On October 12, 2022, the CMAP Board approved an update to the ON TO 2050 long-range plan, including an updated regionally significant projects benefits report.

The arterial projects considered in ON TO 2050 are confined to larger improvements to the non-interstate portion of the National Highway System, that is, the major roadways that carry a quarter of the traffic in the region. There are many needs for traffic flow, safety, and pavement and bridge condition improvement on this roadway system alone. Most of the projects submitted are relatively short-term priorities for implementers, with construction expected in four to seven years, and with design approval already in place or anticipated to be sought before the ON TO 2050 update.

Costs displayed below are the total capital costs for the projects, including both reconstruction and new capacity, in 2018 dollars. Fiscal constraint is based on year of expenditure new capacity costs and incremental operating costs.

Multimodal symbol callout
Infographic with Capital cost, current needs and planning priorities

The North Lake Shore Drive Improvements project is a unique, complex, and multi-faceted project that would reconstruct numerous failing bridges, correct major safety deficiencies, improve severe travel time unreliability, and protect the drive from worsening storm damage. Lake Shore Drive is a very high ridership transit corridor; during the peak, buses carry 30 percent of travelers between Fullerton Avenue and Oak Street in 1 percent of the vehicles, and over the course of a full day carry 34,000 riders, more than many CTA rail branches. Treatments that provide transit priority to speed bus travel and allow for more service should be key elements of the project. The Redefine the Drive study is currently evaluating alternatives to identify the best way to improve the drive for all users, including drivers, transit riders, and lakefront park users. It is critical for the project to include managed lane strategies to help guarantee more predictable travel, with a strong emphasis on pricing strategies.

Illustration of lakeshore drive

Improvements to nonmotorized transportation are an integral component of the North Lake Shore Drive project. Source: North Lake Shore Drive Study

The following are the other constrained regionally significant arterial projects.

ProjectRSP IDCapital cost (billions)North/West limitsSouth/East limitsRationale
Central Ave151$0.1BRC Railroad54th StAddresses grade crossing that is part of CREATE( Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency )
IL-31 Front St6$0.1IL-120IL-176Addresses heavy congestion in eastern McHenry County
IL-43/Harlem Ave109$0.2BRC Railroad65th StAddresses grade crossing that is part of CREATE( Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency )
IL-47110$0.3Charles RdReed RdImproves deficient bridges and improves operations
IL-6010$0.1IL-176/ Maple AveCN RRAddresses heavy congestion in Lake County
IL-62/Algonquin Rd11$0.1IL-25IL-68Addresses safety, condition, and congestion issues
IL-83/Barron Blvd13$0.1Petite Lake RdIL-120/Belvidere RdProvides better reliability and freight mobility
IL-83/Kingery Hwy111$0.131st StCentral AveEstimated to provide significant economic benefits
IL-131/Greenbay Rd14$0.2Russell RdSunset AveProvides better reliability and has equity benefits
IL-173/Rosecrans Rd15$0.1IL-59US-41/Skokie HwyAddresses heavy congestion in Lake County
Laraway Rd55$0.2US-52Harlem AveProvides upgrade roadway to accommodate growth in corridor
Randall Rd46$0.3Corporate BoulevardNorth of Oak StProvides significant mobility and economic benefits
US-12/95th St112$0.1At Stony Island AveAddresses significant intersection operational issues
US-20/Lake St113$0.1Randall RdShales PkwyReplaces deficient bridges and makes key safety improvements
US-45/Olde Half Day Rd114$0.1IL-60/ Townline RdIL-22/Half Day RdAddresses major mobility/reliability need
Vollmer Rd145$0.1Kedzie AveWestern AveBenefits EDAs
Wilmington-Peotone Rd56$0.3IL 53Drecksler RdImproves freight movement and provides economic benefits