Joliet, IL – Motorists traveling through the Joliet area should prepare for significant overnight delays as the Illinois Department of Transportation begins a series of full Interstate 55 closures at the Interstate 80 interchange.
According to the Joliet Police Department and the Illinois Department of Transportation, the closures begin Monday, July 20, and continue into Tuesday, July 21, as part of the ongoing I-80 Will County improvement project.
Monday Night (July 20 into July 21)
Beginning at 8 p.m., northbound and southbound I-55 will be reduced to one lane between Illinois Route 59 and U.S. Route 6.
At 11 p.m., the eastbound I-80 ramp to northbound I-55 will close.
From 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., northbound I-55 will be fully closed at I-80. Northbound traffic will be detoured by exiting to eastbound I-80, continuing to northbound Houbolt Road, and re-entering westbound I-80 to access northbound I-55.
One lane in each direction on I-55 is expected to reopen by 5 a.m., with all lanes and ramps reopening by 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Tuesday Night (July 21 into July 22)
The same lane reductions begin at 8 p.m.
From 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., southbound I-55 will be fully closed at I-80. Traffic will detour via westbound I-80, southbound Ridge Road, and eastbound I-80 to reconnect with southbound I-55.
All lanes and ramps are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Officials urge drivers to allow extra travel time and expect congestion throughout the construction zone.
