Economic Development
Economic Development
The Illinois Tollway plays a vital role in fostering economic development throughout the state by connecting communities, investing in construction and supporting job growth. Transportation infrastructure enables the efficient movement of people, goods and services, which is essential to a thriving economy.
Mobility is more than just transportation – it is about promoting economic vitality, social equity and environmental responsibility. Through strategic investments, the Tollway improves access to employment centers and freight connections to industrial sites, helping attract new businesses while retaining existing ones. By aligning transportation investments to enhance access for underserved communities, the Tollway ensures that economic opportunity is inclusive and equitable. Maintaining reliable infrastructure and planning for future mobility creates long-term economic benefits, strengthens regional resilience and collectively supports growth and prosperity across the state.
I-294/I-57 Interchange
The Illinois Tollway opened the highly anticipated I-294/I-57 Interchange – creating a vital connection between two major interstates in the Chicago Southland in 2014.
For the first time, the new I-294/I-57 Interchange provided motorists with access between I-294 and I-57 and at 147th Street. It created access from northbound I-57 to northbound I-294 and southbound I-294 to southbound I-57, including a new interchange at 147th Street. In 2019 full access was completed between the two interstates with the addition of ramps carrying traffic to and from Chicago.
The enhanced interchange has reduced congestion on local roads and improves regional mobility to better serve commuters and freight operators while also opening access for local communities. Learn more about the economic impact benefits this interchange has created to grow local development that is increasing local retail and industrial activity and opportunities for jobs for the region.
