The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) will reopen the rehabilitated northbound entrance ramp to Lake Shore Drive at Michigan Avenue and Oak Street in time for the evening rush hour on Friday, November 16th.

“This repair project was necessary due to the deteriorated condition of the concrete of the viaduct deck and retaining walls of the ramp, which has not seen any significant rehabilitation since its original construction in 1963,” said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein.  “We completed this critical repair work on schedule and on budget.”

The $1.78 million project, performed by MQ Construction Co., included the repair of the underside and topside of the on-ramp viaduct; the repair the concrete retaining walls and miscellaneous electrical and lighting repairs.

During the six-week rehabilitation project, the on-ramp was closed to traffic. Northbound vehicles were rerouted along Inner Lake Shore Drive to LaSalle Drive. CDOT also adjusted traffic signals and deployed traffic control aides to help move vehicles along the detour route.

After it was determined that the nearly 50-year-old structure was in need of immediate repair, CDOT notified the neighborhood and motorists about the project through meetings with businesses and neighborhood organizations, collaboration with the Chicago Transit Authority and local elected officials, and the placement of on-site electronic message boards.

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