A weekend-long closure of the ramp connecting westbound I-290 to eastbound West Lake Street in Elmhurst and Northlake is set to take place this weekend as part of ongoing storm sewer work. The project is part of the North Avenue and Lake Street rehabilitation effort led by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, supporting improvements for the Illinois Tollway.
The closure will begin at midnight on Friday, June 27, and continue until 5 a.m. on Monday, June 30. During this time, a detour will direct traffic to Illinois Route 83 through the interchange onto eastbound I-290 to Lake Street, then eastbound North Avenue and southbound Railroad Avenue to reach eastbound West Lake Street. Access to northbound I-294 will also be available via this route.
This detour also affects drivers already following a long-term detour due to the closure of the ramp from westbound I-290 to northbound I-294. These motorists will be rerouted along the same temporary path over the weekend.
If weather prevents completion as scheduled, officials plan a backup closure after July 4 to finish remaining work. Additionally, eastbound West Lake Street remains closed under I-294 for reconstruction with an ongoing detour expected through late summer.
Construction activities are being coordinated among multiple agencies, including the Illinois Department of Transportation, Cook County, City of Elmhurst, City of Northlake, local fire departments, and police departments. Project updates and detailed detour maps can be found on the Illinois Tollway’s website (www.illinoistollway.com) and Cook County’s construction project page (maps.cookcountyil.gov/hwyproject).
The broader project involves realigning a portion of County Line Road to facilitate reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). It includes building a new ramp connecting southbound I-294 to County Line Road for improved access to North Avenue and Lake Street aimed at reducing congestion in these areas. Plans also call for reconfiguring intersections for better traffic flow and installing drainage systems—including detention ponds—to address local flooding during heavy rain.
Lane closures and shifts are expected throughout the year as Cook County completes pavement reconstruction, bridge repairs, watermain work, drainage installation, and traffic signal upgrades.
According to project organizers: “In partnership with the Illinois Tollway and cities of Northlake and Elmhurst, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways led the project’s design and is constructing project improvements. This work is in coordination with the Illinois Tollway’s 16 year, $15 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.”
Drivers are reminded that construction zone speed limits remain in effect at all times within active work zones; specifically on I-294 there is a posted limit of 45 mph during construction season. The “Move Over Law” requires motorists either change lanes or slow down when passing vehicles displaying hazard lights on road shoulders. Penalties for non-compliance can include significant fines or even jail time if injuries occur.
The Move Illinois capital program spans 16 years with a $15 billion budget dedicated to improving mobility across Northern Illinois by rebuilding major tollways such as Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), delivering new projects like Route 390 Tollway—and continuing progress on reconstructing Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). To date it has created thousands of jobs while staying on schedule and within budget.
The Illinois Tollway operates without state or federal funding for its maintenance or operations but maintains nearly 300 miles of roads across twelve counties in Northern Illinois.
