Going to O’Hare? Kennedy Expressway project creates detour from popular route

CHICAGO (WGN) — The third and final phase of the Kennedy Expressway reconstruction project will for the next several months impact traffic patterns, including a major change on a popular route to O’Hare International Airport.

During the first stage, the reversible express lanes’ mid-gate entrance and exits will be closed, with traffic in the express lanes unable to exit until the Edens Expressway at Foster Avenue.

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That means drivers going to Interstate 90 or O’Hare from downtown Chicago must stay on the mainline Kennedy and avoid the express lanes.

“We put up quite a few signs throughout downtown and on the adjacent expressways reminding people so when they get to that decision points, they know to stay in the locals if they want to go to O’Hare,” IDOT spokesman John Schumacher told WGN.

Anticipating that some motorists might make their way into the express lanes, Schumacher said additional signage has been placed on the Foster Avenue exit and on Foster Avenue itself guiding drivers back to the expressway and to O’Hare.

The configuration is expected to remain in place until mid-July. Phase 3 is estimated to cose about $55 million, paid by state funds, and is slated to be completed by Thanksgiving. The entire reconstruction project cost is $169 million and involves the rehabilitation of 36 bridges and the express lanes’ control system, and replacing signage, pavement patching and more.