I-88 Exits at Route 59 Close Friday to Make 'Diverging Diamond' Interchange

I-88 Exits at Route 59 Close Friday to Make ‘Diverging Diamond’ Interchange

It’s not officially in Kane County, but we thought you might like to know that the Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88) exit ramps to Illinois 59 in Naperville will be closed from Friday, Sept. 11, to Monday, Sept. 21, to make preparations for the new diverging diamond interchange at this location.

The closures and detours routes are as follows:

  • At 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, the westbound tollway ramp to Illinois 59 will be closed. Westbound traffic will be detoured to the Winfield Road interchange to access Illinois 59 via Butterfield Road (Illinois 56). The ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. Sept. 21.
  • The eastbound tollway ramp to Illinois 59 will close at the same time. Eastbound traffic will be detoured to the Eola Road interchange to access Illinois 59 via Butterfield Road. The ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. Sept. 21.

Additionally, there will be limited access from Illinois 59 to the tollway entrance ramps while the exit ramps are closed. The restrictions and detour information are as follows:

  • Northbound Illinois 59 entrance ramp to the westbound tollway will be closed. Northbound Illinois 59 traffic will be detoured to Butterfield Road, Eola Road and Bilter Road to access the westbound tollway ramp at the Eola Road interchange.
  • Southbound Illinois 59 to the eastbound tollway entrance ramp will be closed. Southbound Illinois 59 traffic will be detoured to Butterfield Road and Winfield Road to access the eastbound tollway ramp at the Winfield Road interchange.

The new interchange between the Reagan Memorial Tollway and Illinois 59, part of the ongoing widening and reconstruction of Illinois 59 through Aurora and Naperville, will be open when the closures are removed. Illinois 59 will be restricted to two lanes in each direction over the tollway until the widening and reconstruction project is finished in late September.

The diverging diamond design will be the first of its kind in the Chicago area. The first one in Illinois opened earlier this summer at Interstate 57 and Illinois 13 in Marion.The new configuration will provide improved safety features, additional roadway capacity, reduced crash potential and improved roadway geometrics to further enhance safety, facilitate traffic flow and relieve congestion. A video simulation on how the new interchange will function can be viewed here.

Visit this link on the IDOT website for addition information and background on the larger Illinois 59 project Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

Click here to find details on other construction projects in IDOT’s District 1.

Traffic updates are available online at www.travelmidwest.com.

SOURCE: IDOT press release

The I-88, Route 59 intersection "before" photo, aerial view circa 2012.

The I-88, Route 59 intersection “before” photo, aerial view circa 2012.

IL Route 59 Reconstruction and Widening

The scope of work includes the total reconstruction of IL Route 59 between New York Street / Aurora Avenue and Ferry Road, construction of 21 new concrete retaining walls of varying heights and lengths, construction of 6,385 linear feet of noise abatement walls, full reconstruction of the Interstate 88 / IL Route 59 interchange, utility relocations, pump station # 47 replacement at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF RR) underpass, reconstruction of the Wabaunsee Creek Culvert and widening/reconstruction of the following cross streets: New York Street / Aurora Avenue, Liberty Street / Jefferson Avenue, Meridian Parkway / Glacier Park Avenue, North Aurora Road, Brookdale Road and Diehl Road.

The proposed typical cross section along IL Route 59 will be three through lanes in each direction with a raised median varying between 18 feet and 30 feet in width. Auxiliary right-turn and left-turn lanes will be constructed at all major intersections. The proposed pavement will be Portland cement concrete jointed pavement.

The proposed project will provide a better roadway facility to the public with improved safety features, additional roadway capacity, reduced crash potential, improved roadway geometrics to current standards and facilitate traffic flow in the area to relieve congestion. In addition to serving the motoring public, the proposed project will help meet the existing and future needs of the adjacent communities while minimizing social, economic and environmental impacts.