Chicago Ramps Will Close for Toll Plaza Work
The Illinois Department of Transportation will close I-294 and I-90 ramps for relocation work on September 29, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Construction
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The Illinois Department of Transportation will initiate overnight ramp closures at the I-294 and I-90 O'Hare Interchange starting September 29, 2026. This construction is required for the relocation of the O'Hare Interchange Toll Plaza.
Why it matters
The closures are part of a broader infrastructure project aimed at enhancing I-190 operations and improving vehicular access to O'Hare International Airport. Relocating the toll plaza and updating associated ramps will support long-term traffic flow improvements in the area.
Crews will perform overnight construction beginning at 10 p.m. with a scheduled reopening at 4 a.m. the following morning. The project involves building a new toll plaza control facility alongside ramp reconstruction, lighting, and signage installation.
The players
Illinois Department of Transportation
This state agency oversees the planning, construction, and maintenance of Illinois' complex transportation network including highways and bridges.
The details
Construction crews will shutter the ramps connecting southbound I-294 and eastbound I-90 to westbound I-190 while performing the toll plaza relocation. Traffic will be diverted to westbound Irving Park Road and northbound Mannheim Road, with message signs placed to alert commuters to the changes.
Timeline
September 29, 2026, 10 p.m.: Ramps will close for construction.
September 30, 2026, 4 a.m.: Ramps are scheduled to reopen.
Market Landscape
This construction is a critical component of the Illinois Department of Transportation's multi-year O'Hare access improvement program. These infrastructure updates are intended to resolve long-standing congestion issues at the interchange, bringing regional transit capacity in line with the airport's high volume of traffic.
Drivers heading to O'Hare International Airport during the overnight hours will face mandatory detours onto Irving Park Road and Mannheim Road. Commuters should budget extra travel time for these alternate routes or plan to avoid the interchange during the six-hour closure window.
The takeaway
Travelers intending to use the I-294 and I-90 interchange late at night should monitor local signage for real-time traffic updates. Planning ahead for the detours on Irving Park and Mannheim roads will help minimize disruption for those with time-sensitive trips to the airport.
What happens next
Additional ramp closures may be scheduled later in the week if the construction work remains unfinished after the initial September 29, 2026 window.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing infrastructure projects in the city, visit Chicago Construction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Journal Online.
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