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Chicago Tribune
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago closes streets early to fix buckling pavement ahead of NASCAR race
The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is still more than a week away, but Mother Nature is already burning up the track. The heat dome that descended on Chicago last weekend with unrelenting 100-degree temperatures caused buckling pavement on stretches of the pop-up race course, forcing the city to close some streets ahead of schedule to repair the damage. On Wednesday evening, the city shut down Balbo Drive from Columbus Drive to Michigan Avenue, which was originally scheduled to close Friday. It also closed Columbus from Jackson Drive to Roosevelt Road – five days ahead of schedule – to allow work crews to repair another pavement buckle. The rest of the course is 'holding up fine' and the street closings ahead of the July Fourth weekend race event will remain on schedule, a NASCAR spokesperson said Thursday. Chicago is not alone in navigating this summer's new road hazard. The oppressive heat and humidity, which have brought triple-digit temperatures across the Midwest and East Coast in recent weeks, have caused the pavement to buckle on roads in a number of states. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, for example, reported 50 pavement buckles on highways across the state last weekend. Likewise, the Illinois Department of Transportation posted an online warning Monday to 'be on the lookout for pavement failures' on roads through the state because of the prolonged high temperatures. Meanwhile, a video of a car going airborne in an Evel Knievel-jump over a heat-induced pavement buckle in Missouri went viral this week. That is certainly something NASCAR wants to avoid when its 200-mph race cars hit Chicago streets next week. Chicago is set to host the third annual street race July 5-6 on a 12-turn, 2.2-mile course through Grant Park, down DuSable Lake Shore Drive and up Michigan Avenue. This year, NASCAR has streamlined the buildout and reduced major street closings to 18 days, starting with the shutdown last week of Balbo from Columbus to DuSable Lake Shore Drive. All streets are scheduled to be reopened by July 14. The July Fourth weekend event includes an Xfinity Series race on Saturday and a Cup Series race on Sunday, both of which will put Chicago on the national TV stage. This year, the Xfinity Series Loop 110, which features mostly younger up-and-coming NASCAR drivers, will be broadcast Saturday, July 5 on the CW Network and local affiliate WGN-TV. The Grant Park 165 main event will air Sunday, July 6 on cable channel TNT. In 2023, the inaugural Fourth of July weekend event navigated Canadian wildfire haze and record rainfall that curtailed races, canceled concerts and left fans soaked. While clear skies prevailed for last year's Xfinity Series race, the Cup Series race was once again shortened when rain delays forced officials to call the race after 58 laps as darkness fell on the unlit street course. What role the weather plays in this year's race, besides the heat-buckling pavement, remains to be seen. July Fourth weekend forecasts call for a high temperature of 80 degrees and, of course, scattered thunderstorms on Saturday. rchannick@
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wisconsin State Patrol aerial traffic enforcement Saturday, Sunday
MILWAUKEE - Wisconsin State Patrol pilots are scheduled to keep an eye out this weekend in two counties for traffic violations. What they're saying With the weather heating up, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation said the primary mission is public safety. To ensure that happens, an aerial enforcement plan is scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday. It involves enforcing traffic laws to help make sure drivers reach their destinations safely. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android The State Patrol's Air Support Unit is set to patrol in the following areas: I-94 in Kenosha County on Saturday, June 21 I-41 in Fond du Lac County on Sunday, June 22 Why you should care WisDOT said the aerial enforcement plan is a way to enhance public safety efforts. When in the air, the department said pilots can easily spot drivers who are speeding or driving aggressively. Pilots will observe a violation, then communicate with ground-based units to initiate a traffic stop. The department said many of the aerial enforcement missions are announced publicly to reinforce the State Patrol's goal of improving safety through voluntary compliance with traffic laws. The Source The Wisconsin Department of Transportation released information for this story.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Ahead of extreme heat in Wisconsin, WisDOT warns of pavement buckling conditions
(WFRV) – With extreme heat in Wisconsin's forecast over the next few days, officials with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) are warning drivers of pavement buckling conditions. WisDOT officials are reminding drivers to be alert and cautious as the extreme heat can lead to prime pavement buckling conditions, especially after the weather goes from cold to very hot. In certain weather conditions, the slabs of pavement can expand and push against one another, causing the pavement to buckle and create unexpected bumps or dips. WisDOT shares the importance of burn management WisDOT provided the following tips on being cautious during these weather conditions: Slow down, buckle up, and focus your full attention on the roadway. Watch for slowing traffic and be ready to move over for all roadside workers, including highway crews, as they repair damaged pavement. Before your trip, check the 511 Travel Information system ( for the latest on any incidents or delays. If necessary, report serious pavement issues by calling 911. Be ready to provide specific location information. No additional information was provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
WisDOT to host public involvement meeting June 25 over proposed US 45 project in Oshkosh
OSHKOSH – The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is set to host an online public involvement meeting June 25 to discuss a proposed road works project on U.S. 45 in downtown Oshkosh. A news release from WisDOT said the meeting serves to review the project's proposed scope, schedule and anticipated traffic impacts. WisDOT is proposing a pavement replacement project that extends for less than 1 mile from 16th Avenue to the Fox River in Oshkosh with the purpose of addressing deteriorated pavement, storm sewer and local utilities. Read more: New Italian restaurant, Truffle Pig, set to open in former Oshkosh Northwestern building The meeting starts at 5 p.m. and community members can access the meeting via computer or smart device by going to the U.S. 45 project website at People can also call into the meeting via phone at 608-571-2209. The conference's ID number is 705 649 896. Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@ and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville. This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: US 45 project in downtown Oshkosh focus of WisDOT meeting June 25
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Sections of I-894 will be closed this weekend near Milwaukee. Here's what to know
Sections of Interstate 894 will be closed June 13-16 as the Wisconsin Department of Transportation continues its roadwork on the highway. This comes after parts of I-894 were closed June 6-8 to accommodate paving on the westbound section of the interstate. Here's a look at the I-894 road closures, according to WisDOT: Eastbound I-894 is scheduled to close from the Hale Interchange to the Mitchell Interchange for paving from 11 p.m. June 13 to 5:30 a.m. June 16. Westbound lanes will remain open. The I-894 eastbound exit ramp to Loomis Road will close at 9 p.m. June 12. If there's poor weather, the closure of I-894 eastbound will be rescheduled to July 18 to 21. WisDOT is urging drivers to use I-41, I-43 and I-94 to bypass the closures. For the most up-to-date road conditions, visit This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: I-894 section will be closed this weekend. Here's what to know
