I-80 milestone: additional lanes opening, improving traffic flow and increasing capacity

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that an additional lane in both directions of Interstate 80 between Richards Street and U.S. 30, in Joliet, will open starting, weather permitting, Saturday, July 11, providing additional capacity and improving safety along one of state's busiest travel and freight corridors. The new lanes mark the first major capacity improvement as part of the $1.3 billion I-80 rehabilitation, a cornerstone project of Gov. JB Pritzker's historic Rebuild Illinois capital program.

"This is a big moment for the I-80 project as major pieces that have been in the works for years begin to fall into place," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. "The public is starting to see a modernized, safer corridor taking shape. The opening of these new lanes is just the first of several major improvements we'll deliver this year, all thanks to Rebuild Illinois."

The new lane will open first on eastbound I-80, followed by westbound section later this month. Once the work zone is removed, approximately four miles of I-80 will operate with three lanes in each direction on new pavement, improving safety and traffic flow while construction continues on the remainder of the corridor. ​

To facilitate the lanes opening, the following overnight ramps and lane closures are scheduled to take place. ​

Friday, July 10

All schedules are subject to change due to multiple factors, including weather. Any updates will be shared with the public as far in advance as possible. Likewise, the dates for opening the westbound section between U.S. 30 and Richards Street will be shared once the schedule is finalized. ​

This year is shaping up to be the most pivotal since the I-80 project broke ground in 2022. ​

By the end of this year, extensive work will be completed along the corridor, including over 13 miles from Ridge Road to Larkin Avenue and from Richards Street to U.S. 30, with the next expanded segment scheduled to open between Ridge Road, in Minooka, and Illinois 7 (Larkin Avenue), in Joliet. Newly rebuilt interchanges at I-55, Larkin Avenue and Briggs Street also will be complete, including a new flyover ramp carrying southbound I-55 to eastbound I-80.

This spring, Gov. Pritzker joined IDOT and local officials to break ground on the new Des Plaines River bridges, the centerpiece and final phase of the overall I-80 improvements. To accommodate the work, both directions of I-80 have been reduced from three to two lanes between Richards and Center streets with various impacts on nearby local streets. Once completed, traffic will be shifted to the new bridges, westbound in early 2028 and eastbound by the end of 2028.

Most interchange ramps at Center Street/Meadow Avenue and Center Street over I-80 between Wheeler Avenue and Morgan Street were closed last year for reconstruction, with an anticipated reopening in late 2028. The interchange ramp from eastbound Meadow Avenue to eastbound I-80 remains open but scheduled to close for reconstruction in late 2027. Work started earlier this spring on the Chicago Street (U.S. 52/Illinois 53) interchange with various ramp closures and detours. ​

The following elements are complete: Bridges over I-80 at Shepley Road, River Road, Wheeler Avenue and Briggs Street to accommodate the wider interstate. New mainline pavement between Ridge Road to River Road was completed late last year. The Richards Street interchange and bridge over Hickory Creek also wrapped up in 2025. The bridges carrying I-80 over Hickory Creek, Richards Street and Rowell Avenue/Canadian National railroad were finished in 2024. ​ ​

As ongoing work continues, the public should expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and significant delays allowing extra time for trips through the area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and stay alert for workers and equipment.

The overall I-80 project is redesigning and rebuilding 16 miles from Ridge Road to U.S. 30. ​ For more information, visit I80will.org, which features project information, photos and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team.

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