Illinois notes

Started by mgk920, September 12, 2012, 02:19:57 PM

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skluth

Quote from: edwaleni on December 30, 2021, 11:13:13 PM
And that in a nutshell is why Walter is loved by Chicagoans far and wide. He won't be sainted or made a deity or anything like that (though the Fox Sports NFL robot is aptly numbered #34 in his honor.)
Just putting in that he's pretty loved outside of Chicago by a lot of football fans. I was born and raised in Green Bay and he's probably the one Chicago Bear for whom almost all Packers fans respect and honor. I couldn't stand that SB team but I was happy Payton got his ring.


The Ghostbuster

Can anyone find any "Walter Payton Memorial Highway" signage along US 34 anywhere within the state of Illinois?

edwaleni

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on December 31, 2021, 09:16:40 PM
Can anyone find any "Walter Payton Memorial Highway" signage along US 34 anywhere within the state of Illinois?

It's an official overlay address in Kendall County now.

https://www.compass.com/listing/12474-walter-payton-memorial-highway-plano-il-60545/822669161417711361/

NWI_Irish96

Quote from: The Ghostbuster on December 31, 2021, 09:16:40 PM
Can anyone find any "Walter Payton Memorial Highway" signage along US 34 anywhere within the state of Illinois?

In the last year I've driven all of US 34 east of the western junction with US 6 and I don't remember seeing any signs.
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Hobart

Alrighty so this probably doesn't deserve its own thread so I'm asking here.

I noticed every IDOT district in the state besides District 1 uses backplates on their pedestal mounted signals. District 1 (Chicagoland), as far as I know, is the only district that consistently doesn't.

I know IDOT District 1 likes to do things a bit differently, but is there a reason why they don't put backplates onto pedestal mounted signals? I think having backplates increases visibility, and allows District 1 to put retroreflective tape onto the edges of pedestal mounted signals.
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Crash_It

Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2022, 07:40:57 PM
Alrighty so this probably doesn't deserve its own thread so I'm asking here.

I noticed every IDOT district in the state besides District 1 uses backplates on their pedestal mounted signals. District 1 (Chicagoland), as far as I know, is the only district that consistently doesn't.

I know IDOT District 1 likes to do things a bit differently, but is there a reason why they don't put backplates onto pedestal mounted signals? I think having backplates increases visibility, and allows District 1 to put retroreflective tape onto the edges of pedestal mounted signals.

There's quite a few of them down 53 in Bolingbrook and Romeoville. I've also seen them on Roosevelt and Butterfield. They are rolling them out gradually.

paulthemapguy

IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.


  • It looks like I-55 is getting a repave from "south of Weber to south of I-80", costing over $51 million for construction alone. And it looks to be programmed for this year?
  • A new interchange looks like it'll be constructed at I-55 and Airport Road/Lockport Street in Plainfield. Does anyone know what the configuration is supposed to look like?
  • It looks like interchange reconstruction is slated for I-55 and IL-126 as well.
  • A new interchange will be constructed on I-57 at Eagle Lake Road, just north of Peotone.  Does this have anything to do with the new Peotone airport?  Is that still supposed to become a reality?
  • The conversion of I-80 to six lanes, from the US Route 30 exit to the Minooka exit, is listed. The bridge over the Des Plaines River and the construction elements right there alongside it are listed separately from the six-lane widening.
  • The bridge for Black Road over I-55 is slated for a rehabilitation...right after a contractor closed part of it last summer to build the bicycle bridge immediately adjacent.
  • Bridges over I-80 carrying Briggs Street, Gougar Road, Francis Road, and Wolf Road, are all going to be rebuilt.  The bridges at Briggs and Wolf will both be replaced with wider bridges than those currently standing.  The bridges at Briggs and Francis both have weight limits, and the Gougar Road bridge deck is in god-awful shape.  The 80th Avenue bridge in Mokena/Tinley Park has a deck that's in god-awful shape as well, but the repair/replacement of that bridge might be included in the county-level reconstruction that's slated to take place this year.
  • It looks like US Route 52 (Jefferson St.) will be widened to four lanes west to River Road in Shorewood, and the interchange at I-55 will look a bit different.  The two access points created by the I-55 ramps are too close together, so I hope spacing those points apart (or combining them into a SPUI!) will take place.
  • FINALLY, Illinois 129 will get a proper interchange connection at Interstate 55, to replace the pointless right-in right-out that sits there, only accessing the northbound lanes.

All in all, it looks like there's going to be an insane amount of road construction here the next several years.  It'll be a burden when it's ongoing, but good god is this area lightyears behind where it needs to be in terms of roadway infrastructure.
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pianocello

Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
  • The conversion of I-80 to six lanes, from the US Route 30 exit to the Minooka exit, is listed. The bridge over the Des Plaines River and the construction elements right there alongside it are listed separately from the six-lane widening.

Man, thank God they're finally addressing this. I've always considered the straight, flat 4-lane stretch between Briggs St and US 30 to be among the most deceptively dangerous roads I've driven.
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Brandon

Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.


  • It looks like I-55 is getting a repave from "south of Weber to south of I-80", costing over $51 million for construction alone. And it looks to be programmed for this year?

That repave has been needed since about a year or two after IDOT widened it.  Whatever pavement mix they used is terrible.

Quote
  • A new interchange looks like it'll be constructed at I-55 and Airport Road/Lockport Street in Plainfield. Does anyone know what the configuration is supposed to look like?
  • It looks like interchange reconstruction is slated for I-55 and IL-126 as well.

I've seen quite a few studies on it.  It is, quite frankly, amazing that both will be built.  Romeoville wanted the Airport Road interchange, and Plainfield balked at that for ages, wanting a full interchange at IL-126 instead.

Airport and IL-126 Study.  There are several alternatives listed there.

Quote
  • The bridge for Black Road over I-55 is slated for a rehabilitation...right after a contractor closed part of it last summer to build the bicycle bridge immediately adjacent.

That'll make people really happy.  Would've been better to time the two together, but, this is Illinois and IDOT...

Quote
  • It looks like US Route 52 (Jefferson St.) will be widened to four lanes west to River Road in Shorewood, and the interchange at I-55 will look a bit different.  The two access points created by the I-55 ramps are too close together, so I hope spacing those points apart (or combining them into a SPUI!) will take place.

Should've been a SPUI when it was rebuilt from a squished cloverleaf in 1993.
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paulthemapguy

Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
It looks like I-55 is getting a repave from "south of Weber to south of I-80", costing over $51 million for construction alone. And it looks to be programmed for this year?

That repave has been needed since about a year or two after IDOT widened it.  Whatever pavement mix they used is terrible.

Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
A new interchange looks like it'll be constructed at I-55 and Airport Road/Lockport Street in Plainfield. Does anyone know what the configuration is supposed to look like?
It looks like interchange reconstruction is slated for I-55 and IL-126 as well.

I've seen quite a few studies on it.  It is, quite frankly, amazing that both will be built.

Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
It looks like US Route 52 (Jefferson St.) will be widened to four lanes west to River Road in Shorewood, and the interchange at I-55 will look a bit different.  The two access points created by the I-55 ramps are too close together, so I hope spacing those points apart (or combining them into a SPUI!) will take place.
Should've been a SPUI when it was rebuilt from a squished cloverleaf in 1993.

Totally agreed on all three counts. Thanks for the link to the study.  I'd seen it years ago but had no idea they've made that much progress since then.  I'm still unclear though on which alternatives they actually chose-- they must have decided already if the interchanges are already planned for construction, right?
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Hobart

Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.

The 80th Avenue bridge in Mokena/Tinley Park has a deck that's in god-awful shape as well, but the repair/replacement of that bridge might be included in the county-level reconstruction that's slated to take place this year.[/li][/list]


I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.
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Rick Powell

Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.

Trib article says the I-80 bridge widening is included in the county project.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-will-county-80th-avenue-widening-st-0117-20200116-i2echd5ft5hczbcsycsgtvny34-story.html

Brandon

Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 08:38:23 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
It looks like I-55 is getting a repave from "south of Weber to south of I-80", costing over $51 million for construction alone. And it looks to be programmed for this year?

That repave has been needed since about a year or two after IDOT widened it.  Whatever pavement mix they used is terrible.

Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
A new interchange looks like it'll be constructed at I-55 and Airport Road/Lockport Street in Plainfield. Does anyone know what the configuration is supposed to look like?
It looks like interchange reconstruction is slated for I-55 and IL-126 as well.

I've seen quite a few studies on it.  It is, quite frankly, amazing that both will be built.

Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
It looks like US Route 52 (Jefferson St.) will be widened to four lanes west to River Road in Shorewood, and the interchange at I-55 will look a bit different.  The two access points created by the I-55 ramps are too close together, so I hope spacing those points apart (or combining them into a SPUI!) will take place.
Should've been a SPUI when it was rebuilt from a squished cloverleaf in 1993.

Totally agreed on all three counts. Thanks for the link to the study.  I'd seen it years ago but had no idea they've made that much progress since then.  I'm still unclear though on which alternatives they actually chose-- they must have decided already if the interchanges are already planned for construction, right?

They've chosen both Alternative 5 and Alternative 28 on the link.  Airport Road will be a SPUI - it's admittedly a bit tight there.  IL-126 will be a westward-facing diamond - there's a wetland to the east blocking any eastward connections (which is why Romeville dearly wanted the Airport Road interchange).
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Revive 755

#2138
    Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
    IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

    There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.

    The 80th Avenue bridge in Mokena/Tinley Park has a deck that's in god-awful shape as well, but the repair/replacement of that bridge might be included in the county-level reconstruction that's slated to take place this year.[/li][/list]


    I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

    If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.
    Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
    I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

    If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.

    The bridge replacement is part of the contract - the contract plans are available at https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/eplan/desenv/012122/149-61G73/

    EDIT:  Where is six laning I-80 from Ridge to US 30 specifically mentioned?  Last I heard that whole stretch was going to be reconstructed, but with a few sections remaining at four lanes.

    As to the I-57/Eagle Lake Road interchange:  it may be a revised version of the Peotone Airport access road.  Based on https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/masterplan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf, the airport access road interchange was to be at Offner Road.  There's also the project for 'railroad crossing construction' on Eagle Lake Road - something I would hope would not be done on an airport access roadway.

    dvferyance

    Quote from: Revive 755 on January 29, 2022, 10:56:56 PM
      Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
      Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
      IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

      There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.

      The 80th Avenue bridge in Mokena/Tinley Park has a deck that's in god-awful shape as well, but the repair/replacement of that bridge might be included in the county-level reconstruction that's slated to take place this year.[/li][/list]


      I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

      If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.
      Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
      I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

      If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.

      The bridge replacement is part of the contract - the contract plans are available at https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/eplan/desenv/012122/149-61G73/

      EDIT:  Where is six laning I-80 from Ridge to US 30 specifically mentioned?  Last I heard that whole stretch was going to be reconstructed, but with a few sections remaining at four lanes.

      As to the I-57/Eagle Lake Road interchange:  it may be a revised version of the Peotone Airport access road.  Based on https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/masterplan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf, the airport access road interchange was to be at Offner Road.  There's also the project for 'railroad crossing construction' on Eagle Lake Road - something I would hope would not be done on an airport access roadway.
      I highly doubt that airport will ever be built. There has been no support for it. If it were built it would be Chicago's version of Mid America airport.

      ilpt4u

      Quote from: dvferyance on January 29, 2022, 11:15:14 PM
      I highly doubt that airport will ever be built. There has been no support for it. If it were built it would be Chicago's version of Mid America airport.
      Chicagoland version of Mid-America Airport, minus the same airfield also being an active Air Force Base (Scott AFB)

      If there is to be a Peotone/South Suburban Airport, I think it has more of a future as a Freight airport versus a Commercial/Passenger airport

      edwaleni

      Only the CDA (Chicago Department of Aviation) wants you to believe that an airport @ Peotone is "worthless".

      BTW: MidAmerica pushed 303,000 people through those 2 gates in 2019 and is still pushing 250,000 during these pandemic times.

      They are now planning to complete Metro past Shiloh-Scott all the way to the terminal and are in the middle of a 2 gate expansion on the north side of the terminal.

      Definitely not a news item as a "waste" anymore.

      BNSF and UP having major logistics centers south of Joliet in the Arsenal District, and the location of a major trans-American expressway (I-80) nearby, makes Peotone the perfect locale for an air freight only hub.

      My last order out of China took 2 solid weeks to clear customs at O'Hare, which is ridiculous.

      While Rockford serves FedEx and UPS regionally, a Peotone Airport would have multi-state value.




      Rick Powell

      Quote from: Revive 755 on January 29, 2022, 10:56:56 PM
      EDIT:  Where is six laning I-80 from Ridge to US 30 specifically mentioned?  Last I heard that whole stretch was going to be reconstructed, but with a few sections remaining at four lanes.
      The recently opened US 30 interchange is accommodating a full 6 lanes on the I-80 mainline. To the west, the roadway sections outside the Des Plaines bridge area are currently being planned for extra wide shoulders that could be converted to an extra outer lane in each direction. I think IDOT is doing a study to formalize the 6-laning so that it will be striped that way upon opening.

      skluth

      Quote from: edwaleni on January 30, 2022, 11:33:15 PM
      BTW: MidAmerica pushed 303,000 people through those 2 gates in 2019 and is still pushing 250,000 during these pandemic times.

      They are now planning to complete Metro past Shiloh-Scott all the way to the terminal and are in the middle of a 2 gate expansion on the north side of the terminal.

      Definitely not a news item as a "waste" anymore.
      Depends on your POV. 303,000/year is less than 1000 passengers per day. 5-6 planes per day inbound and outbound. Small cities like Fargo have more passengers. St Louis Lambert had more passengers going to Denver and almost as many going to Atlanta, plus all the passengers to/from other locations.

      Mid-America was built with great promise but stopped making sense when American bought TWA and Lambert stopped being a major hub. It's not Midway or John Wayne which are needed because O'Hare and LAX are so crowded; Mid-America's traffic could easily be absorbed by the several empty gates at Lambert. Mid-America is nothing more than a tax burden kept alive by a few civic boosters on the Illinois side of the river and should be closed to stop the waste of subsidies to keep alive a limited airport. The only airline flying there today is the fringe Allegiant Air. It should be closed to save taxpayer money.

      edwaleni

      Quote from: skluth on January 31, 2022, 11:38:26 AM
      Quote from: edwaleni on January 30, 2022, 11:33:15 PM
      BTW: MidAmerica pushed 303,000 people through those 2 gates in 2019 and is still pushing 250,000 during these pandemic times.

      They are now planning to complete Metro past Shiloh-Scott all the way to the terminal and are in the middle of a 2 gate expansion on the north side of the terminal.

      Definitely not a news item as a "waste" anymore.
      Depends on your POV. 303,000/year is less than 1000 passengers per day. 5-6 planes per day inbound and outbound. Small cities like Fargo have more passengers. St Louis Lambert had more passengers going to Denver and almost as many going to Atlanta, plus all the passengers to/from other locations.

      Mid-America was built with great promise but stopped making sense when American bought TWA and Lambert stopped being a major hub. It's not Midway or John Wayne which are needed because O'Hare and LAX are so crowded; Mid-America's traffic could easily be absorbed by the several empty gates at Lambert. Mid-America is nothing more than a tax burden kept alive by a few civic boosters on the Illinois side of the river and should be closed to stop the waste of subsidies to keep alive a limited airport. The only airline flying there today is the fringe Allegiant Air. It should be closed to save taxpayer money.

      I don't challenge or doubt the subsidies, or anything you said about TWA and Lambert. All true.

      The State of Missouri & St Louis County are still paying for the 3rd runway at Lambert. Which is only used for heavy aircraft now, which isn't often.

      Even if the terminal was shut down, torn down and never used ever again, there would still be costs. Airports are a strategic item.

      Per the Belleville News Democrat:

      MidAmerica was designed to alleviate traffic at Lambert St. Louis International Airport, bring passenger service to the metro-east and support operations at Scott Air Force Base, which uses its runways. Federal and state funding covered most of MidAmerica's $313 million cost ($218 for construction and $95 million for the required removal and replacement of a base housing complex). In 2019, the airport took in $2.7 million in landing fees, terminal-usage fees, rents and fuel-sale profits, according to that year's audit. It spent $4.7 million for salaries, supplies and other operating costs, requiring the county to cover a $2 million annual deficit. Beyond the operating budget, the county: Paid $4.2 million in interest on bonds and debt certificates that have been issued for MidAmerica development, expansion and improvement over the years (and refinanced in some cases). Paid about $1.8 million in airport-related debt principals, as projected in its 2018 audit. Took in $1.4 million in grants, real-estate lease payments and other airport-related, non-operating revenue. Overall, the county cost came to about $6.6 million for 2019. Remaining long-term debt related to MidAmerica was $74.6 million, not including an expected $44.4 million in interest on bonds.

      In 2020, the airport took in $2.4 million in landing fees, terminal-usage fees, rents and fuel-sale profits, according to that year's audit. It spent $5.2 million for salaries, supplies and other operating costs, requiring the county to cover a $2.8 million annual deficit. Beyond the operating budget, the county: Paid $3.6 million in interest on bonds and debt certificates that have been issued for MidAmerica development, expansion and improvement over the years (and refinanced in some cases). Paid $2 million in airport-related debt principals, as projected in its 2019 audit. Took in $4.9 million in grants, real-estate lease payments and other airport-related, non-operating revenue. Overall, the county's costs would have totaled $7.1 million for 2020, but the one-time infusion of CARES Act money dropped it down to $3.5 million. "Airport revenues increased more than $1 million,"  the 2020 audit states. "Declines in operating revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic were offset by $3.6 million in Federal CARES grants. "Aeronautical rents, fees, terminal concessions, Passenger Facility Charges, and parking revenues represented a $394,000 decrease. Fuel sales decreased more than $1.6 million as fuel prices continued to be volatile; however the number of gallons sold also dropped nearly 227,000 gallons."  Remaining long-term debt related to MidAmerica was $87.1 million in 2020, not including an expected $25.5 million in interest on bonds. This represents an increase in debt and decrease in interest due to refinancing.

      The Boeing Co. announced on Sept. 17 that it's building a 300-square-foot production facility at MidAmerica that will be used to make the U.S. Navy's first aircraft-refueling drones. It will be the defense contractor's second factory at the airport. The existing one, covering 50,000 square feet, produces components for fighter jets, commercial airplanes and military helicopters. Boeing will pay $65,000 in rent the first year for the new factory, then about $450,000 annually, Johnson told the BND in early September.

      MidAmerica added 500 parking spaces in 2020, according to the county audit. It's now increasing its terminal size from 53,500 to 98,599 square feet. Officials expect to cover about $13 million of the $30 million cost with FAA grants.

      Read more at: https://www.bnd.com/news/politics-government/article255002572.html

      I use both airports infrequently. I recognize the good, the bad and the ugly in both. My POV is that they are operating today, they are increasing business every year (except during covid), they are seeking tenants and revenue sources on a regular basis. While Allegiant was a weak partner at first, they finally have made a commitment to the locale. Yep, they (the airport) need help, but they aren't sitting on their collective arse's about it either.

      It will be interesting to see who (airlines) take a look at MidAmerica when the 2 new gates open up.





      paulthemapguy

      All I know now is that, if ISTHA is going to build out IL-390's eastern extension and the I-490 tollway, those investments had better be put to good use.  If ISTHA is putting down the money to build roads to O'Hare's western expansion, that western expansion had better get built now  :spin:
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      cwm1276

      Quote from: edwaleni on January 30, 2022, 11:33:15 PM
      Only the CDA (Chicago Department of Aviation) wants you to believe that an airport @ Peotone is "worthless".

      BTW: MidAmerica pushed 303,000 people through those 2 gates in 2019 and is still pushing 250,000 during these pandemic times.

      They are now planning to complete Metro past Shiloh-Scott all the way to the terminal and are in the middle of a 2 gate expansion on the north side of the terminal.

      Definitely not a news item as a "waste" anymore.

      BNSF and UP having major logistics centers south of Joliet in the Arsenal District, and the location of a major trans-American expressway (I-80) nearby, makes Peotone the perfect locale for an air freight only hub.

      My last order out of China took 2 solid weeks to clear customs at O'Hare, which is ridiculous.

      While Rockford serves FedEx and UPS regionally, a Peotone Airport would have multi-state value.





      Rockford is UPS's second national air hub, it serves nationally.  It complements their hub in Louisville.  I don't think FedEx has a presence at RFD, but Amazon has built quite the hub and international air cargo is growing quickly.  Peotone will be late to the party.

      https://www.mystateline.com/news/chicago-rockford-international-airport-breaks-cargo-record-in-2021/

      edwaleni

      Quote from: cwm1276 on February 01, 2022, 05:10:14 PM

      Rockford is UPS's second national air hub, it serves nationally.  It complements their hub in Louisville.  I don't think FedEx has a presence at RFD, but Amazon has built quite the hub and international air cargo is growing quickly.  Peotone will be late to the party.

      https://www.mystateline.com/news/chicago-rockford-international-airport-breaks-cargo-record-in-2021/

      I stand corrected. FedEx Ground has depot outside the airport, but not a freight terminal inside the airport. Emery Air is the other freight carrier on the property.

      Thanks for sharing the link, very informative.

      paulthemapguy

      A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)
      Avatar is the last interesting highway I clinched.
      My website! http://www.paulacrossamerica.com Now featuring all of Ohio!
      My USA Shield Gallery https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHwJRZk
      TM Clinches https://bit.ly/2UwRs4O

      National collection status: 361/425. Only 64 route markers remain

      Lyon Wonder

      The communities of Rapid City, IL and LeCLaire, IL are closely watching the studies IDOT's conducting that will decide the alignment for the new I-80 Mississippi River bridge.  My guess is it'll come down to either a new alignment that's immediately upstream or downstream or building the new bridge where the current I-80 span is located.

      https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/i80-bridge-new-location/526-cf32c838-cc6e-49b5-97ae-177fa6210c2d



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