Prairie State Wire

Overnight and long-term ramp closures will continue throughout June as part of the Illinois Tollway's ongoing work to reconstruct and reconfigure the I-290/I-88 Interchange at the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). These closures are necessary to accommodate ramp and bridge work while maintaining traffic access. Drivers should expect delays, and construction signs will be placed in advance to alert them about closures and detours. The Illinois Tollway’s Daily Construction Alerts will provide up-to-date closure information.

Temporary overnight closures with posted detours will occur at multiple interchange ramps connecting the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-290, Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), and Roosevelt Road for bridge reconstruction, pavement construction, and utility work. Detour maps are available on the I-290/I-88 Interchange Project page.

During the week of June 9, overnight closures and detours are scheduled on the ramp connecting eastbound Roosevelt Road (Illinois Route 38) to eastbound I-290 for beam placement on the southbound I-294 bridge over the ramp. Traffic will be detoured east to northbound Mannheim Road to access eastbound I-290 during these closures. Additionally, overnight lane closures will occur on southbound I-294 between St. Charles Road and Cermak Road.

Traffic shifts on eastbound I-290 between St. Charles Road and Illinois Route 56 are planned in June for pavement work completion. Westbound I-290 traffic is scheduled to shift in July. Coordination with local authorities ensures minimal disruption.

Traffic shifts and lane closures are also implemented on the I-294 mainline, including at the I-290/I-88 Interchange. Southbound through traffic can use all lanes, with express lanes recommended for trucks to avoid congestion. Southbound traffic exiting to eastbound I-290 or westbound I-88 must enter two right local lanes north of St. Charles Road.

Additional overnight roadway lane closures on I-294, I-88, and I-290 will continue in June during overnight hours, reopening before morning rush hour. As an alternative route, drivers may consider using westbound Jane Addams Tollway (I-90), eastbound I-290 to southbound Veterans Tollway (I-355).

Information about ongoing long-term and overnight ramp closures is available on the Illinois Tollway website under Projects.

In 2025, continued work at the interchange includes reconstruction of various bridges over Roosevelt Road, Butterfield Road, Canadian National Railroad, Electric Avenue, as well as a new ramp bridge from eastbound I-290 to southbound I-294/westbound I-88.

The $4 billion Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project aims to reconstruct and widen roadways between Balmoral Avenue and 95th Street as part of the Move Illinois Program.

Construction zone speed limits are enforced around-the-clock in all zones; drivers should remain cautious especially when workers are present. On I-294 a 45 mph speed limit is effective throughout construction season.

The "Move Over Law" requires motorists to change lanes or slow down when passing vehicles with hazard lights activated. Penalties for non-compliance include fines up to $25,000 or jail time for severe offenses involving injury or death of roadway workers.

The Move Illinois program is a $15 billion capital initiative aimed at improving mobility across Northern Illinois by relieving congestion and reducing pollution while creating jobs.

The Illinois Tollway operates without state or federal funds across 12 counties in Northern Illinois maintaining several major tollways including Reagan Memorial Tollway (I‑88), Veterans Memorial Tollway (I‑355), Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I‑90), Tri-State Tollway (I‑94/I‑294/I‑80), among others.

Information from this article can be found here.