I-294 work continues with lane, ramp closures

Advance work is scheduled to begin this week as the Illinois Tollway prepares for roadway reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway [I-294] between I-55 and 95th Street. Construction in this section is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023.

Work will begin this week with lane closures and traffic shifts on I-294, ramps and local roads, including Archer Avenue, 79th Street and LaGrange Road, in preparation for removal and reconstruction of four bridges associated with the Archer Avenue Interchange. In addition, shoulder closures and traffic shifts are scheduled to begin in June on I-294 between I-55 and 75th Street for earthwork and pavement work to prepared for roadway reconstruction.

Weather permitting, beginning the week of May 18, traffic will be shifted on several ramps in the area, and lane closures on local roads will include:

• 79 Street between Oak Grove Avenue and Archer Avenue will be reduced to one lane in both directions.

• Westbound Archer Avenue will be reduced to one lane between Oak Grove Avenue and westbound 79 Street ramp.

• Single lane closures will be put in place on eastbound Archer Avenue at LaGrange Road and on the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to 79 Street.

Temporary daily lane closures will be scheduled as needed on southbound LaGrange Road to southbound I-294.

Also beginning the week of May 18, on I-294, outside shoulders, in both directions, will be closed and traffic will be shifted to the right with reduced lane widths. The same number of lanes will be maintained on I-294.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the closures and traffic shifts. Information regarding daily lane closures and traffic shifts will be available in the Tollway’s Daily Construction Alert.

To accommodate the rebuilding and widening of I-294, the Illinois Tollway will reconstruct the eastbound and westbound Archer Avenue Bridges over I-294, the eastbound Archer Avenue Bridge over 79tht Street and the bridge carrying westbound Archer Avenue over the ramp connecting southbound LaGrange Road to I294. Bridge reconstruction is scheduled to complete by the end of 2021.

Ramp and local road improvements on Archer Avenue and 79th Street will also be included as part of the construction. Work also includes drainage and lighting improvements and landscaping.

Bridges, ramps and local roads will remain open during removal and reconstruction with traffic shifts and lane reductions, however temporary closures and detours will be scheduled as needed to safely accommodate construction work.

Construction updates, project information, maps and detour information about the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project are available in the Projects section on the Tollway's website at illinoistollway.com.

The $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is reconstructing and widening the roadway between Balmoral Avenue and 95th Street to provide congestion relief, update old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs.