DOWNERS GROVE, Ill. – The Illinois Tollway is urging drivers to slow down in construction work zones and avoid distracted driving when traveling this Fourth of July holiday.
The tollway expects 9.6 million vehicles to travel the Tollway system over the long Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to a news release.
The heaviest travel is expected on Thursday, June 30, and Friday, July 1, when 1.9 million vehicles are projected to use the 294-mile tollway system each day. On an average day, more than 1.6 million vehicles use the Illinois Tollway.
“Construction is underway in many locations on the tollway system from ongoing project to short-term repairs, so it’s vitally important for drivers entering any work zone to slow down, eliminate distractions and focus on safety,” Illinois Tollway Interim Executive Director Lanyea Griffin said. “Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we encourage drivers to take a break at one of our oases to send text messages and make phone calls to prevent accidents and save lives.”
Holiday Work Zones
- To accommodate holiday travel on the Illinois Tollway, construction activity will be restricted to better serve Tollway customers. Most temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Friday, July 1, through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule. All work is weather-dependent.
- Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80).
- On I-94, traffic in both directions between Half Day Road and Atkinson Road is shifted.
- On I-294 between the O’Hare Oasis and 95th Street, traffic is shifted in both directions. Counterflow lanes are in place throughout the Central Tri-State corridor. Watch for signage indicating changing traffic patterns.
- On I-294, the ramp from eastbound Archer Avenue to southbound I-294 is closed and a detour is posted.
- On I-294, the ramps from northbound I-294 to Wolf Rd and southbound I-55 are closed and detours are posted.
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