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Ramps, Lanes Closed For Byrne Interchange Construction Work

(CBS) -- Short term pain for long term gain is how construction crews describe Congress Parkway and nearby roadways this weekend.

Several ramps are closed at the Jane Byrne Interchange where I-90/94 meets I-290 and the Congress closure is just part of the traffic tangle. Congress Parkway from the Jane Byrne Interchange is closed inbound and outbound.

There are detours and drivers are able to access the Dan Ryan but you should consider alternate routes.

All the headaches are part of a massive $600 million project. Two interstates and hundreds of thousands of vehicles are impacted.

Both the Kennedy and the Dan Ryan, from Ohio to 18th Street, are shut down to one lane. The closure will allow crews to do some major work on a new flyover bridge that will ultimately connect the Dan Ryan at Taylor Street to the outbound Ike at Peoria. That will help ease traffic flow. Near term however drivers will have to adapt.

The Roosevelt Road exit, Jefferson Street, Harrison Street and Wells are detour routes to connect you with Congress Parkway.

"Being a FedEx driver you know I have to try to navigate through all this right here so I have to try to find alternate ways to get back and forth to my destinations," said Charles McKinney.

Anyone thinking about taking an early detour from the Kennedy before hitting the Eisenhower, may encounter major traffic jams in the Loop.

The West Loop Art Fest is taking place on Washington Boulevard between Aberdeen and Halsted, leaving vehicles in limbo on W. Madison Street.

"I just got out of a hockey game and I've been sitting here about 15, 20 minutes just going a couple blocks," said Jason Berrettini. "It's pretty unreal."

The traffic tie ups continue at The Taste of Greek Town, on S. Halsted and Van Buren.

IDOT officials say the Kennedy as well as the Dan Ryan lanes will reopen Sunday morning. The Congress Parkway will reopen Monday morning and the same closures will also take effect next weekend as well.

For more information, visit www.circleinterchange.org.

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