Highway Permits

Requirements

The Handbook for the Policy on Permits for Access Driveways to State Highways provides a guide to what is allowable for highway access requests.

Make Contact

To determine the IDOT district(s) where your project will take place, please view our District Map that identifies which contact information applies to your county. Requirements may vary by District, therefore, please contact your district office for specific permit requirements.

Apply

To begin the permit process, please submit to the District office for processing a letter of request including a description of proposed work, location map, detailed drawings, traffic studies, traffic control plan and other pertinent information, depending upon the requirements determined by the district office.  

Next Steps

After the request has been reviewed the district may require a bond, three copies of the bond must be submitted to the district office. The district will inform you of the required bond value. Inform the district if you have a Blanket Bond to cover work in Illinois.

If approved, IDOT will supply the permittee with a highway permit for execution, and also if required, a bond and/or resolution. The time frame for receiving a permit varies depending upon the project. For larger developments, subdivisions or permits with signals/turn lanes, please allow 9 to 14 months from first submission to permit issuance.

Bond Note:  Regardless of when work is completed, the permit must be held with an active bond for a period of time determined by the department. If the surety requires a letter from the state verifying a bond may be cancelled, a letter of cancellation must be sent to issuing district referencing the permit number issued. 

If a blanket bond was issued, the bond must remain active until five years after the last permit was issued against the blanket bond. To cancel a blanket bond, a letter of cancellation must be sent after five years from the date of last permit issue. 

Permit Compliance

The following manuals and guides provide requirements for your permit. 

• Work Zone Safety and Mobility Rule:  Safety 3-07 Safety Engineering Policy 3-07 complies with the updated Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) work zone regulations at 23 CFR 630 Subpart J. The policy intent is to address safety and mobility issues starting early in project development and continuing through project completion. The goals are focused both on reducing fatal and serious injury crashes in work zones, coupled with minimizing work zone delays for motorists. This policy was developed in coordination with FHWA, affected IDOT Bureaus and Districts, and local agency representatives.

To download the full policy with the following updated appendices, click here:

Utilize the IDOT Highway Standards to meet IDOT requirements for connections to the state roadway.

IDOT publishes and maintains the BDE Manual which establishes uniform policies and procedures for the location, design and environmental evaluation of highway construction projects on the state highway system. Chapter 36 of the BDE Manual provides guidance in the design of intersections including alignment, profile, design vehicles, turning radii, right turning roadways, left and right-turn lanes, intersection sight distance, channelized islands, and intersections near railroads.

To receive updates related to the BDE Manual and BDE Procedure Memorandums through the free subscription service, click on the link below and send the blank email that pops up. (Do not add anything to the subject line or to the body of the email). Directions for unsubscribing are included with each email notification.  
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Reference

District Specific Reference Material