UPDATE—October 2012
The completion of the current contract has been extended
into 2013. Significant delays due to utility relocation and changed
site conditions have impacted critical portions of the work.
Coordination with work activities adjacent to this project could
push the completion into summer 2013.
New northbound exit and entrance ramps were opened this fall. The
new southbound exit ramp is not anticipated to open this year. Work
will continue on the flyover bridge, pavement and other features of
this ramp until weather conditions prevent reasonable completion.
Night time closures of I-55 should be anticipated for setting bridge
beams and other construction activities. We anticipate by the
beginning of December the interstate will be returned to its normal
configuration.
Construction along the east frontage road continues to make
progress. Some work activities are highly dependent on weather.
Affected work will continue until weather makes it impractical to
continue. It is not anticipated that significant progress will allow
additional lanes along the east frontage road or the new west
frontage connector bridge to open this year.
The letting date for the last contract is undetermined at this
time. The contract will complete PCC pavement and shoulder along
with necessary earthwork on the east frontage road adjacent to Exxon
Mobil’s property. The start of this work is dependent on the
relocation of a gas pipeline. This contract will complete the
Arsenal project.
UPDATE—April 2012
Staging on Interstate 55 shifts traffic and closes the shoulders
of northbound and southbound to provide a work zone for the
construction of the auxiliary lanes, new ramps and the center pier
of the new interchange ramp. Two lanes will remain open in each
direction. Occasional night time closures should be anticipated for
construction activities. IDOT will continue drainage work,
construction of retaining walls, roadbed preparation, paving ,
lighting and bridge work.
Opening of the new SB I-55 entrance ramp and staging the West
Frontage Road in a 1-lane, 1-way southbound configuration between
Arsenal Road and the newly-constructed SB I-55 entrance ramp is
targeted for Friday, April 27, 2012. Northbound traffic will be
detoured, using southbound I-55 to the North River Road Interchange
as the signed turn-around. We anticipate the detour will be in-place
until reconstruction of the West Frontage Road is complete in
mid-July, 2012.
In early summer 2012 we anticipate opening of the new northbound
exit and entrance ramps to be opened. We still anticipate completion
of the new ramps and opening the roadways in Fall of 2012.
Non-essential work not affecting the openings will continue into
2013.
UPDATE—September, 2011
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) continues to work
toward a target completion date of Fall 2012. Center piers for the
two new bridges that carry traffic over Interstate 55 are scheduled
to be constructed this fall. Staging of traffic on Interstate 55
will be installed the week of September 19, 2011, weather
permitting. Later this month we anticipate staging of the east
Frontage Road just south of existing Arsenal Road to allow grading
operation for the extension of Arsenal Road to begin. The road will
remain open to traffic during construction except for occasional
flagging of traffic to safely move equipment and materials into the
work zone. A new section of the east Frontage Road adjacent to the
new interchange is expected to be completed in early October 2011.
Staging on Interstate 55 will shift traffic up to 8 feet to the
right and close the shoulders on northbound and southbound to
provide a work zone for the construction of bridge piers. Two lanes
will remain open in each direction. Occasional night time closures
should be anticipated for construction activities.
IDOT will continue rock excavation, mass grading, drainage work,
construction of retaining walls, roadbed preparation and paving this
Fall as weather conditions allow.
The new interchange ramps and bridge structures over Interstate 55
are scheduled to be completed in September 2012. |
