The Illinois Tollway anticipates approximately 10 million vehicles will use one of Chicago's tollways this Thanksgiving holiday, which begins Wednesday, Nov. 27, and ends Monday, Dec. 2, according to a Illinois Tollway press release.

The most popular travel day is expected on Wednesday, Nov. 27, when 1.7 million vehicles are projected to be on the road. On an average day, about 1.4 million vehicles use the Tollway. "The Illinois Tollway wishes a safe and happy Thanksgiving to all of our customers," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur in the news release. "Drivers planning to take advantage of holiday sales on Thanksgiving night and the day after should give themselves extra time to get to their destinations safely as some delays may be expected with higher than usual traffic volumes."

Lane Closures Suspended To accommodate increased Thanksgiving holiday travel, the Illinois Tollway is restricting construction activity and suspending all temporary construction lane closures over the long holiday weekend.

All temporary maintenance and construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, through 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2. Some work may continue behind barriers to keep work on schedule, but this work will not impact traffic. Work zone speed limits are in effect 24/7 in all construction zones where lanes are reduced, shifted or traffic is traveling on a shoulder, whether or not workers are present. The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375.

Areas where work zones will continue during the holiday include:

Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80)

Between I-57 and Kedzie Avenue, traffic in both directions is reduced to three lanes and shifted right for construction of the new I-294/I-57 Interchange. At the interchange connecting I-294 and I-55, ramp reconstruction work is in place including traffic shifts and shoulder closures. All ramps and the toll plaza remain open to traffic. Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) Between I-39 in Rockford and the Elgin Toll Plaza all eastbound traffic is now traveling on new pavement on the eastbound side of I-90. Westbound traffic remains shifted to the right until mid-December. Construction is continuing and a work zone speed limit remains in place. Westbound traffic between Irene Road near Belvidere and I-39 is currently reduced from two lanes to one lane and an alternate route is posted. At the Marengo Toll Plaza eastbound traffic is shifted to the right and reduced to one open road tolling lane; an I-PASS Only lane is available in the cash plaza for I-PASS users. Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355)