IDOT Announces Dan Ryan Construction Schedule Through 2006

CHICAGO, Aug. 22, 2005 -- The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today the upcoming construction schedule from September 2005 through Summer 2006 for the southern section of the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) from 71st Street to the I-57/I-94 interchange. IDOT's "Road Doctors" will reconstruct entrance and exit ramps and the 76th Street Bridge. Additional work includes erecting retaining walls, construction of junction chambers, storm sewer replacement and posting new signage along the Dan Ryan. Parking will be restricted along the frontage roads and detours will be posted.

IDOT is announcing the following schedule on the Dan Ryan beginning September 1st, 2005 (weather permitting):

  SOUTHBOUND:
    September 1, 2005 to late November 2005
    -- The left lane of Lafayette Avenue and right shoulder of the
       expressway will close from 95th to 99th Streets.
    -- The Wentworth Avenue exit ramp will close.

    September 6, 2005 to late November 2005
    -- The left lane of Lafayette Avenue will close from 71st to 75th
       Streets and from 84th to 87th Streets.
    -- The right shoulder of the expressway will close from 71st to 75th
       Streets and from 83rd to 87th Streets.
    -- The 71st Street entrance ramp and the 75th Street and 87th Street
       exit ramps will close.

   Bridge Reconstruction:  September 6, 2005 to late July 2006
   -- There will be a full closure of the 76th Street Bridge.
      -- The posted detour will direct westbound traffic to take eastbound
         76th Street to southbound Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive to
         westbound 79th Street to northbound Vincennes Avenue back to
         westbound 76th Street.
      -- The eastbound detour will take traffic to westbound 76th Street to
         southbound Lafayette Avenue to eastbound 79th Street to northbound
         State Street back to eastbound 76th Street.

  NORTHBOUND:
    September 1, 2005 to late November 2005
    -- The Halsted Street entrance ramp will close.
       -- The detour to northbound/westbound I-94 will take traffic from
          99th Street to northbound Halsted Street to eastbound 95th Street
          to northbound State Street to the I-94 entrance ramp.
       -- The detour to southbound/eastbound I-94 will take traffic from
          99th Street to southbound Halsted Street to eastbound 103rd Street
          to the I-94 entrance ramp.
    -- The Michigan Avenue, 87th Street and 75th Street entrance ramps and
       the 71st Street exit ramp will close.
    -- The left lanes of 99th Street and Wabash Avenue will close.

This work is part of the $600 million Dan Ryan Expressway reconstruction project. IDOT is in the midst of a four-year reconstruction project on the Dan Ryan from 31st Street to 95th Street. The improved Dan Ryan will include an additional lane in each direction, a reconfigured Skyway interchange and reconstructed ramps. The project goals include improving safety for motorists, reducing commuting time on the city's busiest expressway and creating new jobs.

For the most updated information visit http://www.danryanexpressway.com/ , or call 1-877-411-IDOT.