Chicago, August 29, 2025
News Summary
A new review compares seven leading construction scheduling platforms and explains how upcoming Chicago expressway rehabilitation and a downtown street race will affect crew movement and deliveries. The software roundup highlights ProjectManager, Procore, Buildertrend, CoConstruct, Fieldwire, Smartsheet, and Contractor Foreman, weighing features like CPM, Gantt charts, mobile access, resource management, and budgeting. Local traffic plans include lane shifts, overnight closures, and ramp work that will require crews to adjust routes and delivery windows. The guidance recommends mobile, real-time scheduling tools to keep field teams aligned amid changing access and event-related closures.
Top 7 Construction Scheduling Tools Reviewed — Plus Major Chicago Traffic and Race-Event Updates
Quick take: A roundup of seven construction scheduling and project management platforms lays out which tools fit small contractors, residential builders and large firms. At the same time, a major highway rehabilitation project in Chicago is running about a month ahead of schedule, with new lane patterns and short-term closures set to take effect. City race-week preparations will also tighten street and lane access in late June and early July.
What matters most right now
The most important items are twofold. First, choosing the right scheduling software can cut mistakes, keep budgets on track and make crews more efficient. Second, motorists and local businesses in Chicago need to plan around a key expressway rehabilitation project that has moved faster than planned and a street race that will bring staged closures through mid-July.
Seven construction scheduling platforms at a glance
The review highlights seven notable options for construction scheduling and management. Each has strengths for certain teams and projects.
- ProjectManager — A full online project management package with Gantt charts, real-time resource scheduling, cost tracking and shared project plans. Offers a 30-day free trial and aims to streamline task and resource coordination.
- Procore — A broad construction management platform that pairs scheduling with financial controls. It fits medium to large firms, supports Gantt and calendar views, real-time updates and deep reporting. No free scheduling tier is available.
- Buildertrend — Cloud-based tool focused on residential contractors. Strong on builder-client communication, on-site mobile updates, budgeting and lead management. Integrates with QuickBooks and starts at a higher monthly price point.
- CoConstruct — Tailored for custom home builders and remodelers. Combines project planning, budgets and client communication with mobile access and QuickBooks integration. It offers tiered annual pricing and limited third-party integrations.
- Fieldwire — Designed for task and crew management with real-time job site updates, multiple views (Kanban, Calendar, Gantt) and strong document control. Flexible plans include a free basic tier and paid per-user plans with trials and discounts on yearly billing.
- Smartsheet — A spreadsheet-style platform that offers customizable workflows and automation, useful for staff scheduling and teams that like grid-based planning. It includes a free plan for basic needs.
- Contractor Foreman — An affordable all-in-one solution for smaller contractors. Offers project and labor scheduling, mobile access, CRM features and a low starting price along with strong user ratings.
How to pick the right tool
Selecting the best platform depends on work scale, budget and team size. Key features to weigh include:
- Gantt charts for visual timelines
- Real-time collaboration and mobile access for crews in the field
- Resource and budget tracking to control costs and labor
- Task management and customizable workflows
- Automation for routine updates and notifications
- Integrations with accounting tools like QuickBooks when financial sync is needed
For large projects with heavy financial oversight, integrated scheduling-plus-finance platforms tend to work best. For residential work and client-facing builds, tools with strong client communication and mobile apps are often better. For small shops on a budget, lean platforms with mobile and CRM features can be the best fit.
Chicago highway rehabilitation: key updates and travel impacts
A major expressway rehabilitation project is running ahead of schedule by roughly one month. While the project remains ongoing and not yet complete, a revised traffic pattern is set to take effect early in June. Outbound traffic from downtown heading northwest will be able to use both express and local lanes between a central city street and the junction near Montrose to reach the airport once the new configuration is active.
Planned operational steps and impacts:
- The express lanes will be temporarily closed late Saturday night into Sunday to reconfigure traffic.
- At midnight on the change day, outbound lanes will be reduced to a single lane in a critical stretch while crews finalize work.
- Intermittent ramp closures will occur during overnight and early morning hours. The temporary closures are expected to end by mid-morning on the same day when the new lane pattern opens.
- The new layout shifts outbound lanes slightly onto fresh pavement and keeps reversible lanes open in the outbound direction. Some mid-gate entrances and exits will remain closed.
- Additional ramp and on-ramp closures are planned later in June for roughly two-week blocks at several intersections, and other ramps remain periodically closed with reopening expected in early to mid-June.
- The full rehabilitation project runs through the fall, with final completion anticipated around late November.
Street race setup and closure timeline
Preparations for a major street race in the downtown park area have shortened the total construction schedule versus prior years. Course build time is estimated at 25 days this year, down from as many as 43 days in earlier runs. City officials say street closures for course setup will last roughly 18 days, with the first closures starting in late June.
Notable closure dates and effects:
- Full and partial street closures begin in late June, escalating in scope through the last days before the race, with several nightly closures starting at 10:00 p.m. on specific dates.
- Some streets will close temporarily overnight due to pavement repairs or heat-related pavement issues; a couple of segments had to be closed suddenly for safety repairs.
- Event seating is consolidated relative to past years, and officials say businesses and residences will remain accessible during setup, race weekend and breakdown.
- Major park areas and a local museum campus will remain open and reachable via specified detours. Transit agencies will add service to help visitors during event days.
- Pedestrian access is maintained on sidewalks and certain lakefront paths throughout the event window; selected pedestrian routes are adjusted during closures.
- Most expressways through the region will continue to carry traffic during the event, with local surface street closures managed block by block.
- All race-related breakdown and demobilization work is expected to be finished within about a week after the event, with priority reopening of main lakefront and downtown routes first.
Bottom line
For construction teams, the right scheduling platform depends on project size and priorities: integrated finance and scheduling suits large projects; mobile-first, client-focused tools suit residential builders; and low-cost, all-in-one platforms serve small contractors. For commuters and businesses, plan for short-term closures and lane shifts on a major expressway now that work is ahead of schedule, and expect staged street closures and detours around the downtown park area through the race period in late June and early July.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which scheduling tool is best for a small roofing contractor?
A: Look for affordable, mobile-friendly platforms that include task scheduling, crew management and client communication. Options with low monthly fees and strong mobile apps are a good starting point.
Q: Do any of these tools offer free plans or trials?
A: Yes. Several options offer free basic plans or free trials. Check each vendor for current trial and free-tier details before committing.
Q: Will the expressway be fully closed during the rehabilitation work?
A: No. The project will use lane shifts, temporary closures and ramp closures. The reversible lanes are being adjusted but will remain open in an outbound direction during the new configuration. Plan for intermittent closures, especially at night and during key switchovers.
Q: How long will street race closures last?
A: Street closures related to course build and teardown are concentrated in an 18-day window for setup, plus a short period for demobilization after the event. Sidewalks and many key routes remain open to pedestrians and local traffic.
Q: What should teams prioritize when comparing scheduling software?
A: Prioritize features that match your workflow: Gantt charts for timeline control, real-time collaboration for on-site teams, budgeting and resource tracking for larger jobs, and integrations with accounting for finance alignment.
Key Feature Comparison Table
| Platform | Main strength | Mobile access | Budget/Finance | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProjectManager | Robust scheduling and resource planning | Yes | Cost tracking available | 30-day free trial |
| Procore | Scheduling + financial integration | Yes | Strong financial controls | No free scheduling tier |
| Buildertrend | Client communication for residential work | Yes | Budgeting + QuickBooks integration | From about $499/mo |
| CoConstruct | Custom home and remodel focus | Yes | QuickBooks integration | Plans from $299/mo (annual) |
| Fieldwire | Jobsite task scheduling and docs | Yes | Basic budgeting features | Free tier; paid from $29/user/mo |
| Smartsheet | Flexible spreadsheet-style workflows | Yes | Custom workflows and automation | Free basic plan available |
| Contractor Foreman | Low-cost, all-in-one for small contractors | Yes | Basic budgeting and CRM | From $49/mo |
Note: Feature sets, pricing and timelines change frequently. Confirm the latest details with providers and local transportation authorities before making a purchase or planning travel.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- CBS News: Kennedy Expressway construction schedule
- Wikipedia: Kennedy Expressway
- ABC7 Chicago: NASCAR Chicago street race closures
- Google Search: NASCAR Chicago street race closures
- FOX 32 Chicago: Video 1650974
- Google Scholar: Kennedy Expressway construction schedule
- NBC Chicago: Route to O’Hare impacted by construction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: O’Hare International Airport
- Newsweek: Obama Presidential Center lawsuit
- Google News: Obama Presidential Center lawsuit
Author: Construction CA News
CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER The CALIFORNIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructioncanews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in California and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rose Parade, Coachella, Comic-Con, and the California State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the California Building Industry Association and Associated General Contractors of California, plus leading businesses in technology and entertainment that power the local economy such as Apple and Alphabet. As part of the broader network, including constructionnynews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape across multiple states.
