Crews Work To Keep Lake Shore Drive From Buckling In Heat
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Two lanes of Lake Shore Drive on the South Side will be closed until 5 a.m. Wednesday to make repairs to prevent buckling pavement during the intense heat expected later this week.
The repairs are affecting two northbound lanes between 31st and 57th streets.
During the closure, one lane will remain open and no ramps or exits will be shut down.
The problem is the material: concrete, which is good for 50 years.
However, it expands in the heat and needs room to grow. If the elastic joints in between sections become brittle, the cement can buckle.
Transportation expert Joe Schwieterman told CBS 2's Audrina Bigos that with a "sustained period with direct sunlight, that's probably going to be worse than what we saw earlier this summer."
Earlier, around 31st Street, pavement buckled causing major traffic backups.