Touhy Avenue Reconstruction (Elmhurst Road to Mt. Prospect Road)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Touhy Avenue reconstruction project is a major infrastructure initiative led by the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH), in partnership with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (Illinois Tollway), Elk Grove Village and the Cities of Chicago and Des Plaines. This project includes elevating Touhy Avenue with new bridges over the existing Union Pacific railroad tracks and new Tollway I-490, realigning Old Higgins Road and Mt. Prospect Road and enhancing the intersection of Touhy Avenue and Elmhurst Road. These improvements are designed to alleviate congestion, enhance safety and expand access for pedestrians and cyclists, thereby improving overall traffic flow and connectivity in the region.
Click here for the project overview handout.
LATEST INFORMATION
Oct. 23, 2026: In September, the new bypass road for Touhy Avenue opened to traffic, which allowed the construction of the new bridges to start. The bridge work is anticipated to last through summer 2027. Mt. Prospect Road is also closed to traffic through the end of November 2026 to construct the new roadway alignment. Once the construction is complete, Mt. Prospect Road will re-open to traffic on the new alignment. Access to businesses along the route will be maintained throughout construction. Lastly, work is continuing on Elmhurst Road to widen the road and prepare for the new intersection with Old Higgins Road and Estes Avenue.
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PROJECT DETAILS
The Touhy Avenue project stretches from west of Elmhurst Road to east of Mt. Prospect Road. Additionally, work will occur on Elmhurst Road between Landmeier Road and Greenleaf Avenue. Mt. Prospect Road will be realigned between the entrance to O’Hare International Airport and the Union Pacific railroad crossing. Old Higgins Road will be extended east of Elmhurst Road and will curve north to form a new intersection with Touhy Avenue.
The purpose of this project is to alleviate congestion, enhance safety and accommodate the new tollway construction. This is achieved by elevating Touhy Avenue over the new Tollway I-490 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks, realigning Old Higgins Road and Mt. Prospect Road and enhancing the intersection of Touhy Avenue and Elmhurst Road. These improvements aim to facilitate better traffic flow and connectivity in the region, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and safer transportation network.
Preconstruction
2025
- Relocation of utilities
- Construction of bypass pavement
- Award of construction contract
Construction
- Construction of bypass road
- East side of Elmhurst Road
- Reconstruction of Elmhurst Road
- North and south side of Old Higgins Road
- Mt. Prospect Road
- Continue reconstruction of Touhy
2027
- Continue reconstruction of Touhy Avenue
- Touhy Avenue bridges
- Old Higgins Road extension
- Median on Elmhurst Road
- Temporary pavement removed
- Medians and curb on Elmhurst Road
2026 Work Zone Stage
Stage 1: East side of Elmhurst Road, north side of Old Higgins Road, south side of Touhy Avenue, construction of bypass road
2026 Work Zone Stage
Stage 2: West side of Elmhurst Road, south side of Estes Avenue, south side of Old Higgins Road, Mt. Prospect Road, reconstruction of Touhy Avenue, construction of bypass road
2027 Work Zone Stages
Stage 3: Construction of Touhy Avenue bridges and Old Higgins Road extension
Stage 4: Median construction on Elmhurst Road
Stage 5: Traffic moved to final configuration and temporary pavement removed
Estes Avenue Detour
- Fall 2026
- Full closure of Estes Avenue at railroad crossing
- Traffic uses Greenleaf Avenue and Nicholas Boulevard to detour around the closure
Mt. Prospect Road Detour
- Fall 2026
- Full closure of Mt. Prospect Road between Howard Avenue and Touhy Avenue
- Traffic will be detoured to Wolf Road via Touhy Avenue and Oakton Street
DoTH, IDOT, Illinois Tollway, Elk Grove Village, City of Des Plaines, City of Chicago
Where is this project?
The project is in Elk Grove Village, the City of Des Plaines and the City of Chicago along Touhy Avenue between Elmhurst and Mt. Prospect Roads. Work on Elmhurst Road, Old Higgins Road, Mt. Prospect Road and Estes Avenue will also be included.
What is the purpose of this project?
The purpose of this project is to alleviate congestion, enhance safety and accommodate the new tollway construction. This is achieved by:
- Elevating Touhy Avenue over the new Tollway I-490 and the Union Pacific railroad tracks with new bridges, eliminating delays from train traffic
- Re-aligning Old Higgins Road east of Elmhurst Road to create a new intersection at Touhy Avenue
- Re-aligning Mt. Prospect Road to a new intersection with Touhy Avenue
- Intersection improvement at Touhy Avenue and Elmhurst Road
- Installation of new storm sewer, traffic signals and lighting
- Expansion of the pedestrian and bicycle network including new multi-use paths on the east side of Elmhurst Road and the north side of Touhy Avenue
When will construction begin and how long will it take?
Construction will begin in late summer / early fall of 2025. Construction will take place throughout 2026 and 2027.
Who is the lead agency on this project?
DoTH is the lead on this project. IDOT, Illinois Tollway, Elk Grove Village, and the Cities of Des Plaines and Chicago are partners.
Framing the center of Touhy Avenue for future concrete pavement
Pouring concrete pavement on Touhy Avenue
Asphalt paving on Touhy Avenue
Looking northeast at the current intersection of Touhy Avenue and Mt. Prospect Road
Looking east down Touhy Avenue at the future Mt. Prospect Road intersection
Looking east on Touhy Avenue at the future Old Higgins Road intersection
Looking north at future Old Higgins Road
Looking northwest at the Touhy Avenue and Elmhurst Road intersection
Looking south down future Mt. Prospect Road, south of Touhy Avenue
Groundbreaking ceremony for the Touhy Avenue project on March 5, 2026