New lane configuration taking effect at Jane Byrne Interchange reconstruction

CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - A stretch of the Eisenhower that’s already crowded is about to get worse.

The Jane Byrne interchange project has gridlocked traffic on one of Chicago’s busiest expressways and starting Sunday night, the stretch between Ogden and Halsted got worse.

“I sometimes get off work as late as 11pm and it’s always backed up, always,” said Ira Rolark, who uses the Eisenhower on a regular basis. “It’s gonna suck. It’s already congested day and night."

The inbound Eisenhower will lose one full lane of travel between Ogden and Halsted through the end of the year. Left and center lanes will lead to Ida B. Wells Drive. The center lane will also have access to the outbound Kennedy and the right lane will go to the outbound Dan Ryan.

IDOT hopes drivers will pay close attention to signs and flaggers in the work zones and obey posted speed limits. 

“I see gridlock happening. I see lots of people and people are not gonna be having any patience whatsoever,” said Debra Council, driver.

“It’s already a mess to begin with. We’re at a point now, try to avoid it as best we can,” said Daniel Hammond, driver.

To prepare for the new lane configuration, IDOT will take the inbound Ike down to a single lane early Monday morning. Also, the ramps to the outbound Kennedy and outbound Dan Ryan will be closed at times and there will be intermittent full-stops from 1-3a.m. Monday.

“Alternate routes is the key. That’s how I get through Chicago,” said Hammond.