Traffic Alert: I-90 Rehab Begins This Weekend

Traffic shifts are scheduled this weekend on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Roadway and Bridge Rehabilitation Projects between U.S. Route 20 and Genoa Road and between the Elgin Toll Plaza and Barrington Road.

Traffic between U.S. Route 20 and Genoa Road will be split with one express lane on the left and one local lane on the right, with limited access to exits from the express lane.  In addition, traffic will be shifted between the Elgin Toll Plaza and Barrington Road to remove the traffic split and move all traffic to the left with a work zone on the right.

The Illinois Tollway is resurfacing the 50-year-old section of I-90 between U.S. Route 20 and Genoa Road and between the Elgin Toll Plaza and Barrington Road to provide a new, smooth surface and extend the life of the roadway.  Roadway improvements also include rehabilitation of 25 bridge structures on I-90.  Work is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

New Traffic Split Configurations Between Genoa Road and U.S. Route 20
In the eastbound direction, traffic between Anthony Road and U.S. Route 20 will be shifted back to the standard lane configuration by 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, to complete shoulder repairs and bridge work.  Additionally, eastbound traffic between Genoa Road and Anthony Road will be shifted into a new split configuration, with a work zone in the right lane and traffic split with one express lane in the left lane and one local lane traveling on the right shoulder.  Any work not completed by Saturday morning will be scheduled overnight on Saturday and completed by 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 24.

In the westbound direction, traffic between Anthony Road and Genoa Road will be shifted to the standard lane configuration by 8 a.m. on Sunday, July 24, to complete shoulder repairs and bridge work.  Additionally, traffic will be shifted into a split configuration between U.S. Route 20 and Anthony Road.  Any work not completed by Saturday morning will be scheduled overnight on Sunday and completed by 5 a.m. on Monday, July 25.

Eastbound traffic planning to exit at Genoa Road and westbound traffic planning to exit at U.S. Route 20 should remain in the right lanes as they approach the work zones.  No other exits will have access impacts in this stage, which is expected to be in place until after Labor Day.

New Eastbound Traffic Shift Between Elgin Toll Plaza and Barrington Road
By 5 a.m. on Sunday, July 24, eastbound traffic between the Elgin Toll Plaza and Barrington Road will be shifted out of the split configuration with three lanes shifted to the left and a new work zone on the right.  A similar westbound traffic shift is scheduled to be in place by 5 a.m. on Monday, August 2.  Traffic will remain in this configuration until the project is complete.

Work Zone Safety

A 45 m.p.h. speed limit is in effect 24/7 in all construction zones, whether or not workers are present.  Drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present.

Illinois State Police have zero tolerance for drivers speeding in work zones.  The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375. Posted signs advise drivers of a $10,000 fine and 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker.

Getting Tollway Construction Information

The Illinois Tollway offers a variety of ways for drivers to get the latest information, including:
* www.illinoistollway.com - Traffic & Construction Section - for details by road
* 1-800-TOLL-FYI - Daily lane closure information
* www.travelmidwest.com - Real-time travel times
* Up-to-the-minute traffic by roadway - www.nbcchicago.com
* Construction eNewsletter - www.illinoistollway.com

Part of the Tollway's Congestion-Relief Program

The Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Roadway and Bridge Rehabilitation Project is part of the Illinois Tollway's $5.8 billion Congestion-Relief Program - Open Roads for a Faster Future, which is reducing travel times by rebuilding and restoring nearly all of the system, adding lanes to many miles of existing roads, converting 22 toll plazas to barrier-free open road tolling, and extending I-355 south to I-80 in Will County.  The Illinois Tollway has completed nearly $5 billion in improvements on the Tollway's roads on schedule and within budget, resulting in more efficient travel and a smoother ride for motorists.