The Illinois Tollway announced on March 30 that lane reductions and traffic shifts will begin this week at the 75th Street and 95th Street interchanges on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). The changes are part of ongoing toll plaza improvements and pavement repairs, with work expected to continue into 2027.
These projects aim to improve traffic flow and operations at two major interchanges. Electronic message signs and construction signage will be used in advance to alert drivers about closures, while up-to-date information will be posted in the Daily Construction Alert section of the Illinois Tollway website. All scheduled work is dependent on weather conditions.
Extended lane reductions are planned through the end of the year as crews remove toll plaza canopies, barrier walls, install new monotubes, upgrade tolling infrastructure, repair ramp pavement and shoulders, and improve electrical systems, lighting, and signage. On April 1, ramps connecting southbound I-294 to 75th Street, from 75th Street to northbound I-294, and from northbound I-294 to 95th Street will be reduced to a single lane for construction. An overnight detour may also occur later this year at the 95th Street Interchange for additional equipment installation.
Closures are being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation as well as local fire and police departments. The improvements are part of Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future—a $15 billion capital program spanning sixteen years—and Bridging the Future—a seven-year $2 billion plan approved by directors in December 2024.
Drivers are reminded that construction zone speed limits remain in effect around-the-clock in all active zones. The “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or slow down when passing vehicles with flashing hazard lights; violations carry fines up to $10,000 or more severe penalties if injuries occur.
The Illinois Tollway maintains a user-fee system without state or federal funding for maintenance or operations. It operates nearly three hundred miles of roadways across twelve counties in Northern Illinois.
