Lee Street ramp for eastbound I-90 drivers coming in 2017
Eastbound Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) drivers itching to exit at Lee Street will get their wish next year.
Illinois tollway directors Tuesday approved an intergovernmental agreement with Rosemont to build an eastbound exit ramp from I-90 to Lee Street.
The tollway authority will split the cost of the $10.9 million project 50/50 with Rosemont, officials said.
The new ramp is expected to be finished by the end of 2017, however, Rosemont's village board still has to approve the intergovernmental agreement.
“We are excited that the IGA was approved today and will continue to work with tollway staff to drive the cost down in the process of finalizing the drawings and pricing the project,” Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens said.
The future Lee Street exit is located near the Allstate Arena, Rivers Casino and O'Hare International Airport.
Des Plaines officials are in talks with Rosemont about contributing to the ramp, but no formal arrangements have been announced.
The towns have lobbied for the new access for months with the hope that making it easier for drivers to reach local attractions will spur economic development.
The tollway is wrapping up a major rebuilding and widening of the Jane Addams this year. The project includes expanding partial interchanges, such as Elmhurst Road, where access has been limited to travel to and from Chicago.
Rosemont has four years to reimburse the tollway.