Illinois Tollway Oasis Redevelopment Plan

What's the rush? They're on your way, everyday!

Check out photos from the
O'Hare Oasis grand reopening here!

Check out photos from the
Hinsdale Oasis grand reopening here!

Check out photos from the
DeKalb Oasis grand reopening here!

Check out photos from the
Des Plaines Oasis grand reopening here!

Before

After

These oases are being designed from the inside out for the everyday Chicagoland commuter. These commuters make up the vast majority of travelers on the Illinois Tollway system. This is cleary evident with the Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Tropicana, McDonalds drive-thru, and drive-thru car wash. While these oases have many improvements, they still miss many of the things I enjoyed about the old ones.

Pros...

Oases are still kept above the tollway.

Oases are much larger, brighter, and more inviting.

There are many windows inviting more natural light in.

More windows means more places to look out at the road.

Larger varieties of places to eat inside the oasis.

Bathrooms are larger and 200% improved.

Empty areas inside give it room for expandability.

Eating areas outside the oasis on both sides.

Oases have the convienence of a McDonalds drive-thru.

Cons...

All oases will have the same design.
All oases will have the same food establishments.
Oases will have a lack of individuality from each other.
Oases have a Travel Mart, but they are missing the larger gift shops of the past.
There are no off to the side dining areas.
Less seating in the oasis.
At the moments no arcade games.

Updates for 2005...

New restaurants and vendors are being added.

More seating is being added.

No video games yet, but vending is being added (claw type games).

Still no individuality from each other, but better selection is being offered.

Oasis Redevelopment Progress

Location	Fuel Center	Oasis
O'Hare	Done! New Station Open!
Lake Forest	Done! New Station Open!
Lincoln	Done! New Station Open!	Under Construction
Belvidere	Done! New Station Open!
Des Plaines	Done! New Station Open!
Hinsdale	Done! New Station Open!
DeKalb	Done! New Station Open!

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