Politics & Government

Deerfield, Lake Cook Ramp Closures

Drivers should expect nighttime ramp closures along the North Tri-State Tollway (I-94) to allow for pavement resurfacing.

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COOK COUNTY, IL — Temporary ramp closures with posted detours are scheduled to begin this week at the Deerfield Road and Lake Cook Road Interchanges on the North Tri-State Tollway (I-94) to accommodate pavement resurfacing as part of ongoing roadway repair work, according to a news release. Beginning on Tuesday, October 15, and ending on Sunday, October 20, nightly closures are scheduled to start at 10 p.m. on the ramp connecting eastbound I-94 to Lake Cook Road.

A detour will be posted directing traffic to exit at Half Day Road and travel west to southbound Milwaukee Road to access Lake Cook Road, according to an Illinois Tollway news release. The ramp will reopen each morning by 5 a.m. in advance of the morning rush hour.

In addition, beginning Monday, October 21, and continuing through Thursday, October 24, nightly closures are scheduled to start at 10 p.m. on the ramp connecting Deerfield Road to eastbound I-94/I-294, according to a news release.

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While the entrance ramp at Deerfield Road is closed, a detour will be posted directing traffic to Saunders Road and travel south to Lake Cook Road to access both southbound I-294 and the eastbound Edens Spur Tollway (I-94). The ramp will reopen each morning by 5 a.m. in advance of the morning rush hour, Illinois Tollway officials said.

“The Illinois Tollway prioritizes the safety of both drivers and workers when planning for roadway maintenance and repairs,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “While roadwork detours are inconvenient for drivers, the closures are necessary to provide a safe work zone for construction workers and completion of the repair work.”

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The work is part of a road project between Half Day Road and the Edens Spur and includes mainline, shoulder and ramp pavement patching and overlays. Construction will also include drainage improvements, noisewall and retaining wall repairs, according to a news release.

Roadway lighting work is scheduled along the mainline between the Edens Spur and Duffy Lane. The repair work is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.

The repair work is coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Lake County, Cook County, as well as local municipalities, fire and police departments and is scheduled overnight to minimize the impact to Tollway drivers. Up to 160,000 vehicles use segments of I-94 daily.

Maps, construction and detour information about the North Tri-State Tollway repairs are available on the Tollway’s website at Illinoistollway.com via the Interactive Tollway Map and in the Projects section.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the overnight closures and detour. The temporary closures are necessary to provide a work zone to safely accommodate resurfacing work. All work is weather dependent.

These repairs are necessary to extend the life of the roadway and provide safe and convenient travel for Tollway customers, Illinois Tollway officials said. This work is part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program.

Work Zone Safety

Construction work zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones. On I-94, a 45 mph work zone speed limit is in effect throughout the construction season.

The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists that the “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated. If you see flashing lights ahead, please move over or slow down.

Illinois State Police have zero tolerance for drivers speeding in work zones or failure to comply with the Move Over Law.

The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $250. Posted signs advise drivers of a $10,000 fine and a 14-year jail sentence for hitting a roadway worker.

Penalties for failure to slow down or move over for a vehicle on the shoulder with flashing lights includes up to a $10,000 fine, 2-year suspension of driving privileges and jail time, in extreme cases.


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