On Aug. 26 Board members of the Illinois Tollway approved an I-88 Peace Road–ramp reconstruction project for both the westbound on-ramp and the eastbound off-ramp to Peace Road. Both will be completely resurfaced.

“Each ramp will be completely remodeled from start to finish,” said Ill-State Representative Bob Pritchard (D-Hinckley).

The Peace Road ramp project is scheduled to begin in mid-September and will be completed by the end of the year. The reconstruction of the ramps has an estimated budget of $2.18 million.

“Our funding [for this project] comes from toll revenue and does not receive any federal dollars for tollway maintenance,” said Illinois Tollway spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis.

The I-88 Peace Road ramps first opened in the mid 1970’s.

Bill Finucane, who is the manager of traffic at NIU said the ramps are deteriorating and need replacement.

“The potholes along the edge of the road can be dangerous,” he said.

News that the ramps would be closing soon was not embraced with open arms from all DeKalb residents and students.

“I feel like they [Illinois Tollway] should not close those ramps,” said Juanita Wyatt, sophomore forensic science major. “I refuse to pay the toll fee at Annie Glidden and would rather exit from Peace Road where I only have to pay 80 cents.”

While construction is still not completed students and visitors should expect delays in traffic as well as a $1.10 toll fee to pass to and from Annie Glidden Road.

“We always take Peace Road instead of Annie Glidden,” said Katie Doonan, junior engineering major.

Finucane warns drivers to allow extra time to drive to the Annie Glidden Road exit. “Huskie football fans should be prepared for higher than normal traffic counts at the Annie Glidden road exit.”