Overnight Lane Closures, Slowdowns Hit I-81 Syracuse, I-55 Illinois for Bridge Work

Multiple lane closures and slowdowns are planned on Interstate 81 in Syracuse and on Interstate 55 near Channahon, Illinois, as part of ongoing infrastructure projects. In Syracuse, overnight lane closures from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. are scheduled for southbound I-81 between exits 23A/23B/22 and 20 through Wednesday, and then northbound between exits 18 and 23 from Wednesday to Saturday to facilitate steel beam installation on the Spencer Street bridge, part of the I-81 Viaduct Project. These closures have caused significant traffic backups and driver frustration, prompting warnings from the New York State Department of Transportation to slow down and drive responsibly, with doubled fines for speeding in work zones. Additionally, a separate paving-related lane reduction on southbound I-81 between exits 28 and 98 in Cicero will occur nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. through early September. In Illinois, routine inspections and pavement repairs on the I-55 bridges over the Des Plaines River will cause daily lane closures from August 11 through August 23, with at least one lane remaining open in each direction; the Illinois Department of Transportation advises drivers to expect delays and consider alternate routes. These projects are part of larger transportation improvement plans, including New York's I-81 Viaduct Project and Illinois' $33.2 billion Rebuild Illinois initiative.