It may still be cold in the Windy City, but the Illinois Department of Transportation is ready to begin another busy road construction season throughout the six-county Chicago region.

"This year's road work involves a number of good sized jobs, but nothing as high profile as last year's Hillside Interchange project," said Dirk Fuqua, IDOT's Engineer of Project Implementation in the Chicago area. "The overall focus in 2002 will be on road maintenance and safety improvements, although we will undertake a variety of congestion relief projects as well."
Several interstate projects top this year's list of major work, including:

• I-55/Franklin Connector from Cermak Road to the Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94). Construction activities for this $17.9 million project previously began on Jan. 15. It involves the replacement of seven bridges, complete pavement reconstruction of the Franklin Connector from Cermak Road to the Dan Ryan, and reconstruction of ramps between I-55 and I-90/94. It is scheduled for completion on Oct. 31.

• I-55 at Tri-State Tollway (I-294). This $12.7 million interchange reconstruction project is designed to reduce congestion by rebuilding five ramps and replacing and widening two bridges. The key improvement involves the construction of additional lanes on the bridge over Joliet Road located just south of the I-294 toll plaza. It is scheduled to begin on March 15 and is to be completed by Oct. 31.

• I-55 from Illinois 126 to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). This 15-mile section of I-55 is to be resurfaced this year, with construction taking place in the summer and fall. Work will be done during the overnight period to minimize impact on traffic.

• I-57 from Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) to I-80. This is a two-year, 12-mile resurfacing and bridge rehabilitation project. During 2002, the southbound lanes of I-57 will be improved, with preliminary work beginning by March 18. All first year work is to be completed by Oct. 31.

• I-80 at U.S. 45 and U.S. 45 from 179th Street to 191st Street. This two-year project will reconstruct the interchange of I-80 at U.S. 45 in 2002 and rebuild and widen U.S. 45 from 179th Street to 191st Street in 2003. The contract will be bid in March. First year work will occur from early May to late October.

Information regarding all ongoing state road and bridge construction in the Chicago area can be obtained by visiting the IDOT web site at www.dot.state.il.us and following the link to Projects.