Detour: Section of Reagan Memorial Tollway I-88 Closes This Weekend

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – A closure of the ramp carrying the westbound Reagan Memorial Tollway, Interstate 88, to the northbound Veterans Memorial Tollway, or Interstate 355, will begin Friday morning and last throughout the coming weekend.

The impasse will make way for bridge repairs on the Finley Road overpass, according to a news release from the Illinois Tollway. The ramp that sends westbound I-88 traffic to northbound I-355 will close at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 8. A posted detour will provide a work zone for bridge joint replacement and deck repairs.

"Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the weekend closure," the notice said, adding that completion of the project is contingent on weather.

The detour will direct westbound I-88 traffic to southbound I-355. There, drivers will exit at Ogden, where they will then be sent east to the I-355 northbound entrance ramp. The ramp is scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 12 ahead of the morning rush hour. There is no additional toll associated with the detour, Illinois Tollway representatives said.

A second closure this fall will allow crew to complete the second leg of repairs.

The Illinois Tollway has coordinated in 2016 with the Illinois Department of Transportation and DuPage County to repair several ramps and bridges along the eastern end of I-88. The project specifies Fox River, Yackley Avenue, Warrenville Road, Illinois Route 53, I-355, Highland Avenue and Finley Road overpasses.

Resurfacing work is also scheduled on the ramp carrying southbound I-355 traffic to eastbound I-88. All repairs should wrap up by the end of 2016.

Construction information and updates on the East Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) Bridge Repairs are available in the “Projects by Roadway” section in the Construction/Planning area of the Tollway's website.

Work Zone Safety Reminder

The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring that I-88 and other area roadways remain safe for both drivers and workers during construction, which is part of the agency’s overall commitment to roadway safety.

Construction zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. On I-88, a 45 mph work zone speed limit will be in effect.

Illinois State Police have zero tolerance for drivers speeding in work zones. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375. Posted signs advise drivers of a $10,000 fine and a 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker.