By Nick Gale, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) — A headache for Chicago commuters has come to an end. The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the completion of the I-55-Lake Shore Drive interchange reconstruction, remaking a vital gateway to Chicago. The project rebuilt a critical connection and improved access to McCormick Place, Soldier Field, Museum Campus, University of Chicago and other landmarks and attractions along Lake Michigan.
The Illinois Department of Transportation project involved rebuilding the six bridges that make up the elevated interchange. To improve traffic flow, a second lane was added to the ramps connecting Lake Shore Drive to outbound I-55.
“This interchange is one of the most important pieces of the state’s transportation system and a big reason why Illinois is the transportation hub of North America,” Secretary Blankenhorn said. “By modernizing I-55 and Lake Shore Drive, we are providing safer trips, more reliable travel times and enhanced quality of life throughout the region.”
Construction on the $135 million project started in 2015, with the outbound ramps opening earlier this year and work on the inbound ramps wrapping up in recent days. Temporary lane closures still will be necessary into next year for miscellaneous tasks, such as landscaping and painting.
The interchange was first built in the 1960s. Prior to the project, the location was prone to frequent emergency repairs due to pavement failures, resulting in unscheduled closures, safety concerns and unplanned backups. Approximately 125,000 vehicles use the interchange each day.
To keep traffic flowing during the project, IDOT employed an innovative construction technique by building a temporary bridge to accommodate inbound I-55 traffic. By doing do, IDOT avoided closing ramps and creating severe congestion leading up to and in the work zone.
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