Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Reviews Continued Progress on the Elgin O’Hare Western Access Project Which Will Strengthen the Region’s Economy and Create Jobs

SCHAUMBURG, IL - Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi joined with Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse and other Tollway leaders to mark the progress that has been made on the Elgin O'Hare Western Access (EOWA) project and to provide updates on construction plans for 2024. The EOWA project, which has been designated a project of regional and national significance by the Biden Administration, will connect Illinois 390 and Interstate 490, improving access to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and the surrounding businesses and communities for those traveling from west of the area. Once completed, the EOWA project is projected to significantly cut travel time between the west side of O'Hare and Lake Street (U.S. Route 20), while making local businesses and communities more accessible. As the lead Democrat and Ranking Member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi recently brokered a landmark, bipartisan agreementof 150 policy recommendations to reset the economic and technology competition with the People's Republic of China (PRC) to benefit American companies and consumers, including through making critical, growth-driving infrastructure investments like the Elgin O'Hare Western Access project.

"Like so many in our area, I travel to O'Hare Airport frequently and know firsthand how much of a difference western access will make in strengthening our region's economy and easing traffic for our communities," Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. "In addition to cutting travel time, this project will reduce congestion on local roads, attract more businesses west of O'Hare, and create as many as 65,000 new, good-paying jobs across our region by 2040. I have been proud to support this project in Congress and to work with members of both parties at every level of government. The progress we have seen today and the work that remains on this project are critical to allowing businesses in our region to thrive and better compete across our country and the world."

The EOWA project will consist of 17 miles of new road with 15 new or improved interchanges that will connect businesses and communities west of O'Hare with one of the nation's busiest airports, as well as the surrounding transit facilities, a major freight rail hub, distribution centers, and multiple interstate highways. By increasing accessibility to O'Hare, goods will be transported faster and more efficiently, easing strain on global supply chains, and strengthening the U.S. economy. The EOWA project is projected to be completed by the end of 2025.