Reports of gunfire early Monday froze traffic on the northbound Tri-State Tollway near the Halsted ramp in South Holland, as Illinois State Police shut down the roadway and funneled drivers onto South Halsted Street. Troopers walked the shoulder and ramps looking for evidence while commuters crawled through heavy backups until the highway reopened later in the morning.
What Happened
Illinois State Police say calls came in around 4:31 a.m. about a possible shooting in the northbound lanes of I-294 near the Halsted ramp, according to ABC7 Chicago. Chopper 7 video showed troopers shutting the northbound mainline so officers could comb the ramps and shoulders for any sign of gunfire. All northbound lanes were back open by 7:35 a.m., the station reported, and officials said no injuries were reported.
Traffic Impact And Context
The timing could not have been much worse for commuters on a corridor that carries more than 300,000 vehicles a day and is already a construction headache, according to the Illinois Tollway. The closure hit a stretch where the Central Tri-State reconstruction project has been reshuffling lanes and sending drivers onto frequent detours.
It is not the first time this month I-294 drivers have been rerouted in the middle of the night. Hoodline recently tracked a similar overnight shutdown on I-294; check out the overnight shutdown near 111th Street. Officials are urging motorists to allow extra travel time through the south suburbs while investigators finish their work.
Investigation Ongoing
Officials say the case remains under investigation and are asking anyone with video or other information to contact state police, WGN Chicago reported. Troopers continue to canvass the corridor and review footage gathered from the scene.
