The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has completed the three-year, $169 million rehabilitation of the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago, one month ahead of schedule. The project, part of the state’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan, began in 2023 to replace deteriorated pavement and bridge structures between Ohio Street and the Edens Expressway.
Work included resurfacing 7.5 miles of roadway, refurbishing 36 bridges, upgrading lighting and signage, and modernizing the reversible lane control system. IDOT also replaced 24 entrance and exit ramps and improved the expressway’s traffic gates.
The Kennedy Expressway, which opened in 1960, carries about 275,000 vehicles daily. The last major rehabilitation occurred in 1994. IDOT said early delays in 2024 caused by technical issues with the reversible lane gates were offset by extended construction hours, allowing early completion.
Although finished ahead of schedule, the project exceeded its original $150 million estimate by about 13 percent. Additional lane closures will continue into summer 2026 for ongoing work on the Ohio and Ontario Street feeder ramps.