Study Initiated The section of the Eisenhower Expressway from west of Mannheim Rd. (US 12/20/45) to east of Cicero Ave. (IL Route 50), is one of the oldest segments of the region’s highway infrastructure. Serving as the western gateway to the city of Chicago and the Chicago Central Area, I-290 is a major link in the transportation network serving northeast Illinois. This study will be developed based upon taking a fresh look at the transportation needs.

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) The purpose of CSS is to gather and consider input on the project from all interested stakeholders. IDOT understands that other independent studies within the study area have similar interests intertwined with those of the I-290 project. IDOT will continue to reach out and coordinate with these stakeholder groups throughout the study process. There are many opportunities to get involved in the study process.

Federal Process The study will follow the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and will involve the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is expected to take approximately three years. NEPA is a federal law that requires federally funded projects to evaluate a range of alternatives-including doing nothing, known as “No-Build”- and assess the impacts of those alternatives on the environment.

Funding Currently, funding for Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Studies (Phase I) is available. However, no funding is currently programmed for final design and land acquisition (Phase II), or construction (Phase III).