Route 83 Remains Closed After Jet Fuel Spill

A stretch of the road likely will remain closed until Friday at the earliest

Route 83 is still partially closed following a jet fuel line ruptured earlier this week.

Officials originally said the stretch from La Grange Road to Southwest Highway would open Wednesday, but it remains shut down as crews continue to clean the area. It likely won't open until Friday at the earliest.

A pipeline broke around 2:40 a.m. Monday and spilled 42,000 gallons of jet fuel onto the roadway and into the Calumet Sag Channel. The road was closed to all traffic, and dozens of barges that rely on the canal were at a standstill, as there are no alternative routes for boaters.

The ruptured pipeline, owned by West Shore Pipeline and operated by Buckeye Partners, is one of several that siphon jet fuel to O'Hare Airport and Mitchell Field in Milwaukee underground.

Until the road reopens, drivers are encouraged to take 119th and 123rd streets as alternate east-west routes. About 10,000 to 14,500 vehicles drive on Route 83 every day.
 

Contact Us