Will County Gazette

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has announced a full closure on Interstate 55 at Interstate 80 over three consecutive nights, starting Monday, July 7. This is part of ongoing efforts to rebuild the I-80 bridges over I-55 in Joliet, Channahon, and Shorewood. The closures are necessary for the safe installation of steel beams on the I-80 bridge over the expressway.

According to IDOT, "the following closures with detours will take place Monday, July 7, Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9." Starting at 8 p.m., eastbound and westbound I-80 will be reduced to one lane between River and Houbolt roads. At 9 p.m., northbound and southbound I-55 will also be reduced to one lane between Illinois Route 59 and U.S. Route 6.

Further restrictions include the closure of the westbound I-80 ramp to southbound I-55 at 11 p.m., followed by the eastbound I-80 ramp to northbound I-55 closing at midnight. Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., both directions of I-55 will be fully closed at I-80. During these hours, detours will redirect traffic: northbound traffic on I-55 will exit onto eastbound I-80 toward northbound Houbolt Road before reentering westbound I-80 to access northbound I-55; southbound traffic will exit onto westbound I-80 toward south Ridge Road before reentering eastbound I-80 to access southbound I-55.

By each morning at 5 a.m., one lane in each direction on both north and south-bound lanes of I-55 is expected to reopen with all lanes clear by 6 a.m. The work is anticipated for completion by Thursday morning on July 10.

IDOT advises that as reconstruction continues along this corridor there may still be lane shifts or overnight closures causing significant delays requiring extra travel time through these areas while urging drivers "to pay close attention" within work zones alongside obeying posted speed limits due vigilance needed around workers & equipment present onsite.

For more information about these developments visit their website: www.I80will.org where updates can regularly appear concerning project specifics along offering photo insights whilst providing contact channels available via 'Contact' link if needing further clarity from project teams involved here too – inclusive links made accessible towards finding out prevailing road conditions seen live today using resourceful site option found under www.gettingaroundillinois.com; social media presence likewise maintained through platforms such as Facebook or X ensuring continued connectivity provided between stakeholders affected alike directly together stakeholders interested generally overall outcomes reached throughout undertaking underway currently being managed successfully therein hopefully henceforth accordingly ultimately therefore thereby subsequently nevertheless notwithstanding meanwhile simultaneously however consequently thus finally eventually ultimately...