Drivers will have a new way to get around the near western suburbs this weekend.
The first part of the I-490 Tollway Project is expected to open Friday night.
Tollway and local leaders cut a ribbon while standing on the two-lane northbound ramp from the Tri-State to I-490.
Chief Engineering Officer Manar Nashif calls this and the southbound ramp a tremendous milestone.
He explains a two-year delay and cost overruns on the whole project are due to the need to work around multiple railroad lines and O’Hare Airport.
Bensenville Village President Frank DeSimone says the project has already spurred interest from three hotels and a gas station in moving to his community.
It will provide drivers access to O’Hare from the west and now costs 900 million dollars more than expected.
The Tollway predicts 13 thousands cars and trucks each day will eventually use the interchange from Interstates 294 to 490.
Franklin Park Mayor Barrett Pederson says they’ve already seen an end to flooding in areas around the interchange and expects the project will reduce traffic congestion and wasted fuel.
The $4.3B Elgin-O'Hare Western Access Project is projected to be complete in 2029.
