PROJECT OVERVIEW
Cook County, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Village of Skokie, will complete a major roadway improvement on Old Orchard Road from Woods Drive to Skokie Boulevard. When completed, the project will alleviate congestion, increase safety and expand access to pedestrians and people biking through the addition of the following improvements:
- New turn lanes at the I-94 eastbound ramps and Old Orchard Road intersection.
- Roadway and bridge widening (from Woods Drive to Skokie Boulevard including the IDOT bridge over I-94).
- Installation of storm sewers, traffic signals and lighting.
- A new multi-use path on the south side of Old Orchard Road within the project limits, providing direct access to the North Branch Cook County Forest Preserve Trail.
- Intersection improvements at Old Orchard Road and Woods Drive.
- Intersection improvements at the I-94 westbound exit ramp, eastbound exit ramp, westbound entrance ramp, Lawler Avenue, Lavergne Avenue, Bronx Avenue and Lamon Avenue intersections with Old Orchard Road.
LATEST INFORMATION
APRIL 17, 2025
Old Orchard Road reconstruction resumes this spring with a focus on completing the remaining work along the southern side of Old Orchard Road.
We plan to move all traffic back to the northern side of Old Orchard in April. Once in place, crews will work to complete the remaining storm sewer and grade the stone base layer for the eastbound roadway. Crews will also work to complete the retaining wall and build the new I-94 eastbound ramp to Old Orchard Road.
In late April, we plan to shift traffic on I-94 to the outside shoulders so crews can access more of the bridge. You can already see some of that activity along the closed ramps from Old Orchard Road to westbound I-94. Crews will be hydraulically lifting that entire ramp structure to complete structural steel repairs.
With paving work on the new southern lanes complete, crews will move traffic back onto that new pavement with a weave to the north side of the bridge over I-94 – that will open the vast majority of the northern side of the roadway for reconstruction.
Many pedestrians/cyclists use Old Orchard Road to cross over I-94. Please remember the work zone is not a safe place for any traffic – including people walking and biking. Please use the sidewalk on the north side of Old Orchard Road to travel across I-94.
Old Orchard Road reconstruction resumes this spring with a focus on completing the remaining work along the southern side of Old Orchard Road.
We plan to move all traffic back to the northern side of Old Orchard in April. Once in place, crews will work to complete the remaining storm sewer and grade the stone base layer for the eastbound roadway. Crews will also work to complete the retaining wall and build the new I-94 eastbound ramp to Old Orchard Road.
In late April, we plan to shift traffic on I-94 to the outside shoulders so crews can access more of the bridge. You can already see some of that activity along the closed ramps from Old Orchard Road to westbound I-94. Crews will be hydraulically lifting that entire ramp structure to complete structural steel repairs.
With paving work on the new southern lanes complete, crews will move traffic back onto that new pavement with a weave to the north side of the bridge over I-94 – that will open the vast majority of the northern side of the roadway for reconstruction.
Many pedestrians/cyclists use Old Orchard Road to cross over I-94. Please remember the work zone is not a safe place for any traffic – including people walking and biking. Please use the sidewalk on the north side of Old Orchard Road to travel across I-94.
DECEMBER 19, 2024
Old Orchard Road work for 2024 is now complete and work is planned to continue starting again in spring 2025. Please note the westbound Old Orchard Road detour and the westbound I-94 entrance ramp detour will remain in place through the winter and into the 2025 construction season.
I-94 work for 2024 is also now complete and the work zone on the interstate has been removed for the winter months. Work on the proposed northbound exit ramp is anticipated to resume in late winter/early spring 2025. Bridge work is planned to resume once the northbound exit ramp is completed; and a new traffic pattern will follow.
Old Orchard Road work for 2024 is now complete and work is planned to continue starting again in spring 2025. Please note the westbound Old Orchard Road detour and the westbound I-94 entrance ramp detour will remain in place through the winter and into the 2025 construction season.
I-94 work for 2024 is also now complete and the work zone on the interstate has been removed for the winter months. Work on the proposed northbound exit ramp is anticipated to resume in late winter/early spring 2025. Bridge work is planned to resume once the northbound exit ramp is completed; and a new traffic pattern will follow.
OCTOBER 18, 2024
Work on the new northbound exit ramp continues with wall drain, underdrain, rebar and the concrete retaining wall. Earth excavation and construction of the temporary MSE retaining wall continues. Comcast relocation work is delaying the north half of the northbound exit ramp retaining wall; Comcast relocation work is expected to be complete by Thanksgiving.
On Old Orchard Road, storm sewer construction will progress from Woods Drive to the southbound exit ramp. Crews will be excavating the roadway and placing the stone base from Lawler Avenue to Lamon Avenue. Once the subgrade construction is complete, the contractor will place the concrete base course, concrete curb and asphalt overlay.
Lavergne Avenue reconstruction is presently delayed because of ComEd conflicts. ComEd is expected to commence soon; subgrade construction can then be finalized followed by curb and asphalt placement.
Work on the new northbound exit ramp continues with wall drain, underdrain, rebar and the concrete retaining wall. Earth excavation and construction of the temporary MSE retaining wall continues. Comcast relocation work is delaying the north half of the northbound exit ramp retaining wall; Comcast relocation work is expected to be complete by Thanksgiving.
On Old Orchard Road, storm sewer construction will progress from Woods Drive to the southbound exit ramp. Crews will be excavating the roadway and placing the stone base from Lawler Avenue to Lamon Avenue. Once the subgrade construction is complete, the contractor will place the concrete base course, concrete curb and asphalt overlay.
Lavergne Avenue reconstruction is presently delayed because of ComEd conflicts. ComEd is expected to commence soon; subgrade construction can then be finalized followed by curb and asphalt placement.
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