Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers to be Prepared to Encounter Work Zones During Easter Weekend Travel
Illinois Tollway Reminds Drivers to be Prepared to Encounter Work Zones During Easter Weekend Travel
2025-04-16
Nearly 8.1 million vehicles expected to travel Thursday through Monday
Drivers should watch for work zones, follow posted speed limits and put away cellphones to avoid distracted driving while traveling on the Illinois Tollway during the extended Easter holiday weekend, when about 8.1 million vehicles are expected to use the Tollway system.
The busiest travel day is expected to be Friday, April 18 when an estimated 1.8 million vehicles are projected to travel on the 294-mile Tollway system. On a typical day, about 1.6 million drivers use the 294-mile Tollway system.
While construction activity will be limited during the Easter weekend to better serve Tollway customers, there will be active work zones that may impact traffic at several locations on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) as the Tollway continues work to reconfigure and improve the I-294 interchange with the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) and I-290.
“The Illinois Tollway is always focused on safety and during the busy Easter weekend we’re reducing the number of work zones on our system to help drivers reach their holiday destinations more safely and easily,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “But construction will continue through the weekend in some locations on I-294 and we urge our customers to slow down in work zones, watch for workers and construction equipment and avoid distracted driving by putting away cellphones and other electronic devices. With help from our customers, we can make traveling this weekend a smooth, safe experience.”
To help make travel easier for drivers, the Illinois Tollway will suspend most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures from noon on Friday, April 18, through 9 a.m. on Monday, April 21. However, construction may continue in existing work zones to keep work on schedule for ongoing Illinois Tollway construction projects.
Construction is currently underway on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and drivers should expect delays traveling on southbound I-294. On southbound I-294, four lanes are open with traffic shifted into a split configuration with three left lanes continuing on the I-294 mainline between St. Charles Road and the Cermak Toll Plaza. The far right lane is 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. The three left lanes will be express lanes with the next available exit at Ogden Avenue.
After the Cermak Toll Plaza, for access to Ogden Avenue 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.
Dial *999 for Roadway Assistance
Drivers should call *999 to get help from Tollway roadway maintenance crews who patrol the Tollway system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, the Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) supported by GEICO is also available to assist drivers 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Tollway’s motorist aid patrols stand ready to help stranded customers change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel, transport customers, move vehicles away from traffic and call for a tow truck. *999 ensures help is just a call away.
Add visiting family and friends to your I-PASS account
Any vehicle can be added to your I-PASS account or Pay By Plate service within 14 days of travel to avoid fines and fees, including short-term rental cars and the vehicles of family and friends. Just remember to add your dates of travel for rental cars. It’s easy to ensure your list of vehicles is up to date – just snap a pic to add new plates using the Official Illinois Tollway App.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.