The Illinois Department of Transportation is looking into the possibility of adding an outer beltway on the western side of the Chicago metropolitan area, according to published reports. The new highway would link Interstate 80 on the south with I-90 (the Northwest Tollway) on the north.

The plans, which are said to be in the preliminary stages, seek to combat growing road congestion in the western fringes of the metropolitan area by adding a north-south route to the many east-west highways. A location for the highway hasn't been decided but could be located west of Illinois Highway 47.

Any highway first would need to gain political support for funding and must pass an environmental review process. Officials estimate it would be eight to 10 years before the highway were completed.