Illinois Route 390

Illinois Route 390 Illinois Route 390 is a limited-access tollway and state highway in northeastern Illinois serving the western suburbs of Chicago. Connecting Interstate 290 near Addison to Interstate 355 near Itasca, the route provides a high-speed corridor through DuPage County and Cook County. It was developed to relieve congestion on Lake Street, link industrial centers near O'Hare International Airport and support regional traffic from Elgin and Schaumburg.

Route description

The roadway begins at a connection with Interstate 290 and proceeds east-southeast as a tolled freeway, skirting the northern edge of Addison, passing near Villa Park and Bensenville before reaching Itasca and Wood Dale. Along its alignment the highway crosses the rail corridors serving Metra commuter lines and provides interchanges serving Illinois Route 53 and U.S. Route 20. The design includes collector–distributor lanes, a landscaped median, and multi-span overpasses similar to those found on Interstate 88 and Interstate 290, accommodating freight traffic bound for O'Hare International Airport and industrial parks near Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village. Toll collection uses electronic systems compatible with I-PASS and E-ZPass networks, integrating with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority operations and the Illinois Tollway system.

History

The corridor originated as the Elgin–O'Hare Expressway concept promoted in mid-20th-century planning by authorities including Chicago Transit Authority planners, Regional Transportation Authority studies, and local governments in Cook County and DuPage County. Proposals to extend links between Elgin and O'Hare International Airport appeared alongside projects like Interstate 355 and the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, but faced controversy involving environmental impact statements, opposition from communities such as Bloomingdale and Itasca, and debates referenced during hearings involving officials from Metropolitan Planning Council and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Construction proceeded in stages: original arterial improvements on U.S. Route 20 gave way to limited-access segments funded by the Illinois Tollway Authority and supported by federal highway programs in the early 21st century. The route received the numeric designation in the 2010s after upgrades and extension to connect with I-355, with formal opening ceremonies attended by representatives from the Illinois Department of Transportation, local mayors, and regional planners.

Exit list

The route features interchanges designed for high-capacity movements and freight access. Key exits include junctions with U.S. Route 20 (Lake Street), Illinois Route 53, and ramps connecting to Interstate 355. Other notable access points serve municipal streets leading to Bensenville, Wood Dale, Itasca, and industrial corridors adjacent to O'Hare International Airport. Exit numbering follows state conventions similar to those on I-88 and I-290. Collectively the exits facilitate transfers to arterial roads, commuter transit stations served by Metra, and truck routes connecting to regional distribution centers operated by logistics firms active in Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village.

Future developments

Planned enhancements include extension concepts toward O'Hare International Airport to improve access to Terminal 5 and cargo facilities, proposals coordinated with Federal Aviation Administration stakeholders and Chicago Department of Aviation planners. Additional improvements being studied by Illinois Tollway and Illinois Department of Transportation involve ramp reconfigurations, noise mitigation measures near residential areas such as Addison and Bloomingdale, and integration with express bus or bus rapid transit services linked to Pace routes and Metra stations. Long-range scenarios in regional plans by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and proposals by elected officials aim to refine tolling policies, deploy upgraded traffic management technologies used on corridors like I-94, and evaluate commerce impacts on distribution hubs in DuPage County.

Major intersections and connections

Major connections include: - Interstate 290 (western terminus), connecting to downtown Chicago and suburbs such as Oak Park and Westchester. - U.S. Route 20 (Lake Street), linking to Elgin, Schaumburg, and Hoffman Estates. - Illinois Route 53, providing north–south access toward Arlington Heights and Naperville via connecting arterials. - Interstate 355 (eastern terminus), linking to Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, and the I-294 interchange network. These intersections tie the route into regional freight and commuter networks serving O'Hare International Airport, distribution centers operated by firms based in Schaumburg and Elk Grove Village, and transit services including Metra and Pace.

Category:Transportation in DuPage County, Illinois Category:Transportation in Cook County, Illinois