Construction to Begin on Grand Avenue, I-294 Interchange Project in Gurnee

Submitted by the Illinois Tollway

The Illinois Tollway will begin construction this week on the Grand Avenue (Illinois Route 132) Interchange Project on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) in Gurnee. 

The two-year, $19.4 million project will start with work to prepare for reconstruction of three ramps, including closure of the ramp connecting eastbound I-94 to westbound Grand Avenue beginning the week of July 7. Electronic message signs and directional signs will be put in place to alert drivers.

In 2014, four ramps are scheduled for reconstruction including the ramps carrying I-94 traffic in both directions to westbound Grand Avenue and the ramps carrying westbound Grand Avenue traffic to westbound I-94 and eastbound Grand Avenue to eastbound I-94. 

“The reconstruction of the Grand Avenue Interchange is an investment that will improve travel for Tollway customers, as well as benefit businesses and tourism in Gurnee and Lake County,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “The project is needed to keep these ramps in safe, working order and extend the life of the interchange for the more than 40,000 drivers that use this interchange daily.”

This week, temporary pavement work is scheduled to begin to prepare for reconstruction of the two ramps connecting westbound I-94 to westbound Grand Avenue and eastbound Grand Avenue to eastbound I-94. 

This work includes shoulder widening on the two ramps, and traffic will be shifted with no reduction in ramp lanes. When the advance work is completed, traffic on both ramps will be shifted to create work zones. Both ramps will remain open during reconstruction. 

In addition, shoulder patching and rumble strip removal are scheduled on I-94 to prepare for a traffic shift to accommodate ramp reconstruction. This advance work will be done during overnight hours to minimize the impact on traffic.