Overview

• The pothole, measuring roughly eight feet long and three feet wide, opened Monday morning in the northbound lanes of I-294 near 88th Avenue in Justice, Illinois.
• Two left northbound lanes were shut for emergency repairs expected to last several hours, causing significant backups.
• Illinois State Police confirmed about 15 vehicles sustained damage, primarily tire blowouts.
• Crews began filling the cavity early Monday and repair operations are continuing into the afternoon.
• The incident highlights the tollway’s vulnerability to pavement deterioration and raises questions about maintenance funding on the heavily trafficked route.