Why IDOT says Phase 3 of Kennedy Expressway project will be different for drivers

CHICAGO (WGN) — As the third and final phase of Kennedy construction work gets underway next week, Illinois Department of Transportation officials vow to “do better” after problems cost drivers an extra two months of delays last year.

WGN Investigates previously reported on a series of decisions and problems that led to the Kennedy’s reversible lanes staying closed longer than drivers were initially promised.  They include reopening the lanes for VIP use during the Democratic National Convention and IDOT adding to the scope of the project – all the while an agency spokesperson claimed work was “on schedule,” despite the contactor saying it wasn’t.  

“You make it out like there was some purposeful misleading of people when the reality is these are complex projects,” said Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Illinois) in response to questions from WGN Investigates. “I don’t know what to say except: Yeah, there were delays. It’s unfortunate. It happens.”

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A top IDOT official said last year’s problems involved fiber optic cabling, remote controlled gates and cameras on the reversible lanes contrasted with more traditional and predictable bridge work and paving happening this year.

“It was a very complex system and things were changing on an almost daily basis,” said IDOT construction chief Jonathan Schumacher.

Asked why IDOT continued to claim the reversible lanes would open in “late fall” of last year instead of admitting the work was behind schedule, Schumacher said “it would have been very disingenuous of us to come out and say ‘we’re not going to finish in mid-December but we don’t know when we’re going to finish.'” The lanes didn’t reopen until January 13.

This time IDOT officials are vowing to be more transparent with drivers. 

“You could always communicate more and that’s what you’re going to see this year and that’s how we’re going to go about rebuilding the trust is to almost over-communicate details to the public about what work is going on out there,” Schumacher said.

Illinois republicans said they’re encouraged to see Pritzker name an experienced new boss at IDOT after former director Omer Osman retired in December, but they’re critical of delays and cost over-runs.

“It’s a perfect example of state government not working for the taxpayers of Illinois,” said State Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove).  

IDOT originally projected the cost of the entire three year Kennedy Expressway construction project would be $150 million, but the agency now predicts it will reach $169M.