Aurora Toll Plaza to Orchard Road - Rebuild and Widen
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The Illinois Tollway is rebuilding & widening a 3.4-mile section of the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) between the Aurora Toll Plaza and Orchard Road . This work is part of the Tollway's Congestion-Relief Program to reduce travel times.
In addition to rebuilding the roadway, the Rebuild & Widen Project will add a third lane in each direction to provide additional capacity and help reduce congestion. The project also includes plans to construct a new Fox River Bridge immediately south of the existing bridge, reconstruct the existing Fox River Bridge, rebuild the bridge carrying IL Route 31 over the Tollway and the ramp bridge at the IL Route 31 interchange, and rebuild portions of the entrance and exit ramps at IL Route 31 and Orchard Road as required to meet the widened mainline pavement. The project will also remove the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Bridge structure over I-88, just west of the IL Route 31 interchange.
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Update – Latest Construction Info
Three westbound lanes are now open between IL Route 31 and Orchard Road, mirroring the opening in 2008 of the eastbound lanes. Work continues to complete the construction of the new westbound Fox River Bridge.
New Westbound Fox River Bridge
The new westbound Fox River Bridge under construction will be 1,345 feet long, supported by 10 spans underneath the roadway – including a series of five, 178-foot-long arch spans. Each of the 40 precast arch segments weighs approximately 92 tons and is comprised of 48 cubic yards of concrete. The bridge will carry three lanes of westbound traffic and mirrors the adjacent bridge structure to the south completed in 2008 to carry three lanes of eastbound traffic.
Minimizing Impact to Reduce Delays
During construction, two lanes of Tollway mainline traffic were maintained in both directions during daytime hours through the use of reduced lane widths and shifted lanes.
Work Zone Safety
Construction zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present. Remember to drive safely in work zones and abide by the 45 m.p.h. speed limit on the mainline.
See the Tollway’s Work Zone Safety page for more information.
Schedule
- 2007 – Pre-stage shoulder work completed. Construction of new Fox River Bridge begins.
- April-Fall 2008 – Ramp closures at IL Route 31 eastbound exit and westbound entrance.
- April 2008 – Eastbound mainline and median reconstruction and widening begins.
- Spring 2008 – Aurora Toll Plaza modifications begin.
- Fall 2008 – Ramp closures at the IL Route 31 interchange and at Orchard Road interchange.
- Early 2009 – Begin work to demolish and rebuild the westbound bridge over the Fox River .
- 2009 – Westbound entrance and exit ramp closures at Orchard Road and IL Route 31 and completion of westbound mainline rebuild and widen work and completion of westbound Fox River Bridge .
Purpose – Pertinent Details on Why and How
Rebuilding and widening this section of road to three lanes will provide congestion relief and reduce travel times. The Illinois Tollway will be coordinating with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Kane County , the Illinois Commerce Commission, Fox Valley Park District, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, the Village of North Aurora and the City of Aurora to coordinate work. Further east on the corridor, the sections from IL Route 59 to Finley Road and from IL Route 83 to York Road have been rebuilt and widened to four lanes in each direction. Projects are also in place from Finley Road to IL Route 83.
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