The Dixie Highway viaduct in Homewood will close on September 22 due to a flood mitigation and resurfacing project led by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The village announced the closure would last for at least 90 days. Initially scheduled to start in June, the project was postponed because utility work had to be completed first.
The village acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the temporary closure for motorists and commuters. However, the project promises a permanent solution to flooding under the viaduct, improvements in roadway safety, enhanced drainage performance, and greater overall reliability once construction concludes.
Besides viaduct work, the project will involve new pavement and changes in traffic patterns from Spruce Road to Park Avenue, according to the village.
New detour routes will guide travelers around the closure.
- Southbound travelers will turn right off Dixie Highway onto 175th Street, proceed south on Governors Highway, and then turn left onto 183rd Street.
- Northbound travelers will turn right off Dixie Highway onto Ridge Road, turn right onto Ashland Avenue, and finally turn left onto 171st Street.
Flooding under the viaduct has been a persistent issue, worsening due to recent significant storms. This summer, Homewood experienced two EF-1 tornadoes on July 27 and August 11, both causing temporary closures of the viaduct due to flooding.
The project was initially planned for 2027. IDOT accelerated the timeline due to the urgent need to address drainage issues and reduce repeated flooding.
Homewood Public Works Director Joshua Burman mentioned the frequent need for closures after heavy rainfalls. “This is long overdue with all the flooding that we have at the north viaduct,” Burman said. “Whenever significant rain occurs, our staff or the Police Department must close the area until the storm passes and water recedes.”