All lanes of Interstate 80 in Chicago’s south suburbs reopened Monday evening after downed power lines fell across the roadway, closing both directions of traffic for several hours.
Power Lines Down Near Kedzie Avenue
Illinois State Police said troopers responded around 1:01 p.m. to I-80 westbound near Kedzie Avenue after reports came in of power lines down over both the eastbound and westbound lanes.
Officials said the scene remained active into the late afternoon. A tanker truck hauling inert nitrogen was immobilized on the highway because of the downed lines, adding to the delays as crews worked to clear the area safely.
Because of the closure, westbound traffic was rerouted onto I57 and I294 while crews worked to restore power and remove the fallen lines from the roadway.
Google Maps showed the interstate closed between I294 and Kedzie Avenue for much of the afternoon, with backups stretching for miles in both directions. Drivers in the area were urged to seek alternate routes as congestion built up during the evening commute.
By Monday evening, all lanes had reopened, and traffic began moving normally again. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
Storms Add to Regional Disruptions
The closure came during a stretch of unsettled weather across the Chicago area, with severe storms bringing damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain to parts of the region. Hundreds of thousands of customers lost power as storms moved through, and forecasters warned that additional rounds of severe weather could return to the area in the days ahead.
Local officials have not said what caused the power lines to fall, though the timing coincided with storm activity across the region. NBC 5 News will continue to follow the story as more information becomes available.
Drivers are advised to check traffic conditions before heading out, as crews continue restoration work in areas affected by the storms. Motorists should also stay alert for possible additional weather-related disruptions given the ongoing threat of severe storms in the Chicago area this week.
This story is developing and will be updated as new details emerge from Illinois State Police and NBC 5 News.