Drivers in the Joliet area should prepare for overnight closures on Interstate 55 at Interstate 80 next week as part of an ongoing bridge reconstruction project. The closures will take place from Monday, July 7, to Wednesday, July 9, and are necessary for the safe installation of steel beams on the I-80 bridge over I-55.
What to Expect During the Closures
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the closures will happen over three consecutive nights, starting Monday at 8 p.m. and ending at 6 a.m. each day. The exact schedule of closures is as follows:
8:00 p.m.: Both directions of I-80 will be reduced to one lane between River Road and Houbolt Road.
9:00 p.m.: Northbound and southbound I-55 will be reduced to one lane between Illinois 59 and U.S. 6.
11:00 p.m.: The westbound I-80 ramp to southbound I-55 will close.
Midnight: The eastbound I-80 ramp to northbound I-55 will close.
1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.: Both directions of I-55 will be fully closed at I-80.
Detour Information
During the full closures, drivers will be rerouted as follows:
Northbound I-55 traffic: Detoured via eastbound I-80 to northbound Houbolt Road, then reenter westbound I-80 to reach I-55.
Southbound I-55 traffic: Detoured via westbound I-80 to southbound Ridge Road, then reenter eastbound I-80 to reach I-55.
By 5 a.m. each day, one lane in each direction of I-55 will reopen, and all lanes and ramps will be fully open by 6 a.m.
These closures are part of an important bridge reconstruction project, and while they may cause some traffic delays, drivers should plan ahead and follow detours to avoid disruptions. The work is expected to conclude by 6 a.m. Thursday, July 10.
