Work on I-55 at Des Plaines River Near Channahon has resumed

March 31, 2014 | Filed under: County Gov,Municipalities,News | Posted by: admin +

Work on I-55 at Des Plaines River Near Channahon has resumed 5.00/5 (100.00%) 1 vote

Work on I-55 at Des Plaines River Near Channahon has resumed

Interstate 80 approaching the Des Plaines River Bridge from the east in Joliet. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that weather permitting, work will resume on the bridges that carry I-55 over the Des Plaines River between Arsenal Road and Bluff Road near Channahon. Drivers should expect temporary nighttime lane closures on southbound I-55 from March 21 until March 31. As early as March 31, 2014 a long-term closure of one lane of southbound I-55 will begin. The long-term closure of one lane of northbound I-55 will follow in mid-April.

Lane closures are necessary to complete structural steel repairs and painting on both structures; bridge deck patching and deck resurfacing on the northbound structure. Traffic cross-overs after mid-April will be utilized to allow work on the northbound truss structure while the southbound carries traffic across the Des Plaines River. The anticipated completion date for this project is September 1, 2014.

Each lane northbound and southbound will be reduced to 13′ - 10″. A series of warning signs will be erected in advance of the lane closure and in advance of the last interchange. Warning signs will be at entrance ramps from IL-113, IL-129, Lorenzo Road, River Road, Arsenal Road, Bluff Road, US-6 and I-80.

The Smart Traffic Monitoring (STM) System will be used this year. System sensors, eleven portable changeable message signs and cameras will monitor traffic to give real-time updates of travel times and stopped conditions throughout the work zone. As traffic builds, the signs will change with appropriate messages for motorists. Some changeable signs will be placed in advance of the alternate route designated for this project. An alternate route using I-80 and IL-47 to bypass the I-55 construction zone has been posted.

Illinois State Police will have extra troopers in the area monitoring and enforcing the posted work zone speed limit and the hand-held cell phone ban. The new law bans hand-held cellphone use except in an emergency and allows only for speakerphones and headsets that feature voice-activated or one-digit dialing. The new law, which took effect January 1, 2014, also imposes fines starting at $75 for drivers caught using a hand-held cellphone while driving. Violators could pay $150 for repeat offenses and eventually have their driver’s licenses suspended.

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

Find details on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1 at www.dot.state.il.us. Updates on the impacts to traffic are available at www.travelmidwest.com.