Illinois Tollway opens I-90 lanes to widen Rockford-Chicago corridor

DOWNERS GROVE — The Illinois Tollway announced Oct. 28 that it is beginning to open three new lanes in each direction between Rockford and Elgin as part of the $2.5 billion Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project, which is building a new state-of-the-art interstate from the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-39.

The Tollway is nearing completion of the first phase of project, rebuilding and widening 37 miles of roadway to three lanes in each direction within budget and on schedule in just two years.

Construction on the segment of I-90 from Randall Road in Elgin to the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) is underway and scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016.

To date, an estimated 8,480 jobs have been created or sustained as part of the project spanning 62 miles of roadway in Northern Illinois.

“This is the first piece of what will be a new, state-of-the-art corridor connecting Rockford to Chicago, offering improved travel for commuters and increased efficiency for business and commerce,” said Governor Pat Quinn. “At a time when other states are still talking about how to get new roadway projects off the ground, Illinois is delivering new construction projects with regional benefits and creating good-paying jobs.”

To begin removing construction barrels and turning the new lanes over to drivers, the Tollway hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony today, October 28, with elected officials from Winnebago County, Boone County, McHenry County and Kane County, as well as local business leaders and construction professionals who worked on the project.

“The I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project demonstrates the values of Illinois — our commitment to smart transportation, our capacity to innovate and our dedication to investing the public’s money wisely,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur.

“New lanes on I-90 are part of a regional roadway network that will carry drivers from Rockford to Chicago safely and efficiently for decades to come.”

By end of day today, construction crews will have opened new lanes for drivers between the Kishwaukee River Bridge and the Marengo Toll Plaza. Drivers will have access to three lanes in each direction throughout most of the western segment by Wednesday evening, October 29.

Ongoing construction at the Kishwaukee Bridge and at the eastbound Marengo Toll Plaza will limit drivers to two lanes in each direction to complete pavement work. In addition, work will continue throughout the corridor to complete lighting, landscaping and other work.

 Rebuilding and widening the 56-year-old Jane Addams Memorial Tollway from the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) to I-39 in Rockford is part of the 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.