Mile Long Bridge Project
Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
Mile Long Bridge Project
The Mile Long Bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) corridor as it carries drivers over two major railroads, three water resources and local roads, and over a major distribution center for UPS and Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway.
The $500 million Mile Long Bridge Project began in summer 2019 and is scheduled through 2023, including construction of two new, wider bridge structures scheduled to be complete in 2022, as well as stormwater, drainage and related infrastructure improvements. Construction on the new northbound bridge was completed in 2020 and work on the new southbound bridge is beginning in 2021.
The Tollway is committed to maintaining four lanes of traffic in each direction throughout construction. Currently, up to 150,000 vehicles travel on the Mile Long Bridge daily.
Construction Update (11/23/21)
Transport and delivery of bridge beams is under way for the Illinois Tollway’s new southbound Mile Long Bridge on the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). The concrete beams will be transported by truck from a manufacturing site in Wisconsin traveling eastbound on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) and southbound on I-294 to the construction site. Transport trucks will be escorted by Illinois State Police and will be traveling at a low rate of speed between hours of 4 a.m. and noon on weekdays. Delivery of new concrete and steel beams is anticipated to continue through early 2022.
Between Archer Avenue and 5th Avenue, southbound traffic is shifted. Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration through 2021.
Please check the Daily Construction Alert for up-to-date closure information.
Construction Live Images
At I-294 facing southwest
At I-294 facing southbound
Customer Impacts
Whenever possible, the Tollway uses traffic shifts and shoulders to safely accommodate a work zone and keep as many lanes open during peak hours as were available before construction.
During bridge beam installation, trucks with beams will be parked along I-294 near the 83rd Street Toll Plaza during the day and beams will be installed on new bridges piers during overnight hours with lane closures scheduled as needed to safety provide a work zone.
Delays and temporary, short-term closures are expected on Santa Fe Drive and Midwest Cargo Road underneath the Mile Long Bridge as construction is underway.
A Regional Solution
The Central Tri-State Tollway is being reconstructed to increase capacity, reduce congestion and improve travel reliability. This work is part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. More than 220,000 vehicles use this portion of the Tri-State Tollway daily.
A detailed planning and refinement process is underway to complete a design concept for rebuilding the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294). This process includes outreach efforts with customers, communities, businesses and partners to identify regional improvements and continue to refine the design details.
Sustainability
The Tollway is committed to building green and minimizing the environmental impact of construction by reducing, recycling and reusing materials.
Work Zone Safety
The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring that the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) remains safe for both drivers and workers during construction, which is part of the agency’s overall commitment to roadway safety.
A 45 mph work zone speed limit is in effect in areas with construction on the Central Tri-State Tollway.
Visit the Tollway's Work Zone Safety page.