Construction will slow traffic this year on major thoroughfares like the central Tri-State Tollway and I-90/94 in Chicago, as work continues on massive multiyear projects. The eight-year reconstruction of the Tri-State near O’Hare International Airport kicks into high gear this year from near O’Hare to 95th Street, with one lane closed each way at the south end.
The seemingly never-ending rebuild of the Jane Byrne Interchange downtown continues, as does resurfacing on the outbound Kennedy Expressway. Interchanges on the Tri-State at I-57 and I-80 at U.S. 30 will also be rebuilt, with bridge replacements on I-80.
The work comes as traffic, which had been drastically reduced by COVID-19 closures, is building back to familiar Chicago congestion.
Work will also be done on interchanges for the coming I-490, at I-90 and I-390, in preparation for a western access to O’Hare International Airport.
.graphics-head{
font-family:Arial;
font-size:24px;
font-weight:bold;
margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;
}
.graphics-chatter{
font-family:Arial;
font-size:16px;
margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;
}
.graphics-source{
font-family:Arial;
font-size:12px;
margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;
}
.graphics-source a{
font-family:Arial;
font-size:12px;
margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;
}
.trib-legend–inline {
margin: 5px 0 25px 0;
}
.trib-legend–inline dt:first-child {
margin-left: 0;
}
.trib-legend–inline dd, .trib-legend–inline dt {
display: inline;
float: none;
margin-inline-start:5px;
}
.trib-legend__box {
display: inline-block;
border-radius: 0;
height: 11px;
width: 11px;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 50%;
}
.trib-legend–inline dt, .trib-legend–inline dd {
font: 15px/1.6em Open Sans,sans-serif;
font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: 0;
margin-bottom: 5px;
}
.embed-container {position: relative; margin-bottom:20px;padding-bottom: 77%; height: 0; max-width: 100%;}
.embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container iframe{position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;} small{position: absolute; z-index: 40; bottom: 0; margin-bottom: -15px;}
@media all and (max-width: 450px){
.embed-container {padding-bottom: 140%;}
}
Search for a project near you
Sources: Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Transportation, Tribune reporting
interactive_content
Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project
Estimated cost: $4 billion
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: End of 2026
Work being done
Between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and 95th Street in Oak Lawn: Widening and reconstructing the roadway and bridges, and reconfiguring interchanges.
Reconstruction between St. Charles Road and Wolf Road at the north end of the corridor, and between 95th Street and I-55 at the south end of the corridor.
Wolf Road to the O’Hare Oasis: Roadway rehabilitation and widening.
Archer Avenue Interchange: Under reconstruction.
A new BNSF bridge is being built.
I-290/I-88: Reconstruction of a new interchange.
Impact on traffic
New traffic patterns and temporary lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
I-490 Tollway
Estimated cost: $3.4 billion
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: End of 2025
Work being done
Construction continues on new interchanges that will link I-490 to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and to I-294, which will provide western access into O’Hare International Airport.
Touhy Reservoir at the north end of I-490: Railroad track access relocation and bridge construction.
Impact on traffic
Off-peak closures on I-90, Touhy Road and Mount Prospect Road will be scheduled as needed throughout the year.
On westbound I-90, the right shoulder is closed from the Union Pacific Railroad to Elmhurst Road through the end of the year.
Click here for additional project details.
I-294/I-57 Interchange (Phase 2)
Estimated cost: $78 million
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: 2022
Work being done
Northbound I-294 to northbound I-57 and southbound I-57 to northbound I-294: New connecting interchange ramps.
Roadway widening on I-57.
Impact on traffic
Southbound I-294: Reduced to three lanes through summer 2021.
I-57 between the CSX Railroad and Kedzie Avenue: Right shoulder is closed in both directions through summer 2021.
Click here for additional project details.
Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88)
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: End of 2021
Work being done
Deerpath Road Bridge, Aurora: Removal and rebuilding of the bridge.
Windsor Road Bridge, Oak Brook: A new bridge will be built at I-88 and I-294.
I-88 between the Aurora Toll Plaza and Illinois Route 59: Repaving.
Impact on traffic
Deerpath Road Bridge is closed through the end of 2021. A detour is posted.
Eastbound I-294: Traffic is shifted, and shoulders are closed in both directions.
Windsor Drive Bridge: Reduced to a single lane through the spring. Additional closures can be expected on Windsor Drive.
More Top Picks Best Exercise Bikes
Shoulders on the ramps connecting I-88 and I-294: Closed. Traffic is shifted.
Click here for additional project details.
Stearns School Road Bridge over the Tri-State Tollway (I-94)
Estimated cost: $5.4 million
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: 2022
Work being done
Removal and replacement of the Gurnee bridge.
Impact on traffic
Stearns School Road Bridge: Closed through the end of the yearn. A detour is posted.
I-94: Reduced to three lanes in both directions at the bridge through May.
Click here for additional project details.
Jane Byrne Interchange
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: End of 2022
Work being done
Jackson Street and Adams Street bridges replaced.
Inbound and outbound I-90/94: Reconstruction and addition of a new inbound collector-distributor road.
Impact on traffic
The bridges closed in 2020.
Click here for additional project details.
Montrose Avenue over the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) bridge rehabilitation
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: Summer 2021
Work being done
Installation of new steel beams and construction of bridge deck on the north structure.
Impact on traffic
Access to the CTA is maintained.
Motorists can expect lane reductions and overnight traffic stops.
Click here for additional project details.
Kennedy Expressway (I-90) at Cumberland Avenue
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
I-90 between Harlem Avenue and I-190: Widening and resurfacing, construction of new noise and retaining walls, drainage improvements and a new collector-distributor road at the Cumberland Avenue interchange along the outbound expressway.
Impact on traffic
Expect overnight lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
Kennedy Expressway (I-90) resurfacing
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: End of 2021
Work being done
I-90 from the Edens Expressway (I-94) junction to Harlem Avenue (Illinois 43): Road resurfacing, installation of shoulder rumble strips and drainage improvements.
Outbound Kennedy (I-90): Resurfacing.
Impact on traffic
Overnight outbound lane closures will take place weekdays, starting at 9 p.m., with occasional ramp and inbound lane closures. All lanes and ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. each morning.
Click here for additional project details.
I-80 and U.S. 30 Interchange
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: End of 2021
Work being done
I-80 from about I-355 through U.S. 30, New Lenox: Widening and reconstruction to three lanes in each direction.
Along U.S. 30: Modernized traffic signals, drainage improvement, and the extension of a bicycle and pedestrian path.
Impact on traffic
Two lanes in each direction on I-80 remain open during construction.
Click here for additional project details.
I-55 and Weber Road Interchange
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: 2022
Work being done
Weber Road between 135th Street/Romeo Road and 119th Street/Rodeo Road, Romeoville: Addition of a third lane in each direction, modernized traffic signals, LED lighting, improved drainage and a barrier median.
Impact on traffic
Expect periodic overnight lane closures, as needed, from approximately 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., through the end of the project.
Click here for additional project details.
I-55 at Madison Street (DuPage County)
Estimated cost: $1.9 million
Project start: Summer 2021
Estimated completion: Late 2023
Work being done
Deck overlay and bridge repairs, Burr Ridge.
Impact on traffic
Occasional overnight lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
I-55 at Lemont Road (DuPage County)
Estimated cost: $17 million
Project start: Summer 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2023
Work being done
Bridge replacement and interstate reconstruction, Woodridge.
Impact on traffic
All lanes of I-55 and access to Lemont Road will be maintained during the project.
Click here for additional project details.
Illinois 83 (Kingery Highway) from Third Avenue to Illinois 171 (Archer Avenue) in DuPage County
Estimated cost: $1 million
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: Summer 2021
Work being done
Modernize traffic signals, install rumble strips, add new pavement markings and replace sections of guardrail.
Impact on traffic
Daily lane closures and occasional overnight lane closures are anticipated.
Click here for additional project details.
Illinois 31 (Lake Street) from Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) to Rathbone Avenue (Kane County)
Estimated cost: $2.8 million
Project start: Spring 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
Pavement preservation resurfacing and ADA improvements.
Impact on traffic
Daily lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
Illinois 31 (State Street) from Strom Drive to West Road (Kane County)
Estimated cost: $4 million
Project start: Spring 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
New ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, improve drainage and make repairs to the State Street bridge over U.S. 20 (Elgin Bypass).
Impact on traffic
Daily lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
Illinois 47 at Main Street (Kane County)
Estimated cost: $9.8 million
More Top Picks Gloves Plants
Project start: Spring 2021
Estimated completion: Summer 2022
Work being done
Replace existing bridge, reconstruct the intersection and modernize traffic signals in Sugar Grove.
Impact on traffic
One lane will be maintained in each direction.
Click here for additional project details.
Illinois 72 (Oak Knoll Drive) at Getzelman Road/State Street (Kane County)
Estimated cost: $4.5 million
Project start: Summer 2021
Estimated completion: Late 2022
Work being done
Intersection improvement will include new traffic signals, paving, ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, improved draining and lighting in Hampshire.
Impact on traffic
Road closures will be in place for several months on State Street and several weeks on Getzelman Road.
Click here for additional project details.
U.S. 41 (Skokie Highway) at Deerpath Road (Lake County)
Estimated cost: $12 million
Project start: Spring 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2022
Work being done
Replacement of existing pump station.
Deerpath Road from Skokie Highway to Golf Lane in Lake Forest: Resurfacing, new sidewalks and ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps installed.
Impact on traffic
Deerpath Road: Reduced to single-lane traffic for about one month.
Exit ramps to Deerpath Road: To be closed for several weeks.
Click here for additional project details.
U.S. 41 (Skokie Highway) from Illinois 21 to Dorchester Avenue (Lake County)
Estimated cost: $1.1 million
Project start: Summer 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
Resurfacing project with new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps.
Impact on traffic
Daily lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
U.S. 41 (Skokie Highway) at Illinois 132 (Grand Avenue) in Lake County
Estimated cost: $19.8 million
Project start: Underway
Estimated completion: Summer 2021
Work being done
Widening of Grand Avenue and the southbound U.S. 41 ramp in Gurnee.
Impact on traffic
Grand Avenue: Reduced to one lane in each direction.
Click here for additional project details.
Illinois 60 from Des Plaines River to Riverwoods Road (Lake County)
Estimated cost: $2.75 million
Project start: Summer 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
Resurfacing and the addition of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps.
Impact on traffic
Daily lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
Illinois 131 from Illinois 120 to Canadian National Railway (Lake County)
Estimated cost: $3.1 million
Project start: Summer 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
Resurfacing and the addition of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps.
Impact on traffic
Daily lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
Illinois 137 from Russell Road to Greenwood Road (Lake County)
Estimated cost: $4.3 million
Project start: Summer 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
Resurfacing and the addition of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps.
Impact on traffic
Daily lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
I-55 from Interstate 80 to U.S. 52 (Jefferson Street) in Will County
Estimated cost: $52.4 million
Project start: Fall 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2023
Work being done
Converting the existing interchange into a diverging diamond interchange while adding auxiliary lanes on both sides of I-55.
Impact on traffic
Three lanes of I-55 in both directions will be maintained, with one lane in each direct on local routes.
Click here for additional project details.
I-55 at Illinois 59 (Will County)
Estimated cost: $8.7 million
Project start: Spring 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
New bridge construction.
Impact on traffic
Three lanes of I-55 in both directions will be maintained.
Click here for additional project details.
I-55 from north of River Road to north of the I&M Canal (Will County)
Estimated cost: $8.16 million
Project start: Spring 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
Installation of rumble strips on the shoulders and resurfacing.
Impact on traffic
Overnight lane closures with multiple weekend land closures anticipated.
Click here for additional project details.
I-55 from south of I-80 to Weber Road (Will County)
Estimated cost: $47.9 million
Project start: Spring 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
Improving three bridges that carry I-55 over U.S. 30, Canadian National Railroad and Mink Creek.
Impact on traffic
Overnight lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
I-55 at Illinois 53 and I-55 at Joliet Road (Will County)
Estimated cost: $16 million
Project start: Spring 2021
More Top Picks How To Write A Parent Input Letter For An Iep
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
Structures will be redecked and widened.
Impact on traffic
Three lanes of I-55 in both directions will be maintained during construction, and overnight lane closures are anticipated.
Click here for additional project details.
I-80 from Gardner Street to Rowell Avenue (eastbound) and Richard Street (westbound) in Will County
Estimated cost: $41.6 million
Project start: Spring 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2022
Work being done
Pavement reconstruction, widening, replacing or rehabilitating the eastbound I-80 bridges over Hickory Creek, Richards Street and Canadian National Railroad/Rowell Avenue and westbound Richards Street.
Impact on traffic
Eastbound I-80 ramp to Richards Street: Closed during the second stage of construction.
Two lanes of I-80 in both directions will be maintained through construction.
Click here for additional project details.
Illinois 1 from Burrville Road to just north of Illinois 394 and Illinois 394 from Illinois 1 to County Line Road (Will County)
Estimated cost: $5.5 million
Project start: Spring 2021
Estimated completion: Fall 2021
Work being done
Between Elmscourt Street and New Monee Road: Resurfacing.
ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and culvert replacement.
Impact on traffic
Daily lane closures.
Click here for additional project details.
Notable roadwork in neighboring states
WISCONSIN
I-94 from Illinois state line to the Mitchell Interchange: Reconstruct the I-94 North-South corridor.
I-39/90 interchanges: Scheduled to be the final year of the six-year project to rebuild the “gateway to Wisconsin,” to three lanes each way. Work will focus on four interchanges, with various ramp closures at I-43 just over the state line in Beloit, U.S. 14 and Wisconsin 26 in Janesville, and U.S. 12/18 near Madison. Two lanes will remain open in each direction, but motorists should anticipate lane shifts, reduced speeds and backups during peak travel times.
INDIANA
I-80/94 bridge projects: Work has already started causing backups in the Hammond area. Additional bridge work will be done on I-80/94 statewide throughout the summer, with occasional nighttime single-lane closures.
MICHIGAN
I-196 from Holland to Saugatuck: Drivers heading into Harbor Country should be on the lookout for reconstruction of southbound I-196. The work will divert southbound traffic onto northbound lanes, with southbound ramp closures at the Blue Star highway, and so is likely to cause substantial delays.
Sources: Illinois Department of Transportation; Illinois Tollway; Tribune reporting