<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2DLRxW_0vkGasyA00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2DLRxW_0vkGasyA00" width="640" height="400" ></figure>Major travel delays are anticipated – alternative routes are strongly encouragedThe 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. This is the third of four planned weekend closures along the corridor.Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, weather permitting, ramp and lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80, between Houbolt Road and Richards Street. Ramps to and from eastbound I-80 and Chicago Street (U.S.52/Illinois 53) also will be closed. Additionally, the eastbound I-80 ramp to southbound Larkin Avenue (Illinois 7) will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to noon Saturday and the southbound Larkin Avenue ramp to eastbound I-80 will be closed from 8 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday.During those times, motorists should follow the posted detours to access the interstate. 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. All lanes and ramps are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30.To complete the work, one additional weekend ramp and lane closure will be required on eastbound I-80, as weather permits and announced in advance.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.</div></body>

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Weekend closures on I-80 in Joliet continues

Major travel delays are anticipated – alternative routes are strongly encouraged. 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. This is the third of four planned weekend closures along the corridor.