Local leaders are taking another stab at redeveloping infrastructure around the Eisenhower Expressway, and Oak Park residents are invited to take part in the process.
A community meeting to discuss potentially expanding bridge crossings over the I-290 in Oak Park is set for next week. Oak Park is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation and engineering consultant AECOM on a federally funded study to “examine community needs” for expanded bridge crossings at East Avenue, Oak Park Ave and Lombard Street.
The other Oak Park bridges over the Ike are also “planned for future reconstruction,” but are not being focused on in this study, according to the village.
The Oak Park focused session comes as IDOT works on “preliminary design” for a future I-290 reconstruction project, according to village officials.
“This initiative is a major step toward reimagining the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway corridor (‘the Ike’) and strengthening the connectivity, safety and economic vitality of our community,” the village said in a statement. “The study will focus on opportunities for expanded bridge decking over I-290, which could yield new development, public plazas and park spaces over the expressway. Your perspective is essential to capture the needs, priorities and lived experiences of residents, businesses, institutions and community partners throughout Oak Park and the surrounding region.”
The meeting is set for Tuesday, April 7 at the Oak Park Conservatory from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
I-290 is considered one of the most congested highways in the entire country, but there’s been little progress on efforts to modernize the Eisenhower Expressway and CTA Blue Line from Downtown Chicago to the western suburbs over the last 20 years. Oak Park officials have been involved with multiple studies of the corridor over the years, including a “Cap the Ike Feasibility Study” completed back in 2005.
Redeveloping the bridges could also include adding greenspace or public plazas to the bridge decks over the highway, according to the village.
Last month, Oak Park’s village board also approved the creation of a local steering committee to weigh in on the project. The committee is to be made up of representatives from six of Oak Park’s volunteer citizen commissions, the Park District of Oak Park, the CTA and the Southtown Business District, according to village documents.