A sizeable pothole wreaked havoc on the Tri-State Tollway early this morning, leaving approximately 30 vehicles stranded with flat tires. According to ABC7 Chicago, the incident occurred on I-294 near 83rd Street in Justice, with initial reports coming in around 8:30 a.m. The pothole, measuring a substantial 8 feet by 3 feet, caused major disruptions as crews were hastily deployed to mend the extensive damage.
As a result of the unexpected pitfall in the pavement, Illinois State Police were compelled to shut down the two left lanes, expecting the closure to stretch on for a couple of hours for repair works to take place. WGN-TV reports that several vehicles suffered tire blowouts due to the pothole—located in the right northbound lanes—with video from SkyCam9 showing workers on the scene actively trying to fill in the gaping chasm.
Travelers on the tollway experienced significant delays as a backlog of traffic built up while crews were on-site. In response, authorities advised drivers to seek alternative routes where possible to avoid further congestion. As aerial footage captured the extent of the problem, it became evident that an immediate solution was necessary to restore normal traffic flow.
Illinois State Police confirmed that around 30 vehicles were affected by the pothole. Delays continued as emergency workers and road crews worked diligently to resolve the situation, filling the pothole that had quickly become the center of an unplanned obstruction on one of the busiest thoroughfares in the suburbs. Travelers caught in the situation shared their frustrations, yet were left with little choice but to patiently wait for the road to safely reopen.
