Lane reductions along IL-171 in south suburbs begin this week

Lane reductions and ramp closures along IL-171 and the Stevenson interchange are scheduled to being this week in Summit, Lyons and McCook for a bridge reconstruction project.

The project will reconstruct the bridges along northbound Illinois IL-171 from 47th Street to 55th Street and the I-55 interchange, according to a statement from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Beginning Thursday, traffic on IL-171 will be reduced to one lane in each direction and shift onto the southbound lanes. There will be occasional, overnight closures on I-55 near IL-171 and permanent shoulder closures on I-55 at IL-171, according to the statement.

Beginning March 28, all ramps on northbound IL-171 will be closed for interchange reconstruction. Detours will be posted for the following permanent ramp closures:

• Northbound I-55 to Northbound IL-171
• Southbound I-55 to Northbound IL-171
• Northbound IL-171 to Northbound I-55
• Northbound IL-171 to Southbound I-55
• Northbound IL-171 to Joliet Road

All lanes and ramps will reopen when the project is completed in fall 2016.

The project includes the rehabilitation and widening of eight bridges along northbound IL-171 between 47th Street and 55th Street, bridge replacement of northbound IL-171 over I-55, along with ramp modification, wall repairs, asphalt resurfacing, pavement markings, landscaping, and replacement of signs, roadway lighting, high mast light towers and drainage structures, according to the statement.