures over multiple extended weekends. This is the fourth of eight planned weekend closures along the corridor. View the article.

Gov. Pritzker Advances Vision to Rebuild I-80

January 20, 2022

Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) were joined by local officials today to announce the next phase of construction on the new Houbolt Road bridge and interchange, a critical piece of the governor's $1.2 billion commitment to improve and modernize I-80. View the article.

2021

Illinois Lays Out Timeline for I-80 Project

October 19, 2021

After preliminary work that began in 2021, reconstruction of a 16-mile stretch from Ridge Road in Minooka east to U.S. 30 near Joliet will begin this year with work from Ridge Road east to the DuPage River. View the article.

IDOT Engineer Discusses I-80 Project Plan

October 21, 2021

Illinois Department of Transportation Engineer John Baczek discusses the timeline and cost of the six-year plan to rebuild I-80 along a 16 mile stretch from Ridge Road in Minooka to U.S. 30 in New Lenox. View the article.