Elmhurst and Villa Park drivers heading west on I-290 cannot reach I-294 during the Labor Day weekend beginning Friday, Sept. 4.

Both the westbound I-290 ramp to northbound I-294 and the westbound I-290 ramp to southbound I-294 are closed, according to the Illinois Tollway's Labor Day travel advisory issued Thursday, Sept. 3. The northbound Halsted Street ramp to southbound I-294 is also closed. Detour signs are posted at each closure, the advisory said.

The closures are part of the Illinois Tollway's $4 billion Central Tri-State reconstruction project, which has been rebuilding the I-290/I-88 interchange at I-294 since 2018. The project is scheduled for completion in 2027. The interchange ranked as the most congested freight bottleneck in the country, according to the American Transportation Research Institute's annual list, as reported by i-290blueline.com.

In December 2025, at a ribbon-cutting for a new I-294 ramp to County Line Road near Elmhurst, Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse described the long-running problem. "For years, congestion on the I-290 interchange limited access from I-294," Rouse told the Daily Herald. "It created bottlenecks that affected commuters … affected freight movement, and local businesses."

More drivers expected

The Tollway projects more than 8.5 million vehicles will use its 294-mile system between Friday, Sept. 4, and Tuesday, Sept. 8. That is up from 8.2 million over the same period in 2025, Suburban Chicagoland reported.

The Tollway projects Friday, Sept. 4, as the busiest day, with more than 2 million vehicles on the system. Tuesday, Sept. 8, could see more than 1.8 million. On an average day, about 1.7 million vehicles use the Tollway.

Most temporary construction lane closures will be suspended from noon Friday, Sept. 4, through 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8. Some work may continue behind barriers. Construction zone speed limits remain in effect around the clock.

Gas prices and roadside help

Filling up costs more in 2026. Illinois' average price for regular gasoline hit $4.32 per gallon as of Friday, Sept. 4, up from $3.49 a year ago, according to AAA data reported by Shaw Local.

The Tollway urged drivers who break down to pull onto the shoulder, turn on hazard lights, stay inside the vehicle and call *999 for roadside assistance.

The Highway Emergency Lane Patrol, or H.E.L.P., is available from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday to change tires, jump-start batteries, add coolant, dispense fuel or call a tow truck. Drivers should call 911 only for life-threatening emergencies such as a vehicle fire.

Construction lane closures resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8.