A shot of then-newly constructed eastbound lanes on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway near U.S. Route 20 in September 2013. Credit: Illinois TollwayThe March of Dimes has honored the Illinois Tollway with the 2018 Transportation Award in recognition of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project. The award was presented May 4 during the March of Dimes annual Construction and Transportation Awards luncheon in Chicago.
The I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project was selected for its positive impact on communities throughout the corridor, from Rockford to Chicago, according to a press release.
“The Illinois Tollway is making a difference in people’s lives through our investments in major transportation infrastructure projects such as the I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project,” says Tollway Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom. “Projects like this improve access, stimulate economic development and create jobs so communities and the people who live and work there can thrive.”
The March of Dimes annual foundation event is one the largest gatherings of the construction and transportation industries in the Chicago metropolitan area. Now in its 24th year, it provides an opportunity for individuals and businesses to come together in support of the March of Dimes mission to prevent and reduce premature birth and birth defects and promote good health for moms and babies through research, education, advocacy, community programs and support. Proceeds from the event directly fund the research and programs that help to ensure that every baby receives a healthy start to life, officials say.
“We are pleased to present the Transportation Award to the Illinois Tollway for the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project,” says 2018 March of Dimes Construction and Transportation Awards Chair Kendra Dinkins, who is president and CEO of Taylor Electric Co. “Initiatives such as these illustrate the Tollway’s commitment to serving the community’s needs, which parallels the March of Dimes mission – to fight for the health of all moms and babies.”
Completed in 2016, the I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project delivered the rebuilding and widening of 62 miles of roadway in each direction between the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) near O’Hare International Airport and I-39 in Rockford. It also improved 16 interchanges and more than 100 bridges.
The improvements are projected to save drivers up to 30 minutes on the average trip from Rockford to O’Hare Airport, save drivers 27 minutes on the average trip from Elgin to the Kennedy Expressway and save drivers $440 million annually in fuel and productivity cost, the press release says.
The four-year project delivered a new roadway along with new flexible infrastructure and technology to enable the Tollway to add new “smart” features as needed and introduce the region’s first SmartRoad in 2017, communicating real-time roadway and traffic information to drivers and delivering a 21st century corridor. Additionally, the project accommodates Flex Lanes for transit and direct access for the public to Pace Bus service for the first time in the agency’s history.
The I-90 Rebuilding and Widening Project is part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. The I-90 corridor serves nearly 1 million travelers per day between Rockford and downtown Chicago via roadway travel and public transit, including CTA and Pace service, officials sa.
