A new traffic configuration is in place for northbound Illinois Route 47 traffic traveling to the westbound Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) as construction is completed on a new full-access interchange in Sugar Grove.

According to an Illinois Tollway news release, electronic message signs and construction signage have been put into place to alert drivers to the new traffic pattern.

“The Illinois Tollway is committed to ensuring the roadway remains safe for both drivers and workers during construction, which is part of our overall commitment to roadway safety,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director José Alvarez. “We ask drivers to be attentive in work zones by watching for changing traffic patterns and using caution, especially when workers are present.”

During the week of Aug. 5, all traffic on Illinois Route 47 shifted to the northbound side of the road, with a single lane open in both directions. With the traffic shift complete, northbound Illinois Route 47 traveling to westbound I-88 is directed to a new ramp on the right, improving safety by eliminating the need for a left turn in front of oncoming southbound Illinois Route 47 traffic.

The existing ramp carrying traffic to westbound I-88 will remain open for use by southbound Illinois Route 47 traffic only.

Although traffic is in the new configuration, construction on the Illinois Route 47 Interchange Project will continue. Additional ramps providing new Tollway access to and from the east are scheduled to open later this year.

The Illinois Route 47 Interchange Project is being coordinated with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Kane County, Blackberry Township, the Village of Sugar Grove, as well as local fire and police departments.

The Illinois Route 47 Interchange Project will build three new ramps to accommodate travel to and from the east and improve access to westbound I-88 and also reconstruct the two existing ramps carrying traffic to and from westbound I-88. The project also includes rehabilitation of the existing Illinois Route 47 Bridge carrying traffic over I-88, including a bridge surface overlay, removal of the existing median and reconfiguration of the traffic pattern to improve travel. Additional work also includes roadway lighting and drainage improvements.

The project is funded in part by Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future. Consistent with the Tollway’s Interchange and Roadway Cost-Sharing Policy requiring local communities to cover the remaining cost of interchange improvements, the local share will be split between the Village of Sugar Grove, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Kane County.

To cover the tollway’s share of the project and ongoing maintenance costs, the Illinois Route 47 Interchange will be an all-electronic interchange with cashless toll plazas for vehicles with I-PASS located on the ramps carrying traffic to and from the east. Cars with I-PASS will pay 55 cents.

Trucks tolls will range from $1.95 to $5 during daytime hours, with overnight discounts offered. Those without I-PASS can pay their tolls online at the cash rate within the seven-day grace period. Grace period toll payments are double the I-PASS rates.

Maps, construction and detour information about the Illinois Route 47 Interchange Project is available on the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com via the Interactive Tollway Map and under “Projects Overview” in the Explore Projects section.

SOURCE: Illinois Tollway news release