Chicago Drivers Daily Road & Traffic Alert — Friday, October 2, 2026

Friday travel will be shaped by a downtown street closure, neighborhood construction and continuing expressway lane restrictions. Build in extra time for the afternoon commute and weekend traffic.

• Downtown/Loop — Southbound State Street remains closed between Wacker Drive and Randolph Street, with no official reopening time posted. Nearby southbound routes may back up; divert before reaching the bridge area.

• Armitage Avenue — Westbound #73 buses continue to use Kedzie, Fullerton and Pulaski through 5 p.m. Monday, October 5. CTA’s reroute does not establish a full closure for drivers. Watch for temporary stops and additional turning buses.

• Cermak Road — The #21 reroute near Michigan Avenue and 25th Street is scheduled to end at 7 p.m. Friday. The notice does not confirm a full street closure. Check conditions before entering the work area, especially during the evening rush.

• Far South Side — Southbound #52A and #53A buses are rerouted near 111th–115th streets through 8 p.m. Friday, using Kedzie, Pulaski and 111th Street before ending at Springfield/115th. CTA confirms a transit reroute, not a full street closure; watch for buses on alternate streets.

• Jeffery Boulevard/75th Street — Construction-related reroutes around Jeffery between 73rd and 75th streets and near 75th and Stony Island continue through October 26. Expect reduced operating space and transit delays; use caution around workers and equipment.

• Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) — The outbound rehabilitation project remains in Stage 2, with two mainline lanes closed at a time and the reversible lanes running outbound. The mid-gate is closed, traffic shifts between Division and Addison, and the outbound ramps to Augusta/Milwaukee and Damen remain closed on the current project schedule. Choose a lane early and avoid weaving.

• O’Hare approaches — Traffic shifts and shoulder closures continue at the O’Hare North Toll Plaza. One I-PASS lane is closed at the I-90 River Road Toll Plaza, but two lanes remain open. Airport-bound drivers should add a buffer and confirm terminal traffic before leaving.

• I-88 and I-294 suburbs — Nightly full closures are listed for eastbound I-88 between Spring Road and I-290, with posted detours. Deerfield Road over I-94 and Sanders Road over I-294 remain one lane in each direction through fall. Follow detour signs and avoid relying solely on navigation apps.

Official sources: https://www.transitchicago.com/travel-information/bus-status/ (opens in a new tab) | https://idot.illinois.gov/programs-and-projects/featured-projects/cook-county---interstate-90-kennedy-bridge-study.html (opens in a new tab) | https://agency.illinoistollway.com/systemwide/toll-plaza-repairs (opens in a new tab) | https://agency.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/roadway-and-bridge-repairs (opens in a new tab) | https://agency.illinoistollway.com/projects/reagan/roadway-bridge-and-ramp-repairs (opens in a new tab)