Interstate 80 Project Includes Overnight Lane Closures

Interstate 80 Project Includes Overnight Lane Closures

By Bob Okon
The Herald News

Construction lane closure digital sign

Construction crews on Monday will begin getting Interstate 80 ready for the $1.2 billion project that includes replacing the Des Plaines River bridge.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Thursday that bridge deck patching and repairs to I-80 between Chicago and Briggs streets in Joliet will require overnight lane closures, followed by multiple weekend lane and ramp closures.

The work begins Monday, weather permitting, and will be done in several stages “to minimize the impact to traffic,” IDOT said in a news release.

Work next week will be done on three consecutive nights starting at 10 p.m. Monday. It includes installation of a temporary concrete barrier wall and rumble strips. Lane and shoulder closures will be required on both sides of I-80 from Chicago to Briggs streets.

Daytime traffic will not be impacted, IDOT said.

Shoulder closures will continue for about four to six weeks to accommodate temporary pavement construction as part of advance work to replace the eastbound I-80 bridges over Hickory Creek, Richards Street and Rowell Avenue/Canadian National Railroad, as well as the westbound bridge over Richards Street.

From 10 p.m. April 9 to 5 a.m. April 12, eastbound I-80, from east of Larkin Avenue to Briggs Street will be reduced to one lane. In addition, the entrance ramp from Chicago Street to eastbound I-80 will be closed with a detour directing traffic traveling east to use Richards Street to access I-80.

The same closures and hours will be in effect, weather permitting, the weekend of April 16 and, if needed, the weekend of April 23.

The weekend closures are necessary to make pavement repairs so the interstate can accommodate both directions of traffic when work on replacing the eastbound I-80 bridges begins later this spring.

The entire project includes reconstructing 16 miles of I-80 from Ridge Road in Minooka to U.S. 30 in New Lenox. Auxiliary lanes will be added.

Interchanges will be improved at Interstate 55, Larkin Avenue and Center, Chicago, Richards and Briggs streets.

 

Project News

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The Houbolt Road Extension Project Website The Houbolt Road Extension JV, LLC is a business partnership between CenterPoint Properties and United Bridge Partners. Will County is one of the nation’s largest transportation hubs, with demand for freight projected to...

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I-80 Public Hearings

You're InvitedI-80 Ridge Road to US Route 30 Public Hearings Wed. Nov. 6, 2019Holiday Inn1472 Rock Creek BoulevardJoliet, IL 60431 Thurs. Nov. 7, 2019All Nation Church of GodCommunity Life Center503 Water StreetJoliet, IL 60436   Des Plaines Bridges News

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Highway Projects Everywhere

Will County sees bonanza of infrastructure improvements

The state highway improvement plan for the next five years has something big in store for every part of Will County.

The Interstate 80 project that has captured the most attention promises improved bridges, new interchanges and other improvements through Joliet to the western end of the county.

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J.B. barnstorms behind capital plan

Pritzker signed the capital bill and kicked off his day in East St. Louis, then continued on to the Lincoln Depot State Historic Site in Springfield and held another event in the afternoon within sight of the infamous Interstate 80 bridge across the Des Plaines River, set to be replaced as part of $1.2 billion in the plan earmarked for multiple bridge replacements and road upgrades in Joliet and Will County.

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Traffic Shifts For I-80-US 30 Interchange Reconstruction

The new interchange is expected to be complete in late 2021.

NEW LENOX, IL — Traffic will be shifted for the reconstruction of the I-80 – US 30 interchange in New Lenox starting June 3. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, traffic will be shifted to the right on the eastbound lanes between Gougar and Francis roads during the overnight hours on Monday, weather permitting.

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I-80 Through Joliet Big Winner In Illinois Budget

Included in a statewide construction plan that addresses hospitals, schools and roadways will be funding dedicated to repairs ensuring the long-term safety of the I-80 bridge spanning the Des Plaines River. The plan passed with support from State Senators Pat McGuire and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

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The Houbolt Road Extension Project is Moving Forward

The Houbolt Road Extension Project is Moving Forward

Project Completion Projected for Early 2023

Houbolt bridge drawing

An artist’s rendering of the future Houbolt Road bridge.

Houbolt Road Extension JV, LLC (“HRE-JV”), a joint venture between United Bridge Partners and CenterPoint Properties, entered into a lease agreement with the City of Joliet and commenced construction on the Houbolt Road Extension (“HRE”) Project on March 8, 2021.

The privately financed project involves designing and constructing a new 1.5-mile-long highway extension, including a 0.4-mile-long bridge over the Des Plaines River. HRE-JV will finance, construct, operate, and maintain the bridge while collecting bridge tolls under a 99-year lease agreement with the City of Joliet. The project will provide a direct route between I-80 and CIC Joliet, and the UP and BNSF Intermodal Facilities.

The project will deliver the following improvements:

  • Design and construction of a new four-lane concrete 1.5-mile bridge and roadway, which will be outfitted with an Illinois Toll Highway compatible collection system, including a 0.4-mile bridge over the Des Plaines River with two lanes in each direction and a dedicated pedestrian/bicycle path.
  • Turning and merging lanes from Houbolt Road to Schweitzer Road and US Route 6
  • A signalized intersection at Vetter and Schweitzer Roads.
  • Grading for pedestrian/bicycle path parallel to the new roadway on Houbolt Road.

The State of Illinois and City of Joliet will construct a new diverging diamond interchange at I-80 and Houbolt Road and reconstruct Houbolt Road from I-80 to US Route 6. The construction completion of this public project is expected to align with the expected completion of the HRE Project in 2023.

“On behalf of the City of Joliet, this project has won our support and we’re happy to get it started, as it will be a big step forward to mitigating truck traffic on local roads,” said Bob O’Dekirk, Mayor of Joliet.

“We are excited to commence construction on the HRE Project. As the CenterPoint Intermodal Center has continued to grow and expand, we have focused our attention on finding innovative solutions for local infrastructure, improving truck traffic flow, enhancing safety and reducing congestion in and around the Business Park,” said Michael Murphy, CenterPoint Properties’ Chief Development Officer.

The privately funded project will create an alternative route from I-80 into the CenterPoint Intermodal Center (“CIC”). The new route provides direct access to I-80, rerouting truck traffic off local roads like Route 53, returning these roads to the residents and surrounding communities for their daily use, absent the congestion. The project, on the southern extension of Houbolt Road over the Des Plaines River, will be paid for, operated, and maintained by HRE-JV.

“We are thrilled about this next phase of the Houbolt Road Extension. It takes all of us even closer to delivering greater safety, efficiency, and prosperity for the City of Joliet and its surrounding areas,” said Doug Witt, President and CEO of United Bridge Partners. “United Bridge Partners builds bridges that enhance great communities, and we look forward to the many positive contributions this project will provide the City of Joliet for years to come.”

The HRE-JV selected the Granite / Kraemer – A Joint Venture (“GK-JV”) team as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) contractor through a best value procurement process to complete the Houbolt Road Extension project. Burns & McDonnell, a team member of GK-JV, has completed the design for the project’s bridge and roadway.

“The Houbolt Road Extension represents the shared commitment to the community on behalf of local and state agencies, local businesses, organizations and industry leaders. I commend the HRE-JV for their dedication to advance this project. It’s relationships like this that help alleviate truck traffic and I was happy to sponsor needed legislation for this when I was in the Senate,” said Will County Executive, Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

For more information and project updates, visit www.houboltroadextension.com.

About CenterPoint Properties:

CenterPoint Properties is focused on developing, acquiring and managing industrial property and transportation infrastructure enhancing supply chain efficiency. The Company invests in major coastal and inland port logistics markets anchoring North America’s principal freight lanes. For more information on CenterPoint Properties, visit centerpoint.com or follow @centerpointprop on Twitter.

About United Bridge Partners:

United Bridge Partners is a pure play private bridge financing, construction, operations, and maintenance company in the United States. The Company believes in investing in the communities in which they operate, through job creation with local labor and local materials, through contributions to local charities and businesses, and by building and operating their projects with the highest environmental standards.

For more information visit www.unitedbridgepartners.com.

Project News

The Houbolt Road Extension Project

The Houbolt Road Extension Project Website The Houbolt Road Extension JV, LLC is a business partnership between CenterPoint Properties and United Bridge Partners. Will County is one of the nation’s largest transportation hubs, with demand for freight projected to...

read more

I-80 Public Hearings

You're InvitedI-80 Ridge Road to US Route 30 Public Hearings Wed. Nov. 6, 2019Holiday Inn1472 Rock Creek BoulevardJoliet, IL 60431 Thurs. Nov. 7, 2019All Nation Church of GodCommunity Life Center503 Water StreetJoliet, IL 60436   Des Plaines Bridges News

read more

J.B. barnstorms behind capital plan

Pritzker signed the capital bill and kicked off his day in East St. Louis, then continued on to the Lincoln Depot State Historic Site in Springfield and held another event in the afternoon within sight of the infamous Interstate 80 bridge across the Des Plaines River, set to be replaced as part of $1.2 billion in the plan earmarked for multiple bridge replacements and road upgrades in Joliet and Will County.

read more

I-80 Through Joliet Big Winner In Illinois Budget

Included in a statewide construction plan that addresses hospitals, schools and roadways will be funding dedicated to repairs ensuring the long-term safety of the I-80 bridge spanning the Des Plaines River. The plan passed with support from State Senators Pat McGuire and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

read more

Hoboult Road bridge underway, intersection project slated for late fall

Hoboult Road bridge underway, intersection project slated for late fall

By Bob Okon

Houbolt bridge drawing

An artist’s rendering of the future Houbolt Road bridge.

Construction of the Houbolt Road bridge and a new Interstate 80 interchange is scheduled to be completed at roughly the same time in early 2023, but they won’t start together.

Houbolt Road Extension Joint Venture has announced the start of construction of the toll bridge that will span the Des Plaines River to provide a direct route to I-80 for trucks going to and from the intermodal yards in Joliet and Elwood.

Construction of the I-80 interchange and widening of Houbolt Road probably won’t start until late fall, said Joliet Public Works Director Greg Ruddy.

“Right now we’re finalizing plans on that,” Ruddy said. “We plan on going for bids in a couple of months.”

Read the full release at HeraldNews.com

Project News

The Houbolt Road Extension Project

The Houbolt Road Extension Project Website The Houbolt Road Extension JV, LLC is a business partnership between CenterPoint Properties and United Bridge Partners. Will County is one of the nation’s largest transportation hubs, with demand for freight projected to...

read more

I-80 Public Hearings

You're InvitedI-80 Ridge Road to US Route 30 Public Hearings Wed. Nov. 6, 2019Holiday Inn1472 Rock Creek BoulevardJoliet, IL 60431 Thurs. Nov. 7, 2019All Nation Church of GodCommunity Life Center503 Water StreetJoliet, IL 60436   Des Plaines Bridges News

read more

J.B. barnstorms behind capital plan

Pritzker signed the capital bill and kicked off his day in East St. Louis, then continued on to the Lincoln Depot State Historic Site in Springfield and held another event in the afternoon within sight of the infamous Interstate 80 bridge across the Des Plaines River, set to be replaced as part of $1.2 billion in the plan earmarked for multiple bridge replacements and road upgrades in Joliet and Will County.

read more

I-80 Through Joliet Big Winner In Illinois Budget

Included in a statewide construction plan that addresses hospitals, schools and roadways will be funding dedicated to repairs ensuring the long-term safety of the I-80 bridge spanning the Des Plaines River. The plan passed with support from State Senators Pat McGuire and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

read more

Houbolt Bridge Construction Ready to Go

Houbolt bridge construction ready to go

Toll bridge over Des Plaines River first announced in 2016 is about to be built

By Bob Okon

Houbolt bridge drawing

An artist’s rendering of the future Houbolt Road bridge.

Construction of the Houbolt Road bridge is expected to start within the next couple of weeks.

“We’re a full go as of today,” Michael Murphy, chief development officer for CenterPoint Properties said Tuesday.

Murphy said a construction trailer should be on the site “in the next couple of days. … It will take a week or so to go to work.”

CenterPoint Properties is a partner in the private joint venture that will build the toll bridge over the Des Plaines River.

“We anticipate completion in the spring of 2023,” Murphy said.

The entire project — including the bridge, widening of Houbolt Road, and a new interchange at Interstate 80 — has been estimated to cost in the range of $200 million.

Read the full release at HeraldNews.com

 

Project News

The Houbolt Road Extension Project

The Houbolt Road Extension Project Website The Houbolt Road Extension JV, LLC is a business partnership between CenterPoint Properties and United Bridge Partners. Will County is one of the nation’s largest transportation hubs, with demand for freight projected to...

read more

I-80 Public Hearings

You're InvitedI-80 Ridge Road to US Route 30 Public Hearings Wed. Nov. 6, 2019Holiday Inn1472 Rock Creek BoulevardJoliet, IL 60431 Thurs. Nov. 7, 2019All Nation Church of GodCommunity Life Center503 Water StreetJoliet, IL 60436   Des Plaines Bridges News

read more

J.B. barnstorms behind capital plan

Pritzker signed the capital bill and kicked off his day in East St. Louis, then continued on to the Lincoln Depot State Historic Site in Springfield and held another event in the afternoon within sight of the infamous Interstate 80 bridge across the Des Plaines River, set to be replaced as part of $1.2 billion in the plan earmarked for multiple bridge replacements and road upgrades in Joliet and Will County.

read more

I-80 Through Joliet Big Winner In Illinois Budget

Included in a statewide construction plan that addresses hospitals, schools and roadways will be funding dedicated to repairs ensuring the long-term safety of the I-80 bridge spanning the Des Plaines River. The plan passed with support from State Senators Pat McGuire and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

read more

The Houbolt Road Extension Project

The Houbolt Road Extension Project Website

The Houbolt Road Extension JV, LLC is a business partnership between CenterPoint Properties and United Bridge Partners.

houbolt extension logo

Houbolt bridge drawing

Will County is one of the nation’s largest transportation hubs, with demand for freight projected to double in the Chicago Metropolitan area over the next 20 years. The Houbolt Road Extension is a privately financed 1.5-mile long extension of Houbolt Road from US 6 to Schweitzer Road with a new bridge over the Des Plaines River. This new access route for trucks is the result of years of collaboration and thoughtful planning, and will ensure the industry remains a driver of jobs and revenue for Will County while protecting our community.

The partnership has launched a website at houboltroadextension.com for updates and information on the extension project.

 

Project News

The Houbolt Road Extension Project

The Houbolt Road Extension Project Website The Houbolt Road Extension JV, LLC is a business partnership between CenterPoint Properties and United Bridge Partners. Will County is one of the nation’s largest transportation hubs, with demand for freight projected to...

read more

I-80 Public Hearings

You're InvitedI-80 Ridge Road to US Route 30 Public Hearings Wed. Nov. 6, 2019Holiday Inn1472 Rock Creek BoulevardJoliet, IL 60431 Thurs. Nov. 7, 2019All Nation Church of GodCommunity Life Center503 Water StreetJoliet, IL 60436   Des Plaines Bridges News

read more

J.B. barnstorms behind capital plan

Pritzker signed the capital bill and kicked off his day in East St. Louis, then continued on to the Lincoln Depot State Historic Site in Springfield and held another event in the afternoon within sight of the infamous Interstate 80 bridge across the Des Plaines River, set to be replaced as part of $1.2 billion in the plan earmarked for multiple bridge replacements and road upgrades in Joliet and Will County.

read more

I-80 Through Joliet Big Winner In Illinois Budget

Included in a statewide construction plan that addresses hospitals, schools and roadways will be funding dedicated to repairs ensuring the long-term safety of the I-80 bridge spanning the Des Plaines River. The plan passed with support from State Senators Pat McGuire and Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant.

read more