The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is hosting its 25th summit in Chicago this weekend, which will mean road closures and parking restrictions downtown as well as traffic delays and temporary road closures on major streets and Interstate highways.
The Illinois DOT has said it’s best to avoid the city, especially downtown and South Loop. It’s also placing certain restrictions on oversize and overweight loads.
Effective May 18-22, all oversize and overweight loads are prohibited on the expressway and ramps on:
– All roadways from Damen Ave. East to Lake Michigan and from 39th Street North to IL 64 (North Ave.)
– I-90 Chicago-(Kennedy Expressway) I-90 to IL-64:
– I-94 Chicago-(Kennedy Expressway) I-90 (West junction )to IL-64
– I-190 Chicago O’Hare To I-90 (Kennedy Expressway)
There also will be intermittent traffic delays and temporary closures on interstate roads and throughout the downtown area beginning on Saturday, May 19, until Monday, May 21, to allow motorcades to travel to and from McCormick Place and other event sites. The major roadways affected by these intermittent closures include:
* I-90 East West (Kennedy Expressway) between O’Hare International Airport and downtown
* Ohio Street from I-90/94 to Fairbanks Court/Columbus Drive
* Ontario Street from Fairbanks Court/Columbus Drive to I-90/94
* I-90/94 East and West between downtown and I-55
* Roosevelt Road, 18th Street, and Canalport Avenue access from I-94 West (Dan Ryan Expressway outbound)
About 10,000 people, including about 2,000 journalists, are expected to come to Chicago for the summit. That estimate does not include anti-NATO protesters.
Printer Friendly Version
Email This Story
RSS
Highways: Related News
5/18/2012 – NATO Event Likely to Cause Traffic Delays in Chicago This Weekend
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is hosting its 25th summit in Chicago this weekend, which will mean road closures and parking restrictions downtown as well as traffic delays and temporary road closures on major streets and Interstate highways….
More
5/15/2012 – Boston Announces Daytime Hazmat Ban
The Massachusetts transportation department announced a ban on trucks carrying hazardous materials through Boston between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., a move that trucking interests say could worsen safety, not improve it….
More
5/9/2012 – Three States Get $20 Million in Emergency Transportation Funding
Oregon, Alabama and South Carolina will receive a shared $20 million in federal funds to help cover the costs of repairing roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events….
More
5/9/2012 – Platt Bridge Detours in Place in Southwest Philadelphia
Commercial trucks over 14,000 pounds and vehicles with a placarded amount of hazardous materials will be prohibited from traveling on the George C. Platt Memorial Bridge (Route 291) over the Schuylkill River in Southwest Philadelphia for two years as of Monday, May 7 at 9 a.m….
More
5/4/2012 – New I-85 Yadkin River Bridge to Open Saturday in N.C.
The new I-85 North bridge over the Yadkin River near Salisbury, N.C., will open to traffic for the first time early Saturday morning….
More
5/3/2012 – Section of I-24 Closed in Nashville This Weekend
Tennessee Department of Transportation contract crews will close a 3-mile section of I-24 near downtown Nashville this weekend and more throughout the summer as the state replaces two aging bridges….
More
5/2/2012 – Bay Area Multi-Axle Vehicle Tolls to Rise July 1
California’s Bay Area Toll Authority is reminding drivers of big-rig trucks, cars, trucks hauling trailers and any other vehicles or combinations with more than two axles, that the second step in the two-phase toll increase approved in 2010 for multi-axle vehicles on Bay Area toll bridges takes effect July 1….
More
5/1/2012 – Oklahoma Creates Fund for New Ports of Entry
Last week, by a vote of 65-17, the Oklahoma House passed legislation that will fund nine new Port of Entry weigh and inspection stations in the state, reports The Oklahoman.
The measure creates a fund handled by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission from money redirected from the Higher Education Facilities Fund’s fuel tax revenue. The new fund will receive $500,000 a month until it reaches $51 million, which will take more than eight years, says The Oklahoman….
More
4/30/2012 – Watch for Highway Restrictions During Chicago NATO Summit
The Illinois DOT says during the NATO Summit in Chicago May 20-21, it’s best to avoid the city, especially downtown and South Loop, during that week. It’s also placing certain restrictions (with no permit loads) on oversize and overweight loads….
More
4/24/2012 – Missouri’s I-70 Toll Proposal Stalls
The controversial plan to turn part of Missouri’s Interstate 70 into a toll road has stalled for the session in the Missouri Legislature, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The bill, Senate Bill 752, introduced by State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, would implement tolls though a public-private partnership to make badly needed repairs on a 200-mile stretch of I-70 through the middle of Missouri. …
More
4/23/2012 – Rhode Island DOT Lifts Weight Limit on I-95 in Pawtucket
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation opened the first span of the new Pawtucket River Bridge to traffic on I-95 North. The opening of this structure will allow RIDOT to lift the northbound 18-ton weight limit…
More
4/16/2012 – Part of California’s Santa Ana Freeway/I-5 to Close on April 17
The northbound and southbound Santa Ana Freeway (Interstate 5) between Valley View Avenue and Carmenita Road will be fully closed the night of April 17 from 11:45 p.m. to 4 a.m. …
More
4/12/2012 – Missouri DOT Launches Big Trucks Campaign
The Missouri Department of Transportation is asking motorists to drive more safely around trucks — and for truck drivers to slow down and pay attention — with its new Big Trucks Campaign….
More
4/11/2012 – Expect Delays on I-20/59 near Birmingham, Ala.
Month-long work started Monday on all lanes of I-20/59 North in Bessemer, Ala., diverting nearly 50,000 vehicles that travel those lanes daily, reports The Birmingham News….
More
4/4/2012 – $62 Million Allocated for Repairs to Damaged U.S. Roads and Bridges
The U.S. Department of Transportation will pay nearly $62 million for seven states to help cover the costs of repairing roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic events….
More
4/2/2012 – Louisville Construction Projects Causes Truck Detours
A barrier replacement project on I-65 in Louisville, Ky. will close the left lanes of the roadway. Trucks will be required to detour the area to minimize congestion….
More
4/2/2012 – FET Repeal Bill Introduced in U.S. House
Legislation to repeal the 12% federal excise tax on truck and trailer purchases and replace it with an increase in the diesel fuel tax has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives….
More
4/2/2012 – Connecticut DOT Studies I-95 Tools, Looking at Congestion Pricing
The Connecticut Department of Transportation will look into the possibility of adding a “value priced” toll to I-95 between Greenwich and New Haven in a effort to relieve congestion on the highway….
More
3/28/2012 – Lane Reduction on I-57 Northbound in Illinois Starts March 29
Interstate 57 northbound from from Mile Marker 93 to Mile Marker 96 in Illinois’ Jefferson County will be reduced to one lane starting Thurs. March 29 through Nov. 1….
More
3/19/2012 – DOT Says U.S. Needs $101 billion a Year to Maintain Infrastructure
A new report from the Department of Transportation projects that the U.S. needs $101 billion annually plus increases for inflation during the next 20 years from all levels of government to maintain the nation’s highway and transit systems….
More
3/12/2012 – I-75 South Closed in NE Tennessee for About Two Weeks
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has closed both lanes of Interstate 75 South in Campbell County in northeast Tennessee on the Kentucky border, due the collapse of a section of embankment….
More
3/9/2012 – Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Completes All-Electric Toll Study
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is considering converting to a cashless, all-electronic toll collection system due to advantages such as enhanced safety, a cleaner environment, reduced travel time and reduced operating costs….
More
3/7/2012 – Work Starts on I-69 Upgrades to Former Western Kentucky Parkway
A contractor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet started installing new Interstate 69 signage along the former Western Kentucky Parkway between Eddyville, Ky., and the Pennyrile Parkway interchange near Madisonville, Ky….
More
2/23/2012 – Truck Detours Planned in Western North Dakota Oil Cities
North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple announced plans to detour heavy traffic around several cities in the state’s western oil patch. …
More
2/21/2012 – I-64 Sherman Minton Bridge Reopens to Traffic
The I-64 Sherman Minton Bridge over the Ohio River between Southern Indiana and Louisville has reopened to traffic, says the Indiana Department of Transportation….
More
2/20/2012 – FHWA Chooses Third State in Interstate Tolling Program
The Federal Highway Administration has chosen North Carolina as the last of three states eligible to place tolls on interstates under a federal pilot program, joining Virginia and Missouri….
More
2/15/2012 – Kentucky to Adopt PrePass Technology
Kentucky will adopt PrePass truck technology, which allows participating transponder-equipped commercial vehicles to bypass designated weigh stations, port-of-entry facilities and agricultural interdiction facilities….
More
2/9/2012 – Pilot Flying J Acquires Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Truck Stop
Pilot Flying J acquired the Olsons Truck Stop in Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and will remodel the travel center with full amenities….
More
2/9/2012 – Seven Feathers Truck Travel Center Opens 87-Space Truck Parking Lot
Seven Feathers Truck Travel Center in southern Oregon opened a new 87-space parking area designed for long-haul commercial carriers on the I-5 corridor….
More
2/7/2012 – North Dakota Seasonal Highway Load Restrictions Begin Feb. 8
The North Dakota Department of Transportation will place seasonal load restrictions on highways in southwestern North Dakota beginning Feb. 8. at 7 a.m. CST….
More
2/1/2012 – Rock Slide Closes Westbound I-40 For Weeks In North Carolina
A rock slide near Exit 451 on I-40 West closed the road near US 276, Exit 20, West of Asheville, N.C., in Haywood County near the Tennessee state line….
More
1/27/2012 – Portions of Texas Interstate Highways to see Speed Limit Increase
Miles of Texas highway will soon see speed limit increases after the Texas Transportation Commission action approved 75 mph designations for almost 1,500 miles of interstate….
More
1/25/2012 – NATSO Urges Missouri Lawmakers Not to Toll I-70
After news broke that Missouri might toll I-70, which runs east and west through the middle of the state, to fund repairs, the truckstop association NATSO urged Missouri lawmakers to oppose the proposal….
More
1/19/2012 – Missouri DOT Pushing I-70 Toll Road Plan
Interstate 70, which runs east and west through the state of Missouri, is in desperate need of improvements. The big question is how the state will afford those improvements. The state Department of Transportation is pushing a plan that would turn I-70 into a toll road….
More
1/17/2012 – Plans for Southern California Truck-Only Freeway In the Works
A flood of freight predicted to clog freeways in Southern California has spurred regional transportation officials to plan a truck-only east-west freeway between two major interstates, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise….
More
1/13/2012 – Proposal Would Raise Ohio Speed Limit
An Ohio lawmaker has introduced a bill that would raise the speed limit for all vehicles on the state’s interstate highways from 65 to 70 mph, following a similar move by the Ohio Turnpike….
More
1/10/2012 – U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $1.6 billion in Funding for U.S.
Roads and Bridges
Ray Lahood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, announced Monday that almost $1.6 billion in funding will go toward the repair of U.S. roads and bridges that were damaged by natural disasters….
More
1/9/2012 – Highway Funding Climbing Legislative Ladder, More States Eyeing Tax Hikes
The declining state of roads and bridges, and burgeoning congestion is becoming more difficult to ignore, and several state legislatures are now openly discussing the likelihood of hiking fuel taxes….
More
1/6/2012 – Pennsylvania Turnpike in Danger of Becoming Insolvent
Pennsylvania Auditor General, Jack Wagner, says the State General Assembly must amend or appeal a rule requiring the Turnpike Commission to provide $450 million a year in infrastructure funding to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation….
More
12/29/2011 – Maryland Hikes Truck Tolls January 1
Effective 12:01 a.m. on Sunday Jan. 1, 2012, new toll rates and other changes take effect at Maryland’s toll facilities….
More
12/28/2011 – Frustrated Montreal-area Truckers Apply Congestion Surcharges
Truckers in Montreal, Que. have begun charging customers traffic surcharges to compensate for increased operating costs….
More
12/27/2011 – North Carolina DOT Completes I-40 Widening Project
Raleigh area drivers are enjoying a faster commute and smoother drive thanks to the completion of a $49 million highway widening project recently completed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation — on time and on budget….
More
12/27/2011 – Maryland Announces Additional Emergency Truck Parking During Winter Storms
MDOT has released a list of park and ride lots truckers can use during snow storms of six inches or more instead of parking along highway ramps and shoulders….
More
12/27/2011 – PETA Urging Memorials for Animals Killed in Highway Crashes
The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants to erect highway memorials to the victims” of highway crashes involving animals….
More
12/21/2011 – Poll Finds 77 Percent of Americans Oppose Raising the Gas Tax
A majority of Americans believe new transportation projects should be paid for with user-fees instead of tax increases, according to a new national Reason-Rupe poll of 1,200 adults on cell phones and land lines….
More
12/21/2011 – Research Could Lead to Fewer Accident-Prone Intersections
The difference between an intersection controlled by flashing lights and one controlled by a stop sign can play a big role in accident prevention, according to a new study by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin….
More
12/19/2011 – ATA Supports Grimm/Lautenberg Commuter Protection Act Bill
Last week, Sen. Frank Lautenberg and Rep. Michael Grimm introduced a bill to would restore the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ability to determine whether toll hikes are reasonable, and give the Department authority to prescribe more reasonable tolls….
More
12/16/2011 – TIGER III Produces $511 Million for 46 Projects
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the funding grants on Thursday, months ahead of schedule, so communities can get started on job-creating infrastructure projects….
More
12/9/2011 – DOT Green Lights I-5 Columbia River Crossing Project
In a Record of Decision signed Dec. 7 by The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, the two agencies have approved a new river crossing over the Columbia River, and a series of improvements to the I-5 corridor….
More
12/8/2011 – Montana DOT Begins Using Salt Brine, Limits Use of Magnesium Chloride
Officials say salt brine is a less expensive and less corrosive alternative to magnesium chloride, and it’s more effective than pure rock salt. It’s already in use in the Kalispell and Whitefish areas as well as Missoula, Helena, and Butte….
More
11/29/2011 – DOT Doles Out More Than $215 Million to Repair Damaged Roads and Bridges
The U.S Department of Transportation will provide more than $215 million to states across the nation to cover the costs of repairing roads and bridges damaged by a variety of natural disasters….
More
11/23/2011 – PennDOT, PA Turnpike Unveil New Tow Plow
Motorists using the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate highways this winter will be in for a bit of a surprise. In addition to traditional plows, snow removal crews will also be using a 30-foot-long, tow-behind snowplows….
More
11/22/2011 – Maryland Transportation Authority Warns of Increased Traffic as Intercounty Connector Opens
The Maryland Transportation Authority and State Highway Administration are warning of increased traffic in the area of the Intercounty Connector/MD 200 as the highway’s second segment opens today….
More