TRAFFIC ALERTS

September 7, 2023

Overnight closures on I-80 at Wheeler Avenue in Joliet

Beginning Monday, September 11, weather permitting, overnight lane closures will occur in both directions of I-80 near Wheeler Avenue in Joliet. Closures will take place from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday, with full stops for no longer than 15 minutes at a time starting at 1 a.m. each night. The closures are necessary to install steel support beams for a new Wheeler Avenue bridge over I-80 and is anticipated to be completed by 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15.

September 1, 2023

Overnight closures on Rowell Avenue in Joliet

Beginning Wednesday, September 6, weather permitting, Rowell Avenue between Linden and Haven avenues will be closed in both directions, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday and Thursday (9/7). The closure is required to remove the existing I-80 bridge structure.

During that time, a detour will direct Rowell Avenue motorists to Richards Street, Fourth Street and Mills Road. The removal work is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Friday, Sept. 8.

May 19, 2023

Overnight lane closures on I-80 at Shepley Road

Beginning Saturday, May 20, weather permitting, overnight lane closures, accompanied by 15-minute full expressway traffic stops, are scheduled to take place on I-80 near Shepley Road. The closures are necessary to safely remove the existing Shepley Road bridge over the expressway.

To complete the work, motorists should expect various overnight lane closures in both directions of I-80 near Shepley Road. The closures will take place from 8 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday and from 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday to 5 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 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. Wednesday, May 24.

May 3, 2023

Eastbound I-80 lane changes, ramp reopens

Beginning Wednesday, May 3, weather permitting, a stage change is scheduled to take place on eastbound I-80.

To prepare for the next stage of the project, starting at 9 p.m. Wednesday, a lane closure will take place on eastbound I-80, between Wheeler Avenue and Briggs Street. At least one eastbound lane will remain open to traffic.

By 5 a.m. Thursday, May 4, all lanes reopen and the new lane pattern will be in place. In the new configuration, the eastbound lane-split at Hickory Creek will be removed and eastbound I-80 traffic will be shifted onto new pavement between Gardner and Rowell avenues.

View the Wheeler Bridge detour map.

April 18, 2023

I-80 in Joliet extended weekend lane closures continue

Beginning Friday at 10 p.m., lane closures will take place on westbound I-80 between Rowell and Wheeler avenues. Additionally, the ramp from Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) to westbound I-80 will be closed.

Motorists should follow the posted detour to access the expressway. 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. The ramp and all lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 24.

View the Wheeler Bridge detour map.

April 11, 2023

Closures on I-80 in Joliet over four extended weekends

Beginning Friday, April 14, at 10 p.m., weather depending, lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80, between Wheeler Avenue and Gardner Street. Additionally, the ramp from Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) to eastbound I-80 will be closed. During that time, motorists should follow the posted detour to access the expressway. At least one eastbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times and westbound I-80 will not be impacted. Eastbound 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. The ramp and all lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 17.

Additionally, the eastbound I-80 ramp to Richards Street is closed for reconstruction, with an anticipated reopening later this spring. The posted detour directs traffic to exit Briggs Street and re-enter westbound I-80 to access the Richards Street exit.

To complete the project, additional weekend lane and ramp closures are scheduled to take place, from 10 p.m. Fridays to 5 a.m. Mondays, alternating between eastbound and westbound I-80 for approximately three additional weekends, weather permitting.

View the Wheeler Bridge detour map.

March 10, 2023

Daily lane closures on Linden Avenue beginning the week of March 13

This is preliminary work to prepare for major construction activities that start in late spring/early summer.

What to expect:

Linden Avenue will be reduced to one lane with flaggers, between westbound Interstate 80 Richards Street exit ramp to Lehman Avenue.
Mondays through Fridays, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with occasional weekend closures
Work is scheduled to begin the week of March 13th and is estimated to be completed in approximately four weeks, weather permitting.

What is being done:

The work consists of tree and fence removal that will be in conflict with future proposed construction.
During this work, parking along the south side of Linden Avenue will be restricted.

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 work is weather permitting and will not impact access to businesses and residences.

March 27, 2023

Overnight closures on Rowell Avenue in Joliet

4/5/2023 UPDATE: Additional time is needed to complete the work. Full overnight closures are scheduled to take place on Rowell Avenue, between Linden and Haven avenues, each night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning, weather permitting, through Friday, May 5.

During that time, a detour will direct Rowell Avenue motorists to Richards Street, Fourth Street and Mills Road. Access to local residences and businesses will be maintained.

As part of ongoing efforts to rebuild the Interstate 80 bridges over Rowell Avenue/Canadian National Railroad, in Joliet, full overnight closures are scheduled to take place over the next two weeks beginning, weather permitting, tonight, Monday, March 27. To accommodate the work, Rowell Avenue, between Linden and Haven avenues will be closed each night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. A detour will direct Rowell Avenue motorists to Richards Street, Fourth Street and Mills Road. Access to local residences and businesses will be maintained.

March 27, 2023

Closures on I-80 in Joliet over four extended weekends

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, March 31, lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80, between Wheeler Avenue and Gardner Street. Additionally, the ramp from Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) to eastbound I-80 will be closed. At least one eastbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times and westbound I-80 will not be impacted. Eastbound 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. The ramp and all lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, April 3.

November 28, 2022

Richards Street ramp to eastbound I-80 in Joliet to reopen Dec. 2

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of the ongoing efforts to replace the eastbound Interstate 80 bridges over Hickory Creek, Richards Street, Rowell Avenue/Canadian National Railroad and westbound over Richards Street in Joliet, Rockdale and New Lenox, the reconstructed ramp from Richards Street to eastbound I-80 will open, weather permitting, by 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2.

October 12, 2022

Westbound I-80 Reduced to One Lane Oct. 13-17

Starting at 10 p.m., Thursday, October 13, lane closures will take place on westbound I-80, between Rowell Avenue and Center Street. Additionally, the ramps from Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) to westbound I-80 will be closed. During that time, motorists should follow the posted detour to access the expressway. 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. The ramps and all lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct 17.

October 10, 2022

Westbound I-80 Reduced to One Lane Oct. 10-13

Utility work on westbound Interstate 80 will close the right lane between Houbolt Road/Hollywood Road and Larkin Avenue (Illinois 7) from 9 am to 2 pm Oct. 10 through Oct. 13. Eastbound I-80 will not be affected.

October 5, 2022

Eastbound I-80 Reduced to One Lane

Starting at 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80, between Wheeler Avenue and Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53. At least one eastbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times and westbound I-80 will not be impacted. Eastbound 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. The ramp and all lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10.

October 3, 2022

Eastbound I-80 Reduced to One Lane Oct. 6-10

September 26, 2022

Starting at 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, lane closures will take place on westbound I-80, between Rowell and Wheeler avenues. Additionally, the ramp from Richards Street to westbound I-80 will be closed. During that time, motorists should follow the posted detour to access the expressway. 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. The ramp and all lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3.