The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today that as part of ongoing efforts to replace the bridge carrying Shepley Road over Interstate 80, in Minooka, overnight lane closures, accompanied by 15-minute full I-80 traffic stops, are scheduled to take place near Shepley Road beginning, weather permitting, Saturday, May 20. The closures are necessary to safely remove the existing Shepley Road bridge over the expressway.
To complete the work, motorists should expect various overnight lane closures in both directions of I-80 near Shepley Road. The closures will take place from 8:00 p.m. Saturday to noon Sunday and from 8:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday to 5:00 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, with full stops for no longer than 15 minutes at a time starting at 1:00 a.m. each night. The work is anticipated to be completed by 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 24.
The $4.3 million project, which involves replacing the existing bridge with a new structure to accommodate the widening of I-80 under the bridge, is expected to be completed in November.
Motorists can expect delays and should 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.
The overall I-80 project will redesign and rebuild 16 miles from Ridge Road, in Minooka, to U.S. 30, in Joliet and New Lenox, while adding or extending auxiliary lanes to improve safety and reduce congestion.
Interchanges will be rebuilt or improved at Interstate 55, Illinois 7, Center Street, Chicago Street, Richards Street and Briggs Street, with a new flyover ramp linking southbound I-55 to eastbound I-80 to improve traffic flow and safety. More than 30 bridges will be rehabilitated or replaced, including those over the Des Plaines River.
For Real-Time I-80 Traffic and Construction Information, Visit I-80 Traffic.
