(CHICAGO) Illinois Department of Transportation announced more roadwork projects this week that will continue over multiple weeks, and in some cases, even months.
Harlem Avenue from 26th Street to Interstate 55, in Berwyn, Lyons, Riverside, Stickney and Forest View will begin to see closures on Monday, April 24th for resurfacing. Harlem will be reduced to one lane in each direction with flaggers during daytime hours. This project is expected to be completed in Fall 2017.
In Summit, Archer Road (Illinois 171) from 55th Place to 63rd Street will experience closures for resurfacing and pavement. According to IDOT, in order to complete the work, daytime lane closures will take place in both directions on Archer Road between 55th Place and 63rd Street. This project will focus on improving safety and create new sidewalks and ramps which will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The project is expected to be completed in Summer 2017.
In Gurnee, Illinois 132 between Ferndale Street and Estes Street, will experience closures for a pavement reconstruction project. Westbound traffic on Illinois 132 will be reduced to one lane between Ferndale Street and Estes Street during daytime hours Monday through Friday. Per the scope of the project includes pavement reconstruction, patching, storm sewer improvements and new concrete and gutter. Expect these closures to continue through Fall 2017.
Thursday | Windy with a few clouds from time to time. High 71°F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph. Friday | Mostly sunny. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 40s. Saturday | Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 40s. Sunday | Sunshine. Highs in the upper 50s and lows in the upper 30s.
Friday | Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 69F. (cooler near lake) Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Friday Night | Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then the chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 62F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Saturday | Windy with a few clouds from time to time. High around 80F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Saturday night | Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm after midnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Easter Sunday | Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 40s.
Sixteen at the Trump Tower
Date: Easter Sunday Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Location: 401 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
Dine like an American president on the anniversary of the rising of Christ!
Sixteen (on the 16th floor of Trump Tower) is hosting Easter Brunch with the Easter Bunny!
Just as one would expect at a Trump event, be prepared to meet MasterChef Junior Season 5 Contestant Avani.
Prices are as follows:
Adults – $165
Children 5-12 – $50
Price includes one glass of sparkling wine or mimosa; excludes tax and gratuity.
Bunny Brunch at Lamb’s Farm
Date: Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15 Time: Seatings at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. Location: Libertyville
From the website: Join us for a delicious buffet at the Magnolia Cafe & Bakery then take a walk over to the Bunny Patch! At the Bunny Patch kids can enjoy Spring crafts, activities and get a photo with the Easter bunny! Some of our Farmyard friends will also be available for petting and learning.
The price for all is $16.95, however, children 23-months and younger are only $7.95 with Bunny activities.
Call the Magnolia Cafe & Bakery for reservations at 847-362-5050.
It’s always a beautiful day when dining at Cog Hill. With a display of more than 25 breakfast, lunch and other items, you will surely leave satisfied after a long Lenten season.
The prices are as follows:
Adults – $32.95
Children under 10 – $12.95
Children under six years of age are complimentary.
Celebrate Easter Sunday with food and fun for the entire family! Our delicious brunch is perfect for all ages, featuring an elaborate buffet featuring over seven stations, plus mimosas and bellinis for the adults.
Prices are as follows:
Adults – $50
Children 6 to 12 – $15
Children 3 to 5 – $10
Children 2 and Under – FREE!
Easter Brunch at The Onion Pub
Date: Easter Sunday Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: Lake Barrington
Pork Loin, Cod, and Chicken Stir Fry are just some of the non-traditional items you can splurge on at this Easter brunch.
This looks like maybe the most fun Easter brunch out there! Half price Stoli martinis, pink champagne, a four-course meal, and live performances!
The price? Only $39.95 for brunch and a show. However, it is adult only!
Traffic Restrictions & Road Projects
Various roadwork projects began on Monday, April 10 in the metro, and will continue long term in some areas.
Lane closures along U.S. 30 will happen both during the day and night in both directions from Lincoln Station Drive to 143rd Street in Plainfield, Aurora and Oswego for resurfacing. This project has an expected end date of late summer 2017.
Nightly lane closures on the Bishop Ford Freeway (Interstate 94) between I-57 and Martin Luther King Drive will happen during the overnight hours in Chicago for resurfacing. Both the inbound and outbound sides will be affected through the end of the spring season.
Temporary lane closures in Des Plaines along Wolf Road from Rand Road (U.S. 12) to Golf Road (Illinois 58will take place during off-peak travel hours between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with has an anticipation completion date during this spring.
Finally, intersection improvement on Butterfield Road in Aurora at Raddant Road including widening, drainage improvements and new traffic signal installation. The overall project is expected to be completed in Fall 2017.
CTA Alerts and Route Changes
BLUE LINE
Apr 14 – 15 11:30pm Fri to 4am Sat Boarding Change, Delays Between Division and California How does this affect my trip? Board/exit all trains on the Forest Park-bound platform at the Damen and Western (O’Hare branch) stations. Trains in both directions will operate on the same track between Division and California, resulting in minor delays. Allow extra travel time. Why is service being changed? We are performing track maintenance to ensure that trains continue to operate safely along the Blue Line. Bus Routes The bus reroutes listed below are short-term reroutes during this weekend or long-term reroutes beginning this weekend. For a full list of bus reroutes currently in place, please visit the Bus Alerts page.
#22 Clark Temporary Reroute 9am, Thu, Apr 13 to 4pm, Sat, May 13 or completion How does this affect my trip? Southbound buses will operate via Clark, Polk, and Dearborn, ending their trips at Dearborn/Polk. Northbound buses will begin their trips at Dearborn/Polk. Why is service being changed? Buses are being rerouted due to street construction on Clark between Polk and Harrison. #36 Broadway Temporary Reroute Sat, Apr 15 7pm to 11:30pm or completion How does this affect my trip? Southbound buses will operate via State, Chicago, Clark, and Erie, then resume their normal route on State. Northbound buses will operate via State, Huron, Dearborn, and Chicago, then resume their normal route on State. Allow extra travel time. Why is service being changed? Buses are rerouted due to the Holy Name Cathedral Easter Vigil Mass.
Friday | Few clouds early, otherwise…Plenty of sunshine. High 56F. (40s lakefront) Winds NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Friday Night | Partly cloudy skies. Low 37F. (colder suburbs) Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Saturday | Sunny, breezy and milder…. High 69F. Winds S at 15 to 25 mph. Saturday night | A few clouds from time to time. Low around 55F. Winds SSW at 10 to 20 mph. Sunday | Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the low 60s.
Spin to Break the Cycle
Date: Saturday, April 8th Time: First session at 8:00 a.m. Location: House of Blues, Chicago
From the website: On Saturday, April 8th, Spin to Break the Cycle takes over the iconic House of Blues Chicago uniting individuals, corporations and the greater Chicago community as together we help break the cycle and invest in the future of Chicago’s youth – creating stronger, safer, and healthier communities.
This high-energy spin (indoor cycling) event raises funds to support World Sport Chicago’s initiatives that leverage the transformative power of play and sport to mobilize communities to collectively make lasting change in their own community. Some of the city’s most recognized personalities, fitness instructors and organizations will enhance the excitement of the day in a spin event like none other.
Date: Friday, Saturday & Sunday Location: Guaranteed Rate Field
Macy’s Flower Show
Date: Through Sunday, April 9th Time: Friday & Saturday – 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday – 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Location: Macy’s on State Street
Via the event website: Throughout the two weeks of Macy’s Flower Show, come enjoy a commemorative art installation representing the Chicago World’s Fair by Steven Crissey. The Chicago World’s Fair was meant to do far more than merely amuse the public; it ultimately showcased art, science, commerce and industry while creating a gathering place for people of all social classes. Steven Crissey is an American multimedia artist, focusing on design, painting and illustration, based in Chicago. To see more of Steven’s work, please feel free to follow him on Instagram at @coolsaysnev or check out stevencrissey.com.
Kids can learn the tricks of the trade for circus performers on Saturday at noon. Juggling, plate spinning, and other non-traditional skills to be learned on the ninth floor. Click here to RSVP your eight to 14-year-old.
Holi -The Festival Of Colors
Date: Saturday, April 8th Time:11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location: Downtown Naperville
Fun with color! Downtown Naperville will be painted in rainbow for this peaceful event of bathing yourself, friends and strangers in color. The organizer’s website states, “People bury their hatchets with a warm embrace and throw their worries to the wind. Festival promotes friendship while offering an occasion to forgive and forget.We will supply bags of organic, safe, dry colors for a small donation of $ 2 each.”
The event is a festival in Hindu tradition that closes out the winter and welcomes the spring with love.
2017 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four Hockey Championship Game
Date: Saturday, April 8th Time: 7:00 p.m. Location: United Center
On Saturday, according to a press release from the Mayor’s office, there will be several events and a free Frozen Fest for fans which is open to the public. “Frozen Fest will be the place to be for all hockey fans young and old. The festival-within-a-festival will be packed with red carpet team arrivals, pep rallies, live music, giveaways, games, local food, special appearances and more. Frozen Fest will be outside the United Center in Lot C, near gates two and three off of Madison Avenue.”
Randolph Street between Franklin and Wells will be closed to remove a construction crane at the 151 N. Franklin Development. Randolph will be closed between Franklin and Wells Streets from 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 8th until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, April 10th.
Clinton Street between Fulton and Kinzie for Metra track maintenance. The closure will start at 4:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 8 and continue until 5 a.m. on Monday, May 10.
CTA Alerts and Route Changes
RED LINE Apr 7 – 8 11:00 p.m. on Friday to 5:00 a.m. on Saturday 95th-bound Trains Bypass Jarvis Thru Bryn Mawr Stations How does this affect my trip? 95th-bound trains will not stop at Jarvis, Morse, Loyola, Granville, Thorndale or Bryn Mawr stations. For service from these stations, take a Howard-bound train to Howard and transfer to a 95th-bound train. For service to these stations, take a 95th-bound train to Berwyn and transfer to a Howard-bound train. For the full schedule of changes, visit http://www.transitchicago.com/weekend/
(CHICAGO) Starting this week, one inbound lane will close on the Dan Ryan Expressway for several months to make way for construction on the CTA Red Line’s 95th/Dan Ryan train station and bus terminal.
Construction for the CTA’s 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project requires an extended closure of the left inbound lane where I-57 merges into the Dan Ryan, just north of 95th Street, according to a statement from the CTA. The lane closure will begin Saturday, weather permitting, and last until fall 2017.
The closure, which was also in effect in fall 2016, could cause delays in the area, the transit agency said. Traffic monitoring devices and changeable message signs will be installed along northbound I-57 and Illinois State Police will be adding extra patrols in the area, to enforce work zone speed limits, among other things. Drivers are urged to allow extra time for trips in the area and pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones.
Workers will be completing construction on the new facility’s foundations, and working on what will be two CTA terminal buildings – one north and one south of 95th Street – that will replace the transit agency’s existing 95th Street bus and rail facility, the CTA said.
For more information on the project, visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/95thTerminal/.
Illinois’ transportation chief says adding paid lanes is going so well on the Stevenson that the idea needs to spread.
The Eisenhower Expressway may become something else in a few years—a tollway, at least in part—if state transportation planners get their way.
Plans to add a couple of toll lanes to the Stevenson Expressway (Interstate 55) so far are going so well that his staff is considering “a similar concept” to ease congestion on other crowded highways “starting with the Eisenhower” (I-290), said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn.
In a speech today at a City Club luncheon, Blankenhorn said the idea still is in its initial stages and will not proceed unless “a new revenue” source is found for a needed total reconstruction of the Ike from the Jane Byrne Interchange west to I-294. But with money tight, “We need to find ways to leverage private investment in our transportation system.”
(CHICAGO) Viaduct demolitions on Adams Street at the bascule bridge will require sidewalk closures over the next two weekends.
Pedestrians will be barred from using Adams Street over the Union Stations railroad tracks, the mid-block crossing and access across the bascule bridge, according to a statement from CDOT.
Access will close at 9 p.m. Friday and open again at 6 a.m. Monday. Pedestrians entering and leaving Union Station are urged to use entrances other than Adams Street, CDOT said.
(CHICAGO) Weekend travelers on the south side of Lake Shore Drive will have to find an alternate route this entire weekend as roadwork and the Chicago Half Marathon will shut down the drive completely.
Beginning Friday, Sept. 23, overnight lane closures begin that will last into the following week. The Illinois Department of Transportation announced this week that a full closure of northbound and southbound Lake Shore Drive for the installation of new bridge beams.
The following is a list of closures due to the planned road construction:
Northbound Lake Shore Drive: Full Closure starting at 8 p.m. Friday lasting until 12 p.m. Saturday.
Northbound Lake Shore Drive to outbound Stevenson ramp: The ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 12 p.m. Saturday.
Inbound Stevenson to southbound Lake Shore Drive ramp: Closed Saturday from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
On Sunday, Sept. 25, the 20th Chicago Half Marathon will shut down Lake Shore Drive completely on the south side. This closure will impact traffic from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The race will actually run on the south side of Lake Shore Drive. The entire drive will be closed to traffic between Jackson Park (67th Street) north to 31st Street. Other streets around Jackson Park will be closed. The ramps to and from 31st Street will also be closed to traffic.
Traffic Impact from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – The race runs on the south side of Lake Shore Drive. The entire drive will be closed to traffic between Jackson Park (67th Street) north to 31st Street. Other streets around Jackson Park will be closed.
Oktoberfest Chicago
Date: Friday, September 23 – Sunday, September 25
Time: Friday, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m – 7 p.m.
Location: 1429 W. Wellington Ave, Lincoln Park
Craft beer tasting nights on Friday and Saturday with “KinderFest” family activities on Saturday and Sunday.
Admission is $5, and benefits St. Alphonsus Church. The event is free of cost on Sunday!
Ravinia District’s Harvest and Harmony Festival
Date: Friday, September 23 – Saturday, September 24
Time: Friday, 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. & Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Jens Jensen Park
Friday, September 23rd
4-5pm School of Rock
5-6:30pm FUTURE STUFF
7-9pm Ravinia Ramblers
Saturday, September 24th
11-11:45am Little Miss Ann from Old Town School
Noon-12:30pm Language Stars
1-2:30pm 341 Trio
3–4:30pm Louie Zagoras of Rollover
5-6:30pm The Remars
7-7:45pm Michael McDermott
8-9pm Sam Llanas, Formerly of the BoDeans
For more information and list of food vendors, click here!
EXPO Chicago
Date: Thursday, September 22 – Sunday, September 25
Time: Friday, September 23 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.;
Saturday, September 24 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.;
Sunday, September 25 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.;
Location: Navy Pier
From the website, EXPO CHICAGO, the International Exposition of Contemporary & Modern Art, opens the fall art season each September at historic Navy Pier.
Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet 2016
Date: Saturday, September 24 – Sunday, September 25
Location: Millenium Park
Now in its ninth year, Chicago Gourmet is excited to introduce our first-ever Host Chef – Rick Bayless of the acclaimed Frontera Restaurants. Additionally, a weekend-long theme – Food Is Art! – will showcase the culinary arts and explore its vibrant connections to art of many kinds. You’ll find fun and interactive art components throughout the event including Friday night’s popular Hamburger Hop and the exclusive Grand Cru tasting.
After more than three decades together, 38 SPECIAL continue to bring their signature blast of Southern Rock to over 100 cities a year. And at each and every show, thousands of audience members are amazed by the explosive power of the band’s performance.
Their many Gold and Platinum album awards stand in testament to the endurance of a legendary powerhouse.
With sales in excess of 20 million, most associate the band with their arena-rock pop smashes, “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into the Night,” “Caught Up in You,” “Fantasy Girl,” “If I’d Been the One,” “Back Where You Belong,” “Chain Lightnin’,” “Second Chance,” and more – Timeless hits that remain a staple at radio, immediately recognizable from the first opening chord, and paving the way to their present-day touring regimen.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced that starting Friday, Sept. 23, overnight lane closures will take place over several days, including a full closure of northbound and southbound Lake Shore Drive (U.S. 41), as part of the ongoing reconstruction of the interchange between Lake Shore Drive and the Stevenson Expressway (Interstate 55). The closures are required for the installation of new bridge beams.
Friday, Sept. 23 to Wednesday, Sept. 28:
Northbound Lake Shore Drive: Starting at 8 p.m. Friday, northbound Lake Shore Drive will be fully closed until 12 p.m. Saturday. A posted detour will direct northbound Lake Shore Drive traffic to take the 39th Street exit to State Street, north on State Street to enter the inbound Stevenson and re-enter northbound Lake Shore Drive. The 31st Street entrance ramp to northbound Lake Shore Drive also will be closed.
Northbound Lake Shore Drive to outbound Stevenson ramp: The ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 12 p.m. Saturday. A posted detour will direct northbound Lake Shore Drive traffic to take the 39th Street exit to State Street, enter the inbound Stevenson and exit at Martin Luther King Drive to immediately enter the outbound Stevenson.
Inbound Stevenson to southbound Lake Shore Drive ramp: The ramp from the inbound Stevenson to southbound Lake Shore Drive will be closed Saturday from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. A posted detour will direct northbound Stevenson traffic to take the ramp to northbound Lake Shore Drive, exit at 18th Street and enter southbound Lake Shore Drive.
Southbound Lake Shore Drive: Beginning at 10 p.m. Sunday, the left lane on southbound Lake Shore Drive will be closed, with a second lane closing at 11 p.m. At midnight, southbound Lake Shore Drive will be completely closed until 5 a.m. All lanes will be closed nightly until Wednesday, Sept. 28. A posted detour will direct southbound Lake Shore Drive traffic to take the southbound Stevenson ramp, exit at State Street and take the northbound Stevenson to re-enter southbound Lake Shore Drive.
CTA and Public Transit Weekend Alerts
Trains Rerouted Downtown – Lake and Wabash Closed; Pink Line Rerouted to Connect to Racine Blue Line Station
Orange and Brown Lines: Trains will operate as one route, between Kimball and Midway, via Wells and Van Buren on the Loop elevated.
Green Line:Trains will operate between Harlem and 63rd via Wells and Van Buren on the Loop elevated.
Pink Line:Trains will operate between 54th/Cermak and Polk, then to Racine Blue Line for connecting Blue Line train service to/from downtown.
• For service to downtown from Pink Line stations between 54th/Cermak and Polk, take a Pink Line train toward the Loop and stay on board until the train reaches Racine on the Blue Line, where you can transfer to continuing Blue Line service into downtown.
• For service from downtown to Pink Line stations between Polk and 54th/Cermak, take a Blue Line train toward Forest Park to Racine and transfer to a Pink Line train toward 54th/Cermak.
• For service to/from Ashland, Morgan or Clinton stations, use Blue Line service between Racine and Jackson, and Green Line service.
Customers may transfer between the Loop elevated, and Blue and Red line subways at Harold Washington Library (Loop elevated) and Jackson (Blue and Red lines) stations.
Date: Saturday, August 20 & Sunday, August 21
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., both days
Location: North Avenue Beach
The Chicago Air and Water Show presented by Shell Oil Products U.S. and the City of Chicago is the largest FREE show of its kind in the United States. The show can be viewed along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point. Fun Facts about the Air & Water Show:
The majority of planes flying in the show takes off and land at the Gary Jet Center in Gary, Indiana.
Some of the military planes fly in from bases around the mid-west. They time their flight to fly over the show at an exact moment.
14 federal, state and city agencies work together to put the show on safely each year.
All pilots perform stunts over the water in a set safety area. When a plane does fly over buildings, it is merely doing so in its flight path to return to the show area or the airport.
On average, 2 million people view the show annually.
At 56, the Chicago Air and Water Show is longest running free show of its kind in the United States.
In 1959, the show cost $88 dollars to put on. Today, with the help of generous corporate sponsors like Shell, Boeing, American Airlines, WBBM Newsradio, ABC 7, The Chicago Tribune, Oracle among others help to make the show possible and FREE to the public.
When the show was held at Lakeshore Park between Ohio and Oak Street beach, Lake Shore Drive was sometimes closed.
Also at Lakeshore Park, the Golden Knights didn’t have a beach to land on so they landed in the Water. Chicago Park District Lifeguards fished them out of the water.
Herb Hunter (“The Voice” of the Air and Water Show) used to fly in the show before becoming the show announcer over 20 years ago. For many years he flew the USAF KC-135.
Traffic Alert: LaSalle Drive from Clark Street to Lake Shore Drive.
Inner Lake Shore Drive from LaSalle to Burton Place.
North Avenue and Fullerton Avenue exits on North Lake Shore Drive intersection of North and Clark.
White Sox Play at Home w/ Connor McKnight at the Xfinity Zone on Saturday
Date: Friday, August 19 – Sunday, August 21
Location: U.S. Cellular Field
The Xfinity pre-game broadcast is hosted by our pre and post-game on-air talent, Connor McKnight.
Sox fans attending the game on Saturday are invited to stop in the Xfinity Zone (located near section 109) to watch the pregame show live, roughly 30 minutes before first pitch.
WLS-AM will have logo gear to hand out to fans on-site!
Clark After Dark
Date: Thursday, August 18
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: On Clark Street in River North
An explanation from the organizer’s website: The USO of Illinois, through the support of Alderman Brendan Reilly of the 42nd Ward , Boss Bar, and StarEvents give summer its last “HOO-AH!” by rocking the block at Clark After Dark. The USO of Illinois’ annual Clark After Dark block party celebrates America’s military service members and their families. Proceeds from the event benefit the USO of Illinois program and services that serve over 330,000 military personnel and military families of Illinois.
The event will feature live music by 16 Candles (voted Chicago’s best cover band!), Liquidated Damages, Military and Vintage Military vehicle displays, food and drink specials, raffle, and much more! USO Clark after Dark is held in River North, at 420 N. Clark St on W. Hubbard Street, between N. Clark and N. Lasalle.
A non-profit organization, the USO of Illinois is fully supported by the generosity of the American people. The USO’s Clark After Dark gives Chicagoans an opportunity to support U.S. Armed Forces members and show their appreciation.
Public Transportation:
Trains – Red Line to Grand or the Brown Line to Merchandise Mart
Buses – #22, #36, #65, #156
Traffic Alert: Hubbard Street closed between Clark and LaSalle.
Festa Italiana
Date: Thursday, August 18 – Sunday, August 21
Time: Thursday from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday from noon to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 10:00 p.m.
Location: Little Italy
From ChooseChicago.com: Longtime family-owned restaurants and neighborhood newcomers will serve up some of the best food in the city. Italian and Italian-American singers will perform American and Italian classics. An Italian dance ensemble will perform and teach the tarantella, a well-loved Italian folk dance performed at Italian weddings. Fest-goers will have the opportunity to play Italian card games, compete in contests to see who can consume the most meatballs and cannoli (of course, not at the same time!), and buy Italian-themed art, Christmas ornaments and other merchandises.
The Fest will also offer trolley tours of Little Italy, Chicago’s oldest Italian neighborhood, which was a gateway for thousands of immigrants at the beginning of the 20th century.
Traffic Alert: Taylor Street closed from Racine to Ashland beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday for set up. Closures will be in place until 6:00 a.m. on Monday.
Edison Park Festival
Date: Friday, August 19 – Sunday, August 21
Location: Edison Park, Chicago
Get there with the #68 or #88 CTA bus.
Wizard World Comic Con
Date: Thursday, August 18 – Sunday, August 21
Time: Thursday – 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday – 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday – 10:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday – 10:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Donald E. Stevens Convention Center, Rosemont
Wizard World comic and gaming con events bring together thousands of fans of all ages to celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, graphic novels, cosplay, comics, television, sci-fi, toys, video gaming, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more.
Wizard World Comic Con Chicago is also the place for cosplay, with fans young and old showing off their best costumes throughout the event. Fans dressed as every imaginable character – and some never before dreamed – will roam the convention floor and participate in the famed Wizard World Costume Contest on Saturday night.
Some of the celebrities to be sighted at the event include:
Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) Carrie Fisher (Star Wars) David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson (The X-Files) Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead) The cast of Netflix’s “Marvel’s Daredevil” including Charlie Cox(Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Deborah AnnWoll (Karen Page), Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson), Jon Bernthal (Frank Castle/The Punisher), Elodie Yung (Elektra Natchios), and Rosario Dawson (Claire Temple), and more.
Parking is located across from the center directly behind the Embassy Suites Hotel O’Hare (garage parking is $15.00) – Proceed West on Williams street under the parking structure and turn into entrance. Do not enter parking garage via the Embassy Suites Hotel O’Hare driveway or entrance, as these parking spaces are reserved for hotel guests, and violators are subject to towing at their own expense.
Taking the Blue Line is optimal – only a couple block walk from the Rosemont Blue Line “L” station.
Ramblin’ Ray Stevens Pick of the Weekend – Batavia High School Corn Boil
Date: Friday, August 19
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Batavia High School
The annual corn boil community event is held in August during the first week of school. Spiritwear, Booster memberships, Sponsorships and so much more is available. Marching Band, Dance and Cheer entertain the fans. Entry to the event is free. Tickets for meal will be available online and at the door.
Everyone is invited. Proceeds benefit Batavia High School & Rotolo Middle School Athletic Programs.
Metra is planning extra service on Aug. 20 and 21 to accommodate those attending the 58th Annual Chicago Air and Water Show at North Avenue Beach and along the city’s lakefront.
Customers arriving at Metra’s Union Station or Millennium Park Station can board the CTA’s No. 151 buses to Oak Street and North Avenue beaches.
The No. 151 buses are also within walking distance of the Ogilvie Transportation Center and Metra’s LaSalle Street Station.
Metra is offering the $8 Weekend Pass that allows unlimited rides for anyone over the age of 11-years-old. Up to three children under the age of 11 can ride with an adult for FREE through Labor Day.
BLUE, GREEN, BROWN, ORANGE LINES
Increased Capacity for Air & Water Show – Saturday and Sunday Blue Line: Longer trains will operate in both directions between Forest Park and O’Hare, 7am to 6:30pm each day.
Brown Line: Longer trains will operate between Kimball and the Loop, 7am to 6:30pm each day.
Green Line: Longer trains will operate in both directions between Harlem/Lake and Ashland/63rd-Cottage Grove, 7am to 6:30pm each day.
Orange Line: Longer trains will operate in both directions between Midway and the Loop, 7am to 6:30pm each day.
Buy your fare in advance! Avoid long lines after the parade by buying 1-Day Ventra Tickets (at stations) or loading round-trip value or a pass to your card (online, at over 1,000 retailers or at stations), in advance.
Use Your Mobile Wallet – If you’re only taking a single ride (no transfer), skip vending machine lines and use Apple Pay, Android Pay or Samsung Pay, or a contactless bankcard, on the bus or ‘L’ turnstile reader (PAYG fare applies).
Traffic Restrictions & Road Projects
The Air & Water Show is always an event that attracts large traffic backups and delays. In addition, parking is severely limited on the Chicago Lakefront. Roadways with the highest impact, and to avoid include, North Avenue, Fullerton or Irving Park Roads. Lake Shore Drive will have significant delays to exit at each of those streets. Taking public transportation from the suburbs or utilizing the CTA is ideal.
Ohio Street Bridge
The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced a full closure of the Ohio Feeder (I 90/94) this Sunday from 12:00 to 6:00am. The full closure is required for the maintenance and testing of the Ohio Street Bridge. The bridge will reopen to traffic at 6am so that visitors can reach the Air and Water Show venue early enough to save their viewing spots
Closures:
WB Ohio Feeder Ramp at Orleans (from Orleans to the Kennedy)
Kennedy Ramps:
EB Ohio Feeder Ramp from the Westbound Kennedy Local
EB Ohio Feeder Ramp from the Kennedy Reversible Lanes
WB Ohio Feeder Ramp from the Westbound Kennedy Local
Detours:
Westbound on Ontario Street, take Northbound on Orleans Street, then West on Division Street, then back onto Kennedy
Kennedy Ohio Feeder Detours:
Westbound on the Kennedy Exit on Milwaukee Avenue (Exit 49B), then Southeast on Milwaukee Avenue to Chicago Avenue, then East on Chicago, then South on Orleans Street, then East on Ohio Street.
Eastbound on the Kennedy Exit on Washington Boulevard (Exit 51C), then East on Washington Boulevard, then North on Franklin Street (which become Orleans Street after the river), then East on Ohio Street.
Western Avenue Bridge
Western Ave. will close at 11:59pm Friday, August 19 between 31st and 35th through 11:59pm Sunday, August 21 for necessary maintenance of the bridge structure. The road will open to full traffic during the week and then close again for work next weekend (Aug. 27-28)
Friday – Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms in the morning. High 77F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Friday Night – Partly cloudy skies. Low 66F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Saturday – Scattered thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the mid 60s. Sunday – Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the mid 60s.
The Chicago White Sox take on the Chicago Cubs All Week
Date: Thursday, July 28 – Sunday, July 31
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., daily
Location: Grant Park
From Lollapalooza.com
Metra is offering an unlimited ride, four-day train pass to this year’s Lollapalooza music festival (July 28-31).
The $20 pass is available for purchase at all ticket windows, including all downtown and outlying stations, and through the Ventra app.
REMINDER: “We realize that everyone attending this event will be using their phones to take pictures, text and post on social media throughout the day, but if they are using their phone as their ticket too, they need to make sure that they have sufficient battery power for the ride home,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno.
Don’t have tickets? There’s no need to worry if you don’t want to spend the nearly $400 for a four-day wristband. Have fun with “Couch-a-palooza!”
Here are some of the acts that you can see through the web, courtesy of Red Bull:
Sugar Grove Corn Boil
Date: Thursday, July 28 – Sunday, July 31
Time:
Location: Volunteer Park 85 South Main Street in Sugar Grove
The Sugar Grove Corn Boil is a volunteer run, community event, featuring three family friendly and fun filled days.
Family Fun including Carnival rides, live music, Kids Zone, Business Booths, Art Vendors, Food, beer, Water Fights, 5K, Farmers Market, contests, raffles, used book sale, and BINGO.
The event also has a Pokemon Go Meetup scheduled, and the annual 5k Run/Walk. Register here!
Date: Wednesday, July 27 – Sunday, July 31
Time: During Navy Pier open hours
Location: Navy Pier, Chicago
From the website: One of Navy Pier’s most recognized events, Pepsi® Tall Ships®, makes its exciting return to Chicago from July 27 – July 31 2016. This year, the event will feature a majestic fleet of 13+ international vessels.*
The five-day festival kicks off at Navy Pier with a spectacular Parade of Sail on Wednesday, July 27. Then, starting Thursday, July 28, ticketed guests will have the opportunity to view, tour, and even sail away on participating vessels.
Chicago Margarita Festival
Date: Saturday, July 30 – Sunday, July 31
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 8 :00 p.m.
Location: South Shore Cultural Center
Tickets must be purchased, and participants must be over 21 years of age.
Chicago Margarita Festival is an outdoor festival combining a margarita tasting with live original music, dancing, food trucks and fun! What better way to spend the day lounging with friends on Lake Michigan, listening to music and more! So, join us for a fun day off the beach.
National Cheesecake Day – Celebrations at ALL Mariano’s Stores
Date: Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31
Time: 12:00 p.m. each day
Location: All Mariano’s Locations
This FREE event is at ALL Chicagoland Mariano’s locations.
Free Strawberry Topped Cheesecake samples will be available while supplies last, so get there for noon!
There is also a chance to win cheesecake for a year.
For more details visit: www.elischeesecake.com/marianosnccd
Increased Capacity, More Frequent Service for Lollapalooza (info from transitchicago.com) Red Line Thu and Fri: Longer trains will operate until 2am next day. Trains will operate between 95th/Dan Ryan and Howard every 6 minutes from 6pm to 11:59pm.
Sat and Sun: Longer trains will operate until 2am next day. Trains will operate between 95th/Dan Ryan and Howard every 6 minutes from 6:30pm to 11:59pm, Saturday, and every 6-8 minutes from 6:30pm to 11:59pm, Sunday.
Brown Line
Thu and Fri: Longer trains will operate until 1am next day, Trains will operate between Kimball and the Loop every 8 minutes from 10pm to 11pm.
Sat and Sun: Longer trains will operate until 1am next day. Trains will operate between Kimball and the Loop every 8 minutes from 6:30pm to 11pm, Saturday and every 10 minutes from 9:30pm to11pm, Sunday.
Green Line
Thu to Sun: Longer trains will operate until 1am next day.
Orange Line
Thu to Sun: Longer trains will operate until 1am next day. Trains will operate between Midway and the Loop every 10 minutes from 8:30pm to 9:30pm and every 8 minutes from 9:30pm to 11pm, Thursday and Friday; every 10 minutes from 8:30pm to 11pm, Saturday; and every 10 minutes from 9:30pm to 11pm, Sunday.
Blue Line
Thu and Fri: Longer trains will operate until 11:59pm. Trains will operate between Forest Park and O’Hare every 8 minutes from 7pm to 11:30pm.
Sat and Sun: Longer trains will operate until 11:59pm. Trains will operate between Forest Park and O’Hare every 6 – 12 minutes from 8:30pm to 11pm, Saturday, and every 8 minutes from 9:30pm to 11pm, Sunday. Note: On Saturday, some trips will operate between O’Hare and UIC-Halsted stations only. Listen carefully to train announcements.
Pink Line
Thu and Fri: Trains will operate between 54th/Cermak and the Loop every 12 minutes from 9pm to 11pm.
Yellow Line
Thu through Sun: Trains will operate between Dempster-Skokie and Howard every 15 minutes from 11:59pm to 1am next day.
Why is service being changed? Added service is being provided for the convenience of customers attending the Lollapalooza event.
Metra is offering $20-four day Lollapalooza passes which is available for purchase at all ticket windows, including all downtown and outlying stations, and through the Ventra app.
Traffic Restrictions & Road Projects
Closures in place for Lollapalooza:
-Columbus between Monroe & Roosevelt
-Congreess between Columbus & Michigan Avenue
-Balbo from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive
-Jackson from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive
Fiesta del Sol in Pilsen – Cermak will be closed between Ashland and Morgan, Thursday thru Sunday.
Jefferson Park – Lawrence AveBetween Milwaukee Ave and Long Ave closed for Jeff Fest
Whiting, In – Pierogi Fest – 119th St at Indianapolis Blvd closed
Ray Stagich’s Forecast: Friday – Sunny skies. High 82F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Saturday – A few clouds. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the mid 60s. Sunday – Abundant sunshine. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the low 70s.
Date: Saturday, June 18 – Sunday, June 19
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: Northalsted
An amazingly entertaining weekend with performers such as Jordin Sparks, Danity Kane members Aubrey O’Day and Shannon Bex, and Daya. Then, the Pride Pet & Family Parade struts at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The festival in Northalsted is not the only event, so head to this link to find more celebrations.
Traffic Alert: Halsted closed north of Belmont, up to Broadway
The Chicago Pride Parade is the following Sunday, June 26 at noon.
Taste of Randolph Street
Date: Friday, June 17 – Sunday, June 19
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 10: 00 p.m.
Location: West Loop, Chicago
A food-centric festival boasting some of the best cuisine in the city, along with world-class live entertainment and handcrafted merchant goods!
Traffic Alert: Randolph closed between Halsted and Racine from Friday through Sunday night.
Windy City LakeShake Festival
Date: Friday, June 17 – Sunday, June 19
Time: All Day
Location: Northerly Island, Chicago
From Time Out Chicago:
After a successful first year, the Windy City LakeShake Festival returns to Northerly Island for three days of country music. This year, Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw and Brooks & Dunn headline a Nashville-rich bill. The lakefront hoedown also features Kacey Musgraves, Martina McBride, Travis Tritt and Thomas Rhett—dust off your cowboy hat and polish those boots. (Note: There are no single-day tickets available for this festival)
PrairieFest – Oswegoland Park District
Date: Friday, June 17 – Sunday, June 19
Time: All day, each day until 10:00 p.m.
Location: Oswego
Date: Friday, June 17
Time: 6:45 p.m.
Location: Manteno
From the Kankakee Daily Journal:Fleets of golf carts will cruise from Heritage Park at 6:45 p.m. to the Leo Hassett Center for Music in Manteno, where Time Is Everything will perform until 10 p.m. The village recommends riders decorate their carts for the parade.
Traffic and Travel
Portage Park:Six Corners Barbecue Fest – Milwaukee Ave at Irving Park Rd & Cicero Ave closed through Sunday at 8:00 p.m. Wicker Park:Green Music Fest – Damen Ave closed down between North Avenue and Schiller until Sunday at 10:00 p.m.
Jane Byrne Interchange work from IDOT: Starting at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 15, the ramp from the inbound Kennedy (southbound I-90/94) to the inbound Eisenhower (eastbound I-290) will be closed between Jackson and Halsted streets until 5 a.m. Thursday, June 23.
A posted detour will direct traffic to continue on the outbound Dan Ryan (southbound I-90/94) to reenter the inbound expressway via the 18th Street interchange. After exiting at Roosevelt Road, motorists will turn left at Jefferson Street, right on Harrison Street and left on Wells Street to connect with Congress Parkway.
From travelmidwest.com: Thursday, June 16, one westbound lane on Illinois Route 390 between Park Boulevard and I-290 is scheduled to close at 9 p.m. to prepare for a traffic shift on the ramp connecting westbound Illinois Route 390 to westbound I-290. At 1 a.m. on Friday, June 17, a full ramp closure is scheduled and traffic will be detoured via the Meacham Road loop ramp to eastbound Illinois Route 390 and back to the I-290 Interchange where traffic will be able to exit to westbound I-290. All lanes are scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. on Friday, June 17, ahead of rush hour traffic.
On the Reagan Tollway in Downers Grove: On Thursday, June 16, the center lane on the ramp will close at 9 a.m. and reopen later that day, before closing again at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 17, with the closure continuing for the majority of the weekend. The lane is scheduled to reopen by 7 a.m. on Monday, June 20.
Weekend CTA Travel Alerts
Trains Rerouted Downtown: Lake and Wabash Closed – Orange, Green, Pink and Brown Lines will be rerouted this weekend from 10:00 p.m. Friday through 4:00 a.m. Monday. Orange& Brown Line Trains will operate as one route, between Kimball and Midway. Green Line Trains will operate between Harlem and 63rd. Pink Line Trains will run between 54th/Cermak & Downtown
The Addison Street on the CTA Blue Line will be closed this weekend beginning at 10:00 p.m. on Friday to 4:00 a.m. Monday.
A bus shuttle will operate between the Addison and Belmont stations.
#DumpThePumpDay: On Thursday, ditch the car and take the CTA, Metra or Pace. Take a picture and share on social with hashtags: #DTPChi or #DumpThePumpSweeps, to be automatically entered into a drawing to win great prizes.
Riders can enter multiple ‘dump the pump’ photos however rules allow only one raffle entry per rider no matter how many photos are entered. This is sponsored by the Regional Transportation Authority.
By Jen DeSalvo, WLS-AM 890 Traffic and Transportation
(CHICAGO) Closures for pavement repairs begin on northbound Kingery Highway (Illinois 83) between Grove Avenue and Irving Park Road (Illinois 19), in Bensenville, Monday, June 13. Kingery will be reduced down to two lanes.
Bridge repairs and safety improvements start Monday, June 13 on Main Street (Illinois 31) over the Edgewood Ravine, south of Illinois 62, in Algonquin. The project will continue through the summer months.
From the Illinois Department of Transportation, “the bridge that carries Main Street over the Edgewood Ravine will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Lane width reductions and temporary traffic signals also will be in place for the duration of the project.”
Also, IDOT instructs that all northbound left turns from Illinois 31 at Edgewood Drive will be prohibited. A posted detour will direct traffic west on Beach Drive and north on Cardinal
In Lake Villa, Fairfield Road will be closed to traffic north of Grand Avenue (Illinois 132) for ongoing intersection improvement. The project consists of pavement widening, resurfacing and traffic signal installation.
As far as CTA projects, there is an “Overnight Boarding Change” in place, as Blue Line trains will run on only one track between Clark/Lake and Damen from 10:00 p.m. on Monday through 4:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 14.
Also beginning on Monday, June 13, Forest Park-bound Blue line trains will not stop at Irving Park station at all through July 5.
Date: Sunday, May 29, 2016
Time: 5:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Lake Shore Drive between Bryn Mawr on the north and 57th Street on the south, Chicago
Traffic Alert: Lake Shore Drive WILL be closed to ALL traffic on Sunday morning from 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
Closures will also be in place throughout Grant Park and at the Museum of Science and Industry.
Date: Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29
Time: Noon to 10:00 p.m. on both days
Location: Lakeview, Chicago
Traffic Alert: Sheffield will be closed between Belmont and Roscoe from Friday afternoon through Sunday night.
Music performance from 97nine, a local rock band paying tribute to WLS-AM 890 sister station, Chicago’s Loop 97.9FM rock radio. Headliners include Wedding Banned and Catfight.
Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade
Date: Saturday, May 28,
Time: 11:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Chicago
From the City of Chicago website: Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade honors all men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.
The Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 11am at the Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington Streets). The parade will step off at noon and proceed south on State Street from Lake Street to Van Buren Street.
Traffic Alert: State St. will be closed from Lake St. to Van Buren after 11:00 a.m. for the parade.
Ways to get there without a car: El: Pink, Orange, Green, Brown, Purple to Randolph; Blue to Washington; Red to Lake. Bus: 3, 4, 6, 10, 14, 26, 143, 144, 146, 147, 151, 157.
Metra and South Shore to Millennium Station.
Red, White, & Bar-B-Q Competition
Date: Friday, May 27 – Sunday, May 29
Location: Ty Warner Park, Westmont
From the RTA: Billed the state’s largest barbecue competition, this festival will draw more than 20,000 barbecue lovers to sample savory dishes from some of the best barbecue vendors in the Midwest. Learn more at www.westmontbbq.com.
Stay Indoors at the Walker Stalker Con
Date: May 28 – 29
Location: Rosemont Convention Center, Rosemont
From the RTA: Zombie lovers will unite at this event, featuring celebrities, vendors and a costume party. Learn more at www.walkerstalkercon.com.
Lake Shore Drive Northbound between 57th St/Museum of Science & Industry and 31st Street will be closed from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning for the Soldier Field 10 Mile Run.
The Adams Street Bridge at the Chicago River is closed for reconstruction. Seven CTA Bus routes are rerouted and a detour is posted.
In Orland Park, 147th St, 151st and 156th between Lagrange Rd and Ravina Ave are closed until the end of May.
The North Avenue pedestrian bridge over Lake Shore Drive is closed through June to pedestrian and bicyclist traffic for bridge repair and maintenance.
Randolph Street has two lanes closed downtown between State Street and Dearborn with utility work.
Weekend CTA Travel Alerts
CTA Construction
Blue Line trains heading in the direction of Forest Park will bypass Montrose for platform repairs on weekends from Friday at 10:00 p.m through Monday at 4:00 a.m. until June 7.
Passengers are urged to use Irving Park or Jefferson Park.
Metra’s $8 Weekend Pass
From Metrarail.com: Unlimited rides on both Saturday and Sunday. Can be used in conjunction with Metra’s Family Fares. Not valid for travel on the South Shore (NICTD).
Kids Ride for FREE all Memorial Day Weekend!
Kids can ride Metra trains for free with their families Memorial Day through Labor day as part of an expanded Family Fares program. More information here.
Hiawatha Service offers new Saturday night round trips starting May 21 and running through September 3, 2016. With the start of the new schedules, Train 343 will depart Chicago at 11:10 pm, and Train 344 will depart Milwaukee at 10:40 pm. Trains 329 and 330 will operate only on weekdays during this three-month period.
Submit an Event to Jen
What's on your agenda this weekend? Send it over in an email, and it's just might pop up on Jen's A-Jenda and the Big John Howell Show!
(CHICAGO) Multiple people were injured in a four-vehicle crash that left two lanes closed Friday morning on the inbound Kennedy Expressway on the Northwest Side.
The crash occurred at 7:38 a.m. on inbound I-90 near Harlem, according to Illinois State Police.
Police said multiple people were injured in the crash, but further details were not immediately available.
The right two lanes were closed as of 8:15 a.m. and were expected to remain closed for several hours, police said.
(CHICAGO) Metra has announced that the Rock Island Beverly Branch Line’s 95th and 99th Street station ticket offices will close Monday due to declining on-site ticket sales.
The 95th and 99th Street ticket offices have the lowest sales of all manned Metra stations, according to a statement from Metra. The 95th Street ticket office sells an average of 39 tickets per day and the 99th Street ticket office sells an average of 58 tickets per day.
Customers who use the stations after Monday will be able to purchase tickets from conductors at no extra cost, Metra said. Riders can also purchase tickets online, through the smartphone Ventra application and from agents and vending machines at all five downtown stations.
Metra said it will reassign the ticket agents from the two stations to other positions.
“Technology is changing the way Metra customers are buying tickets,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “We continue to look for ways to be more efficient with our limited resources and redeploying the agents from these stations to locations where we need more manpower is simply a good business practice.”
(CHICAGO) A fire erupted Tuesday at a railroad facility in west suburban Melrose Park and the fallout will cause delays on Metra Union Pacific/West trains through Thursday.
The fire, caused by an electrical shortage in a piece of Union Pacific Railroad equipment, happened at a facility near 25th Avenue in Melrose Park, and caused massive delays for UP/West riders Tuesday morning.
And Metra announced Tuesday afternoon that repairs will delay trains until at least the Thursday afternoon rush hour. The UP facility is described as a “nerve center controlling all the trains in the area.”
All trains on the UP lines in the area, including 60 Metra UP/West lines and freight traffic will have to stop, get permission to proceed and then travel at restricted speeds through a two-mile area until repairs are complete, Metra said.
Most inbound and outbound trains should depart on time, but may incur delays of up to 30 minutes until the Thursday afternoon rush hour. Departures later in the rush hour could be delayed because of earlier trains.
The fire also has led to the following trains will be canceled Tuesday evening:
No. 43, departing Ogilvie at 4:17 p.m.;
No. 59, departing Ogilvie at 5:46 p.m.;
and No. 60, arriving at Ogilvie at 6:54 pm.
Also Thursday evening, the No. 41, departing Ogilvie at 4:11 p.m., and the No. 57, departing Ogilvie at 5:42 p.m. will make extra stops at Melrose Park and Maywood, Metra said. The No. 45, departing Ogilvie at 4:35 p.m., and the No. 61, departing Ogilvie at 6:10 p.m., will make extra stops at Bellwood and Berkeley.
(NAPERVILLE) A Metra train derailed Monday morning on the BNSF Railway near west suburban Naperville, causing extensive delays during the morning commute.
Train No. 1206, scheduled to depart Fairview at 5:45 a.m. and arrive in Chicago at 6:35 a.m., derailed just east of Naperville, according to Metra.
The train did not have any passengers at the time, and no injuries were reported.
Inbound trains No. 1252 and 1370 are operating 45-50 minutes late, according to Metra’s website. Inbound train No. 1260 is delayed about 25 minutes.
All outbound trains to Aurora are delayed 15-20 minutes, according to the transit agency.
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(NAPERVILLE) A Metra train derailed Monday morning on the BNSF Railway near west suburban Naperville, causing extensive delays during the morning commute.
Train No. 1206, scheduled to depart Fairview at 5:45 a.m. and arrive in Chicago at 6:35 a.m., derailed just east of Naperville, according to Metra.
The train did not have any passengers on it at the time.
All outbound trains were scheduled to terminate at Lisle, the transit agency said. Passengers at Naperville, Route 59, and Aurora were told to seek alternate transportation at this time.
(NAPERVILLE) A Metra train derailed Monday morning on the BNSF Railway near west suburban Naperville, causing extensive delays during the morning commute.
Train No. 1206, scheduled to depart Fairview at 5:45 a.m. and arrive in Chicago at 6:35 a.m., derailed east of Naperville, according to Metra.
Ever wonder which expressway name goes with which interstate number when listening to a traffic report? The Big John Howell Morning Show’s Jen DeSalvo explains through this video tutorial.
(CHICAGO) Just because it is winter in Chicago, that doesn’t mean that Kennedy, Eisenhower and Dan Ryan commuters are getting a break from construction work on the Jane Byrne (Circle) Interchange.
In a news release from the Illinois Department of Transportation, the organization announced that the ramp from the inbound Kennedy Expressway (EB I-90/94) to the outbound Eisenhower Expressway (WB I-290) will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, to 4 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, weather permitting.
This closure is part of the ongoing Jane Byrne Interchange Project, which began in September 2013, and is planned to be completed in Summer 2018.
The closure is necessary for construction of the pier needed for the new flyover ramp linking the inbound Dan Ryan Expressway (WB I-90/94) to the outbound Eisenhower Expressway (WB I-290).
There will be a posted detour directing motorists to the 18th street exit, where they will cross over the bridge to return to the Dan Ryan, only in the inbound direction. From there, they can access the outbound Eisenhower on the ramp which was previously under construction this past fall.
Photo: IDOT
Work will continue throughout the winter months, as long as the weather cooperates with the planned roadwork. Heavy snow, ice and extreme cold temperatures are factors which have halted construction in the past.
(CHICAGO) Transit officials are expanding closures along Washington Boulevard downtown as construction continues on the Loop Link bus rapid transit project.
Starting Tuesday, existing closures on eastbound Washington from Wacker to Clark will be extended two more blocks to State, according to a statement from the Chicago Department of Transportation. All traffic on Washington from Wacker to State will be limited to two lanes on the north side of the street.
Access to alleys and parking lots will be maintained in the construction zone, but no right turns will be allowed at LaSalle, CDOT said.
Lane closures currently in effect on Madison from Michigan to Wacker will remain in effect, with additional overnight full closures planned on Madison for five nights starting Tuesday, according to CDOT. Madison will be closed from State to Wells from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night.
Downtown motorists are advised to expect delays during construction, CDOT said. Although no detours are planned, drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes through the Loop.
The Loop link project is intended to speed up travel through the Loop by separating bus, bike and regular traffic, CDOT said. Red-colored bus-only lanes will be installed along Madison, Washington, Canal and Clinton on a circuit between Union Station and Millennium Park.
Protected bike lanes will also be installed eastbound on Washington, westbound on Randolph and in both directions on Clinton, CDOT said. Loop Link construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015.
(GILBERTS) Work on the Illinois Route 72 Bridge carrying traffic over the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway in Gilberts is scheduled to begin Monday to prepare for removal and reconstruction as part of the I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project.
The Higgins Road Bridge will remain open, the Illinois Department of Transportation said. However, the bridge will be reduced to one lane over I-90 with traffic in both directions controlled by traffic signals during construction.
About 16,000 vehicles use this bridge daily, IDOT said.
Because the Higgins Road Bridge is a two-lane bridge, only one lane will be available to traffic during construction. Traffic signals will be used to control access for eastbound and westbound traffic using the single open lane in order to keep the bridge open during construction, IDOT said.
The temporary traffic signals are scheduled to be in place by late May, and construction will start on the westbound side of the bridge with all traffic traveling on the eastbound side of the bridge. The westbound side of the bridge is scheduled to reopen by late summer, and work will begin on the eastbound side of the bridge.
The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015.
