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The Western, Belmont and Clybourn intersection closes at 8 p.m. Friday, causing detours and headaches for the multitude of drivers who pass through the intersection every day. The closure is part of an extensive demolition project for the Western Avenue overpass, which will be replaced by a five-way intersection at Western, Belmont and Clybourn avenues.

Western will be completely closed from Nelson to Roscoe streets, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation, along with the intersection with Belmont and Clybourn. Northbound Western and the intersection of Belmont and Clybourn reopens on Monday morning, and southbound Western reopens Tuesday morning.

The $26 million project (paid for with state and federal funds) is scheduled to be completed by summer 2017.

Road closures during project stages, with approximate construction duration

Stage 1, five months: After the full closure ends March 7, traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on Western and no left turns will be allowed from Western to cross streets between George and Roscoe streets.

Stage 2-3, eight months: Two lanes of traffic in each direction will be open on Western, while Belmont will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Stage 4-5, four months: Two lanes in each direction will be open on Western and Belmont.

Western, Belmont and Clybourn intersection configuration after projection is done
Slide back and forth to see how the intersection will change

New Western Avenue configuration

After the project is completed, Western will have three lanes of traffic in each direction during rush hour with curbside parking during off-hours, according to CDOT. Beyond the reconfigured intersection, the project includes new lighting and medians along the Western corridor and roadway improvements along a 1.27-mile stretch from Logan Boulevard to Waveland Avenue.

Included in the project are repairs to the Chicago River bridge, and improvements at the intersections of Western and Schubert, Diversey and Elston, Belmont, Roscoe and Addison.

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Renderings from Chicago Department of Transportation, satellite view from Google Earth

Sources: CDOT, Tribune reporting

@ChiTribGraphics

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