Chicago Drivers Daily Road & Traffic Alert — Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Wednesday’s most important verified restrictions include a Loop street closure, South Side construction-related reroutes and long-term work around I-294. Overnight Tollway activity is weather dependent, so drivers should also follow posted signs.

DOWNTOWN CHICAGO

• Southbound State Street, Wacker Drive to Randolph Street: CTA continues to list this block as closed, with no reopening date. Expect a diversion at the north end of the Loop; move to another southbound street before reaching Wacker.

CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOODS

• Northbound Jeffery Boulevard, 73rd to 75th streets: Construction is rerouting the J14, 15 and N5 buses through October 26 at 8 p.m. CTA does not confirm a full closure to regular vehicles. Allow extra time in South Shore and follow local work-zone signs.

• 47th Street near Damen and Ashland: The #47 bus remains detoured in both directions via 51st Street through November 11 at 7 p.m. CTA does not identify the precise restricted block or confirm a full street closure. Check posted signs before using 47th through this corridor.

HIGHWAYS AND EXPRESSWAYS

• I-294, North Avenue to Wolf Road: Overnight lane closures are scheduled as needed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. during September for SmartRoad gantry work, with possible intermittent 15-minute full stoppages after 12:15 a.m. The agency has not confirmed that a full stoppage will occur Wednesday night. Allow extra overnight travel time and check the Tollway’s daily alert.

• Westbound I-290 to I-294: The ramp to southbound I-294 is closed through 2026, while the ramp to northbound I-294 is closed through 2027. Posted detours are in place; choose the correct alternate approach before reaching the interchange.

SUBURBS

• Butterfield Road, Calvin Avenue to I-290 beneath I-294: Traffic remains limited to one lane in each direction through the end of 2026. Expect queues around Berkeley and Hillside and leave extra following distance.

• Deerfield Road over I-94 and Sanders Road over I-294: Both bridges are reduced to one lane per direction through fall. The Techny Road left turn onto Sanders Road is also closed, with a long-term detour posted. Budget extra time through the north suburban work zones.

Official sources: CTA bus alerts https://www.transitchicago.com/travel-information/bus-status/ (opens in a new tab) ; Illinois Tollway interchange update https://agency.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community/central-tri-state-tollway-i-294/290-88-interchange-project (opens in a new tab) ; I-294 construction alerts https://agency.illinoistollway.com/media-center/construction-alerts (opens in a new tab) ; north Tri-State repairs https://agency.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/roadway-and-bridge-repairs (opens in a new tab)