The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that bridge deck repairs and pavement patching on Interstate 80, between Richards Street and Houbolt Road, in
Joliet, will require lane closures over four consecutive weekends. This is the second of four planned weekend closures along the corridor.

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, weather permitting, lane closures will take place on westbound 1-80, between Richards Street and Houbolt Road. At least one westbound 1-80 lane will remain open at all times, the ramps and eastbound 1-80 will not be impacted. 

Westbound 1-80 motorists traveling through the region should consider alternative routes to avoid the area. Local streets are unable to accommodate heavy or wide trucks, so other interstate routes are encouraged. All lanes are anticipated to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 23.

To complete the work, additional weekend lane and ramp closures are scheduled to take place, from 10 p.m. Fridays to 5 a.m. Mondays, on westbound and eastbound 1-80 for approximately two additional weekends, weather permitting. Details and impacts to traffic will be shared in advance, closer to the closure dates.
The work consists of bridge deck repairs and pavement patching to keep the structures in acceptable condition while the larger 1-80 corridor improvement are under construction. 

The overall I-80 project will redesign and rebuild 16 miles from Ridge Road, in Minooka, to U.S. 30, in Joliet and New Lenox, while adding or extending auxiliary lanes to improve safety and reduce congestion. Interchanges will be rebuilt or improved at Interstate 55, Illinois 7, Center Street, Chicago Street, Richards Street and Briggs Street, with a new flyover ramp linking southbound 1-55 to eastbound 1-80 to improve traffic flow and safety. More than 30 bridges will be rehabilitated or replaced, including those over the Des Plaines River. The projected $1.3 billion project is anticipated to be substantially complete by the end of 2028, with landscaping, bridge demolition and miscellaneous work extending into 2029. 

For more information, visit l80will.org. The mobile-friendly website features project information, photos, and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team via a “Contact” link. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and X.