Edens Expressway
Encyclopedia
The Edens Expressway is the main major expressway
north from the city of Chicago
. For most of its length, the Edens carries Interstate 94
; it also carries U.S. Route 41
from Wilmette
to its northern terminus. Only the short portion from the Spur Ramp to the expressway's end in Highland Park does not carry I-94. It was the first expressway in Chicago and was opened on December 20, 1951. It has three lanes in each direction. The original name of the expressway was the Edens Parkway, named after William G. Edens, a banker and early advocate for paved roads. He was a sponsor of Illinois' first highway bond issue in 1918.
in Chicago north to the Edens Spur of the Tri-State Tollway
in Northbrook
. U.S. Route 41
joins I-94 just north of Skokie
until the junction with the Edens Spur. At that point, I-94 diverges onto the spur, while U.S. Highway 41 remains on the mainline as the Skokie Highway
, continuing north through the northern suburbs of Chicago.
On April 4, 2008 the Illinois Department of Transportation
(IDOT) closed one lane in each direction for the entire length of the freeway. The closures, lasting until August 2008, occurred in advance of patching and resurfacing of the mainline. In addition, the $42.8 million project will rehabilitate six bridges and improve drainage at four underpasses.
Controlled-access highway
A controlled-access highway is a highway designed exclusively for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow and ingress/egress regulated...
north from the city of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. For most of its length, the Edens carries Interstate 94
Interstate 94 in Illinois
In the U.S. state of Illinois, Interstate 94 generally runs north–south through the northeastern portion of the state, in Lake and Cook Counties. It is marked east–west in Illinois in accordance with its general alignment across the country, although some entrances on the Tri-State...
; it also carries U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 in Illinois
In the U.S. state of Illinois, U.S. Route 41 runs north from the Indiana border beneath the Chicago Skyway on Indianapolis Boulevard to the Wisconsin border north of the northern terminus of the Tri-State Tollway with Interstate 94. It is the only north–south U.S...
from Wilmette
Wilmette, Illinois
Wilmette is a village in New Trier Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located north of Chicago's downtown district and has a population of 27,651. Wilmette is considered a bedroom community in the North Shore district...
to its northern terminus. Only the short portion from the Spur Ramp to the expressway's end in Highland Park does not carry I-94. It was the first expressway in Chicago and was opened on December 20, 1951. It has three lanes in each direction. The original name of the expressway was the Edens Parkway, named after William G. Edens, a banker and early advocate for paved roads. He was a sponsor of Illinois' first highway bond issue in 1918.
Route description
Northbound, the expressway runs from the Kennedy ExpresswayKennedy Expressway
The John F. Kennedy Expressway is a long highway that travels northwest from the Chicago Loop to O'Hare International Airport. The expressway is named for the 35th U.S. President, John F. Kennedy. The Interstate 90 portion of the Kennedy is a part of the much longer I-90...
in Chicago north to the Edens Spur of the Tri-State Tollway
Tri-State Tollway
The Tri-State Tollway is a U.S. toll road maintained by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority in northeastern Illinois which is considered one of the most heavily traveled highways in the country...
in Northbrook
Northbrook, Illinois
Northbrook is a village located at the northern edge of Cook County, Illinois, which is also a North Shore suburb of Chicago. The population was 33,170 at the 2010 census....
. U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 in Illinois
In the U.S. state of Illinois, U.S. Route 41 runs north from the Indiana border beneath the Chicago Skyway on Indianapolis Boulevard to the Wisconsin border north of the northern terminus of the Tri-State Tollway with Interstate 94. It is the only north–south U.S...
joins I-94 just north of Skokie
Skokie, Illinois
Skokie is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Its name comes from a Native American word for "fire". A Chicago suburb, for many years Skokie promoted itself as "The World's Largest Village". Its population, per the 2000 census, was 63,348...
until the junction with the Edens Spur. At that point, I-94 diverges onto the spur, while U.S. Highway 41 remains on the mainline as the Skokie Highway
Skokie Highway
The Skokie Highway is a major arterial highway running north of Chicago through the far northeastern portion of the U.S. state of Illinois. It runs from the intersection of Illinois Route 50 in Skokie north to the Wisconsin state line at Interstate 94 near Wadsworth. All of the Skokie Highway is...
, continuing north through the northern suburbs of Chicago.
History
The Edens was last rehabilitated from 1978 through 1980.On April 4, 2008 the Illinois Department of Transportation
Illinois Department of Transportation
The Illinois Department of Transportation is a state agency in charge of state-maintained public roadways of the U.S. state of Illinois. In addition, IDOT provides funding for rail, public transit and airport projects and administers fuel tax and federal funding to local juridictions in the...
(IDOT) closed one lane in each direction for the entire length of the freeway. The closures, lasting until August 2008, occurred in advance of patching and resurfacing of the mainline. In addition, the $42.8 million project will rehabilitate six bridges and improve drainage at four underpasses.