Joliet Road reduced to one lane in Indian Head Park thru the summer

From staff reports

The Illinois Tollway is scheduled to begin a long-term lane closure starting March 14 on Joliet Road under the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) in Indian Head Park as work resumes to rebuild the I-294 bridge over Joliet Road.

Reconstruction of bridges and ramps in the I-55 Interchange area is necessary to accommodate the rebuilding and widening of I-294, as well as to reduce congestion, improve safety and address operational issues as well as infrastructure conditions.

Beginning the week of March 14, traffic on Joliet Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction under I-294. The lane closures are needed to safety accommodate traffic while the I-294 bridge over Joliet being rebuilt and widened.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance on Joliet Road and I-294 to advise drivers of the construction work zones and lane closures. Up-to-date closure information will be posted on the Tollway website in the Daily Construction Alert. All work is weather dependent.

Lane closures on Joliet Road are scheduled to remain in place through summer. Additional closures, including intermittent 15-minute full closures, and traffic shifts on Joliet Road will be scheduled throughout project as needed.

Local road closures in this area are being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook Country Department of Transportation and Highways and the Village of Indian Head Park, as well as local fire and police departments.

Information about the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is available on the Tollway’s website at www.illinoistollway.com in the Projects section.

In 2022, the Tollway’s work in the I-55 Interchange area will continue the rebuilding and widening of I-294 between 75^th Street and I-55. As part of this work, the ramp connecting I-55 to northbound I-294 will be reconstructed, along with the I-294 bridges over I-55, Wolf Road, Joliet Road and Flagg Creek. Additional work includes the reconstruction of the Plainfield Road Bridge over I-294 and the northbound ramp to the Hinsdale Oasis. Construction in this area is scheduled to be complete in 2025.

The $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is reconstructing and widening the roadway between Balmoral Avenue and 95^th Street to provide congestion relief, update old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs. This work is part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. More than 220,000 vehicles use the Central Tri-State Tollway daily.

Work Zone Safety

Construction zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. On Joliet Road, a 35-mph work zone speed limit is in effect. On I-294, a 45-mph work zone speed limit is in effect throughout the construction season.

The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists that the “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. If you see flashing lights ahead, please move over or slow down.

Illinois State Police have zero tolerance for drivers speeding in work zones or failure to comply with the Move Over Law. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $250 with up to a $25,000 fine and a 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker. Penalties for failure to slow down or move over for a vehicle on the shoulder with flashing lights includes up to a $10,000 fine, 2-year suspension of driving privileges and jail time, in extreme cases.