Politics & Government
IDOT to Highlight $719 Million I-294, I-57 Project at Town Hall
Officials from the state, IDOT and Midlothian will host a town hall meeting on Thursday, Sept. 13. The meeting will showcase the new interchange at I-294 and I-57, which is expected to be completed by 2024.
Chicago Southland community members are invited to stop by a town hall meeting on Thursday, Sept. 13, to learn more about construction underway on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)/I-57 Interchange Project.
The project will connect I-294 with I-57, one of only two spots in the nation where interstates cross, but do not connect. Expected to cost $719 million, the project is scheduled for completion in 2024, with work getting underway this year.
The meeting, which will be hosted by the Illinois Tollway, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), State Rep. Bob Rita and the Village of Midlothian, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Raday Lodge, 3220 W. 145th St. in Midlothian.
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Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur, Rep. Rita and Midlothian Mayor Terry Stephens will speak about the project.
“This meeting gives everyone a chance to learn more about the construction of this long-sought interchange to finally connect I-57 to the Tollway system,” said Lafleur in a press release. “It’s important for us to keep customers and local residents updated on our progress and listen to what they have to say as we work to deliver this new interchange to the Chicago Southland.”
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This year, the Illinois Tollway is rebuilding and widening the I-294 bridges over 147th Street to help with construction of a northbound entrance ramp to I-294 from I-57. Work will also begin on a southbound exit ramp from I-294 to 147th Street, as well as the reconstruction and widening of 147th Street.
The first phase of the project, which is scheduled for completion in 2014, will create access points from I-57 northbound to I-294 northbound and a new interchange at 147th Street. This phase will account for 75 percent of the project's benefits to the public, according to a press release.
Once completed, the all-electronic interchange will accommodate 76,000 vehicles per day and is expected to save $4 million per year in fuel consumption costs.
The project is part of the Tollway’s $12 billion capital program,”Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.”
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