I-55 interchange ramp in Shorewood closing for weekend

Motorists advised to use Rt. 59 interchange to head south

A new interchange is being built at Interstate 55 and Route 59 to provide access to the Rock Run Crossings site in Joliet. — Interstate 55 traffic approaches interchanges at Route 52 and Route 59. (Bob Okon)

August 01, 2024 at 3:47 pm CDT

The state plans to shut down the southbound ramp to Interstate 55 off of Jefferson Street in Shorewood this weekend.

The closure starts at 9 p.m. Friday and continues until 6 a.m. Monday depending on the weather, according to a news release from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Motorists will be directed to use the nearby Route 59 interchange to get onto southbound I-55, IDOT said.

The weekend closure at Jefferson Street (also Route 52) actually is being done for the reconstruction of the I-55 interchange at Route 59, IDOT said.

The $59.3 million project will convert the partial-access interchange at Route 59 into a full-access, diverging diamond interchange serving both Shorewood and Joliet. The project includes the relocation of East Frontage Road and new auxiliary lanes between the Route 52 and Route 59 interchanges.