Elgin O'Hare and Western Access Project

[silverback1065]

Not being a resident of Illinois, I just found out about this project, will the upgrade to the Elgin O'hare and creation of the Western Access create new interstates in the Chicago area?  Or will they just have these names?  What would be the route numbers for the 2 new roads?

[Brandon]

The Elgin-O'Hare has been assigned "Illinois 390".  It is unknown what route number the O'Hare Bypass will have.

[silverback1065]

The Elgin-O'Hare has been assigned "Illinois 390".  It is unknown what route number the O'Hare Bypass will have.

Interesting, I wonder if it become i-390 eventually.  Why isn't Illinois 394 not i-194? 

[mgk920]

Wasn't the ISTHA going to apply for 'I-490' for the west bypass?

Mike

[hobsini2]

The couple of numbers that I seem to recall being bounced around would be 490, 494, and 594.

[triplemultiplex]

Why isn't Illinois 394 not i-194I-394?

Maybe they're waiting for it to connect to the Illiana...

[silverback1065]

Why isn't Illinois 394 not i-194I-394?

Maybe they're waiting for it to connect to the Illiana...

Maybe, I said 194 because I thought that it wouldn't be extended anywhere

[Stratuscaster]

IL-394 isn't I-194 (or I-394) because it's not Interstate-grade for it's entire length, from what I understand.

Plus, 194 was already in use as IL-194 way back when. From Rich Carlson's n9jig.com page:

IL-194 was used on the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago from the Edens Junction into O'Hare Airport 1960 to 1970. In 1971 IL-194 from the Tri-State into the airport was changed to IL-594 (Later I-190), and IL-194 was extended west on the Northwest Tollway to IL-53 near Schaumburg. In the mid 1970's I-90 was rerouted to it's current route on the Kennedy and Northwest Tollway, and IL-194 was no more.

[Stratuscaster]

The couple of numbers that I seem to recall being bounced around would be 490, 494, and 594.

I had only heard I-490 - trying to find out where that came from now.

[Rick Powell]

IL-394 isn't I-194 (or I-394) because it's not Interstate-grade for it's entire length, from what I understand.

There is one existing at-grade intersection that will be eliminated with the new EOWB project, along the Elgin OHare Expressway/Thorndale Ave. at IL-53 (Rohlwing Road).  This intersection is indeed what prevents the EOE from being eligible for a current interstate designation. 

[pianocello]

IL-394 isn't I-194 (or I-394) because it's not Interstate-grade for it's entire length, from what I understand.

There is one existing at-grade intersection that will be eliminated with the new EOWB project, along the Elgin OHare Expressway/Thorndale Ave. at IL-53 (Rohlwing Road).  This intersection is indeed what prevents the EOE from being eligible for a current interstate designation. 

You're thinking of 390. Per Wikipedia, IL-394 (the southern end of the Bishop Ford Freeway) is Interstate-standard all the way down to US-30, so I don't know why it was never given the designation. Perhaps a lack of interest?

[Rick Powell]

IL-394 isn't I-194 (or I-394) because it's not Interstate-grade for it's entire length, from what I understand.

There is one existing at-grade intersection that will be eliminated with the new EOWB project, along the Elgin OHare Expressway/Thorndale Ave. at IL-53 (Rohlwing Road).  This intersection is indeed what prevents the EOE from being eligible for a current interstate designation. 

You're thinking of 390. Per Wikipedia, IL-394 (the southern end of the Bishop Ford Freeway) is Interstate-standard all the way down to US-30, so I don't know why it was never given the designation. Perhaps a lack of interest?

IL-394 is access contolled from the 80/94 junction to north of Sauk Trail, but it doesn't meet current interstate geometric design standards.  It probably could have made it into the interstate system if petitioned 40 or 50 years ago, but would need some re-work (such as Kentucky is doing with the I-69 upgrades to its former parkway system) for an interstate designation today.

[Revive 755]

I had only heard I-490 - trying to find out where that came from now.

From one of the other Elgin O'Hare threads:

Update from speaking with Tollway officials at a recent public meeting:

* The Toll Authority will seek to designate the West Bypass as I-490.  The application should come before AASHTO this fall.

Said application however did not happen, so either they are waiting for a later AASHTO meeting, or the person was in error.