Halsted Street shutdown at Chicago Avenue to last a year, with bridge closure to follow

A yearlong traffic headache just began on the Near West Side.

City crews shut down Halsted Street at Chicago Avenue on Monday for a construction project that's not expected to be completed for 17 months.

The Chicago Avenue Bridge, which on Monday was narrowed to two lanes, will close completely after October to be fully replaced.

Both roads won't reopen until the scheduled completion date in December 2026, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Craig Turner, CDOT's acting commissioner, told reporters Monday that his department opted for full closures to speed up the project. "That's one of the reasons why is it's being shut down completely — because of that kind of expedited schedule," Turner said.

The detours send drivers either a half-mile west to Ashland Avenue, or a little bit closer to the east, at Orleans and Wells streets. Those detours start at Grand Avenue from the south, and North Avenue from the north.

A precise closure date for the Chicago Avenue Bridge will be announced later, Turner said.

The completed project will result in a permanent Chicago Avenue Bridge with a riverwalk connection beneath it, according to CDOT.

The entire Chicago-Halsted viaduct, which is raised above ground level, will be replaced; a new traffic signal will be installed at Chicago Avenue and Jefferson Street; a dedicated bus lane will be installed on Chicago; and protected bike lanes will be built on Halsted.

"My recommendation is to allow extra time," Turner said. "Plan accordingly, have extra patience. It'll be a great project once it's done."