 Originally, the project study area was bounded by I-90 on the north, I-290 on the west and south, and I-294 on the east: covering approximately 100 square miles. As we began to develop and analyze roadway alternatives in this area, it became apparent that changes in the transportation network in this region had effects in an area west of the study area. As such, in the fall of 2008, the study area was expanded to include the existing Elgin O’Hare Expressway to US 20/Lake Street as well as other adjoining roadways west of I-290, as shown.
The study area is a regional transportation hub, with one of the nation’s busiest airports, multiple interstate highways, transit facilities, and major freight transportation facilities and distribution centers. The area is densely developed with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial land uses.
Planning studies for the Elgin O’Hare – West Bypass project will be advanced in two phases that build upon one another. The first phase (tier) of the project will be a Tier One Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which will identify a preferred transportation system alternative (or alternatives) for the study area. This system alternative may include a variety of improvements to roadways and transit facilities, as well as transportation management strategies. When Tier One is complete, the transportation system alternative can be divided into individual projects for which more detailed engineering and environmental studies will be conducted (Tier Two documents), for more information click Environmental Studies |
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