CHICAGO -- With the New Year hardly begun, the Illinois Department of Transportation today announced its first major project for 2002 -- a $17.9 million job to reconstruct the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) / Franklin Connector from Cermak Road to the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94).

Dirk Fuqua, IDOT’s Engineer for Project Implementation in the Chicago area, said work is scheduled to begin January 15 with two ramp closures.

"This is an early start," Fuqua said, "but it is necessary if a job this complex is to be completed by late October."

The project includes the replacement of seven bridges, complete pavement reconstruction, and improved roadway lighting.

The two ramp closures beginning this month are scheduled to be in effect through late October. They will involve the northbound I-55 exit ramp to the northbound Franklin Connector and the southbound Franklin Connector entrance ramp to southbound I-55. Detour routes will be posted. Other ramp and lane closures will occur later in the year as well.

Although no work is planned on the Stevenson’s mainline, there will be off-peak hour, overnight lane closures to accommodate the bridge replacement activities.

This project is funded by Governor George H. Ryan’s Illinois FIRST program. Lorig Construction Company of Des Plaines is the contractor.

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