Interstate 90

Major Projects

Snoqualmie Pass

A partnership between the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and several conservation groups to invest in wildlife corridors and protected habitats for species native to the Cascade Mountains resulted from the project to expand capacity along Interstate 90 between Hyak and Eaton. These wildlife structures allow for continuous range for a variety of animals that may migrate over the freeway. For more information on the wildlife overpasses, visit Interstate 90 Wildlife Bridges.10

Work on the three phase project commenced in Spring 2009 on Phase I, Hyak to Keechelus. Wrapping up in Fall 2018 2019, $453 million in construction involved adding a new lane per direction, bridge and culvert replacement, pavement replacement and improving sharp curves. Phase II ran between Summer 2015 and Fall 2018 2019 at a cost of $110 million. It improved a two mile stretch of I-90 from Keechelus Dam to the Stampede Pass interchange.

Work on Phase III, costing $335 million and scheduled for construction between Summer 2001 and Fall 2025 Summer 2022 to Fall 2028, improves the easternmost six miles of the project area with widening, pavement replacement and truck climbing lanes. Phase IV follows from Summer 2026 to Fall 2029. The $206 million project adds an additional lane per direction, replaces the concrete pavement, adds wildlife crossings and a chain-up area, and straightens portions of the roadway.

Rapid City Area

Several modifications were made to Interstate 90 from Rapid City east to Box Elder. Road work finished in 2009 realigned a portion of the freeway near Blackhawk, consolidating a split interchange with Sturgis Road (old U.S. 14/SD 79) and removing an S-curve along the mainline. Further southeast, the directional T interchange joining I-90 and I-190 was redesigned into a trumpet interchange, removing left exit ramps along westbound. Additionally the exchange provides enough separation from the adjacent SPUI (Exit 58) at Haines Avenue.

Further east at Exit 60, the wye interchange from I-90 west to U.S. 16 west was eliminated and replaced with a SPUI at Business Loop I-90 (E North Street). A third area SPUI replaced the diamond interchange at Exit 61 with U.S. 16 Truck and SD 79 south as well.

The parclo interchange at Exit 66 closed on October 1, 2003. This closure coincided with the Summer 2003 opening of a new parclo interchange at Exit 67 with nearby Liberty Boulevard. Liberty Boulevard, which links I-90 to the Ellsworth A.F.B. main gate, and the new exchange were constructed after successful lobbying by local officials. The move was made to address concerns about commercial development in the “accident-potential zone” to the south of the Ellsworth runway.2

Jane Addams (Northwest) Tollway

I-39 and I-90 combine along the Jane Addams Memorial [Northwest] Tollway between the Illinois-Wisconsin State Line and east side of Rockford. A portion of this stretch, from Rockton Road south to the split with I-39, was expanded to six overall lanes with advance work commencing in 2007. Widening was finished from Rockton Road / Exit 3 to the South Beloit Toll Plaza in 2008 and along eastbound from the toll plaza to U.S. 20 Business (State Street). Completion of the project by November 24, 2009 focused on the westbound lanes from the South Beloit Toll Plaza north to Rockton Road and along both roadways south from State Street to Newburg Road.21

The Cherry Valley Interchange project, which started in 2008, involved reconstructing the connection between Interstate 90 (Jane Addams Memorial Tollway) and I-39 in Rockford. The project was completed on November 13, 2010.20

This $89 million project was made possible as a result of Illinois Tollway’s $6.3 billion Congestion-Relief Program – Open Roads for a Faster Future announced in 2005. The work redesigned the interchange with new ramps, including a high speed connection from I-39 north to I-90 west. The original trumpet interchange at Cherry Valley opened in 1972 with the U.S. 20 bypass.20

Chicago Skyway