 | 08/27/2008 IL Route 31 Eastbound Exit Ramp Scheduled to Re-Open and
Orchard Road Eastbound Exit Ramp to Close for
Reagan Memorial (I-88) Tollway Rebuild & Widen Project
IL Route 31 Westbound Entrance Ramp Remains Closed;
Orchard Road Eastbound Exit Ramp to Close in Early September
DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – Major stage changes are scheduled this week at the IL Route 31 Interchange and next week at the Orchard Road Interchange, both on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) as part of the mainline Rebuild & Widen Project between the Aurora Toll Plaza and Orchard Road. First, the eastbound exit ramp to IL Route 31 will reopen to traffic on schedule in time for the Friday morning commute. The eastbound exit ramp closed earlier this spring for reconstruction and realignment of the ramp and reconstruction and lengthening of the ramp bridge carrying traffic over I-88 to accommodate the mainline roadway improvements. The eastbound exit ramp to Orchard Road will close in early September for approximately six weeks, also to accommodate the roadway reconstruction and widening.
In addition, as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce driver inconvenience during construction, the Tollway has adjusted the construction schedule at the IL Route 31 interchange and will eliminate the planned closure of the westbound exit ramp from I-88 to IL Route 31 and reduce inconvenience to Tollway customers. However, to continue reconstruction work on the interchange, the westbound entrance ramp from IL Route 31 will remain closed for approximately two more months.
Multiple Rebuild & Widen Projects are already underway along a 23-mile stretch of the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) from Oak Brook to North Aurora. The 2008 work involves four separate rebuilding and widening projects with all work scheduled for completion by the end of 2009 as part of the Illinois Tollway’s Congestion-Relief Program – Open Roads for a Faster Future.
IL Route 31 Eastbound Exit Ramp Reopens
The eastbound exit ramp from I-88 to IL Route 31 is scheduled to reopen to traffic overnight on Thursday, August 28 into Friday, August 29. One eastbound mainline lane will close at 8 p.m. for pavement marking and barrier wall relocation in advance of the ramp opening. The mainline lane will reopen by 5 a.m. on Friday. At that time, the eastbound exit ramp to IL Route 31 will reopen to traffic.
IL Route 31 Westbound Entrance Ramp Closure Extended
The westbound entrance ramp to I-88 from IL Route 31 was closed earlier this spring and will reopen later this fall. The closure will be extended in order to allow the Tollway to eliminate the previously scheduled month-long closure of the westbound I-88 exit ramp to IL Route 31. With an average of about 10,000 vehicles a day using the westbound exit ramp to IL Route 31, the Tollway has opted to keep the ramp open during construction and reduce inconvenience to drivers. The detour for traffic needing to enter I-88 westbound will remain in place routing drivers south on IL Route 31, west on Indian Trail Road, and then north on Orchard Road, to enter westbound I-88.
Orchard Road Eastbound Exit Ramp Closes
The eastbound exit ramp to Orchard Road is scheduled to close to traffic overnight on Sunday, September 7, for approximately six weeks for ramp reconstruction work. The posted detour (see attached map) will direct traffic to continue eastbound on I-88, exiting at IL Route 31, south on IL Route 31 to Indian Trail Road, and west on Indian Trail Road to reach Orchard Road.
Illinois Tollway Works to Minimize Impact and Reduce Delays
The Illinois Tollway plans to maintain the same number of lanes as during normal conditions throughout the duration of construction. To make this possible, lane widths will be reduced and traffic will be shifted during mainline rebuilding and widening. The Tollway is committed to working with local officials and limiting closures of ramps and lanes only when necessary and will time closures to have the least impact on drivers.
Work Zone Safety
Drivers must follow the local speed limits posted on the detour routes to ensure safety. A 45 m.p.h. speed limit is in effect 24/7 in all Tollway mainline construction zones, whether or not workers are present.
Drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. Illinois State Police have zero tolerance for drivers speeding in work zones. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375. Posted signs advise motorists of a $10,000 fine and 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker. Keep Workers Alive – Drive 45.
Know Before You Go
The Tollway offers a variety of ways for drivers to get the latest information on construction and traffic on our roads.
- www.illinoistollway.com – Construction Section – for details by road
- 1-800-TOLL-FYI – daily lane closure info
- Roadway and electronic signs
- www.gcmtravel.com – travel times
- Sign up for E-mail updates
- Up-to-the-minute traffic by road – www.nbc5.com
- Construction eNewsletter – www.illinoistollway.com
Part of Tollway’s Congestion-Relief Program
The Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) Rebuild & Widen Project is part of the Tollway’s Congestion-Relief Program, Open Roads for a Faster Future, which will reduce travel times by rebuilding/restoring nearly the entire system, widening/adding lanes to many miles of existing roads, converting 20 mainline toll plazas to barrier-free Open Road Tolling, and extending I-355 south to I-80 in Will County.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway maintains and operates 286 miles of interstate tollways 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) and the Tri-State Tollway (I-94, I-294, I-80). Tollway customers save time and money with I-PASS electronic toll collection - Get I-PASS & Get Going!
All Work Is Weather Dependent.
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