On Saturday, while I was returning from O’Hare, I got my first glimpse of the Kennedy Expressway work that will annoy commuters as the state reconstructs 7.5 miles of roadways and bridges.
Why it matters: This $150 million infrastructure renovation project will temporarily slow down our already sluggish traffic.
And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably recently been annoyed by miles of blocked roadways that seem to be unoccupied.
I questioned representatives from the Illinois Department of Transportation about the current situation and what to anticipate once construction gets going.
What they’re saying: According to spokesman Maria, IDOT is “currently setting up the work zone, which we do at night to minimize disruption to traffic.But once this work zone is established, you’ll notice some very significant work taking place.
What to expect: According to Castaneda, rainy weather may prevent workers from “striping” or pouring concrete.
Also, it could appear as though “no one is doing anything” for two weeks following the pouring of concrete in various places.
Castaneda explains, “That’s because the concrete requires time to cure to make sure that it’s the right strength to let a vehicle drive over it.
Sure, but why can’t they work on smaller chunks one at a time rather than closing lanes for the full 7.5-mile stretch?
