Farnsworth Avenue Interchange on I-88

[I-39]

Next year, the tollway will begin a two year improvement project on the Farnsworth Avenue Interchange on I-88. They have the project on their schedule for bidding in the Spring.

Does anyone have any information as to what they will be doing? I hope they will reconfigure the ramps and not just rebuild the existing cloverleaf.

[ET21]

I assume they'll maybe do something similar to either Winfield Rd or maybe like Orchard Road. Whatever they do, eliminating that awful merging hellhole underneath the bridge will help out no matter what

[I-39]

I assume they'll maybe do something similar to either Winfield Rd or maybe like Orchard Road. Whatever they do, eliminating that awful merging hellhole underneath the bridge will help out no matter what

True. I am surprised they are not reconfiguring the IL-31 interchange, it has a similar design. Because that is the only precedent, I am afraid they'll only rebuild the bridge and the existing ramps without doing any reconfiguring. 

[paulthemapguy]

Update!
http://ihcconstruction.com/bids/opportunities/bidopphh/istha-i-15-4248-farnsworth-ave-over-i-88/

It says they're removing two of the loop ramps and installing two new signals.  I'm guessing they're gonna convert it to a Parclo A4 (I think that's what it's called).  Knowing Illinois, it'll be similar to this interchange.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5533937,-87.8523423,16.25z

[quickshade]

Could be more like the 47 @ I90 interchange maybe?

[paulthemapguy]

Could be more like the 47 @ I90 interchange maybe?

Oh you're right!  That's a possibility too.  With the two cloverleafs on the west side of the interchange.  Not sure of the WB entrance ramp would require a signal, though.  Probably just for the left-turners.

[ET21]

That would work nicely, I was thinking they'd do the orchard road example. But looking at it, they would still need flowing ramps for the mall traffic

[quickshade]

http://www.jbconstructionco.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Plans-I-15-4248-Vol-1-1-100.pdf

Pretty sure these are the construction plans.

[I-39]

Interesting.

They are removing the two eastern loop ramps that carry NB Farnsworth Traffic to WB I-88 and from EB I-88 to NB Farnsworth.

However, they do not seem to be reconfiguring the remaining ramps, nor reconstructing the toll plazas to modernize them.

Why don't they just go ahead and remove all the loops and make it a standard diamond interchange? 

[paulthemapguy]

Interesting.

They are removing the two eastern loop ramps that carry NB Farnsworth Traffic to WB I-88 and from EB I-88 to NB Farnsworth.

However, they do not seem to be reconfiguring the remaining ramps, nor reconstructing the toll plazas to modernize them.

Why don't they just go ahead and remove all the loops and make it a standard diamond interchange?

You were right, quickshade.  It IS going to be like the 47/90 interchange!

They want to improve flow toward/away from the city during rush hours.  This configuration gets rid of having an exit right after an entrance along I-88.  I guess they don't care as much if that situation arises along Farnsworth SB.

I would have guessed they would collect both eastbound entrance ramps together into a separate lane, then put the toll plaza at the end of it, next to the mainline, like in this situation.  I guess they can get away with moving none of the plazas, after all. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8439072,-87.9568598,337m/data=!3m1!1e3

Also the plans you posted were just the first 100 pages (out of 421). The rest can be found here
http://www.jbconstructionco.com/uncategorized/istha-i-15-4248-bridge-recon-interchange-improve-farnsworth-ave-over-i88/

[Brandon]

Interesting.

They are removing the two eastern loop ramps that carry NB Farnsworth Traffic to WB I-88 and from EB I-88 to NB Farnsworth.

However, they do not seem to be reconfiguring the remaining ramps, nor reconstructing the toll plazas to modernize them.

Why don't they just go ahead and remove all the loops and make it a standard diamond interchange?

You were right, quickshade.  It IS going to be like the 47/90 interchange!

They want to improve flow toward/away from the city during rush hours.  This configuration gets rid of having an exit right after an entrance along I-88.  I guess they don't care as much if that situation arises along Farnsworth SB.

Having driven Farnsworth quite a few times, I doubt it'll be much of an issue on Farnsworth.  Plus, the speed limit there goes from 40 to 30 heading southbound, so traffic really doesn't have to speed up much (if at all) to merge onto Farnsworth.  On the tollway though, it is a big problem and issue.  Note the extra lane added after the loop ramp, eastbound.

[I-39]

Idk, if I were ISTHA, I'd also be reconstructing/realigning the other ramps (NB Farnsworth to EB I-88 and WB I-88 to NB Farnsworth) as well as combining the Toll Plazas like they did on the IL-47 interchange.

However, eventually, they are going to need to rebuild/widen I-88 to eight lanes from IL-59 west to IL-31, so perhaps they might do a Phase II of this project when that happens and do what I described above.

[quickshade]

I read that they had already modernized the toll plaza about 2-3 years ago? Is that information incorrect. It has been some years since I have traveled that area frequently but I know the tollway did some work on them not long ago. The added lane on I88 seems to indicate that it will be built to handle extra lanes on I88 in the future.

[ET21]

I read that they had already modernized the toll plaza about 2-3 years ago? Is that information incorrect. It has been some years since I have traveled that area frequently but I know the tollway did some work on them not long ago. The added lane on I88 seems to indicate that it will be built to handle extra lanes on I88 in the future.

They did, along with "detail work" on the merging lanes. Essentially it helped to move traffic faster as cars going to and from the mall would back up just to pay a 85 cent toll.

[I-39]

I read that they had already modernized the toll plaza about 2-3 years ago? Is that information incorrect. It has been some years since I have traveled that area frequently but I know the tollway did some work on them not long ago. The added lane on I88 seems to indicate that it will be built to handle extra lanes on I88 in the future.

They only rebuilt two of them, the SB Farnsworth to EB I-88 and the WB I-88 to NB Farnsworth toll plazas.

The NB Farnsworth to EB I-88 and WB I-88 to SB Farnsworth toll plazas are still the originals. I am surprised they are not being rebuilt/reconfigured as part of this, since they seem to be replacing the remaining plazas with that design elsewhere on the system (i.e IL-31/I-90 and the IL-25/I-90 interchanges).

[quickshade]

Maybe a phase 3 later on down the road then? Weird that they wouldn't do it now but it wouldn't be the first time i've seen something like this.


EDIT: I'm going to route my way down there next time I have a meeting down south, my Mom use to live down off Orchard road so I got to see that whole area really take off, including Orchard road becoming what it is today compared to what it was 20 years ago.

[paulthemapguy]

They only rebuilt two of them, the SB Farnsworth to EB I-88 and the WB I-88 to NB Farnsworth toll plazas.

The NB Farnsworth to EB I-88 and WB I-88 to SB Farnsworth toll plazas are still the originals. I am surprised they are not being rebuilt/reconfigured as part of this, since they seem to be replacing the remaining plazas with that design elsewhere on the system (i.e IL-31/I-90 and the IL-25/I-90 interchanges).

I always thought it was strange to put a dinky little plaza in the middle of a cloverleaf loop, especially if it's an entrance ramp.  Since they're retaining the toll plaza on the southwesterly loop ramp, isn't anyone worried that the plaza will cause queues that back up onto SB Farnsworth?

[I-39]

Well, it's official, the plans are now on the Illinois Tollway website.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/construction-and-planning/projects-by-roadway/reagan-memorial-tollway-i-88/farnsworth-avenue-interchange-project

It's pretty much what was described above. They'll be making it similar to the IL-47 interchange. Basically, the existing bridge will be reconstructed and lengthened and two loop ramps will be removed. The WB entrance and EB exit ramps will be reconfigured to have signalized intersections. 

However, these plans lead me to believe that there will be a Phase 2 of this project in the future that will address the remaining ramps and toll plazas. I bet you when they rebuild/widen I-88 to eight lanes west of IL-59 to the Fox River, they reconfigure the remaining ramps and consolidate the toll plazas sort of like they did at IL-47 for WB traffic exiting and EB traffic entering.

[paulthemapguy]

So this year, they're gonna take out the easterly two loop ramps and just leave them?  Kind of harsh, though it doesn't affect traffic commuting toward the city.  Will they make people just do a U-Turn to access WB I-88 from the northbound lanes?  What will the detours be?

[johndoe780]

Well, it's official, the plans are now on the Illinois Tollway website.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/construction-and-planning/projects-by-roadway/reagan-memorial-tollway-i-88/farnsworth-avenue-interchange-project

It's pretty much what was described above. They'll be making it similar to the IL-47 interchange. Basically, the existing bridge will be reconstructed and lengthened and two loop ramps will be removed. The WB entrance and EB exit ramps will be reconfigured to have signalized intersections. 

However, these plans lead me to believe that there will be a Phase 2 of this project in the future that will address the remaining ramps and toll plazas. I bet you when they rebuild/widen I-88 to eight lanes west of IL-59 to the Fox River, they reconfigure the remaining ramps and consolidate the toll plazas sort of like they did at IL-47 for WB traffic exiting and EB traffic entering.

ITHSA is also "fixing" their mistake on 355 as well by adding a "real" fourth lane on 355 between 71st and 75th street as well.

I wonder when the bonds of the 2005 Congestion relief program when they added lanes on 294, 88, and 90 will be due. That's probably when ITHSA will sell more bonds and widen 88 to 8 lanes from 59 to at least the aurora toll plaza.

[I-39]

Well, it's official, the plans are now on the Illinois Tollway website.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/construction-and-planning/projects-by-roadway/reagan-memorial-tollway-i-88/farnsworth-avenue-interchange-project

It's pretty much what was described above. They'll be making it similar to the IL-47 interchange. Basically, the existing bridge will be reconstructed and lengthened and two loop ramps will be removed. The WB entrance and EB exit ramps will be reconfigured to have signalized intersections. 

However, these plans lead me to believe that there will be a Phase 2 of this project in the future that will address the remaining ramps and toll plazas. I bet you when they rebuild/widen I-88 to eight lanes west of IL-59 to the Fox River, they reconfigure the remaining ramps and consolidate the toll plazas sort of like they did at IL-47 for WB traffic exiting and EB traffic entering.

ITHSA is also "fixing" their mistake on 355 as well by adding a "real" fourth lane on 355 between 71st and 75th street as well.

I wonder when the bonds of the 2005 Congestion relief program when they added lanes on 294, 88, and 90 will be due. That's probably when ITHSA will sell more bonds and widen 88 to 8 lanes from 59 to at least the aurora toll plaza.

I wonder if they'll add it to Move Illinois like they did for the I-355 resurfacing/widening between I-88 and Bolingbrook. That was added to the Congestion-Relief Program later after it's initial approval.

[paulthemapguy]

I wonder if they'll add it to Move Illinois like they did for the I-355 resurfacing/widening between I-88 and Bolingbrook. That was added to the Congestion-Relief Program later after it's initial approval.

And if we Move Illinois, can we please move it next to the Pacific Ocean?  That would be great 

Seriously someone had to make fun of all these highway budget initiatives being named "Moving <place>" or "<Place> Moves".  There are so many of them and the wordplay is a tired concept 

[johndoe780]

Well, it's official, the plans are now on the Illinois Tollway website.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/construction-and-planning/projects-by-roadway/reagan-memorial-tollway-i-88/farnsworth-avenue-interchange-project

It's pretty much what was described above. They'll be making it similar to the IL-47 interchange. Basically, the existing bridge will be reconstructed and lengthened and two loop ramps will be removed. The WB entrance and EB exit ramps will be reconfigured to have signalized intersections. 

However, these plans lead me to believe that there will be a Phase 2 of this project in the future that will address the remaining ramps and toll plazas. I bet you when they rebuild/widen I-88 to eight lanes west of IL-59 to the Fox River, they reconfigure the remaining ramps and consolidate the toll plazas sort of like they did at IL-47 for WB traffic exiting and EB traffic entering.

ITHSA is also "fixing" their mistake on 355 as well by adding a "real" fourth lane on 355 between 71st and 75th street as well.

I wonder when the bonds of the 2005 Congestion relief program when they added lanes on 294, 88, and 90 will be due. That's probably when ITHSA will sell more bonds and widen 88 to 8 lanes from 59 to at least the aurora toll plaza.

I wonder if they'll add it to Move Illinois like they did for the I-355 resurfacing/widening between I-88 and Bolingbrook. That was added to the Congestion-Relief Program later after it's initial approval.

I don't think the cost associated with widening 88 will be significant, but the bridgework over the fox river will be.

In the interim, widening 88 to 8 lanes to at least Farnsworth wouldn't be a bad idea.

[I-39]

Well, it's official, the plans are now on the Illinois Tollway website.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/construction-and-planning/projects-by-roadway/reagan-memorial-tollway-i-88/farnsworth-avenue-interchange-project

It's pretty much what was described above. They'll be making it similar to the IL-47 interchange. Basically, the existing bridge will be reconstructed and lengthened and two loop ramps will be removed. The WB entrance and EB exit ramps will be reconfigured to have signalized intersections. 

However, these plans lead me to believe that there will be a Phase 2 of this project in the future that will address the remaining ramps and toll plazas. I bet you when they rebuild/widen I-88 to eight lanes west of IL-59 to the Fox River, they reconfigure the remaining ramps and consolidate the toll plazas sort of like they did at IL-47 for WB traffic exiting and EB traffic entering.

ITHSA is also "fixing" their mistake on 355 as well by adding a "real" fourth lane on 355 between 71st and 75th street as well.

I wonder when the bonds of the 2005 Congestion relief program when they added lanes on 294, 88, and 90 will be due. That's probably when ITHSA will sell more bonds and widen 88 to 8 lanes from 59 to at least the aurora toll plaza.

I wonder if they'll add it to Move Illinois like they did for the I-355 resurfacing/widening between I-88 and Bolingbrook. That was added to the Congestion-Relief Program later after it's initial approval.

I don't think the cost associated with widening 88 will be significant, but the bridgework over the fox river will be.

In the interim, widening 88 to 8 lanes to at least Farnsworth wouldn't be a bad idea.

They wouldn't need to do anything with the Fox River bridge, it's already an 8 lane bridge, the fourth lane is an auxiliary lane for the Aurora Toll Plaza eastbound and IL-31 westbound respectively. The Aurora Toll Plaza is configured to accommodate a fourth ORT lane, all that would need to be done there is some pavement marking modifications. The only reconstruction/widening work would need to be done is from IL-59 to the Toll Plaza.

They should add it to Move Illinois and start planning for it as soon as the Jane Addams rebuild wraps up and the Central Tri-State rebuild is underway.

[johndoe780]

Well, it's official, the plans are now on the Illinois Tollway website.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/construction-and-planning/projects-by-roadway/reagan-memorial-tollway-i-88/farnsworth-avenue-interchange-project

It's pretty much what was described above. They'll be making it similar to the IL-47 interchange. Basically, the existing bridge will be reconstructed and lengthened and two loop ramps will be removed. The WB entrance and EB exit ramps will be reconfigured to have signalized intersections. 

However, these plans lead me to believe that there will be a Phase 2 of this project in the future that will address the remaining ramps and toll plazas. I bet you when they rebuild/widen I-88 to eight lanes west of IL-59 to the Fox River, they reconfigure the remaining ramps and consolidate the toll plazas sort of like they did at IL-47 for WB traffic exiting and EB traffic entering.

ITHSA is also "fixing" their mistake on 355 as well by adding a "real" fourth lane on 355 between 71st and 75th street as well.

I wonder when the bonds of the 2005 Congestion relief program when they added lanes on 294, 88, and 90 will be due. That's probably when ITHSA will sell more bonds and widen 88 to 8 lanes from 59 to at least the aurora toll plaza.

I wonder if they'll add it to Move Illinois like they did for the I-355 resurfacing/widening between I-88 and Bolingbrook. That was added to the Congestion-Relief Program later after it's initial approval.

I don't think the cost associated with widening 88 will be significant, but the bridgework over the fox river will be.

In the interim, widening 88 to 8 lanes to at least Farnsworth wouldn't be a bad idea.

They wouldn't need to do anything with the Fox River bridge, it's already an 8 lane bridge, the fourth lane is an auxiliary lane for the Aurora Toll Plaza eastbound and IL-31 westbound respectively. The Aurora Toll Plaza is configured to accommodate a fourth ORT lane, all that would need to be done there is some pavement marking modifications. The only reconstruction/widening work would need to be done is from IL-59 to the Toll Plaza.

They should add it to Move Illinois and start planning for it as soon as the Jane Addams rebuild wraps up and the Central Tri-State rebuild is underway.

Just google mapped it, you're right.

Jane addams is almost done, maybe a little ahead of schedule due to the warm winter, but it'll be complete the end of this year.

EOE, I mean 390, is already done from Lake to 290.

When is the tollway going to break ground on construction on widening 294, next year(2017) or the year after? (2018?)

I would want 294 to have express lanes straight from 95th street to balmoral ave. Similar to the Dan ryan, 3 lanes express + 2 lanes truckers and local.