I-90 Interchange Project in McHenry Co. Gets Started

From Illinois Tollway: The Illinois Tollway is scheduled to begin work on the $33.4 million Illinois Route 23 Interchange Project on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Marengo this week. The project will create a new, full-access interchange with local road improvements, including construction of roundabouts.

The Illinois Route 23 Interchange will be the first interstate connection in McHenry County. The Tollway is building four ramps as part of a partial cloverleaf interchange on the east side of Illinois Route 23 that will provide full access between Illinois Route 23 and I-90. The interchange is scheduled to be complete this fall.

Weather permitting, beginning overnight on Friday, March 15, traffic on I-90 in both directions is scheduled to shift to the inside lanes to provide a work zone for ramp pavement construction. Eastbound lanes are scheduled to shift first, followed by westbound lanes. Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration for two months.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers. The new traffic pattern and ramp closures are necessary to provide a work zone and safely accommodate traffic during bridge reconstruction.

Once work on I-90 is done, traffic on Illinois Route 23 is scheduled to be reduced and shifted. At times during the project, traffic on Illinois Route 23 may be reduced to one lane during off-peak hours for construction. At those times, traffic will be maintained in both directions with flaggers. In addition, on Harmony Road, a closure and detour between Illinois Route 23 and Maple Street will also be needed to complete work on the project.

The Illinois Route 23 Interchange is being designed with roundabouts or traffic circles to provide efficient and safe traffic flow for the new interchange ramp connections with Illinois Route 23. With roundabouts, traffic is permitted to flow in only one direction around a central island, and priority is given to traffic already traveling in the circle. Traffic projections estimate the new interchange will serve a total of about 4,800 vehicles daily.

As part of the project, a portion of Illinois Route 23 will be widened and reconstructed between Coon Creek Road and Harmony Road. The Illinois Route 23 Bridge carrying traffic over I-90 was rebuilt in 2017 in anticipation of the new interchange.

In addition, the project will also provide for local road improvements including improving a portion of Harmony Road and rebuilding the intersection of Illinois Route 23 and Harmony Road to include a roundabout with a pedestrian crossing with 10-foot wide sidewalks to ensure safe pedestrian crossings.

The Illinois Route 23 Interchange Project will create opportunity for continued economic development along Illinois Route 23 and will open up access between the Tollway and the northwest suburbs. This will be the first direct interstate connection to I-90 constructed in McHenry County.

The Illinois Route 23 Interchange Project is funded in part by Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. Consistent with the Tollway’s Interchange and Roadway Cost-Sharing Policy requiring local communities to cover the remaining cost of interchange improvements, the local share will be split: IDOT will contribute approximately 25 percent and the remainder will be funded by Marengo and McHenry County.

Maps, construction and detour information about the Illinois Route 23 Interchange Project is available on the Tollway’s website atillinoistollway.com via the Interactive Tollway Map and under “Projects Overview” in the Explore Projects section.

Work Zone Safety

The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring that the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) 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 will be in effect on I-90 and on Illinois Route 23 throughout the reconstruction project.

Work zone speed limits are in effect in all construction zones 24/7 and drivers should continue to watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution, especially when workers are present.

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 $375. 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.