New I-355 Extension To Open Soon. Let's Connect The Illiana Expressway With I-355!

I-355 South Extension
aka the
Veterans Memorial Tollway
could open Nov. 12

A southern extension of I-355 in Illinois' Will County will connect I-80 with I-55, offering a new option for travelers heading north to Illinois' northwestern burbs. The Chicago Tribune reports that the new I-355 extension is the first new toll road built in Illinois in 20 years.

Here's a link to a map (PDF) of the I-355 South Extension.

All we need now to relieve Northwest Indiana's road congestion is to built the Illiana Expressway from I-65 to I-57, then from I-57 to I-80 as an extension linking Northwest Indiana with Illinois' Northwest suburbs.

Here's something cool for people interested in getting an up close look at the new project. The Illinois Tollway is planning to let people walk, bike and rollerblade on the new section of the roadway as part of the I-355 Southern Extension's opening celebrations.

The Illinois Tollway, Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) and SALUTE, Inc. are offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for families to run, walk or roll on the new 12.5-mile I-355 South Extension from I-55 to I-80 as part of the Nov. 11, Grand-Opening Celebration and Commemoration for the new Veterans Memorial Tollway. Proceeds from the 5K Family Run, Walk and Roll will go to programs supporting active military personnel, Veterans and their families.

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