La Salle County, Illinois – Lane closures on Interstate 39 over Interstate 80 will begin Monday, March 16, as crews start bridge repairs expected to last through November.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the work will affect the I-39 bridges that cross over I-80 in La Salle County and includes deck and shoulder repairs, expansion joint replacements, and a new latex overlay.
Preliminary construction will take place overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., when one lane will remain open in each direction on I-39. IDOT says all lanes on I-80 below the bridges will reopen the following morning during the early phase of the project.
Once preliminary work is completed, traffic conditions will shift. Two lanes will remain open on I-80 throughout most of the project, allowing traffic to continue moving while crews perform repairs above.
The project is expected to continue through November, though officials note schedules may change depending on weather or construction conditions.
Transportation officials say the improvements are intended to extend the life of the bridges and maintain safe travel along a key regional freight and commuter corridor where I-39 and I-80 intersect in north-central Illinois.
Drivers traveling through the area should prepare for overnight slowdowns, lane shifts, and construction activity near the interchange. IDOT advises motorists to reduce speed in work zones and remain alert for changing traffic patterns.
The closure schedule may particularly affect late-night commuters, delivery drivers, and students returning from regional campuses or jobs who rely on the interstate overnight.
More information about the project is available through the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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