I-294 Roadway and Bridge Repairs
Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)
Roadway and Bridge Repairs
The Illinois Tollway has scheduled work in 2025 and 2026 on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) including crossroad bridge repairs at Waukegan Road on I-94 and the Union Pacific Railroad, Dempster Street, Touhy Avenue, Cal Sag Channel and Mile Long Bridge on I-294.
Improvements also include pavement and noisewall repairs, fiber optic improvements and roadway camera installation throughout the corridor, as well as drainage improvements between Atkinson Road and Half Day Road on I-94 and at Walters Avenue on I-294. Construction is scheduled to be complete in 2026.
Construction Update (5/23/25)
Pavement repairs are underway throughout the northern section of I-294 and on I-94, with traffic at times reduced to a single lane.
Please check the Daily Construction Alert for up-to-date closure information.
Customer Impacts
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 lane closures, traffic patterns and work zone speed limits.
To complete pavement repair work, nightly ramp closures and detours will be needed. Ramps include: westbound I-94 to Russel Road, eastbound I-94 to Grand Avenue (Illinois Route 132), Milwaukee Avenue (Illinois Route 21) to westbound I-94, Wood Street to northbound I-294 and the Calumet Expressway (Illinois Route 394) to northbound I-294 will be required.
Purpose
These repairs are necessary to extend the life of the roadway and bridges and provide safe and convenient travel for Tollway customers. This work is part of the Tollway’s 16-year, $15 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.
These projects were coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the United States Coast Guard, The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, ComEd, Cook County, DuPage County, Lake County and Will County, along with local municipalities and police and fire departments.
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.
Work Zone Safety
The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring that the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) remains 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 Roadway Safety page.