This site will provide useful information throughout the reconstruction process, as the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is committed to keeping you informed with up-to-date information on the 159th Street Viaduct Reconstruction in Harvey, IL.

Project Overview

IDOT will reconstruct the viaduct that carries Metra and Canadian National Railroad over 159th St. in Harvey, IL. The project is generally between Halsted (IL Rt. 1) and Park Ave. Some parts of the current viaduct were constructed in the early 1900’s and there is only sufficient room for one lane of traffic in each direction under the viaduct in its current configuration.

This major improvement will reconstruct the two main railroad bridges over 159th St. to allow for two through lanes of traffic in each direction under the railroad along with left turn lanes. This is the major local route connecting Interstate 294 with Interstate 94 through the towns of Harvey and South Holland. When complete, a famous south suburban bottleneck will be eliminated. The project will provide significant congestion relief and reduce travel times along this local route. This project will be completed along with a roadway project that will widen and improve 159th St. from I-294 to east of Halsted St. Click here for 159th Street Roadway Reconstruction website.

This project will take approximately 32 months to complete due to extensive coordination with two railroads (Metra & Canadian National Railroad). Work will require a shut-down of 159th Street and detour of traffic for 20 months beginning in September 2009. The detour will route traffic down Dixie Hwy to Sibley to Halsted St and back to 159th. The detour route is 4.9 miles. Click here for Map of Detour Route.

Progress Report

Contractor Information

Project Photos
(click on pictures for larger version)

Caisson drilling in close proximity to Canadian National Railroad Trains (Dead End Structure) Caisson drilling consists of drilling a watertight structure within which construction work is carried on under water. This is for a drilled shaft foundation for the Dead End Structure – part of the work for the Metra Electric Line		30" Water main hot tap This hot tap will allow for work to be performed on the water main without taking the water main out of service. If the water main was out of service, it would leave residents and the fire department with no water.		Cofferdam for spread footing for the Catenary Signal Bridge A cofferdam is essentially a protected area that allows work to be done below ground without disturbing the adjacent ground level. In this case, if we just dug a hole to do the below ground foundation work, the adjacent tracks would not be properly supported, which could cause the ground under the tracks to shift. This would ultimately be bad for the tracks, trains, and railroads.
Signal bridge erection for 159th Street Viaduct Project		Signal bridge erection for 159th Street Viaduct Project		Removal of Metra portion of existing bridge
Installing temporary sheeting for the wing walls of the bridge for Park Avenue
		Removal of existing structures where new structure will be located for Canadian National Intermodal Yard
UPDATED PROJECT PHOTOS (click on pictures for larger version)

Newsletter

Fall 2009 Newsletter	Spring 2009 Newsletter

Press Releases

September 3, 2009
September 10, 2009 - Southtown Star Newspaper
September 11, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

IDOT Construction Zones

IDOT's new website provides up to date information on all current active construction contracts, including those funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, after contract execution.

Other Project Links

If you are a small business and are interested in work on road construction projects with IDOT, click here for information on IDOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.

If you have a specific project-related question, you can submit your question by visiting IDOT’s website http://www.dot.il.gov/contact.html, and fill out the email form and you will receive a prompt response.

Please note this site is currently under construction and we appreciate your patience while we continue to update this website. Check back periodically for website updates. The Illinois Department of Transportation continues to look forward to your input and support throughout this project.