I-290 Eisenhower Expressway/Blue Line Corridor project gets boost

llinois Department of Transportation, the Chicago Transit Authority and the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency forge new partnership to invest in corridor.

A shared goal of a modernized and improved I-290 Blue Line Corridor is advancing with action taken today to invest in a corridor development office (CDO).

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and the Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency (CMAP) are partnering to create a unified approach and advance progress on this critical multi-modal corridor with a commitment to improving mobility, accessibility and quality of life for motorists, transit riders, residents and corridor communities.

“Our most significant achievements in Illinois happen when partners and stakeholders come together and work toward a common goal,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “I-290 serves a vital role moving people across multiple modes of transportation, but it’s in dire need of improvement and modernization. This agreement with the CTA and CMAP is an important step toward developing a new vision to best serve the Chicago area and communities up and down the corridor.”

The I-290/Blue Line – constructed in the late 1950’s – was the nation’s first-of-its kind multi-modal corridor integrating highway and rail. Over the decades, the infrastructure within the corridor has aged and travel demand has exceeded the roadway’s design capacity resulting in poor roadway operations and safety. Additionally, the Blue Line Forest Park branch has deteriorated, suffering from slow zones and hard-to-access rail stations.

“Thanks to this partnership with IDOT and CMAP, the CTA is in a better position to advance its ongoing efforts to provide better, speedier, more reliable and accessible services to all Chicago transit users along the entire Forest Park Branch of the Blue Line,” said CTA President Dorval L. Carter, Jr. “In addition to serving all our riders, the Forest Park Branch is critical to Chicago’s West Side communities, connecting people to the Illinois Medical District, several schools and colleges as well as numerous growing employment centers.”

The partnership (formalized through a Joint Statement of Understanding) outlines a unified vision and guiding principles to improve mobility, and enhance safety and accessibility, among other improvements.

IDOT is contributing $6.25 million, CTA $3.5 million and CMAP $1.25 million for a CDO to provide strategic support toward program visioning, coordinating and sequencing projects, developing funding plans, supporting coordination with federal partners, tracking progress, and strategic communications and messaging.

At today’s CMAP Board meeting, a contract was awarded to global engineering and construction firm CDM Smith and their diverse team of sub-consultants. The selected team is comprised of 39% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) businesses, which exceeds the required 25% DBE goal. The CTA Board will take further action in support of this project this fall.

CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman said, “CMAP serves the region through partnerships, collaboration and convening to influence policies and solve problems. We can look to successes like the CREATE Program and Rebuild Illinois that demonstrate when we work together as a region, bring more voices together, we are stronger and can do more. CMAP is proud to be at the table again with our partners to bring innovation and creative approaches to improve northeastern Illinois.”

State leaders have already taken action to maintain this program as a regional and statewide priority. In 2022, both chambers passed Senate Resolution 31 calling for the federal government to provide resources necessary to expedite this program.

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon said, “The proposed upgrades to the Eisenhower Expressway and Blue Line offer us a once-in-a-lifetime chance to decrease commute times, reconnect communities and improve safety. This project has been a priority of mine since my first days in office. I thank IDOT, CTA and CMAP for their collaboration in advancing it.”

“I’m looking forward to this next step in our efforts to improve transportation along the CTA Blue Line and the I-290 expressway,” said Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch. “We know this corridor provides our western suburbs with access to Chicago, and it’s critically important for the economic viability for the entire region. That’s why I’m a proud champion of this project and the smart investments we’re making to improve accessibility and mobility for the communities in this region.”