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Jane Addams Rebuild Starts This Year

Tollway officials are giving northern Illinois residents a "heads up" about a major road project scheduled to begin this year. Open house meetings are being held this week to give motorists a chance to learn more about the Jane Addams Tollway rebuild.In addition to a reconstruction of the roadway, plans call for adding new traffic lanes along I-90 between Rockford and Chicago.

This spring, crews will begin work on the eastbound side between Rockford and Elgin. Next year, crews will tear up the westbound side along that stretch. Between 2014 and 2016, the same work will be performed along the section of the tollway that reaches Chicago.

Tom Palmer lives near Marengo. He says that,  while there may be some traffic headaches over the next few summers, he's looking forward to an easier commute once the project is complete.

"It will be a more enjoyable ride" Palmer says.

Carol Quandt of Hampshire says she believes the overhaul will enhance the region when it comes growth.

"It enlarges all of us in the community for commerce and jobs," Quandt said.

The project, which comes with a price tag of more than $2-billion dollars, also calls for bridge replacement work, meaning there will be plenty of detours for roads that cross the tollway.