A exit off the TriState Tollway near Chicago’s O’Hare
Airport for Interstate 90 and the road to Rockford.
(Winnebago Chronicle photo).

There’s more work ahead on Interstate 90.

The Illinois Department of Transportation last week announced $839.6 million in new work as part of a continuing project on the Jane Addams Tollway, which runs from Elgin to Rockford.

The work is part of a $1.6 billion capital budget for 2015, announced by the state agency.

“As we begin the fourth year of the Move Illinois Program, our customers are already seeing the benefits — including reduced congestion and improved mobility on I-90 from Rockford to Elgin,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “We know that drivers will experience work zones along parts of our system, so we ask our customers for their continued patience.”

The work is part of a continuing project to rebuild and widen the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway as “a state-of-the-art, 21st century corridor,” the Tollway said in a press release.

The I-90 work includes:

*  Beginning roadway construction on the eastern segment of I-90 between Elgin and the Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

*  Completing interchanges at Irene Road and Genoa Road near Belvidere and Lee Street in Des Plaines, as well as
working on interchanges at Illinois Route 31 Illinois Route 25 in Elgin, Barrington Road in Hoffman Estates, Roselle Road and Meacham Road in Schaumburg and Lee Street in Rosemont.
*  Rebuilding five local crossroad bridges along I-90 to accommodate the widening of the roadway, including Anthony Road, Garden Prairie Road, Higgins Road in Gilberts, Tyrrell Road and Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates. Investing $319.8 million to continue building the $3.4 billion EOWA Project.

Overall projected spending, the largest single year budget in agency history, is expected to create or sustain as many as 17,000 jobs.

In 2015, the Tollway will also complete the first segment of Illinois Route 390 as part of the new, all-electronic Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project.

In addition, the Illinois Tollway is investing in improvements to bridges, interchanges and dynamic, system-wide message signs to improve travel and safety for drivers.

Altogether 310 miles of roadway will be rebuilt, 122 bridges will be repaired and 20 interchanges will be built or improved. Seventeen new, four-color, graphics-capable dynamic message signs will be installed on the Tollway in 2015.

“This year will be even bigger than last, with a record $1.6 billion in capital spending and significant progress on the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project — which is currently designed to be the largest roadway investment project in Illinois,” said Illinois Tollway Board Chair Paula Wolff.

A $108 million Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) investment includes roadway resurfacing from Illinois Route 251 to U.S. Route 30, rehabilitating 19 local crossroad bridges and improving ramps at three interchanges.

Construction work will begin in March.

Work zone speed limits are in effect 24/7 in construction zones, whether or not workers are present. Drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution at all times. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375.

For more detailed information about Illinois Tollway construction projects, visit “Project By Roadway” in the Construction/Planning section on the Tollway’s website: www.illinoistollway.com.