Jane Addams Tollway work to shift all traffic to EB side

Monday, July 28, 2014

Jane Addams Memorial Tollway construction.
Illinois Tollway

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Work will begin this week on the westbound lanes of Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, causing all traffic to be diverted to the eastbound side for a mile-long segment during the reconstruction.

Westbound traffic, already reduced from three to two lanes, will remain on the opposite side of the road until the end of the year to create a safer construction zone for drivers and workers. Eastbound traffic will continue to have access to three lanes. Electronic message signs will be put in place to alert drivers to the traffic shift work beginning on July 29.

The work is part of the $2.5 billion I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project between Rockford and Chicago. Removal and full reconstruction of the westbound lanes will allow the Tollway to replace old, worn-out pavement with new roadway and better serve customers. The eastbound lanes in this one-mile segment have already been rebuilt.

Traffic Shift Schedule

Work is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 29, with overnight lane closures to shift eastbound traffic to the right by 5 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30. Overnight lane closures on I-90 will continue into the next week for work to complete the traffic shift.

The new work zone configuration with all traffic traveling on the eastbound side of the roadway is expected to be in place the morning of Friday, August 8, and will keep two westbound lanes and three eastbound lanes open to drivers.

At the River Road Toll Plaza, westbound traffic will be routed under the I-PASS monotube used only for eastbound toll collection, but no toll will be charged for westbound drivers. Eastbound traffic will have access to two open road tolling lanes, as well as two I-PASS Only lanes in the cash side of the toll plaza.

No entrance or exit ramps will be impacted by this traffic shift and lane configuration. However, westbound traffic planning to exit to northbound I-294 must be in the right lane to exit.

For alternate routes, take Higgins Road (Illinois Route 72) west and follow these routes:

To go west on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, take the I-90 west entrance ramp at Devon Avenue.

To go west on I-190, turn south onto Des Plaines river Road and take the I-190 west entrance ramp.

To go south on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) turn south onto Des Plaines River Road. At Balmoral Avenue, turn west and then turn left onto the I-294 south entrance ramp.

For more information: www.illinoistollway.com

ABC7 Chicago Traffic Page: Set alerts, check travel times, plan routes: http://abc7chicago.com/traffic/