Rehab Work Starts On Harlem Avenue Bridges Over 95th Street, Expect Ramp Closures

OAK LAWN, IL – Expect stage changes and ramp closures, along with intermittent lane closures on northbound Harlem Avenue, and figure out another way to get to Chicago Ridge Mall. Work to rehabilitate the bridges carrying Harlem Avenue (Illinois 43) over 95th Street (US 12/20) in Bridgeview, Chicago Ridge and Oak Lawn will begin, weather permitting, Friday, Dec. 5, IDOT announced.

Starting at 6 p.m. Friday the following ramps will be closed:

• Northbound Harlem Avenue to eastbound 95th Street

Detour: Southwest Highway (east), Ridgeland Road (north) to 95th Street.

• Eastbound 95th Street to northbound Harlem Avenue

Detour: 95th Street (east), Cicero Avenue (Illinois 50) north, 87th Street (west) to Harlem Avenue.

• Northbound Harlem Avenue to westbound 95th Street

Detour: Harlem Avenue (north), 87th Street (west), Roberts Road (south) to 95th Street.

• Westbound 95th Street to northbound Harlem Avenue

Detour: 95th Street (west), Roberts Road (north), 87th Street (east) to Harlem Avenue.
By 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, the ramps and lanes that were closed will reopen, and a new traffic pattern will be in place. In the new configuration, Harlem Avenue will remain two lanes in each direction and the northbound lanes will be shifted slightly to the right onto the reconstructed bridge.

Additionally, ramp traffic will be redirected to the rebuilt northbound Harlem Avenue to westbound 95th Street and the eastbound 95th Street to northbound Harlem Avenue ramps.

The $43.3 million project will reconstruct and resurface Harlem Avenue over 95th Street between 92nd and 99th Place and the Harlem Avenue/95th Street interchange, improve lighting and drainage, modernize traffic signals and construct new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps.

The project also includes rehabilitating the Harlem Avenue bridges over the CSX railroad and over 95th Street, along with the eastbound 95th Street elevated ramp to southbound Harlem Avenue outer connector ramp over the CSX Railroad. Additionally, 95th Street from Interstate 294 (Tri-State Tollway) to New England Avenue will be resurfaced and new storm sewers installed.

Additional time is needed to complete the work, and the overall project is now anticipated to be completed in late 2026.

The public can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Alternate routes are encouraged. Drivers are urged to 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.