17-03-2025
Final phase of Kennedy Reconstruction Project set to cause traffic disruptions
CHICAGO – Monday marks the start of the next phase of the Kennedy Reconstruction Project.
This phase is the final phase, but drivers are certainly not looking forward to it.
Beginning Monday night, weather permitting, drivers can expect three straight nights of lane and ramp closures.
'It's already a pain going into downtown and now it's going to be a pain getting out, and so I'm not really looking forward to it,' driver Omar Perez said.
Why IDOT says Phase 3 of Kennedy Expressway project will be different for drivers
Construction is resuming just nine weeks after drivers got the express lanes back. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) completed the first phase – the inbound side – in 2023.
'Just sitting there, just waiting. You're waiting for people to move, waiting for people to try and get out and it just backs you up,' driver Cristina Alfano said.
Reversible lanes reopened in mid-January, months later than drivers were anticipating.
While crews work on the outbound side from Ohio to the Edens, express lanes will be open on the outbound side only.
'It's just the inconvenience and the change it's going through going out to O'Hare, not being able to get off until Foster. I think that's going to be the biggest effect,' driver Jimmy Dahm said.
The last rehab of the Kennedy happened over 30 years ago.
Contractor blames IDOT for 113-day Kennedy Construction delay
The cost of the current project has grown the original estimate to $169 million.
With the final phase, drivers hope for more transparency from IDOT.
'I get it and it's a constant necessary evil of Chicago where you have to be constantly under construction and rehabbing roads,' driver Shawn Weidner said with a laugh. 'No one has fun sitting in traffic and if they do, then they have a very positive outlook on life that I guess I don't truly prescribe to every day.'
The entire project is expected to be complete by Thanksgiving.
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