March of Dimes Honors Progress on Central Tri-State Tollway I-294 Project
The Illinois Tollway’s Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project is the recipient of the 2026 Transportation Award as part of the March of Dimes 32nd Annual Construction and Transportation Awards.
The award recognizes the $4 billion project’s progress to reconstruct and improve 22 miles of I-294 between Balmoral Avenue and 95th Street, including reconstruction of the I-290/I-88 Interchange and integration of SmartRoad technology.
More than 220,000 vehicles travel the corridor each day, making I-294 a critical route for commuters, commercial traffic and the movement of goods throughout the region. And the project area touches more than 30 communities and two counties.
With major portions of the corridor already completed and work continuing, the award from the March of Dimes recognizes how far the I-294 Project has come as well as the lasting improvements that are still being delivered to I-294 customers and communities along the corridor.
Since construction began, major pieces of the project have already been delivered:
- Completion of the southern section between I-55 and 95th Street including rebuilding and widening I-294 to five lanes in both directions
- Completion of the northern section between Balmoral Avenue and North Avenue, activating the new SmartRoad and reconstructing, resurfacing and widening of the I-294 from four to five lanes in both directions
- Major accomplishments also include completion of reconstruction of the Mile Long, Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railway and I-294 over 87th Street and Roberts Road bridges and improvements at the I-55 Interchange
Recognition by the March of Dimes acknowledges the impact of this major investment. Working with communities and partner agencies, the Tollway has completed stormwater improvement projects and provided new and improved interchange access while addressing local transportation needs.
Delivering improvements on this scale has required years of planning, coordination and construction, all while keeping one of the region’s busiest roadways open to traffic.
For more information, see the I-294 Project page here.