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

IDOT Launches New Site to Keep Public Informed on I-80 Reconstruction

The Illinois Department of Transportation has launched a new website, I80will.org, to provide the public with the latest information on the $1.2 billion reconstruction of Interstate 80 through Will County, one of the cornerstone projects of Governor JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program.

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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.

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The Houbolt Road Extension Project is Moving Forward

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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

IDOT Launches New Site to Keep Public Informed on I-80 Reconstruction

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read more

Interstate 80 Project Includes Overnight Lane Closures

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.

read more

The Houbolt Road Extension Project is Moving Forward

The Houbolt Road Extension Project is Moving Forward Project Completion Projected for Early 2023 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...

read more

Houbolt Bridge Construction Ready to Go

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.

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

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read more

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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.

read more

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The Houbolt Road Extension Project is Moving Forward Project Completion Projected for Early 2023 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...

read more

Houbolt Bridge Construction Ready to Go

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.

read more