Illinois Department of Transportation

08/10/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/10/2026 08:39

Outbound Bishop Ford lane changes begin Aug. 18

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Bishop Ford Freeway (Interstate 94) from west of Martin Luther King Drive to 159th Street (U.S. 6), through Chicago, Dolton, Burnham, Riverdale, Calumet City and South Holland, two work zone stage changes with temporary split-lane configurations are scheduled to take place beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The changes are necessary to allow concrete patching and resurfacing of the center lanes from Dolton Avenue to 159th Street. The work will be completed in two sections with each traffic configuration estimated to remain in place for approximately one to two weeks.

To facilitate the first stage change:

  • Starting at 10 p.m. Monday, the outbound Bishop Ford will be reduced to one lane from just before Dolton Avenue to south of Sibley Boulevard (Illinois 83).
  • By 5 a.m. Tuesday, all lanes temporarily closed overnight will reopen and the new traffic pattern will be in place.
  • In the new configuration, there will continue to be at least two outbound lanes. The lanes split approaching Dolton Avenue, separated by construction barrels with the work zone in the center lane.
  • Drivers will be directed by signs and message boards to stay to the right lane at the split to access the Sibley Boulevard exit.
  • The left lane will continue as a through lane and motorists will not be able to exit until159th Street.
  • The lanes merge back just south of Sibley Boulevard.
  • The public should be aware of the changes, prepare to merge into their preferred lane early and anticipate some delays in the first few days of the configuration.

Once the first section of center lane work has been completed, the split-lane configuration will move east to focus on the second portion, the outbound Bishop Ford from south of Sibley Boulevard to 159th Street. ​

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.

Heavy congestion is anticipated. Drivers heading eastbound should consider alternative routes to avoid the area. As the Bishop Ford reconstruction continues, the public should continue to expect lane shifts, overnight lane closures and significant delays and 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.

Construction on the outbound lanes is anticipated to continue through December, when the Bishop Ford returns to three lanes in both directions. Work will resume next spring on the inbound side, with the project wrapping up in late 2027.

For more information, visit https://idot.click/Bishop-Ford, which features project information, photos and the ability to submit questions and comments to the project team. Find traffic and road conditions at www.gettingaroundillinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook and X.

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Illinois Department of Transportation published this content on August 10, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on August 10, 2026 at 14:39 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]