I-290/I-88 Interchange Project at I-294
Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
I-290/I-88 Interchange Project at I-294
Construction Overview
The reconfiguration and reconstruction of the I-290/I-88 Interchange is estimated at $700-$800 million and will reduce congestion, improve safety and address operational issues, as well as infrastructure conditions as part of the Illinois Tollway’s Central Tri-State Project. Work started in 2020 and is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2026.
Construction in 2024 includes ongoing reconstruction of bridges over Roosevelt Road, I-88, Butterfield Road, the Canadian National Railroad, I-290 and Electric Avenue, as well as noisewall construction and drainage, electrical and lighting improvements. Work is also scheduled on I-290 as part of this project, including pavement, bridge and noisewall reconstruction and roadway drainage and lighting improvements.
Construction Update 4/10/25
I-294
Traffic shifts and lane closures are in place throughout the Central Tri-State Tollway corridor throughout the season.
On southbound I-294 between St. Charles Road and the Hinsdale Oasis, traffic is shifted into a split configuration with three left lanes continuing on the I-294 mainline between St. Charles Road and the Cermak Toll Plaza and one right lane directed onto the auxiliary lanes providing access to exit ramps for eastbound I-290, for westbound I-88 and for Cermak Road before reconnecting with the southbound I-294 mainline.
For access eastbound I-290, westbound I-88 and Cermak Road, southbound traffic must follow construction signage and stay in the two right lanes. For traffic traveling in the two left lanes, the next available exit will be at I-55.
Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration through summer 2026.
Ramps
Due to a split configuration on southbound I-294 at the interchange, to access eastbound I-290, westbound I-88 and Cermak Road, southbound traffic must follow construction signage and stay in the two right lanes. Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration into 2026.
The ramp carrying traffic from westbound I-290 to northbound I-294 is closed. A detour is posted. The ramp is scheduled to remain closed through 2025.
The ramp carrying westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294 is closed. A detour is posted. The ramp is scheduled to remain closed through 2025.
In addition, overnight lane closures are underway at the interchange and are scheduled to continue through the end of the year. Closures will include detours for the ramps connecting northbound I-294 and the eastbound Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) to westbound I-290, among others.
I-290
During the week of April 14, overnight closures of eastbound I-290 are scheduled with full closures and detours scheduled between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. and extended hours on Saturday nights from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
During the closures, the ramp carrying southbound I-294 traffic to eastbound I-290 is also scheduled to close with posted detours. In addition, closure of the ramp connecting eastbound St. Charles Road traffic to eastbound I-290 will also be scheduled. No detour will be posted.
Closures on I-290 in both directions are scheduled to continue into May.
Local Roads
On Butterfield Road, traffic is reduced to a single lane in both directions under I-294 between Calvin Avenue and I-290. The closures are scheduled to remain in place through summer 2025.
Please check the Daily Construction Alert for up-to-date closure information.
CERMAK ROAD TO ST. CHARLES ROAD TRAFFIC SHIFTS
NB I-294 TO EB I-290 RAMP CLOSURE
DETOUR
NB I-294 TO WB I-290 RAMP CLOSURE
DETOUR
EB I-88 TO WB I-290 RAMP CLOSURE
DETOUR
EB I-88 TO NB I-294 AND WB I-290 RAMP CLOSURE DETOUR
WB IL 38 TO SB I-294 RAMP CLOSURE
DETOUR
NB I-294 TO WB IL 38 RAMP CLOSURE
DETOUR
EB I-290 TO SB I-294 RAMP CLOSURE DETOUR
EB IL 38 TO EB I-290 RAMP CLOSURE
DETOUR
WB I-290 TO SB I-294 AND WB I-88 RAMP
CLOSURE DETOURS
SB I-294 TO EB I-290 RAMP CLOSURE
DETOUR
WB I-290 to NB I-294 RAMP
CLOSURE DETOUR
NB I-294 to EB ROOSEVELT ROAD RAMP CLOSURE DETOUR
NB I-294 TO WB I-88
RAMP LANE CLOSURE
Customer Impacts
The Illinois Tollway will maintain access to the I-290/I-88 Interchange throughout construction. Shoulder closures and traffic shifts will be used to provide room for a work zone and safely accommodate traffic. Whenever possible, the Tollway uses traffic shifts and shoulders to keep as many lanes open during peak hours as were available before construction.
Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to scheduled ramp and lane closures, traffic patterns and work zone speed limits.
Coordination
The I-290/I-88 Interchange at the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project will reduce congestion, improve safety and address operational issues as well as infrastructure conditions.
Construction on this project is being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Village of Berkeley, City of Elmhurst, Village of Hillside, Village of Oak Brook, Elmhurst Park District, Cook County Forest Preserve, the DuPage County Division of Transportation and the DuPage Water Commission, as well as local fire and police departments.
Work Zone Safety
The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring that the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294), the Reagan Memorial Tollway, the Eisenhower Expressway (I-290) and local roads remain safe for both drivers and workers during construction, which is part of the agency’s overall commitment to roadway safety.
Work zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. On I-294, a 45 mph work zone speed limit is in effect throughout the construction season.
Visit the Tollway's Work Zone Safety page.
Sustainability
The Tollway is committed to building green and minimizing the environmental impact of construction by reducing, recycling and reusing materials. In addition to reducing the cost of this work, reuse of these materials reduces the need for virgin asphalt materials and reduces energy consumption, greenhouse gases and the volume of material that would otherwise be sent to landfills.
Project Videos
Project Overview
This video examines the current conditions of the I-290/I-88 interchange at I-294. Improvements at this interchange will reduce backups and dramatically improve the chokepoint so that commuters, travelers and commerce can more efficiently reach their destinations.
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I-294 Southbound to I-88 Westbound
This animation depicts existing and proposed conditions for a driver traveling from I-294 Southbound to I-88 Westbound. The animation highlights that the proposed exit ramp is barrier separated from merging I-290 traffic which will alleviate heavy congestion due to weaving movements.
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I-290 Westbound at St. Charles Road
This animation depicts existing and proposed conditions for a driver exiting I-290 Westbound at St. Charles Road. The animation highlights that the proposed exit is much earlier along I-290 than the existing exit, preparing drivers for this change in roadway conditions.
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I-290 Eastbound to I-294 Southbound
This animation depicts existing and proposed conditions for a driver traveling from I-290 Eastbound to I-294 Southbound. The animation highlights that the proposed exit ramp is barrier separated from merging I-88 traffic which will alleviate heavy congestion due to weaving movements.
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I-294 Northbound to I-290 Westbound and I-294 Southbound to I-88 Westbound
This animation shows a drone view of existing and proposed conditions for I-294 Northbound to I-290 Westbound and I-294 Southbound to I-88 Westbound. It highlights the areas of congestion and how the proposed geometry will alleviate heavy congestion due to weaving and truck turning movements.
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I-294 Northbound to I-290 Westbound
This animation depicts existing and proposed conditions for a driver traveling from I-294 Northbound to I-290 Westbound. The animation highlights that the proposed exit ramp eliminates the loop ramp in lieu of a “fly under” ramp which will relieve slow truck turning movements.
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