The reversible lanes of the Kennedy Expressway are set to reopen next week after nearly a year of construction, with three nights of additional lane closures starting Thursday to clear out the work zone.
An exact reopening date has not been set. The Illinois Department of Transportation said Wednesday it anticipates it will open during the week of Jan. 13, weather permitting, and would share a reopening date "once the removal of the work zone is underway and reassessed."
Department officials last month acknowledged the opening date would be pushed from "late fall" to mid-January.
Additional lanes will be closed overnight later in the week to safely remove the barricades and apply new pavement markings. At least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times, according to the transportation department.
The latest construction schedule:
Beginning 10 p.m. Thursday, two left lanes on the inbound Kennedy will be closed from Lawrence Avenue to the Edens junction. At the same time, two left lanes on the inbound Edens will be closed from Foster Avenue to the junction. Ramps will not be affected. Lanes reopen at 5 a.m. Friday.
At 10 p.m. Friday, two left lanes on the outbound Kennedy will be closed from Randolph and Ohio streets. Also, the Ontario Street feeder ramp will be closed. Lanes reopen at 6 a.m. Saturday.
At 10 p.m. Saturday, two left lanes on the inbound Kennedy will be closed from Kimball and Sacramento avenues. Two left lanes on the outbound Kennedy will close from Diversey to Fullerton avenues. Lanes reopen at 6 a.m. Sunday.
