The Illinois Tollway plans to shift traffic on Elmhurst Road crossing over the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (Interstate 90) to a new diverging diamond interchange (DDI) configuration this week.
After the morning rush hour on June 16, the Tollway says lane closures and traffic stops will be scheduled to direct traffic crossing I-90 on the Elmhurst Road Bridge into the new diverging diamond configuration with drivers traveling in both directions guided onto the opposite sides of the bridge through new signalized intersections.
After this shift, the agency reports, all ramps will remain closed with posted detours. Elmhurst Road traffic flow and new traffic signal timing will be monitored through the weekend.
On June 19, the two ramps carrying traffic to and from the east will reopen, followed by the two new ramps carrying west traffic during the week of June 19.
“When all ramps are open, the new diverging diamond interchange configuration will eliminate left turns in front of oncoming traffic, smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion,” the Tollway reports. “Right turns work the same as they do at conventional interchanges, and traffic is controlled by signals. In addition, the new interchange will feature a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists in the median of the northbound bridge.”
The Elmhurst Road Interchange Project is funded by the Illinois Tollway’s Move Illinois Program which also included construction of two new bridge structures to carry southbound and northbound Elmhurst Road traffic over I-90 with a shared-use path for pedestrians and bicyclists in the median of the northbound bridge, as well as local road improvements.
