New archaeological exhibit goes on the road to display Illinois history

March 31, 2025

Important: See below for upcoming cutoff date reminders in letting section

A new mobile exhibit displaying more than 12,500 years of Illinois archaeology is hitting the road after debuting at IDOT’s Harry R. Hanley Building in Springfield in January.

Final phase of Kennedy Expressway underway

The third and final phase of the three-year Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94) rehabilitation project has begun, focused on the outbound lanes from the Edens Expressway (I-94) to Ohio Street.

Through the duration of the project, which is slated to wrap up around Thanksgiving, the reversible express lanes will remain open in the outbound direction, with two mainline outbound lanes closed at a time.

During the first stage, drivers going to I-90 or O’Hare International Airport from downtown Chicago must stay on the mainline Kennedy and not the express lanes. This configuration is expected to remain in place until mid-July.

Throughout construction, traveling during non-peak hours, taking alternative routes and utilizing public transportation, primarily the Chicago Transit Authority’s Blue Line and Metra’s Union Pacific Northwest Line, as well as Pace, are recommended.

For more information, visit https://idot.click/kennedy-rehab. The website features project details, maps, photos and fact sheets. The public can email questions to DOT.KennedyRehab@illinois.gov. For systemwide traffic and road conditions, visit www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT and see project updates on Facebook and X.

Time to Put a Lid on Litter

Spring litter removal operations are in full swing across Illinois as our highway maintainers are collecting tons of litter that's accumulated over winter.

Among the highlights so far:

3,172 bags of litter, weighing a total of 32 tons, were collected along I-290 in Cook and the collar counties.
76 bags of litter were collected between I-72 and Wabash Avenue on Illinois 4 (Veterans Parkway) in Springfield.
Around 800 bags weighing a total of five tons of trash, were collected on I-39 between Baxter Road and U.S. 20 in Rockford.

We need your help to Put a Lid on Litter! Learn how you can help: https://idot.click/gvk.

Region 1, District 1: A reconstruction and resurfacing project is underway on Illinois 53 from south of Kirchoff Road to south of Rand Road (U.S. 12) in Rolling Meadows, Palatine and Arlington Heights.

The $82.8 million project is scheduled to be completed in several stages and consists of improving the 6.4-mile stretch of Illinois 53, upgrading and modernizing traffic signals, lighting and drainage. The project also includes rehabilitating the Illinois 53 bridges over Kirchoff Road, Industrial Avenue, Northwest Highway (U. S. 14)/Union Pacific Railroad, Palatine Road and Anderson Drive. Throughout construction, Illinois 53 will remain three lanes in both directions. The public can expect various lane shifts and occasional overnight closures.

The overall project is anticipated to be completed in late 2026.

Region 5, District 8: The final stage of lane closures has begun on southbound and northbound I-57 from almost a mile north of Illinois 161 in Marion County to the Jefferson County line. One lane will be closed in both directions.

The work is the third stage of the overall $68.5 million project and includes signage, pavement markings and seeding. The project is expected to continue through this spring.

Letting Update

April 25 is the next letting for statewide construction projects that are scheduled in 2025. Here are some dates to note in advance of the letting.

April 4 at 4:30 p.m. Prequalification cutoff (Date that contractors must be qualified to bid on contracts.)
April 18 at 4:30 p.m. Joint venture cutoff (three contractor limit. Date for these groups who want to bid can do so).
April 22 at 4:30 p.m. Request for authorization to bid cutoff (Final date for contractors who are authorized to bid on contracts).
April 25 at noon Letting (Bids can be submitted until 11:59 a.m. on the day. Bids are shut down at noon).

If you are new to the IDOT bid letting process or need updated information, following are some helpful resources:

IDOT offers free subscription email services to anyone interested in finding out more about construction projects and work zones, IDOT initiatives, important safety messages and more.

Subscribe to IDOT in Motion or update your preferred email lists today.

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