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.
1 Comment
Local News
Orland Park names interim village manager and assistant
Orland Park Assistant Village Manager Jim Culotta will take over as the interim village manager and former police deputy chief Brian West will take his place as interim assistant. The board of trustees made those decisions during the Oct. 7 meeting in the wake of village manager George Koczwara’s resignation after his contact was set…
Orland Park Public Library hosts dementia support group
The Orland Park Public Library is continuously offering programs and services to help all levels of need within its local community. The library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., is hosting a Dementia: Caregiver Support Group on Mondays at 1 p.m. The free program is designed for those caring for a loved one with dementia. Caregivers are…
Sandburg Boy Scout restores historic cemetery for Eagle Scout project
You don’t usually equate multi-phase project management with high school students, but then again, you probably haven’t met Sandburg sophomore Jimmy Sullivan. Sullivan is pursuing his Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout rank and has spent most of 2024 planning the project that will earn him that prestigious honor – restoring the Old German Methodist…
Rain barrels available for Oak Lawn residents
An Oak Lawn trustee said residents can purchase rain barrels through a program sponsored by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Trustee Paul Mallo (3rd) attended a recent Southwest Conference of Mayors meeting where it was mentioned that rain barrels are available to residents. Rain barrels are available through the MWRD for $43.…
‘Guilty’ bribe-taker William Mundy sues Summit over retaliatory firing
Former Summit public works director William Mundy, who pled guilty to federal corruption charges, claims in a new civil lawsuit he was fired for exposing the same village corruption he took part in, court records show. Mundy filed a federal lawsuit against the village, demanding back pay, reinstatement, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees, according to…
Sandburg’s touchdown pass in final minute sinks Lincoln-Way Central
Sandburg coach Troy McAllister faced a decision in a Week 6 Southwest Suburban crossover game at Lincoln-Way Central. In reality, it wasn’t much of a choice: Let your best athletes make a play. And they did. In the Eagles’ 28-27 victory over Lincoln-Way Central, Charlie Snoreck caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Shelton with…
Myles and Myles to go: Mitchell, Richards race past Shepard
Have a senior season, Myles Mitchell. The versatile running back delivered another dominant performance in Week 6 as Richards shut out Shepard 21-0 in a South Suburban Red game in Palos Heights. Mitchell ran 25 times for 233 yards, including touchdowns of 91 and 9 yards. The North Dakota State recruit also had two catches…
Football notebook: New Solorio coach eyes turnaround
After eight years away from football, Jonathan Jauregui was ready to get back in the game. Already working at Solorio, he joined the Sun Warriors’ coaching staff as defensive coordinator last year. This season, he’s the head coach and Solorio is off to a 4-2 start after getting past host Back of the Yards 18-13…
Kamarion and Kavarion McCarter power Kennedy past Ag. Science
Things are changing for Kennedy football, and the McCarter brothers are among those making it happen. In one of the biggest games in program history, the Crusaders knocked off Ag. Science 17-8 in Week 6 at Gately Stadium. That all but clinched the Public League White Southwest title for Kennedy (5-1, 3-0), whose two remaining…
Neighbors
Cheerio! Lyons bars can open at 7 a.m. Sunday for early Bears game
By mayoral decree, Bears fans can start drinking earlier Sunday at bars in Lyons. The Bears play Jacksonville in London and the kickoff will be at 8:30 a.m. Chicago time Sunday. Usually, Lyons bars can’t open until 10 a.m. on Sunday. But they will be allowed to open and start serving at 7 a.m. With…
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church to open Pumpkin Patch this weekend
Every year about now, the First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn celebrates the season by trucking in thousands of orange gourds for its Pumpkin Patch. People look forward to the return of the Pumpkin Patch, which this year runs from October 13 to October 31 on the church grounds at 100th Street and Central…
Worth Fall Fest ushers in the season
Fall is in the air. The Worth Park District welcomed the season with its annual Fall Fest on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Gale Moore Park, 109th Street and Nordica Avenue, Worth. “Getting everyone out in the community to enjoy what we offer makes me really happy,” said Stephanie Analitis, superintendent of recreation for the Worth…
Palos Park’s Walsh skates for injured first responders at 911 Cup
Palos Park Officer Sean Walsh spent this past weekend in Las Vegas with his skates laced up and participating in the Las Vegas 911 Cup. The 911 cup is a fundraising event supporting police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and EMTs injured in the line of duty. Officer Walsh’s hockey team, Level Zero Heros, played teams…
Chicago man charged in Oak Lawn carjacking
A Chicago man has been charged with carjacking a vehicle from a female teenager in the parking lot of the Jewel-Osco at 8801 S. Ridgeland Ave. on Sept. 28, police said. Police said a female teenager was parked and sitting inside her vehicle in the Jewel-Osco parking lot when a man with dreadlocks, wearing a…
Herpich family’s epic Halloween decorations aim to scare
Care and Rick Herpich moved to Oak Lawn in 2001 with their son, Jake. It was then that the family began what would become an elaborate Halloween tradition, with their display growing more frightening each year. It is now known in the neighborhood as the Krazy Korner. Over the past two decades, the Herpich family’s…
Evergreen Park approves disaster prevention plan
The threat that hazards and disasters pose to residents and property has been recognized by Evergreen Park officials. A resolution was approved by a 6-0 margin during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting Monday night, acknowledging the importance of reducing or eliminating vulnerability to disasters. The U.S. Congress passed the Disaster Mitigation Act on Oct.…
After 63 years, Petey’s Bungalow in Oak Lawn prepares for last supper
After 63 years, a popular Oak Lawn restaurant will close its doors for the last time. Petey’s Bungalow Restaurant and Lounge, 4401 W. 95th St., will cease operations after Tuesday, Oct. 15. The restaurant, a local fixture known as a classic supper club, has been at the same location since 1961. In a Facebook post,…
Local aldermen rip mayor over ShotSpotter cancellation
After the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance giving Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling the authority to extend ShotSpotter technology, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s February 2024 promise to turn off the monitors set up a battle with a majority of aldermen. Three Southwest Side aldermen spoke to the Greater Southwest News-Herald about why ShotSpotter technology should…
Palos United Methodist Church hosts pet blessing
It was a lively occasion as a pair of Great Danes, a cat named Gus, and an elderly Beagle-Lab mix named Seamus were among the four-legged attendees gathered Sunday afternoon, Oct. 6, at Palos United Methodist Church for the annual pet blessing celebrating the Feast of St. Francis. Pastor Caitlyn Nesbit led the ceremony at…
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.