West Cook News

The tollway project in the area around O'Hare International Airport is moving forward once again this year, with the land dispute Illinois tollway directors had with Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific railways resolved last March.

The full-access interchange, when completed, is expected to connect the new Interstate 490 Tollway to the James Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Des Plaines, according to the Illinois Tollway website. The project was originally planned for completion in 2023.

State Sen. John Curran (R-Lemont) said in a March 22 Facebook post that this was "Good news for those who use O'Hare International Airport for work or recreational travel."

Construction this year will be focused on a $340 million full-access interchange between I-490 and Route 390, the Daily Herald reported. The interchange will also provide access to O'Hare International Airport and York and Irving Park roads.

"Work is occurring all along the I-490 corridor this year, with much of the construction focused around the interchanges that will connect the new road with the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Route 390 tollway and the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)," Dan Rozek, an agency spokesman, said, the Daily Herald reported.

Travelers are expected to have additional access to O'Hare through a newly-created western entrance. However, what will greet them when they get there is still in the works by the Chicago Department of Aviation, the Daily Herald reported.

"The city is focused on progressing with the planning, design, and implementation of these critical infrastructure projects," the department said, the Daily Herald reported.

As a result of the project, the westbound right shoulder of I-90 will be closed through the end of the year from Union Pacific Railroad to Elmhurst Road. There will be additional, off-peak closures along I-90, Touhy Road and Mount Prospect Road throughout the year, and drivers can check the daily construction alert for updates.