Prairie State Wire

A weekend-long closure of the ramp connecting westbound I-290 to eastbound West Lake Street in Elmhurst and Northlake is scheduled for this weekend. The closure is necessary for storm sewer work as part of the North Avenue and Lake Street rehabilitation project, led by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways. Electronic message signs and construction signage will alert drivers about the closure and detour.

The ramp will close from midnight on Friday, June 27, until 5 a.m. on Monday, June 30. A detour will route traffic to Illinois Route 83, through the interchange onto eastbound I-290 to Lake Street, eastbound North Avenue, and southbound Railroad Avenue to access eastbound West Lake Street. The detour also affects traffic rerouted due to a long-term closure of the ramp connecting westbound I-290 to northbound I-294.

If work cannot be completed as planned, a backup weekend closure will occur after the July 4 holiday weekend. Eastbound West Lake Street is currently closed under I-294 for reconstruction with a detour in place through late summer.

The project includes realigning County Line Road to accommodate reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and constructing a new ramp connecting southbound I-294 to County Line Road. This aims to reduce congestion at the interchange and on local roads. Drainage improvements are also planned to alleviate flooding during heavy rainfall.

Ongoing lane closures and traffic shifts are expected through year-end for roadway improvements including pavement reconstruction, bridge work, watermain reconstruction, drainage installation, and traffic signal modifications.

Work zone speed limits are enforced 24/7 in all construction zones. On I-294, a 45 mph work zone speed limit is in effect throughout the construction season. The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists that the "Move Over Law" requires changing lanes or slowing down when passing vehicles with hazard lights activated.

The Illinois Tollway’s Move Illinois program is improving mobility and reducing congestion across Northern Illinois without state or federal funds for maintenance or operations.

Information from this article can be found here.