Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Virtual Open House
The COVID-19 crisis is forcing businesses and public agencies to rethink nearly everything, from the way we provide services to the way we engage customers.
The Illinois Tollway has a history of proactively engaging local communities, residents and customers by clearly and effectively communicating the impacts, changes and benefits of roadway and mitigation projects to the public. That’s why the Illinois Tollway has launched a new Virtual Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Open House to share 2020 construction information, as well as highlight key features and provide an overview of the $4 billion project's benefits and improvements.
The Virtual Open House can be accessed here.
The Illinois Tollway is committed to delivering a world-class toll highway system with a minimal impact on surrounding communities and a positive impact on the region's economy, this includes ensuring its customers and the public are well informed.
Recognizing the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Tollway is opting to transition from in-person, large-group meetings to the Virtual Open House format offering public access to interactive content from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
The Illinois Tollway is rebuilding and improving the Central Tri-State Tollway from Balmoral Avenue to 95th Street in 2018 through 2025 to provide congestion relief, improve mobility, reconstruct old infrastructure to meet current and future transportation demand and to address regional needs.
The new Virtual Open House provides the public the opportunity to view informational displays, maps, construction cameras and videos highlighting work currently underway and throughout the duration of construction. In 2020, this includes roadway construction and widening in the northern segment between the O'Hare Oasis and Wolf Road, construction of the new Mile Long Bridge and the new BNSF Railway Bridge, along with additional advance work underway throughout corridor.
Within the Virtual Open House visitors can move around multiple display areas, as well as zoom in and out to view the room and displays. In addition, the room offers traditional exhibits including an aerial corridor map that illustrates noisewall locations, proposed lane configuration and new/existing stormwater detention areas. Here visitors also can input an address within the corridor map to zoom to a specific location to see what is happening nearby.
The Illinois Tollway values public input and believes that Tollway customers are best served when a variety of perspectives on the issues are shared.
Construction information for 2020 construction season and the concept plan for the Central Tri-State Project can also be viewed in the Projects section on the Tollway's website and questions and comments can be shared with the Tollway at any time via email at 294tristate@getipass.com.
The Central Tri-State (I-294) Project is funded by the Illinois Tollways 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.