the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?
Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders). The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.
Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.
Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.
I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.
The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.
With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.