I-80 bridge work in Joliet begins June 28

I-80 bridge work in Joliet begins June 28

First step to major I-80 reconstruction from Ridge Road to U.S. 30

Press Release from IDOT

I-80 des plaines bridge

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that a $48 million project to replace the eastbound Interstate 80 bridges over Hickory Creek, Richards Street, Rowell Avenue/Canadian National Railroad, and westbound over Richards Street, in Joliet, Rockdale and New Lenox, will begin, weather permitting, Monday, June 28. The project is part of advance work leading to the $1.2 billion reconstruction of I-80 through Will County, a cornerstone of Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program.

“This project is about much more than replacing worn concrete and steel,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “It represents a significant investment in the Will County area and is a big step forward in our work to improve safety, mobility and create economic opportunity for years to come. We’re asking drivers to be patient, slow down and pay extra attention driving in and around any work zone.”

Starting Monday, June 21, overnight work will begin to install concrete barriers to prepare for the work zone. Motorists should expect lane shifts and lane closures on both sides of I-80, between Chicago and Briggs streets, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday. At least two lanes in each direction will remain open. Daytime traffic will not be impacted.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

By Monday, June 28, both eastbound and westbound I-80 traffic will have shifted onto the right shoulders and new temporary pavement. The first stage of the project will consist of building new bridges, pavement, and a concrete barrier wall in the middle of I-80 from Gardner Street to west of Briggs Street. Two lanes in each direction will be maintained throughout construction. The eastbound I-80 ramp to Richards Street will close briefly during the second stage of construction, anticipated in late 2021/early 2022.

The existing bridges were built in the 1960s and are reaching the end of their useful life. The project, which includes replacing the existing four bridges with new wider structures, installing new signage and modernized LED lights, reconstructing, and widening eastbound I-80 from Gardner Street to Rowell Avenue, is expected to be completed late 2022. Once the eastbound bridges are nearing completion, focus will turn to the bridges in the westbound directions.

The eventual replacement of the Des Plaines River bridges and larger improvements to I-80 in Will County are made possible by Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois bipartisan capital plan, which will invest $33.2 billion in transportation infrastructure across all modes throughout the state. The estimated $1.2 billion project is included in IDOT’s current FY22-27 Multi-Year Program with a start date dependent on plan readiness and ongoing land acquisition.

The project will reconstruct 16 miles of I-80, from Ridge Road in Minooka to U.S. 30 in Joliet and New Lenox, while adding or extending auxiliary lanes to improve safety and reduce congestion, as well as improving interchanges at I-55, Illinois 7, Center Street, U.S. 52/Illinois 53, Richards Street and Briggs Street.

For more information on IDOT projects, click here. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and Twitter.

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

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.

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

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.

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

IDOT 5-year plan includes big improvements on I-80, I-55 in Will County

IDOT 5-year plan includes big improvements on I-80, I-55 in Will County

By BOB OKON | HeraldNews.com

Photo of I-80 bridge in Joliet, Illinois

Shaw Media File Photo Traffic flows along the Interstate 80 bridge over he Des Plaines River, which is scheduled for replaced.

The Illinois Department of Transportation on Tuesday released a $21.3 billion five-year highway improvement plan with five major projects in Will County.

The plan includes $3.2 billion in spending for fiscal year 2021, but IDOT warned that funding could be curtailed because of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.

The multi-year plan includes long-sought projects, including replacement of the Interstate 80 bridges over the Des Plaines River and new Interstate 55 interchanges in the Plainfield and Romeoville areas.

John Greuling, president and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development, said he was disappointed that IDOT isn’t farther along on engineering on some projects but added there is a lot to look forward to, including the I-80 improvements.

“We could see a new bridge and a rebuilt I-80 from Ridge Road in Minooka to Route 30 in New Lenox by 2026,” Greuling said.

Read the full article at:
Heraldnews.com

 

I-80 Coalition 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

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.

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

Overnight lane closures on I-80 bridges in Joliet

Overnight lane closures on I-80 bridges in Joliet

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that an ongoing repair project on the Interstate 80 bridges over the Des Plaines River, in Joliet, will require occasional overnight lane closures starting, weather permitting, Monday, July 22.

A single lane closure in either direction of I-80 will be permitted between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on days when closures are necessary.

The closures are needed to perform steel repairs and replace bearings on the bridges, with most of the work taking place under both structures. The project is expected to be complete by the fall of 2020.

Motorists should watch for changing traffic patterns, expect delays and allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

The I-80 bridges have been identified for replacement under Gov. Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, pending the completion of planning studies and final design.

Click here to find details on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1. Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www.travelmidwest.com.

Des Plaines Bridges News

IDOT insists I-80 bridge in Joliet is safe

The state on Thursday declared the Interstate 80 bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet is safe despite an inspection report describing sections as “critical,” “intolerable” and a “high priority for replacement.”

read more

State inspects I80 bridges again

State inspects I80 bridges again

Governor has proposed funding for aging infrastructure’s replacement

Inspectors this week are completing an annual examination of the Interstate 80 bridges that state officials say is done to assure they are safe to drive on, despite the need for repairs.

BY BOB OKON
BOKON@SHAWMEDIA.COM

Inspectors this week are completing an annual examination of the Interstate 80 bridges that state officials say is done to assure they are safe to drive on, despite the need for repairs. The bridges – one eastbound and one westbound – over the Des Plaines River have been described as a poster child for the state’s infrastructure problems, and their replacement is a priority in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s $41.5 million “Rebuild Illinois” plan. The Illinois Department of Transportation plans to replace the bridges, but does not yet have the funding.

Bridge inspection reports from spring 2018 deem them, in a structural evaluation of both the eastbound and westbound bridges, as “intolerable,” while listing the westbound bridge as “high priority for replacement” and the eastbound bridge as “high priority for correction.” “When these terms show up, it doesn’t necessarily mean the bridge is unsafe,” said Carl Puzey, bureau chief for bridges and structures at IDOT, adding “it’s understandable these terms get attention.”

Read the full article at theherald-news.com.

 

Des Plaines Bridges News

IDOT insists I-80 bridge in Joliet is safe

The state on Thursday declared the Interstate 80 bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet is safe despite an inspection report describing sections as “critical,” “intolerable” and a “high priority for replacement.”

read more

I-80 Bridge Inspection Over Des Plaines River In Joliet Canceled Due To Weather

I-80 Bridge Inspection Over Des Plaines River In Joliet Canceled Due To Weather

By Monica DeSantis | Apr 30, 2019

 

Due to the rainy weather the daily inspections for today, April 30th have been canceled.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that regularly scheduled inspections of the Interstate 80 bridges over the Des Plaines River, in Joliet, will begin April 29, weather permitting.

Daily lane closures will be required, starting with the westbound bridge until May 6, when inspections begin on the eastbound bridge. Inspections on both bridges are expected to be complete by May 11, weather permitting.

The closures will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and Saturdays, if necessary. A minimum of two lanes will remain open while inspections are taking place.

Read the full article at
wjol.com

Des Plaines Bridges News

IDOT insists I-80 bridge in Joliet is safe

The state on Thursday declared the Interstate 80 bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet is safe despite an inspection report describing sections as “critical,” “intolerable” and a “high priority for replacement.”

read more

Inspections Scheduled On I-80 Bridges Over Des Plaines River

Inspections Scheduled On I-80 Bridges Over Des Plaines River

By Monica DeSantis | Apr 19, 2019

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that regularly scheduled inspections of the Interstate 80 bridges over the Des Plaines River, in Joliet, will begin April 29, weather permitting.

Daily lane closures will be required, starting with the westbound bridge until May 6, when inspections begin on the eastbound bridge. Inspections on both bridges are expected to be complete by May 11, weather permitting.

The closures will take place between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and Saturdays, if necessary. A minimum of two lanes will remain open while inspections are taking place.

Read the full article at
wjol.com

 

 

Des Plaines Bridges News

IDOT insists I-80 bridge in Joliet is safe

The state on Thursday declared the Interstate 80 bridge over the Des Plaines River in Joliet is safe despite an inspection report describing sections as “critical,” “intolerable” and a “high priority for replacement.”

read more