Closures and detours in place on Runge Road at Franklin Avenue in Franklin Park

A long-term closure and detour of Runge Street in Franklin Park began July 20 as part of a Cook County roadway improvement project supporting the Illinois Tollway’s I-490/Franklin Avenue Interchange Project.

Construction signage will be installed to alert drivers to closures and detours, which are necessary for safety in the work zone. Up-to-date closure information will be posted on the Tollway website in the Daily Construction Alert. All work is weather dependent. Runge Street is closed at Franklin Avenue for roadway reconstruction, with a posted detour routing traffic south on Wolf Road then west on Addison Avenue to access Runge Street. The detour is scheduled to remain through early August.

Coordination for construction involves Cook County, DuPage County, Village of Bensenville, Village of Franklin Park, Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DoTH), as well as local fire and police departments. The Illinois Tollway is constructing a new full-access interchange connecting the I-490 Tollway to Franklin Avenue, providing direct access to the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and improving mobility in Bensenville and Franklin Park.

The multi-phase project includes building new interchange ramps at Franklin Avenue, reconstructing Franklin Avenue/Green Street with Cook County partnership, constructing part of the I-490 mainline, and improving local road connections to alleviate congestion and facilitate seamless access to the interchange. Project information for Cook County’s improvements can be found on DoTH’s website; details about work related to I-490 are available on the Illinois Tollway’s website.

Construction zone speed limits are enforced 24/7. Drivers should watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution when workers are present. The Illinois Move Over Law requires motorists to change lanes or slow down when passing vehicles with hazard lights activated; penalties include fines up to $25,000 or jail time for violations involving worker injury.