Construction on Chicago’s Kennedy Expressway continues to cause disruptions for drivers, and while some may think the end is near based on recent updates, the truth is that there is still a long way to go. 

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has been hard at work rehabilitating the expressway, but drivers should brace themselves for months of slow-moving traffic and lane closures.

Recently, new signs went up along the Kennedy Expressway, and IDOT even shared photos of them on social media, hinting at progress. One of their tweets read, “The finish line is in sight.” The new aluminum signs, hanging higher than before, certainly suggest an optimistic outlook. 

However, while these changes might offer some hope, IDOT has not committed to an exact completion date. According to Maria Castaneda, a spokesperson for IDOT, “We’re months away,” she said, without giving an official deadline, “So we’re definitely more finished than the beginning, that we were in March.”

The Kennedy Expressway’s reversible express lanes, which many drivers rely on to navigate rush hour traffic, have been closed for several months now, contributing to major congestion. The lanes were shut down as part of Phase 2 of the project, which began earlier this year and is expected to last until late fall. The closure of these lanes, combined with other ongoing construction efforts, has created long delays and traffic headaches for commuters.

In addition to the visible lane closures and traffic shifts, IDOT crews are also working on less obvious tasks, such as updating the express lanes’ REVLAC (Reversible Lane Access Control) system. This system allows IDOT to control the direction of the reversible lanes remotely, ensuring the safety of drivers when the lanes change direction. To accomplish this, crews have to lay more than seven miles of wiring, install sensors, and set up cameras that will be monitored from IDOT’s headquarters in Schaumburg. While much of this work is hidden from view, it is essential for the overall modernization of the Kennedy Expressway.

The project is part of a three-phase rehabilitation effort aimed at improving the expressway’s safety, traffic flow, and overall infrastructure. The first phase, which focused on inbound lanes, kicked off earlier in 2023. Phase 2, currently underway, primarily addresses the reversible lanes, and the third and final phase will concentrate on the outbound lanes, beginning in the spring of 2025. IDOT officials anticipate that Phase 3 will take about as long as the current work, but the reversible lanes will remain open during that phase to help with traffic flow.

Many drivers may be asking when they can expect some relief. While IDOT is pushing to complete Phase 2 by the end of this year, Castaneda noted that the work will likely continue into late fall. And while winter officially begins on December 21, the agency has not provided a precise date for the reopening of the reversible lanes.

Drivers should also be aware that additional overnight lane closures, as well as intermittent ramp closures, are likely to continue throughout the rest of the construction season. These closures are necessary to allow for bridge cleaning, painting, and LED light installation, particularly at areas like Hubbard’s Cave. 

Crews are also working on other improvements, such as new signage and lighting, which should enhance visibility and safety once the project is complete.

As the construction drags on, frustration from commuters has become a common theme. The expressway is a major artery for Chicago’s drivers, and the ongoing lane closures have added significant time to daily commutes. For those who rely on the Kennedy Expressway, there seems to be no easy workaround, as traffic is heavily impacted in both directions.

While it may be months before drivers see the full benefits of the Kennedy Expressway project, IDOT remains committed to finishing the work. The goal is to have safer, more efficient lanes for Chicagoans to use for years to come, even if that means enduring a bit more traffic in the meantime. For up-to-date information, drivers are encouraged to visit IDOT’s website or follow their social media channels for real-time updates on closures and project progress.