Van Buren Street Bridge
As part of the overall Jane Byrne (Circle) Interchange project, the Van Buren Street Bridge over the Northbound and Southbound I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway) was closed for reconstruction on October 9, 2021 and is anticipated to re-open in the Fall of 2019.
The project consists of replacing the Van Buren Street Bridge over Northbound and Southbound I-90/94 (Kennedy Expressway).
The limits of work on Van Buren Street extend from just east of Halsted Street to just west of Des Plaines Street. The proposed new bridge is a part of the overall Jane Byrne (Circle) Interchange reconstruction and will create additional space underneath the bridge along I-90/94 necessary for the future proposed I-90/94 proposed mainline lanes, Ramp SE (I-90/94 Southbound to I-290 Inbound - Congress Parkway Eastbound), Ramp SW (I-90/94 Southbound to Congress Parkway Outbound - I-290 Westbound) and a Northbound I-90/94 proposed Collector-Distributor (CD) road.
In addition to the removal and replacement of the Van Buren Street Bridge, the project includes the construction of a retaining wall that will connect the Halsted Street Bridge north abutment to the Van Buren Street west bridge abutment. The proposed wall will enable aesthetic improvements to the southeast corner of the intersection of Halsted Street and Van Buren Street within Greektown (Elysian Field), including the relocation of the existing Greektown monument (existing obelisk) from Quincy Street. Other project work elements include drainage, existing siphon reconstruction, underpass and city street/bridge lighting, signing, traffic control and protection, landscaping and urban enhancements.
Proposed Van Buren Street features include:
- One lane in the eastbound direction
- Two lanes in the westbound direction (outside lane will be a dedicated bus lane)
- Sidewalks on both sides of Van Buren Street
The detours required to construct the project include:
- Van Buren Street will be closed between Halsted Street and Des Plaines Street.
- Eastbound traffic will route north on Halsted Street, East on Jackson Boulevard, South on Des Plaines Street back to Van Buren Street.
- Westbound traffic will route south on Des Plaines Street, west on Harrison Street, north on Racine Avenue back to Van Buren Street.
- Lane shifts will be needed on I-90/94 and the various ramps to facilitate bridge reconstruction
- Ramp SE is required to be closed for proposed pier construction and will remain closed at the completion of the project, with reconstruction included in a future project.