Route 71 Construction Project Begins This Week

Travelers, beware.

Traffic on Route 71 will be rerouted onto the new concrete pavement between Orchard Road and Route 34 this week, said Illinois Department of Transportation officials.

After that, the contractor will continue placing storm sewers and removing the remaining old pavement. Motorists are advised to watch for changing traffic patterns and workers along the roadway.

Congestion is expected during the project and motorists may want to consider alternate routes around the work zone, officials said.

Message boards at the project limits will indicate major delays are expected so motorists can reroute if desired. The intersection of Paradise and Route will be closed for a few of hours during the traffic pattern switch on Monday.

The Route 71 existing pavement will have to be removed due to the grade difference between the existing pavement and new pavement.