If you were trying to get through the western suburbs this morning, you probably noticed the sea of red brake lights. It was a mess. An I-355 accident today turned the morning commute into a waiting game for thousands of drivers across DuPage and Will Counties. While the Veterans Memorial Tollway is usually the "faster" alternative to the surface roads like Route 53, today it felt like a parking lot.
Honestly, the stretch near the I-290/I-355 interchange has been a hotspot lately. This morning’s incident added to a string of recent collisions that have local commuters on edge.
The I-355 Accident Today: Breaking Down the Congestion
Traffic came to a grinding halt early this morning. Most of the trouble centered around the northbound lanes, particularly as drivers approached the Butterfield Road area. According to real-time traffic data from Travel Midwest, speeds dropped to a crawl, with some segments reporting averages as low as 15 MPH.
That’s basically a walking pace for a highway designed for 65.
It wasn't just one spot, either. When an accident happens on a tollway with limited exits, the "accordion effect" is brutal. You've got people trying to merge late, others gawking at the flashing lights of the Illinois State Police (ISP), and suddenly a 5-minute delay becomes 45 minutes. By the time the tow trucks cleared the scene, the backup stretched all the way south toward the Boughton Road toll plaza.
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Why This Specific Stretch is So Dangerous
If you drive this route often, you know the I-290 and I-355 interchange in Itasca is a beast. Earlier this month, on January 3, 2026, a horrific rollover crash occurred right where the westbound I-290 meets southbound I-355. Three people lost their lives when their vehicle hit a bridge support column.
Bridge piers are unforgiving. They don't move.
When a car hits a rigid structure at highway speeds, the physics are terrifying. There is no crumple zone for the bridge. In today's incident, while thankfully less severe than the Itasca tragedy, the location still caused a massive logistical headache for emergency responders trying to navigate through the gridlock.
Navigating the Tollway Safety Hazards
We have to talk about Scott’s Law. It’s also known as the "Move Over" law, and it is a huge deal in Illinois right now. Already in 2026, we’ve seen multiple ISP squad cars struck by drivers who weren't paying attention.
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One recent crash on I-88 near Rock Falls involved a driver who just didn't slow down for a curve and spun right into a trooper.
If you see those blue and red lights on the side of I-355, you must change lanes if it's safe. If you can't change lanes, you have to slow down significantly. The fines are no joke—anywhere from $250 to $10,000 for a first offense. But more than the money, it's about not killing the people trying to clear the road so you can get home.
Recent Incidents on I-355 and Surrounding Routes
- Wrong-Way Drivers: Just recently, a fatal head-on collision occurred near the Des Plaines River bridge on I-355. A driver going north in the southbound lanes caused a catastrophe.
- Construction Zones: The Illinois Tollway is currently deep into the "Move Illinois" capital program. This means random lane shifts and overnight closures near the Roosevelt Road interchange.
- Winter Weather: January in Illinois is unpredictable. Even a light dusting of snow can turn the ramps in Woodridge or Bolingbrook into ice rinks.
What to Do If You're Stuck in Tollway Traffic
First off, stop checking your phone for the latest "I-355 accident today" updates while the car is moving. I know it's tempting. But "rubbernecking" is a leading cause of secondary accidents.
If you’re stuck, here’s the play. Use a live navigation app like Waze or Google Maps, but set it before you put the car in gear. These apps are pretty good at rerouting you through Lemont or Downers Grove if the tollway is totally blocked. Also, keep an eye on the overhead electronic message signs. The Tollway authorities are usually quick to post "Accident Ahead" or "Left Lane Blocked" warnings.
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Practical Steps for Local Drivers
Driving the Veterans Memorial Tollway requires more than just paying your I-PASS bill. It requires a bit of strategy, especially during the winter months when the "bridge freezes before road" signs are actually telling the truth.
- Check the Cameras: Before you leave the house, check the IDOT or Travel Midwest live camera feeds. The I-355 at I-88 camera is a great way to see if the interchange is a disaster.
- Increase Following Distance: Most of the "fender benders" that cause these massive delays are caused by tailgating. If you give yourself an extra car length, you might actually avoid being part of the next news report.
- Respect the Work Zones: Speed limits in construction zones are enforced 24/7, even if you don't see workers. The lanes are narrower and the margins for error are razor-thin.
The I-355 accident today eventually cleared, and traffic patterns returned to their typical "Friday-ish" heavy flow. However, the recurring theme of high-speed collisions in the western suburbs suggests that the "Veterans Memorial" is a road that demands your full attention every single time you merge onto it.
Stay alert and keep your eyes on the road, not the wreckage. If you're heading out later this evening, be sure to check for any overnight lane closures scheduled for bridge maintenance near 75th Street.