SCHAUMBURG, IL -- The estimated 121,300 motorists who utilize I-57 daily can expect lengthier commuting times as the Illinois Department of Transportation begins the second and final year of major rehabilitation work on this south side and south suburban expressway Monday morning, March 17.

This year, roadwork shifts to a 12-mile stretch of the northbound lanes of I-57 between I-80 in Country Club Hills and Halsted Street in Chicago. Preliminary work on the $43.8 million project is scheduled to begin on St. Patrick’s Day with the closure of the northbound entrance and exit ramps at 119th Street.

Major mainline work is scheduled to begin March 29th, starting with bridge deck reconstruction and pavement patching. At that time, lane closures and reductions will begin in both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-57 between Halsted Street and I-80. In early April, all northbound lanes of traffic between 147th and 127th Streets will shift over to the newly reconstructed southbound lanes of I-57.

"Two mainline lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction throughout construction," said Dirk Fuqua, IDOT’s Engineer of Project Implementation who oversees all state road construction in the Chicago region. "However, the east and westbound I-80 ramps to northbound I-57 will be reduced from two lanes to one throughout the project, so drivers should prepare for delays, or where possible, consider alternate routes."

When the cross-over of northbound traffic occurs, the 119th Street entrance and exit ramps will re-open. At that same time, the northbound entrance and exit ramps at 111th Street are scheduled to close until mid-summer, and the northbound 127th Street exit ramp will close and remain closed throughout construction. Subsequent ramp changes are anticipated throughout the project.

Other communities impacted by the project, which is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, include Calumet Park, Blue Island, Riverdale, Markham, Oak Forest, Posen, Harvey and Dixmoor.