As we hit the early part of May, our collective attention turns from potholes and snow removal to summer construction on expressways and busy Chicago thoroughfares. Our WBEZ Traffic Reporter Sarah Jindra has put together her annual PDF giving you the lowdown on each significant project in the area. Here are a few highlights:

WACKER DRIVE PROJECT (Revive Wacker Drive)

Project continues to block Wacker between Lake and Madison. Randolph and Washington intersections are blocked off. Franklin has been converted to a two‐way street from Wacker (E‐W) toVan Buren. Crews are currently working on the road btw Randolph and Washington through mid‐summer. They’ll then move south and rebuild Wacker from Washington to Monroe. Then in 2012, Monroe to VanBuren. Lower Wacker remains open for local access only between Randolph and Congress.

I-55 BRIDGE WORK NEAR WILMINGTON

Work on I‐55 over the Kankakee river near Wilmington has started back up. This project is a continuation from work there last summer. NB I‐55 from Lorenzo to River Rd‐‐ only one lane gets by so crews can work on the SB side of the bridge. NB was completed last summer.

IL‐59 IN BARRINGTON

Resurfacing of IL‐59 will reduce the road to one lane during daytime hours btw Rand Rd and IL‐22. Expected end date: Late July

I‐80 RESURFACING

Resurfacing work on I‐80 from US‐30 to the Grundy Co. line will require closures in the Joliet area, along with resurfacing work between US‐30 and US‐45 which will add a third lane. Expect overnight and weekend closures.

NW Indiana: 80‐94 PROJECT

Work between Broadway and Central both directions. Expect lane closures. Expected end date: June 2011

The full PDF listing all summer construction projects is available below.