Interstate 55 at Illinois 59 Access Project

The Illinois Department of Transportation (Department) in partnership with the City of Joliet is performing preliminary engineering and environmental studies for the Interstate 55 (I-55) Access Study in Will County.

The I-55 Access Study area is located in western Will County, primarily within the Village of Shorewood and the City of Joliet.  The study area covers approximately 6.5 square miles and is bordered on the south by Interstate 80 (I-80), on the east by Houbolt Road, on the north by US Route 52 (US 52/ Jefferson Street), and on the west by River Road.  The study focuses on the I-55 interchange access and includes the supporting local roadway network within the entire study area.  The preferred alternative received concurrence from the Federal Highway Administration on September 13, 2018 and includes the following four independent improvements:

• US 52 from River Road to Houbolt Road which includes capacity improvements (additional lane) for the portion of US 52 from River Road to Illinois Route 59 (IL 59)

• I-55 from I-80 to US 52 which converts the existing partial access interchange at I-55 and IL 59 into a full access diverging diamond interchange and the addition of auxiliary lanes on I-55 between its interchanges with IL 59 and US 52

• Olympic Boulevard from I-55 East Frontage Road to Houbolt Road which includes the extension of Olympic Boulevard to the East Frontage Road of I-55

• Seil Road from Raven Road to IL 59 which includes mini-roundabouts constructed at the Seil Road intersections with Raven Road and States Lane

US 52 from River Road to Houbolt Road and I-55 from I-80 to US 52 are included in the Department's current multi-year program. Subsequent phases for the improvements of Olympic Boulevard and Seil Road will be locally led by the City of Joliet and the Village of Shorewood, respectively.

For more information visit the project website at http://www.i55atil59accessproject.org/index.html