IDOT Gives Motorists a Break During July 4th Weekend

SPRINGFIELD-Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Secretary Timothy W. Martin is urging the public to make safety their first priority when traveling this Fourth of July weekend.  IDOT will open up lanes wherever possible as thousands of families hit the road for the Fourth of July weekend holiday. 

"July 4th is a summer weekend everyone looks forward to.  Folks will be hitting our roads for a long weekend, and we need to work together to make sure fireworks stay in the air, not on the ground," Secretary Martin said.  "We're opening as many lanes as possible, for the safety of drivers and workers, and also to make trips as smooth as possible."

In the greater Chicagoland area, all lanes on the Edens, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Stevenson, Dan Ryan, and Bishop Ford expressways, as well as I-80 and I-57 will be open wherever possible.

IDOT is working to remind everyone that getting to and from your destination safely is priority number one.  The department wants to help the public map out a strategy to avoid travel trouble and ensure a trip made is as safe and worry-free as possible.
Maintenance such as tune-ups, oil-changes, and tire rotations are just a few basics that keep vehicles in good working condition.  Getting a vehicle ready for travel is simple and easy.

As families prepare to take their holiday weekend travel, IDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) want to remind motorists of the following tips for safety reasons:

• Always "Buckle Up"-this is the single most important thing to keep anyone in the vehicle safe while on the road.
• Be sure to check tires, wiper blades, fluid levels, lights, and air conditioning
• Take along an emergency roadside kit (cell phone, flashlight, and jumper cables) and a child safety seat
• Stay focused and alert on the road-avoid fatigue
• Schedule breaks while traveling-stop at a rest area to stretch or get a beverage
• Do not exceed the posted speed limit

Motorists are advised to check IDOT's website www.illinoisroads.info for information regarding road conditions and updates on road construction.  Interstate road condition information is also available at 1-800-452-IDOT (4368).

Various construction zones will be open for Fourth of July weekend from 3:00 pm, Friday, June 30, through Midnight, Tuesday, July 4.  However, due to the nature of some projects, there will be construction zones throughout the state that will continue to operate.  IDOT is urging motorists to slow down and drive with caution through these work zones.  Holiday travelers are reminded that work zone speed limits are still in effect.

Areas that will continue to have lane closures are as follows:

Bureau County:
Interstate 80, MP 56 to 71, Median work, One lane open.

New Bedford Road, ½ mile west of Illinois 40, Bridge replacement, ROAD CLOSED.

Champaign County:
Interstate 74, Mile Marker 182.5, bridge rehabilitation.  Two lanes of traffic maintained through the work area, traffic is required to shift lanes to one side to avoid the work area. 

Cook County:
Bishop Ford: Reconstruction in South Holland-2 lanes each direction from 159th to I-80. 
Ramp from SB Ford to EB Kingery reduced to 1 lane.

IL-394: Reconstruction in Thornton/Lansing: 1 lane in each direction between Glenwood-Lansing Rd. and I-80.  NB IL-394 to EB I-80/94 closed w/ detour posted. Ramp from NB IL-394 to WB I-80/ NB I-294 closed with detour posted.  Ramp from WB I-80 to SB I-394 will be closed with detour posted.

Kingery: Reconstruction Lansing/Thornton/South Holland/Hammond/Munster:  3 lanes in each direction with some narrow lanes and lane shifts from US 41 (Calumet Ave.) in Indiana to I-94. 
2 lanes in each direction from I-94 to I-80/294 (Tri-State Tollway).  Ramp from EB I-80/SB I-294 to WB I-94 (Bishop Ford) closed w/detour posted.  EB I-80/94 to SB US-41 (Calumet Ave.) closed with detour posted.  Ramp from WB I-80 to SB I-394 will be closed with detour posted.

Dan Ryan Expressway: Reconstruction in Chicago: Three lanes open in both directions from 99th St. to 12th St. From 71st to 95th inside lane will be closed in both directions.  NB & SB express lanes closed from 69th to 31st St. with local lanes open to traffic.  Left lane closures on State from 73rd to 80th and 87th to 95th and on Lafayette from 75th to 79th and 87th to 95th and on 98th Place from Eggleston to Lowe.  76th Street bridge will be closed.   Root St. bridge will be closed.

Dan Ryan Expressway Ramp & Lane closures Reconstruction in Chicago: SB 59th exit and NB 59th entrance ramps are permanently closed.  SB & NB 51st St. exit and entrance ramps are permanently closed.  Full closure of SB Roosevelt entrance ramp at Union Ave.  Full closure of NB I-55 to WB I-90/94 entrance ramp Full closure of NB 63rd Street entrance ramp.  Full closure of NB 95th Street entrance ramp.  Full closure of NB 87th Street exit ramp.   Full closure of NB 79th Street entrance ramp and NB 76th Street exit ramp.  Full closure of SB 87th entrance ramp.  Full closure of SB 76th Street entrance ramp and SB 79th Street exit ramp.  Full closure of 76th Street Bridge.

Skyway Interchange/ Dan Ryan from 67th to Wentworth Ave. Reconstruction Chicago: All local lanes open. Temporary daily lane closures for punch list work. Work will continue on State St under the Skyway EB and WB ramp bridges at 66th st.

Maple Avenue/Chicago Ave. from Cumnor Rd. to IL 83: Reconstruction in Clarendon Hills, Westmont:  EB traffic closed for the duration of project.  WB traffic only. EB traffic follows a posted detour route.

IL 56 (Butterfield Rd.) from US 12/20/45 to St. Charles Rd.: Widening & Resurfacing in Bellwood: One lane in each direction.

US 20 (Lake St.) from IL 53 to Addison Rd. Reconstruction in Addison:  One lane in each direction

Grand Ave : Relocation of 2 IHB Railroad tracks, 1000 ft east to share the right-of-way with CN and cross Grand Ave. at a single location on a new 3 track bridge over a new depressed roadway in Franklin Park: One lane in each direction.  Detour posted.

McCormick from Emerson St. to Green Bay Road Roadway Reconstruction in Evanston.  One lane in each direction

Walnut Lane from Schaumburg Rd. to Bode Rd. Reconstruction in Schaumburg: One lane in each direction. 

Nagle Avenue over I-90: Bridge Reconstruction in Chicago: One lane in each direction.

Devon Ave at Tonne Rd and Wood Dale Rd : Widening and Surfacing in Elk Grove Village: Two lanes each direction with turn lanes at the intersection of Devon Ave and Wooddale/Tonne Roads

IL 22 (Half Day Rd.) from IL 83 Mundelein Rd. to US 45/21: Roadway Reconstruction in Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Lincolnshire: One lane in each direction with turn lanes at intersections.

Fulton County:
US Route 24 near Duncan Mills, New Bridge Construction, one lane open, controlled by signals.

Grundy County:
Interstate 80, MP 105, Seneca Interchange bridge restricted to one lane open, controlled by signals.

Hancock County:
U.S. 136 - four-lane Bridge between Hamilton, IL and Keokuk, IA
One west bound lane closed for bridge painting

Henry County:
Osco Road bridge over the Green River 1 mile north of IL 81.  Bridge deck replacement restricts traffic to one lane controlled by traffic signals.

ILL 82 in Geneseo is restricted to one lane at a box culvert just north of I-80. Traffic is controlled by temporary traffic signals while the culvert is replaced one half at a time.

Iroquois County:
Interstate 57, MP 265 Southbound, Overhead bridge painting, One lane open.

Old Route 45, between Clifton and Chebanse, Bridge Deck Replacement, ROAD CLOSED, detour posted.

JoDaviees County:
US 20 bridge at Rush Creek 3 miles west of Stockton. Traffic is controlled by temporary traffic signals while the bridge deck is replaced one half at a time.

IL 78 bridge at Plum River and Davis Creek south of Stockton. Traffic is controlled by temporary traffic signals at both locations while the structures are replaced one half at a time.

Kankakee County:
IL 113, 4 miles northwest of Illinois 17, Bridge Deck Replacement, ROAD CLOSED, detour posted.

LaSalle County:
Interstate 39, MP 55, Deck patching on the Abe Lincoln Bridge, One lane open each direction.

Interstate 39, MP 73, Bridge Repairs, One lane open each direction.

IL 71, ½ mile east of Illinois 351, Bridge replacement, ROAD CLOSED, Detour posted.

IL 71, East entrance to Starved Rock State Park, Bridge replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.

Livingston County:
IL 116, 3 miles west of Illinois 47, Bridge replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.

IL 23, half mile north of Interstate 55, Bridge Deck Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.

IL 23, 3 miles south of Illinois 17, Bridge Deck Replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.

Logan County: 
Old IL 121, Kickapoo Creek, just north of Lincoln. Stage Bridge Construction. One lane traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Madison County:
Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals will be encountered along Illinois Route 160 just south of Grantfork.  This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing bridge.  Work to replace the bridge is expected to be completed by the Fall of 2006. 

Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals will be encountered along Illinois Route 4 just north of the intersection of IL Route 4 and IL Route 143 near Marine.  This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing bridge over Silver Creek.  A signed wide load detour is in place to direct the traveling public.  Work on the bridge is expected to be completed by November 30, 2006.

Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals will be encountered along Illinois Route 4 just south of the intersection of IL Route 4 and U.S. Route 40 near St. Jacob.  This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing bridge over Lake Fork Creek.  A signed wide load detour is in place to direct the traveling public.  Work on the bridge is expected to be completed by November 30, 2006.

Marion County:
Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals will be encountered on U.S. Route 50, approximately 2 miles and 3 miles west of the Clay County line.  These lane restrictions are necessary to replace the bridges over Skillet Fork and Dums Creek.  Work on these structures is expected to be completed by the summer of 2007.

McLean County:
US 136 1.8 miles west of I-74, bridge replacement.  Road closure, local route detour will be in effect.

US 136 1.8 miles west of I-74, bridge replacement.  Road closure, local route detour will be in effect.

Montgomery County: 
IL 185 1.3 miles southeast of Coffeen over East Fork of Shoal Creek.  Stage Bridge Construction. One lane traffic controlled by temporary signals. 

SBI 16 (US 66) north bound lanes from south of Litchfield at 10th Street/TR 1000N to IL 16 in Litchfield.  North bound traffic will be detoured to Old US 66 at 10th Street.

Morgan County: 
IL 267, one mile south of Jacksonville to six miles south of Jacksonville, Bridge & box culvert replacement.

Ogle County:
IL 72 is closed in Forreston just east of IL 26 for pavement removal and replacement. Traffic is detoured on IL 26, IL 64 and IL 2.

Peoria County:
I-74, Exit 89 at War Memorial Drive, Westbound and Eastbound Entrance and Exit ramps closed, pavement reconstruction.  Motorists should utilize Exit 88 at Sterling Ave as an alternate route.

I-74, Exit 90 at Gale Ave, Westbound Entrance and Exit ramps closed, pavement reconstruction.

I-74, Exit 91 at University Ave, Westbound Entrance ramp closed, pavement reconstruction.

Putnam County:
I-180 over the Illinois River, Bridge Repairs, One lane open.

Rock Island County:
Poppy Garden Road is closed at the east edge of Colona to replace a bridge over the Green River. Traffic using Poppy Garden Road is directed to use US 6 as a detour.
IL 92 bridge just east of Andalusia. Bridge replacement restricts traffic to one lane controlled by temporary traffic signals.

Sangamon County:
Old US 36 & Camp Butler Road at Riverton.  Closed to replace 3 structures.

Schuyler County:
IL 101 - Two-lane bridge over LaMoine River near Brooklyn, IL
One lane closed for beam replacement.  Traffic controlled by signals.

St. Clair County:
Stage construction along Illinois Route 163, 2-1/2 miles north of Millstadt.  The removal and replacement of the bridge over Prairie DuPont Creek will be completed in two stages utilizing temporary traffic signals.  Work on the bridge is expected to be completed by November 30, 2006.

IL Route 163 just south of Illinois Route 157 in Centreville will be closed.  A marked detour will be established to aid the motorists during construction. The road will be closed due to removal and replacement of the bridge over Harding Ditch.  Work on the bridge is expected to be completed by July 21, 2006.

Stage construction along Route Illinois 157 near I-64 reducing the number of lanes from 2 to 1 lane in the southbound direction will be in place until the fall of 2006.

Stage construction along Illinois Route 163, 2-1/2 miles north of Millstadt.  The removal and replacement of the bridge over Prairie DuPont Creek will be completed in two stages utilizing temporary traffic signals.  Work on the bridge is expected to be completed by November 30, 2006.

IL Route 163 just south of Illinois Route 157 in Centreville will be closed.  A marked detour will be established to aid the motorists during construction. The road will be closed due to removal and replacement of the bridge over Harding Ditch.  Work on the bridge is expected to be completed by July 21, 2006.

Tazewell County:
I-74, Exit 95A at Main Street, Westbound Entrance ramp closed, pavement reconstruction.

I-74, Exit 95B at Camp Street, Westbound Entrance ramp closed, pavement reconstruction.

I-74, Exit 96 at Washington Street, Westbound Entrance ramp closed, pavement reconstruction.

Union County:
US 51 just South of Cobden School Road:  Bridge replacement: one lane bridge open, traffic controlled by signals.

Vermilion County:
US Route 136 (E. Main St. in Danville), road reconstruction work continues, one lane traffic in each direction will be maintained.   

IL Route 49  to one mile south of IL 9 closed for bridge deck rehabilitation.  Traffic will be re-routed via a marked state route detour.

Washington County:
Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals will be encountered along Illinois Route 15, approximately ½ mile east of Illinois Route 153.  This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing deck beams for the bridge over Elkhorn Creek.  Work on this structure is expected to be completed by July 31, 2006.

White County:
IL 14-4 miles west of Carmi: Bridge replacement.  One lane open, traffic controlled by signals.

US 45-1.5 miles of south of IL 14/US 45 intersection, south of Enfield: bridge replacement.  One lane bridge open, traffic controlled by signals.

Whiteside County:
Moline Road is closed 3 miles northeast of Erie to replace a bridge over Rock Creek. Traffic using Moline Road is directed to use I-88 as a detour.

IL 40 bridges over Winnebago Ditch one mile north of Deer Grove and over the Green River one mile south of Deer Grove. Bridge replacement restricts traffic to one lane controlled by temporary traffic signals at both locations.

US 30 bridge over the Mississippi River. The crossing is closed to allow for complete replacement of two approach structures. Traffic is detoured one mile north on ILL 84 to use the

IL 136 bridge over the Mississippi to Iowa. Moline Road is closed northeast of Lyndon near Yorktown Road to replace a bridge over a drainage ditch. Traffic using Moline Road is directed to use I-88 as a detour.

IL 84 bridges over Cedar Creek and over Spring Creek approximately one mile north of Albany. Bridge deck replacement restricts traffic to one lane controlled by temporary traffic signals at both locations.

Winnebago County:
IL 173 is closed at the I-90 overpass to allow for construction of a new interchange. ILL 173  traffic is detoured around the work area on ILL 251, Swanson Road and Belvidere Road.