Lane Changes Starting At I-55, Route 53 In Bolingbrook

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Two nights of lane closures will begin Monday night, as part of the ongoing reconstruction of the Interstate 55 bridge over Route 53 in Bolingbrook, the Illinois Department of Transportation said in a release.

On Monday night, various lane closures will occur from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in both directions of I-55 approaching Route 53, IDOT said. Ramps will not be impacted, and at least one lane in each direction will remain open at all times.

When lanes reopen on Tuesday, a different lane configuration will be in place. On inbound I-55, the current lane split on inbound 55 at 53 will be removed, and all three inbound lanes will shift slightly to the right on to the new bridge deck. All of the entrances, exits and outbound I-55 will remain the same.

When lanes reopen on Wednesday, the three outbound I-55 lanes approaching Route 53 will split, IDOT said. The two right outbound I-55 lanes will shift slightly to the left, while the left outbound lane will shift over to the inbound side (separated by a barrier wall) and will merge back over to the outbound side after the bridge. Entrances and exits will be the same.

The new configuration will allow work to begin on the outbound portion of the bridge and will remain in place through late fall, according to IDOT.

Motorists should continue to expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and significant delays and to allow extra time for trips through this area, IDOT said. Alternative routes are encouraged.

Drivers should pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

The $17.7 million project includes replacing the existing I-55 bridges over Illinois 53 and Joliet Road with new wider structures, new deck overlays and approaches, resurfacing and new lighting. Work at I-55 over Illinois 53 is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The bridge replacements for I-55 over Joliet Road are anticipated to begin later this year and finish in 2024, IDOT said.