Get ready for slowdowns on Edens Spur

Just when you were getting used to the painful I-290 construction, the Illinois tollway is gearing up to fix the Edens Expressway Spur.

Illinois State Toll Highway Authority directors Thursday approved a $15.6 million contract with Lorig Construction Co. of Des Plaines to resurface and repair the Edens Spur.

The project entails repairing 5 miles of the spur located between the Tri-State Tollway and Edens Expressway and seven bridges. The tollway also is building three sound walls east of Waukegan Road.

Drivers will be restricted to one lane in each direction during construction, which is expected to start in June. Most of the work should be completed by fall.

"We're not anticipating a tremendous detrimental effect," tollway Chief of Engineering Paul Kovacs said, regarding traffic.

The pavement on the Edens Spur is about 50 years old. The highway is two lanes in each direction.

Lorig was the low bidder out of seven companies vying for the contract. Tollway officials said recycled asphalt and tires will be used for some of the building materials.

Also, Thursday officials approved raising the speed limit on the I-355 south extension between I-55 and I-80 from 55 mph to 65 mph.

The increase won't go into effect immediately because it still must clear a state legislative committee, but new signs will be posted once it's official.

Following questions about safety, Kovacs said the suggestion to up the limit came from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The idea was to keep speeds consistent near the I-80 interchange, which has a posted limit of 65 mph.

Tollway Director James Roolf, who lives in Will County, said he drives the south extension frequently and "if I try to maintain 55 mph, I have to look in all directions to make sure I'm not hit."