Department of Transportation to Suspend Lane Closures Over Labor Day Weekend to Give Motorists a Break

SPRINGFIELD, IL- With thousands of people traveling over the upcoming holiday weekend, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced they will be suspending roadwork where possible to make for a smoother drive this Labor Day weekend.  IDOT, Illinois State Police (ISP) and Secretary of State Police also want to remind motorists they are teaming up with 350 local law enforcement agencies to launch a statewide impaired driving crackdown running from Aug. 17 through the Labor Day Holiday.

IDOT has opened up various construction zones for the Labor Day weekend.  Restrictions will be in place from 3 pm, Friday, August 31 through midnight, Monday, September 1. 

"Labor Day weekend is a busy time on the roadways since so many folks are traveling to see family and friends.  We want to urge drivers as well as passengers to buckle up and drive sober when getting on the road," IDOT Acting Secretary Sees said.  "We're opening as many lanes as possible, to keep drivers and workers safe and also to make travel as smooth as possible."

Drivers Urged "You Drink, You Driver. You Lose"

Also this holiday weekend The statewide Labor Day, You Drink & Drive. You Lose campaign is a combined $1.7 million enforcement and education effort to get drunk drivers off the road. The funds are used to pay for overtime for police agencies and for a media campaign.  Statewide, Illinois State Police districts and the Secretary of State Police are teaming up with more than 350 police agencies to perform up to 425 roadside safety checks.

The Illinois partnership is part of a national campaign being coordinated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  The national crackdown combines the mobilization of thousands of law enforcement agencies in all 50 states backed by a major media buy to raise awareness of the consequences of driving impaired.

Permanent Work Zones and Closures Remain in Place

In the greater Chicagoland area, all lanes on the Edens, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Stevenson, as well as I-80 and I-57 will be open.

However, due to the nature of some projects, there will be construction zones throughout the state that will continue to operate.  This work is not expected to impact traffic and will help keep projects on schedule.  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.

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

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

Champaign County:
IL Route 47, 5 miles north of US 136; road closure for bridge replacement.  A marked route detour is in effect.

St. Joe Road (County Highway 12) will be closed from 2 miles north of St. Joe to 5 miles North of St. Joe.

Coles County:
I-57 milepost 193, new interchange construction, no lane restrictions.

Route 133 near Oakland, bridge replacement, 1 lane traffic with signals.

Cook County: 
IL 7 from 143rd to 135th- Bridge Reconstruction in orland Park- Road closed w/ posted detour.

IL 50 (Cicero Avenue) over the North Branch of the Chicago River-Bridge replacement in Chicago- One lane of traffic will be open in each direction at all times

IL 68 (Dundee Road) over US 14 and Union Pacific RR-Bridge replacement in Inverness and Palatine- One lane open in each direction.

Foster Ave. over I-94-bridge repair in Chicago- Bridge is closed.

I-290/IL 53 from IL 62 to IL 72-Bridge repair in schaumburg-2 local lanes (lanes closest to the ramps) closed in each direction NB & SB.

Dan Ryan Expressway-reconstruction in Chicago- The construction configuration along the inbound and outbound Dan Ryan Expressway is set, with the local lanes completely closed for reconstruction from 71st to 31st. There are now three lanes open from 95th to 71st, four lanes open from 71st to 31st and back to three lanes on the elevated section from 31st to Roosevelt Rd.  The outbound and inbound elevated bridge placed into its construction configuration.

Oak Park Ave—widening and resurfacing in Oak Forest-SB Oak Park Ave closed
(159th Street to Justamere Road.)

LaPorte Rd. from Wolf Rd. to Anna St.- Resurfacing, Pavement Reconstruction in Mokena-Westbound LaPorte Rd. is closed from Schoolhouse to Kirkstone.

Grand Avenue- Roadway Reconstruction in Franklin Park- One lane open in each direction.

Lively Blvd. from Pratt to Touhy- Roadway Reconstruction in Elk Grove Village- Northbound only open from Pratt to Touhy.

Dekalb County:
Illinois 38, 1/2 mile west of Illinois 23, Bridge replacement, One lane open each direction.

Dewitt County:
IL Route 10, 0.2 mile west of US 51; road closure for bridge replacement.  A marked state route detour is in effect.

Douglas County:
US Route 45 at Tuscola, road closure for bridge replacement.  A marked state route detour is in effect.

DuPage County:
Bloomingdale Rd. at IL 19 (Irving Pk. Rd.)-widening and reconstruction in Itasca- IL 19-reduced to 1 Lane to each direction.

Effingham County:
I-57&70 milepost 162, overpass bridge work, no lane restrictions.

Rt 33 from Effingham to Dietrich, bridge work, 1 lane traffic with signals.

Hardin County:
Illinois 1 -2 miles south of Gallatin County- Temporary traffic signals.  One lane bridge controlled by temporary signals.

Illinois 34-2.1 miles south of Herod- Temporary traffic signals.  One lane bridge controlled by temporary signals.

Illinois 34/146-1.5 miles east of Illinois Route 146- Temporary traffic signals.  One lane bridge controlled by temporary signals.

Jefferson County:
Illinois 15-Approx. 1.0 mile west of Mt. Vernon- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Illinois 15-2 miles east of Mt. Vernon- One lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

Kane County:
IL 47 over I-88 (East-West Tollway)-Bridge Replacement-in Blackberry Township IL 47- reduced to 1 Lane to each direction.

North Avenue (IL 64) at Randall Rd.- widening, resurfacing in Saint Charles- Two lanes open in each direction on North Ave. & Randall. 

Orchard Rd. & Jericho Rd.-roadway reconstruction.  One lane open in each direction.

Wilson St. Bridge over the Fox River- Bridge Reconstruction in Batavia- One lane in each direction on north half of the bridge. 

Illinois St. Bridges over the Fox River-bridge reconstruction in Aurora-One 10' lane open in each direction.  Truck Detour posted. 

Kendall County:
Illinois 126, between Illinois 47 and Illinois 71, CLOSED, Detour posted

Lake County:
Half Day road bridge over the Skokie River- Bridge removal and replacement in Highland Park-One lane in each direction, controlled by temporary signals over the Memorial Day weekend.

IL 22 to Beusching Rd.- Patching in Lake Zurich-One lane in each direction, with turn lanes at signalized intersections will be maintained. Traffic is currently on newly built pavement in all directions. All lanes are expected to be open by July 2nd.

IL 120 @ Hunt Club Road- Reconstruction in Gurnee-One lane is closed in each direction along RTE 120 @ Hunt Club Road. Lane closure is accomplished by Concrete Barrier Wall, Arrow Boards and Barricades.

Butterfield Rd. from Hardin Ave. to IL 137- Reconstruction & Widening in Libertyville- One lane open in each direction.

Buffalo Grove Rd. over Indian Creek- Bridge Reconstruction- Vernon Hills & Buffalo Grove- One lane in each direction.  Possible weight restrictions.

LaSalle County:
Interstate 39, MP 55, Deck replacement on the Abe Lincoln Bridge, One lane open each direction.
US 6, ½ mile west of Interstate 39, Bridge deck replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
US 6, 1 mile west of Interstate 39, Bridge removal, ROAD CLOSED, Detour posted.
Illinois 71, Starved Rock State Park, Bridge replacement ROAD CLOSED, Detour posted.
Illinois 178, 2 miles south of US 6, Bridge replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Livingston County:
Illinois 17, 4 miles east of Dwight, Bridge deck replacement, One lane open, controlled by signals.
Livingston County, Illinois 23, 3 miles west of Cornell, Bridge replacement, ROAD CLOSED, Detour posted.
Logan County:
IL 10 West of New Holland.  Stage Construction for bridge construction. One lane traffic, controlled by temporary signals. 
Macon County:
IL. Rt 48, NW edge of Decatur, bridge work, 1 lane traffic each direction.

Macon County, IL Rt 121, resurfacing and bridge work, possibly 1 lane traffic with signals.

Macoupin County:

IL 4 Six mile south of IL 108 (Bridge Replacement). One lane traffic controlled by signals.

Old IL 4 2.7 miles north of Carlinville (Box Culvert Replacement).  Road Closed.  IL 4 is still open.

Madison County:
Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals to maintain two-way traffic will be encountered on IL 143 east of Edwardsville.  This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing bridge carrying IL 143 over Silver Creek approximately 3 miles west of IL 4.  The project is expected to be completed by the end of June, 2008. 

McDonough County:
US 67 near Industry, New Bridge Construction, one lane open.  Controlled by signals.

McDonough County- IL9/IL 41 North of Bushnell, Box Culvert replacement, one lane open, controlled by signals

McHenry County:
IL 23 over Kishwaukee River- Bridge removal and replacement in Marengo- One lane in each direction.

Streit Rd. over the north branch of the Kishwaukee River- Bridge Replacement in Harvard- Bridge closed.  Advance warning posted.

McLean County:
I-74 at mile marker 122, EB Carlock Weigh Station closed for pavement and weigh scales repairs.

Morgan County:
US 67/IL 100  0.5 miles North of IL 104 at Meredosia.   Stage Construction for box culvert construction. One lane traffic, controlled by temporary signals.

Peoria County:
Interstate 474, at IL Route 6 and I-74 interchange. Eastbound and Westbound reduced to two lanes for Bridge repair work.

US 24 over Kickapoo Creek in Bartonville. New Bridge construction. Two lanes open in each direction.

US 24 in Kingston Mines, Northbound and Southbound reduced to one each direction for roadway and bridge rehabilitation.

Putnam County:
IL 71, New Bridge construction, one lane open. Controlled by signals

Rock Island County:
I-280 over the Mississippi River. I-280 is reduced to one lane in each direction due to the containment enclosures set up for painting and sandblasting of the bridge.

St. Clair County:
Westbound I-55/70/64 ramp to southbound Tudor Avenue is closed for deck repairs.  Motorists traveling westbound on I-55/70/64 wanting to travel southbound to Tudor Avenue should follow the marked detour to Seventh Street in St. Louis, Missouri.  This ramp is scheduled to be completed and opened by October 31, 2007.

Westbound I-55/70/64 ramp from Piggott Avenue onto westbound I-55/70/64 will be closed for deck repairs.  Motorists wanting to travel onto westbound I-55/70/64 from Piggott Avenue should follow the marked detour to Fourth Street in East St. Louis. This ramp is scheduled to be completed and opened by November 28, 2007.

A lane shift and restriction will be encountered along Illinois Route 161 just west of Illinois Route 159 in Fairview Heights.  The project is scheduled to be completed by December 2007.

A lane shift and restriction will be encountered along Illinois Route 13/15 just east of Green Mount Road.  The project is scheduled to be completed by the Fall of 2008.

Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals will be encountered along Illinois Route 158/177 just east of North Green Mount Road near Belleville.  This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing structure carrying Illinois Route 158/177 over Loop Creek.  The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.

Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals will be encountered along Illinois Route 156 east of Hecker.  This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing structure carrying Illinois Route 156 over Richland Creek.  The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.

Saline County:
Illinois 13- In Harrisburg, Veteran's Drive & Granger Street in Local city streets closed for construction.

Illinois 34- North edge of Harrisburg at Small Street-Temporary traffic signals.  One lane bridge controlled by temporary signals.

Illinois 34-1.7 miles north of Harrisburg- Temporary traffic signals.  One lane bridge controlled by temporary signals.

Stark County:
IL 91 over Jack Creek north of Toulon is closed; traffic detoured to a detour run around.

Stephenson County:
US 20 structure west of Eleroy. Traffic is restricted to one lane and controlled by temporary traffic signals while two culverts are being removed.

Tazewell County:
IL Route 29 in North Pekin Northbound and Southbound reduced to one lane in each direction for Bridge replacement

Union County:
Old US 51-3 miles south of Dongola-one lane bridge construction with traffic controlled by temporary signals.

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

US Route 136; 1 mile north of Danville, road closure...bridge replacement.  A marked detour is in effect.

US Route 150; 0.2 mile south of Georgetown, bridge replacement, one lane traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals.

Washington County:
Staged construction utilizing temporary traffic signals will be encountered along Illinois Route 127 south of Posey.  This lane restriction is necessary to replace the existing bridge carrying Illinois Route 127 over a Tributary to Crooked Creek.  The project is expected to be completed by the Winter of 2007. 

White County:
U-S 45-1.5 miles south of Mill Shoals-temporary traffic signals, one lane bridge controlled by temporary signals.

Will County:
US 30 from Essington to Larkin- Reconstruction- Crest Hill & Joliet-2 lanes in each direction with a center turn lane.

159th Street (US Route 6) under CNRR Bridge- Bridge Reconstruction in Harvey- Narrow lanes on 159th under CN RR bridge.

I-55 from I-80 to Weber- Bridge and Interchange Reconstruction in Troy Township-Lane shifts, narrow lanes, drop in speed limit to 55 mph at various work zone locations. Occasional night time lane closures.

I-55 in both northbound and southbound directions beginning at I-80 and continuing to Black Road- Widening and resurfacing in Shorewood, Joliet- Lane shifts, narrow lanes, drop in speed limit to 55 mph at various work zone locations. Occasional night time lane closures.

I-55 West Frontage Road in reconstruction in Shorewood- Lane shifts, narrow lanes.

Winnebago County:
ILL 2 at Clifton Avenue near the south edge of Rockford. ILL 2 is reduced to one lane in each direction as the four lane roadway is being replaced one half at a time for reconstruction of the intersection to widen the pavement and add turn lanes.
ILL 75 bridge over Timothy Creek near Harrison.  Bridge deck replacement restricts traffic to one lane controlled by traffic signals.
IL 70 three bridges south of the Pecatonica River northwest of Rockford. Bridge deck replacements restricts all three structures to one lane controlled by temporary traffic signals.