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
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SEPTEMBER 11, 2025
Overnight bridge work is scheduled for Friday, September 12. Expect no delays on Old Orchard Road or ramp/lane closures on I-94 during this work. |
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SEPTEMBER 8, 2025
Overnight bridge beam removal begins tonight [Monday, September 8] at 9PM and continues during overnight hours through Thursday, September 11 at 5AM. This work must take place overnight because it requires stopping traffic in all lanes on I-94 intermittently to allow for the removal of the existing beams for Old Orchard Road over I-94. We thank you for your patience during these operations. In addition to the maintenance of traffic on I-94, we anticipate minor delays on Old Orchard Road during these overnight operations. |
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MAY 25, 2025
Crews have completed a majority of the new sidewalk between Skokie Boulevard and Lawler Avenue along the south side of Old Orchard Road. They are working on the new concrete retaining wall, moving east from I-94 towards Lawler Avenue, which will support the new northbound exit lane from I-94 and roadway pavement along with the new pedestrian path.
Crews are also working to build the new pavement on Lavergne Avenue south of Old Orchard Road. Soon, southbound traffic will move to that new pavement so crews can continue removing and replacing the roadway.
Crews will also begin working west of the bridge to install the new stone base for the southern portion of Old Orchard Road.
Crews have completed a majority of the new sidewalk between Skokie Boulevard and Lawler Avenue along the south side of Old Orchard Road. They are working on the new concrete retaining wall, moving east from I-94 towards Lawler Avenue, which will support the new northbound exit lane from I-94 and roadway pavement along with the new pedestrian path.
Crews are also working to build the new pavement on Lavergne Avenue south of Old Orchard Road. Soon, southbound traffic will move to that new pavement so crews can continue removing and replacing the roadway.
Crews will also begin working west of the bridge to install the new stone base for the southern portion of Old Orchard Road.
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.
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