Take CTA to avoid I-290 and Congress Bridge construction delays
Beginning April 1, 2010, a major construction project by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will begin, resurfacing 27 miles of Interstate 290 from Thorndale Ave. to the Circle Interchange in downtown Chicago (where I-290 meets with I-90/I-94).
Additionally, the Congress Bridge will be rehabilitated with one half of the bridge closed to traffic (and diverted to the other half) throughout most of 2010 and 2011.
On this page:
About these roadway construction projects
IDOT has posted information about both of these projects on their Web site, under Projects.
Excerpt from IDOT's overview of I-290 Resurfacing Project:
The Illinois Department of Transportation will mill and resurface approximately 27 miles along Interstate 290 from Thorndale Avenue to Interstate 90/94, and Interstate 355 from Army Trail Road to Interstate 290 located within Cook & DuPage Counties. The Interstate 290 project repairs 37 bridges along the project area including entrance and exit ramps. Interstate 290 was last resurfaced 11 years ago. The construction is scheduled to begin April 1, 2010 with completion in the fall of 2010. Milling the pavement consists of grinding, treating, and shaping the pavement. The completed construction project will provide a smoother and safer ride along with strength and stability of the pavement for the motoring public. The estimated cost for this one-year project is $95 million.
Interstate 290 generally consists of three to four-lanes in each direction with variable width shoulders. Construction will take place in both directions simultaneously inbound and outbound. Starting April 1st, traffic will be driven on the inside lanes. Permanent lane closures will be required during bridge repairs, which will reduce one lane along Interstate 290 in each direction.
Excerpt from IDOT's overview of the Congress Bridge Rehabilitation Project:
The Congress Parkway Bridge located over the South Branch of the Chicago River was originally built in 1956 and was rehabilitated in 1981. Since that time, traffic and ramp volumes along the bridge have increased. Increased traffic volumes, stress and deterioration on the steel bascule bridge (lift Bridge over the water) is at the point where the rehabilitation is needed. The Illinois Department of Transportation will rehabilitate the Congress Parkway Bridge beginning in spring 2010.
More information from IDOT:
Avoid traffic: take CTA!
To avoid increased traffic and construction delays, you can take the transit. CTA offers fast, money-saving train service that will take you all the way into the heart of downtown Chicago.
If you're coming in from the western suburbs, CTA offers a number of rapid transit options to get you where you want to go, including the following routes:
Blue Line: Forest Park Branch to downtown
Take Blue Line trains from the Forest Park station on Desplaines Avenue, next to I-290, to downtown. Service from Forest Park operates through the center of the Ike and goes to the Dearborn subway, downtown. After Washington/Dearborn, trains travel northwest to O'Hare Airport. There are 648 spaces in the CTA lot, at a rate of $5.00 for 12 hours; the remaining 403 spaces are in lots operated by the Village of Forest Park.
You can also get to the O'Hare Branch of the Blue Line from I-90 and I-190 on the northwest side and suburbs, such as Rosemont.
Scheduled travel time on CTA trains from Forest Park to downtown is about 25 minutes (up to 30 minutes all the way through the Loop to Clark/Lake). Also, a Blue Line trip from O'Hare to downtown is about 45 minutes. Trains operate every 4-10 minutes from each terminal during weekday rush periods.
Learn more: Blue Line Route Guide, Information, Maps and Schedules
Pink Line: 54th/Cermak (Cicero) to downtown
Pink Line trains operate from 54th Avenue and Cermak Road in Cicero, IL to downtown Chicago and serve Loop elevated stations. Parking is also available at 175 spaces at 54th/Cermak on the Pink Line (enter lot on Central Av., just north of Cermak) at a rate of $4.00 for 12 hours.
Scheduled travel time on Pink Line trains from 54th/Cermak to downtown is about 25-30 minutes. Trains operate from 54th/Cermak about every 12-15 minutes during weekday rush periods.
Learn more: Pink Line Route Guide, Information, Maps and Schedules
Green Line: Oak Park to downtown and South Side
You can ride Green Line trains from Forest Park and Oak Park at Harlem Avenue and Lake Street to downtown via elevated Loop. Green Line trains also continue to the South Side of Chicago.
Scheduled travel time on the Green Line from Harlem Avenue to downtown is about 25 minutes. Trains operated from Harlem/Lake about every 8-10 minutes during weekday rush periods.
Learn more: Green Line Route Guide, Information, Maps and Schedules
Park & Ride
CTA's Park & Ride lots have thousands of spaces conveniently located throughout the region, making it easy to drive to transit.
Learn more: See Park & Ride options
Connections to Metra and Pace
Many Pace suburban bus routes provide connecting service from nearby suburbs directly to CTA train station. Metra trains from the suburbs connect with CTA services in many places throughout the region, as well as downtown.
Learn more about regional transit connections and options in our How-to Guides.
Plan a trip online, in advance
To plan a trip using CTA, Metra and/or Pace (suburban bus), visit Goroo or the RTA Trip Planner (both from the RTA).