IDOT unveils 10 central Cook Count road projects
Highlighting one of its busiest construction seasons ever, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that major projects in central Cook County are planned or underway, fueled by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program.
Ten projects combined represent a total investment of nearly $220 million, improving safety and mobility while sustaining and creating good-paying jobs throughout the region.
“Rebuild Illinois is revitalizing communities and neighborhoods by investing in projects and people in Cook County and throughout the state,” said Gov. Pritzker. “Through the largest capital program in state history, IDOT will be delivering improvements to build a more resilient, accessible and equitable system of transportation for generations to come, while creating jobs and enhancing local quality of life.”
The 10 major projects in central Cook County are scheduled to be completed from 2025 through 2030:
- 55th Street from Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) to west of Plainfield Road includes intersection widening and resurfacing. At least one lane of traffic will remain open during construction. Construction began in 2023 and is estimated to be complete in late summer 2025.
- Harlem Avenue (Illinois 43) over 95th Street (U.S. 12/20) includes bridge widening and repair. One lane will remain open during construction. This project is anticipated to begin in spring and is estimated to be complete by fall 2025.
- LaGrange Road (U.S. 12) at Archer Avenue (Illinois 171) and 79th Street bridge replacement started in the spring and will be complete in summer 2025, with one lane open during construction.
- East Avenue at 47th Street and from 47th Street to 55th Street includes traffic signal installation, resurfacing and ADA improvements. Daytime lane closures are needed to complete construction. A detour will be in place. The project is anticipated to begin late summer 2024 and estimated to be complete fall 2026.
- 79th Street from Archer Avenue to Cicero Avenue includes resurfacing and is anticipated to begin late summer 2024 and be complete fall 2025. Daytime lane closures will be required.
- I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway) at Ridgeland Avenue includes resurfacing and installation of retaining walls. Daily lane closures with some full bridge closures are needed to complete the work. The project is anticipated to begin summer 2027 and estimated to be complete fall 2028.
- I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) from Wolf Road to Cicero Avenue (Illinois 50) includes bridge deck resurfacing, bridge joint replacement and repair, patching and drainage improvements. Two lanes of traffic will remain open during construction. The project is anticipated to begin spring 2028 and estimated to be complete fall 2030.
- I-55 at Harlem Avenue includes bridge replacement, reconstruction, intersection improvements and ADA upgrades. One lane will remain open during construction. The project is anticipated to begin in fall 2027 and wrap up by the end of 2029.
- Harlem Avenue at Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal includes bridge superstructure rehabilitation and bridge repair. One lane will remain open during construction. The project is anticipated to begin in fall 2027 and be complete fall 2029.
- Archer Avenue from Illinois 171 to Harlem Avenue and Harlem Avenue from Archer Avenue to 63rd Street includes traffic signal replacement, water main and drainage improvements, and ADA upgrades. One lane will remain open during construction. The project is anticipated to begin spring 2027 and estimated to be complete fall 2028.
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79th Street from Archer Avenue to Cicero Avenue includes resurfacing and is anticipated to begin late summer 2024 and be complete fall 2025. Daytime lane closures will be required. Welcome to the first day of fall and nothing has been done. you can’t do much during the winter when it comes to resurfacing. Who are they kidding? not me. If and when they decide to do this project, what is going to happen to the 379-pace bus? it has not yet recovered from the pandemic as many buses during morning and evening rush hours are already cancelled. transportation is just going to get worse. We tried reaching out to pace and it is like talking to a brick wall. I personally reached out to the RTA and awaiting a response.