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
SEPTEMBER 30, 2026
The project team is excited to share videos of the recent work on the south bridge over I-94 to the Photo Gallery. These videos show the installation of the new beams that support the bridge deck which were delivered to the site on trucks and fitted with the bearings and plates needed to affix them to the bridge abutments, piers and each other. Each beam was lifted into place over the closed lanes of the expressway while ironworkers fit each beam in place and lock them together with bolts and impact wrenches.
There are also videos of the concrete bridge deck pour. Concrete was transferred to the bridge deck through a conveyor pump. The videos show the pump discharging concrete onto the reinforcing bars as well as the work platform moving slowly across the deck leveling the concrete; the laborers and concrete finishers are following the work platform to smooth and seal the concrete surface.
The project team is excited to share videos of the recent work on the south bridge over I-94 to the Photo Gallery. These videos show the installation of the new beams that support the bridge deck which were delivered to the site on trucks and fitted with the bearings and plates needed to affix them to the bridge abutments, piers and each other. Each beam was lifted into place over the closed lanes of the expressway while ironworkers fit each beam in place and lock them together with bolts and impact wrenches.
There are also videos of the concrete bridge deck pour. Concrete was transferred to the bridge deck through a conveyor pump. The videos show the pump discharging concrete onto the reinforcing bars as well as the work platform moving slowly across the deck leveling the concrete; the laborers and concrete finishers are following the work platform to smooth and seal the concrete surface.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
Old Orchard Road work continues on target to switch traffic to the new southern half of the bridge at the end of October. Roadway users should also expect to see the ramp for westbound/outbound I-94 open to westbound Old Orchard Road traffic in November.
Recent work on the project includes the completion of the new south bridge deck. The new concrete base for the roadway pavement from Lamon Avenue to Lawler Avenue was also completed. Next steps on the bridge include the installation of a fence and a concrete parapet wall separating the pedestrian path from the traffic lanes. Upcoming work also includes the completion of concrete roadway pavement along the north side of the roadway and the installation of electrical foundations for traffic signals and roadway lighting.
Old Orchard Road work continues on target to switch traffic to the new southern half of the bridge at the end of October. Roadway users should also expect to see the ramp for westbound/outbound I-94 open to westbound Old Orchard Road traffic in November.
Recent work on the project includes the completion of the new south bridge deck. The new concrete base for the roadway pavement from Lamon Avenue to Lawler Avenue was also completed. Next steps on the bridge include the installation of a fence and a concrete parapet wall separating the pedestrian path from the traffic lanes. Upcoming work also includes the completion of concrete roadway pavement along the north side of the roadway and the installation of electrical foundations for traffic signals and roadway lighting.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
Part of the project’s work includes the complete reconstruction of the intersections of Bronx and Lamon Avenues at Old Orchard Road. To minimize disruptions, crews will completely close the Lamon Avenue intersection for about two weeks while Bronx Avenue remains open. Then, crews will open Lamon Avenue to all traffic and close Bronx Avenue. When crews reopen Bronx Avenue, both intersections will remain accessible for the duration of the project.
Expected Work Activities: pavement removal, excavation and stone roadway base installation, concrete and asphalt pavement installation
Timeframe: Lamon Avenue closure ends September 9; Bronx Avenue closure - September 9-18
Part of the project’s work includes the complete reconstruction of the intersections of Bronx and Lamon Avenues at Old Orchard Road. To minimize disruptions, crews will completely close the Lamon Avenue intersection for about two weeks while Bronx Avenue remains open. Then, crews will open Lamon Avenue to all traffic and close Bronx Avenue. When crews reopen Bronx Avenue, both intersections will remain accessible for the duration of the project.
Expected Work Activities: pavement removal, excavation and stone roadway base installation, concrete and asphalt pavement installation
Timeframe: Lamon Avenue closure ends September 9; Bronx Avenue closure - September 9-18
SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
Part of the project’s work includes the complete reconstruction of the intersections of Bronx and Lamon Avenues at Old Orchard Road. To minimize disruptions, crews will completely close the Lamon Avenue intersection for about two weeks while Bronx Avenue remains open. Then, crews will open Lamon Avenue to all traffic and close Bronx Avenue. When crews reopen Bronx Avenue, both intersections will remain accessible for the duration of the project.
Expected Work Activities: pavement removal, excavation and stone roadway base installation, concrete and asphalt pavement installation
Timeframe: Lamon Avenue closure - September 2-11; Bronx Avenue closure expected to start September 14
Part of the project’s work includes the complete reconstruction of the intersections of Bronx and Lamon Avenues at Old Orchard Road. To minimize disruptions, crews will completely close the Lamon Avenue intersection for about two weeks while Bronx Avenue remains open. Then, crews will open Lamon Avenue to all traffic and close Bronx Avenue. When crews reopen Bronx Avenue, both intersections will remain accessible for the duration of the project.
Expected Work Activities: pavement removal, excavation and stone roadway base installation, concrete and asphalt pavement installation
Timeframe: Lamon Avenue closure - September 2-11; Bronx Avenue closure expected to start September 14
JULY 28, 2026
Old Orchard Road work continues on target to switch traffic to the new southern half of the bridge, allowing demolition of the north bridge to begin.
Recent work on the project includes the demolition of the southern section median pier in advance of rebuilding the pier from the ground up to support the new bridge. The new storm sewer system from Lamon Avenue to Lawler Avenue was also completed and the construction team is now working on pipe and structures west of the bridge.
Upcoming work includes the reconstruction of that median pier on I-94, continuing the new storm sewer system and installing the electrical conduits that protect the traffic signal and roadway lighting cables. You will soon see the beginnings of the new roadway as we install the new stone base along the northern lanes of Old Orchard Road.
Old Orchard Road work continues on target to switch traffic to the new southern half of the bridge, allowing demolition of the north bridge to begin.
Recent work on the project includes the demolition of the southern section median pier in advance of rebuilding the pier from the ground up to support the new bridge. The new storm sewer system from Lamon Avenue to Lawler Avenue was also completed and the construction team is now working on pipe and structures west of the bridge.
Upcoming work includes the reconstruction of that median pier on I-94, continuing the new storm sewer system and installing the electrical conduits that protect the traffic signal and roadway lighting cables. You will soon see the beginnings of the new roadway as we install the new stone base along the northern lanes of Old Orchard Road.
JUNE 11, 2026
There are two stage changes anticipated on the project in June. Westbound Old Orchard Road traffic will be moved onto the south half of Old Orchard Road adjacent to the existing eastbound lanes giving access to reconstruct the north half of Old Orchard Road. In addition, westbound/outbound I-94 traffic will be shifted to the east utilizing the outside median for traffic giving access to work on the bridge pier in the median of I-94.
Recent work on the project includes preparation for the new surface on the entrance ramp from Old Orchard Road to westbound I-94, completion of storm sewer and electrical crossings in the median of Old Orchard Road and completion of the installation of the new pilings that will support the widening of the new bridge at the western pier. There have also been improvements to the surface of the shoulders and on the entrance ramp to eastbound/inbound I-94 done at the request of IDOT.
Upcoming work includes installation of steel reinforcing bars at the western bridge pier, excavation and placement of stone base for temporary and permanent pavements in the medians of Old Orchard Road and placement of new concrete overlay on the entrance ramp from Old Orchard Road to westbound I-94.
There are two stage changes anticipated on the project in June. Westbound Old Orchard Road traffic will be moved onto the south half of Old Orchard Road adjacent to the existing eastbound lanes giving access to reconstruct the north half of Old Orchard Road. In addition, westbound/outbound I-94 traffic will be shifted to the east utilizing the outside median for traffic giving access to work on the bridge pier in the median of I-94.
Recent work on the project includes preparation for the new surface on the entrance ramp from Old Orchard Road to westbound I-94, completion of storm sewer and electrical crossings in the median of Old Orchard Road and completion of the installation of the new pilings that will support the widening of the new bridge at the western pier. There have also been improvements to the surface of the shoulders and on the entrance ramp to eastbound/inbound I-94 done at the request of IDOT.
Upcoming work includes installation of steel reinforcing bars at the western bridge pier, excavation and placement of stone base for temporary and permanent pavements in the medians of Old Orchard Road and placement of new concrete overlay on the entrance ramp from Old Orchard Road to westbound I-94.
JUNE 9, 2026
Early morning bridge work is scheduled for Thursday, June 11.
Crews will be installing a concrete overlay on the ramp bridge entrance to westbound/outbound I-94.
Expected work activities include equipment operations [expect louder engine noises and the beeping of backup and operational alarms] and concrete mixing [this concrete overlay will be mixed on site in a specialized truck and delivered to the bridge in small dump buggies].
Early morning bridge work is scheduled for Thursday, June 11.
Crews will be installing a concrete overlay on the ramp bridge entrance to westbound/outbound I-94.
Expected work activities include equipment operations [expect louder engine noises and the beeping of backup and operational alarms] and concrete mixing [this concrete overlay will be mixed on site in a specialized truck and delivered to the bridge in small dump buggies].
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