Traffic on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) in DeKalb will shift this week from the eastbound to the westbound side of the bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad as part of ongoing repair work. The Illinois Tollway announced that traffic will continue to be reduced to one lane in each direction through late fall while construction continues.
Electronic message signs and other construction signage have been placed in advance to inform drivers about upcoming lane closures and traffic shifts. The Illinois Tollway stated, “Up-to-date closure information will be available on the Illinois Tollway’s Daily Construction Alert. All work is weather dependent.”
Starting Wednesday, July 30, crews will begin moving I-88 traffic onto the newly reconstructed westbound side of the bridge, establishing a work zone on the eastbound side. This shift is expected to take two nights to complete. Lane reductions are scheduled to remain until late fall.
The repairs include work on the bridge deck, parapet, abutment, approach slabs, joints, pavement, and shoulders. Coordination with Union Pacific Railroad and local fire and police departments is ongoing.
The project is part of broader efforts by the Illinois Tollway in 2025 that also include corridor-wide pavement repairs and completion of another bridge reconstruction at York Road in Oak Brook. These improvements are under Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future—a 16-year capital program totaling $15 billion aimed at improving mobility and reducing congestion across Northern Illinois. According to information provided by the agency, this program has created jobs and delivered several major infrastructure projects since its launch.
Maps and additional construction details can be found in the Projects section of illinoistollway.com.
A 45 mph speed limit remains in effect throughout all I-88 construction zones for safety reasons. The agency reminded motorists that “the ‘Move Over Law’ requires motorists to change lanes or slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated.” Penalties for speeding or failing to comply with these laws are strict; fines start at $250 for speeding in a work zone and can reach up to $25,000 or jail time if a roadway worker is struck.
The Illinois Tollway operates as a user-fee system without state or federal funding for maintenance or operations. It manages 294 miles of toll roads across 12 counties in Northern Illinois.
