Last Weekend Of Lanes Closures Affecting I-80 Eastbound In Joliet

The Illinois Department of Transportation will be doing bridge deck repairs and pavement patching on Interstate 80, in Joliet, will require lane closures over four weekends. This is the last of four planned weekend closures between Houbolt Road and Richards Street. Major travel delays are anticipated, alternative routes are strongly encouraged.

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, weather permitting, lane closures will take place on eastbound I-80, between Houbolt Road and Richards Street. At least one eastbound I-80 lane will remain open at all times, ramps and westbound I-80 will not be impacted. Eastbound I-80 motorists traveling through the region should consider alternative routes to avoid the area. Local streets are unable to accommodate heavy or wide trucks, so other interstate routes are encouraged. All lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 7.

The work consists of bridge deck repairs and pavement patching to keep the structures in acceptable condition while the larger I-80 corridor improvements are under construction. By scheduling the work over multiple weekends, the unplanned, emergency closures that have occurred with increasing frequency in recent years can be minimized. Also, by planning the repairs, they can be performed more safely and allow motorists the opportunity to plan ahead and use alternative routes to avoid the area when feasible.

As the I-80 reconstruction continues, the public should continue to expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and significant delays and to allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.