Illinois Tollway Notes

[Brandon]

IL 53 (or would it be future I-355 extension) would make sense for ITHSA, but make sure it includes the entire section North of I-90 plus the long needed extension into Lake County.

The IL 53 extension to I-94 near the WI border would provide a good Chicago outer bypass between I-80 and WI.

However I-94 between I-294 and Milwaukee has 8 lanes (4 each way)  and has ample capacity in the corridor.

Except that it's not I-94 that IL-53 would augment or replace, it's US-12 and IL-83, and both of those are a mess.

[ET21]

The tollbooths on the NB side of the Cermak tolls got demo'd over the past week

[3467]

Richmond bypass. I thought had serious environment issues
Southwest Connector would be 800 million as an expressway that sad Lake County looked at doing Route 120 as a tolled expressway so with modern tolling it can be done.

Thanks to Rick Powell for that link I hope  we all send them these comments.
I even went back to the 1971 CATS plan to look at old corridors . It was interesting that when the Toll way looked at 53 the public submitted some of these routes like 12 and 14 but the only viable option Inn the region from Rockford to the Edens Junction was 53.

[Revive 755]

However I-94 between I-294 and Milwaukee has 8 lanes (4 each way)  and has ample capacity in the corridor.

The stretch just north of where I-294 and I-94/Edens Spur merge doesn't seem to - should have been five lanes up to IL 22.

There could also be a case for adding an auxiliary lane between IL 21 and IL 132 for northbound, if not a longer C-D roadway.

[ElishaGOtis]

But they will probably spend on something like putting HOT lanes on the existing tollways.

I'm genuinely curious if ITSHA will be the next agency that considers toll-on-toll express lanes. Seems like they'd be the ones to do it, that or NTTA. Florida's experiment didn't exactly fare too well tbh 

EDIT: found this https://agency.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/91742/RP_Delcan_I90ManagedLaneStudy_08292013.pdf/89e50a80-39d8-4070-96db-8f25738cedb6

[ChiMilNet]

But they will probably spend on something like putting HOT lanes on the existing tollways.

I'm genuinely curious if ITSHA will be the next agency that considers toll-on-toll express lanes. Seems like they'd be the ones to do it, that or NTTA. Florida's experiment didn't exactly fare too well tbh 

EDIT: found this https://agency.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/91742/RP_Delcan_I90ManagedLaneStudy_08292013.pdf/89e50a80-39d8-4070-96db-8f25738cedb6

That is an old document from 2013, before the massive rebuild of I-90 occurred. If they were to implement anything like that, it'd likely be on I-290 (Eisenhower Expwy) and/or I-55, both of which I would not be heartbroken to see the Tollway take the lead as maintaining. Maybe a remote possibility that they do something on I-355 as part of a revamp as the original stretch is approaching 40 years old.

[Quimby]

IL 53 (or would it be future I-355 extension) would make sense for ITHSA, but make sure it includes the entire section North of I-90 plus the long needed extension into Lake County.

The IL 53 extension to I-94 near the WI border would provide a good Chicago outer bypass between I-80 and WI.

However I-94 between I-294 and Milwaukee has 8 lanes (4 each way)  and has ample capacity in the corridor.

IL 53 (or would it be future I-355 extension) would make sense for ITHSA, but make sure it includes the entire section North of I-90 plus the long needed extension into Lake County.

The IL 53 extension to I-94 near the WI border would provide a good Chicago outer bypass between I-80 and WI.

However I-94 between I-294 and Milwaukee has 8 lanes (4 each way)  and has ample capacity in the corridor.

The main benefit of a 53 extension would be to link central Lake County to suburbs such as Arlington Hts (with a possible new Bears stadium complex), Schaumburg, and DuPage County (via 355).  It wouldn't be solely as a bypass around Chicago to Wisconsin.  I would think most residents in central Lake Co would love to have a tollway link to those NW and W suburbs.  Right now, it's a bit of a haul for them to get to where the 53 expressway begins at Lake Cook Rd, but wealthy Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods have been very effective in stalling and very likely killing the project. 

If the 53 extension was ever built, it would only go to IL Route 120 near Grayslake and then cut over along IL 120 to meet I-94 as well as head west along the IL 120 corridor to US 12 in Volo. It was never going to go all the way up to  meet I-94 near the WI line. 

[kphoger]

The IL 53 extension to I-94 near the WI border would provide a good Chicago outer bypass between I-80 and WI.

However I-94 between I-294 and Milwaukee has 8 lanes (4 each way)  and has ample capacity in the corridor.

Except that it's not I-94 that IL-53 would augment or replace, it's US-12 and IL-83, and both of those are a mess.

Yeah, that was a real head-scratcher for me.  I'm having a hard time imagining much I-80 ↔ Wisconsin traffic that would benefit from a Route 53 extension.

Having lived in the west suburbs, I definitely agree that driving north of Lake Cook Road is an awful mess as it is.  It is not with any fondness that I remember making the drive from Warrenville to Ingleside, for example.  But it's not a mess that I-80 ↔ Wisconsin traffic deals with.  It's a mess that other drivers deal with.

[cwm1276]

The outer bypass between 80 and Wisconsin is currently 39.  Traffic headed to Milwaukee of course uses 94/294.

There has be reason to expand 39 to 3 lanes in each direction between 90 and 88.

A 53 expansion would just cause development in Lake county, with the 90 construction complete how much traffic would divert to US 12?

[Brandon]

The outer bypass between 80 and Wisconsin is currently 39.  Traffic headed to Milwaukee of course uses 94/294.

There has be reason to expand 39 to 3 lanes in each direction between 90 and 88.

A 53 expansion would just cause development in Lake county, with the 90 construction complete how much traffic would divert to US 12?

It wouldn't even cause development in Lake County.  The development is already there without the freeway having been built.  The "rural atmosphere" Long Grove and Hawthorne Woods want to maintain is a farce.

[Henry]

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-new-mass-transit-bill-means-trips-to-ohare-will-get-more-expensive-heres-how-much-tolls-will-go-up/3845868/

A major toll increase (up to 60%) will be coming to the tollway system!

Yikes! I guess I will be shunpiking on my next trip back home...

[ET21]

Some big movement for both NB and SB 294 between I-55 and Cermak.

Southbound

-The express lanes are gone and all traffic have been shifted onto the new concrete/pavement to the right.
-Ogden Ave ramps have been reopened
-The 5th lane was being painted and cleaned as of last night, so I expect 5 lanes to be open from Ogden to I-55 potentially by Thanksgiving.
-Outside of some signage and the messaging panels, the I-55 C/D ramps and 4 "express lanes" have been completed. The right 5th lane merges left just past the ramp bridge.

Northbound

-Barriers were being removed as of last night for the 5th lane to be opened between I-55 and Cermak. Just like above, I expect we'll see that open by Thanksgiving.

[ilpt4u]

Per an ISTHA Facebook post, it seems the NB294->WB290 Flyunder is open:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1483253167138649

ISTHA put out its Thanksgiving Travel Release on Monday 24 November, and inside that the new Fly-Under Ramp is announced as open
https://agency.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1572978/2025%20Thanksgiving%20Holiday%20Travel%20Advisory.pdf/b522e3f9-b922-705f-23fc-7f392754e988?version=1.0&t=1764003333127

[ilpt4u]

Walsh Construction posted on FB a "Team Photo" from the new Fly-Under ramp

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1470566307942135&set=a.708445567487550&type=3

Walsh also posted an Aerial video of the ramp open and in use

https://fb.watch/DDtKcHKKTj/?

[ET21]

There is also an adjustment to the NB lanes between Roosevelt and St Charles Rd with the fly-under opening.

-Right lane exits to the WB Roosevelt Rd
-Middle/middle right lanes now exits to access I-290
-Left/middle left lanes are for 294 NB, which gains a 3rd lane from the I-88 ramp and a 4th lane from the I-290 ramp.

Also new signage for the 290 exit

[ilpt4u]

There is also an adjustment to the NB lanes between Roosevelt and St Charles Rd with the fly-under opening.

-Right lane exits to the WB Roosevelt Rd
-Middle/middle right lanes now exits to access I-290
-Left/middle left lanes are for 294 NB, which gains a 3rd lane from the I-88 ramp and a 4th lane from the I-290 ramp.

Also new signage for the 290 exit

Had the pleasure of driving it in the snowstorm yesterday, including the new fly-under (google wanted to route me downtown from 57 to the Dan Ryan and then out on 290 cause it doesn't realize the Fly-under is open)...Coming along nicely from one who doesn't drive in Chicagoland much anymore

That said, the smart road gantry indicators would have been very beneficial in the snow to advise of lane conditions in bad weather/low visibility. Coming soon to get those live and operating hopefully

[ET21]

I also got to do the fly-under for the first time yesterday. It's still tight and it's gonna take some time for people to get used to it (had a lot of last minute divers). But I got through it in maybe 30 seconds and compared to the old circle ramp, much faster!

Of other notes

294 NB: They are putting the finishing touches on the barrier for the I-55 to 294NB ramp, that might be done by next month.

290 EB: The EB 290 to SB 294/WB 88 ramp has been shifted a bit further north on new pavement. Looks like its full steam ahead with the widening of EB 290 between St Charles and 294.

[ET21]

Something of note that has popped up in the last few months, the I-294 bridge over the tracks between Lawrence and Balmoral has gotten pretty bad. I luckily didn't crack the rim or damage the tire but a new pothole on that bridge gave my rim a slight dent a couple weeks ago. It's been slowly degrading and reminds me of the old bridge deck they used on Salt Creek between 31st and Ogden a bit further south.

Have a feeling that might be due to a resurfacing/bridge deck work soon, believe the last time work was done on it was during the north end reconstruction in 2017/2018.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Something of note that has popped up in the last few months, the I-294 bridge over the tracks between Lawrence and Balmoral has gotten pretty bad. I luckily didn't crack the rim or damage the tire but a new pothole on that bridge gave my rim a slight dent a couple weeks ago. It's been slowly degrading and reminds me of the old bridge deck they used on Salt Creek between 31st and Ogden a bit further south.

Have a feeling that might be due to a resurfacing/bridge deck work soon, believe the last time work was done on it was during the north end reconstruction in 2017/2018.

The Illinois Tollway was reading your mind as they have a letting going out on January 22nd on those EXACT bridges... basically another bridge rehab!

RR-25-4996 - Bridge Rehabilitation
The location of services to be performed is the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between Mile Post 38.3 and Mile Post 39.3 in Cook County, Illinois.

[ChiMilNet]

Looks like the new ramp from SB I-294 to County Line Rd in Elmhurst is now open.

https://abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-area-traffic-new-ramp-sb-tri-state-tollway-county-line-road-opening/18289033/

[ET21]

Something of note that has popped up in the last few months, the I-294 bridge over the tracks between Lawrence and Balmoral has gotten pretty bad. I luckily didn't crack the rim or damage the tire but a new pothole on that bridge gave my rim a slight dent a couple weeks ago. It's been slowly degrading and reminds me of the old bridge deck they used on Salt Creek between 31st and Ogden a bit further south.

Have a feeling that might be due to a resurfacing/bridge deck work soon, believe the last time work was done on it was during the north end reconstruction in 2017/2018.

The Illinois Tollway was reading your mind as they have a letting going out on January 22nd on those EXACT bridges... basically another bridge rehab!

RR-25-4996 - Bridge Rehabilitation
The location of services to be performed is the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between Mile Post 38.3 and Mile Post 39.3 in Cook County, Illinois.

Thank goodness. I've had some really bad luck with potholes in the last month. Had that one and then a fresh hit on Saturday actually popped my tire in downtown Chicago.

[ET21]

Was able to try out the new EB 290 to SB 294 ramp on New Years Eve. The new routing funnels you in to where the two right lanes from SB 294 merge. For now the left lane is 294 SB, the right two lanes are 88 WB. You do go on new concrete for a bit before swerving to the original pavement. They have begun to rip up parts of the original ramp, the last bit of original 294 pavement, and the bridge rework just before the exit is continuing on 290.

[Henry]

Was able to try out the new EB 290 to SB 294 ramp on New Years Eve. The new routing funnels you in to where the two right lanes from SB 294 merge. For now the left lane is 294 SB, the right two lanes are 88 WB. You do go on new concrete for a bit before swerving to the original pavement. They have begun to rip up parts of the original ramp, the last bit of original 294 pavement, and the bridge rework just before the exit is continuing on 290.

This alone makes my next trip back home worth taking, especially with the pavement now smoother.

[ET21]

SB 294 gained a 4th lane now from 290 onwards in the left express lanes

[Revive 755]

There's Streetview imagery available for the new NB I-294 to WB I-290 ramp.