Kennedy Expressway construction project's final phase underway

CHICAGO - The start of the final phase of the Kennedy Expressway rehabilitation project was already impacting drivers early Tuesday morning as work got underway.

The inbound express lanes are going to be pointed outbound until the end of the project, which is expected to be around Thanksgiving.

Expressway works begin

What we know:

The two left I-90/94 lanes will close from Ohio Street to the Edens Expressway by the end of the staging process.

Set-up for this final phase will take several nights and you will see everything in place by the end of this week.

The closure of the reversible mid-gate entrance and exit means drivers who enter the express lanes cannot exit until they reach the Edens Expressway at Foster Avenue, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Anyone trying to get to O’Hare International Airport is advised to stick to the local lanes as the expressway won’t take them there. IDOT said they’re using signage at Foster to help motorists get back to the Kennedy.

IDOT is also warning drivers to prepare for ramp closures. Although, crews will never shut down consecutive exits.

The whole project will involve repairing 19 bridges, repatching pavement and replacing overhead signs.

IDOT said there will be detailed signs guiding drivers through the construction area and all the changes.