Joliet, IL – Drivers traveling through Joliet should prepare for overnight detours starting tomorrow, as major construction work begins at the Interstate 80 and Center Street interchange, prompting multiple ramp closures.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and I-80 Will, ramps connecting I-80 and Center Street/Meadow Avenue will close after the evening rush Monday night, December 22, as crews begin a long-term reconstruction project. The closures are part of a large-scale effort to modernize the interchange and improve safety and traffic flow.
Officials say the following ramps will be closed starting tomorrow:
- Ramps to and from I-80 and Center Street/Meadow Avenue
- Center Street/Meadow Avenue over I-80 between Wheeler Avenue and Morgan Street
Drivers should follow posted detours using:
- U.S. 6
- Larkin Avenue (Illinois Route 7)
- Jefferson Street (U.S. 52)
The eastbound Meadow Avenue to eastbound I-80 ramp will remain open, officials confirmed.
Detour maps and real-time updates are available at www.i80will.org/traffic-alerts. Motorists are urged to plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and remain cautious while traveling through active work zones.
Transportation officials say the ramps over the interstate and Center Street/Meadow Avenue are expected to reopen in late 2028. Once completed, the project is expected to provide safer access, reduced congestion, and more efficient travel through the Joliet area.
The construction impacts commuters across Joliet, Will County, the southwest Chicago suburbs, and northern Illinois, particularly those using I-80 as a regional freight and commuter corridor.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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