Ronald Reagan Memorial
Tollway (I-88) Widening and Reconstruction East of Naperville Road
to I-355
Client: Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA)
Location: DuPage County, Illinois
Construction Completed: 2007
Construction Cost: $84.7 Million
Challenge
The Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) is a full access-controlled
highway serving the western collar counties of the Chicago metropolitan
region. I-88 provides regional and important national highway links.
This section of I-88 carries the highest traffic volumes – in
excess of 159,500 vehicles per day in 2001.
ISTHA retained Bowman, Barrett & Associates Inc. (BB&A)
in 2002 to prepare environmental, geometric and preliminary plans
as part of Phase I services. Subsequent to the Phase I study, BB&A
was authorized to produce Phase II design plans and specifications
for the rehabilitation of the existing Tollway, including interchange
improvements at IL 53 and at I-355.
Key objectives of this project are to develop plans to accommodate
the growing demand, improve safety and to repair the condition
of the aging infrastructure.
Details
The project limits include the reconstruction of 3.9 miles of
I-88 from east of Naperville Road to I-355. This includes the
following:
- Evaluation of existing conditions
including roadway (i.e., pavement, horizontal and vertical alignment,
sight distance and operations),
drainage, utilities and structural conditions.
- Development
and evaluation of pre-concept studies of interchange and
structural alternatives for required improvements.
- Assessment
of potential environmental effects of the proposed improvements.
- Development
of preliminary engineering plans including roadway plans,
structure studies (bridges, retaining walls
and culverts), drainage, signing, lighting and other features.
- Production of final engineering
plans for 3.9 miles of I-88 and for the reconfiguration and
reconstruction of the IL 53 interchange.
- Production of final structure plans for
bridges and retaining walls.
Benefits
Improved Traffic Flow: Additional lanes will improve capacity
on this section of I-88. The additional Tollway lane between
the interchange of I-88/I-355 and I-88/IL 53, coupled with improvements
to the entrance and exit ramps will improve traffic flow and
operation of entering and exiting traffic.
Safety: Improvements to the interchange ramps and the additional
lane to the Tollway will produce a safer environment for the
driving public.
Infrastructure: After the final plans are implemented and the
construction is complete, the aging infrastructure of this section
of I-88 will be entirely replaced and renewed.
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