Will County Gazette

The Houbolt Road Reconstruction Project between I-80 and US Route 6 is nearing completion.  The improvements include the modification of the interchange at I-80 to become a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI).  DDI’s are becoming more common in our area, with existing locations at the I-88 / IL Route 59 interchange as well as at the I-55 and Weber Road interchange.  DDI’s have unique traffic patterns, with crossovers at both of the ramps.  They increase the capacity of the interchange and improve the safety by eliminating turning movements that cross opposing traffic.

On Friday, October 27, 2023 at 9:00 PM, the interchange of I-80 and Houbolt Road will be closed to all traffic.  There will be no traffic entering or exiting I-80 at Houbolt Road, and Houbolt Road through traffic will be closed between Rock Creek Blvd and Mound Road.  A detour will be posted for the interchange closure that will utilize US Route 6 and IL Route 7.  This closure is needed to test the new traffic signal equipment and complete any remaining pavement markings that are required for the new lane configurations at the interchange.  WEATHER DEPENDING, it is expected that the ramps and through traffic will reopen to vehicular traffic on Saturday, October 28, 2023 by 10:00 AM.  At this time, new traffic patterns will be in place that follow the new DDI lane configurations.  The new permanent traffic signals at the ramps will also be operational at this time.  If rain prohibits the completion of the pavement markings, the opening of the new lane configurations will be delayed until the markings have been completed.

The installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Houbolt Road and Mound Road is also included in this project. This traffic signal installation has not yet been completed and will not be operational on October 28.  It is expected that this new traffic signal will be activated within the next few weeks. Other remaining improvements including a new multi-use path along Houbolt Road and roadway lighting installations will be completed in the next few weeks.  Daily lane closures along Houbolt Road should be expected as work continues to complete these improvements. 

All motorists are asked to use extreme caution while driving through the area.  For more information including plan views of the new lane configurations as well as an animated video showing the operation of the DDI, please visit the City of Joliet website at  Houbolt Road Reconstruction Project | City of Joliet, IL 

Original source can be found here.