A plan to add one car pool and express toll lanes to I-290 has been identified as the Illinois Department of Transportation's (IDOT) preferred option for the roadway, officials announced.
During an advisory group meeting Wednesday, IDOT officials provided an update on their proposed reconstruction of the Eisenhower Expressway.
According to the proposal, IDOT hopes to add a fourth lane to I-290 in each direction between Mannheim Road and Austin Boulevard, which would bring the entire expressway to four lanes in each direction between I-88 and I-90/94.
IDOT would then convert the two center lanes, between I-88 and Racine Avenue, to a "Hot 3+" lane, which would allow carpool vehicles and buses to ride for free. Other commuters could also use the lane but would be charged a toll. Three traffic lanes in each direction would remain free for drivers.
Plans to increase capacity and to rebuild the expressway began in October 2009, and eventually led to the current proposal. Though no funding has been secured, it is estimated that it would take four years of advance work and four years of mainline construction to complete the project.
Another component of the expanded and rebuilt expressway is the possibility of noise walls being constructed along the corridor. Earlier this year, only those residents living along the expressway who were deemed to benefit from the construction of the walls were allowed to vote for whether or not they would be in favor of the walls.
IDOT is expected to release an environmental impact study regarding the project on Dec. 30, which will also kick off a 45-day comment period.
