Outbound Kennedy Expy. lanes open after work on Montrose bridge
CHICAGO - Traffic on the outbound Kennedy Expressway was snarled Saturday as the highway remains reduced to one lane through the weekend while crews remove the last parts of the Montrose Avenue bridge for reconstruction.
It was cut to a single lane Friday night starting at Diversey Avenue, with all traffic routed to express lanes by midnight, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Outbound Kennedy traffic will continue to the outbound Edens Expressway and won’t be able to exit until Foster Avenue. The ramp to Wilson Avenue will also be closed.
How long will this construction on the Kennedy last?
All lanes and ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, March 1.
Other ramp closures on the outbound Kennedy will include:
- Entrance ramps at: Armitage, Fullerton/Western, California and Kimball avenues, Addison Street and Irving Park.
- Exit ramps at: Diversey, Kedzie/Belmont, Kimball avenues, Addison Street, Pulaski/Irving Park roads, Kostner and Montrose.
Pedestrians accessing the CTA Blue Line station at Montrose can expect intermittent 15-minute sidewalk closures between 1 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.
The construction was initially scheduled for Jan. 29, but was postponed for inclement weather, according to IDOT.
Why is there construction on the Kennedy?
The removal and replacement of the Montrose bridge was divided into three parts, with the first section removed in January and the third section planned for removal in the early spring.
Bridge improvements, which include new pavement and improved lighting, are expected to be completed this summer.