Why is the study needed?

Currently, the existing Irving Park Road Interchange on I-294 only provides access to and from the north making travel difficult for adjacent industrial and commercial businesses and neighboring residents. The Phase I Engineering Study will consider the effects on adjacent roadways including Irving Park Road, Mannheim Road, Lawrence Avenue and Des Plaines River Road, for the interchange improvement alternatives considered.

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What is a Phase I Engineering Study?

The Phase I Engineering Study will evaluate a range of alternatives and recommend a preferred improvement plan that best supports the project goals including cost effectiveness,  constructability, as well as avoiding, minimizing or mitigating environmental impacts.

Key evaluation criteria for comparison of alternatives considered will include, but is not limited to transportation performance, environmental impacts, inclusion and/or compatibility with non-motorized and transit improvements, compatibility with other planned transportation improvements, and public and agency support. 

The Phase I Engineering Study will be based on a previous Feasibility Study completed in March 2021. 

Coordination meetings will occur throughout the Phase I Engineering Study process with applicable jurisdictional and/or oversight agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Chicago Department of Aviation, various environmental resource agencies and other agencies as required. 

In addition, the study will follow FHWA requirements to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.  

The Phase I Engineering Study is expected to be completed in 2026.

After completion of the Phase I Engineering Study, subsequent phases of engineering and construction will be considered by the Tollway and IDOT contingent upon funding availability and project readiness. 

Community Advisory Group

To ensure broad-based engagement with customers, communities, residents, businesses and project stakeholders, public involvement as part of the Phase I Engineering Study will include public meetings and creation of a Community Advisory Group, as a core component of the overall Stakeholder Involvement Plan for the project.

The Community Advisory Group will provide input throughout the Phase I Engineering Study process and is anticipated to include representatives from:

• Village of Schiller Park
• Village of Franklin Park
• Pace Suburban Bus
• Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways
• Grand Chamber by O’Hare
• Leyden Township
• Adjacent commercial/industrial property representatives

An initial Community Advisory Group meeting was held on July 25, 2024. The Tollway continues to hold ongoing stakeholder meetings throughout the project. View the meeting summary. 

Public Involvement

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Schiller Park Community Center, 4501 25th Avenue. The purpose of the meeting is to introduce the study to the public, as well as seek input on transportation issues and needs within the project study area and discuss existing conditions and potential solutions.

The meeting will be conducted in an open house format and interested persons may attend anytime. Attendees will have the opportunity to view exhibits, provide input on the preferred alternative and discuss the project with the Tollway, IDOT and project study team representatives at any time during the meeting.

Members of the public unable to attend the public meeting are invited to submit email comments at  294TriState@getipass.com by Friday, October 25, 2024. Please consider the following topics with your written comments and/or questions, which will assist the Tollway and IDOT. 

• Do you frequently experience travel issues/concerns within the Study Area? (Please explain) 
• Would improved I-294 access to/from the south near IL Route 19 provide a travel benefit to you? (Please explain) 
• Please note any other transportation related issues/concerns you may experience within the Study Area.