Three New Ramps Open On The Jane Byrne, Improving Traffic Flow

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Photo credit (Nancy Harty/WBBM)

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Drivers who use the Jane Byrne Interchange will notice some changes starting tonight.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that three reconstructed ramps will open at the Interchange tomorrow, weather permitting.

The completion of the ramps marks a significant milestone that will improve traffic flow and help reduce delays, signaling a major stage change in advance of the next big phase of the project in 2020, according to Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman.

"The completion of this project will mean significant improvement getting in and out of the city, better traffic flow and enhance safety for the motorists," Osman said.

By 8 a.m. Saturday, the ramp from the inbound Dan Ryan Expressway to inbound Ida B. Wells Drive will open, as well as the second lane of the inbound Dan Ryan "flyover" ramp to the outbound Eisenhower Expressway, which will allow for the reopening of Morgan Street exit ramp. 

Osman said the new ramp openings are a centerpiece to the major project.

We've reached a big milestone in @Thejanebyrne Interchange project with the opening of three ramps tomorrow. Read all about it here: https://t.co/3PnUP44k1E #ILtraffic pic.twitter.com/p2rqBhkXOq

— IDOT (@IDOT_Illinois) September 6, 2019

However, overnight closures will be in effect to facilitate the stage change for tomorrow. Starting at midnight, IDOT said the flyover ramp will close to all traffic Saturday until 8 a.m. A detour will direct motorists to the Augusta Boulevard interchange to access the outbound Eisenhower via the inbound Kennedy Expressway.