Old Orchard Road Improvements

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, including the I-94 interchange with Old Orchard Road. 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.

Throughout the duration of the project, various traffic staging will result in the reduction of travel lanes – see below for detour and maintenance of traffic exhibits.

LATEST INFORMATION - MARCH 4, 2024
Work is anticipated to begin in spring of 2024 with tree removal, erosion control measures, traffic signal removal and temporary traffic signal installation. Old Orchard Road medians will also be removed and replaced with temporary pavement to allow for traffic staging. A temporary sidewalk will also be installed on the north side of Old Orchard Road to accommodate pedestrians during construction.

There will be a reduction in the number of lanes on Old Orchard Road, but a minimum of one lane in each direction will always be maintained.

Please allow extra time to reach your destinations. Access to all side streets will be maintained at all times.

PROJECT LOCATION
Improvements will begin at the intersection of Old Orchard Road and Woods Drive and extend one mile east to Skokie Boulevard. Additionally, improvements will occur along the I-94 westbound exit ramp, eastbound exit ramp, westbound entrance ramp, Lawler Avenue, Lavergne Avenue, Bronx Avenue and Lamon Avenue.

PROJECT PURPOSE
The purpose of the improvement is to alleviate congestion and increase safety. The project includes the addition of turn lanes at the I-94 eastbound ramps and Old Orchard Road intersection, pavement widening, bridge widening of the IDOT bridge over I-94 and installation of storm sewers, traffic signals and lighting. The project will include construction of a new multi-use path on the south side of Old Orchard Road, providing access to the North Branch Cook County Forest Preserve Trail.

PROJECT TIMELINE
The preconstruction stage began in 2023; 2024-2025 will see the bulk of construction; 2026 is planned for final completion. 

PROJECT WORK ZONE STAGES

Old Orchard Road lanes will be reduced, however one lane in each direction will always be maintained and side street access will always be maintained.