Homewood’s Dixie Highway Viaduct Closure for IDOT Project

The Dixie Highway viaduct in Homewood will close on September 22 for an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project focused on flood mitigation and resurfacing. This closure will last a minimum of 90 days, according to a village announcement. Originally set to begin in June, the closure was delayed due to necessary utility work.

The project aims to offer a long-term solution to frequent flooding under the viaduct and improve safety, drainage, and reliability. In addition to enhancements on the viaduct, new pavement and updated traffic patterns will be implemented from Spruce Road to Park Avenue.

For southbound traffic, detours will direct vehicles to turn right off Dixie Highway onto 175th Street, proceed south on Governors Highway, and then left onto 183rd Street. Northbound travelers will be directed to turn right off Dixie Highway onto Ridge Road, continue onto Ashland Avenue, and then left onto 171st Street. A graphic shared by the village illustrates these planned detour routes.

The viaduct has faced consistent flooding, worsened by recent major storms. The village was significantly impacted by two EF-1 tornadoes on July 27 and August 11, causing temporary closures due to flooding. Initially, the project was set for 2027, but the timeline was moved forward after IDOT identified the urgency to resolve drainage problems.

Joshua Burman, Homewood’s Public Works Director, explained the frequent need to close the viaduct after heavy rainfall. “This is long overdue with all the flooding at the north viaduct. Nearly every time it rains heavily, our staff or the Police Department has to close it until conditions improve,” Burman stated.