$3.6 Billion Road Project Could Halve Commute to O'Hare

IDOT wants to extend Elgin-O'Hare Expressway, build bypass

An extension of the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway and a new bypass could cut travel time from the Northwest Suburbs by half and pump roughly $5 billion into the local economy, a report released Friday morning said.

The proposed new roadways would connect the Eglin-O'Hare Expressway from Interstate 294 to the west side of the airport, which is currently only accessible from the east. A proposed bypass would connect that extention with I-90 and I-294 on the west side of O'Hare.

The preliminary study said congestion could be reduced by up to 10 percent, and travel times could be reduced up to 49 percent.

Further studies are set to begin next year. The Illinois Department of Transportation said the project is estimated to cost about $3.6 billion.




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