Westbound Congress Parkway/I-290 from the Post Office to Racine Avenue
Reconstruction of Westbound Congress Parkway/I-290 from the Post Office to Racine Avenue will address and improve safety and traffic flow. The project consists of the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Westbound I-290 including the rehabilitation of a portion of the Congress Viaduct and the reconstruction of Westbound I-290 over I-90/94 and the reconstruction of the Westbound Canal Street Entrance Ramp.
The project limits extend from east of Canal Street to west of I-90/94 along I-290 approximately 1,850 feet. This project also includes reconstruction of the retaining wall along the Canal Street Ramp. The Westbound I-290 Bridge over I-90/94 will be completely reconstructed and will consist of 1-12’ lane and 2-11’ lanes and an inside and outside shoulders. The rehabilitation of the Congress Viaduct structure that facilitates traffic to Northbound and Southbound I-90/94 which will be completed in a later contract.
Closures and Lane Reductions were in place during primary bridge construction and will remain as new project work has started.
- Canal Street entrance ramp will be closed
- Westbound Congress Parkway/I-290 lane reductions start at Clark Street to Wells Street
- Wacker Drive entrance ramp to Westbound Congress Parkway/I-290 will remain open
- Access to I-90/94 from Westbound Congress Parkway/I-290 to remain open
During construction and a minimum of two lanes will be maintained at all times. Initially, Westbound I-290 traffic will be shifted towards the north in order to construct the insides of the bridges and then traffic will be shifted onto the newly constructed mainline lanes while the outside lanes are constructed. All lane restrictions will be performed using lane widths of at least 11 feet in width.
Other project elements include drainage, water main, high mast interchange lighting, ITS, signing, traffic control and protection, landscaping and pavement markings.
Lane closures, changes in traffic patterns, reductions in the speed limit and the presence of workers and equipment create an environment that demands drivers refrain from behavior that could create a distraction. The rules are very simple: See orange. Slow down. Save lives.