Two rebuilt ramps and several lanes on the $713 million Jane Byrne Interchange project are set to open in the coming days, but not without some temporary headaches for motorists.
Illinois Department of Transportation officials on Friday hailed the planned openings as a “centerpiece” of the project, which began in late 2013.
“The completion of these (ramps and lanes) will mean significant improvement getting in and out of the city, better traffic flow and enhanced safety for the motorists,” Omer Osman, the department’s acting secretary, told reporters Friday.
The ramps and lanes expected to open:
- The ramp from the inbound Dan Ryan Expressway to Ida B. Wells Drive, Saturday.
- The ramp from the outbound Eisenhower Expressway to Morgan Street, Saturday.
- A second lane on the Dan Ryan Expressway flyover to the outbound Eisenhower Expressway, Saturday.
- A second westbound lane on the Eisenhower Expressway, Tuesday.
In preparation for the openings, state officials said motorists should expect some ramp and road closures through 5 a.m. Tuesday around the interchange. Detour signs were expected to be posted.
“Please remain patient and allow for additional time while driving through the work zone,” said Paul Gregoire, IDOT’s bureau chief of construction.
The project, which IDOT says is one of the most complex in the nation, is expected to be completed in 2022. The interchange accommodates 400,000 vehicles daily, officials said.
To learn more about the project, go to www.JaneByrneInterchange.org.