Starting September 22, the Dixie Highway viaduct in Homewood will close for a project by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) focused on flood mitigation and resurfacing. This closure will last at least 90 days, as announced by the village authorities.

Originally, the closure was set for June 8. However, it was postponed due to utility work that needed completion. The village stated that though the shutdown will be inconvenient for drivers and commuters, it promises solutions to persistent flooding issues. Improved safety and better drainage are expected outcomes of the project, enhancing overall road reliability once construction finishes.

The project also includes new pavement and altered traffic patterns from Spruce Road to Park Avenue. The village released a graphic depicting detour routes during the closure. Southbound traffic will divert from Dixie Highway onto 175th Street, continue south on Governors Highway, and then proceed left onto 183rd Street. For northbound traffic, the detour involves turning right from Dixie Highway onto Ridge Road, a subsequent right onto Ashland Avenue, before turning left onto 171st Street.

Flooding under the viaduct has been troublesome, worsened by several significant storms recently. Homewood suffered from two EF-1 tornadoes this summer, which rendered the viaduct impassable due to flooding. Originally planned for 2027, IDOT advanced the project timeline due to immediate drainage concerns.

Homewood Public Works Director Joshua Burman highlighted the frequent closures after heavy rainfall, pointing out, “This is long overdue with all the flooding that we’ve been having at the north viaduct.” He noted routine closures executed by personnel or the police until stormwaters subsided.