Improvements Coming to I-90's Barrington Road Interchange

The Illinois Tollway Finance Administration Operations Committee on Wednesday recommended approval of an intergovernmental agreement authorizing the village of Hoffman Estates to begin engineering plans for improvements to the Barrington Road Interchange as part of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Rebuilding and Widening Project.

Under the agreement, the Tollway will oversee construction of a new Barrington Road Bridge carrying traffic over I-90 in partnership with Hoffman Estates, which will take the lead on final engineering and design plans.

In addition, the Tollway will contribute an estimated $1.75 million toward the plan costs. This agreement is consistent with the Tollway’s Interchange and Roadway Cost Sharing Policy requiring local communities to fund half of the cost of interchange improvements.

The Tollway has also committed to finance half of the total project cost, estimated at $65 to $70 million. 

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has committed to fund 25 percent or up to $18 million of the total project cost, with the remaining funds coming from the village of Hoffman Estates and other sources to be determined as the project progresses.

“This project fits with our commitment to make I-90 a state-of-the-art corridor that serves the growing needs of Tollway customers,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur.

“Our work on I-90 provides an opportunity to help plan for a full interchange that will increase regional mobility and fuel continued economic development along the Barrington Road corridor.”

The reconstruction of the Barrington Road Bridge over I-90 is included in the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $12 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.

The Tollway will build a new bridge to accommodate the widening of I-90, as well as the possible future completion of the existing partial interchange. The bridge is scheduled for completion in 2014. Plans also call for replacing the two ramps by 2016.

The village of Hoffman Estates, in partnership with the Illinois Tollway and IDOT, is currently studying alternatives for construction of a full-access interchange at Barrington Road.

Existing ramps only provide access for drivers entering I-90 eastbound and exiting westbound at Barrington Road. Upgrading the interchange to include the addition of an exit ramp for eastbound traffic and an entrance ramp for westbound traffic will address the needs of current and future traffic demands.

“This is an important next step toward a full-access interchange at I-90 and Barrington Road, which has long been a top priority for the village of Hoffman Estates and its residents,” said Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod.

“When complete, this project will bring more businesses to the village. It will also help reduce emergency response and travel times, as well as allow bicyclists and pedestrians to safely cross I-90.”

After a series of public hearings, the project’s Community Advisory Group recently selected a single point urban interchange (SPUI) design as its draft preferred alignment.

The design modifies a conventional diamond interchange with traffic controlled through a central set of traffic signals. The group will hold a public hearing this spring to announce its final preferred alternative. More information about the interchange can be found online at www.barringtonroadinterchange.com.

The agreement will be presented for approval by the full Illinois Tollway Board of Directors at its March 28 meeting.