Bridging the Ike

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Bridging the Ike logo

The Village of Oak Park, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), is undertaking a renewed study funded by federal earmarks to examine existing conditions and future possibilities for the I-290 bridge crossings within the Village limits. Since the 2005 Cap the Ike Feasibility Study, the Village has been working with IDOT to plan for the reconstruction of I-290. This latest study builds from this collaboration effort and is focused on identifying how these crossings can be improved to benefit the Oak Park community.

Public Information Meeting
On April 7, the Village of Oak Park and its consultant team invite community members to take part in a public information meeting in an open house format from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Rubinstein Community Room at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St. This initial meeting serves as an opportunity to introduce the project and solicit resident feedback to understand the important issues that will help develop and refine the improvement opportunities at these bridges. For anyone unable to attend, public comments will be collected on this page through May 5, 2026.

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 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 collective community voice will help shape this project. We hope you will join us!

The Village of Oak Park, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), is undertaking a renewed study funded by federal earmarks to examine existing conditions and future possibilities for the I-290 bridge crossings within the Village limits. Since the 2005 Cap the Ike Feasibility Study, the Village has been working with IDOT to plan for the reconstruction of I-290. This latest study builds from this collaboration effort and is focused on identifying how these crossings can be improved to benefit the Oak Park community.

Public Information Meeting
On April 7, the Village of Oak Park and its consultant team invite community members to take part in a public information meeting in an open house format from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Rubinstein Community Room at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St. This initial meeting serves as an opportunity to introduce the project and solicit resident feedback to understand the important issues that will help develop and refine the improvement opportunities at these bridges. For anyone unable to attend, public comments will be collected on this page through May 5, 2026.

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 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 collective community voice will help shape this project. We hope you will join us!

Questions

Have a question? Submit it here, and a member of the project team will get back to you promptly. Please sign in to add your question. 

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  • Share If this were to happen, what is the financial responsibility of the village of Oak Park? Would this increase property taxes to blow pay our portion? on Facebook Share If this were to happen, what is the financial responsibility of the village of Oak Park? Would this increase property taxes to blow pay our portion? on Twitter Share If this were to happen, what is the financial responsibility of the village of Oak Park? Would this increase property taxes to blow pay our portion? on Linkedin Email If this were to happen, what is the financial responsibility of the village of Oak Park? Would this increase property taxes to blow pay our portion? link

    If this were to happen, what is the financial responsibility of the village of Oak Park? Would this increase property taxes to blow pay our portion?

    Courtney White asked 17 days ago

    The Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study phase of the project will include an exploration of potential funding mechanisms, including grant funding. While the current phase of the project will not develop a specific funding plan, it will collect resident feedback to inform future work.

  • Share The big issue I have with the possibility of adding a deck somewhere along the Eisenhower, regardless if it’s in Oak Park or other villages, is the cost. We are talking many millions of dollars for a want and not a need. That type of money could go to fund special need areas like homelessness or mental health needs. Capping the Ike would be so cost-prohibitive that it would make the real needs of the community at risk. Totally a luxury item and not at all a need. on Facebook Share The big issue I have with the possibility of adding a deck somewhere along the Eisenhower, regardless if it’s in Oak Park or other villages, is the cost. We are talking many millions of dollars for a want and not a need. That type of money could go to fund special need areas like homelessness or mental health needs. Capping the Ike would be so cost-prohibitive that it would make the real needs of the community at risk. Totally a luxury item and not at all a need. on Twitter Share The big issue I have with the possibility of adding a deck somewhere along the Eisenhower, regardless if it’s in Oak Park or other villages, is the cost. We are talking many millions of dollars for a want and not a need. That type of money could go to fund special need areas like homelessness or mental health needs. Capping the Ike would be so cost-prohibitive that it would make the real needs of the community at risk. Totally a luxury item and not at all a need. on Linkedin Email The big issue I have with the possibility of adding a deck somewhere along the Eisenhower, regardless if it’s in Oak Park or other villages, is the cost. We are talking many millions of dollars for a want and not a need. That type of money could go to fund special need areas like homelessness or mental health needs. Capping the Ike would be so cost-prohibitive that it would make the real needs of the community at risk. Totally a luxury item and not at all a need. link

    The big issue I have with the possibility of adding a deck somewhere along the Eisenhower, regardless if it’s in Oak Park or other villages, is the cost. We are talking many millions of dollars for a want and not a need. That type of money could go to fund special need areas like homelessness or mental health needs. Capping the Ike would be so cost-prohibitive that it would make the real needs of the community at risk. Totally a luxury item and not at all a need.

    David Wick asked 17 days ago

    The Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study phase of the project will include an exploration of potential funding mechanisms, including grant funding. While the current phase of the project will not develop a specific funding plan, it will collect resident feedback to inform future work.

  • Share Who will fund any bridging the Ike work? I’ve lived a block and a half south of the expressway for 32 years, and it’s FINE down here. My taxes are still less than $9K, so I’m not one of the folks being taxed out of this community. But ENOUGH. Just stop with the utopian plans that are erasing our racial and economic diversity. on Facebook Share Who will fund any bridging the Ike work? I’ve lived a block and a half south of the expressway for 32 years, and it’s FINE down here. My taxes are still less than $9K, so I’m not one of the folks being taxed out of this community. But ENOUGH. Just stop with the utopian plans that are erasing our racial and economic diversity. on Twitter Share Who will fund any bridging the Ike work? I’ve lived a block and a half south of the expressway for 32 years, and it’s FINE down here. My taxes are still less than $9K, so I’m not one of the folks being taxed out of this community. But ENOUGH. Just stop with the utopian plans that are erasing our racial and economic diversity. on Linkedin Email Who will fund any bridging the Ike work? I’ve lived a block and a half south of the expressway for 32 years, and it’s FINE down here. My taxes are still less than $9K, so I’m not one of the folks being taxed out of this community. But ENOUGH. Just stop with the utopian plans that are erasing our racial and economic diversity. link

    Who will fund any bridging the Ike work? I’ve lived a block and a half south of the expressway for 32 years, and it’s FINE down here. My taxes are still less than $9K, so I’m not one of the folks being taxed out of this community. But ENOUGH. Just stop with the utopian plans that are erasing our racial and economic diversity.

    Cranky in the OP asked 17 days ago

    Bridging the Ike is federally funded for the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) study phase. This project will include an exploration of potential funding mechanisms, including grant funding. While the current phase of the project will not develop a specific funding plan, it will collect resident feedback to inform future work. Future phases of the project including preliminary design, final design, and construction are not currently funded.

  • Share Are our neighbors also part of this? Chicago? River Forest? Maywood? Surely more buy-in is better! on Facebook Share Are our neighbors also part of this? Chicago? River Forest? Maywood? Surely more buy-in is better! on Twitter Share Are our neighbors also part of this? Chicago? River Forest? Maywood? Surely more buy-in is better! on Linkedin Email Are our neighbors also part of this? Chicago? River Forest? Maywood? Surely more buy-in is better! link

    Are our neighbors also part of this? Chicago? River Forest? Maywood? Surely more buy-in is better!

    Jahred asked 17 days ago

    The Bridging the Ike study is focused on the bridges at East Avenue, Oak Park Avenue and Lombard Avenue. Please see the FAQ’s for more background information. While these three bridges are fully within the limits of Oak Park, the Bridging the Ike study will include coordination with the I-290 Connect Program, which is establishing coordination between all agencies and communities impacted by the reconstruction of the I-290/Blue Line corridor project. 

     

  • Share Is there any invesigation of fixing the awful traffic jam that are our left entrances and exits? They're pretty terrible, and it feels a shame to do all this work without fixing that on Facebook Share Is there any invesigation of fixing the awful traffic jam that are our left entrances and exits? They're pretty terrible, and it feels a shame to do all this work without fixing that on Twitter Share Is there any invesigation of fixing the awful traffic jam that are our left entrances and exits? They're pretty terrible, and it feels a shame to do all this work without fixing that on Linkedin Email Is there any invesigation of fixing the awful traffic jam that are our left entrances and exits? They're pretty terrible, and it feels a shame to do all this work without fixing that link

    Is there any invesigation of fixing the awful traffic jam that are our left entrances and exits? They're pretty terrible, and it feels a shame to do all this work without fixing that

    Jahred asked 17 days ago

    The entrances and exits to I-290 will be improved through separate projects for the Harlem Avenue and Austin Boulevard bridges led by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) as part of the planned I-290 improvements. The preliminary designs for the bridges at Harlem and Austin aims to address traffic concerns, and the Village will continue coordination with IDOT as its designs progress.

  • Share If Home Ave is connected for vehicle traffic over the highway, what measures will be taken to prevent this street from being abused by through traffic attempting to bypass the Harlem/290 interchange? on Facebook Share If Home Ave is connected for vehicle traffic over the highway, what measures will be taken to prevent this street from being abused by through traffic attempting to bypass the Harlem/290 interchange? on Twitter Share If Home Ave is connected for vehicle traffic over the highway, what measures will be taken to prevent this street from being abused by through traffic attempting to bypass the Harlem/290 interchange? on Linkedin Email If Home Ave is connected for vehicle traffic over the highway, what measures will be taken to prevent this street from being abused by through traffic attempting to bypass the Harlem/290 interchange? link

    If Home Ave is connected for vehicle traffic over the highway, what measures will be taken to prevent this street from being abused by through traffic attempting to bypass the Harlem/290 interchange?

    peterbuhrke asked 19 days ago

    The Home Avenue bridge is planned to be replaced as a pedestrian and bicycle only bridge. The Home Avenue bridge is being designed separately from the Bridging the Ike study, though there will be close collaboration between the two projects. A separate project page for the Home Avenue bridge project will be posted on Engage Oak Park in the coming weeks.

Page last updated: 18 Mar 2026, 02:59 PM