Homewood’s Dixie Highway Viaduct Closure for Flood Project

The Dixie Highway viaduct in Homewood is scheduled for closure starting September 22 for a flood mitigation and resurfacing project. This is managed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and is expected to last at least 90 days. Initially planned for June, the project was delayed due to necessary utility work.

Despite the inconvenience for motorists and commuters, the village expects the construction to provide a long-term solution to flooding issues beneath the viaduct. Roadway safety, drainage performance, and reliability are expected to improve significantly once the project completes.

Alongside the viaduct work, the project includes new pavement and revised traffic patterns from Spruce Road to Park Avenue. The village shared projected detour routes for travelers during the closure. Southbound drivers will be directed from Dixie Highway to 175th Street, then south on Governors Highway, finishing with a left turn onto 183rd Street. Northbound traffic will turn from Dixie Highway onto Ridge Road, then onto Ashland Avenue, and finally onto 171st Street.

Flooding under the viaduct has been a persistent issue, worsened by recent major storms, including two EF-1 tornadoes that hit Homewood in July and August. These storms temporarily rendered the viaduct impassable due to flooding. The project’s timeline, originally set for 2027, was accelerated by IDOT after concluding that addressing the drainage issues sooner was essential.

Joshua Burman, the Homewood Public Works Director, mentioned the viaduct’s frequent closures following heavy rainfall. He noted the necessity of having staff or police close the viaduct until storms passed and water levels receded, signaling the urgency of the project’s completion.