I-55 lane closure starts Monday

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the equipment issues that stalled the replacement of bridge decks on Interstate 55 south of Blodgett Road have been resolved and the project is now due to go into stage with the closure of the northbound I-55 lane by 5 a.m. Monday, June 24. The bridges carry the interstate over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks and Grant Creek.

Northbound I-55 will be one lane to accommodate widening of the shoulders.

After the shoulders are widened, the southbound bridge will be closed and the interstate will be reduced to one lane in each direction on the northbound lanes. The revised configuration is expected to be in place from August until late November, when I-55 returns to two lanes in each direction.

Work will resume next spring with the closure of the northbound bridge and traffic crossing over to the southbound lanes to again accommodate one lane in each direction.

There will not be a detour but Interstate 80 and Route 47 is the recommended alternative route. Digital message boards will be in place to display real-time traffic information.

The entire project is expected to be completed by fall 2020.

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. Illinois State Police will be patrolling this work zone to enforce posted speed limits.