Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project
Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project
Project Overview
The Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) is being reconstructed and widened from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street to provide congestion relief, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and address regional needs. The project is scheduled from 2018 through 2026. This 22-mile corridor serves more than 300,000 vehicles daily. The $4 billion project is scheduled from 2018 through 2026.
The Illinois Tollway has undertaken a detailed planning and refinement process to develop design and construction plans for the Central Tri-State Tollway Project. Major components of the project include reconfiguring the I-290/I-88 Interchange at I-294, rebuilding the Mile Long Bridge and the BNSF Railway Bridge, as well as integrating Flex Lanes and SmartRoad technology.
2024 Overview
Construction in 2024 will continue mainline reconstruction and widening between Wolf Road and I-55, and the new roadway between I-55 and 95th Street is scheduled for completion.
Ongoing work this year also includes reconfiguration of the I-290/I-88 Interchange at I-294. and construction of the new interchange at 88th/Cork Avenue is continuing. In addition, ramp improvements at the Ogden Avenue Interchange are scheduled to be complete.
CONCEPT PLAN
MAP
PROJECT SCHEDULE
MAP
EB ARCHER AVENUE TO SB I-294 RAMP CLOSURE DETOUR
FLAGG CREEK TO OGDEN AVENUE TRAFFIC SHIFTS
OGDEN AVENUE TO CERMAK ROAD TRAFFIC SHIFTS
CERMAK ROAD TO ST. CHARLES ROAD TRAFFIC SHIFTS
ST. CHARLES ROAD TO O'HARE OASIS TRAFFIC SHIFTS
Hinsdale Area Update (4/14/2025)
As part of the Illinois Tollway’s reconstruction and widening of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) construction activity may have an impact on residential areas adjacent to the Tollway. Work will be performed throughout the day, with overnight and weekend work scheduled as needed. Check here for updates.
Current and upcoming construction will include the following:
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Heavy equipment may be working on the Harding Road underground stormwater detention site to complete grading. Residents may notice some increased noise and construction may occur on weekends.
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Roadway construction activity on the I-294 mainline (between Cermak Road and 55th Street) this month will include continued noisewall posts and panel installation, pavement removal, right-of-way grading, shoulder and barrier wall work, and retaining wall installation work.
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Pile driving north of 47th Street is now complete, and bridge construction over Flagg Creek is ongoing.
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Construction at the Ogden Avenue Interchange is complete. Work along the interchange ramps will continue in 2025. Final pavement striping at the interchange is anticipated to take place this Spring.
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Storm sewer construction is ongoing at the Mills Street cul-de-sacs between The Lane and Fuller Road is now complete. The cul-de-sac is now open.
The Tollway has coordinated with the Village of Hinsdale throughout the design, planning and construction of this project to reduce the inconvenience this construction project has on local residents and businesses near the Tollway.
Contact our construction communications team via email at 294tristate@getipass.com or our 24/7 construction hotline at 630-246-2930.
Customer Impacts
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.
In addition, lane closures will be scheduled as needed on the Tollway and local roads to complete work.
Construction Update (4/11/25)
Traffic shifts and lane closures are in place throughout the Central Tri-State Tollway corridor throughout the season.
On northbound I-294 between St. Charles Road and North Avenue, northbound traffic is shifted to the left into a counterflow configuration. Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration through 2026.
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.
Later this spring, southbound I-294 traffic between the Hinsdale Oasis and I-55 is also scheduled to shift into the split configuration. There will be no access to the I-55 exit from the two left express lanes.
Traffic on southbound I-294 between St. Charles Road and the Cermak Toll Plaza is scheduled to remain in this configuration through summer 2026. Southbound traffic between the Cermak Toll Plaza and I-55 is scheduled to remain in its configuration through summer 2025.
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.
Ramps
At the I-290/I-88 Interchange at I-294:
- The ramp carrying westbound Roosevelt Road to southbound I-294 is closed. A detour is posted. The ramp is scheduled to remain closed through summer 2025.
- 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 summer 2025.
- Additional lane and ramp closures are scheduled throughout the year on I-294 and I-290. Detours will be posted.
In conjunction with work at the 88th/Cork Avenue Interchange, the ramp connecting eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed through 2025. A detour is posted.
A Regional Solution
The Central Tri-State Tollway is being reconstructed to increase capacity, reduce congestion and improve travel reliability. This work is part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. More than 220,000 vehicles use this portion of the Tri-State Tollway daily.
A detailed planning and refinement process is underway to complete a design concept for rebuilding the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). This process includes outreach efforts with customers, communities, businesses and partners to identify regional improvements and continue to refine the design details.
Noisewalls
In accordance with the Tollway’s Noise Study and Abatement Policy, the Tollway is conducting a noise analysis to help assist the Tollway in identifying areas for additional noise solutions. The policy outlines specific measurements and considerations that all factor into proposed noise abatement measures.
Noise Analysis Reports and Maps
Noisewall Brochure
Common Noise Levels
Work Zone Safety
The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring that the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) 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.
Visit the Tollway's Work Zone Safety page.