UPDATE—September 20, 2012

• Project as of today is 40% complete.
• Projected Completion Date of Stage I: Late Fall 2012
• Projected Overall Completion Date: Late Fall 2013
• Configuration of the project by Winter 2013: Project will be in Stage II configuration with northbound and southbound Central Ave using the completed Stage I located on the northbound lanes. On Mainline I-55, the inbound and outbound shoulder will be closed to traffic to work on all abutment and pier widening (see scheduled work on winter).
• Detour Routes: Inbound traffic on I -55 wanting to go southbound and/or northbound Central Avenue are detoured to take the next exit at Cicero Ave Interchange and detour routes are posted. Traffic coming from northbound and southbound Central Ave wanting to go on southbound I-55 are detoured to take 39th Street and head north to Cicero Ave and take the southbound Cicero entrance ramp.
• Scheduled Winter Work 2013: Abutment work including pier widening, piling and construction of the new MSE wall for Ramps 1 and 2; south and north approach bridge deck demolition plus mainline demolition and removal of the old structural steel ; pier widening work on north and south approach; demolition work for the removal and placement of new parapet wall from the approach bridge structure for Ramp 1 and 2; erect new structural steel and decking work.
   

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.