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Regional Boards => Great Lakes and Ohio Valley => Topic started by: I-39 on March 21, 2016, 10:08:41 PM

Title: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on March 21, 2016, 10:08:41 PM
I'm creating this thread so we can discuss Illinois Tollway topics that do not need their own posts.

So I'll get started. Does anyone know why the twin U.S 20 bridges in Belvidere on I-90 are not being reconstructed? It kept appearing on the construction contract list from time to time, then disappeared randomly.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: peterj920 on March 22, 2016, 06:24:07 AM
It seems like the Illinois Tollway reconstruction plans omit the majority of bridges that cross over the tollways.  On the Tri-State Tollway, many of the bridges weren't reconstructed.  Signs warn that the road narrows at the overpass.  It's probably a cost savings move and they figure that widening the tollways is the biggest priority, and that traffic can deal without a shoulder for a short time under a bridge.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on March 22, 2016, 03:57:23 PM
It seems like the Illinois Tollway reconstruction plans omit the majority of bridges that cross over the tollways.  On the Tri-State Tollway, many of the bridges weren't reconstructed.  Signs warn that the road narrows at the overpass.  It's probably a cost savings move and they figure that widening the tollways is the biggest priority, and that traffic can deal without a shoulder for a short time under a bridge.

This was not the case with I90, almost all bridges had to be rebuilt to handle the extra lanes and wider shoulder (for future use). Most of the cross roads have been rebuilt with the current widening, while some are being done post widening due to scheduling and making sure proper detours can be provided. Some, if not almost all the bridges were done were in need of replacement anyways (original to the highway in the 50's) so I think this is just a staggering effect to make sure the higher traveled bridges and I90 work gets done on time, and they don't get behind on the bridges that were required to be rebuilt in order to get the extra lane in.

As for what was mentioned above, U.S 20 is receiving some funds for maintenance work on the bridges themselves, I'm wondering if they plan on doing a rebuild on the interchange at some point and would rather wait for that before replacing the bridge structure.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on March 22, 2016, 04:38:04 PM
It seems like the Illinois Tollway reconstruction plans omit the majority of bridges that cross over the tollways.  On the Tri-State Tollway, many of the bridges weren't reconstructed.  Signs warn that the road narrows at the overpass.  It's probably a cost savings move and they figure that widening the tollways is the biggest priority, and that traffic can deal without a shoulder for a short time under a bridge.

That is because they cut corners big time on the Tri-State rebuild. Frankly, I don't know how they got away with that. Plus, most of the bridges are from the original 1950's construction and will have to be replaced eventually. It appears they learned their lesson and all of the I-90 crossroad bridges between Rockford and I-294 (except the Railroad bridge west of Belvidere, the Randall Road bridge and possibly the twin U.S 20 crossroad bridges west of Belvidere) have been or are being rebuilt.

This was not the case with I90, almost all bridges had to be rebuilt to handle the extra lanes and wider shoulder (for future use). Most of the cross roads have been rebuilt with the current widening, while some are being done post widening due to scheduling and making sure proper detours can be provided. Some, if not almost all the bridges were done were in need of replacement anyways (original to the highway in the 50's) so I think this is just a staggering effect to make sure the higher traveled bridges and I90 work gets done on time, and they don't get behind on the bridges that were required to be rebuilt in order to get the extra lane in.

As for what was mentioned above, U.S 20 is receiving some funds for maintenance work on the bridges themselves, I'm wondering if they plan on doing a rebuild on the interchange at some point and would rather wait for that before replacing the bridge structure.

The ramp bridge at the U.S 20 interchange in Marengo was redone a decade ago, if that is what you are talking about. I am talking about the twin U.S 20 crossroad bridges west of Belvidere. For whatever reason, they were on the schedule (in the future construction bid schedule) for two brief periods of time the last two years, but were removed a while after. I was wondering if anyone knew why. I doubt they are planning to put an interchange their, since they just spent money on completing the Irene Road interchange nearby.

Good news is, it looks like the IL-23 interchange may be moving forward. In 2017, they have a contract to reconstruct the IL-23 bridge and roadway, which means they may be expanding the road in order to accommodate ramps.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lucas01aswell on March 22, 2016, 08:46:34 PM
anymore rember deerfeld toll plaza it wa s traffic hog
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 22, 2016, 10:20:38 PM
anymore rember deerfeld toll plaza it wa s traffic hog

Yeah, that one was bad news. The open road tolling has made quite a difference at many of them. One that I think the tollway should consider moving is the River Road Toll Plaza on I-90 East. That area is such a bottleneck, and anything the tollway can do to lessen the traffic there would make a world of difference. I know it could cause some complications with having to add plazas on ramps to I-90 East from I-294, but I have to believe there is something they could do about that. I don't know if this is getting into fictional territory...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on March 28, 2016, 10:15:48 PM
anymore rember deerfeld toll plaza it wa s traffic hog

Yeah, that one was bad news. The open road tolling has made quite a difference at many of them. One that I think the tollway should consider moving is the River Road Toll Plaza on I-90 East. That area is such a bottleneck, and anything the tollway can do to lessen the traffic there would make a world of difference. I know it could cause some complications with having to add plazas on ramps to I-90 East from I-294, but I have to believe there is something they could do about that. I don't know if this is getting into fictional territory...

That might be impossible, if you move one toll, it will affect another. I don't know if this is going to be any help to I-90 east, but IDOT is planning to do a project named the Cumberland Flyover, http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/Cumberland-Flyover-Project (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/Cumberland-Flyover-Project)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 28, 2016, 11:05:22 PM
Now that is badly needed. Cumberland needs something newer than the current ramp system and the Kennedy can't handle the bad merging situation there.

A what-if scenario: what if there wasn't an exit there? would we still have the bad merging problems?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on March 28, 2016, 11:43:36 PM
Yes?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 29, 2016, 12:22:30 AM
Now that is badly needed. Cumberland needs something newer than the current ramp system and the Kennedy can't handle the bad merging situation there.

A what-if scenario: what if there wasn't an exit there? would we still have the bad merging problems?

Needs to be wider down stream in to the city. The flyover can help a bit.

any one have the plans for the I-190 widening? Going in to the airport?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 29, 2016, 05:54:26 PM
Yeah, that one was bad news. The open road tolling has made quite a difference at many of them. One that I think the tollway should consider moving is the River Road Toll Plaza on I-90 East. That area is such a bottleneck, and anything the tollway can do to lessen the traffic there would make a world of difference. I know it could cause some complications with having to add plazas on ramps to I-90 East from I-294, but I have to believe there is something they could do about that. I don't know if this is getting into fictional territory...

If the plaza for eastbound I-90 was moved west - say to be part of the Devon Toll Plaza - traffic exiting eastbound I-90 to I-294 would be hit up again for tolls right away on I-294.

I do recall seeing a newspaper article from years ago where ISTHA apparently considered adding a new mainline toll plaza for I-90 somewhere around Schaumburg.


Now if there is a toll plaza or two that should be removed from I-90, it should be the ones at the I-290/IL 53 interchange.  It seems like a great missed opportunity with the I-90 rebuild, since the currently untolled ramps at Barrington and Roselle Roads will be tolled.  It would only require two additional plazas, one for the eastbound entrance from Beverly Road (which I hear a lot of people use instead of paying to enter from IL 25), and one for the entrances from IL 59.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 29, 2016, 11:27:53 PM
Yeah, that one was bad news. The open road tolling has made quite a difference at many of them. One that I think the tollway should consider moving is the River Road Toll Plaza on I-90 East. That area is such a bottleneck, and anything the tollway can do to lessen the traffic there would make a world of difference. I know it could cause some complications with having to add plazas on ramps to I-90 East from I-294, but I have to believe there is something they could do about that. I don't know if this is getting into fictional territory...

If the plaza for eastbound I-90 was moved west - say to be part of the Devon Toll Plaza - traffic exiting eastbound I-90 to I-294 would be hit up again for tolls right away on I-294.

I do recall seeing a newspaper article from years ago where ISTHA apparently considered adding a new mainline toll plaza for I-90 somewhere around Schaumburg.


Now if there is a toll plaza or two that should be removed from I-90, it should be the ones at the I-290/IL 53 interchange.  It seems like a great missed opportunity with the I-90 rebuild, since the currently untolled ramps at Barrington and Roselle Roads will be tolled.  It would only require two additional plazas, one for the eastbound entrance from Beverly Road (which I hear a lot of people use instead of paying to enter from IL 25), and one for the entrances from IL 59.

My only thought on that is that they might wait and see if IDOT will ever work with them to upgrade the interchange. If so, that could be a time they decide to remove the tolls there.

Sort of on the same topic, is the Meachem Road interchange being designed so that ramps could be added for Eastbound I-90 movements in the future? At the very least, I feel there should at least be an exit ramp for I-90 in this spot, as it could alleviate the mess on I-290 right in that spot near Woodfield (why IDOT didn't have a through auxiliary lane right there is beyond me).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 30, 2016, 12:06:22 AM
Yeah, that one was bad news. The open road tolling has made quite a difference at many of them. One that I think the tollway should consider moving is the River Road Toll Plaza on I-90 East. That area is such a bottleneck, and anything the tollway can do to lessen the traffic there would make a world of difference. I know it could cause some complications with having to add plazas on ramps to I-90 East from I-294, but I have to believe there is something they could do about that. I don't know if this is getting into fictional territory...

If the plaza for eastbound I-90 was moved west - say to be part of the Devon Toll Plaza - traffic exiting eastbound I-90 to I-294 would be hit up again for tolls right away on I-294.

I do recall seeing a newspaper article from years ago where ISTHA apparently considered adding a new mainline toll plaza for I-90 somewhere around Schaumburg.


Now if there is a toll plaza or two that should be removed from I-90, it should be the ones at the I-290/IL 53 interchange.  It seems like a great missed opportunity with the I-90 rebuild, since the currently untolled ramps at Barrington and Roselle Roads will be tolled.  It would only require two additional plazas, one for the eastbound entrance from Beverly Road (which I hear a lot of people use instead of paying to enter from IL 25), and one for the entrances from IL 59.
maybe they can get rid of the toll to exit to I-290 if they add new tolls to ramps. Or at least some kind of  virtual ticket to have a big ETC discount for taking an exit after getting on at Barrington and Roselle Roads + IL-59
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 30, 2016, 09:19:04 PM
Sort of on the same topic, is the Meachem Road interchange being designed so that ramps could be added for Eastbound I-90 movements in the future? At the very least, I feel there should at least be an exit ramp for I-90 in this spot, as it could alleviate the mess on I-290 right in that spot near Woodfield (why IDOT didn't have a through auxiliary lane right there is beyond me).

Unfortunately not.  The gore for the ramps to I-290 and IL 53 from eastbound I-90 will be near the Meacham overpass, and the C-D roadway will be too close to the mainline to easily squeeze in future ramps.  Plus the C-D roadway will be under the same overpass as the main lanes, unlike the setup for westbound where the C-D roadway for the I-290/IL 53 ramps uses a shorter, separate structure set back enough from the main lanes to fit the ramps in.  But I suppose if they wanted to get fancy with braiding an eastbound entrance from Meacham and somehow add access to Meacham via Wiley Road (the south outer road for that stretch of I-90) they might be able to pull it off.

In short, I-90 at Meacham probably should have been designed similarly to I-55 at I-270/I-255 and US 50/US 61/US 67 south of St. Louis.  Aerial view of that one from Google (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mehlville,+MO/@38.5088376,-90.3362542,1701m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x87d8c814648c6c1d:0x8ece5508d3bed29a?hl=en)

The thinking I've heard is that the new eastbound exit to Roselle, plus the new eastbound exit to Barrington will take some pressure off the EB I-90 to EB I-290 ramp.  I do wonder though about the Tollway not planning for any additional traffic the new ramps may add to mainline.  There's also the possibility that the extra traffic may require more work on Roselle Road, such as filling the gap in the six lane section between IL 62 and Central Road.  Depending how the Motorola campus redevelopes, there could be a push in the future to look at getting another eastbound exit near Meacham.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 30, 2016, 09:40:59 PM
Sort of on the same topic, is the Meachem Road interchange being designed so that ramps could be added for Eastbound I-90 movements in the future? At the very least, I feel there should at least be an exit ramp for I-90 in this spot, as it could alleviate the mess on I-290 right in that spot near Woodfield (why IDOT didn't have a through auxiliary lane right there is beyond me).

Unfortunately not.  The gore for the ramps to I-290 and IL 53 from eastbound I-90 will be near the Meacham overpass, and the C-D roadway will be too close to the mainline to easily squeeze in future ramps.  Plus the C-D roadway will be under the same overpass as the main lanes, unlike the setup for westbound where the C-D roadway for the I-290/IL 53 ramps uses a shorter, separate structure set back enough from the main lanes to fit the ramps in.  But I suppose if they wanted to get fancy with braiding an eastbound entrance from Meacham and somehow add access to Meacham via Wiley Road (the south outer road for that stretch of I-90) they might be able to pull it off.

In short, I-90 at Meacham probably should have been designed similarly to I-55 at I-270/I-255 and US 50/US 61/US 67 south of St. Louis.  Aerial view of that one from Google (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mehlville,+MO/@38.5088376,-90.3362542,1701m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x87d8c814648c6c1d:0x8ece5508d3bed29a?hl=en)

The thinking I've heard is that the new eastbound exit to Roselle, plus the new eastbound exit to Barrington will take some pressure off the EB I-90 to EB I-290 ramp.  I do wonder though about the Tollway not planning for any additional traffic the new ramps may add to mainline.  There's also the possibility that the extra traffic may require more work on Roselle Road, such as filling the gap in the six lane section between IL 62 and Central Road.  Depending how the Motorola campus redevelopes, there could be a push in the future to look at getting another eastbound exit near Meacham.

6 lane part being extended a bit but the cemetery is in the way or they can cut into the forest preserve a bit.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 30, 2016, 11:10:36 PM
Sort of on the same topic, is the Meachem Road interchange being designed so that ramps could be added for Eastbound I-90 movements in the future? At the very least, I feel there should at least be an exit ramp for I-90 in this spot, as it could alleviate the mess on I-290 right in that spot near Woodfield (why IDOT didn't have a through auxiliary lane right there is beyond me).

Unfortunately not.  The gore for the ramps to I-290 and IL 53 from eastbound I-90 will be near the Meacham overpass, and the C-D roadway will be too close to the mainline to easily squeeze in future ramps.  Plus the C-D roadway will be under the same overpass as the main lanes, unlike the setup for westbound where the C-D roadway for the I-290/IL 53 ramps uses a shorter, separate structure set back enough from the main lanes to fit the ramps in.  But I suppose if they wanted to get fancy with braiding an eastbound entrance from Meacham and somehow add access to Meacham via Wiley Road (the south outer road for that stretch of I-90) they might be able to pull it off.

In short, I-90 at Meacham probably should have been designed similarly to I-55 at I-270/I-255 and US 50/US 61/US 67 south of St. Louis.  Aerial view of that one from Google (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mehlville,+MO/@38.5088376,-90.3362542,1701m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x87d8c814648c6c1d:0x8ece5508d3bed29a?hl=en)

The thinking I've heard is that the new eastbound exit to Roselle, plus the new eastbound exit to Barrington will take some pressure off the EB I-90 to EB I-290 ramp.  I do wonder though about the Tollway not planning for any additional traffic the new ramps may add to mainline.  There's also the possibility that the extra traffic may require more work on Roselle Road, such as filling the gap in the six lane section between IL 62 and Central Road.  Depending how the Motorola campus redevelopes, there could be a push in the future to look at getting another eastbound exit near Meacham.

6 lane part being extended a bit but the cemetery is in the way or they can cut into the forest preserve a bit.

I can imagine that those ramps will help either way, and they are sorely needed. If nothing else, people who live in Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg won't have to go all the way to I-290 if they're coming from the West for any reason or vice versa with going to the I-290 Interchange from where they live. I get the feeling a few of the roads around there might get a bit more burdened, and I can even see Meacham needing a widening North of Algonquin Road. Surprising they didn't think to try to accommodate a future expansion of the interchange at Meacham, but I guess at least they're getting one there at all.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on March 30, 2016, 11:11:27 PM
Just adding on to the I-90 construction, since it is expected to end sometime in 2016, will they start working on the Elgin O'Hare interchange where the old oasis was or will they wait till they reach that area, which I think will start in 2017-18?

Also did anyone know that the Illinois Tollway site has live cameras of the Elgin Ohare and the Northwest Tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on March 30, 2016, 11:46:38 PM
Sort of on the same topic, is the Meachem Road interchange being designed so that ramps could be added for Eastbound I-90 movements in the future? At the very least, I feel there should at least be an exit ramp for I-90 in this spot, as it could alleviate the mess on I-290 right in that spot near Woodfield (why IDOT didn't have a through auxiliary lane right there is beyond me).

Unfortunately not.  The gore for the ramps to I-290 and IL 53 from eastbound I-90 will be near the Meacham overpass, and the C-D roadway will be too close to the mainline to easily squeeze in future ramps.  Plus the C-D roadway will be under the same overpass as the main lanes, unlike the setup for westbound where the C-D roadway for the I-290/IL 53 ramps uses a shorter, separate structure set back enough from the main lanes to fit the ramps in.  But I suppose if they wanted to get fancy with braiding an eastbound entrance from Meacham and somehow add access to Meacham via Wiley Road (the south outer road for that stretch of I-90) they might be able to pull it off.

In short, I-90 at Meacham probably should have been designed similarly to I-55 at I-270/I-255 and US 50/US 61/US 67 south of St. Louis.  Aerial view of that one from Google (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mehlville,+MO/@38.5088376,-90.3362542,1701m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x87d8c814648c6c1d:0x8ece5508d3bed29a?hl=en)

The thinking I've heard is that the new eastbound exit to Roselle, plus the new eastbound exit to Barrington will take some pressure off the EB I-90 to EB I-290 ramp.  I do wonder though about the Tollway not planning for any additional traffic the new ramps may add to mainline.  There's also the possibility that the extra traffic may require more work on Roselle Road, such as filling the gap in the six lane section between IL 62 and Central Road.  Depending how the Motorola campus redevelopes, there could be a push in the future to look at getting another eastbound exit near Meacham.

6 lane part being extended a bit but the cemetery is in the way or they can cut into the forest preserve a bit.

This is horrible. SIX lanes? The cemetery?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 31, 2016, 10:32:37 PM
I can imagine that those ramps will help either way, and they are sorely needed. If nothing else, people who live in Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg won't have to go all the way to I-290 if they're coming from the West for any reason or vice versa with going to the I-290 Interchange from where they live. I get the feeling a few of the roads around there might get a bit more burdened, and I can even see Meacham needing a widening North of Algonquin Road.

Meacham already needs widening between Algonquin Road and Kirchoff Road to at least get in a center turn lane.

Just adding on to the I-90 construction, since it is expected to end sometime in 2016, will they start working on the Elgin O'Hare interchange where the old oasis was or will they wait till they reach that area, which I think will start in 2017-18?

Last I heard they were going to wait until the West Bypass gets towards I-90, and that section was to be the last part done (around 2023-2025 time frame).  After building IL 390 between IL 83 and York Road, the next priority was to get a connection between IL 390 and I-294 IIRC.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on March 31, 2016, 11:26:46 PM

Just adding on to the I-90 construction, since it is expected to end sometime in 2016, will they start working on the Elgin O'Hare interchange where the old oasis was or will they wait till they reach that area, which I think will start in 2017-18?

Last I heard they were going to wait until the West Bypass gets towards I-90, and that section was to be the last part done (around 2023-2025 time frame).  After building IL 390 between IL 83 and York Road, the next priority was to get a connection between IL 390 and I-294 IIRC.

Well, I think it would be a good idea to at least start that interchange, maybe leave ramp stubs for now until the bypass reaches up there.

Also I found some concept designs for what they want to do for the bypass. (This should probably go into the Elgin Ohare thread)
South of the Elgin O'hare to I-294: http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/8320517/4_EOWA_ConceptPlan_WesternAccess_I-294 (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/8320517/4_EOWA_ConceptPlan_WesternAccess_I-294)
It looks like the want to add an exit on County Line, north of North Ave and reconfigure that entire intersection which seems a bit confusing.
There will be a connector between Irving Park and Franklin, but there's a toll to use it, (that's stupid because there's a toll you go through to get off at Franklin)

North of the Elgin O'hare to I-90: http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/8320517/5_EOWA_ConceptPlan_TouhyAveCorridor (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/8320517/5_EOWA_ConceptPlan_TouhyAveCorridor)
Looks like they will put Old Higgins Road to use to ease congestion on Higgins and Elmhurst. There will be a C&D ramp for Elmhurst and the Bypass interchange so maybe they will do work on the interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on March 31, 2016, 11:49:08 PM
That flyover the Tri-state from I-88 and N294, eliminating the oval, needs a serious study.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 01, 2016, 10:57:45 PM
That flyover the Tri-state from I-88 and N294, eliminating the oval, needs a serious study.

Also, I will include that narrow loop from NB I-294 to WB/NB I-290. I'm hoping that gets addressed with the Central I-294 rebuild (who knows since IDOT would also have to be involved though).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on April 02, 2016, 10:19:18 AM
Removing the River Road Toll Plaza and combining it with the Devon Avenue Toll Plaza was a serious missed opportunity by ISTHA. They could have constructed an eastbound portion of the Devon Avenue Toll Plaza by removing some of the cash lanes on the WB side, thus leaving enough ROW for an eastbound plaza. Then, the River Road plaza could have been eliminated entirely, and ISTHA and IDOT could have rebuilt/widened I-90 between I-294 and the Edens to eight lanes (minimum). Combine that with the Cumberland flyover and that solves most of the traffic problems in this area.

BTW, what is the status on the Cumberland flyover? Is it being constructed this year? It appears from the project page on IDOTs website that only the East River Road Bridge will be reconstructed this year.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 02, 2016, 02:22:37 PM
Removing the River Road Toll Plaza and combining it with the Devon Avenue Toll Plaza was a serious missed opportunity by ISTHA. They could have constructed an eastbound portion of the Devon Avenue Toll Plaza by removing some of the cash lanes on the WB side, thus leaving enough ROW for an eastbound plaza. Then, the River Road plaza could have been eliminated entirely, and ISTHA and IDOT could have rebuilt/widened I-90 between I-294 and the Edens to eight lanes (minimum). Combine that with the Cumberland flyover and that solves most of the traffic problems in this area.

BTW, what is the status on the Cumberland flyover? Is it being constructed this year? It appears from the project page on IDOTs website that only the East River Road Bridge will be reconstructed this year.

But then you have problems. If the Devon toll plaza was an east-west plaza, then getting onto I-294 means you have to go through the Touhy or the Irving Park toll plazas. That interchange is just a huge mess and I think needs major work even though there are some parts that are fine.


What the Tri-State tollway needs though are more interchanges. Here's a list I came up with:

These are possibly awful ideas, I am not to good at calculating if the can fit or not.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 02, 2016, 03:36:41 PM
Removing the River Road Toll Plaza and combining it with the Devon Avenue Toll Plaza was a serious missed opportunity by ISTHA. They could have constructed an eastbound portion of the Devon Avenue Toll Plaza by removing some of the cash lanes on the WB side, thus leaving enough ROW for an eastbound plaza. Then, the River Road plaza could have been eliminated entirely, and ISTHA and IDOT could have rebuilt/widened I-90 between I-294 and the Edens to eight lanes (minimum). Combine that with the Cumberland flyover and that solves most of the traffic problems in this area.

BTW, what is the status on the Cumberland flyover? Is it being constructed this year? It appears from the project page on IDOTs website that only the East River Road Bridge will be reconstructed this year.

But then you have problems. If the Devon toll plaza was an east-west plaza, then getting onto I-294 means you have to go through the Touhy or the Irving Park toll plazas. That interchange is just a huge mess and I think needs major work even though there are some parts that are fine.


What the Tri-State tollway needs though are more interchanges. Here's a list I came up with:
  • Lake Ave or Milwaukee Ave: It's hard to find a quick way to Abt when you are going north on 294, you have to go to Willow Road and then make your way back south or take Dempster and there is always traffic. But Abt isn't the only reason I want an exit/entrance there. Residents, businesses, more access to the tollway.
  • Dempster St: It's an incomplete interchange, maybe on the east side of the tollway, have a partial diamond interchange to allow drivers from Dempster to enter the tollway to go NB. Add a SB exit ramp that goes onto Rand.
  • Touhy Ave: Same thing as Dempster. I don't know why they didn't do that for these incomplete interchanges.
  • St. Charles Rd: There is room between 290 and 294 if they decide to remove 290's clover ramps and combine the interchange so SB 294 can exit there along with NB(OB) 290 curving around and joining SB 294's exit ramp and St. Charles drivers enter to get onto SB 294 and curve around and onto NB (OB) 290. It would involve a traffic signal.
  • Roosevelt Rd: Fix the interchange, those ramps have some sharp turns.
  • Cermak Rd: I feel like there's room to add an entrance onto SB 294.
  • 88th Ave: There seems to be some room to add a NB exit ramp onto 88th ave, maybe even room to add an entrance onto NB 294.
  • 115th St: NB Exit? Possibly a SB entrance too via Ridgeland Ave between the Channel and the trailer park?

These are possibly awful ideas, I am not to good at calculating if the can fit or not.

I covered some
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=10015.msg2104950#msg2104950
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 03, 2016, 02:18:22 PM
115th or maybe even Central Ave is needed. That would relieve traffic from 95th and Cicero/127th. The only problem with Central is businesses in the way. 115th you could play around with all that land by the technical college and your idea with the land between the Cal Sag and the trailer park
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 03, 2016, 08:23:35 PM
Speed limit on I-90 between I-39 and just west of Randall Road has not been raised to 70 as of today.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 04, 2016, 11:16:43 PM
A tunnel under I-94 from WB 94 to SB 294 would be a great eventuality.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 06, 2016, 11:04:57 AM
That might be impossible, if you move one toll, it will affect another. I don't know if this is going to be any help to I-90 east, but IDOT is planning to do a project named the Cumberland Flyover, http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/Cumberland-Flyover-Project (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/Cumberland-Flyover-Project)
Wait wait wait.  So they're building a new flyover ramp so EB I-90 traffic can more easily access SB Cumberland because of the proximity of the on-ramp from EB I-190.

Look just a little bit to the west.  The new location of the SB Cumberland off-ramp is going to be RIGHT AFTER the onramp from NB I-294, instead of being RIGHT AFTER the I-190 onramp.  LMAO IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION  :rofl:  They're just moving the weave issues further west!  And I love how they conveniently cut the rest of the I-294 interchange out of the diagram shown on the webpage (linked in quote above)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 06, 2016, 09:28:51 PM
^ It appears that, depending upon how ISTHA has I-90 configured post-rebuild, that the weave would be separated from mainline traffic, and EB I-90 to SB Cumberland traffic would have to exit through the toll plaza.

(Edited to fix typo)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 17, 2016, 09:58:55 AM
I find the Cumberland Flyover to be a problem because it is strictly South Cumberland, it doesn't help any drivers who are going north on Cumberland or into the CTA lot.

I remember we used to get off at Cumberland a lot but it got so bad we started getting off at River Road coming from 294.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 17, 2016, 10:43:06 PM
I find the Cumberland Flyover to be a problem because it is strictly South Cumberland, it doesn't help any drivers who are going north on Cumberland or into the CTA lot.

I remember we used to get off at Cumberland a lot but it got so bad we started getting off at River Road coming from 294.
I practice that exact method to this very day.  Every time I go into the city on the blue line, I get off at River and go to the CTA lot on Cumberland, by way of Higgins.  It's so bad there.  And I'm pretty certain that traffic getting to the Cumberland SB ramp isn't the problem...this project makes no sense.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on June 20, 2016, 11:22:01 PM
The Tollway will be permanently closing the eastern loop ramps on the Farnsworth Avenue interchange this week.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/5a296b3d-4eb9-4f39-8412-ae5b0e45bb19 (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/5a296b3d-4eb9-4f39-8412-ae5b0e45bb19)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on June 21, 2016, 02:05:08 AM
I find the Cumberland Flyover to be a problem because it is strictly South Cumberland, it doesn't help any drivers who are going north on Cumberland or into the CTA lot.

I remember we used to get off at Cumberland a lot but it got so bad we started getting off at River Road coming from 294.

huh?? I thought the cta parking lot was off south cumberland
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on June 21, 2016, 08:15:42 PM
I find the Cumberland Flyover to be a problem because it is strictly South Cumberland, it doesn't help any drivers who are going north on Cumberland or into the CTA lot.

I remember we used to get off at Cumberland a lot but it got so bad we started getting off at River Road coming from 294.

huh?? I thought the cta parking lot was off south cumberland
In order to get to the CTA lot, you have to get off at north exit and then cross Cumberland.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 23, 2016, 09:28:37 AM
The Tollway will be permanently closing the eastern loop ramps on the Farnsworth Avenue interchange this week.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/5a296b3d-4eb9-4f39-8412-ae5b0e45bb19 (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/5a296b3d-4eb9-4f39-8412-ae5b0e45bb19)

So in other words, 2 new lights on Farnsworth in a stretch that already has lights at Bilter Rd, Outlet Blvd, and Molitor Rd. Brilliant. SMDH.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 24, 2016, 06:10:32 PM
The Tollway will be permanently closing the eastern loop ramps on the Farnsworth Avenue interchange this week.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/5a296b3d-4eb9-4f39-8412-ae5b0e45bb19 (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/5a296b3d-4eb9-4f39-8412-ae5b0e45bb19)

So in other words, 2 new lights on Farnsworth in a stretch that already has lights at Bilter Rd, Outlet Blvd, and Molitor Rd. Brilliant. SMDH.

Those new signals better feature an interconnect.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on August 04, 2016, 08:22:29 PM
I guess the new Lee Street eastbound exit ramp on I-90 will be built next year

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160621/news/160629723/ (http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160621/news/160629723/)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on August 06, 2016, 10:42:00 AM
I went to look at that stretch of I-90 on Google Earth and I realized... Did they update the Satellite imagery?? I checked Balmoral, it's completely finished the on the imagery and the Thorndale Interchange is up to date.

I am just wondering if they would move that road south of I-90 to make room for the EB exit ramp for Lee.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 06, 2016, 11:41:55 AM
Yes, Google finally put out an update for some of Chicagoland; I can tell by the progress on some of the bridges over I-90 and how they have some sections with traffic routed to the outer edges of the roadway.  Lake and McHenry County though do not seem to have been updated.

The newer imagery also shows the stub for the future entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road in Schaumburg.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on August 06, 2016, 11:57:02 AM
Yes, Google finally put out an update for some of Chicagoland; I can tell by the progress on some of the bridges over I-90 and how they have some sections with traffic routed to the outer edges of the roadway.  Lake and McHenry County though do not seem to have been updated.

The newer imagery also shows the stub for the future entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road in Schaumburg.

And I just noticed that there's going to be on WB on-ramp at Meacham, I thought there'd only be an off-ramp.

Oh and it looks like there's bridge work at the River Road toll plaza, every year that's under construction. Other than the Elgin O'Hare and the NW Tollway, there's not much to look at in terms of the Tollways. I guess Route 59 and I-88 is another interchange to check out.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 06, 2016, 04:16:47 PM

The newer imagery also shows the stub for the future entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road in Schaumburg.

Where?  All I see is what looks like a construction entrance for contractors' access off Central Rd.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on August 06, 2016, 05:39:55 PM
Yes, Google finally put out an update for some of Chicagoland; I can tell by the progress on some of the bridges over I-90 and how they have some sections with traffic routed to the outer edges of the roadway.  Lake and McHenry County though do not seem to have been updated.

The newer imagery also shows the stub for the future entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road in Schaumburg.

It seems Google always does the Chicago area in waves.  Usually Lake and McHenry Counties are updated a month or so later. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 06, 2016, 09:17:16 PM

The newer imagery also shows the stub for the future entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road in Schaumburg.

Where?  All I see is what looks like a construction entrance for contractors' access off Central Rd.

Here. (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0658079,-88.0872973,415m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en)  The shoulder would not widen out like that for a contractor's entrance, nor would it have that concrete section.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on September 01, 2016, 10:14:15 PM
Yes, Google finally put out an update for some of Chicagoland; I can tell by the progress on some of the bridges over I-90 and how they have some sections with traffic routed to the outer edges of the roadway.  Lake and McHenry County though do not seem to have been updated.

The newer imagery also shows the stub for the future entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road in Schaumburg.

It seems Google always does the Chicago area in waves.  Usually Lake and McHenry Counties are updated a month or so later.

Lake and McHenry County have been updated now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on September 12, 2016, 09:24:16 AM
Tollway has a new website. Got on it briefly this morning to try and update I-pass info but that stuff was down while they were getting the new website up, trying to load it up now seems to take forever so hopefully in the next few hours it gets faster.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on September 17, 2016, 09:46:15 AM
Tollway has a new website. Got on it briefly this morning to try and update I-pass info but that stuff was down while they were getting the new website up, trying to load it up now seems to take forever so hopefully in the next few hours it gets faster.

It's not even 9am on a Saturday. It's still pathetically slow. And the cap on password length to 20 characters is inexcusable on a brand-new website.

Oh, and you can't look at your history before September 7th.

Seriously?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on September 17, 2016, 10:23:06 AM
And you can't even view the live images of the construction on the website. I liked the old website better.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on September 18, 2016, 11:23:27 AM
You guys are right, the website is still painful slow at times and the live images don't seem to work. However I did a little digging into the source code and found the camera hosting links. I've linked to them below.

https://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/foxriver/index.php (https://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/foxriver/index.php)

http://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/barrington/?cam=mpr&archiveid=1 (http://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/barrington/?cam=mpr&archiveid=1)

http://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/i90m5/?cam=mpr&archiveid=1 (http://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/i90m5/?cam=mpr&archiveid=1)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on September 18, 2016, 09:42:46 PM
Mind getting the Elgin Ohare ones too?

EDIT:
http://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/290interchange/?cam=pano (http://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/290interchange/?cam=pano)

http://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/wooddale/index.php (http://www.earthcam.net/projects/illinoistollway/wooddale/index.php)

Never mind I figured it out.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: spell4yr on September 29, 2016, 06:31:55 PM
The OCD in me will just be happy when they fix the gore signs on I-80/294 at Halsted (the BGSs are correct in 2B, then 2A, but the gore signs are reversed).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 29, 2016, 07:21:20 PM
The OCD in me will just be happy when they fix the gore signs on I-80/294 at Halsted (the BGSs are correct in 2B, then 2A, but the gore signs are reversed).

How about the weird striping/signage where 294 Northbound drops a lane for about 10 feet just at the I-90 tri-level interchange? What is the reason for that??? I would have thought that they would just keep a continuous fourth lane when they rebuilt/widened I-294 through that area.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 29, 2016, 10:00:59 PM
The OCD in me will just be happy when they fix the gore signs on I-80/294 at Halsted (the BGSs are correct in 2B, then 2A, but the gore signs are reversed).

How about the weird striping/signage where 294 Northbound drops a lane for about 10 feet just at the I-90 tri-level interchange? What is the reason for that??? I would have thought that they would just keep a continuous fourth lane when they rebuilt/widened I-294 through that area.

To make the split flow better? I have used as an lane at least once was not able to get over in time. But maybe when they rebuild the central part in 2020-2022 they can fix it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on October 09, 2016, 01:12:18 PM
It's official: I hate the new Tollway website.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 09, 2016, 09:57:02 PM
It's official: I hate the new Tollway website.

Not a huge fan of the revamp either. With that said, it's still way better and much more informative (not to mention, up to date) than the joke of a website IDOT has.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on October 14, 2016, 06:46:31 PM
Jake and Elwood hated Illinois Nazis. I hate Illinois Tollways.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 15, 2016, 09:25:32 PM
Jack and Elwood hated Illinois Nazis. I hate Illinois Tollways.
Just get an license plate with the registration address of 1060 west addison an use it to drive for free.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: rarnold on October 16, 2016, 01:44:24 PM
It was Jake, not Jack.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on November 13, 2016, 04:08:39 PM
Does anyone know the status of the master plan for the Central Tri-State rebuild? Nothing new has been posted since earlier this year.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on November 13, 2016, 06:10:03 PM
It was Jake, not Jack.
I know must have been a typo I have since corrected.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on November 13, 2016, 10:07:21 PM
I've noticed that the tollways never have their names on the BGS signs. The only times I've seen the Tollways' names used were on a single brown sign near their Starting sections and they include a little picture. Also I know that where 355 and 88 cross over, there's a single green sign that says N-S Tollway and E-W Tollway. I feel like the Tri-State has one but I don't know and that's one of the oldest expressways in the Chicagoland area.

The non-Toll interstates use their names on the BGS signs and even on the ones for Tollways. Just check the signs for the Circle interchange and the Stevenson / Ryan interchange, they all use their names Kennedy, Eisenhower, Ryan, Stevenson. Anyone know why this is?

EDIT: Image for reference, this was an old sign that has now been removed. The new one doesn't use Tri-State and doesn't use N-W Tollway but keeps Kennedy Expy (http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/images/nb294at90190b.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on November 14, 2016, 05:44:32 AM
The names on Tollway signs were removed to make way for federal mandated "TOLL" warning strips.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on November 14, 2016, 05:29:59 PM
Does anyone know the status of the master plan for the Central Tri-State rebuild? Nothing new has been posted since earlier this year.

Design phase still, expect it to ramp up after next year when the new EOWA work wraps up and remaining I90 work is completed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on November 14, 2016, 06:14:15 PM
Does anyone know the status of the master plan for the Central Tri-State rebuild? Nothing new has been posted since earlier this year.

Design phase still, expect it to ramp up after next year when the new EOWA work wraps up and remaining I90 work is completed.
The older? eoe plans for the I-294 / north ave area showed some of it but with only 4 each way + aux / exit only lanes main line maybe the newer ones for that have 5 each way + wide shoulders + 2 aux / exit lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 14, 2016, 09:20:00 PM
Does anyone know the status of the master plan for the Central Tri-State rebuild? Nothing new has been posted since earlier this year.

Design phase still, expect it to ramp up after next year when the new EOWA work wraps up and remaining I90 work is completed.
The older? eoe plans for the I-294 / north ave area showed some of it but with only 4 each way + aux / exit only lanes main line maybe the newer ones for that have 5 each way + wide shoulders + 2 aux / exit lanes.

The stretch between the I-90 interchange and I-290/I-88 interchange area desperately needs to be five each way with applicable aux where necessary. That stretch is such a source of backups, especially Southbound during the afternoon rush (and these backups often go all the way to Golf Road). Here's hoping they can address that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 15, 2016, 09:41:39 AM
The Cumberland flyover begins today and lasts until a projected fall 2018 deadline
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on November 15, 2016, 06:21:22 PM
I feel like this Cumberland Flyover won't help at all. From the looks of it the map plan, the are pushing the merge of I-90 and I-190 past East River Road and then having a separate set of lanes for Cumberland South...?
Now I question South because that's really dumb, it should be for both North and South on Cumberland because 90 drops a lane because that 4th lane is for the N Cumberland Exit and forces 90 to be 3 lanes. I really feel like this won't do much. The only pros are that East River Road gets a new bridge and the South Cumberland Ramp gets catered to.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on November 15, 2016, 06:34:13 PM
I feel like this Cumberland Flyover won't help at all. From the looks of it the map plan, the are pushing the merge of I-90 and I-190 past East River Road and then having a separate set of lanes for Cumberland South...?
Now I question South because that's really dumb, it should be for both North and South on Cumberland because 90 drops a lane because that 4th lane is for the N Cumberland Exit and forces 90 to be 3 lanes. I really feel like this won't do much. The only pros are that East River Road gets a new bridge and the South Cumberland Ramp gets catered to.

It's because idiots from the left lanes of kennedy have to merge past 190 traffic to get off cumberland south to get on the blue line causing backups.

This + 4 laned to Harlem should help with the congestion.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on November 15, 2016, 11:18:47 PM
That should or will "help"??? I agree with your skepticism. Is that even the tollway? Maybe just rearrange the road signs (again) to ninety to, too, or two.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on November 16, 2016, 07:50:01 AM
Technically it's an IDOT project, I don't even think the tollway is part of it. And no, rearranging road sign numbers will do anything. What is this, let me pick my favorite number and see where it will take me?

Like it can work with the weaving problem but then you still have to do some weaving to get off at NB Cumberland.

Also I'd like to add that when they redid Cumberland, it looks like they thought about the future. It looks like you can add 2 more lanes onto the Kennedy underneath Cumberland. But the problem is the CTA and the parking garage restrict you from doing that on the EB side
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on November 16, 2016, 11:02:09 AM
I feel like this Cumberland Flyover won't help at all. From the looks of it the map plan, the are pushing the merge of I-90 and I-190 past East River Road and then having a separate set of lanes for Cumberland South...?
Now I question South because that's really dumb, it should be for both North and South on Cumberland because 90 drops a lane because that 4th lane is for the N Cumberland Exit and forces 90 to be 3 lanes. I really feel like this won't do much. The only pros are that East River Road gets a new bridge and the South Cumberland Ramp gets catered to.

It's because idiots from the left lanes of kennedy have to merge past 190 traffic to get off cumberland south to get on the blue line causing backups.

This + 4 laned to Harlem should help with the congestion.

You do realize the only way to get to the blue line is by getting off at Cumberland North, right?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on November 16, 2016, 01:26:55 PM
I feel like this Cumberland Flyover won't help at all. From the looks of it the map plan, the are pushing the merge of I-90 and I-190 past East River Road and then having a separate set of lanes for Cumberland South...?
Now I question South because that's really dumb, it should be for both North and South on Cumberland because 90 drops a lane because that 4th lane is for the N Cumberland Exit and forces 90 to be 3 lanes. I really feel like this won't do much. The only pros are that East River Road gets a new bridge and the South Cumberland Ramp gets catered to.

It's because idiots from the left lanes of kennedy have to merge past 190 traffic to get off cumberland south to get on the blue line causing backups.

This + 4 laned to Harlem should help with the congestion.

You do realize the only way to get to the blue line is by getting off at Cumberland North, right?

Nope, never got off cumberland. I always head straight to the Kennedy.

Every time I get stuck in traffic by cumberland I just see idiots and crazy taxi drivers merging hard right.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 09:39:54 AM
I feel like this Cumberland Flyover won't help at all. From the looks of it the map plan, the are pushing the merge of I-90 and I-190 past East River Road and then having a separate set of lanes for Cumberland South...?
Now I question South because that's really dumb, it should be for both North and South on Cumberland because 90 drops a lane because that 4th lane is for the N Cumberland Exit and forces 90 to be 3 lanes. I really feel like this won't do much. The only pros are that East River Road gets a new bridge and the South Cumberland Ramp gets catered to.

It's because idiots from the left lanes of kennedy have to merge past 190 traffic to get off cumberland south to get on the blue line causing backups.

This + 4 laned to Harlem should help with the congestion.

You do realize the only way to get to the blue line is by getting off at Cumberland North, right?

Nope, never got off cumberland. I always head straight to the Kennedy.

Every time I get stuck in traffic by cumberland I just see idiots and crazy taxi drivers merging hard right.

This is sadly going to be another case where a nice upgrade by the Tollway is overshadowed by IDOT's lack of upgrades or half hazard job of doing one (see I-88 inbound at the Hillside strangler). I-90 at I-290 in Schaumburg will be another. The newer interchanges the Tollway has generally done a good job of at least keeping the mess off their portion (essentially, showing exactly where the burden of upgrades remains with IDOT). This includes I-355 at I-55 or I-355 at I-80 (which actually forced IDOT to finally widen I-80 in this area).

However, this is one I haven't seen mentioned as much, but during the upcoming reconstruction of I-294, I really hope the agencies will take an opportunity to look at the I-55 to I-294 movements. Some of these really need to be redone. IDOT's upgrades in the late 90s early 2000s merely helped with the narrowness of their portion of the interchange, but this is another case where the SB I-294 to NB I-55 loop should be upgraded to a flyover. What makes this one especially bad, in my opinion, is the high level of truck traffic (it never fails that I get stuck behind a slow moving semi on a ramp here).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on November 25, 2016, 03:34:46 PM
This is sadly going to be another case where a nice upgrade by the Tollway is overshadowed by IDOT's lack of upgrades or half hazard job of doing one (see I-88 inbound at the Hillside strangler). I-90 at I-290 in Schaumburg will be another. The newer interchanges the Tollway has generally done a good job of at least keeping the mess off their portion (essentially, showing exactly where the burden of upgrades remains with IDOT). This includes I-355 at I-55 or I-355 at I-80 (which actually forced IDOT to finally widen I-80 in this area).

I wonder what would need to be done in the future when (not if, because it will need to happen someday) the I-290/IL-53 system interchange is finally addressed. It does not seem like the work on I-90 was designed to accommodate future improvements to the interchange, which you would have thought they'd at least done so the construction is minimally disruptive in the future.

However, I don't think they will do exactly what was planned in this document (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/96652/2007-10-31-I-90-LAMP-EXEC-SUMMARY.pdf/ec1183d3-55f4-4db0-9998-7d64e8fe8ca7?version=1.0 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/96652/2007-10-31-I-90-LAMP-EXEC-SUMMARY.pdf/ec1183d3-55f4-4db0-9998-7d64e8fe8ca7?version=1.0)) simply because it would require too much ROW. Though I wonder if they could shift the interchange slightly east?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on November 25, 2016, 04:36:16 PM
Oh that's interesting! Barrington was meant to have a different interchange, Roselle's interchange was supposed to tie in with I-290 and a planned Plum Grove interchange, and then Meacham and 290 are different.

I was also looking through the Illinois Tollway's site and found a document with a different Meacham interchange design, originally there wasn't a C&D ramp to the right of the Meacham on-off ramp, you just had to merge in to get off.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 11:13:32 PM
This is sadly going to be another case where a nice upgrade by the Tollway is overshadowed by IDOT's lack of upgrades or half hazard job of doing one (see I-88 inbound at the Hillside strangler). I-90 at I-290 in Schaumburg will be another. The newer interchanges the Tollway has generally done a good job of at least keeping the mess off their portion (essentially, showing exactly where the burden of upgrades remains with IDOT). This includes I-355 at I-55 or I-355 at I-80 (which actually forced IDOT to finally widen I-80 in this area).

I wonder what would need to be done in the future when (not if, because it will need to happen someday) the I-290/IL-53 system interchange is finally addressed. It does not seem like the work on I-90 was designed to accommodate future improvements to the interchange, which you would have thought they'd at least done so the construction is minimally disruptive in the future.

However, I don't think they will do exactly what was planned in this document (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/96652/2007-10-31-I-90-LAMP-EXEC-SUMMARY.pdf/ec1183d3-55f4-4db0-9998-7d64e8fe8ca7?version=1.0 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/96652/2007-10-31-I-90-LAMP-EXEC-SUMMARY.pdf/ec1183d3-55f4-4db0-9998-7d64e8fe8ca7?version=1.0)) simply because it would require too much ROW. Though I wonder if they could shift the interchange slightly east?

Some thoughts on this proposed interchange against what would or could be done now:

1. The loop ramp in the NE corner would almost certainly not be built or feasible now since Meacham is only accessible from traffic on WB I-90 solely. This would allow for the ramp from WB I-90 to NB IL 53 to be straightened and to do something about the very short merge in that direction.
2. Instead of a loop from WB I-90 to SB IL 53, why not just make that a flyover (they seem to have the space needed to do it)? This eliminates the ROW issue in the NW corner of the interchange, and the only property that might be taken is the Joe's Crab Shack.
3. I actually think the work on I-90 itself does provide for some accommodation. The merges onto I-90 are definitely longer, and I feel the ramp from EB I-90 especially has a longer deceleration area (probably so the Woodfield traffic doesn't back up onto the mainline as easily as it used to). Agreed, though, it would take some work that could impact mainline I-90 traffic at the interchange.
4. I would hope IDOT would do more to address some of the IL 53 congestion issues just North of this interchange as well. That merge from the six lanes (three express, three local) down to three in such a short period is bad news each rush hour evening.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on November 26, 2016, 01:28:27 AM
That interchange design is pretty old and was originally done when they thought IDOT and local cities were going to contribute more than 50% to the project. Since that never happened because IDOT funding not only dried up but also became a political war downstate on the funding breakdowns and schaumburg basically said fu** off with that design plan (did not want a 3 tier level interchange) the tollway scraped the plan and the i90 rebuild was put on the shelf along with it.

Once the tollway approved Move Illinois the first project on the list was i90 and they directly worked out a plan that did not rebuild the interchange but instead made sure that any delays on the local roads did not affect mainline i90 itself. It was a big F you back to IDOT who had already said they did not have the resources or funds to rebuild the interchange. That being said there is some possibilities that could happen down the road. I just hope IDOT gets its head out from the sand.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on December 10, 2016, 03:52:54 PM
Nothing to major but the I-355 project is finished, or at least from what I saw on the 75th street bridge. It is now 4 lanes all the way from 88 to 55.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 10, 2016, 06:58:42 PM
Once the tollway approved Move Illinois the first project on the list was i90 and they directly worked out a plan that did not rebuild the interchange but instead made sure that any delays on the local roads did not affect mainline i90 itself.

I'm not sure they succeeded here with the I-90 EB to I-290 EB ramp - I think it has still managed to back up far enough to interfere with mainline I-90 at least once already.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on December 18, 2016, 04:34:13 PM
Why is 355 untolled between 290 and Army Trail?  Did that section exist before the rest of the tollway?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 18, 2016, 04:43:55 PM
Why is 355 untolled between 290 and Army Trail?  Did that section exist before the rest of the tollway?

That section was built in 1970's before the tollway built the section between Army Trail and I-55 in the '80s.

Here are some helpful information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_355
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on December 18, 2016, 04:53:54 PM
Why is 355 untolled between 290 and Army Trail?  Did that section exist before the rest of the tollway?

That section was built in 1970's before the tollway built the section between Army Trail and I-55 in the '80s.

Here are some helpful information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_355

In addition, IL-53 used to be signed on the freeway from Army Trail northward.  After the tollway was built in 1989 as I-355, IL-53 was moved off the freeway to Biesterfield.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on December 18, 2016, 10:01:48 PM
That's kind of like how I-88 isn't tolled all the way through or how the Jane Addams isn't tolled up to the State line.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: pianocello on December 19, 2016, 10:42:14 AM
That's kind of like how I-88 isn't tolled all the way through or how the Jane Addams isn't tolled up to the State line.

More like the opposite, at least for I-88. In I-355's case, the untolled section came first, while the East-West/Reagan (I-88) Tollway was built to Rock Falls before the free part was built.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on December 20, 2016, 07:26:11 PM
That's kind of like how I-88 isn't tolled all the way through or how the Jane Addams isn't tolled up to the State line.

More like the opposite, at least for I-88. In I-355's case, the untolled section came first, while the East-West/Reagan (I-88) Tollway was built to Rock Falls before the free part was built.
But the freeway part was done that way as the alternative to upgrading IL 2 to 4 lanes if I recall.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: slorydn1 on December 20, 2016, 11:55:47 PM
Why is 355 untolled between 290 and Army Trail?  Did that section exist before the rest of the tollway?

That section was built in 1970's before the tollway built the section between Army Trail and I-55 in the '80s.

Here are some helpful information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_355 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_355)

It's funny how time muddies the picture one has in their mind. If you hadn't posted the Wiki on this I would have been adamant that the freeway actually ended at US-20 (Lake St) and that we had to transition over to Rohlwing to get to Army Trail (and further down to North Ave as well). Right after we moved to Schaumburg from Michigan in 1979 my dad bought a used VW Microbus from the Volkswagen dealership that used to be on North Ave in Villa Park and whenever we needed service for it he would bring it back there. There was also an old style Italian food market that has super fresh fruits and vegetables on North Ave in Melrose Park that I cannot for the life of me remember the name of, and for whatever reason my dad would go down 53 to North Ave instead of I-290 to 83.

I also don't remember 53 being taken off the freeway before I left the Chicago area for good in December of 1990 as Brandon states but I could be very wrong on that, too.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on December 21, 2016, 09:56:22 PM
Why is 355 untolled between 290 and Army Trail?  Did that section exist before the rest of the tollway?

That section was built in 1970's before the tollway built the section between Army Trail and I-55 in the '80s.

Here are some helpful information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_355 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_355)

It's funny how time muddies the picture one has in their mind. If you hadn't posted the Wiki on this I would have been adamant that the freeway actually ended at US-20 (Lake St) and that we had to transition over to Rohlwing to get to Army Trail (and further down to North Ave as well). Right after we moved to Schaumburg from Michigan in 1979 my dad bought a used VW Microbus from the Volkswagen dealership that used to be on North Ave in Villa Park and whenever we needed service for it he would bring it back there. There was also an old style Italian food market that has super fresh fruits and vegetables on North Ave in Melrose Park that I cannot for the life of me remember the name of, and for whatever reason my dad would go down 53 to North Ave instead of I-290 to 83.

I also don't remember 53 being taken off the freeway before I left the Chicago area for good in December of 1990 as Brandon states but I could be very wrong on that, too.
53 was moved off when the new Biesterfield Rd interchange was finished. I don't recall if that was 1990 but that sounds about right.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on January 24, 2017, 03:25:35 PM
(https://s23.postimg.org/4yxaicex7/Green_Lanes.jpg)

Never forget......
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on January 24, 2017, 03:56:22 PM
^^ Those signs were forced on the Tollway by the governor.  As soon as they could, the Tollway covered them up with the plaza name and number.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on January 25, 2017, 12:53:32 AM
^^ Those signs were forced on the Tollway by the governor.  As soon as they could, the Tollway covered them up with the plaza name and number.

What a sleezeball... Loved Obama denying him a pardon. should have went with the plaza name and number anyways
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 25, 2017, 08:01:14 PM
^^ Those signs were forced on the Tollway by the governor.  As soon as they could, the Tollway covered them up with the plaza name and number.
any one got one of them?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on January 26, 2017, 10:17:36 AM
(https://s23.postimg.org/4yxaicex7/Green_Lanes.jpg)

Never forget......
Just goes to show what an egotistical sonofabitch Blago was.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: bulldog1979 on January 27, 2017, 02:14:17 AM
(https://s23.postimg.org/4yxaicex7/Green_Lanes.jpg)

Never forget......

We we attended the Chicago—Milwaukee two-day "national" meet in June 2008, the question came up about how to pronounce "Blagojevich" after seeing his name on all of the ORT gantries. My reply at the time was: "soon to be indicted".
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 11, 2017, 04:07:07 PM
Hinsdale is not too happy with the some of the proposals for the Central Tri-State rebuild.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/western-springs/news/ct-dhd-hinsdale-tollway-widening-tl-0216-20170209-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/western-springs/news/ct-dhd-hinsdale-tollway-widening-tl-0216-20170209-story.html)

I guess they really are serious about adding a fifth lane. Heck, according to the article, they are even considering adding two lanes, bring it to a total of six lanes in each direction (probably a little overkill, adding a fifth lane and wider shoulders would be sufficient). Hinsdale is worried about how that will encroach on people's backyards as well as the possible removal of the Hinsdale Oasis.

I haven't seen any new updates about the Central Tri-State rebuild in over a year, I wonder what the specific plans actually are. Does anyone know?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on February 12, 2017, 12:57:28 AM
Hinsdale is not too happy with the some of the proposals for the Central Tri-State rebuild.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/western-springs/news/ct-dhd-hinsdale-tollway-widening-tl-0216-20170209-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/western-springs/news/ct-dhd-hinsdale-tollway-widening-tl-0216-20170209-story.html)

I guess they really are serious about adding a fifth lane. Heck, according to the article, they are even considering adding two lanes, bring it to a total of six lanes in each direction (probably a little overkill, adding a fifth lane and wider shoulders would be sufficient). Hinsdale is worried about how that will encroach on people's backyards as well as the possible removal of the Hinsdale Oasis.

I haven't seen any new updates about the Central Tri-State rebuild in over a year, I wonder what the specific plans actually are. Does anyone know?

Didn't specify whether the hinsdale oasis closure would be permanent or temporary. Glad to see at least Western Springs and Indian springs are being realistic, not surprised that Hinsdale is throwing a fit.

They did say that the tollway is looking into adding a bus lane for pace, so that could be what they mean by "two additional lanes."

I just wish they could fix the mess that is 294/290/88.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 12, 2017, 12:31:00 PM
I just wish they could fix the mess that is 294/290/88.

I have a feeling the 294/290/88 interchange is going to be a disappointment similar to how the I-90/I-290/IL 53 interchange is/was with the I-90 rebuild.

 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on February 12, 2017, 12:46:30 PM
I know they don't like it, but I think they need to realize that this is better for the whole as far as traffic is concerned and needs to happen.

As far as lost revenue, 500k a year is a lot of money but not to the tollway. I'd say have the tollway calculate that into the budget as something like 250k for each year of construction, that coupled with all the workers being in that area buying lunches, drinks, and other things should balance out what they miss from the oasis.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on February 12, 2017, 01:46:42 PM
I just wish they could fix the mess that is 294/290/88.

Gee, maybe if we wish really hard?
I wish five sided stars were six.

"They" (IDOT and ISTHA) have not yet figured out who is in charge of mess Strangler, let alone what to do about it.

Widening the TriState again, or HOVing the Ike are the current salami slabs thrown at it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on February 12, 2017, 01:56:48 PM
When will the rebuild probably start?

I hope they can add a couple new ramps. They can fit a ramp at Cork Ave right before the LaGrange/Archer interchange
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 12, 2017, 02:34:36 PM
When will the rebuild probably start?

I hope they can add a couple new ramps. They can fit a ramp at Cork Ave right before the LaGrange/Archer interchange

It will take place from 2020-2022, according to the Tollway. We should know the final master plan sometime this year. I know I'm really curious to see what they have planned, and whether or not they'll add a fifth lane.

It does look like both the O'Hare and Hinsdale Oasis will be on the chopping block though. Oh well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 12, 2017, 03:22:10 PM
When will the rebuild probably start?

I hope they can add a couple new ramps. They can fit a ramp at Cork Ave right before the LaGrange/Archer interchange

It will take place from 2020-2022, according to the Tollway. We should know the final master plan sometime this year. I know I'm really curious to see what they have planned, and whether or not they'll add a fifth lane.

It does look like both the O'Hare and Hinsdale Oasis will be on the chopping block though. Oh well.

Least the surrounding suburbs will be able to fend off your cravings being missed at the Oasis  :-P

Another thing I'm curious as to if they'll do it: Would they replace the concrete sections redone for the open road tollbooths with the rebuild, even though they are only 10 years old? Outside of a fresh coat of paint, those sections still seem to be in decent shape.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on February 12, 2017, 04:03:02 PM
When will the rebuild probably start?

I hope they can add a couple new ramps. They can fit a ramp at Cork Ave right before the LaGrange/Archer interchange

It will take place from 2020-2022, according to the Tollway. We should know the final master plan sometime this year. I know I'm really curious to see what they have planned, and whether or not they'll add a fifth lane.

It does look like both the O'Hare and Hinsdale Oasis will be on the chopping block though. Oh well.



Another thing I'm curious as to if they'll do it: Would they replace the concrete sections redone for the open road tollbooths with the rebuild, even though they are only 10 years old? Outside of a fresh coat of paint, those sections still seem to be in decent shape.

Did they do that with the Jane Addams rebuild?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 12, 2017, 04:48:05 PM
When will the rebuild probably start?

I hope they can add a couple new ramps. They can fit a ramp at Cork Ave right before the LaGrange/Archer interchange

It will take place from 2020-2022, according to the Tollway. We should know the final master plan sometime this year. I know I'm really curious to see what they have planned, and whether or not they'll add a fifth lane.

It does look like both the O'Hare and Hinsdale Oasis will be on the chopping block though. Oh well.

Least the surrounding suburbs will be able to fend off your cravings being missed at the Oasis  :-P

Another thing I'm curious as to if they'll do it: Would they replace the concrete sections redone for the open road tollbooths with the rebuild, even though they are only 10 years old? Outside of a fresh coat of paint, those sections still seem to be in decent shape.
will they widen them to 5 lanes? (can be done with dropping the shoulders at the tolls).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on February 12, 2017, 05:53:10 PM
I just wish they could fix the mess that is 294/290/88.

I have a feeling the 294/290/88 interchange is going to be a disappointment similar to how the I-90/I-290/IL 53 interchange is/was with the I-90 rebuild.

Maybe, maybe not. 2020-2022 is the same time period IDOT is going to rebuild the IKE. Hopefully they'll coordinate something and fix it. Traffic on both is going to suck during construction however though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on February 12, 2017, 05:55:18 PM
When will the rebuild probably start?

I hope they can add a couple new ramps. They can fit a ramp at Cork Ave right before the LaGrange/Archer interchange

It will take place from 2020-2022, according to the Tollway. We should know the final master plan sometime this year. I know I'm really curious to see what they have planned, and whether or not they'll add a fifth lane.

It does look like both the O'Hare and Hinsdale Oasis will be on the chopping block though. Oh well.



Another thing I'm curious as to if they'll do it: Would they replace the concrete sections redone for the open road tollbooths with the rebuild, even though they are only 10 years old? Outside of a fresh coat of paint, those sections still seem to be in decent shape.

Did they do that with the Jane Addams rebuild?

Don't think so. I know the eastbound and westbound toll plaza by 294 they just left alone. It was 3 lanes in and 4 lanes out, but I think they just rebuilt the road and left the toll plaza exactly the same.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on February 13, 2017, 03:25:22 PM
Oh boy, Tri-State and the Ike at the same time, that would be hell.

I really want to see the plan.

Also while I was checking out streetview on the Jane Addams, I came across a sign for Cumberland which I assume will be filled in when the flyover is complete.
(http://i.imgur.com/Imm2TCU.png)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on February 14, 2017, 12:35:27 PM
Route 23 bridge rebuild work starts today on I90, bridge will be down to one lane through mid summer while half the bridge is rebuilt, once first half is complete 2 lanes of traffic will be possible while the other half of the bridge is finished into the fall of 2017. Will leave room for future interchange ramps.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 16, 2017, 09:38:32 PM
While trying to find information online for the central Tri-State rebuild, I found this instead:  http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf (http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf)

Something that is coming or a project that died?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 16, 2017, 11:22:26 PM
While trying to find information online for the central Tri-State rebuild, I found this instead:  http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf (http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf)

Something that is coming or a project that died?

I'm not sure, but that would be a horrible place for a interchange! Too close to the I-90 interchange and the Touhy Toll Plaza. It would probably be a better idea to reconfigure/expand the Touhy Ave or Dempster Street interchange into a full one rather than do this.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on February 16, 2017, 11:37:38 PM
While trying to find information online for the central Tri-State rebuild, I found this instead:  http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf (http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf)

Something that is coming or a project that died?

I'm not sure, but that would be a horrible place for a interchange! Too close to the I-90 interchange and the Touhy Toll Plaza. It would probably be a better idea to reconfigure/expand the Touhy Ave or Dempster Street interchange into a full one rather than do this.

Honestly the whole I-55 to I-90 corridor on 294 needs some major express/local lanes. The major backups occur due to idiots going all the way from the left lane and trying to exit or idiots who fail to speed up adequately when entering the highway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 18, 2017, 04:32:01 PM
While trying to find information online for the central Tri-State rebuild, I found this instead:  http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf (http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf)

Something that is coming or a project that died?

File date 06-Jul-2009
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on February 20, 2017, 12:19:20 AM
While trying to find information online for the central Tri-State rebuild, I found this instead:  http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf (http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf)

Something that is coming or a project that died?

I'm not sure, but that would be a horrible place for a interchange! Too close to the I-90 interchange and the Touhy Toll Plaza. It would probably be a better idea to reconfigure/expand the Touhy Ave or Dempster Street interchange into a full one rather than do this.

Honestly the whole I-55 to I-90 corridor on 294 needs some major express/local lanes. The major backups occur due to idiots going all the way from the left lane and trying to exit or idiots who fail to speed up adequately when entering the highway.
I see the majority of the slow downs from like 190 to Wolf Road, and then a bit past the Cermak Toll Plaza heading south. And those areas don't really have many exits. The former having Balmoral get on, the Toll Plaza, Irving Park getting off and the Oasis. And the latter having Ogden and the Oasis.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 20, 2017, 10:38:51 AM
While trying to find information online for the central Tri-State rebuild, I found this instead:  http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf (http://www.hohgroup.com/TearSheets/Assoc/ISTHA-Devon%20Ave%20Interchange%20at%20I-294.pdf)

Something that is coming or a project that died?

I'm not sure, but that would be a horrible place for a interchange! Too close to the I-90 interchange and the Touhy Toll Plaza. It would probably be a better idea to reconfigure/expand the Touhy Ave or Dempster Street interchange into a full one rather than do this.

Honestly the whole I-55 to I-90 corridor on 294 needs some major express/local lanes. The major backups occur due to idiots going all the way from the left lane and trying to exit or idiots who fail to speed up adequately when entering the highway.
I see the majority of the slow downs from like 190 to Wolf Road, and then a bit past the Cermak Toll Plaza heading south. And those areas don't really have many exits. The former having Balmoral get on, the Toll Plaza, Irving Park getting off and the Oasis. And the latter having Ogden and the Oasis.
I-88 to Ogden needs full aux lanes and to widen I-294 ogden needs to be come a SPUI.  The loop ramps at I-55 & I-290 can jam up. There needs to be an C/D lane to make the I-290 & I-88 ramps flow better.

I-88 can use 4 lanes from I-294 to the Express /  manual split or to this (http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r781/Joe_Blasi/IL38I-88alt_zps8099020e.png)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dcharlie on February 20, 2017, 03:04:45 PM
Has anyone ever heard a good reason from ISTHA on why the speed limit between Rockford and Elgin is only 65?  That stretch of road has to be one of the safest sections of road in the entire Interstate System.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on February 20, 2017, 07:06:55 PM
Is Roselle Road still getting a WB onramp. I was there yesterday and there still isn't one. Barrington Rd now has one but not Roselle.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on February 20, 2017, 07:13:19 PM
Is Roselle Road still getting a WB onramp. I was there yesterday and there still isn't one. Barrington Rd now has one but not Roselle.

Yeah, but it won't be on Roselle Road itself. It'll be off of Central.

Past that, does anyone have any info on the land acquisition for the new central Tri-State? It runs through my old stomping grounds, and I hope they won't need too much.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 20, 2017, 07:14:20 PM
Is Roselle Road still getting a WB onramp. I was there yesterday and there still isn't one. Barrington Rd now has one but not Roselle.

There is an merge sign for it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 20, 2017, 07:33:18 PM
Past that, does anyone have any info on the land acquisition for the new central Tri-State? It runs through my old stomping grounds, and I hope they won't need too much.

Nothing as of yet (at least that I can find). They have yet to release the master plan, which should happen sometime this year. I am eagerly awaiting it, as I am curious to know whether or not they'll go with the fifth lane.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on February 20, 2017, 09:55:37 PM
Has anyone ever heard a good reason from ISTHA on why the speed limit between Rockford and Elgin is only 65?  That stretch of road has to be one of the safest sections of road in the entire Interstate System.

It was theorized in a previous thread that there is consideration to raise the speed limit in that stretch to 70 after the entire O'Hare to Rockford stretch has been finished. I thought it made sense, since it would be easier to assess flow not being hampered by construction, sudden lane shifts, and sudden sharp drops in speed limits.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on February 20, 2017, 10:01:20 PM
Is Roselle Road still getting a WB onramp. I was there yesterday and there still isn't one. Barrington Rd now has one but not Roselle.

There is an merge sign for it.
I saw that but there is still no ramp. Did they run out of money or something?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on February 20, 2017, 10:15:45 PM
Is Roselle Road still getting a WB onramp. I was there yesterday and there still isn't one. Barrington Rd now has one but not Roselle.

There is an merge sign for it.
I saw that but there is still no ramp. Did they run out of money or something?

Work just got suspended for the "winter." Ramp should be ready by later this summer.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on February 20, 2017, 11:37:06 PM
Is Roselle Road still getting a WB onramp. I was there yesterday and there still isn't one. Barrington Rd now has one but not Roselle.

There is an merge sign for it.
I saw that but there is still no ramp. Did they run out of money or something?

Work just got suspended for the "winter." Ramp should be ready by later this summer.

The work was originally supposed to take place last year, but Cook County couldn't do their portion needed on Central Road (where the actual WB ramp is going to be) until this year. Once they are able to start the work there, the Tollway will finish the ramp. The merge and lighting on I-90 itself is already done, so this should cause little disruption to I-90 traffic itself.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 24, 2017, 07:21:21 PM
The Tollway will begin phasing out the coin baskets at the exit ramps for new machines that will accept credit cards and bills.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/ (http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/)

What the heck took them so long with this? This should have been done the same time they converted the mainline plazas to Open Road Tolling.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on February 24, 2017, 09:06:15 PM
The Tollway will begin phasing out the coin baskets at the exit ramps for new machines that will accept credit cards and bills.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/ (http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/)

What the heck took them so long with this? This should have been done the same time they converted the mainline plazas to Open Road Tolling.
Good idea it's so annoying to have to carry so much change for the exit ramps now I won't have to anymore.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on February 24, 2017, 10:16:34 PM
The Tollway will begin phasing out the coin baskets at the exit ramps for new machines that will accept credit cards and bills.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/ (http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/)

What the heck took them so long with this? This should have been done the same time they converted the mainline plazas to Open Road Tolling.
Good idea it's so annoying to have to carry so much change for the exit ramps now I won't have to anymore.

Of course, you could always get an I-Pass and make it easier and cheaper.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 24, 2017, 11:44:35 PM
The Tollway will begin phasing out the coin baskets at the exit ramps for new machines that will accept credit cards and bills.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/ (http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/)

What the heck took them so long with this? This should have been done the same time they converted the mainline plazas to Open Road Tolling.
Good idea it's so annoying to have to carry so much change for the exit ramps now I won't have to anymore.

Of course, you could always get an I-Pass and make it easier and cheaper.
without a doubt.  I ended up fumbling about when using a credit card to pay a toll on the Kansas Turnpike - If only the I(EZ)-Pass was compatible with K-Tag.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 25, 2017, 06:03:56 PM
The Tollway will begin phasing out the coin baskets at the exit ramps for new machines that will accept credit cards and bills.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/ (http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/)

What the heck took them so long with this? This should have been done the same time they converted the mainline plazas to Open Road Tolling.
Will they move more ramps to I-pass only when they do this?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: cwm1276 on February 26, 2017, 08:19:40 AM
I was on 90 yesterday, and the 70 mile an hour speed limits signs were going up between Elgin and Rockford.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 26, 2017, 10:53:24 AM
I was on 90 yesterday, and the 70 mile an hour speed limits signs were going up between Elgin and Rockford.

FINALLY! They BADLY needed to raise the speed limit as most of the people are doing 75-80 mph...  :clap: :clap: :clap:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: cwm1276 on February 26, 2017, 11:33:40 AM
80 was a comfortable speed, other than the slower traffic really needs to keep right.  Running into someone doing 65 in the middle lane started causing traffic all trying to get around.

The grooves in the road and my tires just don't play well, the northbound center lane and the tire grooves get together and the car starts wiggling according to the pavement grooves.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on February 26, 2017, 11:50:17 AM
I was on 90 yesterday, and the 70 mile an hour speed limits signs were going up between Elgin and Rockford.

Much needed and overdue. This is the highest-quality Interstate highway in the state; throttling it down to a lower speed than lower-quality stretches was illogical.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 26, 2017, 02:10:22 PM
I was on 90 yesterday, and the 70 mile an hour speed limits signs were going up between Elgin and Rockford.
now make it from I-294 to Elgin at least 60-65.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 26, 2017, 03:56:09 PM
I was on 90 yesterday, and the 70 mile an hour speed limits signs were going up between Elgin and Rockford.
now make it from I-294 to Elgin at least 60-65.

That should be 70 too. Honestly anything west of I-294 should be up to 70 and east should be 60 or 65.

Or just make it all 70, who cares... Everyone drives 70 everywhere in the area on the highways
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on February 26, 2017, 06:58:02 PM
I was on 90 yesterday, and the 70 mile an hour speed limits signs were going up between Elgin and Rockford.
now make it from I-294 to Elgin at least 60-65.

That should be 70 too. Honestly anything west of I-294 should be up to 70 and east should be 60 or 65.

Or just make it all 70, who cares... Everyone drives 70 everywhere in the area on the highways

Obviously that's the plan, but all major construction has to be finished up and they have to evaluate traffic with the new lanes and exits before they can do that. Expect them to increase it next summer (2018) or spring 2019.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 26, 2017, 07:13:16 PM
The Tollway will begin phasing out the coin baskets at the exit ramps for new machines that will accept credit cards and bills.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/ (http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/)

What the heck took them so long with this? This should have been done the same time they converted the mainline plazas to Open Road Tolling.

Well it is a lot quicker and easier to throw coins in a basket instead of trying to insert a bill like a vending machine. It also takes a few seconds longer. That probably has something to do with it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on February 26, 2017, 07:36:22 PM
I was on 90 yesterday, and the 70 mile an hour speed limits signs were going up between Elgin and Rockford.

LONG overdue and very welcome. Just in time too, as I plan to navigate the O'Hare to Rockford stretch this spring when we take a getaway trip to Dubuque, Iowa.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on February 27, 2017, 08:37:44 PM
The Tollway will begin phasing out the coin baskets at the exit ramps for new machines that will accept credit cards and bills.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/ (http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/)

What the heck took them so long with this? This should have been done the same time they converted the mainline plazas to Open Road Tolling.
Good idea it's so annoying to have to carry so much change for the exit ramps now I won't have to anymore.

Of course, you could always get an I-Pass and make it easier and cheaper.
I probably would have if my brother hadn't moved back up here some years ago. Ever sine I don't travel to Illinois nearly as much as I used to.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: GeekJedi on February 28, 2017, 04:46:36 PM
The Tollway will begin phasing out the coin baskets at the exit ramps for new machines that will accept credit cards and bills.

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/ (http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20170223/news/170229424/)

What the heck took them so long with this? This should have been done the same time they converted the mainline plazas to Open Road Tolling.
Good idea it's so annoying to have to carry so much change for the exit ramps now I won't have to anymore.

Of course, you could always get an I-Pass and make it easier and cheaper.
I probably would have if my brother hadn't moved back up here some years ago. Ever sine I don't travel to Illinois nearly as much as I used to.

Even if you go infrequently (like I do) it's still a good deal. You don't get charged a fee to have one, and the money (I think the refill amount can be as low as $20) will sit there indefinitely until you use it. Beats having to stop at a booth and pay a 100% markup.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on March 02, 2017, 05:02:34 PM
I was thinking will these new machines also be installed on mainline plazas too one day.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on March 02, 2017, 05:19:23 PM
I was thinking will these new machines also be installed on mainline plazas too one day.

Why?  Would simply be better to go all AET with 87% of tollway users using I-Pass or EZ Pass.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 02, 2017, 05:57:35 PM
I was on 90 yesterday, and the 70 mile an hour speed limits signs were going up between Elgin and Rockford.

Dope! About time that stretch became 70 mph. Has the south end of I-355 been bumped up to 70 as well? I know the Tollway wanted to have that happen as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 02, 2017, 07:30:51 PM
I was thinking will these new machines also be installed on mainline plazas too one day.

Why?  Would simply be better to go all AET with 87% of tollway users using I-Pass or EZ Pass.

Technically all the mainline cash lanes are equipped with I-Pass sensors ;-) your just forced to stop at the cash lanes. I've only done that if I'm too late to merge or forced into the cash lanes only via on-ramp
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on March 02, 2017, 08:13:30 PM
I was thinking will these new machines also be installed on mainline plazas too one day.

Why?  Would simply be better to go all AET with 87% of tollway users using I-Pass or EZ Pass.
So they don't have to pay employees to collect cash. The Indiana toll road does this.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2017, 10:03:59 AM
I was thinking will these new machines also be installed on mainline plazas too one day.

Why?  Would simply be better to go all AET with 87% of tollway users using I-Pass or EZ Pass.
So they don't have to pay employees to collect cash. The Indiana toll road does this.

Don't have to pay employees to collect cash...don't have to transport the cash to a bank...don't have to account for the cash...don't have to worry about theft...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 07, 2017, 07:14:45 PM
Next phase of the Farnsworth Interchange begins this month. Traffic uses the new bridge, final old one gets torn down
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 07, 2017, 07:30:12 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on March 07, 2017, 08:57:28 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Seems like something they should have done when they rebuilt that stretch ~10 years ago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 07, 2017, 10:18:28 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Seems like something they should have done when they rebuilt that stretch ~10 years ago.

Lack of $$$? Tollway didn't raise tolls until 2012.

Money from the 2000s' 294 widening, that segment of 90, and 88 widening were from the doubling of cash tolls if I recall.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 08, 2017, 12:00:15 AM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Are they actually going to make IL-47 a full interchange or is that just repairs to the current alignment?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on March 08, 2017, 12:47:04 AM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc)

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Seems like something they should have done when they rebuilt that stretch ~10 years ago.

I suspect the work in 2008 and 2009 was envisioned as a shorter-term project. They poured asphalt instead of concrete for the driving surface, and overlaid the original 1950's roadbed for the outside lanes. They also didn't replace overpasses along that stretch (aside from the I-39/US-20 interchange).

ISTHA understood that it needed to deliver congestion relief to the I-39/90 stretch in Winnebago County before it completed work farther east. That road was one miserable son-of-a-bitch before the widening and the Open Road Tolling were implemented. The previous I-39/US-20 interchange was not going to handle the additional influx of truck traffic avoiding the sections of I-90 east to Chicago, opting to use I-88 or I-80 instead. And, frankly, they needed that stretch to move more traffic to help generate toll revenue to finance the rest of the work.

Note also that they completed the I-355 stretch south to I-80 before starting on I-90 between Rockford and I-294, again laying a foundation for a relief route via I-88 to keep traffic off the sections of I-90 under construction.

Now that they've completed the majority of the Rockford to I-294 work, they can prep the Winnebago County stretch for more permanent widening work. My speculation is that within the next 10-20 years, ISTHA will come back and widen the Winnebago County stretch to 8 lanes, either in its entirety or in part (say, widen north from I-39/US-20 to Riverside, then down to 6 lanes northward). It'll also likely get the same improvements we see on I-90 east of Rockford - including the median lighting.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 08, 2017, 09:31:50 AM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Are they actually going to make IL-47 a full interchange or is that just repairs to the current alignment?

http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on March 08, 2017, 11:47:54 AM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Are they actually going to make IL-47 a full interchange or is that just repairs to the current alignment?

http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/

There's certainly space for a full diamond interchange there.  The northeast quadrant is an ISTHA yard, and ISTHA, I believe, also owns enough land already in the southeast quadrant.  The hardest part will be extending the four-lane portion of IL-47 north to the interchange (it's approximately 1 mile).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 08, 2017, 06:23:23 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Are they actually going to make IL-47 a full interchange or is that just repairs to the current alignment?

http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/

There's certainly space for a full diamond interchange there.  The northeast quadrant is an ISTHA yard, and ISTHA, I believe, also owns enough land already in the southeast quadrant.  The hardest part will be extending the four-lane portion of IL-47 north to the interchange (it's approximately 1 mile).

It's a needed extension though, makes sense to have it 4 lanes between Sugar Grove and I-88
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on March 08, 2017, 07:17:33 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Are they actually going to make IL-47 a full interchange or is that just repairs to the current alignment?

http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/

There's certainly space for a full diamond interchange there.  The northeast quadrant is an ISTHA yard, and ISTHA, I believe, also owns enough land already in the southeast quadrant.  The hardest part will be extending the four-lane portion of IL-47 north to the interchange (it's approximately 1 mile).

It's a needed extension though, makes sense to have it 4 lanes between Sugar Grove and I-88
I don't see it getting 4 laned thru Elburn or Lily Lake. More likely, the 4 lane will be between US 20 and I-90 in the near future.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on March 08, 2017, 07:41:17 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Are they actually going to make IL-47 a full interchange or is that just repairs to the current alignment?

http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/

There's certainly space for a full diamond interchange there.  The northeast quadrant is an ISTHA yard, and ISTHA, I believe, also owns enough land already in the southeast quadrant.  The hardest part will be extending the four-lane portion of IL-47 north to the interchange (it's approximately 1 mile).

It's a needed extension though, makes sense to have it 4 lanes between Sugar Grove and I-88
I don't see it getting 4 laned thru Elburn or Lily Lake. More likely, the 4 lane will be between US 20 and I-90 in the near future.

You'd have to bypass Elburn somehow, which would cost a lot of money. It'd be very hard to 4 lane through Elburn without major disruptions. I think the section between Yorkville and Sugar Grove ought to be addressed first before that.

I'm surprised the Sugar Grove Parkway study ends at Green Road and doesn't extend up to Main Street. That 4 way stop is going to have to be addressed eventually. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on March 08, 2017, 08:08:51 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc)

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Seems like something they should have done when they rebuilt that stretch ~10 years ago.

I suspect the work in 2008 and 2009 was envisioned as a shorter-term project. They poured asphalt instead of concrete for the driving surface, and overlaid the original 1950's roadbed for the outside lanes. They also didn't replace overpasses along that stretch (aside from the I-39/US-20 interchange).

ISTHA understood that it needed to deliver congestion relief to the I-39/90 stretch in Winnebago County before it completed work farther east. That road was one miserable son-of-a-bitch before the widening and the Open Road Tolling were implemented. The previous I-39/US-20 interchange was not going to handle the additional influx of truck traffic avoiding the sections of I-90 east to Chicago, opting to use I-88 or I-80 instead. And, frankly, they needed that stretch to move more traffic to help generate toll revenue to finance the rest of the work.

Note also that they completed the I-355 stretch south to I-80 before starting on I-90 between Rockford and I-294, again laying a foundation for a relief route via I-88 to keep traffic off the sections of I-90 under construction.

Now that they've completed the majority of the Rockford to I-294 work, they can prep the Winnebago County stretch for more permanent widening work. My speculation is that within the next 10-20 years, ISTHA will come back and widen the Winnebago County stretch to 8 lanes, either in its entirety or in part (say, widen north from I-39/US-20 to Riverside, then down to 6 lanes northward). It'll also likely get the same improvements we see on I-90 east of Rockford - including the median lighting.

I doubt they go to eight lanes in that segment, since Wisconsin will have just finished widening their portion to six lanes by that time.

And I think the Newberg to South Beloit section was fully reconstructed (not simply overlaid), they just used hot-mix asphalt instead of concrete.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 08, 2017, 11:05:34 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Are they actually going to make IL-47 a full interchange or is that just repairs to the current alignment?

http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/

There's certainly space for a full diamond interchange there.  The northeast quadrant is an ISTHA yard, and ISTHA, I believe, also owns enough land already in the southeast quadrant.  The hardest part will be extending the four-lane portion of IL-47 north to the interchange (it's approximately 1 mile).

It's a needed extension though, makes sense to have it 4 lanes between Sugar Grove and I-88
I don't see it getting 4 laned thru Elburn or Lily Lake. More likely, the 4 lane will be between US 20 and I-90 in the near future.

it needs it must be one of the fastest 3 lanes each way to 1 each way drop out there.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 10, 2017, 08:43:54 PM

You'd have to bypass Elburn somehow, which would cost a lot of money. It'd be very hard to 4 lane through Elburn without major disruptions. I think the section between Yorkville and Sugar Grove ought to be addressed first before that.

I'm surprised the Sugar Grove Parkway study ends at Green Road and doesn't extend up to Main Street. That 4 way stop is going to have to be addressed eventually. 

The Anderson Road/UP RR overpass east of Elburn is set up for 4 lanes, and north of IL 38 could easily be tied back in to IL 47.  The only problem is that Elburn allowed a lot of development around Keslinger Road (in direct conflict with IDOT's Strategic Regional Arterial study that had an eastern bypass of Elburn) and it would be tough now without a couple 90 degree turns, which kinda defeats the idea of a bypass.

IDOT's Phase I study between Yorkville and Sugar Grove should be wrapping up soon, but without some sort of capital bill, not sure where the $$$ is coming from for construction. Two major BNSF underpasses and widening over Blackberry Creek.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on March 10, 2017, 10:07:46 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc)

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Seems like something they should have done when they rebuilt that stretch ~10 years ago.

I suspect the work in 2008 and 2009 was envisioned as a shorter-term project. They poured asphalt instead of concrete for the driving surface, and overlaid the original 1950's roadbed for the outside lanes. They also didn't replace overpasses along that stretch (aside from the I-39/US-20 interchange).

ISTHA understood that it needed to deliver congestion relief to the I-39/90 stretch in Winnebago County before it completed work farther east. That road was one miserable son-of-a-bitch before the widening and the Open Road Tolling were implemented. The previous I-39/US-20 interchange was not going to handle the additional influx of truck traffic avoiding the sections of I-90 east to Chicago, opting to use I-88 or I-80 instead. And, frankly, they needed that stretch to move more traffic to help generate toll revenue to finance the rest of the work.

Note also that they completed the I-355 stretch south to I-80 before starting on I-90 between Rockford and I-294, again laying a foundation for a relief route via I-88 to keep traffic off the sections of I-90 under construction.

Now that they've completed the majority of the Rockford to I-294 work, they can prep the Winnebago County stretch for more permanent widening work. My speculation is that within the next 10-20 years, ISTHA will come back and widen the Winnebago County stretch to 8 lanes, either in its entirety or in part (say, widen north from I-39/US-20 to Riverside, then down to 6 lanes northward). It'll also likely get the same improvements we see on I-90 east of Rockford - including the median lighting.

I doubt they go to eight lanes in that segment, since Wisconsin will have just finished widening their portion to six lanes by that time.

And I think the Newberg to South Beloit section was fully reconstructed (not simply overlaid), they just used hot-mix asphalt instead of concrete.
There is no need for 8 lanes there. If anything the part of I-39/90 near Madison would get 8 lanes long before the Rockford part would.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 10, 2017, 10:12:31 PM
Coin baskets? 70 mph? Winnebago? I wanna puke like a puppy.
Your point, please?

He has none, kind of the special kid on the block.

Hypothetical question for the future: does anyone see (with the correct funding) 47 becoming the IL-83 of that area, essentially becoming a mixed freeway/divided highway?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: cwm1276 on March 10, 2017, 10:29:15 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc)

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Seems like something they should have done when they rebuilt that stretch ~10 years ago.

I suspect the work in 2008 and 2009 was envisioned as a shorter-term project. They poured asphalt instead of concrete for the driving surface, and overlaid the original 1950's roadbed for the outside lanes. They also didn't replace overpasses along that stretch (aside from the I-39/US-20 interchange).

ISTHA understood that it needed to deliver congestion relief to the I-39/90 stretch in Winnebago County before it completed work farther east. That road was one miserable son-of-a-bitch before the widening and the Open Road Tolling were implemented. The previous I-39/US-20 interchange was not going to handle the additional influx of truck traffic avoiding the sections of I-90 east to Chicago, opting to use I-88 or I-80 instead. And, frankly, they needed that stretch to move more traffic to help generate toll revenue to finance the rest of the work.

Note also that they completed the I-355 stretch south to I-80 before starting on I-90 between Rockford and I-294, again laying a foundation for a relief route via I-88 to keep traffic off the sections of I-90 under construction.

Now that they've completed the majority of the Rockford to I-294 work, they can prep the Winnebago County stretch for more permanent widening work. My speculation is that within the next 10-20 years, ISTHA will come back and widen the Winnebago County stretch to 8 lanes, either in its entirety or in part (say, widen north from I-39/US-20 to Riverside, then down to 6 lanes northward). It'll also likely get the same improvements we see on I-90 east of Rockford - including the median lighting.

I doubt they go to eight lanes in that segment, since Wisconsin will have just finished widening their portion to six lanes by that time.

And I think the Newberg to South Beloit section was fully reconstructed (not simply overlaid), they just used hot-mix asphalt instead of concrete.
There is no need for 8 lanes there. If anything the part of I-39/90 near Madison would get 8 lanes long before the Rockford part would.

Janesville is supposed to get 8 lanes in the current project. I could see Rockford getting 8 lanes between Newburgh and Riverside mainly to manag enter and exiting traffic and not drop the westbound 90 lane at Newburg.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on March 10, 2017, 10:32:58 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc)

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Seems like something they should have done when they rebuilt that stretch ~10 years ago.

I suspect the work in 2008 and 2009 was envisioned as a shorter-term project. They poured asphalt instead of concrete for the driving surface, and overlaid the original 1950's roadbed for the outside lanes. They also didn't replace overpasses along that stretch (aside from the I-39/US-20 interchange).

ISTHA understood that it needed to deliver congestion relief to the I-39/90 stretch in Winnebago County before it completed work farther east. That road was one miserable son-of-a-bitch before the widening and the Open Road Tolling were implemented. The previous I-39/US-20 interchange was not going to handle the additional influx of truck traffic avoiding the sections of I-90 east to Chicago, opting to use I-88 or I-80 instead. And, frankly, they needed that stretch to move more traffic to help generate toll revenue to finance the rest of the work.

Note also that they completed the I-355 stretch south to I-80 before starting on I-90 between Rockford and I-294, again laying a foundation for a relief route via I-88 to keep traffic off the sections of I-90 under construction.

Now that they've completed the majority of the Rockford to I-294 work, they can prep the Winnebago County stretch for more permanent widening work. My speculation is that within the next 10-20 years, ISTHA will come back and widen the Winnebago County stretch to 8 lanes, either in its entirety or in part (say, widen north from I-39/US-20 to Riverside, then down to 6 lanes northward). It'll also likely get the same improvements we see on I-90 east of Rockford - including the median lighting.

I doubt they go to eight lanes in that segment, since Wisconsin will have just finished widening their portion to six lanes by that time.

And I think the Newberg to South Beloit section was fully reconstructed (not simply overlaid), they just used hot-mix asphalt instead of concrete.
There is no need for 8 lanes there. If anything the part of I-39/90 near Madison would get 8 lanes long before the Rockford part would.

Janesville is supposed to get 8 lanes in the current project. I could see Rockford getting 8 lanes between Newburgh and Riverside mainly to manag enter and exiting traffic and not drop the westbound 90 lane at Newburg.
Uh Newburg IL is nowhere near Rockford. The two extra lanes in Janesville are just auxiliary lanes for exit onlys.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: cwm1276 on March 10, 2017, 10:36:49 PM
New contracts going out for bid

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/38197ffa-3901-4f27-8207-65ea29988afc)

looks like they updated their website for 2017 construction. Appears as though they're rebuilding the bridges on 90 in Rockford.

Seems like something they should have done when they rebuilt that stretch ~10 years ago.

I suspect the work in 2008 and 2009 was envisioned as a shorter-term project. They poured asphalt instead of concrete for the driving surface, and overlaid the original 1950's roadbed for the outside lanes. They also didn't replace overpasses along that stretch (aside from the I-39/US-20 interchange).

ISTHA understood that it needed to deliver congestion relief to the I-39/90 stretch in Winnebago County before it completed work farther east. That road was one miserable son-of-a-bitch before the widening and the Open Road Tolling were implemented. The previous I-39/US-20 interchange was not going to handle the additional influx of truck traffic avoiding the sections of I-90 east to Chicago, opting to use I-88 or I-80 instead. And, frankly, they needed that stretch to move more traffic to help generate toll revenue to finance the rest of the work.

Note also that they completed the I-355 stretch south to I-80 before starting on I-90 between Rockford and I-294, again laying a foundation for a relief route via I-88 to keep traffic off the sections of I-90 under construction.

Now that they've completed the majority of the Rockford to I-294 work, they can prep the Winnebago County stretch for more permanent widening work. My speculation is that within the next 10-20 years, ISTHA will come back and widen the Winnebago County stretch to 8 lanes, either in its entirety or in part (say, widen north from I-39/US-20 to Riverside, then down to 6 lanes northward). It'll also likely get the same improvements we see on I-90 east of Rockford - including the median lighting.

I doubt they go to eight lanes in that segment, since Wisconsin will have just finished widening their portion to six lanes by that time.

And I think the Newberg to South Beloit section was fully reconstructed (not simply overlaid), they just used hot-mix asphalt instead of concrete.
There is no need for 8 lanes there. If anything the part of I-39/90 near Madison would get 8 lanes long before the Rockford part would.

Janesville is supposed to get 8 lanes in the current project. I could see Rockford getting 8 lanes between Newburgh and Riverside mainly to manag enter and exiting traffic and not drop the westbound 90 lane at Newburg.
Uh Newburg IL is nowhere near Rockford. The two extra lanes in Janesville are just auxiliary lanes for exit onlys.
Ugh
Newburg Road first bridge north of the 39 -90 split.
Also last knew Janesville get 8 lanes plus C/D lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 11, 2017, 02:01:12 PM
I was on I-355 last night and saw 70mph signs up between I-80 and I-55. Speed limit is still 60 from I-55 northward though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 11, 2017, 02:35:05 PM
I was on I-355 last night and saw 70mph signs up between I-80 and I-55. Speed limit is still 60 from I-55 northward though.

So I-355 joined the 70 club too? Nice.

However, that's quite baffling that I-80 in that same vicinity is still at 65 mph. I figured I-80 would get the bump first, which would cause ISTHA to follow suit.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 11, 2017, 03:56:28 PM
I was on I-355 last night and saw 70mph signs up between I-80 and I-55. Speed limit is still 60 from I-55 northward though.

So I-355 joined the 70 club too? Nice.

However, that's quite baffling that I-80 in that same vicinity is still at 65 mph. I figured I-80 would get the bump first, which would cause ISTHA to follow suit.

Yeah that's surprising that I-55 and I-80 are still at 65. Previous tollway boards reccomended keeping I-355 at 65 mph for that reason, but I guess the current one doesn't care. Either way it's pretty nice. I wish they didn't have that 65 mph bus speed limit though. 70 mph for cars, 65 for buses, and 60 for trucks is too many rules IMO. I would like to see legislation that completely eliminates split speed limits in Illinois.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ajlynch91 on March 11, 2017, 05:54:11 PM
Now the IDiOT section of 355 should be raised to at least 60, especially since after the 390 work was completed on 290 that was raised to 60, so you go from a 60mph speed limit to 55 and back to 60 in the span of about two miles.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 11, 2017, 06:24:01 PM
It would be nice to see 60 on IL-53 north of I-90 as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 11, 2017, 09:13:49 PM
Hypothetical question for the future: does anyone see (with the correct funding) 47 becoming the IL-83 of that area, essentially becoming a mixed freeway/divided highway?

I see IL 47 resembling IL 59 more in the future more than IL 83.  If the funding was really there to pursue a mixed freeway - divided arterial similar to IL 83, it seems to me the Prairie Parkway would be pursued more (in which case IL 47 would probably be closer to IL 53 between I-55 and the Elgin O'Hare).  Additionally, by the time the development along IL 47 got to the point where traffic volumes might warrant interchanges, such development would be enough to bring opposition to any interchanges.  I believe this happened with the Randall Road study in McHenry County, where it seems interchanges were briefly considered early on.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on March 11, 2017, 10:42:52 PM
I know none of this is about the Tollway but I just hate Route 83. Especially from 63rd street to Ogden. You have people going 55 in that trench section and it's annoying because there is room for a 3rd lane but it's all due to the bridge over the BNSF. Also I've seen too many crashes at Route 83 and Cermak 22nd Street by the mall because they don't have flashing warning lights to allow drivers to know about the Stoplight
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 13, 2017, 09:12:46 AM

Hypothetical question for the future: does anyone see (with the correct funding) 47 becoming the IL-83 of that area, essentially becoming a mixed freeway/divided highway?

I say yes.  It needs a bypass around Morris, Yorkville and Elburn, and Grundy County has funding in place for a study to widen 47 from Morris to Dwight.  I think this could be done.

Should 47 ever be widened to Dwight - I can see this, but in the far future- that would make the IL 47 corridor a great far western Chicago bypass, which it should be.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on March 15, 2017, 06:17:45 PM
I was on I-355 last night and saw 70mph signs up between I-80 and I-55. Speed limit is still 60 from I-55 northward though.

So I-355 joined the 70 club too? Nice.

However, that's quite baffling that I-80 in that same vicinity is still at 65 mph. I figured I-80 would get the bump first, which would cause ISTHA to follow suit.

Yeah that's surprising that I-55 and I-80 are still at 65. Previous tollway boards reccomended keeping I-355 at 65 mph for that reason, but I guess the current one doesn't care. Either way it's pretty nice. I wish they didn't have that 65 mph bus speed limit though. 70 mph for cars, 65 for buses, and 60 for trucks is too many rules IMO. I would like to see legislation that completely eliminates split speed limits in Illinois.

Well considering that the 80 bridge over the Des Plaines has a very high volume of traffic and several exits within a mile of it, I can understand exactly why I-80 remains at 65 between I-57 and US 30 and 55 between US 30 and Larkin Ave. West of Larkin, it should be 70.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 16, 2017, 09:03:49 AM

Well considering that the 80 bridge over the Des Plaines has a very high volume of traffic and several exits within a mile of it, I can understand exactly why I-80 remains at 65 between I-57 and US 30 and 55 between US 30 and Larkin Ave. West of Larkin, it should be 70.

At least the Des Plaines river bridge isn't a puzzling 45 MPH anymore...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 16, 2017, 05:46:28 PM
I say yes.  It needs a bypass around Morris, Yorkville and Elburn, and Grundy County has funding in place for a study to widen 47 from Morris to Dwight.  I think this could be done.

Should 47 ever be widened to Dwight - I can see this, but in the far future- that would make the IL 47 corridor a great far western Chicago bypass, which it should be.

I am not aware that "Grundy County" currently has any study money for a state highway, IL 47 or otherwise. The last time the county started a study of a state highway, it was the Brisbin Road/I-80 interchange, and IDOT took it over when it became too big for the county to handle. Do you have a link or any other evidence?

FYI, before the Illinois River bridge at Morris was widened, the FHWA was adamant that the logical south terminus of the project should be IL 113, which would have pushed the 4-lane widening a third of the way to Dwight. IDOT talked them out of it and it was truncated at Southmor Road. With ADT approaching 10,000 in that stretch, maybe the FHWA should have prevailed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on March 16, 2017, 06:03:00 PM
Also I've seen too many crashes at Route 83 and Cermak 22nd Street by the mall because they don't have flashing warning lights to allow drivers to know about the Stoplight

Unless those accidents involved out-of-town/state drivers, I have a hard time believing the people didn't know about the stoplight. It's been my experience in that neighborhood that people are just in a hurry and feel they're above having to wait for another light cycle. FWIW, I hate transiting that area, especially by foot.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Jericho That on March 17, 2017, 07:58:00 AM
Also I've seen too many crashes at Route 83 and Cermak 22nd Street by the mall because they don't have flashing warning lights to allow drivers to know about the Stoplight

Unless those accidents involved out-of-town/state drivers, I have a hard time believing the people didn't know about the stoplight. It's been my experience in that neighborhood that people are just in a hurry and feel they're above having to wait for another light cycle. FWIW, I hate transiting that area, especially by foot.

I agree. People aren't keeping their speed up because they're unaware of the signal, they're just determined to beat the light.

I drove through this intersection yesterday and noticed the red light cameras for the first time. I don't know how long they've been up, but the warning signs still have their orange flags attached. Too bad they're pointed at the wrong approach..
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on March 17, 2017, 10:37:31 AM
Also I've seen too many crashes at Route 83 and Cermak 22nd Street by the mall because they don't have flashing warning lights to allow drivers to know about the Stoplight

Unless those accidents involved out-of-town/state drivers, I have a hard time believing the people didn't know about the stoplight. It's been my experience in that neighborhood that people are just in a hurry and feel they're above having to wait for another light cycle. FWIW, I hate transiting that area, especially by foot.

I agree. People aren't keeping their speed up because they're unaware of the signal, they're just determined to beat the light.

I drove through this intersection yesterday and noticed the red light cameras for the first time. I don't know how long they've been up, but the warning signs still have their orange flags attached. Too bad they're pointed at the wrong approach..

They're up on 22nd Street eastbound and 83 southbound because Oakbrook Terrace wanted them.  Oak Brook is opposed to these cameras (and is the municipality on the other two corners there).

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=19267.0
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on March 30, 2017, 09:15:36 PM
Also I've seen too many crashes at Route 83 and Cermak 22nd Street by the mall because they don't have flashing warning lights to allow drivers to know about the Stoplight

Unless those accidents involved out-of-town/state drivers, I have a hard time believing the people didn't know about the stoplight. It's been my experience in that neighborhood that people are just in a hurry and feel they're above having to wait for another light cycle. FWIW, I hate transiting that area, especially by foot.

I agree. People aren't keeping their speed up because they're unaware of the signal, they're just determined to beat the light.

I drove through this intersection yesterday and noticed the red light cameras for the first time. I don't know how long they've been up, but the warning signs still have their orange flags attached. Too bad they're pointed at the wrong approach..

That intersection sees too much traffic to even function, even having 3 straight lanes on each of the approaches.  The traffic will be so backed-up coming from the west approach, that I'll often have to wait 2-3 whole signal cycles to make it through the intersection (not even during rush hour).  That's why authorities know they can catch people with the red light cameras (assuming they function properly and justly--and I'm not getting into that argument now).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 30, 2017, 11:40:34 PM
Also I've seen too many crashes at Route 83 and Cermak 22nd Street by the mall because they don't have flashing warning lights to allow drivers to know about the Stoplight

Unless those accidents involved out-of-town/state drivers, I have a hard time believing the people didn't know about the stoplight. It's been my experience in that neighborhood that people are just in a hurry and feel they're above having to wait for another light cycle. FWIW, I hate transiting that area, especially by foot.

I agree. People aren't keeping their speed up because they're unaware of the signal, they're just determined to beat the light.

I drove through this intersection yesterday and noticed the red light cameras for the first time. I don't know how long they've been up, but the warning signs still have their orange flags attached. Too bad they're pointed at the wrong approach..

That intersection sees too much traffic to even function, even having 3 straight lanes on each of the approaches.  The traffic will be so backed-up coming from the west approach, that I'll often have to wait 2-3 whole signal cycles to make it through the intersection (not even during rush hour).  That's why authorities know they can catch people with the red light cameras (assuming they function properly and justly--and I'm not getting into that argument now).
Build a over / under pass.

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=10031.0
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 08, 2017, 01:48:59 PM
The Mile Long Bridge on I-294 begins a year long repair project on Monday. Construction zone looks to be from Willow Springs Road to Archer Ave. Expected to finish in 2018.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 08, 2017, 03:18:32 PM
Why are they doing this now? Shouldn't they do that when the central Tri State is rebuilt in a few years?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 08, 2017, 04:32:36 PM
It's mainly for the bridge deck itself. Since they redid it with the re-surface a couple years ago, the bridge pavement is riddled with potholes across all lanes. Probably they figure "let's do one final fixer before it gets torn down and rebuilt from the ground up in 3-6 years"

It also looks like some sideline bridge and ramp repairs are also scheduled for the southern section from 95th to the Bishop Ford.

Here's the link to the Mile project: https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/552064/2017+294+Mile_Long-Bridge_Projects_FactSheet_03-22-17.pdf/bbfd5c24-181b-4ed0-a01d-80c491c1e097 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/552064/2017+294+Mile_Long-Bridge_Projects_FactSheet_03-22-17.pdf/bbfd5c24-181b-4ed0-a01d-80c491c1e097)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 08, 2017, 08:21:37 PM
It also looks like they are doing some repair projects on the Northern Portion (North of I-90). I guess just necessary maintenance although this section was mostly rebuilt less than 10 years ago (save for the portion between Lake-Cook and Half Day Road).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tdindy88 on April 08, 2017, 08:45:52 PM
Curious question here if it's okay to ask on this thread. I'm thinking about a short trip to the Chicago area from Indy around the 4th of July and wanted to clinch some roadways and see newly updated parts of the tollways there. On a Sunday I'd drive north on the Tri-State (from the Edens via Chicago) north to Milwaukee and southwest on I-43 to Beloit before heading south along I-90 all the way toward the Tri-State. I would then backtrack my way back to drive along I-355 for its entirety.

My question, and a apologize if this has been asked elsewhere before, is could I buy an EZPass for primarily that one day if I'm going to be on all those tollways. Typically I just visit the cash booths along those highways. And if its feasible, should I buy the pass through Illinois or Indiana?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 08, 2017, 11:50:05 PM
Curious question here if it's okay to ask on this thread. I'm thinking about a short trip to the Chicago area from Indy around the 4th of July and wanted to clinch some roadways and see newly updated parts of the tollways there. On a Sunday I'd drive north on the Tri-State (from the Edens via Chicago) north to Milwaukee and southwest on I-43 to Beloit before heading south along I-90 all the way toward the Tri-State. I would then backtrack my way back to drive along I-355 for its entirety.

My question, and a apologize if this has been asked elsewhere before, is could I buy an EZPass for primarily that one day if I'm going to be on all those tollways. Typically I just visit the cash booths along those highways. And if its feasible, should I buy the pass through Illinois or Indiana?

If you buy an EZ-Pass in Indiana, it will work in Illinois as IPass and EZ-Pass are completely interchangeable. It's honestly your choice which agency you want to go through, as it's really a wash either way (unless Indiana has a different pricing plan for IPass. I forget the policy on that).

However, you can't do a one-day purchase. Once you have it, it's registered to you. The good news is that, after the initial up front fee, you only pay as you use it. Also, keep in mind that it will work on any tollway on the IPass or EZ-Pass system.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 09, 2017, 01:47:12 AM
Curious question here if it's okay to ask on this thread. I'm thinking about a short trip to the Chicago area from Indy around the 4th of July and wanted to clinch some roadways and see newly updated parts of the tollways there. On a Sunday I'd drive north on the Tri-State (from the Edens via Chicago) north to Milwaukee and southwest on I-43 to Beloit before heading south along I-90 all the way toward the Tri-State. I would then backtrack my way back to drive along I-355 for its entirety.

My question, and a apologize if this has been asked elsewhere before, is could I buy an EZPass for primarily that one day if I'm going to be on all those tollways. Typically I just visit the cash booths along those highways. And if its feasible, should I buy the pass through Illinois or Indiana?

EZ Passes in Indiana are sold at Toll Road Travel Plazas and at CVS stores in the northern part of the state, and IPass transponders are sold at Jewel grocery stores in northeast Illinois- whichever is more convenient to stop at along your route.  If you stop at Jewel, go to the customer service desk at the front of the store near the checkout stands.  If you have an EZ Pass already, it should work at all toll plazas along the Illinois system, like the above post states.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tdindy88 on April 09, 2017, 09:59:19 PM
Thanks. I was thinking of just having it mailed to me probably thru the Indiana Toll Road and having it ready to use by July.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on April 10, 2017, 09:00:21 AM
Thanks. I was thinking of just having it mailed to me probably thru the Indiana Toll Road and having it ready to use by July.

EZ Pass will also work whenever you decide to come down and clinch the new roadway and bridge over the Ohio River.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on April 10, 2017, 12:21:18 PM
Anyone have links to the new cam pictures? The ones on page 2 are severely outdated.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on April 10, 2017, 12:56:42 PM
Curious question here if it's okay to ask on this thread. I'm thinking about a short trip to the Chicago area from Indy around the 4th of July and wanted to clinch some roadways and see newly updated parts of the tollways there. On a Sunday I'd drive north on the Tri-State (from the Edens via Chicago) north to Milwaukee and southwest on I-43 to Beloit before heading south along I-90 all the way toward the Tri-State. I would then backtrack my way back to drive along I-355 for its entirety.

My question, and a apologize if this has been asked elsewhere before, is could I buy an EZPass for primarily that one day if I'm going to be on all those tollways. Typically I just visit the cash booths along those highways. And if its feasible, should I buy the pass through Illinois or Indiana?

I would recommend the Illinois version (I-Pass).  The reason being that ISTHA does not charge any monthly or yearly fees.  The ITR charges $1/month.  ISTHA also charges a refundable $10 deposit while the ITR charges a $20 refundable deposit.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 10, 2017, 05:19:48 PM
I say yes.  It needs a bypass around Morris, Yorkville and Elburn, and Grundy County has funding in place for a study to widen 47 from Morris to Dwight.  I think this could be done.

Should 47 ever be widened to Dwight - I can see this, but in the far future- that would make the IL 47 corridor a great far western Chicago bypass, which it should be.

I am not aware that "Grundy County" currently has any study money for a state highway, IL 47 or otherwise. The last time the county started a study of a state highway, it was the Brisbin Road/I-80 interchange, and IDOT took it over when it became too big for the county to handle. Do you have a link or any other evidence?

FYI, before the Illinois River bridge at Morris was widened, the FHWA was adamant that the logical south terminus of the project should be IL 113, which would have pushed the 4-lane widening a third of the way to Dwight. IDOT talked them out of it and it was truncated at Southmor Road. With ADT approaching 10,000 in that stretch, maybe the FHWA should have prevailed.

I could have sworn I read a news article about having funding for the study.  Now I'm only seeing it in a county priority list...

http://gedc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Transportation-Plan-Final.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tdindy88 on April 10, 2017, 09:30:29 PM
I would recommend the Illinois version (I-Pass).  The reason being that ISTHA does not charge any monthly or yearly fees.  The ITR charges $1/month.  ISTHA also charges a refundable $10 deposit while the ITR charges a $20 refundable deposit.

Okay. I just wasn't sure if there was a problem with buying one despite being out of state. But then again the purpose would be to use it on Illinois Tollways so that would make since. I might keep it around to check out the Louisville bridges too but since it's all EZPass then I guess that wouldn't be a problem.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on April 10, 2017, 11:07:41 PM
^^ ISTHA is fairly liberal with them for out of state residents.  You can be in California and get an I-Pass.  However, most of the out of state folks tend to be from Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, & Iowa.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on April 11, 2017, 04:17:58 PM
I would recommend the Illinois version (I-Pass).  The reason being that ISTHA does not charge any monthly or yearly fees.  The ITR charges $1/month.  ISTHA also charges a refundable $10 deposit while the ITR charges a $20 refundable deposit.

Okay. I just wasn't sure if there was a problem with buying one despite being out of state. But then again the purpose would be to use it on Illinois Tollways so that would make since. I might keep it around to check out the Louisville bridges too but since it's all EZPass then I guess that wouldn't be a problem.


I'm a Wisconsin resident and have had an iPass for years.  They'll take anyone's money.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dcharlie on April 11, 2017, 04:44:31 PM
Yes, but at least they are taking only half the money that they would be taking if you didn't have one!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on April 11, 2017, 04:48:42 PM
Yes, but at least they are taking only half the money that they would be taking if you didn't have one!

Not if I actively avoid the toll roads.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on April 11, 2017, 04:49:02 PM
Yes, but at least they are taking only half the money that they would be taking if you didn't have one!

Hence why a bunch of Cheeseheads and others from out of state get one in the first place.  :bigass:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dcharlie on April 11, 2017, 04:58:58 PM
Yes, but at least they are taking only half the money that they would be taking if you didn't have one!

Not if I actively avoid the toll roads.

Good point!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: GeekJedi on April 12, 2017, 09:35:02 PM
Yes, but at least they are taking only half the money that they would be taking if you didn't have one!

Hence why a bunch of Cheeseheads and others from out of state get one in the first place.  :bigass:

I got mine when they first came out - back then I lived in Joliet, so it made sense. I kept it when I moved so that I could avoid paying the "Wisconsin Tax". :-)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 13, 2017, 09:01:22 AM
With the state of roads and things in Illinois in general, they should just start charging a $5 entrance fee to the state.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ajlynch91 on April 13, 2017, 11:06:51 AM
Quite frankly, it'd be much more lucrative to charge a fee to leave the state.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on April 13, 2017, 06:54:02 PM
There is now a place where you can email comments regarding the Central Tri-State rebuild.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294) (https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294))

Good news is it looks like they just might address the I-290 situation (but who knows how long that will last).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on April 13, 2017, 07:41:55 PM
There is now a place where you can email comments regarding the Central Tri-State rebuild.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294) (https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294))

Good news is it looks like they just might address the I-290 situation (but who knows how long that will last).

Why is it 10 laned to only Balmoral? Needs to be 10 laned all the way to 90.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 13, 2017, 09:37:18 PM
There is now a place where you can email comments regarding the Central Tri-State rebuild.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294) (https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294))

Good news is it looks like they just might address the I-290 situation (but who knows how long that will last).

Why is it 10 laned to only Balmoral? Needs to be 10 laned all the way to 90.

Essentially, Balmoral is the beginning of the I-90 interchange. If you look at the map, it basically shows it this way. I imagine the additional lanes would become "Exit only" at I-90.

Very glad that a redesign is in the works for the I-290 interchange. That is such a mess right now! I wouldn't underestimate the impact of improving the I-55 interchange as well, if done right.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 13, 2017, 10:14:58 PM
There is now a place where you can email comments regarding the Central Tri-State rebuild.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294) (https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294))

Good news is it looks like they just might address the I-290 situation (but who knows how long that will last).

Why is it 10 laned to only Balmoral? Needs to be 10 laned all the way to 90.

Balmoral is the beginning, as the lead up northbound is 6 lanes while southbound has 6 lanes from Touhy to the interchange. All they'll really do is probably even out the configurations for a smoother transition.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 13, 2017, 10:22:29 PM
There is now a place where you can email comments regarding the Central Tri-State rebuild.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294) (https://www.illinoistollway.com/outreach/projects-in-your-community#Central%20Tri-State%20Tollway%20(I-294))

Good news is it looks like they just might address the I-290 situation (but who knows how long that will last).
they need to get rid of that very temp 4th lane drop it's just painted that way but it's not a shoulder it's built as a full lane.

Why is it 10 laned to only Balmoral? Needs to be 10 laned all the way to 90.

Essentially, Balmoral is the beginning of the I-90 interchange. If you look at the map, it basically shows it this way. I imagine the additional lanes would become "Exit only" at I-90.

Very glad that a redesign is in the works for the I-290 interchange. That is such a mess right now! I wouldn't underestimate the impact of improving the I-55 interchange as well, if done right.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: pianocello on April 14, 2017, 09:45:16 AM
With the state of roads and things in Illinois in general, they should just start charging a $5 entrance fee to the state.

Well, that's essentially what the Skyway does...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 14, 2017, 10:15:35 AM
With the state of roads and things in Illinois in general, they should just start charging a $5 entrance fee to the state.

Well, that's essentially what the Skyway does...

Good part of the reason the areas adjacent to the Skyway are the way they are? Just one entrance and exit north of the toll could/would work wonders.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on April 14, 2017, 11:19:40 AM
With the state of roads and things in Illinois in general, they should just start charging a $5 entrance fee to the state.

Well, that's essentially what the Skyway does...

Good part of the reason the areas adjacent to the Skyway are the way they are? Just one entrance and exit north of the toll could/would work wonders.


So you think providing more access from rougher neighborhoods to freeways increases the quality of those neighborhoods?  My anecdotal experience doesn't lead me to believe that is the case.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 16, 2017, 07:27:15 AM
With the state of roads and things in Illinois in general, they should just start charging a $5 entrance fee to the state.

Well, that's essentially what the Skyway does...

Good part of the reason the areas adjacent to the Skyway are the way they are? Just one entrance and exit north of the toll could/would work wonders.


So you think providing more access from rougher neighborhoods to freeways increases the quality of those neighborhoods?  My anecdotal experience doesn't lead me to believe that is the case.

AH, yes? "More access" sure beats ZERO.

What "SEWI anecdotal experience" could possibly have anything to do with "rougher neighborhoods" adjacent to the Skyway?
Careful, I think your barn door is open.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on April 16, 2017, 10:55:15 AM
With the state of roads and things in Illinois in general, they should just start charging a $5 entrance fee to the state.

Well, that's essentially what the Skyway does...

Good part of the reason the areas adjacent to the Skyway are the way they are? Just one entrance and exit north of the toll could/would work wonders.


So you think providing more access from rougher neighborhoods to freeways increases the quality of those neighborhoods?  My anecdotal experience doesn't lead me to believe that is the case.

AH, yes? "More access" sure beats ZERO.

What "SEWI anecdotal experience" could possibly have anything to do with "rougher neighborhoods" adjacent to the Skyway?
Careful, I think your barn door is open.


I travel extensively to major cities for my job.  I find that there are plenty of "rougher neighborhoods" located just off of freeways with plenty of access.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 16, 2017, 12:32:52 PM
And I am sure you are absolutely correct. There are plenty with plenty. Just not this one and does not change the fact that the Skyway has NO entrances if one would be going west (north?) north of the bridge (the only one being at the state line). So this is an eight mile stretch through heavy industrial/river access to residential with essentially one EB exit after a $4 minimum toll. Yes, I realize there is a WB exit and EB enter at Stony Island, but that is of little help.

Which I guess just begs the question...Should an EB exit and WB entrance be built at 87th and S Anthony?

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7366166,-87.5672208,720m/data=!3m1!1e3
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 16, 2017, 05:59:18 PM
People that live in the area of the Skyway use either Shore Shore Dr to Lake Shore Dr or they use 95th, 87th, 79th or 67th to the Dan Ryan. Not every interchange needs to be a full interchange. Plus there is the issue of the toll booth which is why the exits are designed in that way. For a WB on/EB off, you would need booths on the ramps. If one was going to be a logical full interchange, it would be 79th.

Of course if the Stony Island Expy was built to Lake Shore Dr instead of just dying on as a neighborhood boulevard, you wouldn't need much at all from the Skyway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 17, 2017, 01:56:22 AM
Who said anything about toll booths? Oh You. 87th would be completely illogical, youre right again.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on April 17, 2017, 01:41:20 PM
Who said anything about toll booths? Oh You.

And you.

Just one entrance and exit north of the toll could/would work wonders.
So this is an eight mile stretch through heavy industrial/river access to residential with essentially one EB exit after a $4 minimum toll.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 17, 2017, 10:39:10 PM
Who said anything about toll booths? Oh You.

And you.

Just one entrance and exit north of the toll could/would work wonders.
So this is an eight mile stretch through heavy industrial/river access to residential with essentially one EB exit after a $4 minimum toll.

That is correct.

And I said an exit EB and entrance WB at 87th. Nothing about tolls on those two. Reading (and comprehension) is fundamental. Just a minor payback for this road that very few in adjacent communities use, and Skyway contributes minimal business/jobs to the area.  They even tore down the McDs that was between the booths and the bridge. Tear up the 93rd St exit after the toll but before the bridge AFAIC.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on April 18, 2017, 08:54:02 AM
I disagree. Close as many highway exits as you can. Just take a look at the Ike. idoits who get onto the highway and get off the next exit. Austin ave and harlem need to be shut down
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 18, 2017, 08:56:29 AM
With the state of roads and things in Illinois in general, they should just start charging a $5 entrance fee to the state.

Well, that's essentially what the Skyway does...

I mean at every border state border crossing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 18, 2017, 10:00:44 PM
I disagree. Close as many highway exits as you can. Just take a look at the Ike. idoits who get onto the highway and get off the next exit. Austin ave and harlem need to be shut down

Skyway and Ike are not at all comparable, are they? They got six lanes of concrete? They re both in Chicago? They are really complete opposites. Ike has "idoits" able to get on and then off at the next exit. Skyway? Not so much. Hillarryous.

BTW, how is that DFing Ike project going? Sorry....cant....resist..... :rofl:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dcharlie on April 19, 2017, 08:28:23 AM
Please don't feed the troll!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 19, 2017, 10:44:07 AM
Please don't feed the troll!

May as well start up an Illinois Tollway Notes 2.0 knowing how these convos go
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on April 19, 2017, 01:26:24 PM
For those just tuning in...

d:  Add more local access to the Skyway.
j:  No, don't do that, because then it will be more like the Eisenhower with all its local access and traffic.
d:  But the Eisenhower is not like the Skyway, because the Eisenhower has lots of local access and the Skyway does not.
j:  That's my point.
d:  Hillarryous.  :rofl:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: slorydn1 on April 21, 2017, 04:02:48 AM
For those just tuning in...

d:  Add more local access to the Skyway.
j:  No, don't do that, because then it will be more like the Eisenhower with all its local access and traffic.
d:  But the Eisenhower is not like the Skyway, because the Eisenhower has lots of local access and the Skyway does not.
j:  That's my point.
d:  Hillarryous.  :rofl:

Thanks for the summary, I needed that this morning!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 21, 2017, 11:55:51 AM
Add more ANY local access to the Skyway. KPs view is through welding googles apparently. Talk about "wormholes". Cant really find any comparable roads to this.

This 8 mile tolled way goes from the IN border to the Ryan Xway with exactly ONE EB exit after a toll and an EB entrance and WB exit at Stony Island and State St. So pretty much you get on this thing and you dont get off till it ends.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on April 21, 2017, 12:02:07 PM
Add more ANY local access to the Skyway. KPs view is through welding googles apparently. Talk about "wormholes". This 8 mile tolled way goes from the IN border to the Ryan Xway with exactly ONE EB exit after a toll and an EB entrance and WB exit at Stony Island and State St. So pretty much you get on this thing and you dont get off till it ends.


What started this is your assertion that adding exits to the Skyway would improve the neighborhoods around the Skyway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 21, 2017, 12:07:26 PM
 One EB exit and WB entrance at 87th exactly. So what is wrong with THAT "assertion"? Maybe eventually, a Brat Stop. :clap:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on April 21, 2017, 12:12:59 PM
One exit and entrance at 87th exactly. So what is wrong with THAT "assertion"?


Because there is no proof that it would improve the neighborhood. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 21, 2017, 03:59:46 PM
There is proof that NOT having them for FIFTY years is NOT improving the neighborhood.

What would WI do? They would have built a couple of roundabouts with gas, beer and cheese stores on every possible corner decades ago.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 21, 2017, 05:18:08 PM
There is proof that NOT having them for FIFTY years is NOT improving the neighborhood.

I'd love the link to the article stating that the absence of ramps is contributing to the degradation in the area :coffee: :coffee:

"Enlighten me O Great Sage"
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on April 21, 2017, 05:50:37 PM
There is proof that NOT having them for FIFTY years is NOT improving the neighborhood.


There is also proof that not having extraterrestrials visit Chicago has not improved the neighborhood either.

Both are about as relevant. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: GeekJedi on April 21, 2017, 10:21:08 PM
Quote from: dzlsabe
What would WI do? They would have built a couple of roundabouts with gas, beer and cheese stores on every possible corner decades ago.

Wanna know what this and a certain never to be built expressway have in common? They're both figments of dzlsabe's imagination.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 21, 2017, 11:37:11 PM
Quote from: dzlsabe
What would WI do? They would have built a couple of roundabouts with gas, beer and cheese stores on every possible corner decades ago.

Wanna know what this and a certain never to be built expressway have in common? They're both figments of dzlsabe's imagination.

Everything was/is a figment of someones imagination df. Knife, wheel, beer, sausage, cheese, bicycles, aeroplanes, Is-41 & 43....until it actually happens.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 22, 2017, 09:37:52 AM
Quote from: dzlsabe
What would WI do? They would have built a couple of roundabouts with gas, beer and cheese stores on every possible corner decades ago.

Wanna know what this and a certain never to be built expressway have in common? They're both figments of dzlsabe's imagination.

Everything was/is a figment of someones imagination df. Knife, wheel, beer, sausage, cheese, bicycles, aeroplanes, Is-41 & 43....until it actually happens.
Stereotypically (rude) now? Okay, I can see where this thread will go.

How about we actually talk about existing Tollways and (officially) proposed ideas.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on April 22, 2017, 12:23:57 PM
Quote
The Illinois Tollway will host a series of open house meetings as part of the agency’s ongoing work to plan for improvements to the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294).

Monday, April 24, 6-8 p.m. — Hinsdale Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-294)
Tuesday, April 25, 6-8 p.m. — Lipinski Community Center, 7256 Skyline Dr., Justice
Wednesday, April 26, 6-8 p.m. — O’Hare Oasis, Tri-State Tollway (I-294)

As part of the 15-year, $12 billion Move Illinois capital program, the Tollway is developing a plan to determine improvements to be included in the reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between 95th Street and Balmoral Avenue.
This is the only remaining segments of the original Tollway system constructed in the 1950s that has not been improved and modernized to meet current and future transportation needs.

Getting back on topic, anyone going to any of these?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 22, 2017, 02:40:58 PM

Getting back on topic, anyone going to any of these?

I will be at the one at Hinsdale Oasis Monday, probably between 6-7 pm.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on April 22, 2017, 05:20:05 PM

Getting back on topic, anyone going to any of these?

I will be at the one at Hinsdale Oasis Monday, probably between 6-7 pm.
So much for "Public Information Meetings" being free of charge </sarcasmMode>
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 22, 2017, 05:49:51 PM
The gas pumps were shutdown at O'Hare Oasis this morning.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 22, 2017, 06:37:37 PM
Quote
As part of the 15-year, $12 billion Move (out of) Illinois capital program, the Tollway is developing a plan to determine improvements to be included in the reconstruction of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) between 95th Street and Balmoral Avenue.
This is the ONLY remaining segments of the original Tollway system constructed in the 1950s that has not been improved and modernized to meet current and future transportation needs.

So it has not been improved and modernized since the '50s? And NOW youre on it? Thinking about "future transportation needs"? Hillarryous. When will you retire?

https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/capital-programs

My fav line...Planning studies for the Illinois Route 53/120 Project and "other emerging projects."
WHAT OTHER EMERGING PROJECTS??? :pan: Pray tell.

"This page left blank intentionally" :rofl:

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 23, 2017, 03:13:05 PM
Hey you spelled hilarious wrong.

And those other emerging projects,

I-88 east of York Road. That's actually all I can think of. Where else does the tollway system actually need to be redone?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 23, 2017, 05:22:09 PM
Hey you spelled hilarious wrong.

And those other emerging projects,

I-88 east of York Road. That's actually all I can think of. Where else does the tollway system actually need to be redone?

Edens Spur.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 23, 2017, 07:42:16 PM
Hey you spelled hilarious wrong.

And those other emerging projects,

I-88 east of York Road. That's actually all I can think of. Where else does the tollway system actually need to be redone?

Maybe the 294/80 split? Couple of those ramps are awkward for trucks
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 24, 2017, 09:39:13 AM
Hey you spelled hilarious wrong.

And those other emerging projects,

I-88 east of York Road. That's actually all I can think of. Where else does the tollway system actually need to be redone?

Maybe the 294/80 split? Couple of those ramps are awkward for trucks

well the new I-57 ramps do take load off that spilt.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on April 24, 2017, 09:53:27 AM
FWIW, I like the Skyway as it is. Adding exits would not be a bad idea, though I'd make them so that you couldn't get off until you paid a toll.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on April 24, 2017, 06:03:53 PM
Getting back on track, is anyone going to the Central Tri-State rebuild meetings? If so, what was said and where can we find planning documents (up to date ones from this year. New ones haven't been posted since January 2016 on the Tollway website)?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 24, 2017, 07:02:38 PM
FWIW, I like the Skyway as it is. Adding exits would not be a bad idea, though I'd make them so that you couldn't get off until you paid a toll.

How much would be "fair", your royal tightness? 50 cents? One would not be going over the bridge, remember. Other than the Skyway bridge there are NO tolls in Chicago.


As to the Tri-state widening...

"Aimee Lee, the Tollway's senior manager of strategic planning and programming, warned that congestion on the Tri-State will get much worse without widening in the next two decades. Travel time on southbound central I-294 during the morning rush hour, for example, could grow from 24 minutes to an hour by 2040, Lee said."

She warned. WHAT IF (I realize Im steppin out on huge limb here, as road planning around here is spot on) widening the Tri-state (and the Ike) the "HOVing hootenanny" just does not live up to "strategic planning" expectations??? In ten years?

Kinda begs that "maybe build something 4 times the length of Edens Spur" question, does it not, Aimee? :pan:


Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 24, 2017, 10:00:23 PM
It looks like the Tollway is going all in on widening the Central Portion of I-294. From what I am reading, it seems a lot of the construction will mirror what was done with I-90. I know there is a lot community opposition, but this is badly needed in this stretch, and I am glad that there is serious consideration being given to upgrades at the I-55 and I-88/I-290 interchanges along this stretch. From the article:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-294-construction-0425-20170424-story.html

Quote
The 22-mile stretch – from Balmoral Avenue near O'Hare International Airport to 95th Street in Bridgeview – is the Tollway's heaviest-traveled section, which sees 155,000 vehicles daily. It is currently four lanes each direction. The new rebuilding and widening plan, an expansion from an earlier $1.9 billion plan to just rebuild the existing road, would add a lane in each direction and use "flex lanes" on the inside shoulder for buses and emergency vehicles. Tollway staff said the expanded project could be done without raising tolls, through improved toll collection and lower debt service on bonds.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 24, 2017, 10:13:10 PM
I thought this was quirky and interesting...The Tollway is giving away saplings and seed packets on Arbor Day (April 28th)

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/161671/20170420+-+Illinois+Tollway+to+Give+Away+Tree+Seedlings+and+Wildflower+Seeds+to+Celebrate+Arbor+Day/2f84bf3e-901c-4363-8eac-428ca596dadf
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 24, 2017, 10:52:11 PM
They were talking about this on the news tonight. 

Few things:

The Tri State was built in 1958.  It precedes almost everyone who lives near it. Stop complaining that you might lose land and that it might be too loud. You knew it was there before you moved there. It's already loud with the amount of cars and trucks that use it and the tollway would put up sound barriers. Suck it up or move. Don't ruin it for the millions who use it.

It sounds like they really are going all out in this.  HOV lanes, flex lanes etc. This will be a treat to drive when completed. I only hope they don't make it completely cashless, as doing that with the heaviest traveled area on the system is asinine.

They mentioned on the news that the Hinsdale Oasis will be demolished and that only the gas stations will remain. I wish they would find a way to keep these in place. Does anyone know the fate of the O'Hare Oasis?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 24, 2017, 11:05:24 PM
Redesigning the I-290 Interchange can help reduce interstate and local road delays
Improving I-55 Interchange will help reduce congestion on the Tri-State Tollway

seems to say that they will go all out with I-290 that better also deal with the I-88 parts as well.

I-55 just smaller stuff?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 24, 2017, 11:05:47 PM
They were talking about this on the news tonight. 

Few things:

The Tri State was built in 1958.  It precedes almost everyone who lives near it. Stop complaining that you might lose land and that it might be too loud. You knew it was there before you moved there. It's already loud with the amount of cars and trucks that use it and the tollway would put up sound barriers. Suck it up or move. Don't ruin it for the millions who use it.

It sounds like they really are going all out in this.  HOV lanes, flex lanes etc. This will be a treat to drive when completed. I only hope they don't make it completely cashless, as doing that with the heaviest traveled area on the system is asinine.

They mentioned on the news that the Hinsdale Oasis will be demolished and that only the gas stations will remain. I wish they would find a way to keep these in place. Does anyone know the fate of the O'Hare Oasis?

what channel?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 24, 2017, 11:09:54 PM
They were talking about this on the news tonight. 

Few things:

The Tri State was built in 1958.  It precedes almost everyone who lives near it. Stop complaining that you might lose land and that it might be too loud. You knew it was there before you moved there. It's already loud with the amount of cars and trucks that use it and the tollway would put up sound barriers. Suck it up or move. Don't ruin it for the millions who use it.

It sounds like they really are going all out in this.  HOV lanes, flex lanes etc. This will be a treat to drive when completed. I only hope they don't make it completely cashless, as doing that with the heaviest traveled area on the system is asinine.

They mentioned on the news that the Hinsdale Oasis will be demolished and that only the gas stations will remain. I wish they would find a way to keep these in place. Does anyone know the fate of the O'Hare Oasis?

what channel?

WGN
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 24, 2017, 11:11:56 PM
Who said anything about toll booths? Oh You.

And you.

Just one entrance and exit north of the toll could/would work wonders.
So this is an eight mile stretch through heavy industrial/river access to residential with essentially one EB exit after a $4 minimum toll.

That is correct.

And I said an exit EB and entrance WB at 87th. Nothing about tolls on those two. Reading (and comprehension) is fundamental. Just a minor payback for this road that very few in adjacent communities use, and Skyway contributes minimal business/jobs to the area.  They even tore down the McDs that was between the booths and the bridge. Tear up the 93rd St exit after the toll but before the bridge AFAIC.

DZ, the existing toll booth on the Skyway is SOUTHEAST of 87th and Anthony. That would require your EB off, WB on ramps to get booths.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7351852,-87.5662883,661m/data=!3m1!1e3

Once again, you don't think about basic things like this. Then you wonder why so many of us don't give you much credibility.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 24, 2017, 11:22:17 PM
WHY would it "require" booths again? DONT build them! YOU overthink (or dont?) such basic things. The bridge is the big money maintenance item, thats ALL that needs be tolled. The existing booths accomplish that. Try "thinking outside the envelope" h2. If that doesnt work, just put the stamp on upside down. :spin:

And I feel really bad that YOU dont give me much "credibility". Hillarryous.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 24, 2017, 11:23:59 PM
WHY would it "require" booths again? DONT build them! YOU overthink (or dont?) such basic things. The bridge is the big money maintenance item, thats ALL that needs be tolled.

The entire length of the Skyway is a toll road. Not just the bridge. That's why.
FIFY!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 24, 2017, 11:40:29 PM
They were talking about this on the news tonight. 

Few things:

The Tri State was built in 1958.  It precedes almost everyone who lives near it. Stop complaining that you might lose land and that it might be too loud. You knew it was there before you moved there. It's already loud with the amount of cars and trucks that use it and the tollway would put up sound barriers. Suck it up or move. Don't ruin it for the millions who use it.

It sounds like they really are going all out in this.  HOV lanes, flex lanes etc. This will be a treat to drive when completed. I only hope they don't make it completely cashless, as doing that with the heaviest traveled area on the system is asinine.

They mentioned on the news that the Hinsdale Oasis will be demolished and that only the gas stations will remain. I wish they would find a way to keep these in place. Does anyone know the fate of the O'Hare Oasis?

Agreed, residents along I-90 had the same concerns and now that is the gem of the system. Whether they like it or not, a 60 year old highway operating in 2017 and beyond needs an upgrade and will get it.

As for the O'Hare Oasis, I'm sure it would suffer the same fate. However, the 5 lane sections begins just north approaching the Balmoral/190/90/River interchange so maybe you could squeeze in the lanes without suffering the loss
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 25, 2017, 12:10:14 AM
the Oasis's have very limited room to add lanes.

As for the ETC ORT will they just cut the shoulders?? 4 lanes ETC?? redo them to have 5 + full shoulders??

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: GeekJedi on April 25, 2017, 07:25:33 AM
Quote from: dzlsabe
And I feel really bad that YOU dont give me much "credibility". Hillarryous.

You shouldn't feel bad. None of us give you much "credibility". Hillarryous indeed.

(Insert one of DZ's tired comments about "Wherethefami, WI", cheese curds, brat stop, etc. here)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on April 25, 2017, 04:10:33 PM
They were talking about this on the news tonight. 

Few things:

The Tri State was built in 1958.  It precedes almost everyone who lives near it. Stop complaining that you might lose land and that it might be too loud. You knew it was there before you moved there. It's already loud with the amount of cars and trucks that use it and the tollway would put up sound barriers. Suck it up or move. Don't ruin it for the millions who use it.

It sounds like they really are going all out in this.  HOV lanes, flex lanes etc. This will be a treat to drive when completed. I only hope they don't make it completely cashless, as doing that with the heaviest traveled area on the system is asinine.

They mentioned on the news that the Hinsdale Oasis will be demolished and that only the gas stations will remain. I wish they would find a way to keep these in place. Does anyone know the fate of the O'Hare Oasis?

Agreed, residents along I-90 had the same concerns and now that is the gem of the system. Whether they like it or not, a 60 year old highway operating in 2017 and beyond needs an upgrade and will get it.

As for the O'Hare Oasis, I'm sure it would suffer the same fate. However, the 5 lane sections begins just north approaching the Balmoral/190/90/River interchange so maybe you could squeeze in the lanes without suffering the loss

It is good that they are at least discussing rebuilding the I-290/I-88 interchange as part of this, but I wonder what exactly they could do. IDOT would have to cooperate, and since they couldn't get cooperation on rebuilding the I-290/IL-53 system interchange in Schaumburg, what makes you think they will be any more successful here? The only way I guess is if IDOT starts construction on the I-290 improvements at the same time (though we all know that is highly unlikely).

Also, have the Oasis outlived their purpose? Is it really going to be a big deal if the O'Hare and Hinsdale Oasis are removed (other than tax revenue for the cities)? With all of the commercial development in the suburbs since the Tri-State opened, I don't think it will be as big of a loss as people think.

(Btw: Everyone stop engaging with dzlsabe. Seriously, just ignore him. He obviously just wants to argue with everyone, so stop feeding him)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Roadgeekteen on April 25, 2017, 04:30:03 PM
WHY would it "require" booths again? DONT build them! YOU overthink (or dont?) such basic things. The bridge is the big money maintenance item, thats ALL that needs be tolled. The existing booths accomplish that. Try "thinking outside the envelope" h2. If that doesnt work, just put the stamp on upside down. :spin:

And I feel really bad that YOU dont give me much "credibility". Hillarryous.
What's up with You?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on April 25, 2017, 05:20:17 PM
IMHO, it would be a big loss to lose the oases.  There really isn't that much commercial development near the Tri-State, & the interchanges on the central Tri-State make getting on and off difficult.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 25, 2017, 05:29:45 PM
IMHO, it would be a big loss to lose the oases.  There really isn't that much commercial development near the Tri-State, & the interchanges on the central Tri-State make getting on and off difficult.

Not to mention people don't want to have to pay another toll just to use the bathroom. The main advantage of the oases is that they're part of the tollway network and you don't have to pay to get on or off.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: roadman65 on April 25, 2017, 05:47:13 PM
Seriously, they want to remove the Oasis?  That is nuts!  Relocate them if they can as many straight through travelers benefit from them being its the acting beltway of Chicago for N-S and E-W through motorists alike.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on April 25, 2017, 06:19:57 PM
IMHO, it would be a big loss to lose the oases.  There really isn't that much commercial development near the Tri-State, & the interchanges on the central Tri-State make getting on and off difficult.

Not to mention people don't want to have to pay another toll just to use the bathroom. The main advantage of the oases is that they're part of the tollway network and you don't have to pay to get on or off.

Well, you can't squeeze five lanes and wide shoulder under the current structures, so they will need to be removed. If they wanted to keep them, they should have rebuilt and lengthened the Oasis bridge decks when they were being reconstructed, but instead, they chose to just rebuild the structure from the bridge deck up.

It's sad, but it looks like in the future, only the Belvidere and Dekalb Oasis will remain.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: roadman65 on April 25, 2017, 06:34:53 PM
Where else are there service plazas above the roadway outside of Oklahoma on the Will Rogers Turnpike near Vinita, OK?

These are classical designs as other facilities are in the medians or on the side of the roads.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 25, 2017, 08:00:10 PM
WHY would it "require" booths again? DONT build them! YOU overthink (or dont?) such basic things. The bridge is the big money maintenance item, thats ALL that needs be tolled. The existing booths accomplish that. Try "thinking outside the envelope" h2. If that doesnt work, just put the stamp on upside down. :spin:

And I feel really bad that YOU dont give me much "credibility". Hillarryous.
What's up with You?

Simple answer, he's a radiator.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on April 25, 2017, 08:50:32 PM
WHY would it "require" booths again? DONT build them! YOU overthink (or dont?) such basic things. The bridge is the big money maintenance item, thats ALL that needs be tolled.

The entire length of the Skyway is a toll road. Not just the bridge. That's why.
FIFY!

us - You should build a new interchange.
toll agency - OK, why?
us - Just trust me on this one.
toll agency - Sure, no problem.
us - And don't put any toll booths on the ramps.
toll agency - So... we pay for this thing and then get no extra money from it?
us - Is that a problem?
toll agency - Hillaryous.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 25, 2017, 08:57:00 PM
It's sad, but it looks like in the future, only the Belvidere and Dekalb Oasis will remain.

Since when are the plans to remove the Lake Forest and Lincoln Oases?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on April 25, 2017, 09:31:53 PM
It's sad, but it looks like in the future, only the Belvidere and Dekalb Oasis will remain.

Since when are the plans to remove the Lake Forest and Lincoln Oases?

My apologies, I shouldn't have been so definitive. I should have said the Belvidere and DeKalb Oasis might be the only ones to remain in the future.

The reason I say that is because I wouldn't be surprised if at some point, the Tollway would want to redo the rest of the system (in the suburbs, that is) to incorporate the wider shoulders and active traffic management that they've done on I-90 and will do on the Central Tri-State. Granted, I doubt they go back and widen those sections for at least 15-20 years at the soonest, but any future improvements to the north and south Tri-State will require the removal of the Lake Forest and Lincoln Oases.

I think the south section (the I-80/294 duplex) will likely need five lanes in ten years (especially since the Illiana is likely dead), and they'll need to redo it anyway since ISTHA didn't rebuild the crossroad bridges to eliminate the "pinch-points" (I guess that is the new Tollway term for the crossroad bridges that were not reconstructed when the road was widened, and have narrow shoulders underneath).

In other news, it looks like the Tollway will be replacing the Bradley Road overpass on the North Tri-State just north of the Lake Forest Oasis next year (it is on their bidding schedule). I wonder if they'll bring the shoulders up to regular standard when they do so.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on April 25, 2017, 09:41:32 PM
Tollway sent out a release that the Tristate rebuild will require an additional 2.1 billion dollars. Or at least thats what I got from the wording in it. Sounds like no additional increases in the tolls and they will just increase the program length itself. However it really does seem like the tri-State rebuild is not only real, but is going to be one of the biggest undertakings in the tollways history. Seems like they are going head on to solve the problem with the roadway, build it out for the future, work with local communities to solve some issues and overall build something that most will be proud of. I don't blame them. Just not looking forward to that construction schedule.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 25, 2017, 11:06:53 PM
It's sad, but it looks like in the future, only the Belvidere and Dekalb Oasis will remain.

Since when are the plans to remove the Lake Forest and Lincoln Oases?

My apologies, I shouldn't have been so definitive. I should have said the Belvidere and DeKalb Oasis might be the only ones to remain in the future.

The reason I say that is because I wouldn't be surprised if at some point, the Tollway would want to redo the rest of the system (in the suburbs, that is) to incorporate the wider shoulders and active traffic management that they've done on I-90 and will do on the Central Tri-State. Granted, I doubt they go back and widen those sections for at least 15-20 years at the soonest, but any future improvements to the north and south Tri-State will require the removal of the Lake Forest and Lincoln Oases.

I think the south section (the I-80/294 duplex) will likely need five lanes in ten years (especially since the Illiana is likely dead), and they'll need to redo it anyway since ISTHA didn't rebuild the crossroad bridges to eliminate the "pinch-points" (I guess that is the new Tollway term for the crossroad bridges that were not reconstructed when the road was widened, and have narrow shoulders underneath).

In other news, it looks like the Tollway will be replacing the Bradley Road overpass on the North Tri-State just north of the Lake Forest Oasis next year (it is on their bidding schedule). I wonder if they'll bring the shoulders up to regular standard when they do so.

I-80 / I-294 is 4+AUX right now other then IL-1 to Lincoln Oases

north part needs more full interchanges.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 26, 2017, 07:35:57 PM
WHY would it "require" booths again? DONT build them! YOU overthink (or dont?) such basic things. The bridge is the big money maintenance item, thats ALL that needs be tolled.

The entire length of the Skyway is a toll road. Not just the bridge. That's why.
FIFY!

us - You should build a new interchange.
toll agency - OK, why?
us - Just trust me on this one.
toll agency - Sure, no problem.
us - And don't put any toll booths on the ramps.
toll agency - So... we pay for this thing and then get no extra money from it?
us - Is that a problem?
toll agency - Hillaryous.

Exactly KP. Yet that goes right over his head.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on April 26, 2017, 10:28:33 PM
I'm thankful that I-355 is an option for me to bypass Tri-State construction. It'll be awesome when it's done, but a bear while construction is underway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 26, 2017, 11:07:59 PM
I'm thankful that I-355 is an option for me to bypass Tri-State construction. It'll be awesome when it's done, but a bear while construction is underway.
they need to widen the I-88 to I-290 part.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 26, 2017, 11:31:58 PM
I'm thankful that I-355 is an option for me to bypass Tri-State construction. It'll be awesome when it's done, but a bear while construction is underway.
they need to widen the I-88 to I-290 part.

That'll be trouble with the Arboretum, who will block any further expansion in their section
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: roadman65 on April 27, 2017, 10:30:41 AM
Hey somebody deleted a post of mine just reminding other users of troll interaction.  I just said that we should be careful and not engage in discussion with people who will argue back to the point of insult as they live on us doing that.

Considering that the other comebacks posts were not it was deleted by accident when the other user tried his hand at snark back at KP, and I am guessing the moderator thought he was too fresh.

Anyway just backing up I-39 as he did make sense that we antagonize when we try to point out wrongs to that one user, and that we should just ignore him.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 27, 2017, 11:54:02 AM
I'm thankful that I-355 is an option for me to bypass Tri-State construction. It'll be awesome when it's done, but a bear while construction is underway.
they need to widen the I-88 to I-290 part.

I hope ISTHA considers a complete rebuild of the 1989 sections of I-355 after they are done with the Central Tri-State. That stretch is starting to show its age, especially when compared to most of the rest of the system.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dcharlie on April 27, 2017, 12:10:46 PM
Hey somebody deleted a post of mine just reminding other users of troll interaction.  I just said that we should be careful and not engage in discussion with people who will argue back to the point of insult as they live on us doing that.

Considering that the other comebacks posts were not it was deleted by accident when the other user tried his hand at snark back at KP, and I am guessing the moderator thought he was too fresh.

Anyway just backing up I-39 as he did make sense that we antagonize when we try to point out wrongs to that one user, and that we should just ignore him.

Deleted mine too...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on April 27, 2017, 12:49:16 PM
Posts get deleted.  It's just the mods doing their job.  It's not a perfect system, but it's not something to pitch a fit about either.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dcharlie on April 27, 2017, 01:49:05 PM
Yeah I know...  But it's frustrating when we have to deal with a certain someones childishness and his stuff remains...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rothman on April 27, 2017, 02:04:32 PM
When I pitch fits, they are all strikes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on April 27, 2017, 04:18:59 PM
I'm thankful that I-355 is an option for me to bypass Tri-State construction. It'll be awesome when it's done, but a bear while construction is underway.
they need to widen the I-88 to I-290 part.

That'll be trouble with the Arboretum, who will block any further expansion in their section

It is going to need to be widened within the next 10-15 years, so too bad if they don't want it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on April 27, 2017, 04:21:55 PM
Looks like the Central Tri-State widening is a go

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 27, 2017, 04:35:46 PM
That's good to hear!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Quimby on April 27, 2017, 05:19:11 PM
IMHO, it would be a big loss to lose the oases.  There really isn't that much commercial development near the Tri-State, & the interchanges on the central Tri-State make getting on and off difficult.

Not to mention people don't want to have to pay another toll just to use the bathroom. The main advantage of the oases is that they're part of the tollway network and you don't have to pay to get on or off.

Agreed.  I'd hate to see them go.  It's not always easy to hop off and then hop back on the Tri-State for a food/bathroom break.  The Tri-State covers a long stretch of Interstate - about 75 miles!

Though not part of this project, the one I'd really miss is the Lincoln Oasis.  To me, that one is very well situated for times I'm heading eastbound out of state. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 27, 2017, 06:39:35 PM
IMHO, it would be a big loss to lose the oases.  There really isn't that much commercial development near the Tri-State, & the interchanges on the central Tri-State make getting on and off difficult.

Not to mention people don't want to have to pay another toll just to use the bathroom. The main advantage of the oases is that they're part of the tollway network and you don't have to pay to get on or off.



Agreed.  I'd hate to see them go.  It's not always easy to hop off and then hop back on the Tri-State for a food/bathroom break.  The Tri-State covers a long stretch of Interstate - about 75 miles!

Though not part of this project, the one I'd really miss is the Lincoln Oasis.  To me, that one is very well situated for times I'm heading eastbound out of state.

Hinsdale is my go-to stop for food before heading west for late night shenanigans. I'll just have to eat closer to home beforehand in 5 years

I'm thankful that I-355 is an option for me to bypass Tri-State construction. It'll be awesome when it's done, but a bear while construction is underway.
they need to widen the I-88 to I-290 part.

That'll be trouble with the Arboretum, who will block any further expansion in their section

It is going to need to be widened within the next 10-15 years, so too bad if they don't want it.

Oh I agree, but you know how that'll go with the environmentalists wanting to save maybe 10 trees that would be in the way
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on April 27, 2017, 08:12:11 PM
IMHO, it would be a big loss to lose the oases.  There really isn't that much commercial development near the Tri-State, & the interchanges on the central Tri-State make getting on and off difficult.

Not to mention people don't want to have to pay another toll just to use the bathroom. The main advantage of the oases is that they're part of the tollway network and you don't have to pay to get on or off.

Agreed.  I'd hate to see them go.  It's not always easy to hop off and then hop back on the Tri-State for a food/bathroom break.  The Tri-State covers a long stretch of Interstate - about 75 miles!

Though not part of this project, the one I'd really miss is the Lincoln Oasis.  To me, that one is very well situated for times I'm heading eastbound out of state.

They should have thought about that when rebuilding the oases. I don't understand why they didn't rebuild and lengthen the bridge decks to eliminate the "pinch-points" and accommodate future widening.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 27, 2017, 08:51:39 PM
I'm thankful that I-355 is an option for me to bypass Tri-State construction. It'll be awesome when it's done, but a bear while construction is underway.
they need to widen the I-88 to I-290 part.

That'll be trouble with the Arboretum, who will block any further expansion in their section

not in the way of I-355
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 27, 2017, 10:52:29 PM
Technically it is land owned by the Arboretum. I've seen tons of coyotes (or foxes?)  along the fence at the top of that wall. I know the Arboretum will try and oppose it.

But I am curious about the tunnel under 88.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 28, 2017, 08:22:56 AM
Do we know yet if ISTHA will be re designing any of the Central Tri State interchanges?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 28, 2017, 09:02:12 AM
I'm thankful that I-355 is an option for me to bypass Tri-State construction. It'll be awesome when it's done, but a bear while construction is underway.
they need to widen the I-88 to I-290 part.

That'll be trouble with the Arboretum, who will block any further expansion in their section

not in the way of I-355

Yes, it is hence why nothing has been done to that section for years
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: slorydn1 on April 28, 2017, 10:01:16 AM
When I pitch fits, they are all strikes.

And that's why they keep getting hit over the ivy in left center.  :)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 28, 2017, 03:41:30 PM
Technically it is land owned by the Arboretum. I've seen tons of coyotes (or foxes?)  along the fence at the top of that wall. I know the Arboretum will try and oppose it.

But I am curious about the tunnel under 88.
I will make it easy for you IL-56 to I-290 part does arboretum owns that? That part needs widening.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 28, 2017, 05:56:10 PM
Technically it is land owned by the Arboretum. I've seen tons of coyotes (or foxes?)  along the fence at the top of that wall. I know the Arboretum will try and oppose it.

But I am curious about the tunnel under 88.
I will make it easy for you IL-56 to I-290 part does arboretum owns that? That part needs widening.

So you'll just leave the IL-56 to I-88 section 3 lanes, surrounded by 4 lane sections?  :hmmm:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 28, 2017, 10:40:59 PM
Do we know yet if ISTHA will be re designing any of the Central Tri State interchanges?

I went to 2 of the meetings, and it looks like I-55 and I-290/88 will get major makeovers...and 290/88 will need to accommodate the future I-290 project from there to the Jane Byrne interchange. I would think the local interchanges will get a makeover, though not sure to what extent.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 30, 2017, 12:41:04 PM
Did they show any designs or plans of what they might do? Or did they just explain that those interchanges will need to makeovers?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Stephane Dumas on April 30, 2017, 03:20:56 PM
I saw a old topo map showing the half-interchange of IL-171/US12-20-45 with on-ramps from IL-171 to Central Tri-State southbound but it also show a off-ramp to Cork Avenue allowing northbound Tri-State users to access IL-171 via Cork Avenue and now that ramp is removed and I wondered when that ramp was removed?  http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=41.74674,-87.84149&z=15&t=T
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 30, 2017, 04:13:20 PM
By going to Historic Aerials, it looks like the ramp was removed between 1988 and 1998. 1992 was when a 4th lane was added in each direction. So maybe they needed room for it. Not sure but it looks like they could add a ramp there onto Cork.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 30, 2017, 04:43:35 PM
Did they show any designs or plans of what they might do? Or did they just explain that those interchanges will need to makeovers?

What I saw were simple line drawings of the existing route. They had some other displays but I didn't go over and look at them. The Hinsdale meeting was so crowded that you could barely see the lady from the Tollway who was giving the presentation. I went back and looked at the 15 slide hearing presentation that the Tollway posted at their website, and no conceptual drawings or renderings.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 01, 2017, 09:21:01 AM
Technically it is land owned by the Arboretum. I've seen tons of coyotes (or foxes?)  along the fence at the top of that wall. I know the Arboretum will try and oppose it.

But I am curious about the tunnel under 88.
I will make it easy for you IL-56 to I-290 part does arboretum owns that? That part needs widening.

So you'll just leave the IL-56 to I-88 section 3 lanes, surrounded by 4 lane sections?  :hmmm:
That part has C/D lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on May 01, 2017, 05:48:02 PM
Technically it is land owned by the Arboretum. I've seen tons of coyotes (or foxes?)  along the fence at the top of that wall. I know the Arboretum will try and oppose it.

But I am curious about the tunnel under 88.
I will make it easy for you IL-56 to I-290 part does arboretum owns that? That part needs widening.

So you'll just leave the IL-56 to I-88 section 3 lanes, surrounded by 4 lane sections?  :hmmm:
That part has C/D lanes.

True, but 4 mainline lanes would still be needed just to keep consistent traffic flow
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 01, 2017, 09:25:10 PM
Technically it is land owned by the Arboretum. I've seen tons of coyotes (or foxes?)  along the fence at the top of that wall. I know the Arboretum will try and oppose it.

But I am curious about the tunnel under 88.
I will make it easy for you IL-56 to I-290 part does arboretum owns that? That part needs widening.

So you'll just leave the IL-56 to I-88 section 3 lanes, surrounded by 4 lane sections?  :hmmm:
That part has C/D lanes.

True, but 4 mainline lanes would still be needed just to keep consistent traffic flow

at very least 3+AUX for the IL-56 to I-290 part. Also rework the lake to I-290 part going north.  But having drop to 3 in between the I-88 ramps should not be that bad.

if 4 main line then the IL-56 to IL 38 part will need 4+AUX.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on May 01, 2017, 09:38:52 PM
Technically it is land owned by the Arboretum. I've seen tons of coyotes (or foxes?)  along the fence at the top of that wall. I know the Arboretum will try and oppose it.

But I am curious about the tunnel under 88.
I will make it easy for you IL-56 to I-290 part does arboretum owns that? That part needs widening.

So you'll just leave the IL-56 to I-88 section 3 lanes, surrounded by 4 lane sections?  :hmmm:
That part has C/D lanes.

True, but 4 mainline lanes would still be needed just to keep consistent traffic flow

at very least 3+AUX for the IL-56 to I-290 part. Also rework the lake to I-290 part going north.  But having drop to 3 in between the I-88 ramps should not be that bad.

if 4 main line then the IL-56 to IL 38 part will need 4+AUX.

It'll be up to IDOT to widen the stretch from Army Trail to 290 since that part is not the tollway. I never understood that though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on May 01, 2017, 10:53:40 PM
Technically it is land owned by the Arboretum. I've seen tons of coyotes (or foxes?)  along the fence at the top of that wall. I know the Arboretum will try and oppose it.

But I am curious about the tunnel under 88.
I will make it easy for you IL-56 to I-290 part does arboretum owns that? That part needs widening.

So you'll just leave the IL-56 to I-88 section 3 lanes, surrounded by 4 lane sections?  :hmmm:
That part has C/D lanes.

True, but 4 mainline lanes would still be needed just to keep consistent traffic flow

at very least 3+AUX for the IL-56 to I-290 part. Also rework the lake to I-290 part going north.  But having drop to 3 in between the I-88 ramps should not be that bad.

if 4 main line then the IL-56 to IL 38 part will need 4+AUX.

It'll be up to IDOT to widen the stretch from Army Trail to 290 since that part is not the tollway. I never understood that though.

IDOT Maintains that stretch because it pre-dates the tollway portion by about 15-20 years. The tollway took over the the I-355 project in the 1980s when it was determined that IDOT didn't have the funds to complete it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on May 12, 2017, 04:00:37 PM
Have they started work on the I-90 WB entrance ramp from Central Road yet?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on May 20, 2017, 04:15:59 PM
I forgot my I-PASS at home and drove through the I-PASS only lanes the other day.  Do they just take the money out of my account or do I have to go though the whole missed toll process?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 20, 2017, 04:56:26 PM
I forgot my I-PASS at home and drove through the I-PASS only lanes the other day.  Do they just take the money out of my account or do I have to go though the whole missed toll process?
they should read your plate and list it as a V-toll.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on May 20, 2017, 05:14:21 PM
I forgot my I-PASS at home and drove through the I-PASS only lanes the other day.  Do they just take the money out of my account or do I have to go though the whole missed toll process?
you have 7 days to pay online before you get a violation.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on May 20, 2017, 06:35:47 PM
I forgot my I-PASS at home and drove through the I-PASS only lanes the other day.  Do they just take the money out of my account or do I have to go though the whole missed toll process?
you have 7 days to pay online before you get a violation.

No.  He's fine.  It'll just be a vToll as he has a transponder and he's in their system.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: cl94 on May 20, 2017, 07:14:53 PM
Quick question: does ISTHA give E-ZPass discounts to all users, or only people with Illinois tags? Need to know how much I should have on my account when I'm out near Chicago for the meet next weekend.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on May 20, 2017, 07:36:08 PM
I forgot my I-PASS at home and drove through the I-PASS only lanes the other day.  Do they just take the money out of my account or do I have to go though the whole missed toll process?
you have 7 days to pay online before you get a violation.

No.  He's fine.  It'll just be a vToll as he has a transponder and he's in their system.
Ah.

I learn something new every day :sombrero:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on May 20, 2017, 08:11:07 PM
I forgot my I-PASS at home and drove through the I-PASS only lanes the other day.  Do they just take the money out of my account or do I have to go though the whole missed toll process?
you have 7 days to pay online before you get a violation.

No.  He's fine.  It'll just be a vToll as he has a transponder and he's in their system.

I can personally vouch for this. My transponder missed the last three tolls of the Indiana-bound Tri-State Tollway and was later fixed. Just make the adjustments and calculate your balance accordingly; it will take a couple of weeks for the V-Tolls to reflect in your transponder history.

Regarding the iPass/EZPass discount: the discounted toll rate applies to all drivers who carry a registered transponder. The only thing that may cause hang up is the surcharge fee for non-iPass users, which is only a nickel or so.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on May 20, 2017, 11:18:51 PM
Have they started work on the I-90 WB entrance ramp from Central Road yet?

Still has not started - rumor has it there were issues with the bids for the project.

I forgot my I-PASS at home and drove through the I-PASS only lanes the other day.  Do they just take the money out of my account or do I have to go though the whole missed toll process?
you have 7 days to pay online before you get a violation.

No.  He's fine.  It'll just be a vToll as he has a transponder and he's in their system.

I thought ISTHA was changing things so one time he's fine, but if it happens too many more times, he'll get a violation notice much sooner than in the past?

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on May 21, 2017, 07:18:13 AM
I forgot my I-PASS at home and drove through the I-PASS only lanes the other day.  Do they just take the money out of my account or do I have to go though the whole missed toll process?
you have 7 days to pay online before you get a violation.

No.  He's fine.  It'll just be a vToll as he has a transponder and he's in their system.

I can personally vouch for this. My transponder missed the last three tolls of the Indiana-bound Tri-State Tollway and was later fixed. Just make the adjustments and calculate your balance accordingly; it will take a couple of weeks for the V-Tolls to reflect in your transponder history.

Regarding the iPass/EZPass discount: the discounted toll rate applies to all drivers who carry a registered transponder. The only thing that may cause hang up is the surcharge fee for non-iPass users, which is only a nickel or so.

And that surcharge is done by the agency that you got your EZ Pass from to cover their admin costs.  Some don't do the surcharge at all.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on May 21, 2017, 10:25:10 AM
Have they started work on the I-90 WB entrance ramp from Central Road yet?

Still has not started - rumor has it there were issues with the bids for the project.

I forgot my I-PASS at home and drove through the I-PASS only lanes the other day.  Do they just take the money out of my account or do I have to go though the whole missed toll process?
you have 7 days to pay online before you get a violation.

No.  He's fine.  It'll just be a vToll as he has a transponder and he's in their system.

I thought ISTHA was changing things so one time he's fine, but if it happens too many more times, he'll get a violation notice much sooner than in the past?

If his plate is listed linked to the transponder then it doesn't matter it'll just automatically deduct from the account every time. I'm pretty sure it just marks it as a plate read.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on May 21, 2017, 01:46:47 PM
Quick question: does ISTHA give E-ZPass discounts to all users, or only people with Illinois tags? Need to know how much I should have on my account when I'm out near Chicago for the meet next weekend.
I believe you do get a discount but I don't know if it is the full discount. I know I did not get a discount in New York but I did in Indiana and Ohio several years ago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on May 21, 2017, 03:00:31 PM
Quick question: does ISTHA give E-ZPass discounts to all users, or only people with Illinois tags? Need to know how much I should have on my account when I'm out near Chicago for the meet next weekend.
I believe you do get a discount but I don't know if it is the full discount. I know I did not get a discount in New York but I did in Indiana and Ohio several years ago.


I am a Wisconsin resident with an EZ Pass and pay the EZ Pass rate.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on May 21, 2017, 07:37:59 PM
the only thing a non-I-Pass transponder on the E-Z Pass system pays besides the discounted rate (which is equal to that of the I-Pass itself) is what issuing agencies charge, if any.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: on_wisconsin on May 25, 2017, 04:19:24 PM
Quick question- Do I-Pass transponders expire? I got one in 2014 for a road trip out east and was wondering if it could still be used.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on May 25, 2017, 04:54:08 PM
Quick question- Do I-Pass transponders expire? I got one in 2014 for a road trip out east and was wondering if it could still be used.

They do, I think mine was issued in 2013 and expires in 2021. But not sure what happens when you get to that date. I doubt it'll stop working. So I imagine they will say just keep it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on May 25, 2017, 05:35:29 PM
Quick question- Do I-Pass transponders expire? I got one in 2014 for a road trip out east and was wondering if it could still be used.

They do, I think mine was issued in 2013 and expires in 2021. But not sure what happens when you get to that date. I doubt it'll stop working. So I imagine they will say just keep it.

When you're close to the date, ISTHA will send you a letter telling you to exchange it for a new one at one of the service centers or a Jewel-Osco free of charge.  That's what I had to do a couple of years ago when mine (originally gotten in 2003) was ready to expire.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dcharlie on May 26, 2017, 08:20:22 AM
My understanding is that the expiration is more a factor of transponder battery life than anything else.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: cl94 on May 26, 2017, 09:17:32 PM
My understanding is that the expiration is more a factor of transponder battery life than anything else.

I'm assuming that's the case, because none of the E-ZPass transponders in my part of the country expire.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the Illinois Tollway system when on it today. Highway-speed toll lanes and pavement was in excellent condition. Compare that to what we have in the northeast (cough...NYSTA and MassDOT...cough) and I actually don't mind paying the toll as much as I do in New York.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on May 27, 2017, 02:08:07 AM
My understanding is that the expiration is more a factor of transponder battery life than anything else.

I'm assuming that's the case, because none of the E-ZPass transponders in my part of the country expire.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the Illinois Tollway system when on it today. Highway-speed toll lanes and pavement was in excellent condition. Compare that to what we have in the northeast (cough...NYSTA and MassDOT...cough) and I actually don't mind paying the toll as much as I do in New York.

What's ironic is that the Tollway here used to be the system of highways out of date and in poor condition. However, in the past 10-15 years, that really has changed and they really are the best highways in Illinois, definitely much better than anything maintained by IDOT. The Tollway portion of I-90 in particular is quite nice now. Having driven on a number of the Toll Roads in the NE, I must agree that it is rather amazing they're not in better shape there considering how high the tolls are.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on May 27, 2017, 12:13:15 PM
My understanding is that the expiration is more a factor of transponder battery life than anything else.

I'm assuming that's the case, because none of the E-ZPass transponders in my part of the country expire.

That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the condition of the Illinois Tollway system when on it today. Highway-speed toll lanes and pavement was in excellent condition. Compare that to what we have in the northeast (cough...NYSTA and MassDOT...cough) and I actually don't mind paying the toll as much as I do in New York.

What's ironic is that the Tollway here used to be the system of highways out of date and in poor condition. However, in the past 10-15 years, that really has changed and they really are the best highways in Illinois, definitely much better than anything maintained by IDOT. The Tollway portion of I-90 in particular is quite nice now. Having driven on a number of the Toll Roads in the NE, I must agree that it is rather amazing they're not in better shape there considering how high the tolls are.

After Blago and the toll board being all but cleaned out by Lisa Madigan (the one good thing she might have done in this area) and Quinn the tollway itself cleaned up it's act. The biggest thing it did was distant itself away from Springfield money and politics and really just focused on having a clean image and what was best for the surrounding communities.

It also took a heavy approach in build for the future and not just the repair and replace system that it had in place for so many years, including looking at long term pavement options, green tech, proper water drainage and 21st century technology to help improve the roads and communities. This combined with actually improving the roadway itself via expansion and proper interchange relief has really changed the image of the Illinois Tollway itself. I'm sure there are still a few shady dealings going on underneath it all, because face it we are Illinois but overall the turnaround that it has put itself through and results are well worth it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ajlynch91 on May 28, 2017, 09:47:57 PM
Just imagine what IDOT and Metra could accomplish with some new blood and some addition by subtraction.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on May 29, 2017, 12:21:20 AM
Just imagine what IDOT and Metra could accomplish with some new blood and some addition by subtraction.

And a more efficient ticket collection system
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on May 29, 2017, 09:03:13 AM
Just imagine what IDOT and Metra could accomplish with some new blood and some addition by subtraction.

And a more efficient ticket collection system

I fully agree on that one! Although this is getting off topic, all I will say is that Metra's fare and ticket collection system is an absolute joke in this day and age.

However, on a similar note, I know the delays at the Roselle Road interchange on I-90 are basically because of Cook County, but how about Elmhurst Road and Barrington Road? I know those are both IDOT maintained, so is IDOT the one holding up the show at those spots? It just seems that where IDOT is not involved the Tollway was able to do their work just fine. Also, now with I-90 essentially finished on the mainline, the highlight of how far from sufficient the IDOT portion in Chicago is now very much highlighted.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on May 29, 2017, 10:22:00 AM
Have you used Metra's ventra app?  I think it is pretty slick.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 29, 2017, 12:11:17 PM
Just imagine what IDOT and Metra could accomplish with some new blood and some addition by subtraction.

And a more efficient ticket collection system
but my corp makes big bank from the $500+ hole puncher that Metra buys!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on May 29, 2017, 10:07:32 PM
Have you used Metra's ventra app?  I think it is pretty slick.

Yes, multiple times a week, in fact. It's a welcome improvement, but it still is silly that you have ticket conductors checking tickets (or that you have to "tap" on the screen for them). I would rather it be something automated to where I can get on, and then that's it, more like the CTA. I know that would be a huge cost, so I am sure that is the main reason they can't simply do that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: thenetwork on May 29, 2017, 11:15:51 PM
With the state of roads and things in Illinois in general, they should just start charging a $5 entrance fee to the state.

And thus, ShunSTATE-ing was created!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: DevalDragon on May 30, 2017, 01:52:14 AM
When did the speed limit on the I-355 extension go up to 70? I noticed it last month but haven't seen anything on it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 30, 2017, 02:05:00 PM
When did the speed limit on the I-355 extension go up to 70? I noticed it last month but haven't seen anything on it.
they upped I-290 from somewhere before irving park road to 60.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on May 30, 2017, 03:54:36 PM
Wish they'd increase the speed on EOE
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on May 30, 2017, 04:09:43 PM
When did the speed limit on the I-355 extension go up to 70? I noticed it last month but haven't seen anything on it.

I saw it go to 70 in early March, around the time I-90 west of Elgin went to 70.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on May 30, 2017, 07:32:57 PM
When did the speed limit on the I-355 extension go up to 70? I noticed it last month but haven't seen anything on it.

I saw it go to 70 in early March, around the time I-90 west of Elgin went to 70.

It was a good call; the road can clearly handle it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 30, 2017, 08:30:57 PM
Wish they'd increase the speed on EOE
maybe when the road work is done till IL-83. also I-90 needs to be 70 Chicago to Elgin. People are doing 70-80+ on it now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on May 31, 2017, 08:49:15 AM
When did the speed limit on the I-355 extension go up to 70? I noticed it last month but haven't seen anything on it.

I saw it go to 70 in early March, around the time I-90 west of Elgin went to 70.

It was a good call; the road can clearly handle it.

The Illinois Legislature passed a law a couple months ago increasing the speed limit on the interstates and tollways to 70 as far north, and including I-80 and as far east, and I believe including I-294.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 06, 2017, 08:17:37 PM
Tollway to hold open house to solicit ideas about how to fix the Hillside Strangler

https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/illinois-tollway-holds-open-house-elmhurst (https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/illinois-tollway-holds-open-house-elmhurst)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on July 06, 2017, 10:04:42 PM
Tollway to hold open house to solicit ideas about how to fix the Hillside Strangler

https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/illinois-tollway-holds-open-house-elmhurst (https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/illinois-tollway-holds-open-house-elmhurst)


In other news, some guy named "dzlsabe" is already camping out in front of the meeting location.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 06, 2017, 10:33:35 PM
Tollway to hold open house to solicit ideas about how to fix the Hillside Strangler

https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/illinois-tollway-holds-open-house-elmhurst (https://patch.com/illinois/elmhurst/illinois-tollway-holds-open-house-elmhurst)


In other news, some guy named "dzlsabe" is already camping out in front of the meeting location.

His name is Fred you know......  :)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on July 07, 2017, 12:48:03 AM
when will the scans / pdfs of the exhibits be put on line? also any have an email that I can send some ideas to?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 20, 2017, 05:52:12 PM
Did anyone go to the I-294/88 interchange meeting today? What was discussed?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on July 21, 2017, 09:08:06 PM
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 21, 2017, 09:47:41 PM
Here are the proposed concepts

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/588519/20170720_290-88PublicMeeting-Exhibits_Web.pdf/b556fc55-998e-45c7-936c-435850c82639 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/588519/20170720_290-88PublicMeeting-Exhibits_Web.pdf/b556fc55-998e-45c7-936c-435850c82639)

Thoughts?

I personally like it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on July 22, 2017, 02:04:31 AM
Here are the proposed concepts

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/588519/20170720_290-88PublicMeeting-Exhibits_Web.pdf/b556fc55-998e-45c7-936c-435850c82639 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/588519/20170720_290-88PublicMeeting-Exhibits_Web.pdf/b556fc55-998e-45c7-936c-435850c82639)

Thoughts?

I personally like it.

Separate EB 290 with dedicated lanes towards WB 88 and SB 294? YEP I likey.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: brad on July 22, 2017, 12:54:20 PM
This looks great. It's common sense and needed to be done decades ago. Yet it will be at least another decade before it's done. Is this unique to Illinois or does every state have a ridiculously long and drawn out process?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 22, 2017, 01:16:14 PM
Here are the proposed concepts

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/588519/20170720_290-88PublicMeeting-Exhibits_Web.pdf/b556fc55-998e-45c7-936c-435850c82639 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/588519/20170720_290-88PublicMeeting-Exhibits_Web.pdf/b556fc55-998e-45c7-936c-435850c82639)

Thoughts?

1) The staging for the proposed design will be interesting, especially without temporarily closing some of the ramps.

2) Is EB I-290 traffic no longer going to be able to access WB I-88?  With the industrial areas east of I-294 along IL 64 and US 20, I think it would be desirable to keep allowing this possible movement, unless there are plans to add an entrance from IL 64 or US 20 to SB I-294 that would allow these areas access to WB I-88 via I-294.

3) Looks like the levels for the southern crossing of the new ramps between EB I-290 and SB I-294 is reversed - the map shows the SB to EB ramp on top.  Unless the elevations of mainline I-294 and/or mainline I-290 are changing, that would make the new SB to EB ramp rather steep with the need to get over the EB to SB ramp yet get low enough to fit under SB I-294.

This looks great. It's common sense and needed to be done decades ago. Yet it will be at least another decade before it's done. Is this unique to Illinois or does every state have a ridiculously long and drawn out process?

Five years to the anticipated start of construction (2022) is not that 'drawn out'.  How long did it take Missouri to fix the ramps at the west end of the PSB, and how long is it taking TNDOT to fix that wonderful interchange in Memphis between I-55 and Crump Boulevard?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 22, 2017, 02:39:32 PM
2) Is EB I-290 traffic no longer going to be able to access WB I-88?  With the industrial areas east of I-294 along IL 64 and US 20, I think it would be desirable to keep allowing this possible movement, unless there are plans to add an entrance from IL 64 or US 20 to SB I-294 that would allow these areas access to WB I-88 via I-294.

I believe EB I-290 to WB I-88 will be eliminated. And honestly, who cares? Is that movement really needed? The vast majority of the traffic does not make that move, and eliminating it will allow for much better traffic flow for the primary movements. The few who need to make that move can continue down to Cermak/22nd St and take it west to the Spring Road I-88 entrance in Oak Brook.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on July 22, 2017, 04:47:41 PM
What's nice about the I-294 northbound to I-290 westbound is that it eliminates the long cloverleaf ramp, which has always been a pain not just because its a cloverleaf, but because you had to navigate merging into traffic and curve northbound at the same time.  The entrance ramps onto I-290 would now by on a straight-away.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on July 22, 2017, 05:20:54 PM
2) Is EB I-290 traffic no longer going to be able to access WB I-88?  With the industrial areas east of I-294 along IL 64 and US 20, I think it would be desirable to keep allowing this possible movement, unless there are plans to add an entrance from IL 64 or US 20 to SB I-294 that would allow these areas access to WB I-88 via I-294.

I believe EB I-290 to WB I-88 will be eliminated. And honestly, who cares? Is that movement really needed? The vast majority of the traffic does not make that move, and eliminating it will allow for much better traffic flow for the primary movements. The few who need to make that move can continue down to Cermak/22nd St and take it west to the Spring Road I-88 entrance in Oak Brook.

You'd be surprised at how many make that movement.  Anyway, it's a moot point as there's a slip ramp in there, slightly hidden by one of the big arrows.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 22, 2017, 10:16:11 PM
2) Is EB I-290 traffic no longer going to be able to access WB I-88?  With the industrial areas east of I-294 along IL 64 and US 20, I think it would be desirable to keep allowing this possible movement, unless there are plans to add an entrance from IL 64 or US 20 to SB I-294 that would allow these areas access to WB I-88 via I-294.

I believe EB I-290 to WB I-88 will be eliminated. And honestly, who cares? Is that movement really needed? The vast majority of the traffic does not make that move, and eliminating it will allow for much better traffic flow for the primary movements. The few who need to make that move can continue down to Cermak/22nd St and take it west to the Spring Road I-88 entrance in Oak Brook.

You'd be surprised at how many make that movement.  Anyway, it's a moot point as there's a slip ramp in there, slightly hidden by one of the big arrows.

Is there? I can't really tell.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on July 23, 2017, 04:14:33 PM
now how are they going to fit this is in + widening? regrade and realine I-294 there?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 23, 2017, 05:08:10 PM
now how are they going to fit this is in + widening? regrade and realign I-294 there?
How much ROW does ISTHA and IDOT have at that interchange?

And if ISTHA designed to build on unused IDOT ROW, would IDOT allow it to be built for interchange and roadway improvements?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 23, 2017, 09:47:07 PM
I believe EB I-290 to WB I-88 will be eliminated. And honestly, who cares? Is that movement really needed? The vast majority of the traffic does not make that move, and eliminating it will allow for much better traffic flow for the primary movements. The few who need to make that move can continue down to Cermak/22nd St and take it west to the Spring Road I-88 entrance in Oak Brook.

You'd be surprised at how many make that movement.  Anyway, it's a moot point as there's a slip ramp in there, slightly hidden by one of the big arrows.

Is there? I can't really tell.

There's a pretty significant number of people who make that movement because I-290 has those ramps to IL-64 and St. Charles Road.  People will get on at those two ramps and take I-290 south as a means to reach I-88 (and the return trip of course).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on July 23, 2017, 10:24:27 PM
I believe EB I-290 to WB I-88 will be eliminated. And honestly, who cares? Is that movement really needed? The vast majority of the traffic does not make that move, and eliminating it will allow for much better traffic flow for the primary movements. The few who need to make that move can continue down to Cermak/22nd St and take it west to the Spring Road I-88 entrance in Oak Brook.

You'd be surprised at how many make that movement.  Anyway, it's a moot point as there's a slip ramp in there, slightly hidden by one of the big arrows.

Is there? I can't really tell.

There's a pretty significant number of people who make that movement because I-290 has those ramps to IL-64 and St. Charles Road.  People will get on at those two ramps and take I-290 south as a means to reach I-88 (and the return trip of course).

The new EOE / west bypass can take some load off as well (but I-290 is free and some people may use it to save some $).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on July 24, 2017, 05:58:30 AM
I believe EB I-290 to WB I-88 will be eliminated. And honestly, who cares? Is that movement really needed? The vast majority of the traffic does not make that move, and eliminating it will allow for much better traffic flow for the primary movements. The few who need to make that move can continue down to Cermak/22nd St and take it west to the Spring Road I-88 entrance in Oak Brook.

You'd be surprised at how many make that movement.  Anyway, it's a moot point as there's a slip ramp in there, slightly hidden by one of the big arrows.

Is there? I can't really tell.

There's a pretty significant number of people who make that movement because I-290 has those ramps to IL-64 and St. Charles Road.  People will get on at those two ramps and take I-290 south as a means to reach I-88 (and the return trip of course).

The new EOE / west bypass can take some load off as well (but I-290 is free and some people may use it to save some $).

It won't take any of the load off from St Charles or North Avenues.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on July 24, 2017, 02:40:18 PM
I believe EB I-290 to WB I-88 will be eliminated. And honestly, who cares? Is that movement really needed? The vast majority of the traffic does not make that move, and eliminating it will allow for much better traffic flow for the primary movements. The few who need to make that move can continue down to Cermak/22nd St and take it west to the Spring Road I-88 entrance in Oak Brook.


It seems that it won't be. If you look at this screenshot from the presentation, you'll clearly see the split in the ramp from I-290 East, with one branch leading to to I-294 South and the other to I-88 West:
(http://i65.tinypic.com/j8chgk.jpg)


Here, the split is covered up by the arrow, as Brandon noted, but you can still see that the line representing the split is thicker in that area, which suggests that it is still there.
(http://i68.tinypic.com/2pyt8ub.jpg)


I'm not sure, though, how the three-dimensional geometry is going to work here. Which ramps are going to over or under the others? In my admittedly naive opinion, there doesn't seem to be that much space in the area to go up and down as needed.

As for I-39's "who cares" question, while I couldn't give the exact numbers, I can say that I make that movement fairly often, at least when I'm in town.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: bobonabike on July 28, 2017, 10:13:48 AM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on July 28, 2017, 10:47:45 AM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion

how is that confusing? It's 70 mph until you hit the black top asphalt.

Not like you'll do 70 on the Kennedy in bumper to bumper traffic
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on July 28, 2017, 11:54:00 AM
That's a lot of flyovers/underpassing for those proposed ramps, unless they wanna tear down that row of housing just west of 290
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on July 28, 2017, 12:04:09 PM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion

how is that confusing? It's 70 mph until you hit the black top asphalt.

Not like you'll do 70 on the Kennedy in bumper to bumper traffic

that split trucks / bus BS. That area can use VMS speed limits. and jack it up to 65-70 when I-294 work is done.  And make I-294 min speed 60 for all parts now!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 28, 2017, 06:07:01 PM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion

how is that confusing? It's 70 mph until you hit the black top asphalt.

Not like you'll do 70 on the Kennedy in bumper to bumper traffic

It's all about the $$$ generated from speeding tickets.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 28, 2017, 06:08:24 PM
I believe EB I-290 to WB I-88 will be eliminated. And honestly, who cares? Is that movement really needed? The vast majority of the traffic does not make that move, and eliminating it will allow for much better traffic flow for the primary movements. The few who need to make that move can continue down to Cermak/22nd St and take it west to the Spring Road I-88 entrance in Oak Brook.

You'd be surprised at how many make that movement.  Anyway, it's a moot point as there's a slip ramp in there, slightly hidden by one of the big arrows.

Is there? I can't really tell.

There's a pretty significant number of people who make that movement because I-290 has those ramps to IL-64 and St. Charles Road.  People will get on at those two ramps and take I-290 south as a means to reach I-88 (and the return trip of course).

I guess you guys are right. I didn't think about that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on July 28, 2017, 06:44:57 PM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion

how is that confusing? It's 70 mph until you hit the black top asphalt.

Not like you'll do 70 on the Kennedy in bumper to bumper traffic

It's all about the $$$ generated from speeding tickets.

What tickets?  Most judges in Cook County throw out any ticket made out for under 70.  Hell, District 15 ISP don't stop anyone for under 75-80 on the tollways.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on July 29, 2017, 12:16:39 PM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion

how is that confusing? It's 70 mph until you hit the black top asphalt.

Not like you'll do 70 on the Kennedy in bumper to bumper traffic

It's all about the $$$ generated from speeding tickets.

Last summer when there were still working on I-90 but with no active construction workers present, I remember on Saturday morning at 7 am while I was going eastbound on I-90 near Arlington heights road, I was in front of a unmarked state trooper going 70-75 mph.

He later cut me off going 80 mph or so.

Generally I don't think state troopers care too much about speeding so long as you're not cutting everyone off or going 100+. I believe they got rid of the quota system a few years back. I read somewhere that speeding tickets have dropped more than 40% since then.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 29, 2017, 09:33:06 PM
how is that confusing? It's 70 mph until you hit the black top asphalt.

Not like you'll do 70 on the Kennedy in bumper to bumper traffic

I'm in favor of this increase, but it seems odd I-90 gets to go to 70 while most of the Tri-State is 60 to 65 north of O'Hare.  It could be that I-90 has less congestion (so far), but there have been a couple afternoons I've heard on the radio that westbound I-90 is getting a slow spot between Meacham and Roselle.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 29, 2017, 11:53:36 PM
how is that confusing? It's 70 mph until you hit the black top asphalt.

Not like you'll do 70 on the Kennedy in bumper to bumper traffic

I'm in favor of this increase, but it seems odd I-90 gets to go to 70 while most of the Tri-State is 60 to 65 north of O'Hare.  It could be that I-90 has less congestion (so far), but there have been a couple afternoons I've heard on the radio that westbound I-90 is getting a slow spot between Meacham and Roselle.

It's not nearly as congested as the Tri-State, plus the Tri-State still has some "narrow" sections under old overpasses, etc (though one could make a solid argument for 70 MPH probably North of Golf or Willow Roads). Also, with the widening on I-90, other than an occasional slow zone just West of I-290, which I have heard is minute compared to what it used to be, it really does move quite well. That choke-point that used to exist Westbound by the Devon Ave Toll Plaza has all but been eliminated with the widening (the idea to have the fifth auxiliary lane continue to the oasis was very smart). Honestly, from traveling on it today, the average flow of traffic was easily going 70-75, so it really would just make sense to have the speed limit reflect the modernized design.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on July 30, 2017, 12:15:26 AM
But, of course, it's IDOT District 1.  You'll never get that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on July 30, 2017, 06:54:48 AM
But, of course, it's IDOT District 1.  You'll never get that.

IDOT D1 has nothing to do with running the tollways (ISTHA).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on July 30, 2017, 01:04:04 PM
I'm a big fan of that I-88/294 interchange project. The biggest choke point is the connection from I-290 east to I-88 West, with I-294 being a massive problem during peak travel time. I always thought finding a method to pull I-88 westbound traffic away from the main lines before merging traffic from I-290 would be the key. It appears they have found it; now they just have to negotiate the ultra-tight ROW.

A high speed flyover for I-294 North to I-290 West traffic will be great too, but the problem again will be ROW. I hope they can accept that ramp may have to be single lane.

Finally, if the Des Plaines Oasis to Elgin stretch of I-90 can handle 70 mph, go for it. That extra lane will make a huge difference.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on July 30, 2017, 01:16:33 PM
how is that confusing? It's 70 mph until you hit the black top asphalt.

Not like you'll do 70 on the Kennedy in bumper to bumper traffic

I'm in favor of this increase, but it seems odd I-90 gets to go to 70 while most of the Tri-State is 60 to 65 north of O'Hare.  It could be that I-90 has less congestion (so far), but there have been a couple afternoons I've heard on the radio that westbound I-90 is getting a slow spot between Meacham and Roselle.

It's not nearly as congested as the Tri-State, plus the Tri-State still has some "narrow" sections under old overpasses, etc (though one could make a solid argument for 70 MPH probably North of Golf or Willow Roads). Also, with the widening on I-90, other than an occasional slow zone just West of I-290, which I have heard is minute compared to what it used to be, it really does move quite well. That choke-point that used to exist Westbound by the Devon Ave Toll Plaza has all but been eliminated with the widening (the idea to have the fifth auxiliary lane continue to the oasis was very smart). Honestly, from traveling on it today, the average flow of traffic was easily going 70-75, so it really would just make sense to have the speed limit reflect the modernized design.

When is it in the tollway's radar to finish their halfass job they did a decade ago and redo the overpasses?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 30, 2017, 02:49:39 PM
When is it in the tollway's radar to finish their halfass job they did a decade ago and redo the overpasses?

Well, according to the bid schedule, they are scheduled to replace the Bradley Road bridge just north of the Lake Forest Oasis next year. Additionally, they will be replacing the 159th street (US 6) bridge on the southern Tri-State just north of the 163rd street plaza.

So at least that's a start.....
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 04, 2017, 04:55:31 PM
Looks like some of those patching on the mile-long bridge on 294 are gonna need to be redone, only a couple weeks old and they're ripped open again :rolleyes: Unless they were supposed to be temporary while they get the left two lanes done, they'll have to go back over the two right lanes again soon. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on August 04, 2017, 07:10:02 PM
Looks like some of those patching on the mile-long bridge on 294 are gonna need to be redone, only a couple weeks old and they're ripped open again :rolleyes: Unless they were supposed to be temporary while they get the left two lanes done, they'll have to go back over the two right lanes again soon.

I don't think they are putting much effort into maintaining the mile long bridge since they know it will be completely rebuilt in about 3-4 years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on August 04, 2017, 09:55:28 PM
I don't get why they're wasting their time and money with it in the first place.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 05, 2017, 08:22:58 AM
I don't get why they're wasting their time and money with it in the first place.
The "Bond Money" rule.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on August 06, 2017, 11:32:51 PM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion

I like this increase too, much better than what I was expecting, but I also think its odd that the Tri State is only 60 north of O'Hare and doesn't even go to 65 until you cross into Lake County. Maybe this would pressure the Tollway to make extend I-94's 70 zone to Deerfield Road or at least IL-22 rather than IL-132. It is certainly much better than the speed zoning on I-88, 60 mph for far too long. Maybe it would get a hike too, and the northern segment of I-355.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 07, 2017, 11:20:36 AM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion

I like this increase too, much better than what I was expecting, but I also think its odd that the Tri State is only 60 north of O'Hare and doesn't even go to 65 until you cross into Lake County. Maybe this would pressure the Tollway to make extend I-94's 70 zone to Deerfield Road or at least IL-22 rather than IL-132. It is certainly much better than the speed zoning on I-88, 60 mph for far too long. Maybe it would get a hike too, and the northern segment of I-355.
Did they up the free part of I-355? the 60 zone on I-290 starts at the end of I-355 now. Also up I-290 to at least 60 from I-355 to I-294.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on August 07, 2017, 01:01:37 PM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion

I like this increase too, much better than what I was expecting, but I also think its odd that the Tri State is only 60 north of O'Hare and doesn't even go to 65 until you cross into Lake County. Maybe this would pressure the Tollway to make extend I-94's 70 zone to Deerfield Road or at least IL-22 rather than IL-132. It is certainly much better than the speed zoning on I-88, 60 mph for far too long. Maybe it would get a hike too, and the northern segment of I-355.

Did they up the free part of I-355? the 60 zone on I-290 starts at the end of I-355 now. Also up I-290 to at least 60 from I-355 to I-294.

That section is a bit odd.  The last speed limit sign northbound is for 60 mph on the tolled section.  The last one southbound is for 55 mph, just past Lake Street.  Thus, it would appear to be 60 northbound and 55 southbound there.  Then the bizarre 55 mph section of I-290 between just south of Thorndale and I-355.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on August 10, 2017, 12:02:00 AM
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170728/tollway-wants-higher-i-90-speeds-but-officials-warn-of-confusion

70 mph on I-90 would be awesome. It's clearly built to handle the higher speeds. As it sits now, 85th percentile speeds are up around 70.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on August 23, 2017, 11:55:43 PM
Are any of the new touchscreen machines up and running on the ramp toll plazas? I've only seen the buckets recently.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on August 24, 2017, 08:57:53 AM
Looks like the Central Tri-State widening is a go

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html)


Just moved to NWI and am commuting daily to Oak Brook.  Good to hear that they are going to widen the Tri-State.  Not looking forward to the construction though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 24, 2017, 11:10:33 AM
Looks like the Central Tri-State widening is a go

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html)


Just moved to NWI and am commuting daily to Oak Brook.  Good to hear that they are going to widen the Tri-State.  Not looking forward to the construction though.

Ok So full 5 lanes + FLEX all the way?? Even at the ORT points?  What about at Ogden? It will need C/D lanes (if there is room) or get rid of the clover leaf.
The oases have to go (no room). What are the I-294 / I-55 plans?  How are they going to fit it in at I-290 / I-294 / I-88? Will the railroads give them a hard time like with the EOE?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 24, 2017, 12:41:08 PM
Looks like the Central Tri-State widening is a go

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html)


Just moved to NWI and am commuting daily to Oak Brook.  Good to hear that they are going to widen the Tri-State.  Not looking forward to the construction though.

Ok So full 5 lanes + FLEX all the way?? Even at the ORT points?  What about at Ogden? It will need C/D lanes (if there is room) or get rid of the clover leaf.
The oases have to go (no room). What are the I-294 / I-55 plans?  How are they going to fit it in at I-290 / I-294 / I-88? Will the railroads give them a hard time like with the EOE?

All the interchanges are getting redone, Oasis are going bye-bye with similar set up for Des Plaines Oasis.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 24, 2017, 01:33:09 PM
Looks like the Central Tri-State widening is a go

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html)


Just moved to NWI and am commuting daily to Oak Brook.  Good to hear that they are going to widen the Tri-State.  Not looking forward to the construction though.

Ok So full 5 lanes + FLEX all the way?? Even at the ORT points?  What about at Ogden? It will need C/D lanes (if there is room) or get rid of the clover leaf.
The oases have to go (no room). What are the I-294 / I-55 plans?  How are they going to fit it in at I-290 / I-294 / I-88? Will the railroads give them a hard time like with the EOE?

All the interchanges are getting redone, Oasis are going bye-bye with similar set up for Des Plaines Oasis.
fully gone like how the Des Plaines Oasis will or just GAS like it is now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 24, 2017, 01:58:54 PM
They spent all that money upgrading all the oasises, and now they're going to get rid of them.  Ugh
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tdindy88 on August 24, 2017, 08:08:53 PM
One curious question here for those familiar with the tollways. I plan on visiting Chicago over Labor Day weekend and wanted to see the new I-90 as well as travel along I-355 since I've never been on that highway. I thought about getting an I-PASS but at this point I'm not really interested in it for just one trip. While I'll likely just go through the cash lanes along the toll barriers on those two highways I wondered about something else. Can I just go through the open toll barriers and pay online later? Like later that same day. Is that possible or not really allowed?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 24, 2017, 08:23:43 PM
One curious question here for those familiar with the tollways. I plan on visiting Chicago over Labor Day weekend and wanted to see the new I-90 as well as travel along I-355 since I've never been on that highway. I thought about getting an I-PASS but at this point I'm not really interested in it for just one trip. While I'll likely just go through the cash lanes along the toll barriers on those two highways I wondered about something else. Can I just go through the open toll barriers and pay online later? Like later that same day. Is that possible or not really allowed?
I think you can do that but it's not really allowed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 24, 2017, 08:27:42 PM
One curious question here for those familiar with the tollways. I plan on visiting Chicago over Labor Day weekend and wanted to see the new I-90 as well as travel along I-355 since I've never been on that highway. I thought about getting an I-PASS but at this point I'm not really interested in it for just one trip. While I'll likely just go through the cash lanes along the toll barriers on those two highways I wondered about something else. Can I just go through the open toll barriers and pay online later? Like later that same day. Is that possible or not really allowed?
I thought it was absolutely allowed - don't they sign it "7 Days to Pay"?

Also, you can go thru the ORT lanes up to your final booth, go thru the cash lanes there, and pay the full tolls there -- just keep track of what booths and what tolls are owed - I would get a receipt if going this route (pun heavily intended)

ISTHA used to have instructions about doing such on their website -- not sure if they still do

OR just get an I-Pass. It is EZ Pass compatible, has no monthly fee, $10 refundable deposit, lower priced tolls, works on IN EZ Pass facilities  (IN Toll Road, and the new Louisville Ohio River Bridges)...

Stop at a Jewel store as you approach the metro area, and pick up an I-Pass (unless that partnership ended?)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 24, 2017, 09:41:54 PM
Stop at a Jewel store as you approach the metro area, and pick up an I-Pass (unless that partnership ended?)

IIRC you still have to activate the transponder after buying it at Jewel, and allow a day, maybe more for the activation.

Given what all the signs say about 'seven days to pay', I think you would be fine if you went through all the ORT lanes and paid online a day or two later as long as you remember every single plaza you went through.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 24, 2017, 09:54:50 PM
I thought it was only like a 30 min wait on Jewel (or Road Ranger) I-Pass purchases/activations...Could be wrong
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 25, 2017, 03:53:36 PM
Looks like the Central Tri-State widening is a go

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html)


Just moved to NWI and am commuting daily to Oak Brook.  Good to hear that they are going to widen the Tri-State.  Not looking forward to the construction though.

Ok So full 5 lanes + FLEX all the way?? Even at the ORT points?  What about at Ogden? It will need C/D lanes (if there is room) or get rid of the clover leaf.
The oases have to go (no room). What are the I-294 / I-55 plans?  How are they going to fit it in at I-290 / I-294 / I-88? Will the railroads give them a hard time like with the EOE?

All the interchanges are getting redone, Oasis are going bye-bye with similar set up for Des Plaines Oasis.
fully gone like how the Des Plaines Oasis will or just GAS like it is now.

Just gas and 7-11
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on August 25, 2017, 07:21:47 PM
Looks like the Central Tri-State widening is a go

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-tollway-board-294-widening-0427-20170427-story.html)


Just moved to NWI and am commuting daily to Oak Brook.  Good to hear that they are going to widen the Tri-State.  Not looking forward to the construction though.

Ok So full 5 lanes + FLEX all the way?? Even at the ORT points?  What about at Ogden? It will need C/D lanes (if there is room) or get rid of the clover leaf.
The oases have to go (no room). What are the I-294 / I-55 plans?  How are they going to fit it in at I-290 / I-294 / I-88? Will the railroads give them a hard time like with the EOE?

All the interchanges are getting redone, Oasis are going bye-bye with similar set up for Des Plaines Oasis.
fully gone like how the Des Plaines Oasis will or just GAS like it is now.

Just gas and 7-11

I think most of the Oasis's have outlived their usefulness anyway (with the exception of the Belvidere and DeKalb). The suburbs are full of food and fuel options and I'd rather have improved roads as opposed to keeping the Oasis for sentimental reasons.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 25, 2017, 07:32:36 PM
I think most of the Oasis's have outlived their usefulness anyway (with the exception of the Belvidere and DeKalb). The suburbs are full of food and fuel options and I'd rather have improved roads as opposed to keeping the Oasis for sentimental reasons.
One could almost say even Belvidere and DeKalb have -- There are services available along I-90 at regular exits in Belvidere and Hampshire, and along I-88 in Rochelle, DeKalb, and Sugar Grove

That being said, I like the Oases -- and I'll miss eating or using the facilities, overhead of 8-10 lanes of Traffic!

I don't think the Lincoln/Southland Oasis is going anywhere for a while, anyway
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 25, 2017, 08:33:40 PM
I think most of the Oasis's have outlived their usefulness anyway (with the exception of the Belvidere and DeKalb). The suburbs are full of food and fuel options and I'd rather have improved roads as opposed to keeping the Oasis for sentimental reasons.

There may be plenty of food and fuel options off of the tollways, but there's no logo signs to confirm the presence of such options at an interchange, and since the tollway charges for either entering or exiting at most interchanges (and now charges to both enter and exit at some), it becomes an issue to get off and search for services.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 25, 2017, 09:27:22 PM
The "No Logo Signs" is a bit of a chicken and egg problem -- Pretty sure the reason there are no Logo signs for Food and Fuel is because of the Oases...

The Hampshire/Marengo/US 20 exit on I-90 is a free exit, and it is a pretty standard Truck Stop and Fast Food type stop, plenty of options.

IL 47 exit is a free exit on I-88, as is I-39/US 51 and IL 251. IL 47 is a bit of a tough one for thru traffic, due to a couple miles between the West facing Exit/Entrance (actually on IL 47, due North of Sugar Grove) and the East facing Exit/Entrance (Northeast of Sugar Grove, also is the "Old" Tollway ending, and the stub end of IL 56 leading to the US 30/IL 47 junction in downtown Sugar Grove). IL 251 has at least one Gas Station, right off the exit

I bet DeKalb would beg to have the toll lifted at Annie Glidden Road, if they could develop Annie Glidden to be a Truck/Services Stop, which they don't have a market to do as long as the Oasis is there AND having the Annie Glidden Exit tolled

The Dixon exit on I-88 is free -- used to be tolled in one direction, but not anymore. That exit is pretty much a typical Interstate-type Food and Fuel/Services Stop, and distance-wise, is about the distance a 2nd Oasis on I-88 could/should have been from DeKalb

ISTHA and the towns that the Tollways flow thru, even the rural parts of I-90 and I-88, would adapt and provide the motorist services that the Belvidere and DeKalb Oases do today
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tdindy88 on August 25, 2017, 09:30:11 PM
Having driven the Tri-State Tollway both ways one time I was curious about the two oases that to me were rather close to each other, the two mentioned in this upcoming project. I wonder if it would be possible to rebuild just one of them but as a full-size Oasis with the proper clearance for expanded highway and have the other one as a gas station option like Des Plaines is now? Maybe set up the construction so one remains open at all times.

As for the other Oases, they should stay in my opinion, it's especially nice to have one on the southern end and one up north toward Wisconsin, plus the two they have on I-90 and I-88.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 25, 2017, 09:58:37 PM
I think about the only way you could keep an Oasis on the Central Tri-State, after the rebuild/widen, would be to place it at one of the existing Toll Booth sites (plenty of ROW -- especially a "both ways" toll gate like Cermak), and then go All-Electronic Tolling with gantries at other locations

I think both the Hinsdale and O'Hare Oases are done, with this project. Just not gonna be room

Come on, the O'Hare Oasis is really there, for Visitors to buy gas on the way back to return the Rental Car at the Airport, right? :P

Probably why Gas Stations remain from what is left of the Des Plaines Oasis, as it serves the same purpose on I-90
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 28, 2017, 11:02:14 AM
EOE event oct 28

https://www.illinoistollway.com/390event
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 28, 2017, 04:50:31 PM
I think about the only way you could keep an Oasis on the Central Tri-State, after the rebuild/widen, would be to place it at one of the existing Toll Booth sites (plenty of ROW -- especially a "both ways" toll gate like Cermak), and then go All-Electronic Tolling with gantries at other locations

I think both the Hinsdale and O'Hare Oases are done, with this project. Just not gonna be room

Come on, the O'Hare Oasis is really there, for Visitors to buy gas on the way back to return the Rental Car at the Airport, right? :P

Probably why Gas Stations remain from what is left of the Des Plaines Oasis, as it serves the same purpose on I-90

Out of the two if you were going to keep one, I'd keep the Hinsdale one for a $$$ sake. Technically you do get I-55 traffic as well since there is enough room to merge over from the right lane of the ramp. But space is at a premium so likely they will be demolished
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 28, 2017, 05:34:22 PM
Keep the 7-elevens and ditch the oasii/oasises?

I thought they were getting rid of the 7-eleven on 90 once 490 gets built?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on August 28, 2017, 07:41:34 PM
I think about the only way you could keep an Oasis on the Central Tri-State, after the rebuild/widen, would be to place it at one of the existing Toll Booth sites (plenty of ROW -- especially a "both ways" toll gate like Cermak), and then go All-Electronic Tolling with gantries at other locations

I think both the Hinsdale and O'Hare Oases are done, with this project. Just not gonna be room

Come on, the O'Hare Oasis is really there, for Visitors to buy gas on the way back to return the Rental Car at the Airport, right? :P

Probably why Gas Stations remain from what is left of the Des Plaines Oasis, as it serves the same purpose on I-90

Out of the two if you were going to keep one, I'd keep the Hinsdale one for a $$$ sake. Technically you do get I-55 traffic as well since there is enough room to merge over from the right lane of the ramp. But space is at a premium so likely they will be demolished

Or, consolidate them both at the current site of the Cermak Toll Plaza?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on August 28, 2017, 07:42:04 PM
Keep the 7-elevens and ditch the oasii/oasises?

I thought they were getting rid of the 7-eleven on 90 once 490 gets built?

They are getting rid of them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 28, 2017, 08:57:43 PM
I think about the only way you could keep an Oasis on the Central Tri-State, after the rebuild/widen, would be to place it at one of the existing Toll Booth sites (plenty of ROW -- especially a "both ways" toll gate like Cermak), and then go All-Electronic Tolling with gantries at other locations

I think both the Hinsdale and O'Hare Oases are done, with this project. Just not gonna be room

Come on, the O'Hare Oasis is really there, for Visitors to buy gas on the way back to return the Rental Car at the Airport, right? :P

Probably why Gas Stations remain from what is left of the Des Plaines Oasis, as it serves the same purpose on I-90

Out of the two if you were going to keep one, I'd keep the Hinsdale one for a $$$ sake. Technically you do get I-55 traffic as well since there is enough room to merge over from the right lane of the ramp. But space is at a premium so likely they will be demolished

Or, consolidate them both at the current site of the Cermak Toll Plaza?

Is there an long term view to moving the full tollway system to some ETC only system with an mix of the EOE and ETR 407 set ups?

As why are IL-59 and beverly east on ramps still free but the old free east ramps at barrington road and roselle rd are now tolled. They should toll  IL-59 and Beverly and make the I-290 /IL-53 exit free.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 28, 2017, 09:59:53 PM
I think about the only way you could keep an Oasis on the Central Tri-State, after the rebuild/widen, would be to place it at one of the existing Toll Booth sites (plenty of ROW -- especially a "both ways" toll gate like Cermak), and then go All-Electronic Tolling with gantries at other locations

I think both the Hinsdale and O'Hare Oases are done, with this project. Just not gonna be room

Come on, the O'Hare Oasis is really there, for Visitors to buy gas on the way back to return the Rental Car at the Airport, right? :P

Probably why Gas Stations remain from what is left of the Des Plaines Oasis, as it serves the same purpose on I-90

Out of the two if you were going to keep one, I'd keep the Hinsdale one for a $$$ sake. Technically you do get I-55 traffic as well since there is enough room to merge over from the right lane of the ramp. But space is at a premium so likely they will be demolished

Or, consolidate them both at the current site of the Cermak Toll Plaza?

Is there an long term view to moving the full tollway system to some ETC only system with an mix of the EOE and ETR 407 set ups?

As why are IL-59 and beverly east on ramps still free but the old free east ramps at barrington road and roselle rd are now tolled. They should toll  IL-59 and Beverly and make the I-290 /IL-53 exit free.

IDOT reconstructed IL-59 and beverly back in the 90's. ITHSA didn't even touch the two roads during the re-construction.

ITHSA split the cost with IDOT and cook county to help fund the new interchange. I imagine ITHSA put tolls on the east ramps at barrington and roselle to help fund the costs of their share.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 29, 2017, 12:03:51 AM
I think about the only way you could keep an Oasis on the Central Tri-State, after the rebuild/widen, would be to place it at one of the existing Toll Booth sites (plenty of ROW -- especially a "both ways" toll gate like Cermak), and then go All-Electronic Tolling with gantries at other locations

I think both the Hinsdale and O'Hare Oases are done, with this project. Just not gonna be room

Come on, the O'Hare Oasis is really there, for Visitors to buy gas on the way back to return the Rental Car at the Airport, right? :P

Probably why Gas Stations remain from what is left of the Des Plaines Oasis, as it serves the same purpose on I-90

Out of the two if you were going to keep one, I'd keep the Hinsdale one for a $$$ sake. Technically you do get I-55 traffic as well since there is enough room to merge over from the right lane of the ramp. But space is at a premium so likely they will be demolished

Or, consolidate them both at the current site of the Cermak Toll Plaza?

Is there an long term view to moving the full tollway system to some ETC only system with an mix of the EOE and ETR 407 set ups?

As why are IL-59 and beverly east on ramps still free but the old free east ramps at barrington road and roselle rd are now tolled. They should toll  IL-59 and Beverly and make the I-290 /IL-53 exit free.

IDOT reconstructed IL-59 and beverly back in the 90's. ITHSA didn't even touch the two roads during the re-construction.

ITHSA split the cost with IDOT and cook county to help fund the new interchange. I imagine ITHSA put tolls on the east ramps at barrington and roselle to help fund the costs of their share.

If they where to toll the ramps then it can be fair both ways and they can detoll the I-290/IL-53 ramps.

Befor the de tolling the on ramp from I-290/Il-53 alot of exits where free. To exit barrington road, roselle,IL-59 and beverly was free
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 29, 2017, 12:41:13 AM
From a "fairness" standpoint, the ISTHA could/should go All Electronic, and do, essentially, Ticket-based/Mileage-based tolling, based on Entrance and Exit on the System.

Get rid of Mainline gantries, except on Endpoints, and have gantries at all entrance/exit points

Growing up in Northern Will/Southern DuPage counties, it was always weird to me that the toll you pay on I-355 has little to do with distance traveled, but simply what exit and entrance combination. Going from 75th St to 63rd St? 75 cents. Going from 75th St to Rt 59 on I-88? Still 75 cents. Going from 75th St to Butterfield/Rt 56? $1.20

I-Pass/EZ Pass makes it doable to do a true Distance-based system, more similar to the old fashioned "Ticket" systems you have going East in IN, OH, PA, NJ, NY, etc. And ISTHA already does Tolling by Plate, and has their website set up to allow Users without I-Pass/EZ Pass to pay online before getting a violation notice, too. Wouldn't be that much more a jump to go All Electronic
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 29, 2017, 12:48:10 AM
I think about the only way you could keep an Oasis on the Central Tri-State, after the rebuild/widen, would be to place it at one of the existing Toll Booth sites (plenty of ROW -- especially a "both ways" toll gate like Cermak), and then go All-Electronic Tolling with gantries at other locations

I think both the Hinsdale and O'Hare Oases are done, with this project. Just not gonna be room

Come on, the O'Hare Oasis is really there, for Visitors to buy gas on the way back to return the Rental Car at the Airport, right? :P

Probably why Gas Stations remain from what is left of the Des Plaines Oasis, as it serves the same purpose on I-90

Out of the two if you were going to keep one, I'd keep the Hinsdale one for a $$$ sake. Technically you do get I-55 traffic as well since there is enough room to merge over from the right lane of the ramp. But space is at a premium so likely they will be demolished

Or, consolidate them both at the current site of the Cermak Toll Plaza?

Is there an long term view to moving the full tollway system to some ETC only system with an mix of the EOE and ETR 407 set ups?

As why are IL-59 and beverly east on ramps still free but the old free east ramps at barrington road and roselle rd are now tolled. They should toll  IL-59 and Beverly and make the I-290 /IL-53 exit free.

IDOT reconstructed IL-59 and beverly back in the 90's. ITHSA didn't even touch the two roads during the re-construction.

ITHSA split the cost with IDOT and cook county to help fund the new interchange. I imagine ITHSA put tolls on the east ramps at barrington and roselle to help fund the costs of their share.

If they where to toll the ramps then it can be fair both ways and they can detoll the I-290/IL-53 ramps.

Befor the de tolling the on ramp from I-290/Il-53 alot of exits where free. To exit barrington road, roselle,IL-59 and beverly was free

Not sure how many people get on from IL-59, or even Barrington or Roselle just to get off I-290/IL-53. I imagine most of those guys at heading to either the Kennedy or the Tri-state at that point.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 29, 2017, 02:49:51 PM
From a "fairness" standpoint, the ISTHA could/should go All Electronic, and do, essentially, Ticket-based/Mileage-based tolling, based on Entrance and Exit on the System.

Get rid of Mainline gantries, except on Endpoints, and have gantries at all entrance/exit points

Growing up in Northern Will/Southern DuPage counties, it was always weird to me that the toll you pay on I-355 has little to do with distance traveled, but simply what exit and entrance combination. Going from 75th St to 63rd St? 75 cents. Going from 75th St to Rt 59 on I-88? Still 75 cents. Going from 75th St to Butterfield/Rt 56? $1.20

I-Pass/EZ Pass makes it doable to do a true Distance-based system, more similar to the old fashioned "Ticket" systems you have going East in IN, OH, PA, NJ, NY, etc. And ISTHA already does Tolling by Plate, and has their website set up to allow Users without I-Pass/EZ Pass to pay online before getting a violation notice, too. Wouldn't be that much more a jump to go All Electronic
well an Mix of EOE toll points and ramp points can work. Even in a ticket system
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on August 29, 2017, 07:59:24 PM
From a "fairness" standpoint, the ISTHA could/should go All Electronic, and do, essentially, Ticket-based/Mileage-based tolling, based on Entrance and Exit on the System.

Get rid of Mainline gantries, except on Endpoints, and have gantries at all entrance/exit points

Growing up in Northern Will/Southern DuPage counties, it was always weird to me that the toll you pay on I-355 has little to do with distance traveled, but simply what exit and entrance combination. Going from 75th St to 63rd St? 75 cents. Going from 75th St to Rt 59 on I-88? Still 75 cents. Going from 75th St to Butterfield/Rt 56? $1.20

I-Pass/EZ Pass makes it doable to do a true Distance-based system, more similar to the old fashioned "Ticket" systems you have going East in IN, OH, PA, NJ, NY, etc. And ISTHA already does Tolling by Plate, and has their website set up to allow Users without I-Pass/EZ Pass to pay online before getting a violation notice, too. Wouldn't be that much more a jump to go All Electronic

^^^^^^This

I wish I could like this 1,000,000 times. This is exactly how the Illinois Tollway needs to do things in the future. And I bet they will at some point. It would make things so much more efficient. No more mainline barriers.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 29, 2017, 09:35:40 PM
From a "fairness" standpoint, the ISTHA could/should go All Electronic, and do, essentially, Ticket-based/Mileage-based tolling, based on Entrance and Exit on the System.

Get rid of Mainline gantries, except on Endpoints, and have gantries at all entrance/exit points

Growing up in Northern Will/Southern DuPage counties, it was always weird to me that the toll you pay on I-355 has little to do with distance traveled, but simply what exit and entrance combination. Going from 75th St to 63rd St? 75 cents. Going from 75th St to Rt 59 on I-88? Still 75 cents. Going from 75th St to Butterfield/Rt 56? $1.20

I-Pass/EZ Pass makes it doable to do a true Distance-based system, more similar to the old fashioned "Ticket" systems you have going East in IN, OH, PA, NJ, NY, etc. And ISTHA already does Tolling by Plate, and has their website set up to allow Users without I-Pass/EZ Pass to pay online before getting a violation notice, too. Wouldn't be that much more a jump to go All Electronic

^^^^^^This

I wish I could like this 1,000,000 times. This is exactly how the Illinois Tollway needs to do things in the future. And I bet they will at some point. It would make things so much more efficient. No more mainline barriers.

WHEN they do so... the first barrier that needs to be converted is the I-90 River Road Plaza, followed shortly by the I-294 Irving Park Plaza!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 29, 2017, 09:46:33 PM
WHEN they do so... the first barrier that needs to be converted is the I-90 River Road Plaza, followed shortly by the I-294 Irving Park Plaza!
To be fair, River Road would still have to be a Toll Point -- but if All Electronic Tolling (aka AET) there would no longer be a Booth -- just a Gantry/Monotube, or basically ORT for all Thru lanes, in this case, for all traffic continuing onto the Kennedy. But due to it being East Point of the Jane Addams Tollway (for Inbound Traffic), it would necessitate the East Point Gantry

I have a lot of not fond memories of sitting waiting in traffic at 163rd St Plaza on the South Tri-State, for family road trips, especially around Holidays...of course 163rd St would have to become South Point, or you could even move "South Point" and use the Lincoln/Southland Oasis as your Gantry for the South End of the Tri-State...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 30, 2017, 12:05:22 AM
WHEN they do so... the first barrier that needs to be converted is the I-90 River Road Plaza, followed shortly by the I-294 Irving Park Plaza!
To be fair, River Road would still have to be a Toll Point -- but if All Electronic Tolling (aka AET) there would no longer be a Booth -- just a Gantry/Monotube, or basically ORT for all Thru lanes, in this case, for all traffic continuing onto the Kennedy. But due to it being East Point of the Jane Addams Tollway (for Inbound Traffic), it would necessitate the East Point Gantry

I have a lot of not fond memories of sitting waiting in traffic at 163rd St Plaza on the South Tri-State, for family road trips, especially around Holidays...of course 163rd St would have to become South Point, or you could even move "South Point" and use the Lincoln/Southland Oasis as your Gantry for the South End of the Tri-State...
Irving Park Plaza will be needed unless the exits to I-290 will be tolled. But they need to keep Irving Park Plaza / Devon avenue toll same price as I-490 for I-294 to/from I-90.

I-490 being OTA only will be the start of the end.

Now they can have an mixed system where cash pays fixed rates.
ETC get's ERT 407 / virtual ticketing there are few points when pay this toll and then exit X is lower then just X on it's own or even after main toll point Y the next 1-X exits have an varying refund ETC only.  There are ETC systems like that (mainly built out before ETC).

The EOE was added to an free road and local exits on the new toll part may be some what based on an pre TOLL plan or just they did not want one road to be mixed ERT 407 / other part tolling point. And the needed to keep a few free exits at I-290.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 31, 2017, 12:18:35 AM
WHEN they do so... the first barrier that needs to be converted is the I-90 River Road Plaza, followed shortly by the I-294 Irving Park Plaza!
To be fair, River Road would still have to be a Toll Point -- but if All Electronic Tolling (aka AET) there would no longer be a Booth -- just a Gantry/Monotube, or basically ORT for all Thru lanes, in this case, for all traffic continuing onto the Kennedy. But due to it being East Point of the Jane Addams Tollway (for Inbound Traffic), it would necessitate the East Point Gantry

I have a lot of not fond memories of sitting waiting in traffic at 163rd St Plaza on the South Tri-State, for family road trips, especially around Holidays...of course 163rd St would have to become South Point, or you could even move "South Point" and use the Lincoln/Southland Oasis as your Gantry for the South End of the Tri-State...
Irving Park Plaza will be needed unless the exits to I-290 will be tolled. But they need to keep Irving Park Plaza / Devon avenue toll same price as I-490 for I-294 to/from I-90.

I-490 being OTA only will be the start of the end.

Now they can have an mixed system where cash pays fixed rates.
ETC get's ERT 407 / virtual ticketing there are few points when pay this toll and then exit X is lower then just X on it's own or even after main toll point Y the next 1-X exits have an varying refund ETC only.  There are ETC systems like that (mainly built out before ETC).

The EOE was added to an free road and local exits on the new toll part may be some what based on an pre TOLL plan or just they did not want one road to be mixed ERT 407 / other part tolling point. And the needed to keep a few free exits at I-290.

Agreed that Irving Park and River Road Plazas will be needed either way, I just say they should be the first two candidates for complete ORT conversion (i.e. get rid of the cash lanes). Not having the added merge at both points would open traffic to be so much smoother.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 05, 2017, 08:37:17 AM
The white LED lighting has begun to invade parts of 294, mainly from 95th street southward. Some orange lights are intermixed every so often
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tdindy88 on September 05, 2017, 04:25:44 PM
I just got back from the Chicago area which involved seeing I-90 from the Kennedy up to US 20 and back to I-290 as well as a clinch of I-355. While I was prepared for all six mainline barriers that I came across (I went ahead and just paid cash at each booth) I was not prepared for the toll to get from EB I-90 to SB I-290 since I recall going through a barrier a while back ago. Luckily I had enough for the 60 cents to pay in change. Granted this is much better than what I went through this morning on the Indiana Toll Road going back to I-65. I'm pretty sure I went up to broken machine which didn't even tell me what I was owed. But thanks to the light traffic I was able to back up and go to the next lane which had a working automated machine to pay. For all the recent talk about Indiana being a better state than Illinois this is one department you clearly have us beat in.

I-90 is an impressive highway for its stretch, I was surprised to see FHWA font being used on part of the highway whereas I'm sure I've seen Clearview used at least 95% along the rest of the tollways I've been on. I'm assuming it's because of the decision regarding the use of that font in the previous years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on September 05, 2017, 08:04:03 PM
Starting on January 1, 2018, the Illinois Tollway will crack down on people who has one transponder for multiple vehicles...

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170904/no-transponder-i-pass-users-could-see-tolls-double-in-2018-if-they-buck-the-system
http://abc7chicago.com/traffic/illinois-tollway-ending-discounts-for-registered-i-pass-users-without-transponders/2374959/
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 05, 2017, 08:21:55 PM
Starting on January 1, 2018, the Illinois Tollway will crack down on people who has one transponder for multiple vehicles...

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170904/no-transponder-i-pass-users-could-see-tolls-double-in-2018-if-they-buck-the-system
http://abc7chicago.com/traffic/illinois-tollway-ending-discounts-for-registered-i-pass-users-without-transponders/2374959/
So how will ISTHA handle misreads?

Will all Toll By Plate transactions be billed at the Cash rate, even if the I-Pass is in place properly and in the vehicle?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on September 20, 2017, 09:57:33 PM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 21, 2017, 08:25:24 AM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Sweet!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on September 21, 2017, 09:25:17 AM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Should be just a simple diamond there.  IIRC, ISTHA already owns the land for it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on September 21, 2017, 11:38:07 AM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Should be just a simple diamond there.  IIRC, ISTHA already owns the land for it.

Preferred Alternative has a N to W loop, otherwise it is a conventional diamond. http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CAG-5-Preferred-Alternative-Exhibit.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 24, 2017, 03:43:57 PM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Should be just a simple diamond there.  IIRC, ISTHA already owns the land for it.

Preferred Alternative has a N to W loop, otherwise it is a conventional diamond. http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CAG-5-Preferred-Alternative-Exhibit.pdf

I wonder if this might lead to eventual widening of I-88 out to IL-47. With that, I wonder if there ever might be an additional interchange built between DeKalb and Sugar Grove. Western Kane County/Eastern DeKalb County could very well benefit from one. I know something like this would be years out, but it just seems silly to have such a long distance between interchanges while still technically on the edge of the collar counties.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 05:47:38 PM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Should be just a simple diamond there.  IIRC, ISTHA already owns the land for it.

Preferred Alternative has a N to W loop, otherwise it is a conventional diamond. http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CAG-5-Preferred-Alternative-Exhibit.pdf

I wonder if this might lead to eventual widening of I-88 out to IL-47. With that, I wonder if there ever might be an additional interchange built between DeKalb and Sugar Grove. Western Kane County/Eastern DeKalb County could very well benefit from one. I know something like this would be years out, but it just seems silly to have such a long distance between interchanges while still technically on the edge of the collar counties.

Out of the cross bridges: Dauberman, County Line, or Keslinger could be the main candidates
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 24, 2017, 08:58:20 PM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Should be just a simple diamond there.  IIRC, ISTHA already owns the land for it.

Preferred Alternative has a N to W loop, otherwise it is a conventional diamond. http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CAG-5-Preferred-Alternative-Exhibit.pdf

I wonder if this might lead to eventual widening of I-88 out to IL-47. With that, I wonder if there ever might be an additional interchange built between DeKalb and Sugar Grove. Western Kane County/Eastern DeKalb County could very well benefit from one. I know something like this would be years out, but it just seems silly to have such a long distance between interchanges while still technically on the edge of the collar counties.

Out of the cross bridges: Dauberman, County Line, or Keslinger could be the main candidates

I was kind of thinking County Line myself, maybe the most feasible as both Kane and DeKalb County would be able to contribute to its costs along with the Tollway. Obviously, this would be years out either way, but just food for thought.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on September 25, 2017, 10:19:04 PM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Should be just a simple diamond there.  IIRC, ISTHA already owns the land for it.

Preferred Alternative has a N to W loop, otherwise it is a conventional diamond. http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CAG-5-Preferred-Alternative-Exhibit.pdf

I wonder if this might lead to eventual widening of I-88 out to IL-47. With that, I wonder if there ever might be an additional interchange built between DeKalb and Sugar Grove. Western Kane County/Eastern DeKalb County could very well benefit from one. I know something like this would be years out, but it just seems silly to have such a long distance between interchanges while still technically on the edge of the collar counties.

I believe it was (maybe still is?) in Kane DOT's 2040 plans to widen I-88 to six lanes from the IL-56 split off to IL-47. Of course, that is under the tollway jurisdiction and so they have no say in whether that happens (for the record, the same plan, or more like a wish list, had I-90 being widened to eight lanes from Randall to the western county line).

If there was ever a new interchange, it would be at Bliss Road likely.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on September 25, 2017, 10:25:27 PM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Should be just a simple diamond there.  IIRC, ISTHA already owns the land for it.

Preferred Alternative has a N to W loop, otherwise it is a conventional diamond. http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CAG-5-Preferred-Alternative-Exhibit.pdf

I wonder if this might lead to eventual widening of I-88 out to IL-47. With that, I wonder if there ever might be an additional interchange built between DeKalb and Sugar Grove. Western Kane County/Eastern DeKalb County could very well benefit from one. I know something like this would be years out, but it just seems silly to have such a long distance between interchanges while still technically on the edge of the collar counties.

I believe it was (maybe still is?) in Kane DOT's 2040 plans to widen I-88 to six lanes from the IL-56 split off to IL-47. Of course, that is under the tollway jurisdiction and so they have no say in whether that happens (for the record, the same plan, or more like a wish list, had I-90 being widened to eight lanes from Randall to the western county line).

If there was ever a new interchange, it would be at Bliss Road likely.

the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on September 25, 2017, 10:29:32 PM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Should be just a simple diamond there.  IIRC, ISTHA already owns the land for it.

Preferred Alternative has a N to W loop, otherwise it is a conventional diamond. http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CAG-5-Preferred-Alternative-Exhibit.pdf

I wonder if this might lead to eventual widening of I-88 out to IL-47. With that, I wonder if there ever might be an additional interchange built between DeKalb and Sugar Grove. Western Kane County/Eastern DeKalb County could very well benefit from one. I know something like this would be years out, but it just seems silly to have such a long distance between interchanges while still technically on the edge of the collar counties.

I believe it was (maybe still is?) in Kane DOT's 2040 plans to widen I-88 to six lanes from the IL-56 split off to IL-47. Of course, that is under the tollway jurisdiction and so they have no say in whether that happens (for the record, the same plan, or more like a wish list, had I-90 being widened to eight lanes from Randall to the western county line).

If there was ever a new interchange, it would be at Bliss Road likely.

the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Nah, I-90 won't need more capacity west of IL-47 for a long time, if ever. I could see the four lanes in each direction someday being extended to IL-47, but that would be it. I'm sure when they reconstruct the Randall Road bridge/interchange (they will have to do this at some point soon), it will be lengthened to accommodate a fourth lane in each direction.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 26, 2017, 05:25:11 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 26, 2017, 07:20:04 PM
Full interchange coming soon to I-88 at IL 47... Similar project to I-90 at IL 47 but opposite... can't wait!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

Article:
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20170920/full-interchange-at-route-47-and-i-88-moves-ahead

Should be just a simple diamond there.  IIRC, ISTHA already owns the land for it.

Preferred Alternative has a N to W loop, otherwise it is a conventional diamond. http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/CAG-5-Preferred-Alternative-Exhibit.pdf

I wonder if this might lead to eventual widening of I-88 out to IL-47. With that, I wonder if there ever might be an additional interchange built between DeKalb and Sugar Grove. Western Kane County/Eastern DeKalb County could very well benefit from one. I know something like this would be years out, but it just seems silly to have such a long distance between interchanges while still technically on the edge of the collar counties.

I believe it was (maybe still is?) in Kane DOT's 2040 plans to widen I-88 to six lanes from the IL-56 split off to IL-47. Of course, that is under the tollway jurisdiction and so they have no say in whether that happens (for the record, the same plan, or more like a wish list, had I-90 being widened to eight lanes from Randall to the western county line).

If there was ever a new interchange, it would be at Bliss Road likely.

the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Nah, I-90 won't need more capacity west of IL-47 for a long time, if ever. I could see the four lanes in each direction someday being extended to IL-47, but that would be it. I'm sure when they reconstruct the Randall Road bridge/interchange (they will have to do this at some point soon), it will be lengthened to accommodate a fourth lane in each direction.

the smart road look like the posts are in place to extend it to elgin
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on September 26, 2017, 09:03:17 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 27, 2017, 12:14:15 AM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.

Central I-294 is by far the Tollway's most pressing need as far as existing facilities go, so it makes sense that this would be their main focus. Let's also not forget The Edens Spur (I-94), which is in line for a rebuild. That said, don't count out them adding additional projects to the scope. I-90 was a big ticket item that is mostly wrapping up now, so I-88 could very well be next with the next segments being widened. I also wouldn't be surprised if they extended the eight lanes on I-90 to IL 47.

One thing that will be coming up sooner than later as a need will be I-355. The original section is almost 30 years old now and starting to show its age a bit. From a capacity standpoint, within the next decade, it very well could be in line for a major rehab/rebuild plus widening to eight lanes for the entire length between I-290 and I-55 (of course this would require IDOT to actually coordinate with the Tollway at the North end).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on September 27, 2017, 04:04:59 PM
I just think that stretch of 355 along 88 is going to be the real problem. You've got the tunnel and the arboretum there.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on September 27, 2017, 05:24:44 PM
I just think that stretch of 355 along 88 is going to be the real problem. You've got the tunnel and the arboretum there.

It's a bigger issue southbound than northbound due to the merge from westbound I-88 there, just before the Arboretum retaining wall and the tunnel.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 27, 2017, 06:00:14 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.

Central I-294 is by far the Tollway's most pressing need as far as existing facilities go, so it makes sense that this would be their main focus. Let's also not forget The Edens Spur (I-94), which is in line for a rebuild. That said, don't count out them adding additional projects to the scope. I-90 was a big ticket item that is mostly wrapping up now, so I-88 could very well be next with the next segments being widened. I also wouldn't be surprised if they extended the eight lanes on I-90 to IL 47.

One thing that will be coming up sooner than later as a need will be I-355. The original section is almost 30 years old now and starting to show its age a bit. From a capacity standpoint, within the next decade, it very well could be in line for a major rehab/rebuild plus widening to eight lanes for the entire length between I-290 and I-55 (of course this would require IDOT to actually coordinate with the Tollway at the North end).

maybe AUX lanes from I-88 to I-290 with some ramp work + more aux lanes in the free zone of I-355

Don't 4 lanes in the tunnel.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 27, 2017, 06:18:25 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.

Central I-294 is by far the Tollway's most pressing need as far as existing facilities go, so it makes sense that this would be their main focus. Let's also not forget The Edens Spur (I-94), which is in line for a rebuild. That said, don't count out them adding additional projects to the scope. I-90 was a big ticket item that is mostly wrapping up now, so I-88 could very well be next with the next segments being widened. I also wouldn't be surprised if they extended the eight lanes on I-90 to IL 47.

One thing that will be coming up sooner than later as a need will be I-355. The original section is almost 30 years old now and starting to show its age a bit. From a capacity standpoint, within the next decade, it very well could be in line for a major rehab/rebuild plus widening to eight lanes for the entire length between I-290 and I-55 (of course this would require IDOT to actually coordinate with the Tollway at the North end).

maybe AUX lanes from I-88 to I-290 with some ramp work + more aux lanes in the free zone of I-355

Don't 4 lanes in the tunnel.

Sadly that stretch where the tunnel is, which would be the biggest challenge, is where extra lanes would come most in handy. That part would be a huge undertaking. I know it was a stretch getting the Arboretum to even allow I-355 where it is, so that'll be an obstacle for sure. The only other option I can think of is that they move the ramp from WB I-88 to SB I-355 to where it would merge after the tunnel and the eight lane section begins essentially, merge with the ramp from EB I-88).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 27, 2017, 09:00:43 PM
I just think that stretch of 355 along 88 is going to be the real problem. You've got the tunnel and the arboretum there.

It's a bigger issue southbound than northbound due to the merge from westbound I-88 there, just before the Arboretum retaining wall and the tunnel.
Double Deck I-355 in the 355/88 side-by-side section, and then have one direction of 355 go over I-88 and the other using the current tunnel
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on September 27, 2017, 11:37:46 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.

Central I-294 is by far the Tollway's most pressing need as far as existing facilities go, so it makes sense that this would be their main focus. Let's also not forget The Edens Spur (I-94), which is in line for a rebuild. That said, don't count out them adding additional projects to the scope. I-90 was a big ticket item that is mostly wrapping up now, so I-88 could very well be next with the next segments being widened. I also wouldn't be surprised if they extended the eight lanes on I-90 to IL 47.

One thing that will be coming up sooner than later as a need will be I-355. The original section is almost 30 years old now and starting to show its age a bit. From a capacity standpoint, within the next decade, it very well could be in line for a major rehab/rebuild plus widening to eight lanes for the entire length between I-290 and I-55 (of course this would require IDOT to actually coordinate with the Tollway at the North end).

If and when the tollway 8 lanes I-88 further, they'll have to rebuild Eola rd. Current bridge configurations won't allow for 4 lanes, but Farnsworth ave appears as if it does.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 28, 2017, 08:13:18 AM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.

Central I-294 is by far the Tollway's most pressing need as far as existing facilities go, so it makes sense that this would be their main focus. Let's also not forget The Edens Spur (I-94), which is in line for a rebuild. That said, don't count out them adding additional projects to the scope. I-90 was a big ticket item that is mostly wrapping up now, so I-88 could very well be next with the next segments being widened. I also wouldn't be surprised if they extended the eight lanes on I-90 to IL 47.

One thing that will be coming up sooner than later as a need will be I-355. The original section is almost 30 years old now and starting to show its age a bit. From a capacity standpoint, within the next decade, it very well could be in line for a major rehab/rebuild plus widening to eight lanes for the entire length between I-290 and I-55 (of course this would require IDOT to actually coordinate with the Tollway at the North end).

If and when the tollway 8 lanes I-88 further, they'll have to rebuild Eola rd. Current bridge configurations won't allow for 4 lanes, but Farnsworth ave appears as if it does.

Farnsworth and the two cross bridges after (Church and Mitchell Roads) are all set for an expansion. Eola and the rail bridge are the two outliers
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on September 28, 2017, 07:56:14 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.

Central I-294 is by far the Tollway's most pressing need as far as existing facilities go, so it makes sense that this would be their main focus. Let's also not forget The Edens Spur (I-94), which is in line for a rebuild. That said, don't count out them adding additional projects to the scope. I-90 was a big ticket item that is mostly wrapping up now, so I-88 could very well be next with the next segments being widened. I also wouldn't be surprised if they extended the eight lanes on I-90 to IL 47.

One thing that will be coming up sooner than later as a need will be I-355. The original section is almost 30 years old now and starting to show its age a bit. From a capacity standpoint, within the next decade, it very well could be in line for a major rehab/rebuild plus widening to eight lanes for the entire length between I-290 and I-55 (of course this would require IDOT to actually coordinate with the Tollway at the North end).

If and when the tollway 8 lanes I-88 further, they'll have to rebuild Eola rd. Current bridge configurations won't allow for 4 lanes, but Farnsworth ave appears as if it does.

Farnsworth and the two cross bridges after (Church and Mitchell Roads) are all set for an expansion. Eola and the rail bridge are the two outliers

And the Aurora Toll Plaza is configured to allow for a fourth ORT lane. This leads me to believe they will widen I-88 from IL-59 to IL-31 within the next 10-15 years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on October 13, 2017, 11:57:24 PM
Looks like southern segment of 294 from 95th street or so until the 80 merge got switched to led lights
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 14, 2017, 06:31:45 PM
Looks like southern segment of 294 from 95th street or so until the 80 merge got switched to led lights

I wouldn't be surprised if the segment North of I-90 follows sometime in the next year. They're more than likely going to wait until the massive rebuild to replace the lighting on the Central section. How about I-88 West of Highland Ave to at least IL-59? That would seem like a natural candidate for the next retrofit as well. Maybe portions of I-355 also would follow I figure.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 15, 2017, 12:32:21 PM
Looks like southern segment of 294 from 95th street or so until the 80 merge got switched to led lights

Been like that since about July
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on October 15, 2017, 02:02:27 PM
Looks like southern segment of 294 from 95th street or so until the 80 merge got switched to led lights

Been like that since about July

Haven't driven this stretch in a while. But agree with chimil, 294 North segment and 88 West of highland should get on that LED treatment
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 15, 2017, 04:23:15 PM
Looks like southern segment of 294 from 95th street or so until the 80 merge got switched to led lights

Been like that since about July

Haven't driven this stretch in a while. But agree with chimil, 294 North segment and 88 West of highland should get on that LED treatment

Oh yeah I agree, 88 at least from IL-59 eastward and the entire 294 stretch
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: DrMyEyes on October 20, 2017, 03:11:27 PM
Any ideas on when the master plan for Central TriState expansion will come out? Wondering what is going to happen with I55/294/Joliet Road interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 20, 2017, 09:41:38 PM
^ I suspect it will be a while - any major redesign affecting I-55 would have to be coordinated with IDOT and FHWA.  From throwing out a random guess:  June 2018.

EDIT:  Per Page 18 of 20 from one of the I-55 Managed Lane Presentations, (http://www.i55managedlaneproject.org/pdfs/i55_cpg1_presentation_100517_final.pdf), the I-55/I-294 interchange will not be reconstructed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 21, 2017, 11:01:56 AM
^ I suspect it will be a while - any major redesign affecting I-55 would have to be coordinated with IDOT and FHWA.  From throwing out a random guess:  June 2018.

EDIT:  Per Page 18 of 20 from one of the I-55 Managed Lane Presentations, (http://www.i55managedlaneproject.org/pdfs/i55_cpg1_presentation_100517_final.pdf), the I-55/I-294 interchange will not be reconstructed.
but the Central TriState rebuild will change the interchange and like widening bridges
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 21, 2017, 09:54:37 PM
^ They might replace the bridges and tweak the NB I-55 to SB I-294, NB I-294 to NB I-55 and NB I-294 to SB I-55 ramps slightly to account for the widened mainline, but it sounds like the rest of the interchange will not be changing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 21, 2017, 11:09:24 PM
^ I suspect it will be a while - any major redesign affecting I-55 would have to be coordinated with IDOT and FHWA.  From throwing out a random guess:  June 2018.

EDIT:  Per Page 18 of 20 from one of the I-55 Managed Lane Presentations, (http://www.i55managedlaneproject.org/pdfs/i55_cpg1_presentation_100517_final.pdf), the I-55/I-294 interchange will not be reconstructed.

Also, DuPage County (with Cook County participation) is doing a parallel study of the 294 corridor, so there will be some coordination there.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on October 22, 2017, 02:38:04 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.
I really doubt there is going to be much growth farther west in the coming years. With how bad of shape Illinois is people will be moving out of state instead of farther out. i think the Chicago area was reached it's permanent western limits. Any additional growth will be more south to southwest in Kendall and Will counties. Illinois is losing population more than any others state. Lake county is seeing it's first decline ever this decade.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on October 22, 2017, 02:55:56 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.
I really doubt there is going to be much growth farther west in the coming years. With how bad of shape Illinois is people will be moving out of state instead of farther out. i think the Chicago area was reached it's permanent western limits. Any additional growth will be more south to southwest in Kendall and Will counties. Illinois is losing population more than any others state. Lake county is seeing it's first decline ever this decade.

Have you been to Western Kane county i.e. South Elgin, Burlington and the like?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on October 22, 2017, 02:56:34 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.
I really doubt there is going to be much growth farther west in the coming years. With how bad of shape Illinois is people will be moving out of state instead of farther out. i think the Chicago area was reached it's permanent western limits. Any additional growth will be more south to southwest in Kendall and Will counties. Illinois is losing population more than any others state. Lake county is seeing it's first decline ever this decade.

Have you been to Western Kane county i.e. South Elgin, Burlington and the like?

I have, but we're growing much faster down here.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on October 22, 2017, 03:00:49 PM
the bridges on 90 were designed up to 4 lanes, no?

Most of the overpasses appear capable of handling four lanes except for IL 47 (which could do so with narrowed shoulders).  The bridges on I-90 would require narrowing at least the inner shoulder to fit in a fourth lane.

Don't see it happening now as traffic count doesn't justify it, but maybe in the next 10 years or so.

Maybe around 10 to 15 years out once any adjustments due to the IL 23 interchange play out and if the economy stays decent.

I could see I-90 being expanded up to IL-47 in the next 5-10 years and maybe to IL-23 in the next 10-15 years depending on the growth in Hampshire, Burlington, and the like. Lots of new development happening in that area.

The smart road, I'm unsure of where it exactly ends west. I see some of the "future" poles here and there between barrington rd and 59, but I get off 59 everyday so unable to assess it westward.

With that said, it looks like in the next 5 years, the tollway's focus is just central I-294. However, I really wish the tollway would work on 4 laning I-88 after IL-59 to at least Farnsworth now that the bridge looks like it'll be finished by the end of the year.
I really doubt there is going to be much growth farther west in the coming years. With how bad of shape Illinois is people will be moving out of state instead of farther out. i think the Chicago area was reached it's permanent western limits. Any additional growth will be more south to southwest in Kendall and Will counties. Illinois is losing population more than any others state. Lake county is seeing it's first decline ever this decade.

Have you been to Western Kane county i.e. South Elgin, Burlington and the like?

I have, but we're growing much faster down here.

Not denying that, will county is getting incredible industrial development lately therefore truck traffic.

The growth on 80 and 57 has really been picking up in the past year or two
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 22, 2017, 04:48:03 PM
Kane, Kendall and Will are growing while most other counties in IL are losing population. Numerically, Kane is gaining the most population in recent years, but Will is growing the most industry and jobs while Kane and Kendall’s population growth consists of more workers that travel east to their jobs. I-80 is a mess anymore, I can’t depend on it to catch the Metra between 7 and 8 AM; sometimes it flows fairly free and other times it is a parking lot.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on October 22, 2017, 08:28:05 PM
Kane, Kendall and Will are growing while most other counties in IL are losing population. Numerically, Kane is gaining the most population in recent years, but Will is growing the most industry and jobs while Kane and Kendall’s population growth consists of more workers that travel east to their jobs. I-80 is a mess anymore, I can’t depend on it to catch the Metra between 7 and 8 AM; sometimes it flows fairly free and other times it is a parking lot.

Cook county is essentially built out as is dupage. Very little developable land left in dupage.

Lake county seriously lacks proper highway infrastructure. Hard to have industry in North West lake county when your only highway is 294 and their southern neighbors refuse any fix
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on October 23, 2017, 07:36:13 PM
Overall I would say Chicago's freeways are mostly up to date except for I-80 in Will County. Compare that to the very outdated Milwaukee area freeways that even in 2017 are still just 2 lanes in some places.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 23, 2017, 09:31:28 PM
Overall I would say Chicago's freeways are mostly up to date except for I-80 in Will County. Compare that to the very outdated Milwaukee area freeways that even in 2017 are still just 2 lanes in some places.

Except also I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway) between I-294 and Central Ave (left hand exits), I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) anywhere East/North of I-355 (why didn't they add a lane back in the late 90s when they rebuilt much of it), I-90 (Kennedy Expressway) between O'Hare and I-94 Junction (short merges that cause unnecessarily bad backups), I-94 (Edens Expressway) entire stretch (antiquated 1950s pre-Interstate design with very narrow shoulders), I-94 (Bishop Ford Freeway) entire stretch (same issues as Edens Expressway). Though I agree it's amazing how freeways in Milwaukee are still only 2 lanes each way in many spots, all of these expressways I mentioned are just three lanes in each direction and are generally the main routes into Chicago. Considering how much traffic the get and how backed up they get, they are very out of date in many spots and very inadequate for modern day traffic needs. The tollways, on the other hand, are generally nicely up to date or there are programmed improvements (Central I-294). Even with that,  except for SB I-294 near O'Hare (which will be part of the I-294 expansion/rebuild), the tollways mostly run well where an interchange with IDOT isn't involved.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 23, 2017, 09:49:01 PM
The tollways, on the other hand, are generally nicely up to date or there are programmed improvements (Central I-294). Even with that,  except for SB I-294 near O'Hare (which will be part of the I-294 expansion/rebuild), the tollways mostly run well where an interchange with IDOT isn't involved.
I-355 can get clogged @ I-88 Interchange, and thats 2 ISTHA roadways

Supposedly, IDOT did want to add a lane to the Stevenson/I-55 when they completely rebuilt the roadway (was that late 90s or early 2000s?), but they were told "no" apparently "from above" state of IL officials. Most of the rebuilt section was built with wide enough shoulders for the 4th Lane, and 4 lanes (2 each way) ran over it easily while reconstruction occurred.

I think the main Expressways are pretty undersized lane-wise, compared to Chicagoland's population.

That being said, they tend to channel Suburb to City movements, and the Metra train system truly is a competitive option at peak times/rush hour, and non-peak times, the Expressways serve their purposes pretty well
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 23, 2017, 10:02:09 PM
The tollways, on the other hand, are generally nicely up to date or there are programmed improvements (Central I-294). Even with that,  except for SB I-294 near O'Hare (which will be part of the I-294 expansion/rebuild), the tollways mostly run well where an interchange with IDOT isn't involved.
I-355 can get clogged @ I-88 Interchange, and thats 2 ISTHA roadways

Supposedly, IDOT did want to add a lane to the Stevenson/I-55 when they completely rebuilt the roadway (was that late 90s or early 2000s?), but they were told "no" apparently "from above" state of IL officials. Most of the rebuilt section was built with wide enough shoulders for the 4th Lane, and 4 lanes (2 each way) ran over it easily while reconstruction occurred.

I think the main Expressways are pretty undersized lane-wise, compared to Chicagoland's population.

That being said, they tend to channel Suburb to City movements, and the Metra train system truly is a competitive option at peak times/rush hour, and non-peak times, the Expressways serve their purposes pretty well

You're right, I forgot about that logjam at I-355 and I-88. That stretch of I-355 does need another lane, though the ROW there makes it tricky.

What moron would have denied IDOT from being able to add a lane to I-55? I would make that person (or persons) have the drive it everyday at the most congested times until it is widened as punishment lol. It easily can fit a fourth lane, although we're now to where we'll be lucky to get an HOT lane.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on October 23, 2017, 10:28:36 PM
The tollways, on the other hand, are generally nicely up to date or there are programmed improvements (Central I-294). Even with that,  except for SB I-294 near O'Hare (which will be part of the I-294 expansion/rebuild), the tollways mostly run well where an interchange with IDOT isn't involved.
I-355 can get clogged @ I-88 Interchange, and thats 2 ISTHA roadways

Supposedly, IDOT did want to add a lane to the Stevenson/I-55 when they completely rebuilt the roadway (was that late 90s or early 2000s?), but they were told "no" apparently "from above" state of IL officials. Most of the rebuilt section was built with wide enough shoulders for the 4th Lane, and 4 lanes (2 each way) ran over it easily while reconstruction occurred.

I think the main Expressways are pretty undersized lane-wise, compared to Chicagoland's population.

That being said, they tend to channel Suburb to City movements, and the Metra train system truly is a competitive option at peak times/rush hour, and non-peak times, the Expressways serve their purposes pretty well

You're right, I forgot about that logjam at I-355 and I-88. That stretch of I-355 does need another lane, though the ROW there makes it tricky.

What moron would have denied IDOT from being able to add a lane to I-55? I would make that person (or persons) have the drive it everyday at the most congested times until it is widened as punishment lol. It easily can fit a fourth lane, although we're now to where we'll be lucky to get an HOT lane.

Need 4 laning on 290/355 from EOE to Ogden Ave.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 23, 2017, 10:29:41 PM
This may not be accurate, and I didn't save the Tribune Transportation beat-writer's article at the time, but I believe it was City of Chicago Pols -- may have even been Mayor Daley himself

Apparently there were Political influences to NOT increase I-55's capacity to/from the SW Suburbs and Downtown

That being said, if that is inaccurate (and it has been a while), anyone feel free to correct me
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 23, 2017, 10:35:04 PM
Need 4 laning on 290/355 from EOE to Ogden Ave.
Might as well go all the way up to I-90 at that point, and rebuild the damn 90/290/53 Cloverleaf. Make it a true Stack.

The issues, with both widening that segment and rebuilding that interchange, is ISTHA controls I-90 in Schaumburg area and I-355 from its Southern origin in New Lenox to the Army Trail Road interchange near Addison. And then from Army Trail north to Lake Cook Road on 355/290/53 the road is IDOT's baby

To widen from the EOE to Ogden would need IDOT and ISTHA cooperation (and funding). Unless ISTHA is to take over the I-290/IL 53 Freeway from Army Trail up to Lake Cook...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 24, 2017, 09:07:53 PM
Need 4 laning on 290/355 from EOE to Ogden Ave.
Might as well go all the way up to I-90 at that point, and rebuild the damn 90/290/53 Cloverleaf. Make it a true Stack.

The issues, with both widening that segment and rebuilding that interchange, is ISTHA controls I-90 in Schaumburg area and I-355 from its Southern origin in New Lenox to the Army Trail Road interchange near Addison. And then from Army Trail north to Lake Cook Road on 355/290/53 the road is IDOT's baby

To widen from the EOE to Ogden would need IDOT and ISTHA cooperation (and funding). Unless ISTHA is to take over the I-290/IL 53 Freeway from Army Trail up to Lake Cook...

Honestly, I say let the ISTHA take over the remainder of I-355/I-290/IL 53 in that corridor. Maybe they would be able to actually make the much needed improvements in this lifetime, especially at the I-90 interchange and IL 53 North of the interchange. Maybe something to coincide with an eventual IL 53 extension. Hey, it's all not entirely far fetched if the tollway actually were to take the lead on it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 24, 2017, 10:34:27 PM

Honestly, I say let the ISTHA take over the remainder of I-355/I-290/IL 53 in that corridor. Maybe they would be able to actually make the much needed improvements in this lifetime, especially at the I-90 interchange and IL 53 North of the interchange. Maybe something to coincide with an eventual IL 53 extension. Hey, it's all not entirely far fetched if the tollway actually were to take the lead on it.

I've suggested letting the ISTHA take over that section, and re-numbering it 355
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 24, 2017, 11:44:51 PM

Honestly, I say let the ISTHA take over the remainder of I-355/I-290/IL 53 in that corridor. Maybe they would be able to actually make the much needed improvements in this lifetime, especially at the I-90 interchange and IL 53 North of the interchange. Maybe something to coincide with an eventual IL 53 extension. Hey, it's all not entirely far fetched if the tollway actually were to take the lead on it.

I've suggested letting the ISTHA take over that section, and re-numbering it 355
Agreed. The North-South Corridor from Lake-Cook Rd to I-80 should be a single designation, and 355 is already there. And if/when the extension is built, it can be 355 all the way back to I-94

If Tolled tho, would probably need special permission, since that segment of present I-290 used to be I-90...probably had Federal Funds used for initial construction
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2017, 10:49:21 PM

Honestly, I say let the ISTHA take over the remainder of I-355/I-290/IL 53 in that corridor. Maybe they would be able to actually make the much needed improvements in this lifetime, especially at the I-90 interchange and IL 53 North of the interchange. Maybe something to coincide with an eventual IL 53 extension. Hey, it's all not entirely far fetched if the tollway actually were to take the lead on it.

I've suggested letting the ISTHA take over that section, and re-numbering it 355
Agreed. The North-South Corridor from Lake-Cook Rd to I-80 should be a single designation, and 355 is already there. And if/when the extension is built, it can be 355 all the way back to I-94

If Tolled tho, would probably need special permission, since that segment of present I-290 used to be I-90...probably had Federal Funds used for initial construction

It would make more sense to designate the entire corridor with a single number. I always joke with out of towners that the expressway through there has an "identity crisis" a few times. If they can approve longer corridors gaining tolls, I see no reason why this stretch couldn't get similar approval.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 25, 2017, 11:13:53 PM
Heck, traffic reports on AM 780 and AM 720 already refer to the corridor as the "355/53 combo" or something along those lines. Unify it.

And go ahead and add St Louis, or at least West Suburbs, as the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 at I-90. I believe going Outbound/Westbound on I-90, the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 already is West Suburbs, but heading Inbound/Eastbound on I-90, pretty sure the 290 Control is Chicago, whereas the 90 Control is Chicago - O'Hare, unless the signage changed with the 90 rebuild. I no longer live in the area, so haven't driven that way in a few years.

IDOT did give 355 Northbound @ I-80 the Control of Rockford -- IDOT sees, at some level, the 355/290/53 corridor as one route

In general, I don't like the (Directional) Suburbs as Controls, but I guess that ship has sailed. Already appears way too many times for I-290, I-88, and I-355. Why larger suburbs like Schaumburg, Aurora, and Joliet, and possibly Bolingbrook and New Lenox, can't be suburban Controls, I will never understand. Aurora and Joliet are used sometimes as Controls already
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 26, 2017, 09:24:32 AM
Aurora is mainly on I-88 westbound, then DeKalb, then the Quad Cities mixed with some Sterling/Rock Falls mentions. Eastbound is Chicago/Aurora or Chicago/DeKalb or just Chicago. I-355 uses Joliet, but for some reason when they opened the new section "Southwest suburbs and Northwest Suburbs" were added in. Never liked that
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: thenetwork on October 26, 2017, 10:23:13 AM
Aurora is mainly on I-88 westbound, then DeKalb, then the Quad Cities mixed with some Sterling/Rock Falls mentions. Eastbound is Chicago/Aurora or Chicago/DeKalb or just Chicago. I-355 uses Joliet, but for some reason when they opened the new section "Southwest suburbs and Northwest Suburbs" were added in. Never liked that

Probably so there wasn't a pissing match of which city gets the coveted title of control city.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on October 26, 2017, 10:43:29 AM
Heck, traffic reports on AM 780 and AM 720 already refer to the corridor as the "355/53 combo" or something along those lines. Unify it.

And go ahead and add St Louis, or at least West Suburbs, as the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 at I-90. I believe going Outbound/Westbound on I-90, the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 already is West Suburbs, but heading Inbound/Eastbound on I-90, pretty sure the 290 Control is Chicago, whereas the 90 Control is Chicago - O'Hare, unless the signage changed with the 90 rebuild. I no longer live in the area, so haven't driven that way in a few years.

IDOT did give 355 Northbound @ I-80 the Control of Rockford -- IDOT sees, at some level, the 355/290/53 corridor as one route

In general, I don't like the (Directional) Suburbs as Controls, but I guess that ship has sailed. Already appears way too many times for I-290, I-88, and I-355. Why larger suburbs like Schaumburg, Aurora, and Joliet, and possibly Bolingbrook and New Lenox, can't be suburban Controls, I will never understand. Aurora and Joliet are used sometimes as Controls already
Aurora is mainly on I-88 westbound, then DeKalb, then the Quad Cities mixed with some Sterling/Rock Falls mentions. Eastbound is Chicago/Aurora or Chicago/DeKalb or just Chicago. I-355 uses Joliet, but for some reason when they opened the new section "Southwest suburbs and Northwest Suburbs" were added in. Never liked that

Probably so there wasn't a pissing match of which city gets the coveted title of control city.
At least it's better than using Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana as control "cities". They're states, for crying out loud!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on October 26, 2017, 10:44:51 AM
Heck, traffic reports on AM 780 and AM 720 already refer to the corridor as the "355/53 combo" or something along those lines. Unify it.

And go ahead and add St Louis, or at least West Suburbs, as the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 at I-90. I believe going Outbound/Westbound on I-90, the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 already is West Suburbs, but heading Inbound/Eastbound on I-90, pretty sure the 290 Control is Chicago, whereas the 90 Control is Chicago - O'Hare, unless the signage changed with the 90 rebuild. I no longer live in the area, so haven't driven that way in a few years.

IDOT did give 355 Northbound @ I-80 the Control of Rockford -- IDOT sees, at some level, the 355/290/53 corridor as one route

In general, I don't like the (Directional) Suburbs as Controls, but I guess that ship has sailed. Already appears way too many times for I-290, I-88, and I-355. Why larger suburbs like Schaumburg, Aurora, and Joliet, and possibly Bolingbrook and New Lenox, can't be suburban Controls, I will never understand. Aurora and Joliet are used sometimes as Controls already
Aurora is mainly on I-88 westbound, then DeKalb, then the Quad Cities mixed with some Sterling/Rock Falls mentions. Eastbound is Chicago/Aurora or Chicago/DeKalb or just Chicago. I-355 uses Joliet, but for some reason when they opened the new section "Southwest suburbs and Northwest Suburbs" were added in. Never liked that

Probably so there wasn't a pissing match of which city gets the coveted title of control city.
At least it's better than using Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana as control "cities". They're states, for crying out loud!


I think the states make a lot more sense than cities would on highways like the Tri-State Tollway. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 27, 2017, 10:39:03 PM
It appears there will be a widening project on I-355 between IL 38 and IL 56 in 2018; see Page 12/20 of this budget presentation. (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/532174/20171018_TentBudget.pdf/f2cf61f4-eaa1-4e7d-acc3-9f10afd6fa97?version=1.0)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on October 28, 2017, 06:05:37 AM
Maybe they'll finally add street lighting on 88 between 290 and York when they reconstruct
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on October 29, 2017, 01:14:26 PM
This is about a month old, but did anyone see this?

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/09/29/il-tollways-could-be-cashless-in-two-years/ (http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/09/29/il-tollways-could-be-cashless-in-two-years/)

They want to eliminate cash collection on the tollways in 2 years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on October 30, 2017, 11:10:53 AM
This is about a month old, but did anyone see this?

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/09/29/il-tollways-could-be-cashless-in-two-years/ (http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2017/09/29/il-tollways-could-be-cashless-in-two-years/)

They want to eliminate cash collection on the tollways in 2 years.

They previously remarked that they would eliminate the change buckets.

I'm assuming that toll operators are next as it's easier to swipe in and out with a mastercard than to pay the toll operators which take time with dealing with the register and in my personal experience, aren't the nicest of people.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on October 30, 2017, 12:14:37 PM
I think the goal is to eliminate it all together, having you pay online for everything.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on October 30, 2017, 01:32:56 PM
I think the goal is to eliminate it all together, having you pay online for everything.
I doubt it because if that was the goal why would they be replacing buckets with automated machines only to rip them out 2 years later? I think using the the automated machines for the mainlines is a great idea. Would not enjoy paying online for every toll. Would lead to too many problems is trying to remember all the tolls a passed through.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 30, 2017, 03:09:25 PM
If anything, I bet the first interstate to lose the toll buckets would be 294. They could then tear the structures down and use that space to help with the central rebuild
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 30, 2017, 04:22:31 PM
I think the goal is to eliminate it all together, having you pay online for everything.
I doubt it because if that was the goal why would they be replacing buckets with automated machines only to rip them out 2 years later? I think using the the automated machines for the mainlines is a great idea. Would not enjoy paying online for every toll. Would lead to too many problems is trying to remember all the tolls a passed through.

Well maybe some routes can go ETC only?
Virtual ticket ETC only With lots of EOE like tolling points + main line and ramp tolls for cash payers?
Virtual ticket ETC only etr 407 like + main line and ramp tolls for cash payers?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 30, 2017, 04:31:11 PM
If anything, I bet the first interstate to lose the toll buckets would be 294. They could then tear the structures down and use that space to help with the central rebuild
Unless they start adding more ramps toll it's ok. Now I-490 needs to be same price as going down to I-90.

As for I-90 elgin il to Chicago add a toll to the IL-59 on ramps and remove it from the IL-53/I-290 exit to make it fair for both sides (etc only added discount is ok as well for entering at roselle rd and Barrington rd to exit at IL-53 / Arlington Heights  rd / elmhurst rd).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 30, 2017, 04:45:22 PM
Go All Electronic, and put gantries at the Endpoints of tolled roads (Tri-State North and South Point, Ends Spur East point, Jane Addams East and West point, 355 North and South point, and 88 East and West Point, 390 East and West point), and at all ramps, entry and exit.

I-Pass/E-ZPass will figure your toll and debit appropriately, and if you need to pay online after, you basically select your Entry and Exit points, and the Tollway website will kick out your Toll owed

Then use the data to make a "Virtual" Distance/"ticket"-type system, where you are tolled by Miles traveled, instead of the inequity of the current system, where some short trips are more expensive than longer trips, due to the location of ramp tolls and mainline plazas
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on October 31, 2017, 07:36:40 PM
If anything, I bet the first interstate to lose the toll buckets would be 294. They could then tear the structures down and use that space to help with the central rebuild

That is a good idea, removing the cash plazas on the mainline will free up ROW for other purposes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Mrt90 on November 10, 2017, 09:47:56 AM
On my drive to work today I passed the construction at the I-94 Grand Avenue exit in Gurnee.  I saw some signs that were still loaded on trucks that were parked in the construction zone that had the I-pass logo and said something like no tolls taken or tolls not taken.  Are they going to start charging tolls at the Grand Ave. East and West exits off of I-94 west?  Sorry if this has already been covered.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on November 10, 2017, 10:25:37 AM
On my drive to work today I passed the construction at the I-94 Grand Avenue exit in Gurnee.  I saw some signs that were still loaded on trucks that were parked in the construction zone that had the I-pass logo and said something like no tolls taken or tolls not taken.  Are they going to start charging tolls at the Grand Ave. East and West exits off of I-94 west?  Sorry if this has already been covered.
Well there is a free trip there IL-21 to IL-132 but to make it ETC only?? I think they f* that up with IL-47 and I-90
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 10, 2017, 02:11:03 PM
Probably another testing zone, like the one northbound at Touhy
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mrsman on November 23, 2017, 11:31:42 AM
Heck, traffic reports on AM 780 and AM 720 already refer to the corridor as the "355/53 combo" or something along those lines. Unify it.

And go ahead and add St Louis, or at least West Suburbs, as the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 at I-90. I believe going Outbound/Westbound on I-90, the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 already is West Suburbs, but heading Inbound/Eastbound on I-90, pretty sure the 290 Control is Chicago, whereas the 90 Control is Chicago - O'Hare, unless the signage changed with the 90 rebuild. I no longer live in the area, so haven't driven that way in a few years.

IDOT did give 355 Northbound @ I-80 the Control of Rockford -- IDOT sees, at some level, the 355/290/53 corridor as one route

In general, I don't like the (Directional) Suburbs as Controls, but I guess that ship has sailed. Already appears way too many times for I-290, I-88, and I-355. Why larger suburbs like Schaumburg, Aurora, and Joliet, and possibly Bolingbrook and New Lenox, can't be suburban Controls, I will never understand. Aurora and Joliet are used sometimes as Controls already
Aurora is mainly on I-88 westbound, then DeKalb, then the Quad Cities mixed with some Sterling/Rock Falls mentions. Eastbound is Chicago/Aurora or Chicago/DeKalb or just Chicago. I-355 uses Joliet, but for some reason when they opened the new section "Southwest suburbs and Northwest Suburbs" were added in. Never liked that

Probably so there wasn't a pissing match of which city gets the coveted title of control city.
At least it's better than using Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana as control "cities". They're states, for crying out loud!


I think the states make a lot more sense than cities would on highways like the Tri-State Tollway.

Not really.  WI is a bad control, because most people would take I-90 to Madison and I-94 to Milwaukee.  2 different ways to the two main cities of WI.

For IN, it seems that all roads from Chicago lead you to Portage.  I would prefer South Bend as the control anyway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mrsman on November 23, 2017, 11:45:40 AM
Heck, traffic reports on AM 780 and AM 720 already refer to the corridor as the "355/53 combo" or something along those lines. Unify it.

And go ahead and add St Louis, or at least West Suburbs, as the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 at I-90. I believe going Outbound/Westbound on I-90, the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 already is West Suburbs, but heading Inbound/Eastbound on I-90, pretty sure the 290 Control is Chicago, whereas the 90 Control is Chicago - O'Hare, unless the signage changed with the 90 rebuild. I no longer live in the area, so haven't driven that way in a few years.

IDOT did give 355 Northbound @ I-80 the Control of Rockford -- IDOT sees, at some level, the 355/290/53 corridor as one route

In general, I don't like the (Directional) Suburbs as Controls, but I guess that ship has sailed. Already appears way too many times for I-290, I-88, and I-355. Why larger suburbs like Schaumburg, Aurora, and Joliet, and possibly Bolingbrook and New Lenox, can't be suburban Controls, I will never understand. Aurora and Joliet are used sometimes as Controls already

Agreed on all points.  One N/S corridor signed primarily as I-355.  IL-53 can be signed for part of way for the toll-free section (current I-290).  South control for the roadway should be Joliet and north control should be Schaumburg unil Higgins, and north of there Long Grove.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on November 23, 2017, 11:53:24 AM
Not really.  WI is a bad control, because most people would take I-90 to Madison and I-94 to Milwaukee.  2 different ways to the two main cities of WI.

For IN, it seems that all roads from Chicago lead you to Portage.  I would prefer South Bend as the control anyway.
For the Record, 90/94 uses Indiana and Wisconsin for Controls in Downtown Chicago, but at the Kennedy/Edens Split, the controls change to Madison (and O'Hare) and Milwaukee. The Tri-State also starts using Milwaukee approaching O'Hare, with I-90 getting Madison

Up until you reach O'Hare, Wisconsin isn't a bad Northbound Control. I guess you could argue hitting I-290, as 290 West will get you to I-90 also for Rockford and Madison bound traffic. North of ORD, the Control should be, and is, Milwaukee

Southbound, I have zero problem with Indiana on the Tri-State, Outbound Dan Ryan/Skyway/Bishop Ford Fwy, and Eastbound I-80. Indiana is fine, because once you get into NW IN, one can decide to follow I-65 to points South and East, I-80/90 to points East, and I-94 to points North and East. Plenty of traffic going in different directions coming from IL hitting NW IN.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on November 23, 2017, 04:21:07 PM
Not really.  WI is a bad control, because most people would take I-90 to Madison and I-94 to Milwaukee.  2 different ways to the two main cities of WI.

For IN, it seems that all roads from Chicago lead you to Portage.  I would prefer South Bend as the control anyway.
For the Record, 90/94 uses Indiana and Wisconsin for Controls in Downtown Chicago, but at the Kennedy/Edens Split, the controls change to MadisonRockford (and O'Hare) and Milwaukee. The Tri-State also starts using Milwaukee approaching O'Hare, with I-90 getting MadisonRockford

Up until you reach O'Hare, Wisconsin isn't a bad Northbound Control. I guess you could argue hitting I-290, as 290 West will get you to I-90 also for Rockford and Madison bound traffic. North of ORD, the Control should be, and is, Milwaukee

Southbound, I have zero problem with Indiana on the Tri-State, Outbound Dan Ryan/Skyway/Bishop Ford Fwy, and Eastbound I-80. Indiana is fine, because once you get into NW IN, one can decide to follow I-65 to points South and East, I-80/90 to points East, and I-94 to points North and East. Plenty of traffic going in different directions coming from IL hitting NW IN.
Unless I missed something in the last three weeks - FIXED!!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mrsman on November 23, 2017, 07:01:32 PM
Not really.  WI is a bad control, because most people would take I-90 to Madison and I-94 to Milwaukee.  2 different ways to the two main cities of WI.

For IN, it seems that all roads from Chicago lead you to Portage.  I would prefer South Bend as the control anyway.
For the Record, 90/94 uses Indiana and Wisconsin for Controls in Downtown Chicago, but at the Kennedy/Edens Split, the controls change to MadisonRockford (and O'Hare) and Milwaukee. The Tri-State also starts using Milwaukee approaching O'Hare, with I-90 getting MadisonRockford

Up until you reach O'Hare, Wisconsin isn't a bad Northbound Control. I guess you could argue hitting I-290, as 290 West will get you to I-90 also for Rockford and Madison bound traffic. North of ORD, the Control should be, and is, Milwaukee

Southbound, I have zero problem with Indiana on the Tri-State, Outbound Dan Ryan/Skyway/Bishop Ford Fwy, and Eastbound I-80. Indiana is fine, because once you get into NW IN, one can decide to follow I-65 to points South and East, I-80/90 to points East, and I-94 to points North and East. Plenty of traffic going in different directions coming from IL hitting NW IN.
Unless I missed something in the last three weeks - FIXED!!

I think what you are saying reinforces my concern.  If Rockford is used instead of Madison, then there really is no good indication that you should change directions to go to Madison.  For instance, if you follow the Tri-State towards Wisconsin, is there enough warning that you should change directions and take I-90 to reach Madison?  Whereas if the Tri-State's only control is Milwaukee then there is no presumption that the Tri-State is the best way to reach the entire state of WI, just Milwaukee.

Furthermore, it's bad practice to change the control city before you reach that control.  The control changes from Wisconsin to Milwaukee before your reach Wisconsin.  It would also be unwise to have a Madison control on I-90 in Chicago, if the control is Rockford in the suburbs.  Better to go in order, a Rockford control until you reach Rockford and then Madison. 

Now this is not so bad for Indiana, since all major roads that head to Indiana meet at a common point in Portage (80,90,94) and then from that area diverge towards Detroit, Toledo, or Indianapolis.  And the control is Indiana all the way to the state line, it doesn't change until you are in Indiana.

Another good state control is using Illinois in the St. Louis area.  Since there is a river splitting the two states there are only limited connections between the two.  If you cross on the Eads Bridge you are taking the best road to reach all parts of Illinois.  Then, you can choose between 55 (Chicago), 70 (Vandalia and then to Indianapolis), or 64 (Mt Vernon and then to Louisville).  I still would prefer using all three cities as the control, but it's not as bad to use a state here.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on November 23, 2017, 07:36:07 PM
I will be driving through the area tomorrow/Saturday - I'll check it out to make sure.

NOTE: https://cote.transportation.org/interstate-control-cities/ This is the AASHTO official list of control cities for the Interstates.  Rockford does not appear anywhere on I-90's list.  Thus either Janesville or Madison would technically be the correct cities to put in.  Note that this list is both incomplete and poorly written.

294 is a grey area since it is a half-belt. 

Keep in mind that ISTHA is doing their own thing - hence Rockford.  IDOT, however?

Many DOTs are not following this list - I don't believe it's a requirement either.

IDOT has mainline cities set as the long distance version for on the highway and short-distance for junctions. Incomplete list:
24: Long: Nashville, "To Interstate 57"; Short: Paducah, Vienna(?)
39: Rockford, Rochelle, Puru-LaSalle and Bloomington (Late add by IDOT int the 1990s)
57: Long: Memphis, Chicago; Short: "Interstate 80", Kankakee, Champaign-Urbana, Effingham, Mt Vernon, Cairo
64: Long: St Louis, Louisville; Short: East St Louis, Mt Vernon
70: Long: St Louis, Indianapolis; Short: East St Louis, Effingham
72: Hannibal, Jacksonville, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign-Urbana (This route does not follow the others rules as it was a late add in the 90s)
74: Long: Moline-Rock Island, Peoria, Indianapolis; Short: Gailsville, Bloomington, Champaign-Urbana
80: Iowa, Chicago, Indiana; Short: Moline-Rock Island, Peru-La Salle, Joliet
88: Aurora, DeKalb, Rochelle, Rock Island (This is mostly ISTHA and it was a late add in the 90s)
90: Wisconsin, Rockford, O'Hare, Chicago, "Indiana Toll Rd"
94: Long: Milwaukee, Chicago, Indiana; Short: Rockford, O'Hare
The 3dis have a little bit of a different rule based on where they are.
Around Chicago - IDOT like very much to use "Suburbs", ISTHA a bit less so.  St Louis metro does use cities (Memphis south on 255, "Interstate 270" north, KC west on 270, Indy East)
280 does the same as 80.
155 just has Lincoln and Peoria.

EDIT:  I didn't mention 180 for obvious reasons. :sombrero:
Title: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on November 23, 2017, 09:01:28 PM
Heck, traffic reports on AM 780 and AM 720 already refer to the corridor as the "355/53 combo" or something along those lines. Unify it.

And go ahead and add St Louis, or at least West Suburbs, as the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 at I-90. I believe going Outbound/Westbound on I-90, the Southbound/Eastbound Control for I-290 already is West Suburbs, but heading Inbound/Eastbound on I-90, pretty sure the 290 Control is Chicago, whereas the 90 Control is Chicago - O'Hare, unless the signage changed with the 90 rebuild. I no longer live in the area, so haven't driven that way in a few years.

IDOT did give 355 Northbound @ I-80 the Control of Rockford -- IDOT sees, at some level, the 355/290/53 corridor as one route

In general, I don't like the (Directional) Suburbs as Controls, but I guess that ship has sailed. Already appears way too many times for I-290, I-88, and I-355. Why larger suburbs like Schaumburg, Aurora, and Joliet, and possibly Bolingbrook and New Lenox, can't be suburban Controls, I will never understand. Aurora and Joliet are used sometimes as Controls already

Agreed on all points.  One N/S corridor signed primarily as I-355.  IL-53 can be signed for part of way for the toll-free section (current I-290).  South control for the roadway should be Joliet and north control should be Schaumburg unil Higgins, and north of there Long Grove.

Long Grove should not reap the awards of being an award city after their efforts to block the 53 extension. Control city north of Higgins should be either Palatine, Arlington Heights, Lake Zurich or Buffalo Grove.

Not to mention Long Grove has <10,000 people. The four cities I listed are at least double that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on November 23, 2017, 09:33:04 PM
Close, Scott, but I have a few changes in italics.

I will be driving through the area tomorrow/Saturday - I'll check it out to make sure.

NOTE: https://cote.transportation.org/interstate-control-cities/ This is the AASHTO official list of control cities for the Interstates.  Rockford does not appear anywhere on I-90's list.  Thus either Janesville or Madison would technically be the correct cities to put in.  Note that this list is both incomplete and poorly written.

294 is a grey area since it is a half-belt.  I-294 is Wisconsin and Indiana with O'Hare here and there.

Keep in mind that ISTHA is doing their own thing - hence Rockford.  IDOT, however?

Many DOTs are not following this list - I don't believe it's a requirement either.

IDOT has mainline cities set as the long distance version for on the highway and short-distance for junctions. Incomplete list:
24: Long: Nashville, St Louis "To Interstate 57"; Short: Paducah, Interstate 57 Vienna(?)
39: Rockford, Rochelle, Puru-LaSalle and Bloomington /Bloomington-Normal Short: LaSalle-Peru (Late add by IDOT int the 1990s)
57: Long: Memphis, Chicago; Short: "Interstate 80", Kankakee, Champaign-Urbana, Effingham, Mt Vernon, Cairo
64: Long: St Louis, Louisville; Short: East St Louis, Mt Vernon, Evansville
70: Long: St Louis, Indianapolis; Short: East St Louis, Effingham, Terre Haute
72: Hannibal alternates with Quincy, Jacksonville, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign-Urbana (This route does not follow the others rules as it was a late add in the 90s)
74: Long: Moline-Rock Island, Peoria, Indianapolis; Short: Gailsville Galesburg, Bloomington, Champaign-Urbana, Danville, Davenport
80: Iowa alternates with Des Moines, Chicago, Indiana alternates with Toledo; Short: Moline-Rock Island, Peru-La Salle, Joliet, older signs also have Gary, Indiana
88: Aurora, DeKalb, Rochelle Dixon, Rock Falls-Sterling, Moline-Rock Island (This is mostly ISTHA and it was a late add in the 90s)
90: Wisconsin, Rockford, O'Hare, Chicago, "Indiana Toll Rd", Indiana
94: Long: Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Chicago, Indiana; Short: Rockford, O'Hare
The 3dis have a little bit of a different rule based on where they are.
Around Chicago - IDOT like very much to use "Suburbs", ISTHA a bit less so.  St Louis metro does use cities (Memphis south on 255, "Interstate 270" north, KC west on 270, Indy East)
280 does the same as 80.
155 just has Lincoln and Peoria.

EDIT:  I didn't mention 180 for obvious reasons. :sombrero:

I-290 is Rockford, West Suburbs, Chicago, and one sign for Aurora.
I-190 is Chicago Loop and O'Hare.
I-355 is Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs, West Suburbs, Joliet, South Suburbs (south of I-55), St Louis (two signs), and Rockford (according to IDOT at I-80).
I-180 is Hennepin and Interstate 80.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on November 23, 2017, 10:33:48 PM
Close, Scott, but I have a few changes in italics.

I will be driving through the area tomorrow/Saturday - I'll check it out to make sure.

NOTE: https://cote.transportation.org/interstate-control-cities/ This is the AASHTO official list of control cities for the Interstates.  Rockford does not appear anywhere on I-90's list.  Thus either Janesville or Madison would technically be the correct cities to put in.  Note that this list is both incomplete and poorly written.

294 is a grey area since it is a half-belt.  I-294 is Wisconsin and Indiana with O'Hare here and there.

Keep in mind that ISTHA is doing their own thing - hence Rockford.  IDOT, however?

Many DOTs are not following this list - I don't believe it's a requirement either.

IDOT has mainline cities set as the long distance version for on the highway and short-distance for junctions. Incomplete list:
24: Long: Nashville, St Louis "To Interstate 57"; Short: Paducah, Interstate 57 Vienna(?)
39: Rockford, Rochelle, Puru-LaSalle and Bloomington /Bloomington-Normal Short: LaSalle-Peru (Late add by IDOT int the 1990s)
57: Long: Memphis, Chicago; Short: "Interstate 80", Kankakee, Champaign-Urbana, Effingham, Mt Vernon, Cairo
64: Long: St Louis, Louisville; Short: East St Louis, Mt Vernon, Evansville
70: Long: St Louis, Indianapolis; Short: East St Louis, Effingham, Terre Haute
72: Hannibal alternates with Quincy, Jacksonville, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign-Urbana (This route does not follow the others rules as it was a late add in the 90s)
74: Long: Moline-Rock Island, Peoria, Indianapolis; Short: Gailsville Galesburg, Bloomington, Champaign-Urbana, Danville, Davenport
80: Iowa alternates with Des Moines, Chicago, Indiana alternates with Toledo; Short: Moline-Rock Island, Peru-La Salle, Joliet, older signs also have Gary, Indiana
88: Aurora, DeKalb, Rochelle Dixon, Rock Falls-Sterling, Moline-Rock Island (This is mostly ISTHA and it was a late add in the 90s)
90: Wisconsin, Rockford, O'Hare, Chicago, "Indiana Toll Rd", Indiana
94: Long: Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Chicago, Indiana; Short: Rockford, O'Hare
The 3dis have a little bit of a different rule based on where they are.
Around Chicago - IDOT like very much to use "Suburbs", ISTHA a bit less so.  St Louis metro does use cities (Memphis south on 255, "Interstate 270" north, KC west on 270, Indy East)
280 does the same as 80.
155 just has Lincoln and Peoria.

EDIT:  I didn't mention 180 for obvious reasons. :sombrero:

I-290 is Rockford, West Suburbs, Chicago, and one sign for Aurora.
I-190 is Chicago Loop and O'Hare.
I-355 is Northwest Suburbs, Southwest Suburbs, West Suburbs, Joliet, South Suburbs (south of I-55), St Louis (two signs), and Rockford (according to IDOT at I-80).
I-180 is Hennepin and Interstate 80.
Dammit - how did I leave Rockford on 94?
 :banghead: :banghead:

I-90 to Indiana true on paper.  Leave it to the Skyway to not bother showing it.

Otherwise thanks for the list Brandon.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on November 24, 2017, 03:42:03 AM
Is Madison really not signed on I-90 West at the Kennedy/Edens split, nor at the Kennedy/Tri-State/NW Tollway/ORD Interchange? Its been a couple years since driving up that way, but I could have sworn Madison was signed as a Control...Yes, I know Rockford is, too, in addition to O'Hare (the Airport should be a Control - its a key regional transportation hub).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on November 24, 2017, 05:52:59 AM
Is Madison really not signed on I-90 West at the Kennedy/Edens split, nor at the Kennedy/Tri-State/NW Tollway/ORD Interchange? Its been a couple years since driving up that way, but I could have sworn Madison was signed as a Control...Yes, I know Rockford is, too, in addition to O'Hare (the Airport should be a Control - its a key regional transportation hub).

Nope.  O'Hare, Rockford, and Milwaukee are signed.  Madison is not.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on November 24, 2017, 09:12:24 AM
Is Madison really not signed on I-90 West at the Kennedy/Edens split, nor at the Kennedy/Tri-State/NW Tollway/ORD Interchange? Its been a couple years since driving up that way, but I could have sworn Madison was signed as a Control...Yes, I know Rockford is, too, in addition to O'Hare (the Airport should be a Control - its a key regional transportation hub).

Nope.  O'Hare, Rockford, and Milwaukee are signed.  Madison is not.

It used to be before the I-90 expansion. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171124/8b7b5e7f3d9d37bdbb8b5561e2f11d65.png)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on November 24, 2017, 10:45:37 AM
Correct.  They replaced it with signs with Rockford

https://goo.gl/maps/tMihbCfSFcm <-- This is what it looks like now - they replaced "Milwaukee" with "Wisconsin".

https://goo.gl/maps/J6CZENP5kwT2 <-- At the exit.

What's interesting?  The above say Wisconsin - Ambiguity ensues.

https://goo.gl/maps/HH33qoMdEKP2 <-- this has Milwaukee.

So I suppose anyone not familiar with the area who didn't read a map or set their GPS (*cringe*) will take 294 to get to WI - even if their destination is Platteville or Prairie du Chein.

The above are all ISTHA signs. 

This one (https://goo.gl/maps/FfonSNqza5N2) is an IDOT sign (at the Edens Junction).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 26, 2017, 08:41:25 PM
Close, Scott, but I have a few changes in italics.

88: Aurora, DeKalb, Rochelle Dixon, Rock Falls-Sterling, Moline-Rock Island (This is mostly ISTHA and it was a late add in the 90s)

Iowa makes an appearance at IL 59 and on a couple of distance signs.

St Louis metro does use cities (Memphis south on 255, "Interstate 270" north, KC west on 270, Indy East)

NB I-255 uses Chicago until the I-55/I-70 interchange, with at least one appearance of Indianapolis (Streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.612848,-90.0751156,3a,75y,58.88h,85.63t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPqlUNoz6a2gzWMNwpDBD4g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)).  Southbound I-255 has Tulsa appear a couple times, though once it is as a control city for US 50.  Streetview near Columbia (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.4797298,-90.2233959,3a,75y,207.56h,86.07t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sxQccJUksZcI2tV7fmuMK5g!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DxQccJUksZcI2tV7fmuMK5g%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D82.57305%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)

I-270 has (had?) "short" control cities of St. Charles and Effingham. 
Streetview at IL 157 (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.7541789,-90.0067999,3a,75y,351.23h,80.32t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sxlsc5Sl-TFRwAkD9AYsG0A!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dxlsc5Sl-TFRwAkD9AYsG0A%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D51.706894%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)
Streetview at IL 111 (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.754344,-90.0683794,3a,75y,25.3h,83.3t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1spDZ8XwOulQPa5DLvcR1CdA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DpDZ8XwOulQPa5DLvcR1CdA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D107.72885%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)

155 just has Lincoln and Peoria.

Hartsburg appears at I-55.  Streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1719765,-89.4170682,3a,48.4y,9.94h,92.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sb7mcvz74cg0mAQmWsWEtfw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)


Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on December 18, 2017, 11:10:33 PM
So the tollway is going to rebuild and lengthen the York Road bridge over I-88 starting next year, as part of the plan to rebuild I-88 between York Road and I-290. Apparently, a lane will be added WB, but not eastbound. They probably are waiting to do eastbound until they figure out what the heck to do with the Central Tri-State and the I-290 widening.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 18, 2017, 11:31:59 PM
So the tollway is going to rebuild and lengthen the York Road bridge over I-88 starting next year, as part of the plan to rebuild I-88 between York Road and I-290. Apparently, a lane will be added WB, but not eastbound. They probably are waiting to do eastbound until they figure out what the heck to do with the Central Tri-State and the I-290 widening.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e)

Based on reading the document, it's pretty obvious that the intent is to also add a lane to EB I-88 in the future. Likely, it will be done in coordination with the I-294 rebuild and hopefully might tie into a widened I-290 if IDOT ever gets going on that, (or hands that over to the Tollway, which I would honestly prefer at this point).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 19, 2017, 12:29:09 AM
So the tollway is going to rebuild and lengthen the York Road bridge over I-88 starting next year, as part of the plan to rebuild I-88 between York Road and I-290. Apparently, a lane will be added WB, but not eastbound. They probably are waiting to do eastbound until they figure out what the heck to do with the Central Tri-State and the I-290 widening.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e)
WB needs it more if just to give more room to unload cars from I-294.
The other way???? no toll to spit the lanes. Maybe an longer 2 for I-88 to I-290 and 2 I-88 to I-294.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 19, 2017, 08:37:49 AM
So the tollway is going to rebuild and lengthen the York Road bridge over I-88 starting next year, as part of the plan to rebuild I-88 between York Road and I-290. Apparently, a lane will be added WB, but not eastbound. They probably are waiting to do eastbound until they figure out what the heck to do with the Central Tri-State and the I-290 widening.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e)

So it begins!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on December 19, 2017, 07:45:10 PM
This is also mostly likely being done to fix this intersection. In order to make a left turn into the subdivision, you have to veer right off York and then have a completely separate light to go into it.

(https://i.imgur.com/wBxjF5C.jpg)

I imagine the pedestrain bridge isn't going anywhere, or is that being removed as well
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 19, 2017, 08:42:14 PM
I haven't been down that section in awhile, does that pedestrian bridge have enough clearance for the 4th lane?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 20, 2017, 07:07:24 AM
I haven't been down that section in awhile, does that pedestrian bridge have enough clearance for the 4th lane?

Yes, it does have enough room for a 4th lane...

Here, take a closer look:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8563949,-87.9302122,3a,75y,35.95h,88.82t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sLDLxC_83blDNsWm9yOArIw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DLDLxC_83blDNsWm9yOArIw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D11.654839%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 20, 2017, 08:45:45 AM
I haven't been down that section in awhile, does that pedestrian bridge have enough clearance for the 4th lane?

Yes, it does have enough room for a 4th lane...

Here, take a closer look:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8563949,-87.9302122,3a,75y,35.95h,88.82t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sLDLxC_83blDNsWm9yOArIw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DLDLxC_83blDNsWm9yOArIw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D11.654839%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

Nice, so probably that will be staying. Maybe get some repairs but otherwise remain intact the way it is
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 20, 2017, 02:24:46 PM
So the tollway is going to rebuild and lengthen the York Road bridge over I-88 starting next year, as part of the plan to rebuild I-88 between York Road and I-290. Apparently, a lane will be added WB, but not eastbound. They probably are waiting to do eastbound until they figure out what the heck to do with the Central Tri-State and the I-290 widening.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/fb7cf94f-7221-482d-90e8-59f71207945e)

Based on reading the document, it's pretty obvious that the intent is to also add a lane to EB I-88 in the future. Likely, it will be done in coordination with the I-294 rebuild and hopefully might tie into a widened I-290 if IDOT ever gets going on that, (or hands that over to the Tollway, which I would honestly prefer at this point).
provide a shoulder for the eastbound lanes? it has one now so more like wide shoulder that can be flipped to an added lane with just some new paint?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 30, 2017, 09:53:29 PM
On my drive to work today I passed the construction at the I-94 Grand Avenue exit in Gurnee.  I saw some signs that were still loaded on trucks that were parked in the construction zone that had the I-pass logo and said something like no tolls taken or tolls not taken.  Are they going to start charging tolls at the Grand Ave. East and West exits off of I-94 west?  Sorry if this has already been covered.

From a recent trip that used the WB I-94 exit to WB IL 132/Grand, I did not see any toll gantries.  There is an arrow per lane sign on the new C-D roadway, as well as a lack of a weaving lane between the loops on the C-D roadway, an  acceleration lane for the EB to WB (NB) loop, or a deceleration lane for the WB (NB) to WB loop.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on January 21, 2018, 01:41:57 AM
Have anyone seen this yet?? Number of lanes along the I-294 corridor between 95th Street and Balmoral Avenue... Widening from 4 lanes to 4-6 lanes and a FLEX lane... Can't wait for this project to start!!  :clap: :clap: :clap:

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/555754/CTri-RegionalSolutionMap_FINAL_01-05-18+copy.pdf/f890a5f1-8d4d-465d-b1d8-b6a8b9a0a29c
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on January 21, 2018, 02:34:04 PM
Is the Master Plan still in the works? I'm very interested in seeing how this works, especially since it's not a consistent lane count throughout the how portion.

Also it points out 79th/Cork Ave as an interchange improvement. Could this mean that the Tri-State could have a potential connection there? I always thought there should be a NB off-ramp onto Cork Ave.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 21, 2018, 07:20:23 PM
Is the Master Plan still in the works? I'm very interested in seeing how this works, especially since it's not a consistent lane count throughout the how portion.

Also it points out 79th/Cork Ave as an interchange improvement. Could this mean that the Tri-State could have a potential connection there? I always thought there should be a NB off-ramp onto Cork Ave.
make the 4 lane parts 5 and how are they going to work ogden with 6 lanes with out changing the interchange a lot ?? I hope at least they add C/D.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on January 21, 2018, 07:51:23 PM
So, is the flex lane the same thing as driving on the shoulder?

And did anyone notice that their little diagram has the yellow line on the right instead of the left?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 21, 2018, 11:10:28 PM
So, is the flex lane the same thing as driving on the shoulder?

And did anyone notice that their little diagram has the yellow line on the right instead of the left?

Yes the UK is doing it as a more of a full time thing. Here they want to be more like peek time bus us and maybe part time use if the main lanes are blocked.

http://www.itsinternational.com/categories/detection-monitoring-machine-vision/features/uk-defaults-to-hard-shoulder-running-to-expand-motorway-capacity/
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on January 22, 2018, 08:38:06 AM
Is the Master Plan still in the works? I'm very interested in seeing how this works, especially since it's not a consistent lane count throughout the how portion.

Also it points out 79th/Cork Ave as an interchange improvement. Could this mean that the Tri-State could have a potential connection there? I always thought there should be a NB off-ramp onto Cork Ave.

The entire confluence would probably need some redoing. You have I-294, 88th Ave, 79th Street, Archer Ave, and LaGrange Road. Even if it's just a partial on and off ramp situation I wouldn't mind that. Breaks up that 5 mile interval between Willow Springs and 95th and could take traffic away from 95th
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on January 22, 2018, 04:11:06 PM
Would like to see another southbound entrance ramp somewhere between Roosevelt and Ogden.  York and Ogden are awfully congested during evening rush with cars trying to get on 294 SB.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 23, 2018, 06:25:35 PM
Would like to see another southbound entrance ramp somewhere between Roosevelt and Ogden.  York and Ogden are awfully congested during evening rush with cars trying to get on 294 SB.

Needs flyovers from/to 290, 88, 55....
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Mrt90 on January 24, 2018, 12:46:19 PM
On my drive to work today I passed the construction at the I-94 Grand Avenue exit in Gurnee.  I saw some signs that were still loaded on trucks that were parked in the construction zone that had the I-pass logo and said something like no tolls taken or tolls not taken.  Are they going to start charging tolls at the Grand Ave. East and West exits off of I-94 west?  Sorry if this has already been covered.

From a recent trip that used the WB I-94 exit to WB IL 132/Grand, I did not see any toll gantries.  There is an arrow per lane sign on the new C-D roadway, as well as a lack of a weaving lane between the loops on the C-D roadway, an  acceleration lane for the EB to WB (NB) loop, or a deceleration lane for the WB (NB) to WB loop.
You are correct, there are still no tolls there.  Maybe they have storage facility nearby and I just happened to drive by when the signs were still outside on the trucks?

The changes they made to the Grand exits off of I94 west actually seem to be working. There is rarely a backup from the exit onto the tollway.  Now they just need to do the same thing at 120!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lucas01aswell on January 24, 2018, 04:58:19 PM
Changeing this to I-PASS Will make Many six flags driver without i-pass Pissed off
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Mrt90 on January 24, 2018, 05:16:57 PM
Changeing this to I-PASS Will make Many six flags driver without i-pass Pissed off
Anyone who exits at Grand (except for the rare one who enters from Milw Ave and then exits at Grand) has already gone through at least one toll plaza anyway.  Of course, charging a toll at Grand without charging at 120 would just make 120 a bigger mess, which is probably why it's not happening.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 24, 2018, 06:34:28 PM
On my drive to work today I passed the construction at the I-94 Grand Avenue exit in Gurnee.  I saw some signs that were still loaded on trucks that were parked in the construction zone that had the I-pass logo and said something like no tolls taken or tolls not taken.  Are they going to start charging tolls at the Grand Ave. East and West exits off of I-94 west?  Sorry if this has already been covered.

From a recent trip that used the WB I-94 exit to WB IL 132/Grand, I did not see any toll gantries.  There is an arrow per lane sign on the new C-D roadway, as well as a lack of a weaving lane between the loops on the C-D roadway, an  acceleration lane for the EB to WB (NB) loop, or a deceleration lane for the WB (NB) to WB loop.
You are correct, there are still no tolls there.  Maybe they have storage facility nearby and I just happened to drive by when the signs were still outside on the trucks?

The changes they made to the Grand exits off of I94 west actually seem to be working. There is rarely a backup from the exit onto the tollway.  Now they just need to do the same thing at 120!

120 needs an full interchange
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 24, 2018, 08:49:11 PM


120 needs an full interchange

120 needs to be divorced from the IL 53 project
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 04, 2018, 11:16:25 PM
The community of Hinsdale are complaining about the widening project on I-294... AGAIN!!  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/news/ct-dhd-tollway-widening-tl-0208-20180201-story.html

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on February 05, 2018, 08:34:21 AM
The community of Hinsdale are complaining about the widening project on I-294... AGAIN!!  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/news/ct-dhd-tollway-widening-tl-0208-20180201-story.html

What kind of drugs are the village staff on? Reversible lanes? 294 gets backed up both North and South during rush hour
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on February 05, 2018, 09:18:47 AM
The community of Hinsdale are complaining about the widening project on I-294... AGAIN!!  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/news/ct-dhd-tollway-widening-tl-0208-20180201-story.html

What kind of drugs are the village staff on? Reversible lanes? 294 gets backed up both North and South during rush hour

It's Hinsdale.  To understand where they're coming from, you need to stick your nose so high in the air that your nostrils point upwards.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 05, 2018, 09:28:39 AM
The community of Hinsdale are complaining about the widening project on I-294... AGAIN!!  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/news/ct-dhd-tollway-widening-tl-0208-20180201-story.html

What kind of drugs are the village staff on? Reversible lanes? 294 gets backed up both North and South during rush hour

It's Hinsdale.  To understand where they're coming from, you need to stick your nose so high in the air that your nostrils point upwards.

Hinsdale is the Hawthron Woods of the inner core western suburbs. Everything needs to revolve around them
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 05, 2018, 09:31:05 AM
The community of Hinsdale are complaining about the widening project on I-294... AGAIN!!  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/news/ct-dhd-tollway-widening-tl-0208-20180201-story.html

What kind of drugs are the village staff on? Reversible lanes? 294 gets backed up both North and South during rush hour
drugs soon there will be a vote in cook about making pot legalization

aux lanes aka (1-2) of the 6 + flex are just from I-88 ramps to I-55 ramps.

and
"Cauley believes much of the congestion on the tollway in the morning is due to the bottleneck at the interchange where I-294 meets I-290 just north of Hinsdale. He would like the tollway to redesign that interchange and see what improvement results before widening the tollway to seven lanes."

I-294/I-88/I-290 is one thing. Also I-55/I-294 has issues as well.  The I-88 linking ramps really need aux lanes to Ogden and I-55
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on February 05, 2018, 09:42:14 AM
I mean, how common is it for a village to hire an engineer to draw up alternative plans for a highway design? 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 05, 2018, 08:42:29 PM
[quo :rofl:te author=SEWIGuy link=topic=17650.msg2301303#msg2301303 date=1517841734]
I mean, how common is it for a village to hire an engineer to draw up alternative plans for a highway design?
[/quote]

I don't know about you guys, but I find the whole Hinsdale thing to be ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS  :rofl:

The freaking village hires a guy to draw up an alternate design on his own, while ISTHA is obviously conducting their required design work, probably costing millions of dollars.  Is ISTHA going to care a single bit about some unofficial design from some village?  No!  Of course not!  That's exactly equivalent to a situation where one of us submitted our own idea to the Fictional Highways board, then expected the Toll Authority to look at it and take it into consideration!  I'm dying over here :rofl:  Exactly the type of out-of-touch idiocy you might expect from a stuck-up pile of self-righteous rich people.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 02, 2018, 09:55:07 PM
There's a new bill in the Illinois House that would require upping speed limits on parts of the tollways to 70.  However, the new bill could also end up with the speed limit going down to 60 on the Tri-State from US 41 to the Edens Spur.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=5054&GAID=14&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=91&GA=100 (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=5054&GAID=14&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=91&GA=100)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on March 03, 2018, 12:15:47 AM
There's a new bill in the Illinois House that would require upping speed limits on parts of the tollways to 70.  However, the new bill could also end up with the speed limit going down to 60 on the Tri-State from US 41 to the Edens Spur.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=5054&GAID=14&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=91&GA=100 (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=5054&GAID=14&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=91&GA=100)

As much as I hate to say this once it hits that committee and nothing has happened for 2 weeks you mind as well consider it DOA.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 05, 2018, 09:25:35 PM
I heard its now 70 mph on I-90 west of Elmhurst Road and 60 between there and the Kennedy. Can anyone confirm this?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 05, 2018, 09:29:45 PM
I heard its now 70 mph on I-90 west of Elmhurst Road and 60 between there and the Kennedy. Can anyone confirm this?
half-right.  still 55 from Elgin to the Kennedy
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on March 05, 2018, 10:03:34 PM
I heard its now 70 mph on I-90 west of Elmhurst Road and 60 between there and the Kennedy. Can anyone confirm this?

Nope. 70 west of Randall, 55 east.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 05, 2018, 10:07:37 PM
I heard its now 70 mph on I-90 west of Elmhurst Road and 60 between there and the Kennedy. Can anyone confirm this?
half-right.  still 55 from Elgin to the Kennedy

I'm assuming ithsa still working on the signage?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 06, 2018, 05:38:56 AM
I heard its now 70 mph on I-90 west of Elmhurst Road and 60 between there and the Kennedy. Can anyone confirm this?
half-right.  still 55 from Elgin to the Kennedy
I'm assuming ithsa still working on the signage?
I'm sure they got guys thinking of the concept right now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 06, 2018, 06:03:23 PM
Per this website, it is supposed to be 60 east of Des Plaines and 70 west of it.

ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/092/092025200D04100R.html
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 06, 2018, 07:04:13 PM
Per this website, it is supposed to be 60 east of Des Plaines and 70 west of it.

ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/092/092025200D04100R.html
You'll see those updated sometime next century.  Because Chicago.  ISTHA won't move on that.

Add to the fact that the differing speed limits exist for other various configurations (trailers, buses, trucks) in that area - that gives ISTHA incentive to say "fuck it, everyone shall go 55".  Doesn't matter in the long run anyway - nobody is obeying speed limits so what's the real sign?

(http://www.ssoworld.org/pics/Speed_Limit_match_traffic.png)

Not bad for a quick whip-up.  :bigass:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 06, 2018, 07:50:21 PM
Per this website, it is supposed to be 60 east of Des Plaines and 70 west of it.

ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/092/092025200D04100R.html
You'll see those updated sometime next century.  Because Chicago.  ISTHA won't move on that.

Add to the fact that the differing speed limits exist for other various configurations (trailers, buses, trucks) in that area - that gives ISTHA incentive to say "fuck it, everyone shall go 55".  Doesn't matter in the long run anyway - nobody is obeying speed limits so what's the real sign?

(http://www.ssoworld.org/pics/Speed_Limit_match_traffic.png)

Not bad for a quick whip-up.  :bigass:

What does Chicago have to do with it? Jane Adams isn't ever in Chicago
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 06, 2018, 09:11:15 PM
Per this website, it is supposed to be 60 east of Des Plaines and 70 west of it.

ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/092/092025200D04100R.html
You'll see those updated sometime next century.  Because Chicago.  ISTHA won't move on that.

Add to the fact that the differing speed limits exist for other various configurations (trailers, buses, trucks) in that area - that gives ISTHA incentive to say "fuck it, everyone shall go 55".  Doesn't matter in the long run anyway - nobody is obeying speed limits so what's the real sign?

(http://www.ssoworld.org/pics/Speed_Limit_match_traffic.png)

Not bad for a quick whip-up.  :bigass:

What does Chicago have to do with it? Jane Adams isn't ever in Chicago
The area (the 6 counties surrounding Chicago - Lake, Will, DuPage, Kane, and Cook) are influenced politically by the city's corruption - and it shows.  Ask Brandon.

Cook County (which Chicago is in) only has one small stretch of freeway with a speed greater than 60 mph. - I-57 south of I-80 - and that is 65.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 06, 2018, 09:24:15 PM
Per this website, it is supposed to be 60 east of Des Plaines and 70 west of it.

ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/092/092025200D04100R.html
You'll see those updated sometime next century.  Because Chicago.  ISTHA won't move on that.

Add to the fact that the differing speed limits exist for other various configurations (trailers, buses, trucks) in that area - that gives ISTHA incentive to say "fuck it, everyone shall go 55".  Doesn't matter in the long run anyway - nobody is obeying speed limits so what's the real sign?

(http://www.ssoworld.org/pics/Speed_Limit_match_traffic.png)

Not bad for a quick whip-up.  :bigass:

What does Chicago have to do with it? Jane Adams isn't ever in Chicago
The area (the 6 counties surrounding Chicago - Lake, Will, DuPage, Kane, and Cook) are influenced politically by the city's corruption - and it shows.  Ask Brandon.

Cook County (which Chicago is in) only has one small stretch of freeway with a speed greater than 60 mph. - I-57 south of I-80 - and that is 65.

You're trying to hard coming up with conspiracy theories. I'd argue that given the population density and therefore the traffic that comes along with it, going faster than 60 mph on the vast majority of cook county highways isn't even feasible for long periods of time.

I simply cannot fathom that the 85th percentile of traffic is moving faster than 60 mph on the ike, dan ryan, edens, or the kennedy throughout the day (even though the speed limit is 55 mph)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on March 06, 2018, 09:33:26 PM
That speed limit went into effect Dec. 27th. I'm sure they just haven't put up new signage yet because of the weather. The 55 speed limit was because of ongoing construction on I90. Now that it is all wrapped up it'll change over fast.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on March 07, 2018, 10:24:05 AM
I feel like, traveling from Chicago to points west, the speed limit went up to 70 much sooner when I traveled that stretch in 2014 than it did when I traveled that stretch in the fall.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 07, 2018, 11:16:57 AM
Per this website, it is supposed to be 60 east of Des Plaines and 70 west of it.

ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/092/092025200D04100R.html
You'll see those updated sometime next century.  Because Chicago.  ISTHA won't move on that.

Add to the fact that the differing speed limits exist for other various configurations (trailers, buses, trucks) in that area - that gives ISTHA incentive to say "fuck it, everyone shall go 55".  Doesn't matter in the long run anyway - nobody is obeying speed limits so what's the real sign?

(http://www.ssoworld.org/pics/Speed_Limit_match_traffic.png)

Not bad for a quick whip-up.  :bigass:

What does Chicago have to do with it? Jane Adams isn't ever in Chicago
The area (the 6 counties surrounding Chicago - Lake, Will, DuPage, Kane, and Cook) are influenced politically by the city's corruption - and it shows.  Ask Brandon.

Cook County (which Chicago is in) only has one small stretch of freeway with a speed greater than 60 mph. - I-57 south of I-80 - and that is 65.

You're trying to hard coming up with conspiracy theories. I'd argue that given the population density and therefore the traffic that comes along with it, going faster than 60 mph on the vast majority of cook county highways isn't even feasible for long periods of time.

I simply cannot fathom that the 85th percentile of traffic is moving faster than 60 mph on the ike, dan ryan, edens, or the kennedy throughout the day (even though the speed limit is 55 mph)

Nope, not until after 8pm. Mon through Sat. Sunday AM and holidays are the only days you can go 60+ on those freeways
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 07, 2018, 01:47:39 PM
Kennedy daytime speed averages around 10 mph on a typical day
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 07, 2018, 06:08:25 PM
Per this website, it is supposed to be 60 east of Des Plaines and 70 west of it.

ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/092/092025200D04100R.html
You'll see those updated sometime next century.  Because Chicago.  ISTHA won't move on that.

Add to the fact that the differing speed limits exist for other various configurations (trailers, buses, trucks) in that area - that gives ISTHA incentive to say "fuck it, everyone shall go 55".  Doesn't matter in the long run anyway - nobody is obeying speed limits so what's the real sign?

(http://www.ssoworld.org/pics/Speed_Limit_match_traffic.png)

Not bad for a quick whip-up.  :bigass:

What does Chicago have to do with it? Jane Adams isn't ever in Chicago
The area (the 6 counties surrounding Chicago - Lake, Will, DuPage, Kane, and Cook) are influenced politically by the city's corruption - and it shows.  Ask Brandon.

Cook County (which Chicago is in) only has one small stretch of freeway with a speed greater than 60 mph. - I-57 south of I-80 - and that is 65.

I-80 west of I-57 is also 65. I also thought I-57 was only 65 between US 30 and the Will County Line. Has that been extended all the way to I-80? The 70 mph zone on I-355 nips a corner of Cook County as well if that counts.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 07, 2018, 07:21:27 PM
It's been a while since I've last been on I-57 ;)

but now that you said it you're more accurate than I. 

How far south of I-55 is that 70 zone?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on March 07, 2018, 07:41:59 PM
It's been a while since I've last been on I-57 ;)

but now that you said it you're more accurate than I. 

How far south of I-55 is that 70 zone?

On I-355, it starts right at mp 12.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 07, 2018, 07:47:18 PM
Then the statement's accurate on I-355 - ironically, that's through an exclave of the county that jutts out in between Will and DuPage Counties
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on March 08, 2018, 11:13:49 AM
Per this website, it is supposed to be 60 east of Des Plaines and 70 west of it.

ftp://www.ilga.gov/JCAR/AdminCode/092/092025200D04100R.html
You'll see those updated sometime next century.  Because Chicago.  ISTHA won't move on that.

Add to the fact that the differing speed limits exist for other various configurations (trailers, buses, trucks) in that area - that gives ISTHA incentive to say "fuck it, everyone shall go 55".  Doesn't matter in the long run anyway - nobody is obeying speed limits so what's the real sign?

(http://www.ssoworld.org/pics/Speed_Limit_match_traffic.png)

Not bad for a quick whip-up.  :bigass:

What does Chicago have to do with it? Jane Adams isn't ever in Chicago
The area (the 6 counties surrounding Chicago - Lake, Will, DuPage, Kane, and Cook) are influenced politically by the city's corruption - and it shows.  Ask Brandon.

Cook County (which Chicago is in) only has one small stretch of freeway with a speed greater than 60 mph. - I-57 south of I-80 - and that is 65.

You're trying to hard coming up with conspiracy theories. I'd argue that given the population density and therefore the traffic that comes along with it, going faster than 60 mph on the vast majority of cook county highways isn't even feasible for long periods of time.

I simply cannot fathom that the 85th percentile of traffic is moving faster than 60 mph on the ike, dan ryan, edens, or the kennedy throughout the day (even though the speed limit is 55 mph)

Nope, not until after 8pm. Mon through Sat. Sunday AM and holidays are the only days you can go 60+ on those freeways

I think the Edens is a bit of an outlier.  When I reverse-commute from Rogers Park to Riverwoods, I can go 60+ on the Edens on the way to work, provided I leave the house by 7 am.  Coming home, usually not unless I leave before 4.  And provided you're traveling north of, say, Petersen, you can go 60+ quite easily in the middle of the day.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 16, 2018, 03:15:12 PM
I-88 is getting another resurfacing from Rochelle to Sugar Grove, only 5-6 years after the last one
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/7374 (https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/7374)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mrsman on March 16, 2018, 06:29:43 PM

I think the Edens is a bit of an outlier.  When I reverse-commute from Rogers Park to Riverwoods, I can go 60+ on the Edens on the way to work, provided I leave the house by 7 am.  Coming home, usually not unless I leave before 4.  And provided you're traveling north of, say, Petersen, you can go 60+ quite easily in the middle of the day.

The Edens is unique as it is a spur off the Kennedy.  The Kennedy inbound from the Edens Jct is overloaded because it simply does not have enough lanes to cover the traffic from both the Kennedy (beyond the Jct) and the Edens.  When the express lanes are traveling in your direction, the number of lanes match, but traffic is of course busier as you get closer to the loop and when the express lanes are closed/opposite direction you don't have enough lanes.

The outbound Kennedy from the loop is mostly 4 lanes during the morning peak.  It widens to 6 lanes before the split.  3 lanes to the Edens and 3 lanes to the Kennedy.  But assuming that the traffic from the loop splits evenly, and that is a reasonably good assumption, you have 2 lanes of moving traffic (1/2 of the 4 lanes) with 3 lanes of highway to use.  So unless the road is overloaded or there is some accident blocking lanes you have a lot of spare capacity and traffic moves well for you.  Moreover, a lot of the thru traffic heading from Indiana to Milwaukee is taking the Tri-State instead, especially if they want to bypass the brutal morning commute on the northbound Dan Ryan so the problems on the Dan Ryan translate into a free-flowing Edens.

But in the afternoon, this is not the case.  The Edens merging into the Kennedy and not enough lanes to handle the traffic means congestion, even in the direction  opposite primary traffic.  Plus, there is more afternoon commuting into the city than morning commuting into the suburbs as people plan evenings out in town to go to a movie, a restaurant, a sports game, etc.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 16, 2018, 08:07:00 PM

I think the Edens is a bit of an outlier.  When I reverse-commute from Rogers Park to Riverwoods, I can go 60+ on the Edens on the way to work, provided I leave the house by 7 am.  Coming home, usually not unless I leave before 4.  And provided you're traveling north of, say, Petersen, you can go 60+ quite easily in the middle of the day.

The Edens is unique as it is a spur off the Kennedy.  The Kennedy inbound from the Edens Jct is overloaded because it simply does not have enough lanes to cover the traffic from both the Kennedy (beyond the Jct) and the Edens.  When the express lanes are traveling in your direction, the number of lanes match, but traffic is of course busier as you get closer to the loop and when the express lanes are closed/opposite direction you don't have enough lanes.

The outbound Kennedy from the loop is mostly 4 lanes during the morning peak.  It widens to 6 lanes before the split.  3 lanes to the Edens and 3 lanes to the Kennedy.  But assuming that the traffic from the loop splits evenly, and that is a reasonably good assumption, you have 2 lanes of moving traffic (1/2 of the 4 lanes) with 3 lanes of highway to use.  So unless the road is overloaded or there is some accident blocking lanes you have a lot of spare capacity and traffic moves well for you.  Moreover, a lot of the thru traffic heading from Indiana to Milwaukee is taking the Tri-State instead, especially if they want to bypass the brutal morning commute on the northbound Dan Ryan so the problems on the Dan Ryan translate into a free-flowing Edens.

But in the afternoon, this is not the case.  The Edens merging into the Kennedy and not enough lanes to handle the traffic means congestion, even in the direction  opposite primary traffic.  Plus, there is more afternoon commuting into the city than morning commuting into the suburbs as people plan evenings out in town to go to a movie, a restaurant, a sports game, etc.

The issue is that the reversible express system is simply obsolete, and has been for some time. If one were to look at the ROW on the Kennedy, they could easily convert it to 5 lanes comfortably in each direction (potentially 6 with little to no extra ROW needed, though possibly with a slightly narrower median). This would fix a lot of the inbound issues on the Edens (and Kennedy) at this spot. Outbound Kennedy prior to the junction would remain an issue both morning and night because of backups due to the idiotic short on-ramp merges on the Kennedy side after the split (looking at you area around the Nagle and Harlem Ave interchanges). As for the Edens, getting back on the topic of Illinois Tollway notes, I truly hope that the Tollway will do something about the EB I-94 Merge from the Spur onto the main Edens when they do their planned reconstruction of the spur... of course, this would require (gasp) IDOT to cooperate with them for once.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 16, 2018, 08:10:05 PM
I-88 is getting another resurfacing from Rochelle to Sugar Grove, only 5-6 years after the last one
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/7374 (https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/7374)

I thought I remember somewhere that they are in the midst of a semi-longer term rubblization conversion/project on I-88 West of Aurora. I wonder if this is part of it, though the Tollway website hasn't had the projects list yet updated for this year. At least they are trying to keep their roadways in decent condition unlike IDOT.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 16, 2018, 08:20:30 PM

I think the Edens is a bit of an outlier.  When I reverse-commute from Rogers Park to Riverwoods, I can go 60+ on the Edens on the way to work, provided I leave the house by 7 am.  Coming home, usually not unless I leave before 4.  And provided you're traveling north of, say, Petersen, you can go 60+ quite easily in the middle of the day.

The Edens is unique as it is a spur off the Kennedy.  The Kennedy inbound from the Edens Jct is overloaded because it simply does not have enough lanes to cover the traffic from both the Kennedy (beyond the Jct) and the Edens.  When the express lanes are traveling in your direction, the number of lanes match, but traffic is of course busier as you get closer to the loop and when the express lanes are closed/opposite direction you don't have enough lanes.

The outbound Kennedy from the loop is mostly 4 lanes during the morning peak.  It widens to 6 lanes before the split.  3 lanes to the Edens and 3 lanes to the Kennedy.  But assuming that the traffic from the loop splits evenly, and that is a reasonably good assumption, you have 2 lanes of moving traffic (1/2 of the 4 lanes) with 3 lanes of highway to use.  So unless the road is overloaded or there is some accident blocking lanes you have a lot of spare capacity and traffic moves well for you.  Moreover, a lot of the thru traffic heading from Indiana to Milwaukee is taking the Tri-State instead, especially if they want to bypass the brutal morning commute on the northbound Dan Ryan so the problems on the Dan Ryan translate into a free-flowing Edens.

But in the afternoon, this is not the case.  The Edens merging into the Kennedy and not enough lanes to handle the traffic means congestion, even in the direction  opposite primary traffic.  Plus, there is more afternoon commuting into the city than morning commuting into the suburbs as people plan evenings out in town to go to a movie, a restaurant, a sports game, etc.

The issue is that the reversible express system is simply obsolete, and has been for some time. If one were to look at the ROW on the Kennedy, they could easily convert it to 5 lanes comfortably in each direction (potentially 6 with little to no extra ROW needed, though possibly with a slightly narrower median). This would fix a lot of the inbound issues on the Edens (and Kennedy) at this spot. Outbound Kennedy prior to the junction would remain an issue both morning and night because of backups due to the idiotic short on-ramp merges on the Kennedy side after the split (looking at you area around the Nagle and Harlem Ave interchanges). As for the Edens, getting back on the topic of Illinois Tollway notes, I truly hope that the Tollway will do something about the EB I-94 Merge from the Spur onto the main Edens when they do their planned reconstruction of the spur... of course, this would require (gasp) IDOT to cooperate with them for once.
They are widening till Harlem now the power house? for the CTA is in the way. After Harlem seems to be room for widening / or at the very least aux lanes. At milwaukee no room
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 16, 2018, 08:41:48 PM

I think the Edens is a bit of an outlier.  When I reverse-commute from Rogers Park to Riverwoods, I can go 60+ on the Edens on the way to work, provided I leave the house by 7 am.  Coming home, usually not unless I leave before 4.  And provided you're traveling north of, say, Petersen, you can go 60+ quite easily in the middle of the day.

The Edens is unique as it is a spur off the Kennedy.  The Kennedy inbound from the Edens Jct is overloaded because it simply does not have enough lanes to cover the traffic from both the Kennedy (beyond the Jct) and the Edens.  When the express lanes are traveling in your direction, the number of lanes match, but traffic is of course busier as you get closer to the loop and when the express lanes are closed/opposite direction you don't have enough lanes.

The outbound Kennedy from the loop is mostly 4 lanes during the morning peak.  It widens to 6 lanes before the split.  3 lanes to the Edens and 3 lanes to the Kennedy.  But assuming that the traffic from the loop splits evenly, and that is a reasonably good assumption, you have 2 lanes of moving traffic (1/2 of the 4 lanes) with 3 lanes of highway to use.  So unless the road is overloaded or there is some accident blocking lanes you have a lot of spare capacity and traffic moves well for you.  Moreover, a lot of the thru traffic heading from Indiana to Milwaukee is taking the Tri-State instead, especially if they want to bypass the brutal morning commute on the northbound Dan Ryan so the problems on the Dan Ryan translate into a free-flowing Edens.

But in the afternoon, this is not the case.  The Edens merging into the Kennedy and not enough lanes to handle the traffic means congestion, even in the direction  opposite primary traffic.  Plus, there is more afternoon commuting into the city than morning commuting into the suburbs as people plan evenings out in town to go to a movie, a restaurant, a sports game, etc.

The issue is that the reversible express system is simply obsolete, and has been for some time. If one were to look at the ROW on the Kennedy, they could easily convert it to 5 lanes comfortably in each direction (potentially 6 with little to no extra ROW needed, though possibly with a slightly narrower median). This would fix a lot of the inbound issues on the Edens (and Kennedy) at this spot. Outbound Kennedy prior to the junction would remain an issue both morning and night because of backups due to the idiotic short on-ramp merges on the Kennedy side after the split (looking at you area around the Nagle and Harlem Ave interchanges). As for the Edens, getting back on the topic of Illinois Tollway notes, I truly hope that the Tollway will do something about the EB I-94 Merge from the Spur onto the main Edens when they do their planned reconstruction of the spur... of course, this would require (gasp) IDOT to cooperate with them for once.
They are widening till Harlem now the power house? for the CTA is in the way. After Harlem seems to be room for widening / or at the very least aux lanes. At milwaukee no room

Even Auxiliary lanes where they can fit them on that portion of the Kennedy would greatly help. I am curious to see if this will fix the EB mess at the River Road Toll Plaza (jury is still very much out on that one). The WB portion really needs to be worked on next, For example, the entrance ramp WB between Nagle and Harlem has such a ridiculous short merge only to have an exit within feet of it again. That is one such example of a spot where they could slap in an auxiliary lane within a month (just some lighting relocation and such). The woes on the Kennedy are all the more highlighted now with the nice reconstruction done on the I-90 Tollway portion West of I-294. Again, IDOT looking pretty bad compared to the Tollway now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: brad on March 16, 2018, 10:54:53 PM
I-88 is getting another resurfacing from Rochelle to Sugar Grove, only 5-6 years after the last one
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/7374 (https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/7374)

I thought I remember somewhere that they are in the midst of a semi-longer term rubblization conversion/project on I-88 West of Aurora. I wonder if this is part of it, though the Tollway website hasn't had the projects list yet updated for this year. At least they are trying to keep their roadways in decent condition unlike IDOT.

Is this a joke? That road is fine. Does the Illinois Tollway really have nothing better to do with all the money they have? F Illinois.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 18, 2018, 06:29:05 PM
I-88 is getting another resurfacing from Rochelle to Sugar Grove, only 5-6 years after the last one
https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/7374 (https://www.cityofdekalb.com/DocumentCenter/View/7374)

I thought I remember somewhere that they are in the midst of a semi-longer term rubblization conversion/project on I-88 West of Aurora. I wonder if this is part of it, though the Tollway website hasn't had the projects list yet updated for this year. At least they are trying to keep their roadways in decent condition unlike IDOT.

Is this a joke? That road is fine. Does the Illinois Tollway really have nothing better to do with all the money they have? F Illinois.

I could very well be mistaken on that, so don't hold me to it. I just thought I recalled something along those lines. If I am mistaken, someone please correct me.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: cwm1276 on March 18, 2018, 08:59:32 PM
Found the 88 resurfacing details
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/reagan/roadway-resurfacing-bridge-repairs
Sounds like what they did betweeh Rochelle and Rock Falls with drainage and crash investigation pull offs.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 18, 2018, 10:39:39 PM
Found the 88 resurfacing details
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/reagan/roadway-resurfacing-bridge-repairs
Sounds like what they did betweeh Rochelle and Rock Falls with drainage and crash investigation pull offs.

lighting improvements huh?

Wouldn't be a bad idea from sugar grove to dekalb
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 18, 2018, 11:16:34 PM
Found the 88 resurfacing details
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/reagan/roadway-resurfacing-bridge-repairs
Sounds like what they did betweeh Rochelle and Rock Falls with drainage and crash investigation pull offs.

lighting improvements huh?

Wouldn't be a bad idea from sugar grove to dekalb

OK, how did you find the link to the project? They changed around the projects page a bit, but even then, all I could find were the links to the 2017 projects.

Also, I agree that I-88 could use some lighting improvements from Sugar Grove to DeKalb, though I doubt we'll see anything to the extent of what was done on I-90 in the foreseeable future for several reasons. Not to mention that a bigger priority for them would be to extend the continuous median lighting past the IL-59 interchange to at least Orchard Road.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on March 20, 2018, 11:13:15 AM
As for the Edens, getting back on the topic of Illinois Tollway notes, I truly hope that the Tollway will do something about the EB I-94 Merge from the Spur onto the main Edens when they do their planned reconstruction of the spur... of course, this would require (gasp) IDOT to cooperate with them for once.

What is it that you'd like them to do?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 20, 2018, 09:19:08 PM
As for the Edens, getting back on the topic of Illinois Tollway notes, I truly hope that the Tollway will do something about the EB I-94 Merge from the Spur onto the main Edens when they do their planned reconstruction of the spur... of course, this would require (gasp) IDOT to cooperate with them for once.

What is it that you'd like them to do?

As far as an example of IDOT's lack of willingness to cooperate and actually improve an interchange along with the Tollway, see the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. Sadly, despite the nice job on the rebuild on I-90, that interchange still has major problems on the I-290/IL 53 IDOT portion.

Regarding the EB Edens Spur merge onto the Edens mainline, obviously that abrupt lane drop just as you enter the merge can cause backups for over a mile if you are driving through there anytime after 4pm M-F. Sadly, the lane drop is necessitated because of the very short merge on the actual Edens for this ramp. In order to eliminate this lane drop, IDOT would actually have to extend an auxiliary lane or two for a reasonable distance on the Edens. Sadly, though, in thinking about it, I fear that all this would do is move the backup further down much in the way that the updates to the Hillside Strangler did. I'm not too sure what is the perfect solution here, but in order for anything to be figured out, IDOT would need to actually coordinate with the Tollway and make improvements on their portion.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: cwm1276 on March 21, 2018, 08:24:40 PM
Found the 88 resurfacing details
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/reagan/roadway-resurfacing-bridge-repairs
Sounds like what they did betweeh Rochelle and Rock Falls with drainage and crash investigation pull offs.

lighting improvements huh?

Wouldn't be a bad idea from sugar grove to dekalb

OK, how did you find the link to the project? They changed around the projects page a bit, but even then, all I could find were the links to the 2017 projects.

Also, I agree that I-88 could use some lighting improvements from Sugar Grove to DeKalb, though I doubt we'll see anything to the extent of what was done on I-90 in the foreseeable future for several reasons. Not to mention that a bigger priority for them would be to extend the continuous median lighting past the IL-59 interchange to at least Orchard Road.
Use the map, the cones are links to new projects.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 21, 2018, 11:13:07 PM
Found the 88 resurfacing details
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/reagan/roadway-resurfacing-bridge-repairs
Sounds like what they did betweeh Rochelle and Rock Falls with drainage and crash investigation pull offs.

lighting improvements huh?

Wouldn't be a bad idea from sugar grove to dekalb

OK, how did you find the link to the project? They changed around the projects page a bit, but even then, all I could find were the links to the 2017 projects.

Also, I agree that I-88 could use some lighting improvements from Sugar Grove to DeKalb, though I doubt we'll see anything to the extent of what was done on I-90 in the foreseeable future for several reasons. Not to mention that a bigger priority for them would be to extend the continuous median lighting past the IL-59 interchange to at least Orchard Road.
Use the map, the cones are links to new projects.

I appreciate the info.

It looks like some significant repairs are planned for I-355 I noticed, including some widening, resurfacing, ramp repairs, and lighting upgrades. That is good because this tollway is starting to show its age in some spots a bit.

Also, it looks like the repairs to the Edens Spur will begin this year. Hopefully, they'll provide more info on that page soon.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on March 22, 2018, 12:18:56 AM
Looks like a speed limit increase is coming up on I-90 between Randall and at least Elmhurst, if not the Kennedy. There's a lot of covered up signs along the route right after entrances and a speed limit ahead sign EB around Elmhurst. Hopefully it's raised to 70 and not 60 or 65.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 22, 2018, 02:48:32 PM
It is supposed to be 70 between Randall and Elmhurst, and 60 between Elmhurst and the Kennedy.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on March 23, 2018, 12:41:52 PM
It is supposed to be 70 between Randall and Elmhurst, and 60 between Elmhurst and the Kennedy.

Have they announced when this goes into effect?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 23, 2018, 01:41:08 PM
It is supposed to be 70 between Randall and Elmhurst, and 60 between Elmhurst and the Kennedy.
next
ALL trucks / buses same as cars
I-490 needs to be 60
IL-390 60
I-294 central needs to be 60 and 65-70 after rebuild also work zone 45 very limited
I-94 (toll WI line to I-294) 70
I-294 other parts 65
I-88 I-294 to I-355 60-65 I-355 to end 70
I-355 (free zone) 60-65
I-355 tolled 65-70
I-290 I-355 to IL-390 60
I-290 I-355 to I-294 60
IL-53 / I-XXX  I-90 to lake cook 60-65
IL-53 / I-XXX lake cook to IL-120 toll / I-XXX 70
IL-120 toll / I-XXX us-12 to US-41 70
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 24, 2018, 02:42:11 PM
It is supposed to be 70 between Randall and Elmhurst, and 60 between Elmhurst and the Kennedy.
next
ALL trucks / buses same as cars
I-490 needs to be 60
IL-390 60
I-294 central needs to be 60 and 65-70 after rebuild also work zone 45 very limited
I-94 (toll WI line to I-294) 70
I-294 other parts 65
I-88 I-294 to I-355 60-65 I-355 to end 70
I-355 (free zone) 60-65
I-355 tolled 65-70
I-290 I-355 to IL-390 60
I-290 I-355 to I-294 60
IL-53 / I-XXX  I-90 to lake cook 60-65
IL-53 / I-XXX lake cook to IL-120 toll / I-XXX 70
IL-120 toll / I-XXX us-12 to US-41 70


As far as I know I 290 is already 60 from 355 to 390.
What also needs to happen

US41 from park ave to I94 - 60
I94 Eden's junction to Touhy - 65
I94 from Touhy to Kennedy Junction - 60
I94 (kingery) 65
I57 (outside Chicago city limits) 65
I55 (outside Chicago city limits) 65
US41 (North Lake Shore Drive) 45
US41 (South Lake Shore Drive) 50

The planned Grayslake bypass on IL120 is proposed to be a tollway? If so, this will be the third non interstate route to run on a tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 26, 2018, 10:02:08 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/580106/2018_SpeedLimits_Cars%252CTrucks%252CBuses/6bca008a-586b-46ad-9f36-9105f2acc35e

The tollway authority has spoken, there is a(nother) 70 mph zone in Cook County!.

The 70 zone on I-90 has been pulled further in toward Chicago ending at just short of Arlington Heights Road interchange (MP 70) with a 60 mph limit all the way to the Kennedy. 

This confirms Dave069's post which I hotly but wrongly contested - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.msg2309528.  The weight-class speed limit needs to go next, along with any 55 zones on the tri-state, kingery and borman. (make them 65 if not 70 please!)

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 26, 2018, 10:12:51 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/580106/2018_SpeedLimits_Cars%252CTrucks%252CBuses/6bca008a-586b-46ad-9f36-9105f2acc35e

The tollway authority has spoken, there is a(nother) 70 mph zone in Cook County!.

The 70 zone on I-90 has been pulled further in toward Chicago ending at just short of Arlington Heights Road interchange (MP 70) with a 60 mph limit all the way to the Kennedy. 

This confirms Dave069's post which I hotly but wrongly contested - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.msg2309528.  The weight-class speed limit needs to go next, along with any 55 zones on the tri-state, kingery and borman. (make them 65 if not 70 please!)

Well, it'll actually match the speed of the traffic in that stretch now! Absolutely agreed on the 55 zones need to go, especially on the Central Tri-State. Also, can someone PLEASE tell IDOT to make the Northern End of I-355 60 at least? That's so stupid that it's 60, drops to 55 (speed trap), and then back to 60 all within 3 miles or so.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on March 27, 2018, 05:47:02 AM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/580106/2018_SpeedLimits_Cars%252CTrucks%252CBuses/6bca008a-586b-46ad-9f36-9105f2acc35e

The tollway authority has spoken, there is a(nother) 70 mph zone in Cook County!.

The 70 zone on I-90 has been pulled further in toward Chicago ending at just short of Arlington Heights Road interchange (MP 70) with a 60 mph limit all the way to the Kennedy. 

This confirms Dave069's post which I hotly but wrongly contested - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.msg2309528.  The weight-class speed limit needs to go next, along with any 55 zones on the tri-state, kingery and borman. (make them 65 if not 70 please!)

Well, it'll actually match the speed of the traffic in that stretch now! Absolutely agreed on the 55 zones need to go, especially on the Central Tri-State. Also, can someone PLEASE tell IDOT to make the Northern End of I-355 60 at least? That's so stupid that it's 60, drops to 55 (speed trap), and then back to 60 all within 3 miles or so.

The northern end of I-355 is weird in that regard.  The last northbound speed limit sign before I-290 is 60 mph.  However, there is a 55 mph sign southbound at Lake Street.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on March 27, 2018, 09:08:34 AM
I94 Eden's junction to Touhy - 65
I94 from Touhy to Kennedy Junction - 60

That's faster than I'd be comfortable traveling on those stretches of the Edens, and as pointed out elsewhere, there aren't many hours of the day when you can travel that fast anyway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 27, 2018, 06:31:16 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/580106/2018_SpeedLimits_Cars%252CTrucks%252CBuses/6bca008a-586b-46ad-9f36-9105f2acc35e

The tollway authority has spoken, there is a(nother) 70 mph zone in Cook County!.

The 70 zone on I-90 has been pulled further in toward Chicago ending at just short of Arlington Heights Road interchange (MP 70) with a 60 mph limit all the way to the Kennedy. 

This confirms Dave069's post which I hotly but wrongly contested - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.msg2309528.  The weight-class speed limit needs to go next, along with any 55 zones on the tri-state, kingery and borman. (make them 65 if not 70 please!)

Glad they finally did it! I would like to see the weight class speed limit and the 55 zones go too, but I don't think the odds of that happening are particularly high.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 27, 2018, 06:44:36 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/580106/2018_SpeedLimits_Cars%252CTrucks%252CBuses/6bca008a-586b-46ad-9f36-9105f2acc35e

The tollway authority has spoken, there is a(nother) 70 mph zone in Cook County!.

The 70 zone on I-90 has been pulled further in toward Chicago ending at just short of Arlington Heights Road interchange (MP 70) with a 60 mph limit all the way to the Kennedy. 

This confirms Dave069's post which I hotly but wrongly contested - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.msg2309528.  The weight-class speed limit needs to go next, along with any 55 zones on the tri-state, kingery and borman. (make them 65 if not 70 please!)

Glad they finally did it! I would like to see the weight class speed limit and the 55 zones go too, but I don't think the odds of that happening are particularly high.
Yeah because Chicago/Cook County.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 28, 2018, 06:38:13 PM
I94 Eden's junction to Touhy - 65
I94 from Touhy to Kennedy Junction - 60

That's faster than I'd be comfortable traveling on those stretches of the Edens, and as pointed out elsewhere, there aren't many hours of the day when you can travel that fast anyway.

That's why I said up to Touhy, that's where it starts bogging down. However before then you can go 60-65 pretty reliably. I don't do it though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 28, 2018, 11:14:33 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/580106/2018_SpeedLimits_Cars%252CTrucks%252CBuses/6bca008a-586b-46ad-9f36-9105f2acc35e

The tollway authority has spoken, there is a(nother) 70 mph zone in Cook County!.

The 70 zone on I-90 has been pulled further in toward Chicago ending at just short of Arlington Heights Road interchange (MP 70) with a 60 mph limit all the way to the Kennedy. 

This confirms Dave069's post which I hotly but wrongly contested - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.msg2309528.  The weight-class speed limit needs to go next, along with any 55 zones on the tri-state, kingery and borman. (make them 65 if not 70 please!)

Glad they finally did it! I would like to see the weight class speed limit and the 55 zones go too, but I don't think the odds of that happening are particularly high.
Yeah because Chicago/Cook County.

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180328/speed-limit-now-70-on-i-90-from-mount-prospect-to-elgin#autoplay
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on March 29, 2018, 12:34:00 AM
Excellent. One less stretch of underposted freeway in the Chicagoland.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 29, 2018, 12:35:53 AM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/580106/2018_SpeedLimits_Cars%252CTrucks%252CBuses/6bca008a-586b-46ad-9f36-9105f2acc35e

The tollway authority has spoken, there is a(nother) 70 mph zone in Cook County!.

The 70 zone on I-90 has been pulled further in toward Chicago ending at just short of Arlington Heights Road interchange (MP 70) with a 60 mph limit all the way to the Kennedy. 

This confirms Dave069's post which I hotly but wrongly contested - https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.msg2309528.  The weight-class speed limit needs to go next, along with any 55 zones on the tri-state, kingery and borman. (make them 65 if not 70 please!)

Glad they finally did it! I would like to see the weight class speed limit and the 55 zones go too, but I don't think the odds of that happening are particularly high.
Yeah because Chicago/Cook County.

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180328/speed-limit-now-70-on-i-90-from-mount-prospect-to-elgin#autoplay

I'll echo the same thing I said on the article, hopefully enforcement is beefed up as well. There's always some idiot that will tailgate and weave every lane to try and go faster.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dave069 on March 30, 2018, 01:34:01 AM
I drove it tonight and didn't notice any change in traffic. Seeing that first 70 mph sign at the oasis was truly amazing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on March 30, 2018, 10:27:23 PM
This morning when I was driving along I-294 on my way to O'Hare, I noticed that some of the message board signs were saying, "Trucks use the right two lanes"... I thought that was pretty interesting because truckers always hog the lane that is illegal to the truckers...  :clap: :clap: :clap:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 06, 2018, 10:10:46 PM
Surprised no one has posted about the "Tri-County Access Project" study which the IL 53 Extension study turned into.

Link to study website (http://tricountyaccess.org/)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 06, 2018, 11:17:49 PM
Surprised no one has posted about the "Tri-County Access Project" study which the IL 53 Extension study turned into.

Link to study website (http://tricountyaccess.org/)
as well as Kenosha County. FAP 420??
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 08, 2018, 11:13:11 AM
Surprised no one has posted about the "Tri-County Access Project" study which the IL 53 Extension study turned into.

Link to study website (http://tricountyaccess.org/)
as well as Kenosha County. FAP 420??

The seems to have been a bit embedded within the Tollway website. However, this is interesting to see a timeline on this study. It is long needed, and I would hope that this could be the definitive, "once and for all" decision. Plain and simply, IL 53 needs to be extended, and IL 120 needs improvement. FAP 420 would, in my opinion, have benefits that far outweigh the costs, but we'll see.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 09, 2018, 09:36:25 AM
Looks like we have some action in terms of I-490/390. Sound barriers have begun to go up along York Road on the west side of the road and demarcations of ramp extensions have started to get outlined with some land leveling for roadway/piers
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on April 10, 2018, 02:47:39 PM
The outbound Kennedy from the loop is mostly 4 lanes during the morning peak.  It widens to 6 lanes before the split.  3 lanes to the Edens and 3 lanes to the Kennedy.  But assuming that the traffic from the loop splits evenly, and that is a reasonably good assumption, you have 2 lanes of moving traffic (1/2 of the 4 lanes) with 3 lanes of highway to use.  So unless the road is overloaded or there is some accident blocking lanes you have a lot of spare capacity and traffic moves well for you.  Moreover, a lot of the thru traffic heading from Indiana to Milwaukee is taking the Tri-State instead, especially if they want to bypass the brutal morning commute on the northbound Dan Ryan so the problems on the Dan Ryan translate into a free-flowing Edens.

Kennedy with the reversibles has 6 lanes in the direction of peak period traffic.  Dan Ryan has 7 lanes each way.  The highway narrows down to 4 lanes each way thru the downtown, an obvious functional bottleneck.  I have wondered since the 1970s why that hasn't been widened to at least 6 lanes each way.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 10, 2018, 04:14:57 PM
The outbound Kennedy from the loop is mostly 4 lanes during the morning peak.  It widens to 6 lanes before the split.  3 lanes to the Edens and 3 lanes to the Kennedy.  But assuming that the traffic from the loop splits evenly, and that is a reasonably good assumption, you have 2 lanes of moving traffic (1/2 of the 4 lanes) with 3 lanes of highway to use.  So unless the road is overloaded or there is some accident blocking lanes you have a lot of spare capacity and traffic moves well for you.  Moreover, a lot of the thru traffic heading from Indiana to Milwaukee is taking the Tri-State instead, especially if they want to bypass the brutal morning commute on the northbound Dan Ryan so the problems on the Dan Ryan translate into a free-flowing Edens.

Kennedy with the reversibles has 6 lanes in the direction of peak period traffic.  Dan Ryan has 7 lanes each way.  The highway narrows down to 4 lanes each way thru the downtown, an obvious functional bottleneck.  I have wondered since the 1970s why that hasn't been widened to at least 6 lanes each way.

Too many interchanges in that stretch is probably my guess
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 10, 2018, 04:58:42 PM
The outbound Kennedy from the loop is mostly 4 lanes during the morning peak.  It widens to 6 lanes before the split.  3 lanes to the Edens and 3 lanes to the Kennedy.  But assuming that the traffic from the loop splits evenly, and that is a reasonably good assumption, you have 2 lanes of moving traffic (1/2 of the 4 lanes) with 3 lanes of highway to use.  So unless the road is overloaded or there is some accident blocking lanes you have a lot of spare capacity and traffic moves well for you.  Moreover, a lot of the thru traffic heading from Indiana to Milwaukee is taking the Tri-State instead, especially if they want to bypass the brutal morning commute on the northbound Dan Ryan so the problems on the Dan Ryan translate into a free-flowing Edens.

Kennedy with the reversibles has 6 lanes in the direction of peak period traffic.  Dan Ryan has 7 lanes each way.  The highway narrows down to 4 lanes each way thru the downtown, an obvious functional bottleneck.  I have wondered since the 1970s why that hasn't been widened to at least 6 lanes each way.

Because it was difficult enough to get the land they needed to build it in its current configuration, let alone acquiring the land to add another 2 lanes in each direction.  Not to mention having to rebuild the overpass that runs from the Stevenson to just before the Eisenhower, the Metra bridge over the Kennedy, the Green Line bridge over the Kennedy...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on April 10, 2018, 05:00:42 PM
Kennedy with the reversibles has 6 lanes in the direction of peak period traffic.  Dan Ryan has 7 lanes each way.  The highway narrows down to 4 lanes each way thru the downtown, an obvious functional bottleneck.  I have wondered since the 1970s why that hasn't been widened to at least 6 lanes each way.
Too many interchanges in that stretch is probably my guess

They need to eliminate some of the ramps, especially the left-hand ramps.  They could build a dual-divided design whereby the outer roadways have the ramp connections.  It would be expensive, would need to expand the right-of-way at least 70 feet on each side.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 10, 2018, 05:46:18 PM
The outbound Kennedy from the loop is mostly 4 lanes during the morning peak.  It widens to 6 lanes before the split.  3 lanes to the Edens and 3 lanes to the Kennedy.  But assuming that the traffic from the loop splits evenly, and that is a reasonably good assumption, you have 2 lanes of moving traffic (1/2 of the 4 lanes) with 3 lanes of highway to use.  So unless the road is overloaded or there is some accident blocking lanes you have a lot of spare capacity and traffic moves well for you.  Moreover, a lot of the thru traffic heading from Indiana to Milwaukee is taking the Tri-State instead, especially if they want to bypass the brutal morning commute on the northbound Dan Ryan so the problems on the Dan Ryan translate into a free-flowing Edens.

Kennedy with the reversibles has 6 lanes in the direction of peak period traffic.  Dan Ryan has 7 lanes each way.  The highway narrows down to 4 lanes each way thru the downtown, an obvious functional bottleneck.  I have wondered since the 1970s why that hasn't been widened to at least 6 lanes each way.

Because it was difficult enough to get the land they needed to build it in its current configuration, let alone acquiring the land to add another 2 lanes in each direction.  Not to mention having to rebuild the overpass that runs from the Stevenson to just before the Eisenhower, the Metra bridge over the Kennedy, the Green Line bridge over the Kennedy...

All for something that probably wouldn't fix the problem. I don't think there's really much that can be done to fix 90/94 from Montrose to 31st. Just too high of a volume.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on April 10, 2018, 10:00:04 PM
Kennedy with the reversibles has 6 lanes in the direction of peak period traffic.  Dan Ryan has 7 lanes each way.  The highway narrows down to 4 lanes each way thru the downtown, an obvious functional bottleneck.  I have wondered since the 1970s why that hasn't been widened to at least 6 lanes each way.
Because it was difficult enough to get the land they needed to build it in its current configuration, let alone acquiring the land to add another 2 lanes in each direction.  Not to mention having to rebuild the overpass that runs from the Stevenson to just before the Eisenhower, the Metra bridge over the Kennedy, the Green Line bridge over the Kennedy...
All for something that probably wouldn't fix the problem. I don't think there's really much that can be done to fix 90/94 from Montrose to 31st. Just too high of a volume.

Depends on the definition of "fix".  What it would do is match the designs of the lower Kennedy and upper Dan Ryan.  Should have been done 40 years ago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 11, 2018, 11:48:22 AM
Depends on the definition of "fix".  What it would do is match the designs of the lower Kennedy and upper Dan Ryan.  Should have been done 40 years ago.

I'm just going to state that it was much easier to obtain the land to run a 14-lane expressway through the South Side than it would have been to obtain the land to run a 14-lane expressway up the North Side and leave it at that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on April 11, 2018, 04:24:12 PM
Depends on the definition of "fix".  What it would do is match the designs of the lower Kennedy and upper Dan Ryan.  Should have been done 40 years ago.
I'm just going to state that it was much easier to obtain the land to run a 14-lane expressway through the South Side than it would have been to obtain the land to run a 14-lane expressway up the North Side and leave it at that.

I would settle for 6 lanes each way thru the downtown.  It wasn't done at the outset, but it should have been done by now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChimpOnTheWheel on April 15, 2018, 07:35:51 PM
Looks like we have some action in terms of I-490/390. Sound barriers have begun to go up along York Road on the west side of the road and demarcations of ramp extensions have started to get outlined with some land leveling for roadway/piers
Interesting!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 16, 2018, 09:21:10 AM
Looks like we have some action in terms of I-490/390. Sound barriers have begun to go up along York Road on the west side of the road and demarcations of ramp extensions have started to get outlined with some land leveling for roadway/piers
Interesting!

Sound barriers might actually be for a new warehouse though, will have to see as time goes on with construction
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 16, 2018, 10:12:47 PM
It looks like some work on the Central Tri-State Rebuild/Widening will begin this year on the portion in Rosemont and Franklin Park. The link below and the Tollway website show that this has been added to the construction schedule. Personally, I am glad to see this as this stretch is a particular choke-point, especially for South Bound traffic. It's going to be a mess the next couple of years, but I am hopeful that this will help alleviate the chronic traffic backups that plague I-294 SB each afternoon. This site also highlights other Chicago Area projects.

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180416/construction-season-is-here-x2014-our-guide-to-surviving-it
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: skluth on April 18, 2018, 02:54:56 PM
Depends on the definition of "fix".  What it would do is match the designs of the lower Kennedy and upper Dan Ryan.  Should have been done 40 years ago.
I'm just going to state that it was much easier to obtain the land to run a 14-lane expressway through the South Side than it would have been to obtain the land to run a 14-lane expressway up the North Side and leave it at that.

I would settle for 6 lanes each way thru the downtown.  It wasn't done at the outset, but it should have been done by now.

I don't see where six lanes fits through those tunnels just south of the Ohio/Ontario connector
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on April 18, 2018, 04:55:16 PM
Depends on the definition of "fix".  What it would do is match the designs of the lower Kennedy and upper Dan Ryan.  Should have been done 40 years ago.
I'm just going to state that it was much easier to obtain the land to run a 14-lane expressway through the South Side than it would have been to obtain the land to run a 14-lane expressway up the North Side and leave it at that.
I would settle for 6 lanes each way thru the downtown.  It wasn't done at the outset, but it should have been done by now.
I don't see where six lanes fits through those tunnels just south of the Ohio/Ontario connector

They would need to be rebuilt.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 24, 2018, 10:12:56 PM
On the news tonight, they said the central Tri State rebuild will take roughly 6 years to complete. Why will this take 3x as long as the Jane Addams rebuild?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on April 24, 2018, 10:14:33 PM
On the news tonight, they said the central Tri State rebuild will take roughly 6 years to complete. Why will this take 3x as long as the Jane Addams rebuild?

It may be due to the Mile Long Bridge.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 24, 2018, 10:19:23 PM
On the news tonight, they said the central Tri State rebuild will take roughly 6 years to complete. Why will this take 3x as long as the Jane Addams rebuild?
They need to keep 4 lanes open most of the time also the that I-88/I-294/I-290 rebuild is big one.

Any one have high res scans of the plans?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 24, 2018, 11:54:38 PM
On the news tonight, they said the central Tri State rebuild will take roughly 6 years to complete. Why will this take 3x as long as the Jane Addams rebuild?
They need to keep 4 lanes open most of the time also the that I-88/I-294/I-290 rebuild is big one.

Any one have high res scans of the plans?

I think they are also going to do it in phases, starting this year. For instance, the portion near O'Hare is starting this year. It may also be to help manage the inevitable congestion nightmare that will come along with it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 25, 2018, 12:16:51 AM
On the news tonight, they said the central Tri State rebuild will take roughly 6 years to complete. Why will this take 3x as long as the Jane Addams rebuild?
They need to keep 4 lanes open most of the time also the that I-88/I-294/I-290 rebuild is big one.

Any one have high res scans of the plans?

I think they are also going to do it in phases, starting this year. For instance, the portion near O'Hare is starting this year. It may also be to help manage the inevitable congestion nightmare that will come along with it.

And I-490 is being pushed first.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on April 25, 2018, 05:57:14 AM
On the news tonight, they said the central Tri State rebuild will take roughly 6 years to complete. Why will this take 3x as long as the Jane Addams rebuild?
They need to keep 4 lanes open most of the time also the that I-88/I-294/I-290 rebuild is big one.

Any one have high res scans of the plans?

I think they are also going to do it in phases, starting this year. For instance, the portion near O'Hare is starting this year. It may also be to help manage the inevitable congestion nightmare that will come along with it.

And I-490 is being pushed first.
Weren't there trains in the way of that?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 25, 2018, 08:36:39 AM
Looks like phases might be the longer term solution, but also makes sense considering traffic volumes. O'Hare section with I-490 (north end), Hillside Strangler (central), Mile Long Bridge/95th (south end) is my guess.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on April 25, 2018, 09:15:07 PM
The Jane Adams rebuild took 4 years, so how is 6 years 3x as long???
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 26, 2018, 08:26:22 AM
The Jane Adams rebuild took 4 years, so how is 6 years 3x as long???

Technically wasn't it 7 or 8 years when you combined the western and eastern rebuilds? If that's the case, 6 years doesn't sound too horrid
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on April 26, 2018, 10:20:48 AM
The Jane Adams rebuild took 4 years, so how is 6 years 3x as long???

I was referring to the Randall-Tri State portion which is about the same length as the central Tri State.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on April 26, 2018, 05:57:23 PM
The Jane Adams rebuild took 4 years, so how is 6 years 3x as long???

I was referring to the Randall-Tri State portion which is about the same length as the central Tri State.
The entire highway took 3-4 years.  They rebuilt the Cherry Valley to Elgin portion over 14 and 15 and the Elgin to Tri-State portion over 15 and 16.  Several bridges were still being worked on into 17 and the Smart Road system was still being installed in 17.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 26, 2018, 10:26:30 PM
The entire highway took 3-4 years.  They rebuilt the Cherry Valley to Elgin portion over 14 and 15 and the Elgin to Tri-State portion over 15 and 16.  Several bridges were still being worked on into 17 and the Smart Road system was still being installed in 17.

They started many of the crossroad bridges a year prior to work on the mainline.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on April 27, 2018, 08:54:16 AM
I'm not yet a year into my new commuting pattern so I don't know whether or not this is a seasonal pattern, but the backups on York/Ogden trying to get to the SB Tri-State in afternoon rush have gotten significantly worse in the past couple weeks.  Backups used to start on York about halfway between 31st and Ogden but now they're starting north of 31st.  I'm guessing the tollway is too afraid to try to eminent domain property in Oak Brook and that's why there's no entrance ramp from 22nd or 31st, but this is getting ridiculous.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 27, 2018, 11:31:49 AM
I'm not yet a year into my new commuting pattern so I don't know whether or not this is a seasonal pattern, but the backups on York/Ogden trying to get to the SB Tri-State in afternoon rush have gotten significantly worse in the past couple weeks.  Backups used to start on York about halfway between 31st and Ogden but now they're starting north of 31st.  I'm guessing the tollway is too afraid to try to eminent domain property in Oak Brook and that's why there's no entrance ramp from 22nd or 31st, but this is getting ridiculous.

More like ramp spacing / the need for tolled ramps is why there are not there.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on April 27, 2018, 12:29:19 PM
I'm not yet a year into my new commuting pattern so I don't know whether or not this is a seasonal pattern, but the backups on York/Ogden trying to get to the SB Tri-State in afternoon rush have gotten significantly worse in the past couple weeks.  Backups used to start on York about halfway between 31st and Ogden but now they're starting north of 31st.  I'm guessing the tollway is too afraid to try to eminent domain property in Oak Brook and that's why there's no entrance ramp from 22nd or 31st, but this is getting ridiculous.

Or people too cheap to go north and get on at Roosevelt.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on April 27, 2018, 05:05:25 PM
I'm not yet a year into my new commuting pattern so I don't know whether or not this is a seasonal pattern, but the backups on York/Ogden trying to get to the SB Tri-State in afternoon rush have gotten significantly worse in the past couple weeks.  Backups used to start on York about halfway between 31st and Ogden but now they're starting north of 31st.  I'm guessing the tollway is too afraid to try to eminent domain property in Oak Brook and that's why there's no entrance ramp from 22nd or 31st, but this is getting ridiculous.

Or people too cheap to go north and get on at Roosevelt.

It's almost gotten bad enough on York that I may have to backtrack north to Roosevelt.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 30, 2018, 04:58:42 PM
Looks like I-355 will be getting a re-surfacing on the OG section, but also an additional lane between Butterfield and Roosevelt:

Work to prepare for the start of roadway resurfacing on the north end of the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) in DuPage County is scheduled to begin this week.

Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the start of road work, traffic patterns and work zone speed limits.

Weather permitting, on Thursday, April 26, between Army Trail Road and Butterfield Road, shoulder closures in both directions will be scheduled over the next two weeks to remove rumble strips and make shoulder repairs to prepare for traffic shifts during roadway resurfacing.

During the resurfacing work, traffic on I-355, traffic will be shifted to provide room for a work zone and safely accommodate traffic. Whenever possible, the Tollway uses traffic shifts and shoulders to keep as many lanes open during peak hours as were available before construction.

Roadway resurfacing work will include milling off four inches of asphalt pavement in both directions and replacing it with a new, four-inch asphalt overlay. Traffic will intermittently be driving on rough surfaces throughout the duration of construction.

In 2018, the Illinois Tollway has scheduled roadway, bridge and ramp work on throughout the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355). Between Army Trail Road and I-55, work includes resurfacing to provide a smoother riding surface for the traveling public, including widening of the roadway between Butterfield Road (Illinois Route 56) and Roosevelt Road (Illinois Route 38). In addition, roadway lighting, signage and guardrail improvements are scheduled, as well as retaining wall and noisewall work. All work is scheduled to be complete in summer 2019.

The improvements are funded by the Illinois Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion capital program, Move Illinois: The Illinois Tollway Driving the Future.

Maps and construction information about the I-355 Roadway Resurfacing and Repair work is available on the Tollway’s website at Illinoistollway.com via the Interactive Tollway map and under “Projects Overview”  in the Explore Projects section.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 07, 2018, 09:22:11 PM
You know I remember this fight back in 1977 when Long Grove thought their "way of life" was being destroyed by the IL-53 extension.  Lake County WAS pretty rural back in 1977, but has any of these NIMBY's checked Google Earth and seen what Lake County looks like now?

Negative impact to wetlands?  Excuse me, but I think the over 30+ sub divisions that have been built along the entire ROW has done more overall damage to the "wetlands" than a highway could ever produce. Lawn fertilizers, chlorine from leaking pools, back yard oil changers.

This road should have been done in 2007.

From the Chicago Tribune:

A Lake County environmental group on Thursday sued the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to stop it from spending any more money to study an extension of Route 53.

The lawsuit, filed in Lake County Circuit Court in Waukegan by Livable Lake County and six area homeowners, alleges the Tollway failed to abide by state law in pursuing the controversial project. Specifically, the lawsuit claims that the Tollway violated the Illinois Toll Highway Act by failing to get proper authorization for the corridor from the Illinois legislature and not holding required public hearings.

Anthony Vega, a representative for Livable Lake County, called the Route 53 extension a “highway boondoggle.”

“They’re just spending money to widen highways that are destructive to the environment,”  said Vega, who said the suit was filed Thursday afternoon. “This is a pattern of wasteful spending. Building roads won’t solve congestion – if anything, it will just worsen it.”

The Tollway last spring approved spending $25 million for an environmental impact study on the controversial project, which has been discussed since the 1960s. The proposal would stretch Route 53 from suburban Arlington Heights in Cook County to Grayslake in Lake County, and also widen Illinois Route 120, creating a new, T-shaped, 25-mile toll road.

At the hearing last May, representatives from multiple construction companies spoke in favor of the project, saying the extension would bring jobs and relieve congestion in a growing region. Environmental groups and officials from the suburbs of Hawthorn Woods and Long Grove opposed it, noting the extension’s projected $2.65 billion cost and potential negative impact to wetlands.

The environmental study is expected to take three to five years – there have already been three previous studies. A blue-ribbon advisory council formed in 2011 of public officials and representatives from business and other groups favored a four-lane boulevard with maximum speeds of 45 mph and a number of environmental features.

The homeowners who joined in suing the tollway claim they have refrained from making property improvements because of the “recent revival”  of the proposed project.

Tollway spokesman Dan Rozek said the agency hadn’t received a copy of the lawsuit or otherwise reviewed it. But he did note in an email to the Tribune: “The Illinois Tollway has followed all applicable state and federal regulations for initiating an Environmental Impact Statement regarding the Illinois Route 53/120 Project.”
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on May 08, 2018, 05:42:35 AM
I say fuck Hawthorn Woods and Long Grove at this point and build it in spite of their NIMBYism.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on May 08, 2018, 03:37:49 PM
Building roads won’t solve congestion – if anything, it will just worsen it.”

This sentence right here is pure idiocracy.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 08, 2018, 04:09:59 PM
I say fuck Hawthorn Woods and Long Grove at this point and build it in spite of their NIMBYism.

Yes.

Building roads won’t solve congestion – if anything, it will just worsen it.”

This sentence right here is pure idiocracy.

No.  You build a big road, and all the people from the surrounding parallel corridors will flock to it.  There are situations where adding a rail corridor or public transit would better facilitate mobility.  If you're in a desert, yes it's as simple as adding lanes to increase supply.  But complex networks need more complex analysis.  Induced demand and all that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on May 10, 2018, 10:04:29 AM
Buried at the back end of this article is the news that the I-88/Illinois 47 "full interchange" project is expected to be let this fall for construction in 2019. The article also mentions improvement of the Bliss Road intersection with Illinois 47, a few miles south of the interchange. There is a renewed political push to fill in the missing 4-lane "gap" between Sugar Grove and Yorkville, which in combination with the expanded interchange will allow greater mobility in northern Kendall and southern Kane counties.

http://www.kcchronicle.com/2018/04/27/village-waits-for-idot-approval-to-widen-intersection-of-bliss-road-and-route-47/aya7hue/
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on May 10, 2018, 11:31:45 AM
Makes sense, I was kinda surprised that they aren't going ahead and upgrading Bliss Road to a 2 lane road between 47 and at least Norris Road. Lot of traffic from North Aurora and Sugar Grove use that and Tanner Road as a route to get west and east
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on May 10, 2018, 06:29:53 PM
Makes sense, I was kinda surprised that they aren't going ahead and upgrading Bliss Road to a 2 lane road between 47 and at least Norris Road. Lot of traffic from North Aurora and Sugar Grove use that and Tanner Road as a route to get west and east

They may not want to impact the Bliss Woods county park with a widening, or they want to leave it alone for other reasons. Kane County was trying to limit development in the area between Batavia and Sugar Grove, which still has a fair amount of farm land. Bliss Road and Fabyan Parkway are a well-used cutoff route to Randall Road and points east.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on May 11, 2018, 08:19:18 AM
Makes sense, I was kinda surprised that they aren't going ahead and upgrading Bliss Road to a 2 lane road between 47 and at least Norris Road. Lot of traffic from North Aurora and Sugar Grove use that and Tanner Road as a route to get west and east

They may not want to impact the Bliss Woods county park with a widening, or they want to leave it alone for other reasons. Kane County was trying to limit development in the area between Batavia and Sugar Grove, which still has a fair amount of farm land. Bliss Road and Fabyan Parkway are a well-used cutoff route to Randall Road and points east.

True. It seemed like for over the 2000s the farmland between the Outer Rim burbs of Aurora, North Aurora, Batavia, Geneva and St Charles and towns like Elburn and Sugar Grove was gonna be filled in. It's slowed down big time since the housing crash.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on May 12, 2018, 11:00:18 PM
Makes sense, I was kinda surprised that they aren't going ahead and upgrading Bliss Road to a 2 lane road between 47 and at least Norris Road. Lot of traffic from North Aurora and Sugar Grove use that and Tanner Road as a route to get west and east

They may not want to impact the Bliss Woods county park with a widening, or they want to leave it alone for other reasons. Kane County was trying to limit development in the area between Batavia and Sugar Grove, which still has a fair amount of farm land. Bliss Road and Fabyan Parkway are a well-used cutoff route to Randall Road and points east.

True. It seemed like for over the 2000s the farmland between the Outer Rim burbs of Aurora, North Aurora, Batavia, Geneva and St Charles and towns like Elburn and Sugar Grove was gonna be filled in. It's slowed down big time since the housing crash.

Personally, I am sort of glad it slowed down. My hope is that it actually would allow enough time to get some of the roadway infrastructure caught up. I am curious what the impact to IL 47 will be with a full interchange there.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 14, 2018, 12:49:45 PM
Personally, I am sort of glad it slowed down. My hope is that it actually would allow enough time to get some of the roadway infrastructure caught up. I am curious what the impact to IL 47 will be with a full interchange there.

I think the full interchange will mainly impact IL-47 on the north side of the interchange.  Since it's more or less a diagonal junction, people will mainly be going between the south and west approaches, and the north and east approaches.  People going between east and south will mainly use IL-56, and people going between west and north are relatively rare but already good to go with the way the interchange already is.  (This is the type of thing that's much easier to explain with a picture heh)

Main point-people coming from the westbound lanes on I-88 will mainly be accessing points north such as Elburn.  There will be some Waubonsee Community College traffic as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on May 14, 2018, 04:23:48 PM
Personally, I am sort of glad it slowed down. My hope is that it actually would allow enough time to get some of the roadway infrastructure caught up. I am curious what the impact to IL 47 will be with a full interchange there.

I think the full interchange will mainly impact IL-47 on the north side of the interchange.  Since it's more or less a diagonal junction, people will mainly be going between the south and west approaches, and the north and east approaches.  People going between east and south will mainly use IL-56, and people going between west and north are relatively rare but already good to go with the way the interchange already is.  (This is the type of thing that's much easier to explain with a picture heh)

Main point-people coming from the westbound lanes on I-88 will mainly be accessing points north such as Elburn.  There will be some Waubonsee Community College traffic as well.

It'll definitely make IL-56 even more dead than it is right now for westbound traffic haha
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on May 14, 2018, 07:27:28 PM
Personally, I am sort of glad it slowed down. My hope is that it actually would allow enough time to get some of the roadway infrastructure caught up. I am curious what the impact to IL 47 will be with a full interchange there.

I think the full interchange will mainly impact IL-47 on the north side of the interchange.  Since it's more or less a diagonal junction, people will mainly be going between the south and west approaches, and the north and east approaches.  People going between east and south will mainly use IL-56, and people going between west and north are relatively rare but already good to go with the way the interchange already is.  (This is the type of thing that's much easier to explain with a picture heh)

Main point-people coming from the westbound lanes on I-88 will mainly be accessing points north such as Elburn.  There will be some Waubonsee Community College traffic as well.

It'll definitely make IL-56 even more dead than it is right now for westbound traffic haha

And hopefully deprive Sugar Grove of their speed trap on IL-56.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 04, 2018, 09:23:33 AM
Personally, I am sort of glad it slowed down. My hope is that it actually would allow enough time to get some of the roadway infrastructure caught up. I am curious what the impact to IL 47 will be with a full interchange there.

I think the full interchange will mainly impact IL-47 on the north side of the interchange.  Since it's more or less a diagonal junction, people will mainly be going between the south and west approaches, and the north and east approaches.  People going between east and south will mainly use IL-56, and people going between west and north are relatively rare but already good to go with the way the interchange already is.  (This is the type of thing that's much easier to explain with a picture heh)

Main point-people coming from the westbound lanes on I-88 will mainly be accessing points north such as Elburn.  There will be some Waubonsee Community College traffic as well.

It'll definitely make IL-56 even more dead than it is right now for westbound traffic haha

And hopefully deprive Sugar Grove of their speed trap on IL-56.

You mean the empty squad car? I drove by it on Saturday and it's the same thing they did for the past 3 years. They leave an empty squad car to get people to slow down
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 08, 2018, 07:52:43 PM
56 needs to be a posted 60 from 88 to 47 at the very least. They don't do it because of Golfview Dr but thats a RI-RO intersection.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 13, 2018, 10:43:44 AM
294 reconstruction has begun, although this project is associated with I-490. Here is the redo of the North Ave/294 interchange, which includes a better intersection and a new southbound ramp via County Line Road.

However, nothing is being done about the eastbound North ave to northbound 294 ramp which is a major cause for jams. Have a feeling we'll see more when the overhaul plans are announced

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/555754/2018-02_CentralTriState_NorthAveInterchange_OnePager.pdf/db12a23d-9b62-4d5e-b80e-344964315a25 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/555754/2018-02_CentralTriState_NorthAveInterchange_OnePager.pdf/db12a23d-9b62-4d5e-b80e-344964315a25)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 13, 2018, 05:29:56 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/93901455-844b-48b7-9fac-45b0b8724b3b

Looks like the railway is going let I-490 happen.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 14, 2018, 07:36:48 AM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-biz-ohare-highway-access-20180613-story.html
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 14, 2018, 05:01:37 PM
Ugh.  The conspirisheep at work ar just now saying that I-88 was named for hitler.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 14, 2018, 05:13:38 PM
Ugh.  The conspirisheep at work ar just now saying that I-88 was named for hitler.

Wait, what?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on June 14, 2018, 09:34:54 PM
Ugh.  The conspirisheep at work ar just now saying that I-88 was named for hitler.

Da faq!?!  IDOT & ISTHA got the number due in part to the year it was designated, 1988.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 14, 2018, 10:47:16 PM
Ugh.  The conspirisheep at work ar just now saying that I-88 was named for hitler.

Da faq!?!  IDOT & ISTHA got the number due in part to the year it was designated, 1988.

I thought the Hitler number was 18, anyway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 15, 2018, 08:57:29 AM
Ugh.  The conspirisheep at work ar just now saying that I-88 was named for hitler.

Da faq!?!  IDOT & ISTHA got the number due in part to the year it was designated, 1988.

I thought the Hitler number was 18, anyway.

They say it's because H is the 8th letter, and HH stands for heil hitler.

Hell.  It could also stand for HH Holmes, widely credited for being the first serial killer in the US (I doubt that, but anyway,) who set up shop in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on June 15, 2018, 09:23:55 AM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/93901455-844b-48b7-9fac-45b0b8724b3b

Looks like the railway is going let I-490 happen.
Good!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 15, 2018, 09:36:20 AM
Ugh.  The conspirisheep at work ar just now saying that I-88 was named for hitler.

Da faq!?!  IDOT & ISTHA got the number due in part to the year it was designated, 1988.

I thought the Hitler number was 18, anyway.

They say it's because H is the 8th letter, and HH stands for heil hitler.

Hell.  It could also stand for HH Holmes, widely credited for being the first serial killer in the US (I doubt that, but anyway,) who set up shop in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago.

Or it could be doubly lucky in China.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on June 17, 2018, 11:10:10 PM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 18, 2018, 12:25:08 AM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

Far from it, and if anything, the Tollway and CP Railroad made a major breakthrough this week, so is pretty much all but a done deal now. Believe me, the I-490 tollway will be a major godsend for those traveling that direction, not to mention it will relieve some bad congestion at I-90 and I-294 by diverting some of that traffic, particularly from I-294 NB to I-90 WB and I-90 EB to I-294 SB. I am not too sure why the Road Atlas no longer shows this, but it is alive and well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on June 18, 2018, 10:53:57 AM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

Far from it, and if anything, the Tollway and CP Railroad made a major breakthrough this week, so is pretty much all but a done deal now. Believe me, the I-490 tollway will be a major godsend for those traveling that direction, not to mention it will relieve some bad congestion at I-90 and I-294 by diverting some of that traffic, particularly from I-294 NB to I-90 WB and I-90 EB to I-294 SB. I am not too sure why the Road Atlas no longer shows this, but it is alive and well.
Let's hope it returns in 2020! :D
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 18, 2018, 11:28:58 AM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

I'm not convinced it's necessary at all given the presence of I-290 and IL-83, but I don't think it make sense to connect IL-390 to I-90 or I-294.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on June 18, 2018, 03:32:14 PM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

I'm not convinced it's necessary at all given the presence of I-290 and IL-83, but I don't think it make sense to connect IL-390 to I-90 or I-294.

If completed first, this will allow for a total rebuild on the clusterfuck we call the north Tri-State to outbound Ike Extension ramp.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 18, 2018, 08:44:03 PM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

I'm not convinced it's necessary at all given the presence of I-290 and IL-83, but I don't think it make sense to connect IL-390 to I-90 or I-294.

IL 83 can get ugly during the afternoon rush hour at some of the stoplights.  I-290 has issues at the IL 83 interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 18, 2018, 09:35:32 PM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

I'm not convinced it's necessary at all given the presence of I-290 and IL-83, but I don't think it make sense to connect IL-390 to I-90 or I-294.

IL 83 can get ugly during the afternoon rush hour at some of the stoplights.  I-290 has issues at the IL 83 interchange.

If anything, they would be wise to finish I-490 and then rebuild the mess at I-290/294. The combination of all of that will only help that whole area.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: GeekJedi on June 19, 2018, 07:49:33 AM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

I'm not convinced it's necessary at all given the presence of I-290 and IL-83, but I don't think it make sense to connect IL-390 to I-90 or I-294.

If completed first, this will allow for a total rebuild on the clusterfuck we call the north Tri-State to outbound Ike Extension ramp.

BUILD THE HYPOTENUSE! :-D
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 19, 2018, 09:08:35 AM
Whatever happened to that guy?  If you complained about the weather in Chicago, he'd respond IT'D BE BETTER IF WE BUILT THE HYPOTENUSE!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 19, 2018, 12:58:01 PM
Whatever happened to that guy?  If you complained about the weather in Chicago, he'd respond IT'D BE BETTER IF WE BUILT THE HYPOTENUSE!

I thought he was banned?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on June 19, 2018, 02:41:58 PM
Whatever happened to that guy?  If you complained about the weather in Chicago, he'd respond IT'D BE BETTER IF WE BUILT THE HYPOTENUSE!

I thought he was banned?

Yep, and the mods correct me if I'm wrong, he got hit with the ban stick.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 19, 2018, 05:17:43 PM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

I'm not convinced it's necessary at all given the presence of I-290 and IL-83, but I don't think it make sense to connect IL-390 to I-90 or I-294.

Its all part of the O'Hare Western Access deal that was brokered.

O'Hare would get essentially its last expansion and the western burbs would be allowed to build a western bypass that not only provides passenger access, but physically "ties in" the airport to its current boundaries.

After the deal was struck, Chicago DOT wasted very little time getting their new runways built toot sweet. The state and ISTHA had to slog through the details of finishing their part of fhe deal.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 20, 2018, 08:32:07 AM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

I'm not convinced it's necessary at all given the presence of I-290 and IL-83, but I don't think it make sense to connect IL-390 to I-90 or I-294.

Its all part of the O'Hare Western Access deal that was brokered.

O'Hare would get essentially its last expansion and the western burbs would be allowed to build a western bypass that not only provides passenger access, but physically "ties in" the airport to its current boundaries.

After the deal was struck, Chicago DOT wasted very little time getting their new runways built toot sweet. The state and ISTHA had to slog through the details of finishing their part of fhe deal.

^This

I-490 is gonna help tremendously for the 294/190/90 shitshow and help relieve people going south on 294 by spreading out the flow more.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 20, 2018, 09:01:12 AM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

I'm not convinced it's necessary at all given the presence of I-290 and IL-83, but I don't think it make sense to connect IL-390 to I-90 or I-294.

Its all part of the O'Hare Western Access deal that was brokered.

O'Hare would get essentially its last expansion and the western burbs would be allowed to build a western bypass that not only provides passenger access, but physically "ties in" the airport to its current boundaries.

After the deal was struck, Chicago DOT wasted very little time getting their new runways built toot sweet. The state and ISTHA had to slog through the details of finishing their part of fhe deal.

^This

I-490 is gonna help tremendously for the 294/190/90 shitshow and help relieve people going south on 294 by spreading out the flow more.

The impact on I-190 will be incremental - the latest plans for expansion show the area that was going to be used for the Western Terminal being used for employee parking and employee security screening.  Passengers and anyone else with airport business will still need to use I-190 to access ORD.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 20, 2018, 09:20:41 AM
Western burbs tried for years to build a dedicated transit route for the western access to O'Hare. But the City of Chicago wouldnt have it. Afraid it would drain off parking and terminal services revenue. Even the Elgin-OHare was built with room for a "future transit line" down the middle. (Now since removed)

So when O'Hare wanted to expand yet again, the suburban politicos and planners were in a much better position to dictate.

Even now Chicago absolutely refuses to permit any public transit entering/exiting the airport unless they control it. The one they dont control (Metra) doesnt stop on airport property. Its way out in the rental car return lots and you have to change trains.

So this is why we have tollways being built around OHare. Chicago's paranoia about control and patronage.

Its also why they object to the third airport ( which is a different subject) and said they will file suit if it carries the name "Chicago" on it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 20, 2018, 09:31:53 AM
Western burbs tried for years to build a dedicated transit route for the western access to O'Hare. But the City of Chicago wouldnt have it. Afraid it would drain off parking and terminal services revenue. Even the Elgin-OHare was built with room for a "future transit line" down the middle. (Now since removed)

So when O'Hare wanted to expand yet again, the suburban politicos and planners were in a much better position to dictate.

Even now Chicago absolutely refuses to permit any public transit entering/exiting the airport unless they control it. The one they dont control (Metra) doesnt stop on airport property. Its way out in the rental car return lots and you have to change trains.

So this is why we have tollways being built around OHare. Chicago's paranoia about control and patronage.

Its also why they object to the third airport ( which is a different subject) and said they will file suit if it carries the name "Chicago" on it.

Well they did try metra star line but then funding did not happen
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on June 20, 2018, 09:32:38 AM
Western burbs tried for years to build a dedicated transit route for the western access to O'Hare. But the City of Chicago wouldnt have it. Afraid it would drain off parking and terminal services revenue. Even the Elgin-OHare was built with room for a "future transit line" down the middle. (Now since removed)

So when O'Hare wanted to expand yet again, the suburban politicos and planners were in a much better position to dictate.

Even now Chicago absolutely refuses to permit any public transit entering/exiting the airport unless they control it. The one they dont control (Metra) doesnt stop on airport property. Its way out in the rental car return lots and you have to change trains.

So this is why we have tollways being built around OHare. Chicago's paranoia about control and patronage.

Its also why they object to the third airport ( which is a different subject) and said they will file suit if it carries the name "Chicago" on it.


Does the City of Chicago own the airport?  Are they responsible for the infrastructure investment and paying the bonds that go with it through gate fees, parking fees, etc.?

I believe the answer is yes to both questions.  You can call it "paranoia," but IMO if this were a private business, this is exactly how they would act as well. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 20, 2018, 09:56:00 AM
Even now Chicago absolutely refuses to permit any public transit entering/exiting the airport unless they control it. The one they dont control (Metra) doesnt stop on airport property. Its way out in the rental car return lots and you have to change trains.
The problem with the Metra line isn't that it doesn't actually enter the airport, it's that there's only infrequent rush hour service on that line, and none on the weekends, and that's on the freight company that owns the line, not the City of Chicago.  And even the people mover extension will be a better solution than the current option (taking a shuttle bus from the station).

Its also why they object to the third airport ( which is a different subject) and said they will file suit if it carries the name "Chicago" on it.
(a) Gary renamed their airport "Gary/Chicago" with no issues, (b) the obstacle to a third airport is the fact that United and American refuse to use it.  Not that I blame them, both they and the airlines they merged with tried service to MDW, and couldn't get it to work.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 20, 2018, 09:57:21 AM
You can call it "paranoia," but IMO if this were a private business, this is exactly how they would act as well.

Yup - taxicab companies, limo companies, charter bus operators, etc. all hate the idea of public transit to airports too.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 20, 2018, 10:45:03 AM
The 2019 Road Atlas no longer shows the proposed 490. Does this mean the proposal is dead. I think it's a bit overkill myself to connect the Elgin O Hare to both 90 and 294. Pick one or the other but really both?

I'm not convinced it's necessary at all given the presence of I-290 and IL-83, but I don't think it make sense to connect IL-390 to I-90 or I-294.

Its all part of the O'Hare Western Access deal that was brokered.

O'Hare would get essentially its last expansion and the western burbs would be allowed to build a western bypass that not only provides passenger access, but physically "ties in" the airport to its current boundaries.

After the deal was struck, Chicago DOT wasted very little time getting their new runways built toot sweet. The state and ISTHA had to slog through the details of finishing their part of fhe deal.

^This

I-490 is gonna help tremendously for the 294/190/90 shitshow and help relieve people going south on 294 by spreading out the flow more.

The impact on I-190 will be incremental - the latest plans for expansion show the area that was going to be used for the Western Terminal being used for employee parking and employee security screening.  Passengers and anyone else with airport business will still need to use I-190 to access ORD.

Right, but at least have a western loop will still help 294 which is also getting an upgrade. Whether they want to expand eastward or not is up to Chicago, tollway will likely build stubs for a possible eastward expansion whenever the city gets its act together. When all is said and done outside of the airport, 294 and 490 along with 390 will help the general traffic flow across that section of the NW suburbs, especially on roads like Mannheim (12/20/45) and IL-83
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on June 20, 2018, 10:51:37 AM
Even now Chicago absolutely refuses to permit any public transit entering/exiting the airport unless they control it. The one they dont control (Metra) doesnt stop on airport property. Its way out in the rental car return lots and you have to change trains.
The problem with the Metra line isn't that it doesn't actually enter the airport, it's that there's only infrequent rush hour service on that line, and none on the weekends, and that's on the freight company that owns the line, not the City of Chicago.  And even the people mover extension will be a better solution than the current option (taking a shuttle bus from the station).

Its also why they object to the third airport ( which is a different subject) and said they will file suit if it carries the name "Chicago" on it.
(a) Gary renamed their airport "Gary/Chicago" with no issues, (b) the obstacle to a third airport is the fact that United and American refuse to use it.  Not that I blame them, both they and the airlines they merged with tried service to MDW, and couldn't get it to work.


A Chicago third airport would be a huge waste of money.  Expanding O'Hare, along with Midway, Milwaukee, Rockford, etc. is enough to handle the demand.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 20, 2018, 12:32:36 PM
Its also why they object to the third airport ( which is a different subject) and said they will file suit if it carries the name "Chicago" on it.

Sites such as near Kankakee or DeKalb have been studied in the past. 

The problem is that they are seriously far from Chicago, and any new major airport anywhere in the U.S. is hard to obtain funding and approval to build.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on June 20, 2018, 02:33:34 PM
Does the City of Chicago own the airport?  Are they responsible for the infrastructure investment and paying the bonds that go with it through gate fees, parking fees, etc.?

I believe the answer is yes to both questions.  You can call it "paranoia," but IMO if this were a private business, this is exactly how they would act as well. 

The answer is an unqualified yes.  The City of Chicago owns and operates both airports.
https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/doa.html
https://www.flychicago.com/Pages/default.aspx
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on June 20, 2018, 11:25:19 PM
Its also why they object to the third airport ( which is a different subject) and said they will file suit if it carries the name "Chicago" on it.

Sites such as near Kankakee or DeKalb have been studied in the past. 

The problem is that they are seriously far from Chicago, and any new major airport anywhere in the U.S. is hard to obtain funding and approval to build.

Palwaukee became “Chicago Executive Airport”  and it’s a fairly busy airport for business jets and general aviation.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 20, 2018, 11:32:54 PM
Sites such as near Kankakee or DeKalb have been studied in the past. 
The problem is that they are seriously far from Chicago, and any new major airport anywhere in the U.S. is hard to obtain funding and approval to build.
Palwaukee became “Chicago Executive Airport”  and it’s a fairly busy airport for business jets and general aviation.

That is a result of the idiot mayor that had the one downtown destroyed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 21, 2018, 09:23:28 AM
Sites such as near Kankakee or DeKalb have been studied in the past. 
The problem is that they are seriously far from Chicago, and any new major airport anywhere in the U.S. is hard to obtain funding and approval to build.
Palwaukee became “Chicago Executive Airport”  and it’s a fairly busy airport for business jets and general aviation.

That is a result of the idiot mayor that had the one downtown destroyed.

Because all of the CEOs and other assorted bigwigs at all of the corporations a stone's throw from Pal-Waukee were driving all the way down to Meigs prior to that?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on June 21, 2018, 09:50:42 AM
Sites such as near Kankakee or DeKalb have been studied in the past. 
The problem is that they are seriously far from Chicago, and any new major airport anywhere in the U.S. is hard to obtain funding and approval to build.
Palwaukee became “Chicago Executive Airport”  and it’s a fairly busy airport for business jets and general aviation.

That is a result of the idiot mayor that had the one downtown destroyed.

Meigs was not used for those types of planes (private, executive jets).  Meigs was more along the lines of Cessnas.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on June 21, 2018, 10:23:36 AM
The idea of closing Meigs was fine.  The way it was closed by the Mayor was ridiculous. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 21, 2018, 10:52:21 AM
The idea of closing Meigs was fine.  The way it was closed by the Mayor was ridiculous.
Meigs was the longtime default airport in Microsoft Flight Simulator even after 9/11
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on June 21, 2018, 11:12:24 AM
Meigs was essentially the 'flagship' of general aviation airports.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 21, 2018, 11:19:57 AM
Meigs was essentially the 'flagship' of general aviation airports.
Mike

The following air carriers operated scheduled passenger service at Meigs Field at various times during its existence:
Air Illinois, which in late 1970s regularly flew the 44-seat Hawker Siddeley HS 748 turboprop, the largest aircraft ever scheduled into Meigs.
Blade Helicopters
Britt Airways
Chicago Helicopter Airways
Gopher Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines (as Great Lakes Aviation dba United Express operating code share service for United Airlines)
Hub Airlines
Illini Airlines
Midwest Commuter Airways
Ozark Air Lines
Skystream Airlines
Trans States Airlines (as Trans World Express operating code share service for TWA)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on June 21, 2018, 11:21:25 AM
Meigs was essentially the 'flagship' of general aviation airports.
Mike

The following air carriers operated scheduled passenger service at Meigs Field at various times during its existence:
Air Illinois, which in late 1970s regularly flew the 44-seat Hawker Siddeley HS 748 turboprop, the largest aircraft ever scheduled into Meigs.
Blade Helicopters
Britt Airways
Chicago Helicopter Airways
Gopher Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines (as Great Lakes Aviation dba United Express operating code share service for United Airlines)
Hub Airlines
Illini Airlines
Midwest Commuter Airways
Ozark Air Lines
Skystream Airlines
Trans States Airlines (as Trans World Express operating code share service for TWA)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field

At various times.  By the year 2000, it was a general aviation airport with maybe a few helicopters.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 21, 2018, 11:43:47 AM
Meigs was essentially the 'flagship' of general aviation airports.
Mike

The following air carriers operated scheduled passenger service at Meigs Field at various times during its existence:
Air Illinois, which in late 1970s regularly flew the 44-seat Hawker Siddeley HS 748 turboprop, the largest aircraft ever scheduled into Meigs.
Blade Helicopters
Britt Airways
Chicago Helicopter Airways
Gopher Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines (as Great Lakes Aviation dba United Express operating code share service for United Airlines)
Hub Airlines
Illini Airlines
Midwest Commuter Airways
Ozark Air Lines
Skystream Airlines
Trans States Airlines (as Trans World Express operating code share service for TWA)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field

At various times.  By the year 2000, it was a general aviation airport with maybe a few helicopters.

I'm almost positive there was commercial service to Springfield up till its closure, if not very close to its closure.  You are correct that it was mainly GA prop planes, though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 21, 2018, 12:03:45 PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field
At various times.  By the year 2000, it was a general aviation airport with maybe a few helicopters.

The point was, that it had the capability to be a “Chicago Executive Airport”  and be a fairly busy airport for business jets and general aviation.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 21, 2018, 12:10:01 PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field
At various times.  By the year 2000, it was a general aviation airport with maybe a few helicopters.

The point was, that it had the capability to be a “Chicago Executive Airport”  and be a fairly busy airport for business jets and general aviation.

It had a 3900-foot runway; Pal-Waukee's is 1100 feet longer.  I'm not sure if business jets could land there even if they wanted to.  And, as I already mentioned, Meigs wasn't convenient for anyone heading to an office in the northern/western suburbs the way Pal-Waukee is.  Midway is just fine for anyone heading downtown, maybe even Gary.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on June 21, 2018, 12:23:04 PM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on June 21, 2018, 12:57:04 PM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field
At various times.  By the year 2000, it was a general aviation airport with maybe a few helicopters.

The point was, that it had the capability to be a “Chicago Executive Airport”  and be a fairly busy airport for business jets and general aviation.

Meigs was never big enough to be a "Chicago Executive Airport".  There was never room for any runway longer (as noted, the current Chicago Executive Airport has a runway 1,100 longer).  There was never any real room for parking larger planes on a consistent basis (as there is at the current Chicago Executive Airport or at the Lewis University Airport).  There was never any real room for proper facilities as there are at the current Chicago Executive Airport.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 21, 2018, 01:51:39 PM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 

It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on June 21, 2018, 01:54:54 PM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 

It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.

You serious?  You do know that the other states will get very pissed off if Chicago were to add landfill to Lake Michigan, which is governed by interstate compacts, some of which include Ontario.

You, sir, are the idiot.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 21, 2018, 03:31:30 PM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 

It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.

Meigs' single runway was north-south.  How would expanding to the east have helped?  And where would you have put the expanded facilities needed to service biz jets?  And what about the additional traffic coming to Meigs, that currently shares a two-lane road with people headed to the Aquarium, the Planetarium, and Bears games?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 21, 2018, 05:28:33 PM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 
It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.
You serious?  You do know that the other states will get very pissed off if Chicago were to add landfill to Lake Michigan, which is governed by interstate compacts, some of which include Ontario.
You, sir, are the idiot.

The island was -built- with excavation fill.

You, sir, are a troll.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 21, 2018, 05:31:18 PM
It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.
Meigs' single runway was north-south.  How would expanding to the east have helped?  And where would you have put the expanded facilities needed to service biz jets?  And what about the additional traffic coming to Meigs, that currently shares a two-lane road with people headed to the Aquarium, the Planetarium, and Bears games?

A complaint was posted that they needed more room for service facilities.

I don't know why some want to defend the stupidity of the mayor that destroyed the airport in a manner that violated FAA regulations.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on June 21, 2018, 06:44:25 PM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 

It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.

Ridiculous. Wrong place for an airport and absolutely wrong to invest in larger facilities there. Outside of some airplane owners, do people really miss it?

The outrage was overblown then. It’s really overblown now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 21, 2018, 08:41:10 PM
It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.
Ridiculous. Wrong place for an airport and absolutely wrong to invest in larger facilities there. Outside of some airplane owners, do people really miss it?
The outrage was overblown then. It’s really overblown now.

Whether it could be utilized as a full scale executive airport could be argued pro or con, as well as any expansion. 

Nevertheless there is ample history online that demonstrates that the airport had a variety of worthwhile usages throughout its history.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on June 21, 2018, 08:48:42 PM
It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.
Ridiculous. Wrong place for an airport and absolutely wrong to invest in larger facilities there. Outside of some airplane owners, do people really miss it?
The outrage was overblown then. It’s really overblown now.

Whether it could be utilized as a full scale executive airport could be argued pro or con, as well as any expansion. 

Nevertheless there is ample history online that demonstrates that the airport had a variety of worthwhile usages throughout its history.


Right.  But a limited use airport is not the highest and best use of the property.  It is better now than it used to be.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 21, 2018, 09:56:06 PM
Nevertheless there is ample history online that demonstrates that the airport had a variety of worthwhile usages throughout its history.
Right.  But a limited use airport is not the highest and best use of the property.  It is better now than it used to be.

That is like how some people say that a highway interchange is not the highest and best use of the property. 

It got substantial usage.  Most the island is still undeveloped.

Chicago has plenty of developable land, even within a mile or two of the downtown.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mhking on June 22, 2018, 04:30:41 AM
Ugh.  The conspirisheep at work ar just now saying that I-88 was named for hitler.

#FacePalm. Shoot me now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 22, 2018, 09:36:50 AM
Why don't you guys take the Meigs banter into it's own thread and stick with tollway news, especially considering the airport has been DEAD for 15 years now
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on June 22, 2018, 10:20:28 AM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 
It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.
You serious?  You do know that the other states will get very pissed off if Chicago were to add landfill to Lake Michigan, which is governed by interstate compacts, some of which include Ontario.
You, sir, are the idiot.

The island was -built- with excavation fill.

You, sir, are a troll.

The island was built with fill a very long time ago, pre-WWII.  There is no way on this planet, in this day and age, that fill would be allowed into the Lake.

You can go back to Virginia.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 22, 2018, 11:29:28 AM
North side gets underway for 294:

Advance work will begin this week in the northern section of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project with initial construction scheduled between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and Wolf Road in Franklin Park as part of the Illinois Tollway’s investment to increase capacity, reduce congestion and improve travel reliability.

Weather permitting, on Monday, June 18, the outside shoulders in both directions on I-294 between Rosemont and Franklin Park will be closed for repair work scheduled to last through June. Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the closures. All work is weather dependent.

When shoulder work is complete, traffic in both directions is scheduled to shift to the outside lanes and roadway work will begin between Balmoral Avenue and the O’Hare Oasis. The Tollway will maintain four lanes of traffic in both directions by shifting traffic to safely accommodate drivers and provide work zones during construction. Additional lane closures will be scheduled as needed during overnight and off-peak hours for construction.

Work to advance the Central Tri-State Tollway Project in the northern section includes repairing, resurfacing and widening I-294 to five lanes between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road in Franklin Park, as well as reconstructing barrier walls, medians and shoulders in this area.

As part of the work in this section, the bridges carrying I-294 over Irving Park Road, Lawrence Avenue and the Canadian National Railroad in Schiller Park will be repaired and portions of the ramps connecting Irving Park Road to I-294 will be reconstructed. Improvements as part of this project also include guardrail, drainage, lighting, signage and landscaping improvements.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 22, 2018, 05:32:03 PM
North side gets underway for 294:

Advance work will begin this week in the northern section of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project with initial construction scheduled between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and Wolf Road in Franklin Park as part of the Illinois Tollway’s investment to increase capacity, reduce congestion and improve travel reliability.

Weather permitting, on Monday, June 18, the outside shoulders in both directions on I-294 between Rosemont and Franklin Park will be closed for repair work scheduled to last through June. Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the closures. All work is weather dependent.

When shoulder work is complete, traffic in both directions is scheduled to shift to the outside lanes and roadway work will begin between Balmoral Avenue and the O’Hare Oasis. The Tollway will maintain four lanes of traffic in both directions by shifting traffic to safely accommodate drivers and provide work zones during construction. Additional lane closures will be scheduled as needed during overnight and off-peak hours for construction.

Work to advance the Central Tri-State Tollway Project in the northern section includes repairing, resurfacing and widening I-294 to five lanes between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road in Franklin Park, as well as reconstructing barrier walls, medians and shoulders in this area.

As part of the work in this section, the bridges carrying I-294 over Irving Park Road, Lawrence Avenue and the Canadian National Railroad in Schiller Park will be repaired and portions of the ramps connecting Irving Park Road to I-294 will be reconstructed. Improvements as part of this project also include guardrail, drainage, lighting, signage and landscaping improvements.

This will be a huge mess while underway, but a large section of I-294 North of here will see a big benefit once this is done. There are daily backups that go as far as Golf Road due to the merging traffic from the I-90/190 interchange in Rosemont. I'm glad that this stretch is among the first to get attention and needed improvements along the Central Tri-State.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on June 22, 2018, 06:31:45 PM
North side gets underway for 294:

Advance work will begin this week in the northern section of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project with initial construction scheduled between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and Wolf Road in Franklin Park as part of the Illinois Tollway’s investment to increase capacity, reduce congestion and improve travel reliability.

Weather permitting, on Monday, June 18, the outside shoulders in both directions on I-294 between Rosemont and Franklin Park will be closed for repair work scheduled to last through June. Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the closures. All work is weather dependent.

When shoulder work is complete, traffic in both directions is scheduled to shift to the outside lanes and roadway work will begin between Balmoral Avenue and the O’Hare Oasis. The Tollway will maintain four lanes of traffic in both directions by shifting traffic to safely accommodate drivers and provide work zones during construction. Additional lane closures will be scheduled as needed during overnight and off-peak hours for construction.

Work to advance the Central Tri-State Tollway Project in the northern section includes repairing, resurfacing and widening I-294 to five lanes between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road in Franklin Park, as well as reconstructing barrier walls, medians and shoulders in this area.

As part of the work in this section, the bridges carrying I-294 over Irving Park Road, Lawrence Avenue and the Canadian National Railroad in Schiller Park will be repaired and portions of the ramps connecting Irving Park Road to I-294 will be reconstructed. Improvements as part of this project also include guardrail, drainage, lighting, signage and landscaping improvements.

So are they only resurfacing the northern portion of the central Tri-State and not doing a full rebuild?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 22, 2018, 10:58:30 PM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 
It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.
You serious?  You do know that the other states will get very pissed off if Chicago were to add landfill to Lake Michigan, which is governed by interstate compacts, some of which include Ontario.
You, sir, are the idiot.

The island was -built- with excavation fill.

You, sir, are a troll.

The island was built with fill a very long time ago, pre-WWII.  There is no way on this planet, in this day and age, that fill would be allowed into the Lake.

You can go back to Virginia.

Most of US-41 (Lake Shore Drive) from Lincoln Park south to Hyde Park is built on landfill. Michigan Avenue used to reside right next to the lake shore until the Illinois Central came and built the railroad on piers to reach the former south bank of the Chicago River.

That was filled in later and became covered to what is now Millenium Park.

As far as I know the Tollways never had to resort to such large landfill activities. The Chicago Skyway did, but that was built by the city, not ISTHA.

Someone can correct me but ISTHA never "touched" the Chicago city limits ever except for 2 blocks east of OHare when I-294 goes over Lawrence Ave.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Beltway on June 22, 2018, 11:55:26 PM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 
It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.
You serious?  You do know that the other states will get very pissed off if Chicago were to add landfill to Lake Michigan, which is governed by interstate compacts, some of which include Ontario.
You, sir, are the idiot.
The island was -built- with excavation fill.
You, sir, are a troll.
The island was built with fill a very long time ago, pre-WWII.  There is no way on this planet, in this day and age, that fill would be allowed into the Lake.
You can go back to Virginia.

You go back to m.t.r days, correct?  Then you may remember that I originally was from Chicago, and swam a number of times on the beach just south of that site.  So don't ass/u/me that I have no interest in the city.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 23, 2018, 12:29:56 PM
North side gets underway for 294:

Advance work will begin this week in the northern section of the Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project with initial construction scheduled between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and Wolf Road in Franklin Park as part of the Illinois Tollway’s investment to increase capacity, reduce congestion and improve travel reliability.

Weather permitting, on Monday, June 18, the outside shoulders in both directions on I-294 between Rosemont and Franklin Park will be closed for repair work scheduled to last through June. Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to the closures. All work is weather dependent.

When shoulder work is complete, traffic in both directions is scheduled to shift to the outside lanes and roadway work will begin between Balmoral Avenue and the O’Hare Oasis. The Tollway will maintain four lanes of traffic in both directions by shifting traffic to safely accommodate drivers and provide work zones during construction. Additional lane closures will be scheduled as needed during overnight and off-peak hours for construction.

Work to advance the Central Tri-State Tollway Project in the northern section includes repairing, resurfacing and widening I-294 to five lanes between Balmoral Avenue and Wolf Road in Franklin Park, as well as reconstructing barrier walls, medians and shoulders in this area.

As part of the work in this section, the bridges carrying I-294 over Irving Park Road, Lawrence Avenue and the Canadian National Railroad in Schiller Park will be repaired and portions of the ramps connecting Irving Park Road to I-294 will be reconstructed. Improvements as part of this project also include guardrail, drainage, lighting, signage and landscaping improvements.

So are they only resurfacing the northern portion of the central Tri-State and not doing a full rebuild?

It's advance work ahead of the full rebuild, similar to how they started the I-90 expansion. Along with it, the O'Hare Oasis bridge is being torn down http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-ohare-oasis-tollway-expansion-met-20180622-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-ohare-oasis-tollway-expansion-met-20180622-story.html)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on June 26, 2018, 09:38:32 AM
You don't stick a general aviation airport along the lakefront of downtown Chicago.  The land is too valuable to be used for that purpose.  The city and the mayor had the right idea, but just executed it awfully. 
It was already there, since 1948.  Built on a manmade island, which could have been expanded to the east without impacting anything, and the aerial approaches were not over the city.  Daley was an idiot.
You serious?  You do know that the other states will get very pissed off if Chicago were to add landfill to Lake Michigan, which is governed by interstate compacts, some of which include Ontario.
You, sir, are the idiot.
The island was -built- with excavation fill.
You, sir, are a troll.
The island was built with fill a very long time ago, pre-WWII.  There is no way on this planet, in this day and age, that fill would be allowed into the Lake.
You can go back to Virginia.

You go back to m.t.r days, correct?  Then you may remember that I originally was from Chicago, and swam a number of times on the beach just south of that site.  So don't ass/u/me that I have no interest in the city.
I echo that sentiment. That would be like telling me to go back to Seattle, when it is already established that I was born and raised in the Windy City as well, and I get interested in the goings on there from time to time.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 26, 2018, 10:04:58 AM
It's advance work ahead of the full rebuild, similar to how they started the I-90 expansion. Along with it, the O'Hare Oasis bridge is being torn down http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-ohare-oasis-tollway-expansion-met-20180622-story.html (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-ohare-oasis-tollway-expansion-met-20180622-story.html)

As disappointing as this is, I suspect that, if the oases were making money hand over fist, they'd find a way to keep or rebuild them.  I personally have only set foot in one once in the past five years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Highway63 on June 26, 2018, 10:24:08 PM
I-88 is one lane in each direction from IL 47 to IL 251 for shoulder construction. If I had known this I wouldn't have done what I did the last day of a four-day trip. Absolutely brutal.

Also, construction at the Hillside Strangler made me miss the first toll booth.  :ded:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on June 27, 2018, 11:28:53 AM
Also, construction at the Hillside Strangler made me miss the first toll booth.  :ded:

I went through there on Sunday, I thought it was pretty well-signed.  Keep left for ETC, keep right to pay cash.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on July 06, 2018, 09:21:58 AM
Ramps Connecting Irving Park Road to Northbound Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Scheduled to Close Next Week for Roadway Construction:

Weather permitting, on Monday, July 9, the two ramps connecting Irving Park Road to northbound I-294 are scheduled to close through the end of the year. The posted detour will direct traffic to use Mannheim Road and I-190 to access northbound I-294.

The ramp closures are necessary to safely accommodate traffic and workers during mainline roadway construction. In order to continue to provide four lanes of traffic on I-294, traffic will be shifted to the outside shoulders, eliminating the merge lane for traffic entering northbound I-294 during this stage of construction.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on July 24, 2018, 07:56:26 PM
Tri-County Access Project
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

http://tricountyaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TCA_OpenHouse_eblast_070318.pdf

Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Countryside Banquets
28874 Route 120
Lakemoor, IL 60051

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 28, 2018, 02:36:45 AM
Tri-County Access Project
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

http://tricountyaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TCA_OpenHouse_eblast_070318.pdf

Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Countryside Banquets
28874 Route 120
Lakemoor, IL 60051


Basically the only solution would be to build the 53 extension and a 120 bypass. That would reduce travel times and alleviate congestion on I94 and other state and county roads.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 28, 2018, 09:48:29 AM
Tri-County Access Project
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

http://tricountyaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TCA_OpenHouse_eblast_070318.pdf

Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Countryside Banquets
28874 Route 120
Lakemoor, IL 60051


Basically the only solution would be to build the 53 extension and a 120 bypass. That would reduce travel times and alleviate congestion on I94 and other state and county roads.

Agreed, that is the only real solution to the issues. Everything else is putting duct tape on a crumbling structure. Driving up into Lake County is a nightmare, and I was recently on route 120... what a mess! Build it, and build it sooner than later. Exhaust fumes are not good for anyone!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on July 28, 2018, 10:04:44 AM
Tri-County Access Project
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

http://tricountyaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TCA_OpenHouse_eblast_070318.pdf

Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Countryside Banquets
28874 Route 120
Lakemoor, IL 60051


Basically the only solution would be to build the 53 extension and a 120 bypass. That would reduce travel times and alleviate congestion on I94 and other state and county roads.

Agreed, that is the only real solution to the issues. Everything else is putting duct tape on a crumbling structure. Driving up into Lake County is a nightmare, and I was recently on route 120... what a mess! Build it, and build it sooner than later. Exhaust fumes are not good for anyone!

And to full interstate standards, too!

 :banghead:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 28, 2018, 12:55:25 PM
Tri-County Access Project
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

http://tricountyaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TCA_OpenHouse_eblast_070318.pdf

Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Countryside Banquets
28874 Route 120
Lakemoor, IL 60051


Basically the only solution would be to build the 53 extension and a 120 bypass. That would reduce travel times and alleviate congestion on I94 and other state and county roads.

Agreed, that is the only real solution to the issues. Everything else is putting duct tape on a crumbling structure. Driving up into Lake County is a nightmare, and I was recently on route 120... what a mess! Build it, and build it sooner than later. Exhaust fumes are not good for anyone!

And to full interstate standards, too!

 :banghead:

Mike
While I agree full Interstate standard freeway would be ideal, the 45 MPH freeway access parkway would at least be helpful
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 28, 2018, 12:58:31 PM
Basically the only solution would be to build the 53 extension and a 120 bypass. That would reduce travel times and alleviate congestion on I94 and other state and county roads.

While an interstate standard IL 53 extension and IL 120 bypass would be my preferred option, it is not the only one if only congestion relief is the main goal.  They could always supersize a bunch of other arterials - put eight lanes (four through lanes each way) on US 12, IL 83, and Lake Cook Road - plus look at higher capacity intersections (IL 22 at IL 83 might be a good spot for a full CFI).  I am guessing/hoping the arterial improvements needed and their impacts might make the IL 53 extension look much more favorable.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 28, 2018, 02:05:35 PM
Basically the only solution would be to build the 53 extension and a 120 bypass. That would reduce travel times and alleviate congestion on I94 and other state and county roads.

While an interstate standard IL 53 extension and IL 120 bypass would be my preferred option, it is not the only one if only congestion relief is the main goal.  They could always supersize a bunch of other arterials - put eight lanes (four through lanes each way) on US 12, IL 83, and Lake Cook Road - plus look at higher capacity intersections (IL 22 at IL 83 might be a good spot for a full CFI).  I am guessing/hoping the arterial improvements needed and their impacts might make the IL 53 extension look much more favorable.

Well, good luck getting eight lanes on the arterials (although I would agree that US 12 and Lake Cook all should have a minimum of 6 total lanes (at least four on US 12 from the McHenry County Line up to Wisconsin). At the VERY least, they could start construction on the IL 120 Bypass and make that its own separate project. There is widespread support for that, and IL 53 could come later (maybe having it there already would further the support for it).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on July 28, 2018, 03:55:50 PM
I highly doubt IL-53 will ever be extended north of Lake Cook Road. I don't know much about the IL-120 bypass, but I don't think I would hold my breath on that one being constructed either.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on July 28, 2018, 06:06:55 PM
I highly doubt IL-53 will ever be extended north of Lake Cook Road. I don't know much about the IL-120 bypass, but I don't think I would hold my breath on that one being constructed either.
US 12 can get a big upgrade
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on July 31, 2018, 10:30:16 AM
Today I learned the hard way that, if you add your personal I-Pass to a rental car, and remove the device from the car, but don’t delete the vehicle from your I-Pass account, they’ll use video to bill your account. Oh, and they’ll bill you at the cash rate if you do this too frequently. I don’t think I’m out more than $10, but it’s a good thing I was signed up for email alerts.

I don’t know what would possess someone to do this, unless they planned to go online and pay the tolls later. I wonder if I’ll get a refund from the Tollway Authority if they do.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on July 31, 2018, 10:53:54 AM
Today I learned the hard way that, if you add your personal I-Pass to a rental car, and remove the device from the car, but don’t delete the vehicle from your I-Pass account, they’ll use video to bill your account. Oh, and they’ll bill you at the cash rate if you do this too frequently. I don’t think I’m out more than $10, but it’s a good thing I was signed up for email alerts.

I don’t know what would possess someone to do this, unless they planned to go online and pay the tolls later. I wonder if I’ll get a refund from the Tollway Authority if they do.


So did you log your rental car into your account?  Or did they assign your rental car one you used your transponder?

Regarding the latter, when I travel for business I simply let the tolls be assigned to the car.  I never see the bill anyway and my employer doesn't really care. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on July 31, 2018, 12:41:22 PM
Logged my rental car into my account. If it were my personal car, I don’t know that I would have, but I figured that if I didn’t, and the Tollway billed the rental car agency, then they’d charge me some usurious “administrative fee”  on top of billing me for the tolls.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on July 31, 2018, 01:02:50 PM
OK because when I have rented for personal reasons, I have just taken my ipass transponder along and it worked fine.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on July 31, 2018, 01:19:52 PM
OK because when I have rented for personal reasons, I have just taken my ipass transponder along and it worked fine.
I wanted to use it immediately after I bought it and was told it would take some period of time to activate, otherwise I would not have linked it to my account. We have a NJ EZ-Pass we bought while living in DC and didn’t update it after we moved to Chicago for years and had no issues.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Mrt90 on July 31, 2018, 01:24:40 PM
I don't know if this is new, but on the I-pass site when you try to add a vehicle it asks if you are adding a rental or temporary vehicle.  If you check that box, it asks you to give the start and end dates. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mvak36 on July 31, 2018, 01:50:26 PM
I don't know if this is new, but on the I-pass site when you try to add a vehicle it asks if you are adding a rental or temporary vehicle.  If you check that box, it asks you to give the start and end dates.
Yes. I believe they added it sometime in 2016 or so. I've used it quite bit this last year with me having to travel to Ohio and Pennsylvania for work. It's a pretty nice feature.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on July 31, 2018, 02:13:33 PM
Tri-County Access Project
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

http://tricountyaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TCA_OpenHouse_eblast_070318.pdf

Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Countryside Banquets
28874 Route 120
Lakemoor, IL 60051


Basically the only solution would be to build the 53 extension and a 120 bypass. That would reduce travel times and alleviate congestion on I94 and other state and county roads.

Agreed, that is the only real solution to the issues. Everything else is putting duct tape on a crumbling structure. Driving up into Lake County is a nightmare, and I was recently on route 120... what a mess! Build it, and build it sooner than later. Exhaust fumes are not good for anyone!

well just Il-120 without FAP 420 will help some but just push even more on to

IL-120 volo to mchenry
IL-31 mchenry to Richmond
US-12 foxlake to Richmond
Traffic in Richmond sucks
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 31, 2018, 03:20:56 PM
Someone here suggested detaching 53 and 120 from being the same project.  I agree.  Build IL120 first.  The rest should fall in line, methinks.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on July 31, 2018, 03:47:37 PM
I don't know if this is new, but on the I-pass site when you try to add a vehicle it asks if you are adding a rental or temporary vehicle.  If you check that box, it asks you to give the start and end dates.
I had that option. At the time, I didn’t know how long I would have the rental car, so I didn’t check it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 31, 2018, 07:17:32 PM
Tri-County Access Project
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE

http://tricountyaccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/TCA_OpenHouse_eblast_070318.pdf

Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Countryside Banquets
28874 Route 120
Lakemoor, IL 60051


Basically the only solution would be to build the 53 extension and a 120 bypass. That would reduce travel times and alleviate congestion on I94 and other state and county roads.

Agreed, that is the only real solution to the issues. Everything else is putting duct tape on a crumbling structure. Driving up into Lake County is a nightmare, and I was recently on route 120... what a mess! Build it, and build it sooner than later. Exhaust fumes are not good for anyone!

well just Il-120 without FAP 420 will help some but just push even more on to

IL-120 volo to mchenry
IL-31 mchenry to Richmond
US-12 foxlake to Richmond
Traffic in Richmond sucks

Traffic sucks those ways already. Along with the IL 120 bypass, they need to at least have US 12 4 lanes to the state line, with at least some consideration given to IL 31 North from McHenry also. Fact is, they need to do something, and its been sitting too long. Again, having at least the IL 120 bypass will help speed up some trips through there. At this point, there isn't so much growth as there is need to catch up to what is already built there, and the road network can't handle it, so anything is welcome in my opinion.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on August 28, 2018, 11:26:17 PM
Here we go!! First of two over the road oasis structures on I-294 to be closed permanently on September 5 (two days after Labor Day)...

Article:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180824/ohare-oasis-pavilion-to-close-for-good-sept-5
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: thenetwork on August 29, 2018, 09:52:50 AM
Here we go!! First of two over the road oasis structures on I-294 to be closed permanently on September 5 (two days after Labor Day)...

Article:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180824/ohare-oasis-pavilion-to-close-for-good-sept-5

Good to know they are keeping most, if not all of, the services nearest the parking lots on either side of the Tollway.  I was under the assumption that the entire Oasis (Including the gas, food and restroom facilities) was to be taken down.  Here it's just the crossover bridge.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 29, 2018, 01:30:05 PM
Here we go!! First of two over the road oasis structures on I-294 to be closed permanently on September 5 (two days after Labor Day)...

Article:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180824/ohare-oasis-pavilion-to-close-for-good-sept-5

Good to know they are keeping most, if not all of, the services nearest the parking lots on either side of the Tollway.  I was under the assumption that the entire Oasis (Including the gas, food and restroom facilities) was to be taken down.  Here it's just the crossover bridge.

The des plaines one is the one that will fully removed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 29, 2018, 07:55:23 PM
Someone here suggested detaching 53 and 120 from being the same project.  I agree.  Build IL120 first.  The rest should fall in line, methinks.

I was thinking something similar.

Build it from the north going south instead of up from Lake Cook.

And then just stop at Lake Zurich Road.  Then "everyone" would have to divert to Old McHenry Road and drive through downtown Long Grove to get back to IL-53.

Then voila!

Yes, its cruel, yes its mean, but yes the complaining would stop.

I find it laughable that they still think that area is "rural".  The only thing left remotely rural are the golf courses and the 20 acre estates owned by Chicago Bears and Chicago Bulls players.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 29, 2018, 11:27:11 PM
an US 12 upgrade is more likely (what about an tolled upper deck?)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on August 30, 2018, 02:40:32 PM
Here we go!! First of two over the road oasis structures on I-294 to be closed permanently on September 5 (two days after Labor Day)...

Article:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180824/ohare-oasis-pavilion-to-close-for-good-sept-5

Good to know they are keeping most, if not all of, the services nearest the parking lots on either side of the Tollway.  I was under the assumption that the entire Oasis (Including the gas, food and restroom facilities) was to be taken down.  Here it's just the crossover bridge.

The des plaines one is the one that will fully removed.

I certainly hope that the Lake Forest one will be fully kept.  Ditto the Lincoln one in I-80.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 30, 2018, 02:42:08 PM
Here we go!! First of two over the road oasis structures on I-294 to be closed permanently on September 5 (two days after Labor Day)...

Article:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180824/ohare-oasis-pavilion-to-close-for-good-sept-5

Good to know they are keeping most, if not all of, the services nearest the parking lots on either side of the Tollway.  I was under the assumption that the entire Oasis (Including the gas, food and restroom facilities) was to be taken down.  Here it's just the crossover bridge.

The des plaines one is the one that will fully removed.

I certainly hope that the Lake Forest one will be fully kept.  Ditto the Lincoln one in I-80.

Mike

Both should be. Lake Forest and Lincoln are 4 lanes each way and don't really see much in the way of daily backups at least at LF. Lincoln might need a look but I think the backups mainly come from the I-80 merge or the Indy merges
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on August 30, 2018, 02:58:53 PM
Here we go!! First of two over the road oasis structures on I-294 to be closed permanently on September 5 (two days after Labor Day)...

Article:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180824/ohare-oasis-pavilion-to-close-for-good-sept-5

Good to know they are keeping most, if not all of, the services nearest the parking lots on either side of the Tollway.  I was under the assumption that the entire Oasis (Including the gas, food and restroom facilities) was to be taken down.  Here it's just the crossover bridge.

The des plaines one is the one that will fully removed.

I certainly hope that the Lake Forest one will be fully kept.  Ditto the Lincoln one in I-80.

Mike

Both should be. Lake Forest and Lincoln are 4 lanes each way and don't really see much in the way of daily backups at least at LF. Lincoln might need a look but I think the backups mainly come from the I-80 merge or the Indy merges

The Lincoln Oasis will stay unless you can magically widen the Tri-State over the Thornton Quarry.  There's no more room in that area.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on August 30, 2018, 03:30:30 PM
So are they opening new I-Pass service centers to replace the ones that are currently in the oases to be torn down?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on August 30, 2018, 03:57:31 PM
Here we go!! First of two over the road oasis structures on I-294 to be closed permanently on September 5 (two days after Labor Day)...

Article:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180824/ohare-oasis-pavilion-to-close-for-good-sept-5

Good to know they are keeping most, if not all of, the services nearest the parking lots on either side of the Tollway.  I was under the assumption that the entire Oasis (Including the gas, food and restroom facilities) was to be taken down.  Here it's just the crossover bridge.

The des plaines one is the one that will fully removed.

I certainly hope that the Lake Forest one will be fully kept.  Ditto the Lincoln one in I-80.

Mike

Both should be. Lake Forest and Lincoln are 4 lanes each way and don't really see much in the way of daily backups at least at LF. Lincoln might need a look but I think the backups mainly come from the I-80 merge or the Indy merges

Lincoln area doesn't get backups in the morning.  They are sporadic in the afternoon.  Worst on Friday afternoons with everyone heading to Michigan for the weekend.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Mrt90 on August 30, 2018, 04:25:14 PM
Here we go!! First of two over the road oasis structures on I-294 to be closed permanently on September 5 (two days after Labor Day)...

Article:
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180824/ohare-oasis-pavilion-to-close-for-good-sept-5

Good to know they are keeping most, if not all of, the services nearest the parking lots on either side of the Tollway.  I was under the assumption that the entire Oasis (Including the gas, food and restroom facilities) was to be taken down.  Here it's just the crossover bridge.

The des plaines one is the one that will fully removed.

I certainly hope that the Lake Forest one will be fully kept.  Ditto the Lincoln one in I-80.

Mike
Ever since they removed the access road that allowed me to walk to the LF Oasis from my office I guess I don't care if they keep it or not.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2526702,-87.8984168,3a,75y,279.86h,75.23t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s0iRmNoWGQnhYopF1fONJsg!2e0!5s20120901T000000!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 18, 2018, 04:08:13 PM
I-490 interchange with I-90 was announced, expected completion date of 2023. Tollway site hasn't updated yet but TravelMidwest has it (8th article)

https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/announcements.jsp;jsessionid=EF15639F3AB44C8A5D8DB42D8FBC0FA9?type=construction (https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/announcements.jsp;jsessionid=EF15639F3AB44C8A5D8DB42D8FBC0FA9?type=construction)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on September 18, 2018, 05:48:03 PM
And they call it interstate unlike 390. I wish travel Midwest would explain where it's Illinois arterial information is coming from.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on September 19, 2018, 02:36:14 PM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on September 19, 2018, 04:53:09 PM
390 will likely remain a state highway (just like existing IL-394, and previously existing IL-190, IL-194, IL-594). Only 490 will be an Interstate.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 19, 2018, 08:48:17 PM
390 will likely remain a state highway (just like existing IL-394, and previously existing IL-190, IL-194, IL-594). Only 490 will be an Interstate.
Any particular justification for why the I-shield for 490, but not the former Elgin-O’Hare Expressway/now IL-390 Tollway?

Then again, I kinda think IL-394 should have the I-shield as well, but alas, such decisions are not mine to make
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:28:34 PM
390 will likely remain a state highway (just like existing IL-394, and previously existing IL-190, IL-194, IL-594). Only 490 will be an Interstate.
Any particular justification for why the I-shield for 490, but not the former Elgin-O’Hare Expressway/now IL-390 Tollway?

Then again, I kinda think IL-394 should have the I-shield as well, but alas, such decisions are not mine to make

There is a valid reason for IL-394 not being an interstate in that it's not limited access South of US 30. However, IL 390 should be an interstate once I-490 opens.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on September 20, 2018, 12:01:57 AM
390 will likely remain a state highway (just like existing IL-394, and previously existing IL-190, IL-194, IL-594). Only 490 will be an Interstate.
Any particular justification for why the I-shield for 490, but not the former Elgin-O’Hare Expressway/now IL-390 Tollway?

Then again, I kinda think IL-394 should have the I-shield as well, but alas, such decisions are not mine to make

There is a valid reason for IL-394 not being an interstate in that it's not limited access South of US 30. However, IL 390 should be an interstate once I-490 opens.

IDOT has a long range plan to upgrade IL 394 to interstate standards from the Bishop Ford junction to somewhere around Crete. Even the limited access section needs some upgrades to get it there. If CSX ever builds their planned intermodal yard south of Crete, traffic will pick up some. A lot of at-grade intersections to convert when/if it ever comes to pass.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 20, 2018, 12:13:59 AM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

Not every limited/controlled access roadway needs to be an interstate. I actually like those kinds of roads (non interstate freeways). I wonder if there's a way to find out how many each state has.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 20, 2018, 12:16:11 AM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

Not every limited/controlled access roadway needs to be an interstate. I actually like those kinds of roads (non interstate freeways). I wonder if there's a way to find out how many each state has.
Some have already been mentioned, but IL certainly has its share

In terms of a Nationwide List by State, no idea
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mvak36 on September 20, 2018, 09:10:40 AM
I-490 interchange with I-90 was announced, expected completion date of 2023. Tollway site hasn't updated yet but TravelMidwest has it (8th article)

https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/announcements.jsp;jsessionid=EF15639F3AB44C8A5D8DB42D8FBC0FA9?type=construction (https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/announcements.jsp;jsessionid=EF15639F3AB44C8A5D8DB42D8FBC0FA9?type=construction)

I did find this site on the Tollway website (Although the link has no information on the project yet.). https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/490/90-interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 20, 2018, 10:31:23 AM
I-490 interchange with I-90 was announced, expected completion date of 2023. Tollway site hasn't updated yet but TravelMidwest has it (8th article)

https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/announcements.jsp;jsessionid=EF15639F3AB44C8A5D8DB42D8FBC0FA9?type=construction (https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/announcements.jsp;jsessionid=EF15639F3AB44C8A5D8DB42D8FBC0FA9?type=construction)

I did find this site on the Tollway website (Although the link has no information on the project yet.). https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/490/90-interchange.

Yeah I find it odd how TravelMidwest got the pics before it was even posted under the link on the Tollway website
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on September 20, 2018, 05:19:07 PM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

Not every limited/controlled access roadway needs to be an interstate.

Never said they should.  These two however, are worthy. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 20, 2018, 11:32:21 PM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

Not every limited/controlled access roadway needs to be an interstate.

Never said they should.  These two however, are worthy.

Too short of a span to be, in fact I don't even think 190, 290 etc should be interstates because of the short spans as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on September 20, 2018, 11:37:37 PM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

Not every limited/controlled access roadway needs to be an interstate.

Never said they should.  These two however, are worthy.

Too short of a span to be, in fact I don't even think 190, 290 etc should be interstates because of the short spans as well.

I-290 is 30 miles. How long do you think one should be for it to be given a blue shield?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 21, 2018, 10:44:54 AM
IDOT isn't the type of agency that would create a state highway with a 3di number unless they thought it had a chance of becoming an interstate.  (I know these are ISTHA highways but IDOT is still the agency that assigns the numbers)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on September 21, 2018, 05:54:21 PM
Did IDOT try on 394? I think they did on 255 downstate.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 22, 2018, 12:41:57 AM
IDOT isn't the type of agency that would create a state highway with a 3di number unless they thought it had a chance of becoming an interstate.  (I know these are ISTHA highways but IDOT is still the agency that assigns the numbers)

IDOT does the application to AASHTO with their requested number but they don't always get it.

For example the Peoria Cutoff was requested with I-37. It ended up being I-155.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 22, 2018, 06:27:49 AM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

Not every limited/controlled access roadway needs to be an interstate.

I-190 has one and it ends??? very fast

Never said they should.  These two however, are worthy.

Too short of a span to be, in fact I don't even think 190, 290 etc should be interstates because of the short spans as well.

I-290 is 30 miles. How long do you think one should be for it to be given a blue shield?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: bobonabike on September 22, 2018, 09:57:20 AM
Interesting video:  Interchange at I-90 and IL-23:  http://www.cityofmarengo.com/2017/08/23/video-of-interchange-design-at-i-90-and-route-23/ (http://www.cityofmarengo.com/2017/08/23/video-of-interchange-design-at-i-90-and-route-23/)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 22, 2018, 10:34:42 AM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

Not every limited/controlled access roadway needs to be an interstate.

Never said they should.  These two however, are worthy.

Too short of a span to be, in fact I don't even think 190, 290 etc should be interstates because of the short spans as well.

I-290 is 30 miles. How long do you think one should be for it to be given a blue shield?

75 miles or more. That would also remove the interstate shields from 180, 294, 355 and whatever else is out there. 294 and 355 would effectively become two more tolled controlled access state routes that aren't an interstate. FL and TX already have this.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 22, 2018, 11:29:55 AM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

Not every limited/controlled access roadway needs to be an interstate.

Never said they should.  These two however, are worthy.

Too short of a span to be, in fact I don't even think 190, 290 etc should be interstates because of the short spans as well.

I-290 is 30 miles. How long do you think one should be for it to be given a blue shield?

75 miles or more. That would also remove the interstate shields from 180, 294, 355 and whatever else is out there. 294 and 355 would effectively become two more tolled controlled access state routes that aren't an interstate. FL and TX already have this.
Add this argument to the "who cares" list.  There are more compelling arguments for red-white and blue shields to be added - like eligibility for higher speed limits (like that means anything in Chicago anyway)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 22, 2018, 06:45:56 PM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

Not every limited/controlled access roadway needs to be an interstate.

Never said they should.  These two however, are worthy.

Too short of a span to be, in fact I don't even think 190, 290 etc should be interstates because of the short spans as well.

I-290 is 30 miles. How long do you think one should be for it to be given a blue shield?

75 miles or more. That would also remove the interstate shields from 180, 294, 355 and whatever else is out there. 294 and 355 would effectively become two more tolled controlled access state routes that aren't an interstate. FL and TX already have this.
Add this argument to the "who cares" list.  There are more compelling arguments for red-white and blue shields to be added - like eligibility for higher speed limits (like that means anything in Chicago anyway)


Higher speed limits can happen regardless of being an interstate, all they have to do is rewrite that law.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 22, 2018, 07:14:50 PM
Interesting video:  Interchange at I-90 and IL-23:  http://www.cityofmarengo.com/2017/08/23/video-of-interchange-design-at-i-90-and-route-23/ (http://www.cityofmarengo.com/2017/08/23/video-of-interchange-design-at-i-90-and-route-23/)

Thanks for the info!  I always wondered why I-90 and IL-23 crossed without an interchange.  I never thought it was REALLY needed because of the nearby US20 interchange, but I think the people of Marengo could really use it.

Also, for arguments on what generally gets an Interstate shield and what doesn't, you might want to go to the Fictional Highways section.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 23, 2018, 05:08:03 PM
Interesting video:  Interchange at I-90 and IL-23:  http://www.cityofmarengo.com/2017/08/23/video-of-interchange-design-at-i-90-and-route-23/ (http://www.cityofmarengo.com/2017/08/23/video-of-interchange-design-at-i-90-and-route-23/)

I struggle to watch the 80' trucks going through that roundabout, even on the video.  I see lots of accidents of people either trying to beat the truck going around or turning in front of it.

Either way, no traffic lights, but no safety either.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 23, 2018, 10:45:48 PM
Interesting video:  Interchange at I-90 and IL-23:  http://www.cityofmarengo.com/2017/08/23/video-of-interchange-design-at-i-90-and-route-23/ (http://www.cityofmarengo.com/2017/08/23/video-of-interchange-design-at-i-90-and-route-23/)

Based on the video, it appear the EB exit will be tolled, while both the WB exit and entrance will be tolled (may have the directions switched though).


As for I-490, has anyone heard anything on when construction would start on the connection to I-294?  IIRC the I-294 end was to be done first.  I am wondering if the fight with Canadian Pacific has put more priority on the I-90 end, or whether the I-294 end will be part of the Tri-State work.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 24, 2018, 09:17:44 AM
I believe it's supposed to start next year. The timetable has that section being completed from 2018-2020. They've had a traffic shift in the area of the future interchange since early summer but not much has been done yet
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/central-tri-state-reconstruction (https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/central-tri-state-reconstruction)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 24, 2018, 04:52:19 PM
I like their optimism.  390 and 490 should be interstates.

According the the 490 interchange project site, it IS I-490

https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/490/interchange
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on September 24, 2018, 05:18:43 PM
The link you put up says "Project Information Coming Soon." I guess that means we'll have to either wait for site updates, or go elsewhere for information on this project.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 24, 2018, 07:59:45 PM
The link you put up says "Project Information Coming Soon." I guess that means we'll have to either wait for site updates, or go elsewhere for information on this project.
(https://www.powerrackstrength.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/the-suspense-is-killing-me.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 25, 2018, 08:54:41 AM
The link you put up says "Project Information Coming Soon." I guess that means we'll have to either wait for site updates, or go elsewhere for information on this project.

I was going off the fact that it says I-490, plus has the interstate shield with the number on it.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 25, 2018, 09:17:16 AM
I’m sure this has been asked and answered, but how is it that it can be a new toll highway with an interstate designation? I thought that wasn’t allowed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on September 25, 2018, 10:24:26 AM
I’m sure this has been asked and answered, but how is it that it can be a new toll highway with an interstate designation? I thought that wasn’t allowed.

It is indeed allowed.  I-355 was created that way in 1989.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 25, 2018, 12:11:43 PM
I’m sure this has been asked and answered, but how is it that it can be a new toll highway with an interstate designation? I thought that wasn’t allowed.

IDOT and ISTHA will gladly set up a state route with a number on a toll road, that will match the Interstate convention maintained by AASHTO.  Then if people request that AASHTO approve that toll road for the Interstate system, well, we all know what number they're going to choose!  Choosing a route number that matches the Interstate numbering conventions is a really easy way to communicate to AASHTO that they would like their tollway or other freeway to be considered.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 25, 2018, 03:16:59 PM
I’m sure this has been asked and answered, but how is it that it can be a new toll highway with an interstate designation? I thought that wasn’t allowed.

IDOT and ISTHA will gladly set up a state route with a number on a toll road, that will match the Interstate convention maintained by AASHTO.  Then if people request that AASHTO approve that toll road for the Interstate system, well, we all know what number they're going to choose!  Choosing a route number that matches the Interstate numbering conventions is a really easy way to communicate to AASHTO that they would like their tollway or other freeway to be considered.
My only thought there...was there not initial confusion as whether the North-South/Veterans Memorial Tollway should be numbered I-355 or I-455? I want to say there were even printed maps with the I-455 designation applied to the route

Don't know if the source of the confusion was IDOT, ISTHA, AASHTO, FHWA, etc

From the interstate-guide.com page on I-355:
(https://www.interstate-guide.com/images355/i-455_il_map.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 25, 2018, 03:46:29 PM
I’m sure this has been asked and answered, but how is it that it can be a new toll highway with an interstate designation? I thought that wasn’t allowed.

IDOT and ISTHA will gladly set up a state route with a number on a toll road, that will match the Interstate convention maintained by AASHTO.  Then if people request that AASHTO approve that toll road for the Interstate system, well, we all know what number they're going to choose!  Choosing a route number that matches the Interstate numbering conventions is a really easy way to communicate to AASHTO that they would like their tollway or other freeway to be considered.
My only thought there...was there not initial confusion as whether the North-South/Veterans Memorial Tollway should be numbered I-355 or I-455? I want to say there were even printed maps with the I-455 designation applied to the route

Don't know if the source of the confusion was IDOT, ISTHA, AASHTO, FHWA, etc

From the interstate-guide.com page on I-355:
(https://www.interstate-guide.com/images355/i-455_il_map.jpg)
I think it got 355 and not 455 because it didn’t connect to 55 at both ends.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on September 25, 2018, 07:23:09 PM
It might be the same debate as 255. Is it a spur or a bypass. Both IDOT and tollway hoped it would be a bypass but in 1985 and even now it's not clear it will be a bypass. Also application of EIS to a privately funded tollway . They decided they did need to do so because IDOT  had acquired most of the ROW.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 25, 2018, 10:15:00 PM
It might be the same debate as 255. Is it a spur or a bypass. Both IDOT and tollway hoped it would be a bypass but in 1985 and even now it's not clear it will be a bypass. Also application of EIS to a privately funded tollway . They decided they did need to do so because IDOT  had acquired most of the ROW.
As I look at the map, I think it should have been a 2di. Don’t ask me what number should have been assigned, though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 26, 2018, 01:46:59 AM
It might be the same debate as 255. Is it a spur or a bypass.
I-255 does connect twice to I-55...Once in IL and once in MO, where the STL Beltway changes designation from I-255 to I-270 on the MO side
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on September 26, 2018, 10:26:21 AM
If 355 is extended north along with a spur to US 12 I would agree on a 2 do. It is in the 2050 plan. It could be 43.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 26, 2018, 11:43:53 AM
If 355 is extended north along with a spur to US 12 I would agree on a 2 do. It is in the 2050 plan. It could be 43.

I wouldn't consider a 2DI unless it was also extended south to I-57 somewhere near Kankakee.  Given it's location , I'd probably consider  I-51 (- I was going to say I-53, but I forgot about the IL-53 around Schaumburg)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 26, 2018, 06:12:18 PM
If 355 is extended north along with a spur to US 12 I would agree on a 2 do. It is in the 2050 plan. It could be 43.

I wouldn't consider a 2DI unless it was also extended south to I-57 somewhere near Kankakee.  Given it's location , I'd probably consider  I-51 (- I was going to say I-53, but I forgot about the IL-53 around Schaumburg)
Well considering that IDOT doesn't worry about duplications that wouldn't matter. :sombrero:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on September 26, 2018, 06:31:42 PM
The extension to 57 or 65 was the plan but there was no place to put a north south connection . But if it goes to Wisconsin I still think I 53 would be appropriate.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on September 26, 2018, 06:38:26 PM
BTW. The Illiana is still in the 2050 plan with the extension. The prairie parkway is gone.The crosstown in some form is there and so are lots of HOT lanes. I mention this because some still have IDOT on them most will be done by the Tollway if done.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 28, 2018, 11:32:42 AM
BTW. The Illiana is still in the 2050 plan with the extension. The prairie parkway is gone.The crosstown in some form is there and so are lots of HOT lanes. I mention this because some still have IDOT on them most will be done by the Tollway if done.

If there would have thought to have connected the Illiana and Prairie Parkway, along with a North extension to at least I-90, it would have made a lot of sense actually. Again, IDOT not looking properly at the big picture. With the development in that area slowing down, they would have the time to designate ROW. I would have pushed for the tollway to build it so it's actually done right, but still. I'm getting into fictional territory here, so I'll stop at that.

My hope is that the Tollway handles the HOT lanes (and also is the lead agency on the rebuilding of the roadways with them, with IDOT just throwing in some money). Anyone have the link to the document? I am curious if the Kennedy is mentioned with HOT lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 28, 2018, 01:03:42 PM
I’ve only heard about potential HOT lanes on the Stevenson.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on September 28, 2018, 02:21:18 PM
It's in CMAPs On to 2050. Prairie Parkway corridor protection was dropped I think this spring so sadly it's gone and that probably kills an outer belt. Attempts of an out belt go back to the 60s planning documents . It was moved out when there was no place left for the Foxway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on September 28, 2018, 02:23:44 PM
The US 20 project had a fund ing update on its site for 2014. Nothing. There was talk then of discussion with the Tollway. Anyone know anything about It?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on September 28, 2018, 03:54:03 PM
There are 9 IDOT arterial widening plans in the 2050 so most of the hope for new construction us local or Tollway. There are add lane proposals on 55 57 80 and 290. Those are under IDOT in the plan but most likely will have to be done by the tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 14, 2018, 03:46:05 PM
The New York Times had a special map section on every building in America.  You can see very clearly what options for Tollways still exist.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 14, 2018, 06:32:40 PM
There are 9 IDOT arterial widening plans in the 2050 so most of the hope for new construction us local or Tollway. There are add lane proposals on 55 57 80 and 290. Those are under IDOT in the plan but most likely will have to be done by the tollway.
IDOT should strongly consider tolling the entire facility for I-290
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 16, 2018, 12:10:59 AM
I found this today. It looks like the tollway is serious about consideration of taking over the portion of I-80 through Joliet.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/10/15/tollway-willing-to-step-in-to-fund-i-80-upgrades-chairman-tells-joliet-city-council/ap2o0gc/
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on October 16, 2018, 03:03:08 AM
I found this today. It looks like the tollway is serious about consideration of taking over the portion of I-80 through Joliet.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/10/15/tollway-willing-to-step-in-to-fund-i-80-upgrades-chairman-tells-joliet-city-council/ap2o0gc/

Well, if the Illinois Tollway can do it, then let them make I-80 into a 21st century road through Joliet!! IDOT does not have enough money to rebuild and widen through this congested area and this road is rough as hell...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on October 16, 2018, 01:19:38 PM
I found this today. It looks like the tollway is serious about consideration of taking over the portion of I-80 through Joliet.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/10/15/tollway-willing-to-step-in-to-fund-i-80-upgrades-chairman-tells-joliet-city-council/ap2o0gc/

Well, if the Illinois Tollway can do it, then let them make I-80 into a 21st century road through Joliet!! IDOT does not have enough money to rebuild and widen through this congested area and this road is rough as hell...

I would hope the Tollway Authority would make this a "smart road" like they did with I-90. On the other hand, do we really need another tollroad in NE Illinois?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on October 16, 2018, 01:43:07 PM
I found this today. It looks like the tollway is serious about consideration of taking over the portion of I-80 through Joliet.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/10/15/tollway-willing-to-step-in-to-fund-i-80-upgrades-chairman-tells-joliet-city-council/ap2o0gc/

Well, if the Illinois Tollway can do it, then let them make I-80 into a 21st century road through Joliet!! IDOT does not have enough money to rebuild and widen through this congested area and this road is rough as hell...

I would hope the Tollway Authority would make this a "smart road" like they did with I-90. On the other hand, do we really need another tollroad in NE Illinois?
The article seems to state that it would be a smart road.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 16, 2018, 03:35:43 PM
A formal press release for a new interchange on I-294 with 88th Ave in Justice http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-biz-i-294-interchange-justice-tollway-20181016-story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-biz-i-294-interchange-justice-tollway-20181016-story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook)

This project would also improve the 88th Ave intersections with 79th Street and Archer Ave.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 16, 2018, 05:18:28 PM
Did there possibly used to be a Northbound Tri-State to 88th Ave ramp at some historical point? The ROW is kinda there for a ramp
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on October 16, 2018, 05:52:07 PM
Did there possibly used to be a Northbound Tri-State to 88th Ave ramp at some historical point? The ROW is kinda there for a ramp

Actually, it did.  There was an exit ramp there until the 1980s/early 1990s when it was removed.  ISTHA is going to put the exit ramp back.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 16, 2018, 06:30:34 PM
Did there possibly used to be a Northbound Tri-State to 88th Ave ramp at some historical point? The ROW is kinda there for a ramp

Actually, it did.  There was an exit ramp there until the 1980s/early 1990s when it was removed.  ISTHA is going to put the exit ramp back.
I would be interested to see if any other movements are added in that area, where presently only Southbound Entrances from LaGrange Rd and Archer Ave exist

Full access? Maybe. With AET, don’t have to worry about placing booths now, with that interchange/area just North of the 82nd/83rd Sts Toll Booths

Anyone seen any designs for the new inteerchange ramps here? Or what the Reconstruction wil entail at this point of the Project?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 16, 2018, 09:48:23 PM
I found this today. It looks like the tollway is serious about consideration of taking over the portion of I-80 through Joliet.

https://www.theherald-news.com/2018/10/15/tollway-willing-to-step-in-to-fund-i-80-upgrades-chairman-tells-joliet-city-council/ap2o0gc/

Well, if the Illinois Tollway can do it, then let them make I-80 into a 21st century road through Joliet!! IDOT does not have enough money to rebuild and widen through this congested area and this road is rough as hell...

As for the example driver to Tinley Park, probably shouldnt be using I-80 to get there from Joliet honestly.

I appreciate the local traffic issues faced with toll highways in general, but there are design options out there that havent been looked at.

Reverse Lexus Lanes are clearly doable. Where the ISTHA pays for and builds the 21st century toll highway and a free local access is built by IDOT next to it.

ISTHA pays for the heavy lifting, IDOT only covers their much smaller portion.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on October 25, 2018, 11:38:25 AM
From today's Tribune:

New Tollway interchange projects could be coming to Sugar Grove, Marengo (https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-biz-tollway-marengo-sugar-grove-20181024-story.html)

Quote
The Tollway board is expected to vote Thursday on agreements to build projects on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (Interstate 90) in McHenry County and on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88) in Kane County. If approved, construction is expected to start next year, with completion by the end of 2019, according to Tollway officials.

One would be a full interchange at I-90 and IL-23.  The other is the completion of the interchange at I-88 and IL-47 for ramps to/from the east.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on October 25, 2018, 12:06:00 PM
From today's Tribune:

New Tollway interchange projects could be coming to Sugar Grove, Marengo (https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-biz-tollway-marengo-sugar-grove-20181024-story.html)

Quote
The Tollway board is expected to vote Thursday on agreements to build projects on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (Interstate 90) in McHenry County and on the Reagan Memorial Tollway (Interstate 88) in Kane County. If approved, construction is expected to start next year, with completion by the end of 2019, according to Tollway officials.

One would be a full interchange at I-90 and IL-23.  The other is the completion of the interchange at I-88 and IL-47 for ramps to/from the east.

I have been begging for over a decade for both of these projects to happen.  Yes, please fix these two gaping holes in the system.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 25, 2018, 06:42:09 PM
Did there possibly used to be a Northbound Tri-State to 88th Ave ramp at some historical point? The ROW is kinda there for a ramp

Actually, it did.  There was an exit ramp there until the 1980s/early 1990s when it was removed.  ISTHA is going to put the exit ramp back.
I would be interested to see if any other movements are added in that area, where presently only Southbound Entrances from LaGrange Rd and Archer Ave exist

Full access? Maybe. With AET, don’t have to worry about placing booths now, with that interchange/area just North of the 82nd/83rd Sts Toll Booths

Anyone seen any designs for the new inteerchange ramps here? Or what the Reconstruction wil entail at this point of the Project?
LaGrange Rd / Archer Ave has full access with the I-55 ramps (needs better signage) no room at LaGrange Rd and Archer Ave

 maybe add aux lanes I-55 / an flyover.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on November 01, 2018, 01:57:15 PM
roselle road / Central Rd ramp now open
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 01, 2018, 08:16:59 PM
roselle road / Central Rd ramp now open

I thought I saw the update recently on one of the Maps. How long has it been open?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on November 01, 2018, 09:57:26 PM
roselle road / Central Rd ramp now open

I thought I saw the update recently on one of the Maps. How long has it been open?
I think it opened some time today.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 01, 2018, 10:18:36 PM
roselle road / Central Rd ramp now open

I thought I saw the update recently on one of the Maps. How long has it been open?
I think it opened some time today.

Technically it's partially open - IIRC one of the two left turn lanes from Central onto the new ramps is still closed, and the new traffic signal not activated yet.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on November 08, 2018, 11:39:58 AM
roselle road / Central Rd ramp now open

I thought I saw the update recently on one of the Maps. How long has it been open?
I think it opened some time today.

Technically it's partially open - IIRC one of the two left turn lanes from Central onto the new ramps is still closed, and the new traffic signal not activated yet.

I was wondering why only Roselle Road at I-90 was only 3/4 of an interchange, when I visited IDOT District 1 in the middle of October.  Good!  I'm glad this ramp is being added.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 07:04:15 PM
There are election changes that could affect the tollway. Both Lake and Will flipped blue.Based on JBs shall I say political temperament model is Jim Edgar a form Republican governor I suspect he will want the tollway to go along with the county boards. I have no idea what he flip means for 53 or any revival of the Illiana.Curious for any NE Illinois insight.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on November 08, 2018, 08:25:41 PM
For a historical reference, it took Blago to get the I-355 Will County Extension to I-80 built
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 08:41:26 PM
Right I remember.  Madigan wouldn't give him a capital bill because he feared Blago was going to use it for kickbacks....so Blago went for a huge Tollway program. Won't be an issue now.  JB was undecided in 53 other dems were against.  I suspect he will leave it to the process and Lake county.  Just wonder what new board members think.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 08, 2018, 10:02:50 PM
The project most ready to go is the I-55 toll lane expansion, but needs state legislation if they want to fund it as a Public-Private Partnership. Despite a few efforts, Rauner and the state GA didn't get it done during his term. Not sure of the tollway's ultimate role in this one.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 09, 2018, 11:41:00 AM
The project most ready to go is the I-55 toll lane expansion, but needs state legislation if they want to fund it as a Public-Private Partnership. Despite a few efforts, Rauner and the state GA didn't get it done during his term. Not sure of the tollway's ultimate role in this one.

You mean Rauner and Madigan.  The GA in its current form is pretty impotent.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on November 09, 2018, 02:32:01 PM
The project most ready to go is the I-55 toll lane expansion, but needs state legislation if they want to fund it as a Public-Private Partnership. Despite a few efforts, Rauner and the state GA didn't get it done during his term. Not sure of the tollway's ultimate role in this one.

You mean Rauner and Madigan.  The GA in its current form is pretty impotent.

It is, to say the least, a rubber stamp for King Mike.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dcharlie on November 16, 2018, 10:05:53 AM
Does anyone know how close they are to completing the construction on I-88 between Aurora and Rochelle?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 16, 2018, 03:17:02 PM
Does anyone know how close they are to completing the construction on I-88 between Aurora and Rochelle?

early/mid 2019
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on November 20, 2018, 01:46:04 PM
Anyone know what's going on with the plan to replace the coin baskets with automated toll machines? Over the weekend I noticed that on WB I-90 at the IL-173 exit the sign for the exit indicated that Cash/Credit was accepted. This was the first I've noticed this signage. The Tollway's website still lists ramp tolls as requiring coins. I've had an I-Pass for years so it's more of a curiosity thing for me.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on November 20, 2018, 03:20:36 PM
Anyone know what's going on with the plan to replace the coin baskets with automated toll machines? Over the weekend I noticed that on WB I-90 at the IL-173 exit the sign for the exit indicated that Cash/Credit was accepted. This was the first I've noticed this signage. The Tollway's website still lists ramp tolls as requiring coins. I've had an I-Pass for years so it's more of a curiosity thing for me.

ISTHA is switching over to self use cash/credit machines. Some plazas have them and some still haven't been updated and only take coins.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on November 20, 2018, 05:28:09 PM
Anyone know what's going on with the plan to replace the coin baskets with automated toll machines? Over the weekend I noticed that on WB I-90 at the IL-173 exit the sign for the exit indicated that Cash/Credit was accepted. This was the first I've noticed this signage. The Tollway's website still lists ramp tolls as requiring coins. I've had an I-Pass for years so it's more of a curiosity thing for me.

ISTHA is switching over to self use cash/credit machines. Some plazas have them and some still haven't been updated and only take coins.
Also, they're no longer cash lanes, they're called...something else, I forgot what it was.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on November 20, 2018, 05:54:31 PM
Anyone know what's going on with the plan to replace the coin baskets with automated toll machines? Over the weekend I noticed that on WB I-90 at the IL-173 exit the sign for the exit indicated that Cash/Credit was accepted. This was the first I've noticed this signage. The Tollway's website still lists ramp tolls as requiring coins. I've had an I-Pass for years so it's more of a curiosity thing for me.

ISTHA is switching over to self use cash/credit machines. Some plazas have them and some still haven't been updated and only take coins.
Also, they're no longer cash lanes, they're called...something else, I forgot what it was.

Self service lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on November 21, 2018, 08:09:38 AM
Anyone know what's going on with the plan to replace the coin baskets with automated toll machines? Over the weekend I noticed that on WB I-90 at the IL-173 exit the sign for the exit indicated that Cash/Credit was accepted. This was the first I've noticed this signage. The Tollway's website still lists ramp tolls as requiring coins. I've had an I-Pass for years so it's more of a curiosity thing for me.

ISTHA is switching over to self use cash/credit machines. Some plazas have them and some still haven't been updated and only take coins.
Also, they're no longer cash lanes, they're called...something else, I forgot what it was.

Self service lanes.
Which is a stupid name, since it implies there are full-service lanes, and there aren’t at exit/entrance ramp toll plazas.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on November 21, 2018, 09:20:51 AM
Anyone know what's going on with the plan to replace the coin baskets with automated toll machines? Over the weekend I noticed that on WB I-90 at the IL-173 exit the sign for the exit indicated that Cash/Credit was accepted. This was the first I've noticed this signage. The Tollway's website still lists ramp tolls as requiring coins. I've had an I-Pass for years so it's more of a curiosity thing for me.

ISTHA is switching over to self use cash/credit machines. Some plazas have them and some still haven't been updated and only take coins.
Also, they're no longer cash lanes, they're called...something else, I forgot what it was.

Self service lanes.
Which is a stupid name, since it implies there are full-service lanes, and there aren’t at exit/entrance ramp toll plazas.

However, there are these new "self service lanes" at main line toll plazas as well (all three on I-355 for example) near the "full service" manned lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on November 21, 2018, 09:30:29 AM
However, there are these new "self service lanes" at main line toll plazas as well (all three on I-355 for example) near the "full service" manned lanes.
Now watch how quickly the remaining full-service lanes are converted to self-service lanes.

Apologies if I'm repeating myself, but paying tolls by credit card is nothing new.  The Dulles Greenway offered that option 20 years ago, possibly as far back as when the road first opened, though that might have been necessity due to the high cost-per-mile of the tolls.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 21, 2018, 12:23:51 PM
Per Trains and Chicago Tribune

Highway widening plan will require BNSF to replace bridge on triple-track main

(http://trn.trains.com/~/media/images/news-wire/2018/11-november/bnsf_i294_bridge_lassen.jpg)


HINSDALE, Ill. – Planning is underway for the widening of an Illinois toll road that will require BNSF to build a new bridge on its triple-track main line west of Chicago, although Hinsdale opposes the project, the Hinsdale Doings reports.

The BNSF bridge over Interstate 294 between Hinsdale and Western Springs is the narrowest point on the stretch of highway that is to be widened from four to six lanes in each direction. To replace it, the railroad will build a shoofly with a three-track temporary bridge, then remove and replace the existing bridge. More than 150 Metra, BNSF, and Amtrak trains use the route daily.

The project’s timeline is a lengthy one: Site preparation is projected to begin in August 2019 and take a year, with the construction of the temporary bridge from August to December 2020. The removal and replacement of the current bridge would follow in 2021.

Neighborhood concerns over the project include the possibility that construction will encroach onto residents’ property, construction traffic, and the construction of a railroad siding that will be used to store maintenance equipment.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 21, 2018, 12:26:43 PM
Site preparation for tollway widening expected in August, despite continued opposition in Hinsdale and Western Springs

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/news/ct-dhd-tollway-bnsf-bridge-tl-1122-story.html (https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/hinsdale/news/ct-dhd-tollway-bnsf-bridge-tl-1122-story.html)

The first steps of widening Interstate 294 through Hinsdale and Western Springs involve building a temporary railroad bridge over the tollway for Metra and BNSF freight trains to use during the expansion project.

Preparing the site for the temporary bridge, known as a shoofly, is expected to start in August and take about a year to complete, tollway officials said at a community meeting Thursday in Hinsdale Village Hall.

Hinsdale officials oppose the tollway’s plan to widen the section of Interstate 294 by Hinsdale from four lanes to six in both directions, plus a flex lane on either side of the center median.

“We are not giving up,”  said Hinsdale assistant village manager Bradley Bloom. “We are continuing to work with the tollway.”

The tollway needs the village to grant temporary easements to do part of the project.

“We do not have any agreements with the tollway,”  Bloom said.

Homeowners who live near Interstate 294 and the railroad were concerned about whether the construction will encroach on their property.

The tollway officials seemed receptive of a suggestion from residents of Highland Avenue, which runs east from County Line Road and south of the railroad tracks, to set up a fence or a barricade to prevent that from happening.

Rocco Zucchero, the tollway’s chief planning officer, said all construction vehicles and equipment will reach their work sites from the tollway side, but said they could put a fence of some sort near County Line Road to prevent construction vehicles from going that way.

Residents, such as Jerry Mejdrich who lives on Highland, said the workers might be tempted to use a gravel drive on the railroad right of way that runs adjacent to their backyards, if it’s an easier route.

To prepare for building the temporary bridge, workers will clear trees and brush along the railroad and build a retaining wall that will rise from 5 feet to 10 feet high on the south side of the railroad.

Veeck Park lies to the south of the railroad between Highland Road and the tollway. An old brick sewer that runs through Veeck Park will be replaced before construction of the temporary bridge starts for fear it would collapse under the weight of construction equipment, Bloom said.

A sewer line that runs west of the park to County Line Road will be relined to reinforce it so it can withstand the construction traffic, Bloom said.

The site preparation is estimated to take from August 2019 to August 2020, said Dan Filice, a design section engineer for the project. From August 2020 to December 2020, BNSF is expected to lay the temporary tracks on the bridge.

The temporary railroad bridge will have three tracks, the same as BNSF’s main line. It will be designed so trains can cross it at their usual speed, 70 mph, so there will be no slow zones for trains during the widening project, Zucchero said.

Once all trains are running on the shoofly, the existing bridge and tracks will be removed. That work is expected to continue into 2021, Zucchero said.

The BNSF railroad bridge is the narrowest bridge on the busiest section of the tollway, tollway officials said. An average of about 104 Metra and Amtrak trains and 52 freight trains cross the bridge daily, the tollway reported.

As part of the project, BNSF will build a stretch of track south of its main line where it can store maintenance vehicles and equipment. The maintenance track, which will stretch from about 500 feet east of the tollway to about 800 feet west of the tollway, will remain after the tollway expansion is finished.

The railroad is supposed to park equipment there only temporarily or overnight, when BNSF crews are doing maintenance on the section of railroad between La Grange and Clarendon Hills, Bloom said.

“They’re not going to store train cars or Metra cars there,”  Bloom said.

Hinsdale officials hope BNSF will design the maintenance track so all the vehicles would enter from the east side. The west end would be a dead end and not reconnect with the main track.

Hinsdale also wants BNSF to park its equipment as far to the east as possible on the maintenance track, so it would be over the lanes of I-294, to avoid having “very ugly maintenance vehicles looming over our parks”  on the west side of the tollway.

Parked railroad vehicles also could be an attractive nuisance to children playing in the parks, Bloom said.

The landscaping is designed to screen any railroad maintenance vehicles from the view of people in Veeck or Peirce parks.

But residents of Western Springs, which is on the east side of the tollway, are concerned about the maintenance track, too, said village manager Ingrid Velkme. Western Springs’ Spring Rock Park is southeast of where the tollway and the railroad cross.

“We understand Hinsdale would like to move everything as far east as possible, but Western Springs would like everything as far west as possible,”  Velkme said.

BNSF told her Nov. 15 the design of the maintenance track was not finalized, Velkme said.

Meanwhile, Western Springs officials are working with their local and state representatives and U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, a Western Springs Democrat, to address their concerns about the project, Velkme said.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on November 25, 2018, 11:11:59 AM
I'm kind of amazed in that the temporary bypass bridge will maintain full track speed during the bridge replacement project.  That's going to require a lengthy set of bypass tracks and lots of money from the ISTHA.

 :wow:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 25, 2018, 04:35:27 PM
I'm kind of amazed in that the temporary bypass bridge will maintain full track speed during the bridge replacement project.  That's going to require a lengthy set of bypass tracks and lots of money from the ISTHA.

 :wow:

Mike

They got plenty of cash, plus it helps with a very busy rail corridor between freight and passenger
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on November 25, 2018, 05:57:08 PM
I'm kind of amazed in that the temporary bypass bridge will maintain full track speed during the bridge replacement project.  That's going to require a lengthy set of bypass tracks and lots of money from the ISTHA.

 :wow:

Mike
I believe it’s Metra’s busiest line, if not in terms of frequency, then certainly in the number of passengers carried on those trains. Plus they just had a rash of canceled trains over the summer when they were installing Positive Train Control. If they had to cancel services during bridge replacement due to lowered speeds, there’d be public hangings.

Oh, and I forgot the four different Amtrak services that operate over it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 25, 2018, 10:48:10 PM
I'm kind of amazed in that the temporary bypass bridge will maintain full track speed during the bridge replacement project.  That's going to require a lengthy set of bypass tracks and lots of money from the ISTHA.

 :wow:

Mike
I believe it’s Metra’s busiest line, if not in terms of frequency, then certainly in the number of passengers carried on those trains. Plus they just had a rash of canceled trains over the summer when they were installing Positive Train Control. If they had to cancel services during bridge replacement due to lowered speeds, there’d be public hangings.

Oh, and I forgot the four different Amtrak services that operate over it.

Metra, Amtrak and several container hotshots going to Cicero Yard and IHB. There is a reason it is called the "Racetrack".

It clear from above the tollway is pinched at this bridge.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4906/31114102867_f0bb367566_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on November 26, 2018, 01:34:59 PM
I believe it’s Metra’s busiest line, if not in terms of frequency, then certainly in the number of passengers carried on those trains.

Correct.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on November 26, 2018, 01:51:59 PM
I believe it’s Metra’s busiest line, if not in terms of frequency, then certainly in the number of passengers carried on those trains.

Correct.
Well, busiest in terms of passengers carried; I think the Metra Electric is the busiest in terms of frequency.

64,000 people ride the BNSF each weekday, that's a lot of complaints about slower/canceled trains due to a temporary bridge with a lower speed limit.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 26, 2018, 10:28:15 PM
Metra Electric is the only line with no “freight train interference”  so they can run at shorter headways if desired. Also, there are 3 separate branches all feeding into the service (Blue Island, South Chicago and the University Park-Millenium Station mainline) adding to the service frequency. When Metra has a cash squeeze, they usually look to the electric service where ridership has been dropping to look at service cuts.

The BNSF has already had to adjust their schedules to accommodate Positive Train Control, where it takes an extra 10 minutes to turn a train around to re-set all the electronics necessary to make it work. Adding a slow order section for a year or 2 of bridge work would definitely not be received well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on November 27, 2018, 07:25:12 AM
When Metra has a cash squeeze, they usually look to the electric service where ridership has been dropping to look at service cuts.
They’ve even talked about selling it to the CTA. I don’t know why ridership should be dropping, considering the neighborhoods it travels through are rapidly gentrifying.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 27, 2018, 03:02:30 PM
When Metra has a cash squeeze, they usually look to the electric service where ridership has been dropping to look at service cuts.
They’ve even talked about selling it to the CTA. I don’t know why ridership should be dropping, considering the neighborhoods it travels through are rapidly gentrifying.

The Blue Island branch and South Chicago branch neighborhoods have yet to see much benefit of gentrification, and they almost cut weekend service to Blue Island in the last Metra budget. Hyde Park/U of C is definitely a high ridership area, but no stops between Kenwood and 27th, and in-close neighborhoods are notoriously low users of commuter rail and prefer CTA buses and trains. Further south, the Homewood area is one of the more vibrant areas in the south suburbs, but most of its neighbors are struggling. University Park attracts a few riders from Kankakee and the far-flung Will County suburbs/exurbs. 

The "Gray Line" proposal to use Metra Electric as a CTA-equivalent frequent service has been hanging around for a few decades but has yet to gain traction, for a variety of reasons.

Oh well, enough about this, or we'll be bounced into the Mass Transit forum.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 28, 2018, 10:22:45 PM
The traffic signal for the new entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road west of Roselle Road has been activated and the second left turn lane to enter the ramp has been opened.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on November 29, 2018, 12:18:58 AM
The traffic signal for the new entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road west of Roselle Road has been activated and the second left turn lane to enter the ramp has been opened.

added street lighting still not installed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 01, 2018, 10:44:09 PM
Piers have been installed in the median of I-90 for the future I-490 interchange bridges.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on December 02, 2018, 06:51:11 AM
I don’t really understand the absence of ramp tolls on I-94 at Grand in Gurnee, given it’s close proximity to the Waukegan toll plaza. If I’m paying 26 damn dollars to park at Great America, I’m not sweating another 75 cents, and they supposedly get millions of visitors a year. Ditto Gurnee Mills.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 02, 2018, 08:33:37 AM
Piers have been installed in the median of I-90 for the future I-490 interchange bridges.

Any update on when construction on the ramps will start and when what remains of the oasis will be closed/demolished? I haven't been able to find much.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on December 02, 2018, 09:26:56 AM
I don’t really understand the absence of ramp tolls on I-94 at Grand in Gurnee, given it’s close proximity to the Waukegan toll plaza. If I’m paying 26 damn dollars to park at Great America, I’m not sweating another 75 cents, and they supposedly get millions of visitors a year. Ditto Gurnee Mills.

It's due to how the tollways were originally built.  Many ramps were built with one direction of travel only to minimize the number of ramp plazas.  A few were built as cloverleafs in the middle of these interchanges.  It's where the system switches from ramp plazas in one direction to ramp plazas in the other direction.  The Grand Avenue interchange is one of these.  Going back to the original Tri-State build, the following interchanges were as follows:

- IL-394/I-94, end of tollway
- Halsted Street, cloverleaf with no ramp plazas
- Dixie Highway, N entry, S exit
- 163rd Stret Toll Plaza
- 159th Street, S entry, N exit
- Cicero Avenue/127th Street, cloverleaf, no ramp plazas
- 95th Street, N entry, S exit
- 83rd Street Toll Plaza
- Archer Avenue/88th Avenue, S entry, N exit
- Wolf Road (to US-66), S entry, N exit
- Joliet Road (US-66/I-55), N entry, S exit with ramp plazas
- Ogden Avenue, cloverleaf with no ramp plazas
- East-West Tollway (west), S entry, N exit
- 22nd Street, N entry, S exit
- Cermak Road Toll Plaza
- Roosevelt Road, S entry, N exit
- Eisenhower Expressway, Full Interchange, no ramp plazas
- North Avenue, N entry only
- Irving Park Road, N entry, S exit
- Irving Park Road Toll Plaza, S-only
- O'Hare, ramp plaza to exit (originally just one, now the O'Hare East Plaza)
- Northwest Tollway, Full Interchange, no ramp plazas (plazas on mainline NW Twy)
- Touhy Avenue Toll Plaza, N-only
- Touhy Avenue, S entry, N exit
- Dempster Street, S entry, N exit
- Golf Road, N entry, S exit
- Willow Road, S entry, N exit with ramp plazas
- Edens Spur, N entry, S exit (with N entry, S exit at Waukegan Road)
- Deerfield Road Toll Plaza (very infamous for the backups that would occur here - now gone)
- Deerfield Road, S entry, N exit
- Half Day Road, Full Interchange, N entry, S exit have ramp plazas
- Town Line Road, S entry, N exit
- Rockland Road, S entry, N exit
- Buckley Road, S entry, N exit
- Belvidere Road, S entry, N exit
- Milwaukee Avenue, N entry, S exit
- Grand Avenue, cloverleaf with no ramp plazas; my guess is that the ISTHC thought few would use the "free" section between Grand and Milwaukee
- Waukegan Toll Plaza
- Rosecrans Road, S entry, N exit
- US-41, end of tollway (N entry, S exit)

Thus, Grand, Ogden, Cicero/127th, and Halsted were meant as interchanges were the toll system would flip from north to south or vice versa due to the barrier system on the tollways.  halsted later had ramp plazas added (S entry, N exit)  Farnsworth Avenue was meant to be the same way until the W entry, E exit ramps were built at IL-59.

The Northwest Tollway was a bit different, having ramp plazas at the cloverleafs at IL-53 and IL-31 from the start.  Between Elgin and South Beloit; however, it was a ticket system (which is why the interchanges there are mostly trumpets).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on December 02, 2018, 11:43:52 AM
One also has to realize that when the Tri-State Tollway was originally built through Lake County, it was a true bypass that was built through a mostly undeveloped, rural farming area and, IIRC, pre-dated the interstate system.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 02, 2018, 05:04:46 PM
The traffic signal for the new entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road west of Roselle Road has been activated and the second left turn lane to enter the ramp has been opened.

Why did they put that ramp all the way over there on Central? It seems like there's plenty of space to have put it right on Roselle.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 02, 2018, 10:18:47 PM
The traffic signal for the new entrance to WB I-90 from Central Road west of Roselle Road has been activated and the second left turn lane to enter the ramp has been opened.

Why did they put that ramp all the way over there on Central? It seems like there's plenty of space to have put it right on Roselle.

I don't think there was enough ROW to have the WB entrance from Roselle without impacting IDOT or having to use a retaining wall.  Plus it would have required adding another two lanes to the Roselle Road overpass.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on December 03, 2018, 07:27:20 AM
Piers have been installed in the median of I-90 for the future I-490 interchange bridges.
Where are they? I traveled on I-90 west to Lee Street yesterday and didn’t see them. I also noticed the on-borrowed-time remnants of the Des Plaines Oasis now have a “next Oasis 50 miles”  sign that I don’t remember seeing before.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 03, 2018, 09:05:09 AM
Piers have been installed in the median of I-90 for the future I-490 interchange bridges.
Where are they? I traveled on I-90 west to Lee Street yesterday and didn’t see them. I also noticed the on-borrowed-time remnants of the Des Plaines Oasis now have a “next Oasis 50 miles”  sign that I don’t remember seeing before.

Center median at the DP Oasis
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 05, 2018, 11:39:52 AM
I don’t really understand the absence of ramp tolls on I-94 at Grand in Gurnee, given it’s close proximity to the Waukegan toll plaza. If I’m paying 26 damn dollars to park at Great America, I’m not sweating another 75 cents, and they supposedly get millions of visitors a year. Ditto Gurnee Mills.

It's due to how the tollways were originally built.  Many ramps were built with one direction of travel only to minimize the number of ramp plazas.  A few were built as cloverleafs in the middle of these interchanges.  It's where the system switches from ramp plazas in one direction to ramp plazas in the other direction.  The Grand Avenue interchange is one of these.  Going back to the original Tri-State build, the following interchanges were as follows:

- IL-394/I-94, end of tollway
- Halsted Street, cloverleaf with no ramp plazas
- Dixie Highway, N entry, S exit
- 163rd Stret Toll Plaza
- 159th Street, S entry, N exit
- Cicero Avenue/127th Street, cloverleaf, no ramp plazas
- 95th Street, N entry, S exit
- 83rd Street Toll Plaza
- Archer Avenue/88th Avenue, S entry, N exit
- Wolf Road (to US-66), S entry, N exit
- Joliet Road (US-66/I-55), N entry, S exit with ramp plazas
- Ogden Avenue, cloverleaf with no ramp plazas
- East-West Tollway (west), S entry, N exit
- 22nd Street, N entry, S exit
- Cermak Road Toll Plaza
- Roosevelt Road, S entry, N exit
- Eisenhower Expressway, Full Interchange, no ramp plazas
- North Avenue, N entry only
- Irving Park Road, N entry, S exit
- Irving Park Road Toll Plaza, S-only
- O'Hare, ramp plaza to exit (originally just one, now the O'Hare East Plaza)
- Northwest Tollway, Full Interchange, no ramp plazas (plazas on mainline NW Twy)
- Touhy Avenue Toll Plaza, N-only
- Touhy Avenue, S entry, N exit
- Dempster Street, S entry, N exit
- Golf Road, N entry, S exit
- Willow Road, S entry, N exit with ramp plazas
- Edens Spur, N entry, S exit (with N entry, S exit at Waukegan Road)
- Deerfield Road Toll Plaza (very infamous for the backups that would occur here - now gone)
- Deerfield Road, S entry, N exit
- Half Day Road, Full Interchange, N entry, S exit have ramp plazas
- Town Line Road, S entry, N exit
- Rockland Road, S entry, N exit
- Buckley Road, S entry, N exit
- Belvidere Road, S entry, N exit
- Milwaukee Avenue, N entry, S exit
- Grand Avenue, cloverleaf with no ramp plazas; my guess is that the ISTHC thought few would use the "free" section between Grand and Milwaukee
- Waukegan Toll Plaza
- Rosecrans Road, S entry, N exit
- US-41, end of tollway (N entry, S exit)

Thus, Grand, Ogden, Cicero/127th, and Halsted were meant as interchanges were the toll system would flip from north to south or vice versa due to the barrier system on the tollways.  halsted later had ramp plazas added (S entry, N exit)  Farnsworth Avenue was meant to be the same way until the W entry, E exit ramps were built at IL-59.

The Northwest Tollway was a bit different, having ramp plazas at the cloverleafs at IL-53 and IL-31 from the start.  Between Elgin and South Beloit; however, it was a ticket system (which is why the interchanges there are mostly trumpets).
IL-25 is an trumpet but was not under the ticket system.

I-90 is it need of better toll balancing maybe with an all ETC system like the EOE down the road.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on December 05, 2018, 11:54:09 AM
IL-25 is an trumpet but was not under the ticket system.

I-90 is it need of better toll balancing maybe with an all ETC system like the EOE down the road.

Ditto with IL-31 and the old Naperville Rd exits on the East-West Tollway.  Both are/were trumpet/trumpet-like interchanges never under a ticket system.

And I agree that I-90 needs better toll balancing.  It used to be balanced like I-88, I-355, and I-94/294, but I have no idea how/why it got so screwed up.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 05, 2018, 12:53:51 PM
IL-25 is an trumpet but was not under the ticket system.

I-90 is it need of better toll balancing maybe with an all ETC system like the EOE down the road.

Ditto with IL-31 and the old Naperville Rd exits on the East-West Tollway.  Both are/were trumpet/trumpet-like interchanges never under a ticket system.

And I agree that I-90 needs better toll balancing.  It used to be balanced like I-88, I-355, and I-94/294, but I have no idea how/why it got so screwed up.
I-88 has a few more
dekalb il

dixon il

sterling IL / us 30 (free zone)




It was till they removed the IL-53 ramp toll.

But IL-47 WTF!
YOU JUST PAID AN MAIN LINE TOLL and now it's an PAY ECT ONLY EXIT??
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on December 05, 2018, 01:55:15 PM
IL-25 is an trumpet but was not under the ticket system.

I-90 is it need of better toll balancing maybe with an all ETC system like the EOE down the road.

Ditto with IL-31 and the old Naperville Rd exits on the East-West Tollway.  Both are/were trumpet/trumpet-like interchanges never under a ticket system.

And I agree that I-90 needs better toll balancing.  It used to be balanced like I-88, I-355, and I-94/294, but I have no idea how/why it got so screwed up.
I-88 has a few more
dekalb il

dixon il

sterling IL / us 30 (free zone)

The first two were locations of mainline toll plazas.  A strange design with ramp plazas on the ramps (where a typical ticket-type plaza would go) and the mainline plaza between the exit and loop entry ramps.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 05, 2018, 03:51:44 PM
I don’t really understand the absence of ramp tolls on I-94 at Grand in Gurnee, given it’s close proximity to the Waukegan toll plaza. If I’m paying 26 damn dollars to park at Great America, I’m not sweating another 75 cents, and they supposedly get millions of visitors a year. Ditto Gurnee Mills.
on I-88
IL-251 to I-39/US51 is the other free zone.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on December 05, 2018, 04:16:37 PM
I don’t really understand the absence of ramp tolls on I-94 at Grand in Gurnee, given it’s close proximity to the Waukegan toll plaza. If I’m paying 26 damn dollars to park at Great America, I’m not sweating another 75 cents, and they supposedly get millions of visitors a year. Ditto Gurnee Mills.
on I-88
IL-251 to I-39/US51 is the other free zone.

That may be intentional as a way to get from I-39/US-51 to Rochelle.  Not that it matters much as most traffic doesn't just go between those two interchanges.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 05, 2018, 04:19:59 PM
I don’t really understand the absence of ramp tolls on I-94 at Grand in Gurnee, given it’s close proximity to the Waukegan toll plaza. If I’m paying 26 damn dollars to park at Great America, I’m not sweating another 75 cents, and they supposedly get millions of visitors a year. Ditto Gurnee Mills.
on I-88
IL-251 to I-39/US51 is the other free zone.

Seems like majority use IL-38 anyways
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 07, 2018, 09:52:52 PM
Any update on when construction on the ramps will start and when what remains of the oasis will be closed/demolished? I haven't been able to find much.

December 6 press release from the Tollway regarding the rest of the Des Plains Oasis closing on December 14. (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/637095/20181206+-+Fuel+Stations+and+Convenience+Stores+at+Des+Plaines+Oasis+Permanently+Closing+December+14+to+Allow+New+Interchange+Construction/0fb1adbe-a9dd-4942-ae5a-95c0f249866c?version=1.0)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 08, 2018, 06:00:00 PM
Any update on when construction on the ramps will start and when what remains of the oasis will be closed/demolished? I haven't been able to find much.

December 6 press release from the Tollway regarding the rest of the Des Plains Oasis closing on December 14. (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/637095/20181206+-+Fuel+Stations+and+Convenience+Stores+at+Des+Plaines+Oasis+Permanently+Closing+December+14+to+Allow+New+Interchange+Construction/0fb1adbe-a9dd-4942-ae5a-95c0f249866c?version=1.0)

Well, there goes one of my main fuel stops when heading back to the city from the burbs. However, the improvement of mobility in the area will be a huge benefit. It's just too bad they can't consider rebuilding even a trimmed down version of the oasis somewhere (though I guess there is the issue of where would they even have the room to do it now).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on December 09, 2018, 10:12:16 AM
Any update on when construction on the ramps will start and when what remains of the oasis will be closed/demolished? I haven't been able to find much.

December 6 press release from the Tollway regarding the rest of the Des Plains Oasis closing on December 14. (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/637095/20181206+-+Fuel+Stations+and+Convenience+Stores+at+Des+Plaines+Oasis+Permanently+Closing+December+14+to+Allow+New+Interchange+Construction/0fb1adbe-a9dd-4942-ae5a-95c0f249866c?version=1.0)

Well, there goes one of my main fuel stops when heading back to the city from the burbs. However, the improvement of mobility in the area will be a huge benefit. It's just too bad they can't consider rebuilding even a trimmed down version of the oasis somewhere (though I guess there is the issue of where would they even have the room to do it now).
There may not be a financial incentive for them to do so. The fact is, as the Tollways are used for commuting more often and for long-distance travel less often, the Oases are going to start disappearing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 09, 2018, 10:44:50 AM
Any update on when construction on the ramps will start and when what remains of the oasis will be closed/demolished? I haven't been able to find much.

December 6 press release from the Tollway regarding the rest of the Des Plains Oasis closing on December 14. (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/637095/20181206+-+Fuel+Stations+and+Convenience+Stores+at+Des+Plaines+Oasis+Permanently+Closing+December+14+to+Allow+New+Interchange+Construction/0fb1adbe-a9dd-4942-ae5a-95c0f249866c?version=1.0)

Well, there goes one of my main fuel stops when heading back to the city from the burbs. However, the improvement of mobility in the area will be a huge benefit. It's just too bad they can't consider rebuilding even a trimmed down version of the oasis somewhere (though I guess there is the issue of where would they even have the room to do it now).
There may not be a financial incentive for them to do so. The fact is, as the Tollways are used for commuting more often and for long-distance travel less often, the Oases are going to start disappearing.

Well, the Belvidere and DeKalb ones likely aren't going anywhere (and hopefully not the Lake Forest one either), especially considering that they are more on long distance routes (plus, there are hardly any other fuel stops and services on I-88 for miles). Still, I always liked the "perk" of having the oasis on the tollways, but, I admit, as more of a weekend thing. However, I understand the reason for closing the Des Plaines and O'Hare Oasis.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 09, 2018, 11:47:49 AM
One can probably expect the Hinsdale Oasis to be ripped out as well given the restrictions it puts on adding lanes.  Of course that depends on the NIMBY battle going on nearby.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 09, 2018, 12:05:12 PM
One can probably expect the Hinsdale Oasis to be ripped out as well given the restrictions it puts on adding lanes.  Of course that depends on the NIMBY battle going on nearby.

The Tollway already confirmed that the Hinsdale Oasis is to be removed, though Hinsdale is trying to fight it. I hate to say it, that is one that actually they could have made a case to remove it 25+ years ago when they redid 294 through there then. For that one, it's really a matter of when, and since the tollway owns the land, I don't know that they honestly have much of case.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 09, 2018, 12:15:12 PM
^ For the Hinsdale and O'Hare, they are only removing the bridge part.  The gas stations are going to stay.

As busy as the Belvidere Oasis can be - there have been lines for the gas pumps a couple of times - I sometimes wonder if it would be worth putting another Oasis in closer to the Wisconsin border, possibly near Roscoe.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on December 09, 2018, 03:08:49 PM
Any update on when construction on the ramps will start and when what remains of the oasis will be closed/demolished? I haven't been able to find much.

December 6 press release from the Tollway regarding the rest of the Des Plains Oasis closing on December 14. (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/637095/20181206+-+Fuel+Stations+and+Convenience+Stores+at+Des+Plaines+Oasis+Permanently+Closing+December+14+to+Allow+New+Interchange+Construction/0fb1adbe-a9dd-4942-ae5a-95c0f249866c?version=1.0)

Well, there goes one of my main fuel stops when heading back to the city from the burbs. However, the improvement of mobility in the area will be a huge benefit. It's just too bad they can't consider rebuilding even a trimmed down version of the oasis somewhere (though I guess there is the issue of where would they even have the room to do it now).
There may not be a financial incentive for them to do so. The fact is, as the Tollways are used for commuting more often and for long-distance travel less often, the Oases are going to start disappearing.

Well, the Belvidere and DeKalb ones likely aren't going anywhere (and hopefully not the Lake Forest one either), especially considering that they are more on long distance routes (plus, there are hardly any other fuel stops and services on I-88 for miles). Still, I always liked the "perk" of having the oasis on the tollways, but, I admit, as more of a weekend thing. However, I understand the reason for closing the Des Plaines and O'Hare Oasis.
Are you nuts? The DeKalb Oasis is within a few miles of the Annie Glidden Rd Exit off I-88, which feeds DeKalb, a college town/NIU, with all kinds of food and services and fuel options.

I would say the only reason the Food and Fuel options are not immediately off I-88 is because of the Oasis. But they are there, within a mile of the Tollway

The Rochelle Exit/IL 251 is a free exit, both directions, and has food and fuel options, not too awful far from DeKalb
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on December 09, 2018, 03:44:38 PM
^ For the Hinsdale and O'Hare, they are only removing the bridge part.  The gas stations are going to stay.

As busy as the Belvidere Oasis can be - there have been lines for the gas pumps a couple of times - I sometimes wonder if it would be worth putting another Oasis in closer to the Wisconsin border, possibly near Roscoe.

There's already a welcome center there, isn't there? If they build another oasis I'd prefer it be around Elgin.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 09, 2018, 06:41:41 PM
^ For the Hinsdale and O'Hare, they are only removing the bridge part.  The gas stations are going to stay.

As busy as the Belvidere Oasis can be - there have been lines for the gas pumps a couple of times - I sometimes wonder if it would be worth putting another Oasis in closer to the Wisconsin border, possibly near Roscoe.

There's already a welcome center there, isn't there? If they build another oasis I'd prefer it be around Elgin.
Also State Street in Rockford is a free exit and has plentiful gas and food.  Right in between.  Belvidere and the S Beloit toll.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 10, 2018, 08:18:37 AM
Any update on when construction on the ramps will start and when what remains of the oasis will be closed/demolished? I haven't been able to find much.

December 6 press release from the Tollway regarding the rest of the Des Plains Oasis closing on December 14. (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/637095/20181206+-+Fuel+Stations+and+Convenience+Stores+at+Des+Plaines+Oasis+Permanently+Closing+December+14+to+Allow+New+Interchange+Construction/0fb1adbe-a9dd-4942-ae5a-95c0f249866c?version=1.0)

Well, there goes one of my main fuel stops when heading back to the city from the burbs. However, the improvement of mobility in the area will be a huge benefit. It's just too bad they can't consider rebuilding even a trimmed down version of the oasis somewhere (though I guess there is the issue of where would they even have the room to do it now).
There may not be a financial incentive for them to do so. The fact is, as the Tollways are used for commuting more often and for long-distance travel less often, the Oases are going to start disappearing.

Well, the Belvidere and DeKalb ones likely aren't going anywhere (and hopefully not the Lake Forest one either), especially considering that they are more on long distance routes (plus, there are hardly any other fuel stops and services on I-88 for miles). Still, I always liked the "perk" of having the oasis on the tollways, but, I admit, as more of a weekend thing. However, I understand the reason for closing the Des Plaines and O'Hare Oasis.
Are you nuts? The DeKalb Oasis is within a few miles of the Annie Glidden Rd Exit off I-88, which feeds DeKalb, a college town/NIU, with all kinds of food and services and fuel options.

I would say the only reason the Food and Fuel options are not immediately off I-88 is because of the Oasis. But they are there, within a mile of the Tollway

The Rochelle Exit/IL 251 is a free exit, both directions, and has food and fuel options, not too awful far from DeKalb
Don't forget about the stretch of I-88 West of Rochelle, where there is absolutely nothing for miles (that would be an ever better candidate for an oasis honestly). Fair enough about Dekalb, though that requires paying an extra toll, and since nothing is right by the tollway, that is quite a deterrent (travelers can be hesitant to have to go through or into the town if not needed). Also, in Rochelle, nothing right off the tollway in terms of services that I've seen (regardless if it's a free exit). Long story short, the oasis in Dekalb serves its purpose well, and that was mostly my point.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 10, 2018, 10:14:02 AM
Any update on when construction on the ramps will start and when what remains of the oasis will be closed/demolished? I haven't been able to find much.

December 6 press release from the Tollway regarding the rest of the Des Plains Oasis closing on December 14. (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/637095/20181206+-+Fuel+Stations+and+Convenience+Stores+at+Des+Plaines+Oasis+Permanently+Closing+December+14+to+Allow+New+Interchange+Construction/0fb1adbe-a9dd-4942-ae5a-95c0f249866c?version=1.0)

Well, there goes one of my main fuel stops when heading back to the city from the burbs. However, the improvement of mobility in the area will be a huge benefit. It's just too bad they can't consider rebuilding even a trimmed down version of the oasis somewhere (though I guess there is the issue of where would they even have the room to do it now).

Get off at IL-83, not even 1/4 mile north or south there are gas stations and food. It's time for the Des Plaines oasis to die off
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on December 10, 2018, 11:01:36 AM
Any update on when construction on the ramps will start and when what remains of the oasis will be closed/demolished? I haven't been able to find much.

December 6 press release from the Tollway regarding the rest of the Des Plains Oasis closing on December 14. (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/637095/20181206+-+Fuel+Stations+and+Convenience+Stores+at+Des+Plaines+Oasis+Permanently+Closing+December+14+to+Allow+New+Interchange+Construction/0fb1adbe-a9dd-4942-ae5a-95c0f249866c?version=1.0)

Well, there goes one of my main fuel stops when heading back to the city from the burbs. However, the improvement of mobility in the area will be a huge benefit. It's just too bad they can't consider rebuilding even a trimmed down version of the oasis somewhere (though I guess there is the issue of where would they even have the room to do it now).
There may not be a financial incentive for them to do so. The fact is, as the Tollways are used for commuting more often and for long-distance travel less often, the Oases are going to start disappearing.

Well, the Belvidere and DeKalb ones likely aren't going anywhere (and hopefully not the Lake Forest one either), especially considering that they are more on long distance routes (plus, there are hardly any other fuel stops and services on I-88 for miles). Still, I always liked the "perk" of having the oasis on the tollways, but, I admit, as more of a weekend thing. However, I understand the reason for closing the Des Plaines and O'Hare Oasis.
Are you nuts? The DeKalb Oasis is within a few miles of the Annie Glidden Rd Exit off I-88, which feeds DeKalb, a college town/NIU, with all kinds of food and services and fuel options.

I would say the only reason the Food and Fuel options are not immediately off I-88 is because of the Oasis. But they are there, within a mile of the Tollway

The Rochelle Exit/IL 251 is a free exit, both directions, and has food and fuel options, not too awful far from DeKalb
Don't forget about the stretch of I-88 West of Rochelle, where there is absolutely nothing for miles (that would be an ever better candidate for an oasis honestly). Fair enough about Dekalb, though that requires paying an extra toll, and since nothing is right by the tollway, that is quite a deterrent (travelers can be hesitant to have to go through or into the town if not needed). Also, in Rochelle, nothing right off the tollway in terms of services that I've seen (regardless if it's a free exit). Long story short, the oasis in Dekalb serves its purpose well, and that was mostly my point.
Unless it closed in the last few years since I moved to SoIL, there is a Shell gas station at the end of the ramps on the North side of I-88. Also, taking I-39 North to the IL 38 exit for Rochelle, there is a sizable truck stop

Between Rochelle and Dixon, not a whole lot. Dixon is a free exit with plenty of services, tho

And I would bet, that if/when the DeKalb Oasis goes away, DeKalb would work with the Tollway to make the Annie Glidden Rd Exit free, to encourage Motorists to continue to use DeKalb as a highway stop
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on December 11, 2018, 06:58:56 AM
^ For the Hinsdale and O'Hare, they are only removing the bridge part.  The gas stations are going to stay.

As busy as the Belvidere Oasis can be - there have been lines for the gas pumps a couple of times - I sometimes wonder if it would be worth putting another Oasis in closer to the Wisconsin border, possibly near Roscoe.

There's already a welcome center there, isn't there? If they build another oasis I'd prefer it be around Elgin.

On the three mile free I-39/90 stretch prior to the beginning of the tollway, there's two exits (IL 75, Rockton Rd) with truck stops, and a standard freeway rest area (no trucks allowed). The Hwy 81 exit just over the Wisconsin line also has fuel opportunities. I never felt like an oasis was particularly necessary north of Rockford.

The DeKalb Oasis always seemed busy enough to warrant its existence. I don't know that I-88 west of Rochelle gets enough traffic to make an oasis there financially viable - a lot of I-88 traffic melts away to I-39.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ToddC on December 11, 2018, 04:50:05 PM
Rumor is that a truck stop will finally be built at the Il 40/I-88 interchange (Exit41) within a year or so. Land owner passed away and Rock Falls (and the kids) want to get that area developed for the additional tax revenue. There is a nice new Casey's, open 24/7, a half mile off the same exit. BTW, the Walmart gas station in Dixon consistently has the cheapest gas along I-88 and in the area. It's worth the extra 2 minutes during the day. They close at midnight.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 11, 2018, 06:45:34 PM
The Tollway already confirmed that the Hinsdale Oasis is to be removed, though Hinsdale is trying to fight it.

The way that this is phrased makes me wonder if Hinsdale is considering dropping or moderating its opposition to the 294 expansion project if the Tollway rebuilds the oasis.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 12, 2018, 12:08:47 AM
The Tollway already confirmed that the Hinsdale Oasis is to be removed, though Hinsdale is trying to fight it.

The way that this is phrased makes me wonder if Hinsdale is considering dropping or moderating its opposition to the 294 expansion project if the Tollway rebuilds the oasis.

There is virtually no chance that the tollway would rebuild the oasis, certainly not at that location. As it is, the oasis is right by a merge from ramps connecting I-55 and I-294, so even without the space issues, the proximity of it to those ramps is problematic for traffic flow. When they proceed to expand as planned, the tollway will probably need much of that ROW for expansion and to improve the merge, so I don't see how they'd be able to rebuild it even if they wanted to.

Honestly, Hinsdale is fighting a losing battle. Since the tollway owns the land, I really don't see what they can honestly do beyond voice their opposition.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 12, 2018, 12:20:05 AM
The Tollway already confirmed that the Hinsdale Oasis is to be removed, though Hinsdale is trying to fight it.

The way that this is phrased makes me wonder if Hinsdale is considering dropping or moderating its opposition to the 294 expansion project if the Tollway rebuilds the oasis.

There is virtually no chance that the tollway would rebuild the oasis, certainly not at that location. As it is, the oasis is right by a merge from ramps connecting I-55 and I-294, so even without the space issues, the proximity of it to those ramps is problematic for traffic flow. When they proceed to expand as planned, the tollway will probably need much of that ROW for expansion and to improve the merge, so I don't see how they'd be able to rebuild it even if they wanted to.

Honestly, Hinsdale is fighting a losing battle. Since the tollway owns the land, I really don't see what they can honestly do beyond voice their opposition.
I think they are keeping the gas / 7-11 there o'hare as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on December 12, 2018, 09:07:16 AM
The Tollway already confirmed that the Hinsdale Oasis is to be removed, though Hinsdale is trying to fight it.

The way that this is phrased makes me wonder if Hinsdale is considering dropping or moderating its opposition to the 294 expansion project if the Tollway rebuilds the oasis.

There is virtually no chance that the tollway would rebuild the oasis, certainly not at that location. As it is, the oasis is right by a merge from ramps connecting I-55 and I-294, so even without the space issues, the proximity of it to those ramps is problematic for traffic flow. When they proceed to expand as planned, the tollway will probably need much of that ROW for expansion and to improve the merge, so I don't see how they'd be able to rebuild it even if they wanted to.

Honestly, Hinsdale is fighting a losing battle. Since the tollway owns the land, I really don't see what they can honestly do beyond voice their opposition.
I think they are keeping the gas / 7-11 there o'hare as well.
I would think they'd keep the gas and 7-11 anywhere they could, unless they're losing money and/or they cant find a franchisee to operate them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 10, 2019, 02:20:15 PM
^ For the Hinsdale and O'Hare, they are only removing the bridge part.  The gas stations are going to stay.

As busy as the Belvidere Oasis can be - there have been lines for the gas pumps a couple of times - I sometimes wonder if it would be worth putting another Oasis in closer to the Wisconsin border, possibly near Roscoe.

Probably not at Roscoe since the Rockton Rd and IL 75 exits have big truck plazas right next to the interstate.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 10, 2019, 02:21:39 PM
^ For the Hinsdale and O'Hare, they are only removing the bridge part.  The gas stations are going to stay.

As busy as the Belvidere Oasis can be - there have been lines for the gas pumps a couple of times - I sometimes wonder if it would be worth putting another Oasis in closer to the Wisconsin border, possibly near Roscoe.

There's already a welcome center there, isn't there? If they build another oasis I'd prefer it be around Elgin.

Actually, the welcome center is just north of the tollway part between Rockton Rd and IL 75.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 10, 2019, 04:30:30 PM
Looks like the tollway at may have new owner. The pension funds. I have suggested this for a long time. It lets the tollway pursue profitable projects and there are several authorized in onto 2050 like the HOT lanes and IL 53.The crosstown and Iliana are still there if they become viable.Also bipartisan legislation approved ousting the board . There is still no new director of head of IDOT yet.
Question on valuation. Ontario Teachers Pension Fund bought the Skyway for 2 billion. What is tollway worth?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 10, 2019, 06:25:45 PM
Looks like the tollway at may have new owner. The pension funds. I have suggested this for a long time. It lets the tollway pursue profitable projects and there are several authorized in onto 2050 like the HOT lanes and IL 53.The crosstown and Iliana are still there if they become viable.Also bipartisan legislation approved ousting the board . There is still no new director of head of IDOT yet.
Question on valuation. Ontario Teachers Pension Fund bought the Skyway for 2 billion. What is tollway worth?
[citation needed]
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on February 11, 2019, 09:37:44 AM
How is babby formed?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 11, 2019, 10:23:46 AM
How is babby formed?

 :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :bigass: :bigass: :bigass: :bigass: :bigass:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 11, 2019, 12:26:52 PM
Capitol Fax Blog under older posts from last Friday.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 11, 2019, 12:28:02 PM
Also Onto 2050 at cmap.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: MNHighwayMan on February 11, 2019, 04:28:34 PM
Because we all know blogs are a paragon of reliable information.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 11, 2019, 04:52:20 PM
You can check todays. I mention it because it links to a number of news articles on the subject.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on February 11, 2019, 04:54:36 PM
And I mention that you haven't linked to anything.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 11, 2019, 05:25:51 PM
It is easily googled it you actually care
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: MNHighwayMan on February 11, 2019, 07:54:42 PM
It is easily googled it you actually care

Not if that's the lazy way you're going to present an argument.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 02, 2019, 10:29:16 PM
As of today, there's a number of light poles missing in the median of I-90 west of the US 20/Hampshire interchange.  There's a few more missing west of the Kane/McHenry County line as well, but the missing cluster near Hampshire is really noticeable.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on March 02, 2019, 10:31:58 PM
It is easily googled it you actually care

Not if that's the lazy way you're going to present an argument.

God I love your responses sometimes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 02, 2019, 11:16:11 PM
It is easily googled it you actually care

Not if that's the lazy way you're going to present an argument.

God I love your responses sometimes.

https://capitolfax.com/2019/02/15/should-the-state-sell-the-tollway-to-boost-the-pension-funds/

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on March 03, 2019, 02:59:34 PM
Last night while driving on the Jane Addams I noticed along the “smart road”  section that the green LED down arrow signs were no longer lit, only the red “X”  signs over the shoulders. This was the first time I’ve seen this, but I rarely drive the Jane Addams at night. Is this something new?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 03, 2019, 08:25:40 PM
Last night while driving on the Jane Addams I noticed along the “smart road”  section that the green LED down arrow signs were no longer lit, only the red “X”  signs over the shoulders. This was the first time I’ve seen this, but I rarely drive the Jane Addams at night. Is this something new?
That's the default configuration.  The arrows only show when there are lane blockages.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on March 03, 2019, 08:37:32 PM
As of today, there's a number of light poles missing in the median of I-90 west of the US 20/Hampshire interchange.  There's a few more missing west of the Kane/McHenry County line as well, but the missing cluster near Hampshire is really noticeable.

There's also a lot of lights that are just out in general. It's still head-and-shoulders a nicer drive than most rural freeways, but the brightness of most stretches makes the burned-out sections really obvious.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 03, 2019, 10:18:26 PM
Last night while driving on the Jane Addams I noticed along the “smart road”  section that the green LED down arrow signs were no longer lit, only the red “X”  signs over the shoulders. This was the first time I’ve seen this, but I rarely drive the Jane Addams at night. Is this something new?
That's the default configuration.  The arrows only show when there are lane blockages.

They will also use the arrows if there is something going on on the shoulder - the lane next to the shoulder will get a yellow arrow with 'caution' above the arrow, the other lanes will get green arrows.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on March 06, 2019, 01:45:49 PM
Construction sequence of two major projects on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294)…

Mile-Long Bridge:


BSNF Railroad Bridge:

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 06, 2019, 10:58:42 PM
I know the Tollway isn't known for their creativity, but it would have been nice to differentiate the bridge over the S&SC just a little.

Yes materials science now allows them to use an extended high strength steel beam to extend the bridge distance, and it is probably the cheapest way, but must it always be so utilitarian?

You already took out the suspension bridge plans for the I-355 | Des Plaines River crossing years ago and defaulted to a generic design-build from Archer-Western.  Is there no room left for aesthetics?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 06, 2019, 11:45:39 PM
I know the Tollway isn't known for their creativity, but it would have been nice to differentiate the bridge over the S&SC just a little.

Yes materials science now allows them to use an extended high strength steel beam to extend the bridge distance, and it is probably the cheapest way, but must it always be so utilitarian?

You already took out the suspension bridge plans for the I-355 | Des Plaines River crossing years ago and defaulted to a generic design-build from Archer-Western.  Is there no room left for aesthetics?
maybe they will. Some of bridges in elk grove have elks on them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 07, 2019, 09:53:58 AM
Mile long bridge will be fun to watch build over the years with my visits back home
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on March 08, 2019, 08:14:38 PM
Mile long bridge will be fun to watch build over the years with my visits back home

Agreed, hoping they have a few earthcams on this, going to be fun to watch, but not so much to drive.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on March 15, 2019, 06:03:04 AM
I-90 interchange with SR 23 is currently underway and will be done by the end of this year... super hyped up for a new connection to Marengo!!

https://patch.com/illinois/algonquin/i-90-interchange-project-mchenry-co-gets-started
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on March 15, 2019, 10:09:05 AM
I-90 interchange with SR 23 is currently underway and will be done by the end of this year... super hyped up for a new connection to Marengo!!

https://patch.com/illinois/algonquin/i-90-interchange-project-mchenry-co-gets-started

With an idiotic 45 mph limit on I-90 through there.  Hey, ISTHA, did it ever occur to you to maintain speed through there using concrete barriers to separate traffic from the workers?  Other states (Wisconsin) do this with no issues.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 15, 2019, 10:27:08 AM
I-90 interchange with SR 23 is currently underway and will be done by the end of this year... super hyped up for a new connection to Marengo!!

https://patch.com/illinois/algonquin/i-90-interchange-project-mchenry-co-gets-started

With an idiotic 45 mph limit on I-90 through there.  Hey, ISTHA, did it ever occur to you to maintain speed through there using concrete barriers to separate traffic from the workers?  Other states (Wisconsin) do this with no issues.

Like anyone in IL pays attention to speed limits anyways  :hmmm:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dcharlie on March 15, 2019, 02:51:34 PM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on March 15, 2019, 02:52:57 PM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:

I've literally had that conversation with my dad while I was driving on IL-13 at 15 over.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 15, 2019, 02:53:10 PM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:
I thought they were suggestions... :confused:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on March 15, 2019, 02:54:29 PM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:
It wasn't always the case.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 15, 2019, 02:54:58 PM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:

I've literally had that conversation with my dad while I was driving on IL-13 at 15 over.
Only 15 over on IL 13? Traffic typically flows faster than that, well outside of in-town Marion and Carbondale, of course

Won’t even comment on traffic flow speeds on the Chicagoland Expressways and Tollways, relative to speed limits
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on March 15, 2019, 03:04:14 PM


I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:

I've literally had that conversation with my dad while I was driving on IL-13 at 15 over.
Only 15 over on IL 13? Traffic typically flows faster than that, well outside of in-town Marion and Carbondale, of course

Won’t even comment on traffic flow speeds on the Chicagoland Expressways and Tollways, relative to speed limits

Going 70 mph somewhere between Marion and Carbondale, signed at 55 mph.  East of Marion, I never really saw much traffic going more than 5 or 10 mph over the speed limit, and I drove that stretch pretty much every day.  People in southwestern Illinois seemed to drive faster than people in southeaster Illinois generally, though, probably about 5 mph faster in my experience.

As for Chicagoland, all that matters is that you keep it under 80, no matter what number is on those little white rectangle things.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 15, 2019, 03:26:19 PM


I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:

I've literally had that conversation with my dad while I was driving on IL-13 at 15 over.
Only 15 over on IL 13? Traffic typically flows faster than that, well outside of in-town Marion and Carbondale, of course

Won’t even comment on traffic flow speeds on the Chicagoland Expressways and Tollways, relative to speed limits

Going 70 mph somewhere between Marion and Carbondale, signed at 55 mph.  East of Marion, I never really saw much traffic going more than 5 or 10 mph over the speed limit, and I drove that stretch pretty much every day.  People in southwestern Illinois seemed to drive faster than people in southeaster Illinois generally, though, probably about 5 mph faster in my experience.

As for Chicagoland, all that matters is that you keep it under 80, no matter what number is on those little white rectangle things.
East of Marion is signed for 65 now. One of the few non-freeway 65s I’ve seen across the state.

Traffic flows at about the same 70-75 over to Harrisburg...it just has a speed limit that is closer to the traffic speed
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on March 15, 2019, 03:33:20 PM
East of Marion is signed for 65 now. One of the few non-freeway 65s I’ve seen across the state.

Traffic flows at about the same 70-75 over to Harrisburg...it just has a speed limit that is closer to the traffic speed

It was 65 back then too.  But, even on two-lane highways, I found that traffic in southwestern Illinois tended to drive around 60-75 mph (such as IL-13 or IL-154), whereas traffic in southeastern Illinois tended to drive around 55-65 mph (such as IL-1 or IL-34).  Because I generally drove around 68 mph, this was quite noticeable to me:  I kept having to pass people in southeastern Illinois but not in southwestern Illinois.  And that was still true even though I was often pressed for time on my route when in southwestern Illinois and therefore driving more like 70 mph.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 15, 2019, 05:09:34 PM
I-90 interchange with SR 23 is currently underway and will be done by the end of this year... super hyped up for a new connection to Marengo!!

And thus will end McHenry County's status as (IIRC) the most populous county in the US without a direct interchange to an Interstate highway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on March 19, 2019, 10:08:26 PM
As of today, there's a number of light poles missing in the median of I-90 west of the US 20/Hampshire interchange.  There's a few more missing west of the Kane/McHenry County line as well, but the missing cluster near Hampshire is really noticeable.

There's also a lot of lights that are just out in general. It's still head-and-shoulders a nicer drive than most rural freeways, but the brightness of most stretches makes the burned-out sections really obvious.

Noticed this a couple months ago myself. I wonder what the deal with this is.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: bobonabike on March 29, 2019, 07:32:02 PM
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/bill-would-move-crash-prone-portion-of-i-80-including-two-bridges-over-the-des-plaines-river-to-illinois-tollway-control/ar-BBVpdLx?ocid=AARDHP
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 29, 2019, 08:19:27 PM
ETC only??

Let's see
Cars I-pass $1.40 pay on line $2.80
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 29, 2019, 10:25:15 PM
ETC only??

Let's see
Cars I-pass $1.40 pay on line $2.80
Could also up the toll at the existing I-80 booths where I-80 meets the Tri-State
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on March 30, 2019, 11:34:56 AM
Does the ISTHA have any plans to change to just mailing out bills to the owners of non-transponder cars, like most other states with no-cash toll facilities now do?

 :poke:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 30, 2019, 12:04:52 PM
Only change I have heard of was maybe going from 7 to 14 days for paying.  At a past public meeting they seemed pretty adamant against going to mailing bills out.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 30, 2019, 12:25:25 PM
Only change I have heard of was maybe going from 7 to 14 days for paying.  At a past public meeting they seemed pretty adamant against going to mailing bills out.
what about with the longmeadow parkway toll?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 30, 2019, 01:28:09 PM
Does the ISTHA have any plans to change to just mailing out bills to the owners of non-transponder cars, like most other states with no-cash toll facilities now do?

 :poke:

Mike
No reason to. Toll payments are the driver's responsibility.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 30, 2019, 01:39:02 PM
They should just put toll booths up at the state borders and charge people ten bucks to get in.

</kidding>
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on March 30, 2019, 02:52:17 PM
They should just put toll booths up at the state borders and charge people ten bucks to get in.

</kidding>

Don’t they want a toll or tax to leave?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Duke87 on March 30, 2019, 03:39:34 PM
I-90 interchange with SR 23 is currently underway and will be done by the end of this year... super hyped up for a new connection to Marengo!!

https://patch.com/illinois/algonquin/i-90-interchange-project-mchenry-co-gets-started

With an idiotic 45 mph limit on I-90 through there.  Hey, ISTHA, did it ever occur to you to maintain speed through there using concrete barriers to separate traffic from the workers?  Other states (Wisconsin) do this with no issues.

This is extra problematic because of Illinois' standard threat of photo enforcement in all work zones. In most states I'd shrug and keep going however fast everyone else is, but in Illinois... I'll maybe go up to 50 or so if I can clearly see there are no places for cameras to be hiding in the immediate vicinity, but I'm compulsively keeping it under 45 otherwise.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 30, 2019, 10:17:53 PM
Thing is ISTHA has done work zones with the work area separated by concrete barriers, but still dropped the speed limit down to 45.

The work zone on I-355 between IL 56 and IL 38 is worse, as the northbound CD roadway is posted at 35.  Somehow this traffic is supposed to merge into 45 mph mainline traffic (which is still doing 60+).

what about with the longmeadow parkway toll?

I think Kane County is somehow managing that one, not ISTHA, though I do recall hearing of a more flexible pay by mail option for it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 30, 2019, 10:53:35 PM
Thing is ISTHA has done work zones with the work area separated by concrete barriers, but still dropped the speed limit down to 45.

The work zone on I-355 between IL 56 and IL 38 is worse, as the northbound CD roadway is posted at 35.  Somehow this traffic is supposed to merge into 45 mph mainline traffic (which is still doing 60+).

what about with the longmeadow parkway toll?

I think Kane County is somehow managing that one, not ISTHA, though I do recall hearing of a more flexible pay by mail option for it.
I-294/I-94 has some 55 work zones
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 31, 2019, 10:54:06 AM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:

Hence why there are so many crashes and troopers being killed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on March 31, 2019, 11:30:33 AM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:

Hence why there are so many crashes and troopers being killed.

That has little to do with it.  Does a wrong way driver, as the one last night, care about any laws whatsoever?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 31, 2019, 01:45:44 PM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:

Hence why there are so many crashes and troopers being killed.

That has little to do with it.  Does a wrong way driver, as the one last night, care about any laws whatsoever?

Yes it does have to do with it. If one is speeding and being reckless about it, he/she has a greater chance of causing a collision than a non reckless speeder or speed limit driver would. Especially if they aren't paying as much attention as they should. The single reason why there are so many crashes is because people simply aren't obeying the rules of the road. If more people did, the amount of crashes would be reduced significantly.

Take my latest collision for example.. It was explicitly because the driver that hit me, wasn't following the rules of the road
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: StogieGuy7 on April 01, 2019, 02:34:17 PM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:

Hence why there are so many crashes and troopers being killed.

That has little to do with it.  Does a wrong way driver, as the one last night, care about any laws whatsoever?

+1  - It doesn't.

:clap:

The main problems are inattention, the piss-poor driving skills of the average driver and a growing number of people abusing various substances and then driving.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on April 02, 2019, 08:34:45 PM
I've always looked at speed limit signs in Illinois as being more of a suggestion, than something that should be followed...   :bigass:

Hence why there are so many crashes and troopers being killed.

That has little to do with it.  Does a wrong way driver, as the one last night, care about any laws whatsoever?

+1  - It doesn't.

:clap:

The main problems are inattention, the piss-poor driving skills of the average driver and a growing number of people abusing various substances and then driving.


Inattention and piss poor driving skills both involve disobeying the rules of the road.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on April 03, 2019, 05:29:27 AM
ABC7 Chicago did a segment on the 30 years of changes on the Illinois Tollway...

https://abc7chicago.com/traffic/30-years-of-changes-on-the-illinois-tollway/5228912/
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on April 03, 2019, 07:34:37 AM
ABC7 Chicago did a segment on the 30 years of changes on the Illinois Tollway...

https://abc7chicago.com/traffic/30-years-of-changes-on-the-illinois-tollway/5228912/

Pretty good summary. This also just proves how much more competent ISTHA is at road-building than IDOT.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 03, 2019, 01:03:17 PM
ABC7 Chicago did a segment on the 30 years of changes on the Illinois Tollway...

https://abc7chicago.com/traffic/30-years-of-changes-on-the-illinois-tollway/5228912/

Pretty good summary. This also just proves how much more competent ISTHA is at road-building than IDOT.
IDOT has built some new Freeway in that timespan...

Really the new I-70 alignment in E St Louis between the I-55 thru/I-64/I-70 bump interchange and the Stan Musian Bridge is about the only new IDOT Freeway in a while...

I guess the Macomb bypass, but 1) its not complete and 2) I’m not sure I would call it a freeway
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on April 03, 2019, 02:31:48 PM
ABC7 Chicago did a segment on the 30 years of changes on the Illinois Tollway...

https://abc7chicago.com/traffic/30-years-of-changes-on-the-illinois-tollway/5228912/

Pretty good summary. This also just proves how much more competent ISTHA is at road-building than IDOT.
IDOT has built some new Freeway in that timespan...

Really the new I-70 alignment in E St Louis between the I-55 thru/I-64/I-70 bump interchange and the Stan Musian Bridge is about the only new IDOT Freeway in a while...

I guess the Macomb bypass, but 1) its not complete and 2) I’m not sure I would call it a freeway

I suppose. It's mostly the quality of their work, and the countless issues in the Chicagoland area. Not all issues are IDOT's fault of course, (for instance, NIMBYs), but there certainly is a lack of quality control and innovation in their road design both on and off the expressway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 03, 2019, 03:39:53 PM
IDOT’s bigger hurdles are funding, and then spending that does not bear fruit (Prairie Parkway, Illiana, Peotone Airport, IL 336 Peoria-Macomb, IL 53 North, Fox Valley Expressway to name a few - tho NIMBY can and does influence some of the projects that have not happened). And then there are silly projects like IL 110/the “so called”  Chicago-Kansas City Expressway...

Heck, it took ISTHA taking over the Elgin-O’Hare to get it to approach O’Hare! And if it is to ever connect to the US 20 Freeway in Elgin, it would probably take ISTHA to make that happen, too
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 04, 2019, 12:35:24 AM
IDOT’s bigger hurdles are funding, and then spending that does not bear fruit (Prairie Parkway, Illiana, Peotone Airport, IL 336 Peoria-Macomb, IL 53 North, Fox Valley Expressway to name a few - tho NIMBY can and does influence some of the projects that have not happened). And then there are silly projects like IL 110/the “so called”  Chicago-Kansas City Expressway...

Heck, it took ISTHA taking over the Elgin-O’Hare to get it to approach O’Hare! And if it is to ever connect to the US 20 Freeway in Elgin, it would probably take ISTHA to make that happen, too

I agree they have spent plenty on the concept of "planning", but those dollars don't compare to what it actually costs to build.

Also many of the planning events you list were politically driven, not necessarily numbers driven.

The Prairie and the Fox Valley were political animals.  The Fox Valley was pushed by DuPage Chair Jack Knuepfer after the success of getting I-355 built.  The Prairie was invented by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert as a way to get leverage in various House spending bills. To get his approval on certain bills, he would get his constituents to vote for Prairie related funding.

The ones supported by numbers are IL-53 north and finishing the EOE.

IL-110 CKC is a complete compromise between the numbers and politics and a shortage of cash. That is why it is the way it is.  Instead of a fairly straight line to KC, we get the stairway to heaven, stepping (some still missing) through every voting district to make sure it got approval in the IL House.  That part of Illinois that likes to call itself "Forgottonia". Missouri simply drew a line from Hannibal to north of KC. Illinois, nah.

Some of them will eventually have merit, (Illiana) but don't have the numbers just yet.

How many IDOT studies were financed in southern Illinois simply to get them to approve something in the northern part? (ie: US50 O'Fallon to Carlyle, Olney to Lawrenceville)

When IL Senator Paul Simon was elected and making his runs for president, how many contracts got approved for upgrading IL-13 between Murphysboro and Harrisburg?  Why does this area need 2 viable airports?

Veterans Airport in Marion just spent $22 Million on a new terminal to woo back 1 airline. They did not return (Allegiant).

So its not just the highways, but its always the politics.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 04, 2019, 01:04:39 AM
Absolutely correct. IDOT could budget tighter, but Politics to align the varied interests around the state has to happen, and should happen imho

I still call the recently added Carterville Interchange on IL 13 the “bridge to nowhere”

The SPUI and DDI at the Marion I-57 Interchanges are nice, but are both fully necessary, on consecutive interchanges?
 
Are you referring to BLV and MWA or is the 2 airport pair MWA and MDH? BLV does have Allegiant flights. MWA has Cape Air flights on 8 seater turbo props to puddle jump to STL-Lambert Field. In any event, probably a bit of pork in the passenger terminals at both. MDH functions as part of the Aviation school @ SIU - not sure if that is more IL Dept of Education or IDOT...maybe both

Not to mention the Billions spent on upgrading the Rail Route from Chicago to St Louis so passenger trains can up their speeds to a whooping 110 mph...

One thing I have learned, now living in Southern IL, is there is a wide belief that taxes collected here subsidize Chicago...Even tho it simply is not true, when the numbers on receipts vs expenditures from Springfield...Chicagoland subsidizes Downstate
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 04, 2019, 07:45:17 PM
The Prairie Parkway funding actually got stuff built, though it wasn't what was originally envisioned. US 34 connecting Plano, Yorkville and Oswego with a brand-new 4-lane roadway used Prairie Parkway's National Corridor funding, as did the 12 mile add lanes of IL 47 between Morris and Yorkville. And there's about 250 acres of land that was bought that nothing got built on; it is mostly farmland that is currently rented out by the state. The remainder of the funding will be used to partly fund the new I-88/IL 47 interchange and a few miles of new IL 47 four-lane in Sugar Grove. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 04, 2019, 10:47:21 PM
Absolutely correct. IDOT could budget tighter, but Politics to align the varied interests around the state has to happen, and should happen imho

I still call the recently added Carterville Interchange on IL 13 the “bridge to nowhere”

The SPUI and DDI at the Marion I-57 Interchanges are nice, but are both fully necessary, on consecutive interchanges?
 
Are you referring to BLV and MWA or is the 2 airport pair MWA and MDH? BLV does have Allegiant flights. MWA has Cape Air flights on 8 seater turbo props to puddle jump to STL-Lambert Field. In any event, probably a bit of pork in the passenger terminals at both. MDH functions as part of the Aviation school @ SIU - not sure if that is more IL Dept of Education or IDOT...maybe both

Not to mention the Billions spent on upgrading the Rail Route from Chicago to St Louis so passenger trains can up their speeds to a whooping 110 mph...

One thing I have learned, now living in Southern IL, is there is a wide belief that taxes collected here subsidize Chicago...Even tho it simply is not true, when the numbers on receipts vs expenditures from Springfield...Chicagoland subsidizes Downstate

Not BLV up in Belleville. Even though that airport has been much maligned, it actually is doing very well now. Per the FAA, they are up 320,000 people going through that little 2 gate airport now.

Yes, I was talking about MWA and MDH.

The SIU airport does take commercial, but typically charters for sports teams coming and going.  With its 8500 foot runway, it can take anything up to a 757. It is "state" money, but it is funded through the university system.

Veterans is strategic and they built a 10,000 foot runway so it can take jumbos except certain 747 and 777 models and the A340/A330. At the moment only those twin props to STL use it.

I have flown in and out of BLV many, many times and the flights always has people from coal alley on it. They would rather drive to Belleville, then hop through Lambert. Now that BLV is charging to park there, there might be a damper around the corner.

As for Carterville, I assume you are talking about the Wolf Creek Road exit ramps when the rest of IL-13 have 4 lane traffic lights.

The last IDOT planning session I listened to, IDOT said that any future limited access highway will be built to interstate standards going forward. So I assume that when they funded the exit, that they have future plans to make IL-13 limited access the entire way from Murphysboro to Harrisburg.

As for who subsidizes who in Illinois, I believe I read that in the mid to late 1970's is when net income from outside Chicago fell below than Chicago proper.  The decline of oil and coal in southern Illinois had a great deal to do with that. But with Chicago and Illinois shrinking in net population, and home values declining statewide, that trend will definitely keep heading downward until there is budget reform statewide.

I did read in a local paper in southern Illinois that they are against an increase in the gas tax.  Well, based on the way they presented it, i would be against it to. They declared that Illinois would have to raise the gas tax to 44 cents per gallon to meet all current "needs". This is hogwash.  The biggest complainers were border towns who say residents will simply cross the border to buy. If you raise to 44 cents, I agree.  It doesn't have to be 1 big gulp. They can raise it in much smaller increments to fund projects statewide without breaking the bank and keeping border towns alive. Who comes up with this stuff anyway?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 05, 2019, 09:01:52 AM
The Prairie Parkway funding actually got stuff built, though it wasn't what was originally envisioned. US 34 connecting Plano, Yorkville and Oswego with a brand-new 4-lane roadway used Prairie Parkway's National Corridor funding, as did the 12 mile add lanes of IL 47 between Morris and Yorkville. And there's about 250 acres of land that was bought that nothing got built on; it is mostly farmland that is currently rented out by the state. The remainder of the funding will be used to partly fund the new I-88/IL 47 interchange and a few miles of new IL 47 four-lane in Sugar Grove.

And from what it looks like, the IL 47 from Morris to Caton Farm Rd. looks like it will be finished this summer.

I love the wide shoulders.  I've wanted to ride my bicycle from Morris to Yorkville on a more direct route, and as soon as they ce get the 4 miles from Caton Farm to ILL71 done, it will be reality.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on April 05, 2019, 12:40:42 PM
residents will simply cross the border to buy. If you raise to 44 cents, I agree.  It doesn't have to be 1 big gulp. They can raise it in much smaller increments to fund projects statewide without breaking the bank and keeping border towns alive.

I once hitched a ride up I-57 out of Tuscola from a man who told me he always drives all the way from Kentucky to the Indiana state line east of Chicago without filling up with gas–just to avoid the higher gas taxes in Illinois.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on April 05, 2019, 01:45:57 PM
The last IDOT planning session I listened to, IDOT said that any future limited access highway will be built to interstate standards going forward. So I assume that when they funded the exit, that they have future plans to make IL-13 limited access the entire way from Murphysboro to Harrisburg.

Absolutely unnecessary to have every limited access road at interstate standards.  No wonder IDOT can't get anything done.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 05, 2019, 01:51:40 PM
The last IDOT planning session I listened to, IDOT said that any future limited access highway will be built to interstate standards going forward. So I assume that when they funded the exit, that they have future plans to make IL-13 limited access the entire way from Murphysboro to Harrisburg.

Absolutely unnecessary to have every limited access road at interstate standards.  No wonder IDOT can't get anything done.
No way IDOT tries to upgrade current IL 13 from Harrisburg to Murphysboro, at least on it's current route, thru town in Marion and Carbondale...The viaduct at the Canadian National tracks in downtown C-dale would be an eyesore.

And unless I'm missing something, IDOT doesn't have land for Marion and Carbondale bypasses

I guess it could happen...in theory...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 05, 2019, 04:37:37 PM
I love the wide shoulders.  I've wanted to ride my bicycle from Morris to Yorkville on a more direct route, and as soon as they get the 4 miles from Caton Farm to ILL 71 done, it will be reality.

The wide shoulders were built to pavement design standards and full 12-foot width. If there is ever a need to widen to 6-lanes with a curbed section (in the way distant future, if ever) all they need to do is slap outer curbs on it. The section of IL 47 from Caton Farm to 71 has been federally approved through the planning process, but no money to build it yet.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on April 05, 2019, 04:51:04 PM
I love the wide shoulders.  I've wanted to ride my bicycle from Morris to Yorkville on a more direct route, and as soon as they get the 4 miles from Caton Farm to ILL 71 done, it will be reality.

The wide shoulders were built to pavement design standards and full 12-foot width. If there is ever a need to widen to 6-lanes with a curbed section (in the way distant future, if ever) all they need to do is slap outer curbs on it. The section of IL 47 from Caton Farm to 71 has been federally approved through the planning process, but no money to build it yet.

Which means you have a "Suicide 6" situation.  IL-47 will shrink from four-lane divided to two-lanes (crappy ones at that) to five-lanes (center turn lane) just north of IL-71.  It all should've been done at once instead of piecemeal.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 05, 2019, 07:53:54 PM
The last IDOT planning session I listened to, IDOT said that any future limited access highway will be built to interstate standards going forward. So I assume that when they funded the exit, that they have future plans to make IL-13 limited access the entire way from Murphysboro to Harrisburg.

Absolutely unnecessary to have every limited access road at interstate standards.  No wonder IDOT can't get anything done.

As I heard it, they told the House Transportation committee that when they design limited access to FHWA interstate standards, it improves their chances for federal reimbursement for the route.

I heard this once before awhile back, I think when there was a hearing on US-67 and the bypasses of Jerseyville and Rushville. Someone asked why it was a 4 lane limited access. I am pretty sure that they said it ends up being cheaper to build because of the larger reimbursement rate. Now, I don't want to say chase pennies with nickels, but IDOT has to maintain that road for 30 years after it is built. Twice as many lanes over 30 years can get expensive from a maintenance perspective.

It might explain why IDOT Maintenance fund eats up a large majority of their annual budget. Just saying.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 05, 2019, 08:00:59 PM
It all should've been done at once instead of piecemeal.
Ideally, yes, but it would’ve been an over-$150 million project and tough to find that much money all at once. There were also some quirks with the Prairie Parkway funding where the feds originally prohibited the use of the money for IL 47, then reversed the decision, and by that time the section thru Yorkville (a project that had been planned more than a decade earlier) was already underway. When I was at District 3, we had construction programs of $60 or $70 million for the *entire 9 counties* in the leaner years. If it weren’t for the Illinois Jobs Now capital program and the Prairie Parkway earmarks, neither section may have been built.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 06, 2019, 10:45:18 AM
As far as the “limited access”  funding, the only “higher reimbursement rate”  I am aware of is the 90% match for projects on the legacy Interstate system vs. the 80% match for most everything else, including newly-designated Interstates. As such, a new highway, even if it got an “I”  designation, would not be eligible for the 90% rate. The only difference is that an Interstate designated highway would be eligible for Interstate or NHS funds while a non-Interstate, whether 2 or 4 lanes, would not be eligible for Interstate funds and would also not be eligible for NHS funds unless the Route was designated as such (Interstates are automatically eligible, as well as other NHS-designated routes). BUT would still be eligible for other federal funding and grants like STP and BUILD. So there is no particular financial advantage in building a 4 lane highway where a 2 lane would do, that I am aware of, other than the flexibility offered to Interstate marked routes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 07, 2019, 09:14:44 PM
Really the new I-70 alignment in E St Louis between the I-55 thru/I-64/I-70 bump interchange and the Stan Musian Bridge is about the only new IDOT Freeway in a while...[/url]

IL 255 between I-270 and US 67 doesn't count?

There's also US 67's freeway bypass of Jacksonville from I-72 to IL 104.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on June 04, 2019, 06:41:45 PM
Here are some of the aminated videos of the ramp movements at the I-290/I-88 interchange with I-294.

I-294 Northbound to I-290 Westbound:

I-290 Eastbound to I-294 Southbound:

I-294 Southbound to I-88 Westbound:

I-294 Northbound to I-290 Westbound and I-294 SB to I-88 WB:

I-290 Westbound at St. Charles Road:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 04, 2019, 07:10:55 PM
The 294 South to 290 East/88 West BGS in the Videos really points out that I-290 should be killed and that the 88 Designation should replace on the Eisenhower.

The BGS looks silly...290 East 88 West with Chicago Aurora stacked vertically as Controls. The Gore Point Shields on the Ramp is even goofier...I-290 East *Left Arrow*/I-88 West *Right Arrow*

Should be a single 88 shield. The designation change has made sense since 355 and 88 were designated, and those new BGS designs beg for it

The 294 North BGS does show Milwaukee being utilized as a Control - as opposed to Wisconsin, which I believe IDOT and ISTHA doubled down on at the O’Hare/90/190/294 Interchange

Overall, the Interchange Design Improvements should help Traffic Flow at least on the Tri-State...How much it can help the I-290/I-88 Con/Divergence remains to be seen. Should be safer too, as it cuts out a lot of the weaving in the current C/D lanes

I think mostly unintentionally, the early St Charles Road Ramp, in effect, gives a 3rd Thru Lane for I-290 West, taking the St Charles Road/I-294 North exit and weaving to the Thru I-290 lanes on the new C/D road. It is not signed for 290 Thru Traffic, but its similar to the I-88/I-290 East Hillside Strangler “Fix”  from an earlier time, giving another I-290 Thru Lane with an early exit for Mannheim Road - but that is signed for Thru Traffic (and All Trucks)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on June 04, 2019, 08:16:18 PM
I agree ...Also with 755.They also should have used 41 because the Tristate is worthy of a 2di.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on June 04, 2019, 10:48:50 PM
I agree ...Also with 755.They also should have used 41 because the Tristate is worthy of a 2di.

I've mused many times in other threads about rerouting I-94 to replace all of I-294 on the Tri-State Tollway, replacing I-94 through Chicago with an extended 'I-41'.  This also points 'I-41' in the correct direction in the correct place should it ever be further extended southwards towards Evansville, IN (and beyond).

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on June 04, 2019, 11:25:54 PM
I really hope they’ll be doing this whole thing with concrete pavement and not asphalt like the video suggests
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 04, 2019, 11:40:55 PM
I really hope they’ll be doing this whole thing with concrete pavement and not asphalt like the video suggests

The tollway commonly uses concrete in major rebuilds on its busiest tollways. Probably, it will be concrete mainlines with an asphalt shoulder (that's their common construction standard). Also, you can be assured that the tollway will have substantially more lighting on its maintained sections of the interchange than the video suggests. I'm also going to say that I really hope IDOT, on its maintained section, will match the LED lighting in this interchange that the tollway basically uses now as its standard construction practice and also not use the candy cane davit poles, which badly clash with their more established and tollway's truss style installations (see I-290 and IL 390 interchange as an example of where this clash is prevalent).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 04, 2019, 11:48:27 PM
Won’t both 290 and 294 both pretty much need to be reconstructed thru the parallel segment, at least around St Charles Road?

The animations show 290 widened there (plus the C/D lanes for the West/North Cloverleaf approach)

Heck, kinda shocked that St Charles Rd/290 Cloverleaf isn’t getting dumped for a SPUI or DDI or some other interchange with a smaller footprint...I figured some of that ROW would be useful for a widened 290 & 294...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 05, 2019, 09:42:18 AM
Won’t both 290 and 294 both pretty much need to be reconstructed thru the parallel segment, at least around St Charles Road?

The animations show 290 widened there (plus the C/D lanes for the West/North Cloverleaf approach)

Heck, kinda shocked that St Charles Rd/290 Cloverleaf isn’t getting dumped for a SPUI or DDI or some other interchange with a smaller footprint...I figured some of that ROW would be useful for a widened 290 & 294...

St. Charles Road looks to be getting the same treatment as I-90/290/53. Looks like they do utilize some parts of that middle median for the new ramps. The next animations I want to see is with North Ave, 290 and 294 because that will show if 290 essentially will be rebuilt between Wolf Road and York Ave
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 05, 2019, 07:14:24 PM
I agree ...Also with 755.They also should have used 41 because the Tristate is worthy of a 2di.
the OLD toll us 41 is not coming back.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 05, 2019, 09:22:27 PM
The 294 South to 290 East/88 West BGS in the Videos really points out that I-290 should be killed and that the 88 Designation should replace on the Eisenhower.

The BGS looks silly...290 East 88 West with Chicago Aurora stacked vertically as Controls. The Gore Point Shields on the Ramp is even goofier...I-290 East *Left Arrow*/I-88 West *Right Arrow*

Should be a single 88 shield. The designation change has made sense since 355 and 88 were designated, and those new BGS designs beg for it

The 294 North BGS does show Milwaukee being utilized as a Control - as opposed to Wisconsin, which I believe IDOT and ISTHA doubled down on at the O’Hare/90/190/294 Interchange

Overall, the Interchange Design Improvements should help Traffic Flow at least on the Tri-State...How much it can help the I-290/I-88 Con/Divergence remains to be seen. Should be safer too, as it cuts out a lot of the weaving in the current C/D lanes

I think mostly unintentionally, the early St Charles Road Ramp, in effect, gives a 3rd Thru Lane for I-290 West, taking the St Charles Road/I-294 North exit and weaving to the Thru I-290 lanes on the new C/D road. It is not signed for 290 Thru Traffic, but its similar to the I-88/I-290 East Hillside Strangler “Fix”  from an earlier time, giving another I-290 Thru Lane with an early exit for Mannheim Road - but that is signed for Thru Traffic (and All Trucks)
EB 290 really looks like there is room for 1 more lane
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 05, 2019, 10:48:14 PM
Won’t both 290 and 294 both pretty much need to be reconstructed thru the parallel segment, at least around St Charles Road?

The animations show 290 widened there (plus the C/D lanes for the West/North Cloverleaf approach)

Heck, kinda shocked that St Charles Rd/290 Cloverleaf isn’t getting dumped for a SPUI or DDI or some other interchange with a smaller footprint...I figured some of that ROW would be useful for a widened 290 & 294...

There's no point in widening 290 upstream if you can't widen it downstream (closer to the city).  All that would do is create a bottleneck.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 05, 2019, 11:23:37 PM
Won’t both 290 and 294 both pretty much need to be reconstructed thru the parallel segment, at least around St Charles Road?

The animations show 290 widened there (plus the C/D lanes for the West/North Cloverleaf approach)

Heck, kinda shocked that St Charles Rd/290 Cloverleaf isn’t getting dumped for a SPUI or DDI or some other interchange with a smaller footprint...I figured some of that ROW would be useful for a widened 290 & 294...

There's no point in widening 290 upstream if you can't widen it downstream (closer to the city).  All that would do is create a bottleneck.
maybe for better flow from IL-64 to I-294 / I-88
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 10, 2019, 08:58:08 AM
Won’t both 290 and 294 both pretty much need to be reconstructed thru the parallel segment, at least around St Charles Road?

The animations show 290 widened there (plus the C/D lanes for the West/North Cloverleaf approach)

Heck, kinda shocked that St Charles Rd/290 Cloverleaf isn’t getting dumped for a SPUI or DDI or some other interchange with a smaller footprint...I figured some of that ROW would be useful for a widened 290 & 294...

There's no point in widening 290 upstream if you can't widen it downstream (closer to the city).  All that would do is create a bottleneck.
maybe for better flow from IL-64 to I-294 / I-88

That's all it'll be for. I-290 rarely backs up in that small segment between I-294 southbound ramp and Wolf Road. if anything, they'll rebuild the roadway but leave the same amount of lanes eastbound
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on June 10, 2019, 09:52:37 AM
I agree ...Also with 755.They also should have used 41 because the Tristate is worthy of a 2di.
the OLD toll us 41 is not coming back.
I think he meant I-41.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 10, 2019, 01:18:51 PM
I agree ...Also with 755.They also should have used 41 because the Tristate is worthy of a 2di.
the OLD toll us 41 is not coming back.
I think he meant I-41.
The fact that the Tri-State used to be Toll US 41 is (at least) part of the reason applying the Toll I-41 designation would be appropriate

It is a major enough route to justify a 2di (for the entire route), and since I-41 now exists, continue the I-94 multiplex till the current 94/294 split, and either keep 94 Downtown and replace 294 with 41, or replace 294 with 94 and replace 94 Downtown with 41. Either assignment has advantages, but I would have a slight preference to keeping 94 thru Downtown and 41 (back) on the entire Tri-State

Could ISTHA apply for I-41 on their own, or would IDOT have to be involved? Not saying either would - I know I have not read anything from either agency regarding interest in the I-41 designation
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on June 10, 2019, 02:36:23 PM
I agree ...Also with 755.They also should have used 41 because the Tristate is worthy of a 2di.
the OLD toll us 41 is not coming back.
I think he meant I-41.
The fact that the Tri-State used to be Toll US 41 is (at least) part of the reason applying the Toll I-41 designation would be appropriate

It is a major enough route to justify a 2di (for the entire route), and since I-41 now exists, continue the I-94 multiplex till the current 94/294 split, and either keep 94 Downtown and replace 294 with 41, or replace 294 with 94 and replace 94 Downtown with 41. Either assignment has advantages, but I would have a slight preference to keeping 94 thru Downtown and 41 (back) on the entire Tri-State

Could ISTHA apply for I-41 on their own, or would IDOT have to be involved? Not saying either would - I know I have not read anything from either agency regarding interest in the I-41 designation


Since Illinois blocked any attempt to extend an existing interstate over US-41, I doubt they will have any interest in renumbering the Tri-State.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on June 12, 2019, 02:28:00 PM
I agree ...Also with 755.They also should have used 41 because the Tristate is worthy of a 2di.
the OLD toll us 41 is not coming back.
I think he meant I-41.
The fact that the Tri-State used to be Toll US 41 is (at least) part of the reason applying the Toll I-41 designation would be appropriate

It is a major enough route to justify a 2di (for the entire route), and since I-41 now exists, continue the I-94 multiplex till the current 94/294 split, and either keep 94 Downtown and replace 294 with 41, or replace 294 with 94 and replace 94 Downtown with 41. Either assignment has advantages, but I would have a slight preference to keeping 94 thru Downtown and 41 (back) on the entire Tri-State

Could ISTHA apply for I-41 on their own, or would IDOT have to be involved? Not saying either would - I know I have not read anything from either agency regarding interest in the I-41 designation


Since Illinois blocked any attempt to extend an existing interstate over US-41, I doubt they will have any interest in renumbering the Tri-State.

Renumbering the interstates in Chicagoland makes a bunch of sense to us roadgeeks, but in the real world it's a very large and unnecessary expense and would cause some confusion for quite a while until people got used to the changes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 12, 2019, 03:01:01 PM
Except for the fact some have already been renumbered...If at first you don’t succeed, try try again

Eliminate 290 & 294. Extend 41, 88, and 355. Christen 388.

Thats less change than has historically been done...

I would even say giving the Tri-State the I-41 designation makes the most sense of any changes...Is not part of the Interstate System idea to have route continuity, especially across state lines?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on June 12, 2019, 06:41:47 PM
I agree. You Chicago people need to go to the toll authority meetings. I would go with Interstate 53 for 355 if extended. Also sticking 110 on the Ike  and Reagan didn't cause a crisis because people use the names anyway and those have been changed a lot.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 12, 2019, 07:07:38 PM
The only way I might get behind I-53 for I-355 is if the IL 53/120 Extension is built along with FAP 420 to connect to the US 12 Freeway in WI...

But even that is rough, since IL 53 is the parallel route to or already on part of the I-355/I-290/IL 53 Freeway. Then again, WI shows us that I-41 and US 41 can multiplex

I like the 355 number, because its an anagram of 53, the route it parallels and upgraded. Whether that went into the decision when originally designated...probably not. 455 was clearly considered for the route at some point
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 12, 2019, 10:08:49 PM
I-355, even if eventually extended well into Wisconsin, does not deserve/warrant an odd two digit number, giving the lack of available numbers.  If the corridor were to make it close to Madison it would be better as a relocation of I-90, with existing I-90 between I-290 and I-39 changed to a 3di or renumbered as an even I-8x (with the possibility of being extended westward into Iowa someday).

Now if I-355 gets extended into Indiana and begins consuming US 41 across that state, I would be more open to a two digit designation.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mvak36 on June 13, 2019, 09:06:39 AM
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-tollway-interchange-st-0609-story.html

Quote
Work will get underway this summer on the second phase of a massive project linking Interstates 294 and 57, according to the Illinois Tollway.

Construction will include building four ramps as well as reconstructing the median along a portion of I-57 as well as widening a stretch of that interstate, according to the Tollway.

The Tollway will hold an open house to provide information on the next phase from 4 to 7 p.m. June 25 at the Illinois Department of Employment Security office at 16845 S. Halsted St., Harvey.

The initial phase of work, opened to traffic in October 2014, partially resolved a problem area officials had been wrestling with for years.

Where the two interstates cross near Harvey, Markham and Posen was one of two locations in the country where two interstate highways meet without connecting.

To get from one highway to the other, cars and trucks typically use Interstate 80 or 159th Street through Markham.

The initial phase that opened to traffic includes ramps connecting the southbound 294/Tri-State Tollway with southbound I-57 and northbound I-57 with northbound I-294. Also completed were ramps from the southbound Tri-State to 147th Street, and from 147th to the Tri-State’s northbound lanes.

The second phase will include building ramps connecting southbound I-57 to northbound I-294 and linking northbound I-294 to northbound I-57.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 13, 2019, 11:52:55 AM
That quoted article says 57/294 was 1 of 2 places interstates met but did not connect...

I guess the NJTP Extension to meet the PATP was not officially signed as an interstate at that time...so maybe it can slide. It is now I-95, so there is a 95/295 instance now

57/294, 95/276, 76/81, 80/271, 80-90/475...and arguably Breezewood...At least the first 2 are no more, with partial connections. Still quite creative math to be only 1 of 2

Regardless, it is good to see ISTHA is moving forward to finish the interchange
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on June 13, 2019, 11:56:19 AM
That quoted article says 57/294 was 1 of 2 places interstates met but did not connect...

I guess the NJTP Extension to meet the PATP was not officially signed as an interstate at that time...so maybe it can slide. It is now I-95, so there is a 95/295 instance now

57/294, 95/276, 76/81...and arguably Breezewood...At least the first 2 are no more, with partial connections

Regardless, it is good to see ISTHA is moving forward to finish the interchange

80/476 is another one
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 13, 2019, 11:58:43 AM
Yup, and I edited my post with the 2 on the Ohio Turnpike as well
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mvak36 on June 13, 2019, 01:31:47 PM
That quoted article says 57/294 was 1 of 2 places interstates met but did not connect...

I guess the NJTP Extension to meet the PATP was not officially signed as an interstate at that time...so maybe it can slide. It is now I-95, so there is a 95/295 instance now

57/294, 95/276, 76/81, 80/271, 80-90/475...and arguably Breezewood...At least the first 2 are no more, with partial connections. Still quite creative math to be only 1 of 2

Regardless, it is good to see ISTHA is moving forward to finish the interchange

It's possible the other one they were talking about was where I-271 and I-80 cross in Ohio. I don't know what they used as the criteria though.

EDIT: Here's the project site: https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/294-57-interchange
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on June 13, 2019, 09:51:16 PM
That quoted article says 57/294 was 1 of 2 places interstates met but did not connect...

I guess the NJTP Extension to meet the PATP was not officially signed as an interstate at that time...so maybe it can slide. It is now I-95, so there is a 95/295 instance now

57/294, 95/276, 76/81...and arguably Breezewood...At least the first 2 are no more, with partial connections

Regardless, it is good to see ISTHA is moving forward to finish the interchange

80/476 is another one

Also I-81/476 on the south end of Scranton, PA.

Would I-76/99 count?

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 13, 2019, 10:08:43 PM
^ I'm pretty sure there's a list somewhere on the forum already with all of the places where two interstates cross without a direct interchange.  Probably even from discussion of the previous phase of the I-57/I-294 interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 13, 2019, 11:53:25 PM
Anyone email the author of the article, to determine how 57/294 was decided as “one of two”  intersections that this occurs?

I am considering it

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=98.0 is the older thread on the 57/294 interchange
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 15, 2019, 11:08:23 PM
Beams are up over the WB lanes of I-90 for the future I-490 ramps.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 17, 2019, 08:42:25 AM
Beams are up over the WB lanes of I-90 for the future I-490 ramps.

Yup, I think the eastbound side get their beams before the 4th of July break
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on June 27, 2019, 10:25:14 AM
Beams are up over the WB lanes of I-90 for the future I-490 ramps.

Yup, I think the eastbound side get their beams before the 4th of July break
It's always great to hear about new construction projects getting underway. I can't wait to drive I-490 and the IL 390 extension in a future visit to Chicago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 27, 2019, 02:40:21 PM
Beams are up over the WB lanes of I-90 for the future I-490 ramps.

Yup, I think the eastbound side get their beams before the 4th of July break
It's always great to hear about new construction projects getting underway. I can't wait to drive I-490 and the IL 390 extension in a future visit to Chicago.

Funny enough, I drove it last night to avoid a stopped train and they got the eastbound beams up as well. Both bridges are up
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 07, 2019, 11:13:30 PM
The I-90 interchange with IL 23 looks to be almost complete except for some of the signing.  There was a changeable message board WB stating (IIRC) along the lines of Dec 2019 $0.75 toll.  I didn't get a good look at the eastbound message board, but I thought it had a toll of $1 and something, but that does not appear to match what is on the project website (link (https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/jane-addams/illinois-route-23-interchange)).

Even though it looks like there's no work left that will affect the middle and median lanes -there only appears to be minor beyond the shoulder type work - there's still a lousy 45 mph work zone speed limit for this interchange  :banghead:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 08, 2019, 12:08:55 AM
http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/full-interchange-at-i--and-route-in-sugar-grove/article_5c5741b6-170b-11ea-89d2-274b4088097f.html

The east-facing ramps (to/from Chicago) on I-88 at Illinois Route 47 in Sugar Grove will be opening on Tuesday! Get your I-Pass ready because these new ramps will be all-electronic tolling!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 09, 2019, 09:10:26 AM
http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/full-interchange-at-i--and-route-in-sugar-grove/article_5c5741b6-170b-11ea-89d2-274b4088097f.html

The east-facing ramps (to/from Chicago) on I-88 at Illinois Route 47 in Sugar Grove will be opening on Tuesday! Get your I-Pass ready because these new ramps will be all-electronic tolling!

5 years too late for me, man this would have been nice for my NIU commutes. But great to see it finally completed!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 09, 2019, 11:37:07 PM
https://www.nwherald.com/2019/12/06/i-90-interchange-in-marengo-to-open-by-end-of-the-month/a3wporm/

Long overdue, but this interchange on I-90 at Route 23 in Marengo will (hopefully) open by the end of this month.

EDIT: It will be open on December 23 (Monday).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 10, 2019, 05:51:46 PM

Videos of the new interchanges on the Illinois Tollway.

1. I-88 at Route 47 in Sugar Grove (opened today)
2. I-90 at Route 23 in Marengo (will be opening on December 23)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on December 11, 2019, 04:29:05 PM
The guy in that second video said the same thing 10 times.  If you took a shot for every time he said the word "develop," you'd end up in the hospital.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on February 10, 2020, 09:27:13 PM
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/transportation/ct-biz-illinois-tollway-mile-long-bridge-beams-20200210-nb3kabu7mncwlbc3sh7kj7qtee-story.html#nt=oft-Double%20Chain~Flex%20Feature~top-news-curated-chain~getting-around-mon-515a~~1~yes-art~curated~curatedpage

The precast 187 foot long concrete beams for the new Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State are beginning to be delivered from their production point in Janesville, WI

The Tribune article highlights the delivery route is I-90E->I-290E->I-355S->I-80E->I-57N->I-294N to the 83rd St Toll Plaza, which is being used as a staging area (I’m guessing the median between the Cash lanes and the I-Pass ORT lanes)

Is the out of the way route due to the oversized load? Would there be height or turn radius issues, simply going I-90E->I-294S? Or maybe just so the beams end up on the Northbound side of the road, being delivered to the 83rd St Toll Plaza staging area?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on February 11, 2020, 12:26:37 PM
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/transportation/ct-biz-illinois-tollway-mile-long-bridge-beams-20200210-nb3kabu7mncwlbc3sh7kj7qtee-story.html#nt=oft-Double%20Chain~Flex%20Feature~top-news-curated-chain~getting-around-mon-515a~~1~yes-art~curated~curatedpage

The precast 187 foot long concrete beams for the new Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State are beginning to be delivered from their production point in Janesville, WI

The Tribune article highlights the delivery route is I-90E->I-290E->I-355S->I-80E->I-57N->I-294N to the 83rd St Toll Plaza, which is being used as a staging area (I’m guessing the median between the Cash lanes and the I-Pass ORT lanes)

Is the out of the way route due to the oversized load? Would there be height or turn radius issues, simply going I-90E->I-294S? Or maybe just so the beams end up on the Northbound side of the road, being delivered to the 83rd St Toll Plaza staging area?

It's probably to keep the beams on the same side of the Tri-State they're being used on.  The new Mile-Long Bridge is being built parallel and east of the current one.  All of the turns on this route are fairly easy as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 11, 2020, 04:30:23 PM
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/transportation/ct-biz-illinois-tollway-mile-long-bridge-beams-20200210-nb3kabu7mncwlbc3sh7kj7qtee-story.html#nt=oft-Double%20Chain~Flex%20Feature~top-news-curated-chain~getting-around-mon-515a~~1~yes-art~curated~curatedpage

The precast 187 foot long concrete beams for the new Mile Long Bridge on the Tri-State are beginning to be delivered from their production point in Janesville, WI

The Tribune article highlights the delivery route is I-90E->I-290E->I-355S->I-80E->I-57N->I-294N to the 83rd St Toll Plaza, which is being used as a staging area (I’m guessing the median between the Cash lanes and the I-Pass ORT lanes)

Is the out of the way route due to the oversized load? Would there be height or turn radius issues, simply going I-90E->I-294S? Or maybe just so the beams end up on the Northbound side of the road, being delivered to the 83rd St Toll Plaza staging area?

It's probably to keep the beams on the same side of the Tri-State they're being used on.  The new Mile-Long Bridge is being built parallel and east of the current one.  All of the turns on this route are fairly easy as well.

Hopefully those guide cars don't lose track of the directions or load like they tend to do in Indiana. :)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on February 16, 2020, 12:00:17 PM
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/glenview/ct-gla-village-marriott-land-donation-tl-0213-20200213-d3zdbi3nkbfovclfstbfmzhq44-story.html#nt=oft-Triple%20Chain~Recommender~~suburbs-rec~~2~yes-art~automated~curatedpage

Apparently Glenview and a Marriott Hotel in Glenview really want a Milwaukee Ave/IL 21 exit off the Tri-State. The hotel is donating property adjacent to the tollway to Glenview, and Glenview will begin commissioning engineering studies and working with IDOT and ISTHA to make this happen. Article says probably at least 5 years away from an interchange at this point, tho

This is not to be confused with the existing Tri-State and Milwaukee Ave interchange further north in Gurnee
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 16, 2020, 08:00:59 PM
likely to be I-pass only one (it should be an free exit)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 18, 2020, 08:08:48 PM
likely to be I-pass only one (it should be an free exit)

Why would it be free? It'd be great if it was, but its the Tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on February 18, 2020, 08:33:15 PM
likely to be I-pass only one (it should be an free exit)

Why would it be free? It'd be great if it was, but its the Tollway.

Well, northbound, the exit before and the exit after IL-21 are both free, so being free would fit the scheme. This is not true southbound, though, where the exit before and the exit after both cost 1.90$, or 0.95$ with I-Pass.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on February 18, 2020, 11:22:04 PM
So the Mile Long Bridge on I-294 will be a complete relocation-replacement instead of a repair and annex? That shift will be weird once it’s all done.

Speaking of which, when will all of this go down?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 19, 2020, 01:53:47 AM
So the Mile Long Bridge on I-294 will be a complete relocation-replacement instead of a repair and annex? That shift will be weird once it’s all done.

Speaking of which, when will all of this go down?

So, the northbound span will go down sometime in 2021 once all of the northbound traffic is on the new span. The southbound span will remain on the original bridge until sometime in 2023 where all of the southbound traffic will go on the new southbound bridge on where the northbound span is currently standing.

Here is a link to the phases of the Mile Long Bridge Replacement Project:
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/656157/2019_CTri-OpenHouseBoards_Landscape_WEB_MLB_PBR.pdf/c4fbe752-cea3-4cf6-af35-42e443568f45
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 19, 2020, 06:20:08 PM
So the Mile Long Bridge on I-294 will be a complete relocation-replacement instead of a repair and annex? That shift will be weird once it’s all done.
f which, when will all of this go down?

When done, I doubt there will be any noticeable shift. I would expect the curves at each end to reworked so that you will never notice the change.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 20, 2020, 01:23:08 PM
new high voltage power poles are going up on I-294 by I-290
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 20, 2020, 02:21:16 PM
likely to be I-pass only one (it should be an free exit)

Why would it be free? It'd be great if it was, but its the Tollway.

Well, northbound, the exit before and the exit after IL-21 are both free, so being free would fit the scheme. This is not true southbound, though, where the exit before and the exit after both cost 1.90$, or 0.95$ with I-Pass.

Unfortunately, any logic of tolling seems to have left the Illinois Tollway long ago. These days, they seem to justify additional ramp tolls as a cost for adding or improving the ramp so I expect there will be a toll. I used to think there were three fundamental rules of tolling that a well-run toll road would follow:
1) After paying a toll, there should be at least one opportunity to exit without paying an additional toll
2) The toll for going father should be the same or higher than the previous exit
3) Tolls should be symmetric - the toll for going from A to B should be the same as from B to A (I'll make an exception for one-way tolls provided it's then not used as an excuse to work in a stealth increase)

The Illinois Tollway violates these all over the system.
1) Enter I-90 EB at IL-47 (Huntley) and you pay a toll entering and then pay a toll either to exit at Randall Rd. or at the Elgin mainline plaza. Likewise, enter I-90 EB at IL-25 (Elgin) and you pay a toll entering and encounter a toll at every possible exit or pay at the O'Hare complex.

2) They made a mess of this when they eliminated the Deerfield Plaza. Heading south on I-294, pay $0.95 (I-Pass rate) to exit anywhere from the Edens Spur to Golf Road but then pay only $0.75 at the O'Hare complex. Others: EB on I-90, pay $0.45 to exit at Barrington Road or Roselle Road or stay on and pay only $0.30 at I-290. Or WB on I-90, pay $0.30 to exit at Huntley or stay on the US 20 at the Hampshire/Marengo exit and pay nothing.

3) I-90 is a mess on symmetry going back to when the removed the WB entry toll at I-290 and then added exit tolls west of there. A regular trip I make - IL-59 to US20 (Marengo/Hampshire) is $0.75 WB but $1.05 EB. And again with the Deerfield Plaza elimination, exiting the O'Hare complex northbound is $0.95 but any other direction in $0.75 so any trip from I-294/I-94 north of the O'Hare complex to O'Hare or points south, east, or west pays less SB than NB.

In addition, when the went to one-way tolls at the Hampshire and Belvedere plazas, initially things were unchanged for someone making a round-trip. Someone exiting at Genoa Rd (either direction) paid nothing getting to Genoa Rd but paid a double-toll going back so the same as when it was a single toll each way. But then someone in the Tollway brain trust decided that people exiting at Genoa Rd. were getting a free-ride so they added an exit toll there and now someone pays the exit toll heading to Genoa Rd. and then the double-toll on the way back, a net increase for them. So much for the Tollway's statement IIRC that the one-way tolling wouldn't result in a net toll increase.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 20, 2020, 08:56:07 PM
likely to be I-pass only one (it should be an free exit)

Why would it be free? It'd be great if it was, but its the Tollway.

Well, northbound, the exit before and the exit after IL-21 are both free, so being free would fit the scheme. This is not true southbound, though, where the exit before and the exit after both cost 1.90$, or 0.95$ with I-Pass.

Unfortunately, any logic of tolling seems to have left the Illinois Tollway long ago. These days, they seem to justify additional ramp tolls as a cost for adding or improving the ramp so I expect there will be a toll. I used to think there were three fundamental rules of tolling that a well-run toll road would follow:
1) After paying a toll, there should be at least one opportunity to exit without paying an additional toll
2) The toll for going father should be the same or higher than the previous exit
3) Tolls should be symmetric - the toll for going from A to B should be the same as from B to A (I'll make an exception for one-way tolls provided it's then not used as an excuse to work in a stealth increase)

The Illinois Tollway violates these all over the system.
1) Enter I-90 EB at IL-47 (Huntley) and you pay a toll entering and then pay a toll either to exit at Randall Rd. or at the Elgin mainline plaza. Likewise, enter I-90 EB at IL-25 (Elgin) and you pay a toll entering and encounter a toll at every possible exit or pay at the O'Hare complex.

2) They made a mess of this when they eliminated the Deerfield Plaza. Heading south on I-294, pay $0.95 (I-Pass rate) to exit anywhere from the Edens Spur to Golf Road but then pay only $0.75 at the O'Hare complex. Others: EB on I-90, pay $0.45 to exit at Barrington Road or Roselle Road or stay on and pay only $0.30 at I-290. Or WB on I-90, pay $0.30 to exit at Huntley or stay on the US 20 at the Hampshire/Marengo exit and pay nothing.

3) I-90 is a mess on symmetry going back to when the removed the WB entry toll at I-290 and then added exit tolls west of there. A regular trip I make - IL-59 to US20 (Marengo/Hampshire) is $0.75 WB but $1.05 EB. And again with the Deerfield Plaza elimination, exiting the O'Hare complex northbound is $0.95 but any other direction in $0.75 so any trip from I-294/I-94 north of the O'Hare complex to O'Hare or points south, east, or west pays less SB than NB.

In addition, when the went to one-way tolls at the Hampshire and Belvedere plazas, initially things were unchanged for someone making a round-trip. Someone exiting at Genoa Rd (either direction) paid nothing getting to Genoa Rd but paid a double-toll going back so the same as when it was a single toll each way. But then someone in the Tollway brain trust decided that people exiting at Genoa Rd. were getting a free-ride so they added an exit toll there and now someone pays the exit toll heading to Genoa Rd. and then the double-toll on the way back, a net increase for them. So much for the Tollway's statement IIRC that the one-way tolling wouldn't result in a net toll increase.
Maybe when they get rid of cash they can go ETR 407 or maybe lots of toll points like the EOE
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 20, 2020, 10:58:56 PM
Maybe when they get rid of cash they can go ETR 407 or maybe lots of toll points like the EOE

Better would be to track every entry and exit and charge for the actual mile traveled. That would get rid of some of the inequities such as someone heading south from Gurnee to I-290 pays only $0.75 at the O'Hare complex, then pays another $0.75 for just four miles to Ogden Ave. (on I-294, the span of the O'Hare complex tolls is all the way from Gurnee  to Hillside (I-290) while the Cermak Rd. plaza can only get you those four miles from I-290 to Ogden Ave. - a huge difference in price per mile).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on February 21, 2020, 04:57:27 AM
Southbound, the distances between the O’Hare, Cermak, and 82nd St Tolls are pretty short, especially O’Hare and Cermak

I am not sure how much effort it would take to “redesign”  the barrier system to make Cermak Northbound Only, tho. Part of the reason Cermak toll is where it is relates to the nearby junctions of I-88 and I-290. But now with Cashless tolling, any interchange adjustments would not necessarily need cash lanes - just I-Pass/E-ZPass readers and license plate readers
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on February 21, 2020, 10:09:31 AM
Maybe when they get rid of cash they can go ETR 407 or maybe lots of toll points like the EOE

Better would be to track every entry and exit and charge for the actual mile traveled. That would get rid of some of the inequities such as someone heading south from Gurnee to I-290 pays only $0.75 at the O'Hare complex, then pays another $0.75 for just four miles to Ogden Ave. (on I-294, the span of the O'Hare complex tolls is all the way from Gurnee  to Hillside (I-290) while the Cermak Rd. plaza can only get you those four miles from I-290 to Ogden Ave. - a huge difference in price per mile).

Isn't that how the guys who run ON 407 do it?

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 21, 2020, 11:51:43 AM
Maybe when they get rid of cash they can go ETR 407 or maybe lots of toll points like the EOE

Better would be to track every entry and exit and charge for the actual mile traveled. That would get rid of some of the inequities such as someone heading south from Gurnee to I-290 pays only $0.75 at the O'Hare complex, then pays another $0.75 for just four miles to Ogden Ave. (on I-294, the span of the O'Hare complex tolls is all the way from Gurnee  to Hillside (I-290) while the Cermak Rd. plaza can only get you those four miles from I-290 to Ogden Ave. - a huge difference in price per mile).

Isn't that how the guys who run ON 407 do it?

Mike

Yes, you are correct as I now recall my one and only trip on the 407. I was responding to your "maybe lots of toll points like the EOE" which would also work if they did it right which they did not with the EOE (and where we live, we are really affected by it). As announced, the EOE was supposed to be $0.20 per mile (I-Pass). But unlike the rest where there is a toll plaza between each entrance and exit, going west from I-290, there is no toll between I-290 and Meacham/Medinah Rd. and then a toll between Meacham/Medinah and Roselle Rd. that charges you for three miles ($0.60) even though that distance is only two miles. I have not entered the EOE WB or exited EB at Meacham/Medinah since the tolls started as it's not worth it (particularly as we live just west of Roselle Rd. so that would be the other end of the journey).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 21, 2020, 12:09:19 PM
Southbound, the distances between the O’Hare, Cermak, and 82nd St Tolls are pretty short, especially O’Hare and Cermak

I am not sure how much effort it would take to “redesign”  the barrier system to make Cermak Northbound Only, tho. Part of the reason Cermak toll is where it is relates to the nearby junctions of I-88 and I-290. But now with Cashless tolling, any interchange adjustments would not necessarily need cash lanes - just I-Pass/E-ZPass readers and license plate readers

The short distance between tolls doesn't bother me so much as the short "zone" of the toll plaza ("zone" being the first point you can enter without a ramp toll, pay the barrier toll, and then exit without a ramp toll). Cermak, along with the York and Myers plazas on I-88, are part of the same toll zone, which is Ogden to I-290 (Hillside) on I-294 and out to IL-59 on I-88. It's decently long on I-88 but I-294 users pay a high cost per mile.

But the O'Hare complex zone (including all four mainline barriers in the O'Hare complex including the ones on I-90) is huge. As a kid in the 60's, it was saner. The O'Hare zone was I-290 (Hillside) to Dempster St. on I-294 and the Kennedy to Barrington Rd (which had no ramp tolls to/from the east back then and was a half-interchange which paired with the half-interchange at IL-59 formed the boundary between the O'Hare and Elgin toll zones) while the Deerfield plaza zone was Golf Rd. (Golf and Dempster were both half-interchanges which together formed the zone boundary) up to Gurnee (ignore the short free movement possible between Milwaukee Ave. and Grand Ave. in Gurnee). But now since the elimination of the Deerfield Plaza and some changes to the I-90 tolls, the O'Hare toll zone is I-290 (Hillside) to Grand Ave. in Gurnee and on I-90 WB from the Kennedy only to I-290 (Schaumburg) but EB from Beverly Rd. to the Kennedy.  So for $0.75, I can go the four miles from Ogden Ave. to I-290 (Hillside) - $0.19/mile - or for $0.95 the 55 miles from Beverly Rd. to Grand Av - less than $0.02/mile.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 24, 2020, 09:44:37 AM
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/glenview/ct-gla-village-marriott-land-donation-tl-0213-20200213-d3zdbi3nkbfovclfstbfmzhq44-story.html#nt=oft-Triple%20Chain~Recommender~~suburbs-rec~~2~yes-art~automated~curatedpage

Apparently Glenview and a Marriott Hotel in Glenview really want a Milwaukee Ave/IL 21 exit off the Tri-State. The hotel is donating property adjacent to the tollway to Glenview, and Glenview will begin commissioning engineering studies and working with IDOT and ISTHA to make this happen. Article says probably at least 5 years away from an interchange at this point, tho

This is not to be confused with the existing Tri-State and Milwaukee Ave interchange further north in Gurnee

I think this would be a worthy idea. I've always thought there was a decently large gap between Willow and Golf and that considering Milwaukee Ave is an angled street, it would make for a good exit for points southeast. Glenview doesn't really have an ideal exit off 294 either, and this could help with that too. I wonder if the exit would be full access or not though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 24, 2020, 08:57:10 PM
Upgrade palatine road
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on February 25, 2020, 08:38:32 AM
Upgrade palatine road

Unlikely to happen. If anything, they probably would be best suited to remove the half finished express local system on there and turn it into a standard boulevard, something along the lines of North Avenue between Elmhurst and St. Charles, while maybe retaining the limited access section near the Chicago Executive (or Palwaukee, for those of us who are old school) Airport.

As for the exit on Milwaukee and 294, I get the feeling it would only be NB off and SB on, and I have trouble seeing where they would fit a full interchange there. Even with that, it would be a notable improvement in the area.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: barcncpt44 on March 13, 2020, 11:40:07 PM
The Illinois Tollway announced it will temporarily implement all-electronic tolling as a precaution to limit the potential spread of coronavirus to customers, as well as Tollway employees, until futher notice.
https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Illinois-Tollway-to-implement-all-electronic-tolling-568787871.html?fbclid=IwAR0kA4iePzw3an24zhmMbdh7pvJw_0zCi_nDf7BH4r9QRS1mV4ResyjLAvo
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 14, 2020, 12:34:17 AM
The Illinois Tollway announced it will temporarily implement all-electronic tolling as a precaution to limit the potential spread of coronavirus to customers, as well as Tollway employees, until futher notice.
https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Illinois-Tollway-to-implement-all-electronic-tolling-568787871.html?fbclid=IwAR0kA4iePzw3an24zhmMbdh7pvJw_0zCi_nDf7BH4r9QRS1mV4ResyjLAvo
Will they wave fees / just bill by mail for tolls only (no points, no penaltys) say some forgets the name of each tolling point? also if works out good move make the system all ETC SOONER vs later?

Will rent a car wave the per day admin fees for tolls with some can't really pay on line as missed tolls just go to the rent a car plate system.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on March 14, 2020, 02:47:18 PM
The Illinois Tollway announced it will temporarily implement all-electronic tolling as a precaution to limit the potential spread of coronavirus to customers, as well as Tollway employees, until futher notice.
https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Illinois-Tollway-to-implement-all-electronic-tolling-568787871.html?fbclid=IwAR0kA4iePzw3an24zhmMbdh7pvJw_0zCi_nDf7BH4r9QRS1mV4ResyjLAvo (https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Illinois-Tollway-to-implement-all-electronic-tolling-568787871.html?fbclid=IwAR0kA4iePzw3an24zhmMbdh7pvJw_0zCi_nDf7BH4r9QRS1mV4ResyjLAvo)
Will they wave fees / just bill by mail for tolls only (no points, no penaltys) say some forgets the name of each tolling point? also if works out good move make the system all ETC SOONER vs later?

They have a website that calculates all that:
https://www.illinoistollway.com/web/guest#UnpaidToll (https://www.illinoistollway.com/web/guest#UnpaidToll)

More info on how it works:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 15, 2020, 09:59:12 PM
Just got an email from ISTHA about AET being implemented. I can post a screenshot if there are interested parties out there. I would assume the same info is on ISTHA's website illinoistollway.com

About the only difference in the email versus the statement on the website is I am recognized as an I-Pass user and nothing changes for me in the opening paragraph

Of course, since transplanting to Southern Illinois, my I-Pass transponder doesn't get a whole lot of use anymore
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 20, 2020, 10:35:05 PM
For being all AET, at least one of the plazas today still had an open self service lane - no barricades and still with a green arrow above.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 22, 2020, 11:13:24 AM
For being all AET, at least one of the plazas today still had an open self service lane - no barricades and still with a green arrow above.

If it doesn't require staffing... why not? As long as they don't have those gates operating, then it's really not a big deal keeping those lanes open.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on March 22, 2020, 11:15:48 AM
For being all AET, at least one of the plazas today still had an open self service lane - no barricades and still with a green arrow above.

If it doesn't require staffing... why not? As long as they don't have those gates operating, then it's really not a big deal keeping those lanes open.

I believe the goal was to eliminate potential virus transfer points. If two motorists are touching the same thing, it's a potential transfer point.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 22, 2020, 12:37:10 PM
For being all AET, at least one of the plazas today still had an open self service lane - no barricades and still with a green arrow above.

If it doesn't require staffing... why not? As long as they don't have those gates operating, then it's really not a big deal keeping those lanes open.

I believe the goal was to eliminate potential virus transfer points. If two motorists are touching the same thing, it's a potential transfer point.

Point well taken. Of course they won't waive the tolls for now, but that's a whole other discussion. Just curious, are their construction projects still continuing? I haven't really heard one way or the other.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 22, 2020, 01:03:15 PM
For being all AET, at least one of the plazas today still had an open self service lane - no barricades and still with a green arrow above.

If it doesn't require staffing... why not? As long as they don't have those gates operating, then it's really not a big deal keeping those lanes open.

I believe the goal was to eliminate potential virus transfer points. If two motorists are touching the same thing, it's a potential transfer point.

But when they indicate the lane is still open with a green arrow, they may have motorists thinking they can go ahead and use the self serve machines, only to touch them and then find out they are not in service - still getting the potential virus transfer.  The non-AET lanes should at least be marked with a red X.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 22, 2020, 04:44:21 PM
they can also display an message saying keep going?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 22, 2020, 04:57:25 PM
they can also display an message saying keep going?
Or put some type of cover on the machines, so the self service payments are non-accessible

I would assume some ramp plazas only have a self-service lane, so it is hard to close the only ramp plaza lane...

Are the ISTHA VMSs pointing out that all tolling is cashless? How about the “Welcome to the Tollway”  signs - has the Tollway covered up the “$”  option on the signage?

Maybe have the VMSs list where the nearest Jewel is to go buy an I-Pass...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 23, 2020, 12:25:34 AM
Just curious, are their construction projects still continuing? I haven't really heard one way or the other.

We received an email late last week from the state Council of Engineering Companies that said IDOT and ISTHA are proceeding with selecting contractors and continuing work on projects already underway. That may change in the coming weeks, but as of now things are still a go.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Jericho That on March 23, 2020, 07:48:18 AM
they can also display an message saying keep going?

I can't speak to the mainline toll plazas, but I went through the ATPM lane at Maple Avenue on I-355 to see what the message said. It was something like Machines Inoperable Systemwide. Pay Online or Use I-PASS. I did see someone still interacting with the machine at the Army Trail Road Plaza, however. :banghead:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 24, 2020, 09:33:10 PM
they can also display an message saying keep going?
Or put some type of cover on the machines, so the self service payments are non-accessible

I would assume some ramp plazas only have a self-service lane, so it is hard to close the only ramp plaza lane...

I think at least 75 percent of the tollway ramps (excluding the new I-Pass only ramps) have at least one cash/ATPM lane and one I-Pass lane.  One of those that comes to mind with only a self service lane is I-90 WB to IL 31 SB. (https://goo.gl/maps/fdC1rcSV7tSHULJc9)

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 24, 2020, 09:59:53 PM
they can also display an message saying keep going?
Or put some type of cover on the machines, so the self service payments are non-accessible

I would assume some ramp plazas only have a self-service lane, so it is hard to close the only ramp plaza lane...

I think at least 75 percent of the tollway ramps (excluding the new I-Pass only ramps) have at least one cash/ATPM lane and one I-Pass lane.  One of those that comes to mind with only a self service lane is I-90 WB to IL 31 SB. (https://goo.gl/maps/fdC1rcSV7tSHULJc9)
Farnsworth and IL 31/IL 56 East on I-88 in Aurora both come to mind, also.

GSV shows the ramp plazas at US 6/159th St Cloverleaf with the Tri-State/I-294 to be 2 Lane Plazas, but both lanes accepting coins in the old machines...no idea if now its one ATPM and one I-Pass Only or if both coins buckets got replaced with the self service payment machines
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 19, 2020, 09:25:35 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1b0eb96b-0c4a-e056-5f2f-1b8e06997c1f

EAST RIVERSIDE INTERCHANGE getting rid of coin / cash pay.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on June 20, 2020, 10:43:42 AM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1b0eb96b-0c4a-e056-5f2f-1b8e06997c1f

EAST RIVERSIDE INTERCHANGE getting rid of coin / cash pay.

I have to wonder how much longer until the entire system goes cashless?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 20, 2020, 10:57:31 AM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1b0eb96b-0c4a-e056-5f2f-1b8e06997c1f

EAST RIVERSIDE INTERCHANGE getting rid of coin / cash pay.

I have to wonder how much longer until the entire system goes cashless?
We all know its coming

Can the Cash Lanes at the Toll Plazas then be converted to mini-Oases, with the 7-Eleven and Mobil Gas Station? Obviously not at all toll plazas - DeKalb, Marengo/Belvidere, 163rd St would be silly, with nearby full Oases. But especially Cermak or O’Hare, might be nice
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on June 20, 2020, 02:13:31 PM
That is a good idea. A small one at Dixon would be nice too.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on June 20, 2020, 02:37:10 PM
Car traffic is now at 64% normal up from 45 in April . CDOT said neighborhood traffic is 77 percent of last year but downtown is less than half. I have no idea how CDOT measures it but Tollway is from the revenue. Transit use is way down. With us entering phase 4 in days wonder this represents a permanent large shift to work at home and online retail.Based on the Where Workers Work report most downtown jobs could go online while most manufacturing and warehouses are near the Tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 20, 2020, 03:52:47 PM
That is a good idea. A small one at Dixon would be nice too.
Dixon has a Pseudo-Oasis, since the Dixon exit is a Free Exit with plenty of fuel and food services
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 21, 2020, 07:52:25 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1b0eb96b-0c4a-e056-5f2f-1b8e06997c1f

EAST RIVERSIDE INTERCHANGE getting rid of coin / cash pay.

I have to wonder how much longer until the entire system goes cashless?
We all know its coming

Can the Cash Lanes at the Toll Plazas then be converted to mini-Oases, with the 7-Eleven and Mobil Gas Station? Obviously not at all toll plazas - DeKalb, Marengo/Belvidere, 163rd St would be silly, with nearby full Oases. But especially Cermak or O’Hare, might be nice
I am curious about this concept for the cash lanes to become oases. How would it look? Where would the parking lot be? Interesting but I don't think feasible.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 21, 2020, 08:01:23 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1b0eb96b-0c4a-e056-5f2f-1b8e06997c1f

EAST RIVERSIDE INTERCHANGE getting rid of coin / cash pay.

I have to wonder how much longer until the entire system goes cashless?
We all know its coming

Can the Cash Lanes at the Toll Plazas then be converted to mini-Oases, with the 7-Eleven and Mobil Gas Station? Obviously not at all toll plazas - DeKalb, Marengo/Belvidere, 163rd St would be silly, with nearby full Oases. But especially Cermak or O’Hare, might be nice
I am curious about this concept for the cash lanes to become oases. How would it look? Where would the parking lot be? Interesting but I don't think feasible.
I haven’t put any sketches to paper, but come on, the Skyway found a way to sneak a McDonald’s in the median by the Toll Plaza, back in the day

Surely a 7-Eleven with Gas Pumps could be snuck into the now unused Cash Toll Booth Lanes
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 21, 2020, 08:39:03 PM
True. But that McDonald's on the Skyway had major issues with parking and the drive thru. Besides, they took it out so to build the plaza as 2 separate plazas to accommodate the I-Pass lanes in the center.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7348728,-87.5660558,431m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

The McDonald's was east of the east plaza is now by a about 100-150 feet.
https://cdn-0.mapio.net/images-p/46065020.jpg?ezimgfmt=rs:1192x894/rscb5/ng:webp/ngcb5
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 22, 2020, 12:28:29 AM
True. But that McDonald's on the Skyway had major issues with parking and the drive thru. Besides, they took it out so to build the plaza as 2 separate plazas to accommodate the I-Pass lanes in the center.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7348728,-87.5660558,431m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

The McDonald's was east of the east plaza is now by a about 100-150 feet.
https://cdn-0.mapio.net/images-p/46065020.jpg?ezimgfmt=rs:1192x894/rscb5/ng:webp/ngcb5
they should have put in high speed tolling there when the mc'd was removed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: MrManlet on June 22, 2020, 11:47:31 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/edens-spur

The Pfingsten Road bridge over I-94 has been closed as a part of the Edens Spur reconstruction project. The entire structure is being replaced and a detour is posted along Dundee Rd., Waukegan Rd., and Lake Cook Rd.

I-294 reconstruction notes.
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/central-tri-state-reconstruction

Of note are the local road closures:

1. One lane in both directions on LaGrange Road is scheduled to close daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as needed, for bridge construction.

2. Traffic on County Line Road is shifted for electrical work.

3. Beginning the week of Monday, June 22, traffic on Mannheim Road will be reduced by a single lane in both directions under I-294 as needed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Overnight lane closures will be scheduled as needed between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. with up to two lanes in each direction closing at a time.

4. Traffic is shifted on several ramps at the Archer Avenue Interchange through the end of the year, and lane closures on local roads will include:


Notes for the BNSF rail bridge reconstruction over I-294
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/bnsf-bridge

The westbound lane on Burlington Avenue between Waldo Erickson Drive and Central Avenue is scheduled to close daily from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays through June 26., for retaining wall construction. Bi-directional traffic will be maintained with flaggers.

Construction work adjacent to parks and residential areas had begun. A temporary, 8-foot chain-link construction fencing with dark mesh has been erected to create a safe work zone while limiting sight and nuisances around the construction zone on the mainline of I-294 and along the BNSF Railway.

In Western Springs, a portion of commuter permit parking on Burlington Avenue between Central Avenue and Waldo Erickson Drive will be closed during construction. Signage is posted and overflow permit commuter parking and daily metered parking spots are available at the Western Springs Service Club (pool) lot at 1300 Hillgrove Avenue.

Portions of Veeck and Peirce Parks in Hinsdale and Spring Rock Park in Western Springs will be closed throughout the bridge project to provide for a safe work zone. Park activities will continue throughout construction.

I-294/I-57 interchange notes.
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/294-57-interchange

I-294
Between 159th Street and I-57, northbound traffic is reduced from four to three lanes so construction work for the new ramp carrying northbound I-294 to northbound I-57 can begin. Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration through the end of the year.

I-57
Between I-294 and the CSX Railroad Bridge, shoulders are closed and traffic is shifted in both directions. Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration through the end of the year.

In addition, northbound lane closures are scheduled during the week of June 22 to complete temporary pavement marking and barrier wall work. During these closures, the ramps connecting northbound I-57 and 147th Street will be closed on alternating nights. No detours will be posted.
Ramps
The ramp carrying traffic from southbound I-294 to southbound I-57 is reduced to one lane. Traffic is expected to remain in this configuration into summer.

The Stearns School Road bridge over I-94 will be rebuilt in Gurnee near Gurnee Mills.
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/tri-state/stearns-school-road-bridge
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 23, 2020, 05:41:53 PM
Yesterday, my client, who is an road engineer working on the 294 widening told and showed me a bit of interesting news that will not be made public for almost a year about the 490 and Irving Park Rd interchange. His firm is doing this contract. Take this with a grain of salt. But evidently, part of the agreement between the Tollway and BNSF/CP was to deal with the placement of the mainline of 490 and Irving Park. The new plan has both directions of Irving Park merge in with 490 and act as a C-D lane between the South Access Rd and Taft Ave. The current light at South Access and Irving Park is going to be a roundabout. All directions will have access. But the reason for this is because of the CP widening their rail yard in Bensenville. and there is no room north of Irving Park to do it with the 10R runway right there.

It's going to look something like this:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state=%7B%22ids%22%3A%5B%221pNVZB1gSt9HDWW-LeV4QPmU_EFx0lcXg%22%5D%2C%22action%22%3A%22open%22%2C%22userId%22%3A%22111698626395238786332%22%7D&usp=sharing

Oh and he did say that Irving Park through this area will not have any tolls.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on June 23, 2020, 05:55:28 PM
Yesterday, my client, who is an road engineer working on the 294 widening told and showed me a bit of interesting news that will not be made public for almost a year about the 490 and Irving Park Rd interchange. His firm is doing this contract. Take this with a grain of salt. But evidently, part of the agreement between the Tollway and BNSF/CP was to deal with the placement of the mainline of 490 and Irving Park.

If he did say BNSF, I will take it with several grains of salt. The two railroads there are CP and UP. BNSF is much farther south (crosses 294 in Hinsdale).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 23, 2020, 06:30:54 PM
No your right. He did say UP. That was my bad.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 23, 2020, 10:50:07 PM
I heard a rumor a while back that there was going to be a multi-lane roundabout coming with I-490, but didn't have information on the location.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 24, 2020, 10:25:11 AM
Yesterday, my client, who is an road engineer working on the 294 widening told and showed me a bit of interesting news that will not be made public for almost a year about the 490 and Irving Park Rd interchange. His firm is doing this contract. Take this with a grain of salt. But evidently, part of the agreement between the Tollway and BNSF/CP was to deal with the placement of the mainline of 490 and Irving Park. The new plan has both directions of Irving Park merge in with 490 and act as a C-D lane between the South Access Rd and Taft Ave. The current light at South Access and Irving Park is going to be a roundabout. All directions will have access. But the reason for this is because of the CP widening their rail yard in Bensenville. and there is no room north of Irving Park to do it with the 10R runway right there.

It's going to look something like this:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state=%7B%22ids%22%3A%5B%221pNVZB1gSt9HDWW-LeV4QPmU_EFx0lcXg%22%5D%2C%22action%22%3A%22open%22%2C%22userId%22%3A%22111698626395238786332%22%7D&usp=sharing

Oh and he did say that Irving Park through this area will not have any tolls.

I am surprised you got any information at all.  Doesn't there need to be a public hearing as part of disclosure of the design?

I would think pre-mature public disclosure is a contract violation and put the general contract at risk.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 24, 2020, 11:03:29 AM
The 390 extension going into the 490 JCT is moving along. Bridges and roadway are pretty much set from Supreme Drive back towards the current start point. Embankment and road surfaces are starting to be prepped for all the ramps and some ramp bridge work has already started on a few flyovers.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 24, 2020, 08:01:00 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/490/interchange

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/841304/2020_490_IL390_Interchange_MAP_2020Construction_041620.pdf/6b3acf30-5116-404b-a365-b42d925333e0


better then the older one
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/239152/4_EOWA_ConceptPlan_WesternAccess_I-294/66b561cc-8d23-43cd-8756-80d3334d646d?version=1.0
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 25, 2020, 10:07:43 PM
Couple notes from recent travels:

* I-90 has a couple spots where the pavement is not holding up since the rebuild.  The worst may be the eastbound ramp to I-290/IL 53, possibly a further degradation of this spot. (https://goo.gl/maps/JHPELAnLNToGaR4t7)

* There seem to be changeable message boards at several of the mainline toll plazas regarding the current non-acceptance of cash with a message along the lines of 'do not stop at plaza'.  Not that it is stopping some people (and probably doesn't help that some of the self service lanes still have green arrows).

* At at least some of the mainline plazas the rightmost/wide load lane now has a small CMS instead of the usual lane use control signal.  The second phase of the message was something like 'authority vehicles only'.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: MrManlet on June 25, 2020, 10:13:35 PM
Couple notes from recent travels:

* I-90 has a couple spots where the pavement is not holding up since the rebuild.  The worst may be the eastbound ramp to I-290/IL 53, possibly a further degradation of this spot. (https://goo.gl/maps/JHPELAnLNToGaR4t7)
Man Illinois is starting to be like Michigan with their road construction: make concrete roads and they fall apart in ~5 years. Look at what happened to I-96/275.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 27, 2020, 12:05:38 PM
Yesterday, my client, who is an road engineer working on the 294 widening told and showed me a bit of interesting news that will not be made public for almost a year about the 490 and Irving Park Rd interchange. His firm is doing this contract. Take this with a grain of salt. But evidently, part of the agreement between the Tollway and BNSF/CP was to deal with the placement of the mainline of 490 and Irving Park. The new plan has both directions of Irving Park merge in with 490 and act as a C-D lane between the South Access Rd and Taft Ave. The current light at South Access and Irving Park is going to be a roundabout. All directions will have access. But the reason for this is because of the CP widening their rail yard in Bensenville. and there is no room north of Irving Park to do it with the 10R runway right there.

It's going to look something like this:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state=%7B%22ids%22%3A%5B%221pNVZB1gSt9HDWW-LeV4QPmU_EFx0lcXg%22%5D%2C%22action%22%3A%22open%22%2C%22userId%22%3A%22111698626395238786332%22%7D&usp=sharing

Oh and he did say that Irving Park through this area will not have any tolls.

I am surprised you got any information at all.  Doesn't there need to be a public hearing as part of disclosure of the design?

I would think pre-mature public disclosure is a contract violation and put the general contract at risk.
Ed, he did say not to mention this info. But I thought that in this forum it would be ok to say that this is being floated around.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on June 27, 2020, 01:47:11 PM
* I-90 has a couple spots where the pavement is not holding up since the rebuild.  The worst may be the eastbound ramp to I-290/IL 53, possibly a further degradation of this spot. (https://goo.gl/maps/JHPELAnLNToGaR4t7)

It looks like that was anticipated to happen, based on the asphalt section put in place.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 27, 2020, 05:14:15 PM
* I-90 has a couple spots where the pavement is not holding up since the rebuild.  The worst may be the eastbound ramp to I-290/IL 53, possibly a further degradation of this spot. (https://goo.gl/maps/JHPELAnLNToGaR4t7)

It looks like that was anticipated to happen, based on the asphalt section put in place.

There was a spot where the pavement was badly folding before the construction was even finished EB between Barrington and Roselle Roads. It was a noticeable bump that had to be redone.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on July 01, 2020, 12:43:50 PM
* I-90 has a couple spots where the pavement is not holding up since the rebuild.  The worst may be the eastbound ramp to I-290/IL 53, possibly a further degradation of this spot. (https://goo.gl/maps/JHPELAnLNToGaR4t7)

It looks like that was anticipated to happen, based on the asphalt section put in place.

There was a spot where the pavement was badly folding before the construction was even finished EB between Barrington and Roselle Roads. It was a noticeable bump that had to be redone.

Yeah there have been a few spots I've noticed with buckling pavement. My most noticeable spot is where the Kennedy begins right after the toll plaza.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 01, 2020, 01:10:56 PM
* I-90 has a couple spots where the pavement is not holding up since the rebuild.  The worst may be the eastbound ramp to I-290/IL 53, possibly a further degradation of this spot. (https://goo.gl/maps/JHPELAnLNToGaR4t7)

It looks like that was anticipated to happen, based on the asphalt section put in place.

There was a spot where the pavement was badly folding before the construction was even finished EB between Barrington and Roselle Roads. It was a noticeable bump that had to be redone.

Yeah there have been a few spots I've noticed with buckling pavement. My most noticeable spot is where the Kennedy begins right after the toll plaza.

That spot was actually redone in the mid to late 00s some years before the main rebuild. There's actually a noticeable change in pavement right as you approach the River Rd Toll Plaza there (i.e. the concrete is louder in that spot). It's also the same thing WB at the Devon Ave Plaza as that area was rebuilt in the mid to late 00s before the rest of the mainline. Both were done as part of the ORT conversion.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on July 03, 2020, 11:44:35 PM
* I-90 has a couple spots where the pavement is not holding up since the rebuild.  The worst may be the eastbound ramp to I-290/IL 53, possibly a further degradation of this spot. (https://goo.gl/maps/JHPELAnLNToGaR4t7)

It looks like that was anticipated to happen, based on the asphalt section put in place.

There was a spot where the pavement was badly folding before the construction was even finished EB between Barrington and Roselle Roads. It was a noticeable bump that had to be redone.

Yeah there have been a few spots I've noticed with buckling pavement. My most noticeable spot is where the Kennedy begins right after the toll plaza.

That spot was actually redone in the mid to late 00s some years before the main rebuild. There's actually a noticeable change in pavement right as you approach the River Rd Toll Plaza there (i.e. the concrete is louder in that spot). It's also the same thing WB at the Devon Ave Plaza as that area was rebuilt in the mid to late 00s before the rest of the mainline. Both were done as part of the ORT conversion.

I wonder if eventually those sections will need to be rebuilt as well. Was kinda surprised they didn't take a look at them when the entire stretch was redone
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 04, 2020, 01:43:53 PM
* I-90 has a couple spots where the pavement is not holding up since the rebuild.  The worst may be the eastbound ramp to I-290/IL 53, possibly a further degradation of this spot. (https://goo.gl/maps/JHPELAnLNToGaR4t7)

It looks like that was anticipated to happen, based on the asphalt section put in place.

There was a spot where the pavement was badly folding before the construction was even finished EB between Barrington and Roselle Roads. It was a noticeable bump that had to be redone.

Yeah there have been a few spots I've noticed with buckling pavement. My most noticeable spot is where the Kennedy begins right after the toll plaza.

That spot was actually redone in the mid to late 00s some years before the main rebuild. There's actually a noticeable change in pavement right as you approach the River Rd Toll Plaza there (i.e. the concrete is louder in that spot). It's also the same thing WB at the Devon Ave Plaza as that area was rebuilt in the mid to late 00s before the rest of the mainline. Both were done as part of the ORT conversion.

I wonder if eventually those sections will need to be rebuilt as well. Was kinda surprised they didn't take a look at them when the entire stretch was redone

Money factors in with stuff like that. The pavement wasn't that old, so it's not surprising that they left it as is. Plus, they may eventually convert entirelly to electronic tolling, so if that happens, they probably would end up just tearing out the toll plazas altogether. I wouldn't be surprised if that happened within this next decade.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on July 11, 2020, 06:39:14 PM
I was really surprised to see the new guide signs for I-490 up (and covered) along the C-D lanes of the eastbound Jane Addams Tollway/I-90. The supports for exit numbers are bare, but the main signs, which appear to be quite large, are up and completely covered with bare metal.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on July 19, 2020, 01:42:37 PM
Yeah those got put up about a month ago. Be curious if we'll see other ones get put up on the east/westbound mainline gantries
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on July 25, 2020, 07:29:33 PM
Over the past week, I've noticed that ISTHA has quietly taken out the coin baskets and self-service machines at several of the I-355 and I-88 interchanges, replacing them with lanes for "I-Pass of Pay Online" and "Do Not Stop".  It appears ISTHA is going AET quietly.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on July 25, 2020, 08:52:30 PM
Over the past week, I've noticed that ISTHA has quietly taken out the coin baskets and self-service machines at several of the I-355 and I-88 interchanges, replacing them with lanes for "I-Pass of Pay Online" and "Do Not Stop".  It appears ISTHA is going AET quietly.

I noticed that just yesterday. At the 75th Street exit southbound, there used to be three lanes, with I-Pass on the two outside lanes and a basket in the middle. Now, the middle lane is blocked off and I think gated, with channelizing lines directing you to the two sides. The northbound entrance ramp, as of this afternoon, appears to be in mid-conversion to a similar layout.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: tribar on July 25, 2020, 11:12:20 PM
Over the past week, I've noticed that ISTHA has quietly taken out the coin baskets and self-service machines at several of the I-355 and I-88 interchanges, replacing them with lanes for "I-Pass of Pay Online" and "Do Not Stop".  It appears ISTHA is going AET quietly.
I’m not sure why they didn’t switch to AET when they announced that they were having trouble finding parts for the coin machines. Seems like that would have been easier and cheaper than installing the self service machines.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 30, 2020, 06:49:32 PM
Over the past week, I've noticed that ISTHA has quietly taken out the coin baskets and self-service machines at several of the I-355 and I-88 interchanges, replacing them with lanes for "I-Pass of Pay Online" and "Do Not Stop".  It appears ISTHA is going AET quietly.

I noticed that just yesterday. At the 75th Street exit southbound, there used to be three lanes, with I-Pass on the two outside lanes and a basket in the middle. Now, the middle lane is blocked off and I think gated, with channelizing lines directing you to the two sides. The northbound entrance ramp, as of this afternoon, appears to be in mid-conversion to a similar layout.
Same with Naperville Rd.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: skluth on July 30, 2020, 09:33:46 PM
Over the past week, I've noticed that ISTHA has quietly taken out the coin baskets and self-service machines at several of the I-355 and I-88 interchanges, replacing them with lanes for "I-Pass of Pay Online" and "Do Not Stop".  It appears ISTHA is going AET quietly.

I noticed that just yesterday. At the 75th Street exit southbound, there used to be three lanes, with I-Pass on the two outside lanes and a basket in the middle. Now, the middle lane is blocked off and I think gated, with channelizing lines directing you to the two sides. The northbound entrance ramp, as of this afternoon, appears to be in mid-conversion to a similar layout.
Same with Naperville Rd.

I used to use the Illinois Tollways a lot when I lived in the Midwest. I'd be P'ed if they ever went completely AET. It's fine for all the local exits; locals should have a transponder like I do now that I live in So Cal. But ISTHA should keep the cash option for all the mainline toll plazas and major entrances and exits (like the I-39/US 20 bypass around Rockford). 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on July 31, 2020, 12:29:12 AM
I used to use the Illinois Tollways a lot when I lived in the Midwest. I'd be P'ed if they ever went completely AET. It's fine for all the local exits; locals should have a transponder like I do now that I live in So Cal. But ISTHA should keep the cash option for all the mainline toll plazas and major entrances and exits (like the I-39/US 20 bypass around Rockford).

Considering that the Massachusetts Turnpike has gone AET and the NY Thruway plans to by year-end, I think that ship has sailed. Both of those roads would be just as worthy for retaining a cash option as ISTHA.

BTW, there has not been a ramp toll at I-39 in Rockford in several years. It was removed to reduce congestion and instead, the toll at South Beloit was increased.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on July 31, 2020, 11:59:02 AM


Over the past week, I've noticed that ISTHA has quietly taken out the coin baskets and self-service machines at several of the I-355 and I-88 interchanges, replacing them with lanes for "I-Pass of Pay Online" and "Do Not Stop".  It appears ISTHA is going AET quietly.

I noticed that just yesterday. At the 75th Street exit southbound, there used to be three lanes, with I-Pass on the two outside lanes and a basket in the middle. Now, the middle lane is blocked off and I think gated, with channelizing lines directing you to the two sides. The northbound entrance ramp, as of this afternoon, appears to be in mid-conversion to a similar layout.

Same with Naperville Rd.

That threw me off.  I thought to myself, There are tolls at Naperville Road?  I thought they removed that toll gate when they reconfigured it, and the eastbound entrance ramps never had one to begin with.

I didn't realize that, after the reconfiguration, the exit ramps–which really go to Freedom Drive–are still signed as Naperville Road.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 31, 2020, 12:56:13 PM


Over the past week, I've noticed that ISTHA has quietly taken out the coin baskets and self-service machines at several of the I-355 and I-88 interchanges, replacing them with lanes for "I-Pass of Pay Online" and "Do Not Stop".  It appears ISTHA is going AET quietly.

I noticed that just yesterday. At the 75th Street exit southbound, there used to be three lanes, with I-Pass on the two outside lanes and a basket in the middle. Now, the middle lane is blocked off and I think gated, with channelizing lines directing you to the two sides. The northbound entrance ramp, as of this afternoon, appears to be in mid-conversion to a similar layout.

Same with Naperville Rd.

That threw me off.  I thought to myself, There are tolls at Naperville Road?  I thought they removed that toll gate when they reconfigured it, and the eastbound entrance ramps never had one to begin with.

I didn't realize that, after the reconfiguration, the exit ramps–which really go to Freedom Drive–are still signed as Naperville Road.
I almost responded to the post about the Naperville Rd tolls...with “You mean the Freedom Drive Exit Tolls?”

Sure, “To Naperville Road”  is OK, but it should be signed Freedom Drive/To Naperville Road

Same thing for the “To Eola Road”  exits - WB should be Bilter Rd/To Eola Rd. EB should be Diehl Rd/To Eola Rd, but whatever. ISTHA didn’t ask me
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 01, 2020, 11:07:18 PM
Same thing for the “To Eola Road”  exits - WB should be Bilter Rd/To Eola Rd. EB should be Diehl Rd/To Eola Rd, but whatever. ISTHA didn’t ask me

Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?


As for observations on the Tri-State today:
* Appears work may start soon near or at the US 34 interchange.  Seems to be some grading, and if I am remembering the correct location lots of temporary jersey wall segments stored here.
* There's a temporary sign NB for one of the I-55 exits with a white square around the I-55 shield.
* The new mile long bridge is coming along fairly well, although there seem to be a few odd gaps in the structure.  Couldn't tell if they were gaps for railroads.
* There's a decent amount of paving to the west/south of the southbound lanes at the end of the mile long bridge.
* The new SB I-294 to NB I-57 loop ramp has a decent amount of pavement in place.  I would guess it could open in October.
* The new NB I-294 to NB I-57 ramps appears to have barely started.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 01, 2020, 11:22:55 PM
Same thing for the “To Eola Road”  exits - WB should be Bilter Rd/To Eola Rd. EB should be Diehl Rd/To Eola Rd, but whatever. ISTHA didn’t ask me
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?
Serving the WB Reagan, that really should have been built as a Folded Diamond on the north side of the road. Plenty of room there

Serving the EB Reagan, there really isn’t much room between the Tollway and Diehl Rd. Even if the ramps were squeezed in for the Folded Diamond, that would be very close-in Stoplights at the fictional ramps and then to Diehl Rd

The design with the ramps to Bilter and Diehl Rds really does help traffic flow on Eola. At least it did when used to live/work up that way a few years back. Eola would be more like the pre-DDI mess at I-88 and IL 59 if those ramps were thrown in there. Even with the DDI Diehl Rd’s close proximity to I-88 causes issues at IL 59, too
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 02, 2020, 03:11:23 PM
Same thing for the “To Eola Road”  exits - WB should be Bilter Rd/To Eola Rd. EB should be Diehl Rd/To Eola Rd, but whatever. ISTHA didn’t ask me
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?
Serving the WB Reagan, that really should have been built as a Folded Diamond on the north side of the road. Plenty of room there

Serving the EB Reagan, there really isn’t much room between the Tollway and Diehl Rd. Even if the ramps were squeezed in for the Folded Diamond, that would be very close-in Stoplights at the fictional ramps and then to Diehl Rd

The design with the ramps to Bilter and Diehl Rds really does help traffic flow on Eola. At least it did when used to live/work up that way a few years back. Eola would be more like the pre-DDI mess at I-88 and IL 59 if those ramps were thrown in there. Even with the DDI Diehl Rd’s close proximity to I-88 causes issues at IL 59, too

I believe that I read somewhere when they where coming up with the design for the interchange, they made it that way to accommodate the current residential area along Bilter and the future industrial builds along Bilter/Ferry and Diehl. One of those industrial builds is on Diehl between Eola and the current ramp. I think it may have opened by now. On Bilter/Ferry, there's all that the open space (zoned industrial/commercial) west of Eola but east of Eola is a couple of distribution centers. So that may be the reason.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on August 02, 2020, 04:05:40 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn’t the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 02, 2020, 04:57:23 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn’t the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.
The simple answer is because of the Outlet Mall traffic. During the holidays, the North Farnsworth ramp backs up onto 88. Also, the Hollywood Casino is planning on moving from Downtown Aurora to near the Outlet Mall along Bilter Rd. I have friends who are dealers that have told me this. They want to do this in the next 3 years or so. The Chicago Tribune had the article a year ago June.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 07, 2020, 07:24:04 PM
So as was noted last week, it appears that ISTHA is indeed taking advantage of the Pandemic and making all the ramps be I-Pass or Pay Online only eventually. Signs were going up this morning on 63rd St/Hobson Rd to NB 355 saying as such. These are in place so far along 355 between I-55 and I-88 and I-88 between I-355 and Winfield Rd from my observations.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 07:32:27 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn’t the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.
The simple answer is because of the Outlet Mall traffic. During the holidays, the North Farnsworth ramp backs up onto 88. Also, the Hollywood Casino is planning on moving from Downtown Aurora to near the Outlet Mall along Bilter Rd. I have friends who are dealers that have told me this. They want to do this in the next 3 years or so. The Chicago Tribune had the article a year ago June.

I fail to see how an SPUI would have affected outlet mall traffic? The right turn from WB I-88 to NB Farnsworth wouldn’t have changed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 07, 2020, 07:58:37 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn’t the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.
The simple answer is because of the Outlet Mall traffic. During the holidays, the North Farnsworth ramp backs up onto 88. Also, the Hollywood Casino is planning on moving from Downtown Aurora to near the Outlet Mall along Bilter Rd. I have friends who are dealers that have told me this. They want to do this in the next 3 years or so. The Chicago Tribune had the article a year ago June.

I fail to see how an SPUI would have affected outlet mall traffic? The right turn from WB I-88 to NB Farnsworth wouldn’t have changed.
Yes, but SB Farnsworth to EB I-88 would have to use a Left at the SPUI Signal, as opposed to taking the Loop Ramp. The current configuration keeps SB traffic not using a Signal to make the SB->EB movement, which would add another signal phase

Traffic doesn’t just head to the Outlet Mall. It also leaves
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 08:24:53 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn’t the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.
The simple answer is because of the Outlet Mall traffic. During the holidays, the North Farnsworth ramp backs up onto 88. Also, the Hollywood Casino is planning on moving from Downtown Aurora to near the Outlet Mall along Bilter Rd. I have friends who are dealers that have told me this. They want to do this in the next 3 years or so. The Chicago Tribune had the article a year ago June.

I fail to see how an SPUI would have affected outlet mall traffic? The right turn from WB I-88 to NB Farnsworth wouldn’t have changed.
Yes, but SB Farnsworth to EB I-88 would have to use a Left at the SPUI Signal, as opposed to taking the Loop Ramp. The current configuration keeps SB traffic not using a Signal to make the SB->EB movement, which would add another signal phase

Traffic doesn’t just head to the Outlet Mall. It also leaves

They already put a signal anyway for the WB I-88 ramp, so it wouldn't really be much different.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 07, 2020, 10:20:49 PM
Yes, but SB Farnsworth to EB I-88 would have to use a Left at the SPUI Signal, as opposed to taking the Loop Ramp. The current configuration keeps SB traffic not using a Signal to make the SB->EB movement, which would add another signal phase

Traffic doesn’t just head to the Outlet Mall. It also leaves

They already put a signal anyway for the WB I-88 ramp, so it wouldn't really be much different.
A Signal with No Left Turning for SB Traffic, so that is a phase that is not needed

SPUI would require Left movements and more Phases

I did not conduct the traffic study, nor even see it. I’m sure Kane County and ISTHA had their reasons, redesigning the old Full Cloverleaf into the weird Parclo it is now
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 07, 2020, 10:56:36 PM
I did not conduct the traffic study, nor even see it. I’m sure Kane County and ISTHA had their reasons, redesigning the old Full Cloverleaf into the weird Parclo it is now

I think Farnsworth is under Aurora's jurisdiction at I-88.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 08, 2020, 10:00:21 AM
The IL 47 interchange on I-90 used to be I-PASS ONLY before the pandemic (no cash accepted) - they updated it to I-PASS or PAY ONLINE.  Two other interchanges on the Tri-State got that change as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on August 08, 2020, 01:43:59 PM
The IL 47 interchange on I-90 used to be I-PASS ONLY before the pandemic (no cash accepted) - they updated it to I-PASS or PAY ONLINE.  Two other interchanges on the Tri-State got that change as well.
I think the pay online option is there for any toll plaza on the system, and has been for some time, but it is a cumbersome process for anyone who needs to do it. You basically need to re-trace your steps and estimate what time you went thru each plaza and pay with a CC, and you have only 7 days to do it until it gets re-categorized as a toll scofflaw incident, and 3 of those will trigger a mailed citation and net you a sizable fine of about 20x what the toll would have been.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on August 08, 2020, 02:48:40 PM
What is so hard about doing like other toll agencies and just mailing out a simple bill?

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 08, 2020, 07:31:23 PM
What is so hard about doing like other toll agencies and just mailing out a simple bill?

Mike

They do it to encourage people to get the I-Pass with the discount incentive and the states it can be used so they get their money upfront. By doing it as a "mail out bill", I am sure you would see the number of delinquent payments rise.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 08, 2020, 11:13:27 PM
Same thing for the “To Eola Road”  exits - WB should be Bilter Rd/To Eola Rd. EB should be Diehl Rd/To Eola Rd, but whatever. ISTHA didn’t ask me

Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?


As for observations on the Tri-State today:
* Appears work may start soon near or at the US 34 interchange.  Seems to be some grading, and if I am remembering the correct location lots of temporary jersey wall segments stored here.
* There's a temporary sign NB for one of the I-55 exits with a white square around the I-55 shield.
* The new mile long bridge is coming along fairly well, although there seem to be a few odd gaps in the structure.  Couldn't tell if they were gaps for railroads.
* There's a decent amount of paving to the west/south of the southbound lanes at the end of the mile long bridge.
* The new SB I-294 to NB I-57 loop ramp has a decent amount of pavement in place.  I would guess it could open in October.
* The new NB I-294 to NB I-57 ramps appears to have barely started.

Updated observations from me

-Utility transfer continues along between North Ave and I-88 with a majority of the new power line towers set up.
-Work has begun demolishing the Archer Ave bridges over 294. Least half of the southbound 171 bridge is gone
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on August 09, 2020, 01:00:37 PM
What is so hard about doing like other toll agencies and just mailing out a simple bill?

Mike

They do it to encourage people to get the I-Pass with the discount incentive and the states it can be used so they get their money upfront. By doing it as a "mail out bill", I am sure you would see the number of delinquent payments rise.

It now looks like you can search for tolls by license plate between 7 and 14 days and if you wait for a bill it’s $3 per toll invoice fee instead of a $20 violation.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on August 09, 2020, 02:52:00 PM
What is so hard about doing like other toll agencies and just mailing out a simple bill?

I suppose nothing, but what I like about the Illinois system is that there's no extra fees for paying through the website. It's the regular cash rate.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on August 29, 2020, 06:36:29 PM
Travel down IL-56 AND IL-38 passing I-355, Saw signs that say I-Pass or Online, So, I guess it might be pulling the plug, as I Non I-Pass user, I might as well just take IL-53 to 55.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 30, 2020, 12:20:16 AM
Travel down IL-56 AND IL-38 passing I-355, Saw signs that say I-Pass or Online, So, I guess it might be pulling the plug, as I Non I-Pass user, I might as well just take IL-53 to 55.

Shouldn't your name be called "KMOV"? The KMOX name left Channel 4 ages ago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on August 30, 2020, 12:49:24 AM
Just a name I came up with, I am a aspie.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 30, 2020, 04:24:49 PM
Just a name I came up with, I am a aspie.

Just being factitious.  :nod: I used to listed to KMOX Radio when I was a kid. Haray Caray and Jack Buck.

I used to watch all the StL stations when I was younger. KPLR is where I saw "professional wrestling" for the first time in the late 60's. And of course who couldn't forget Mr. Patches on KDNL and his birthday parties. "A la Peanut Butter sandwiches!". And of course the great Julius Hunter on Channel 4.

But I digress from the highway stuff. Back to the roads.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 31, 2020, 09:50:32 PM
So the first section of the 294 Central rebuild is done. Lawrence north to the Balmoral is completed with work finishing up at the Irving Park exit. Oasis work continues and now the north end of the rebuild shifts to the Irving Park to Grand Ave section
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 28, 2020, 11:59:50 PM
Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 29, 2020, 08:59:50 AM
Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.

I really wish they would find a way to add a direct connection from IL-38 to I-294 NB and from I-294 SB to at least IL-38 WB. ETC should make this fairly easy to do at this point I would think.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on October 29, 2020, 10:09:28 AM
Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.

I really wish they would find a way to add a direct connection from IL-38 to I-294 NB and from I-294 SB to at least IL-38 WB. ETC should make this fairly easy to do at this point I would think.

I wish they'd add an entrance ramp to I-294 SB from 22nd or 31st streets. Getting on at Ogden during evening rush is a nightmare.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 29, 2020, 11:20:29 AM
Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.

I really wish they would find a way to add a direct connection from IL-38 to I-294 NB and from I-294 SB to at least IL-38 WB. ETC should make this fairly easy to do at this point I would think.
ETC is not the issue
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=10015.0
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 30, 2020, 01:00:42 PM
Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.

I really wish they would find a way to add a direct connection from IL-38 to I-294 NB and from I-294 SB to at least IL-38 WB. ETC should make this fairly easy to do at this point I would think.
ETC is not the issue
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=10015.0
It looks like there would be ROW to make this happen. Actually, I like the idea of utilizing I-88 to handle this movement. Not too sure why the tollway didn't consider making some adjustments to these interchanges with this rebuild (like they did on I-90 in many places when it was rebuilt).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 02, 2020, 09:17:59 AM
Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.

I really wish they would find a way to add a direct connection from IL-38 to I-294 NB and from I-294 SB to at least IL-38 WB. ETC should make this fairly easy to do at this point I would think.

I wish they'd add an entrance ramp to I-294 SB from 22nd or 31st streets. Getting on at Ogden during evening rush is a nightmare.

I think they'll be redoing the Ogden ramps in conjunction with the EB 88 to SB 294 ramp. Thought I saw something where it'll get a divided exit lane from everything else
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 03, 2020, 03:54:56 PM
Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.

I really wish they would find a way to add a direct connection from IL-38 to I-294 NB and from I-294 SB to at least IL-38 WB. ETC should make this fairly easy to do at this point I would think.

I wish they'd add an entrance ramp to I-294 SB from 22nd or 31st streets. Getting on at Ogden during evening rush is a nightmare.

I think they'll be redoing the Ogden ramps in conjunction with the EB 88 to SB 294 ramp. Thought I saw something where it'll get a divided exit lane from everything else

Not too sure exactly what the plan is, but it would be a good opportunity to convert the Ogden interchange into an SPUI or Parclo. And yes, I also agree with the access from 22nd to I-294 SB (or from I-294 NB). Also, widen 22nd to six lanes through the interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on November 05, 2020, 11:26:30 PM
Also, trains are running on the new BNSF bridge, all 3 tracks. The original one had it's tracks removed and I imagine will soon be dismantled.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on November 20, 2020, 06:46:56 PM
BIG NEWS!

The new northbound Mile-Long Bridge on I-294 will be opening to traffic on Wednesday - a day before Thanksgiving (weather permitting)... Once northbound traffic shifts to the new bridge, demolition will begin on the existing northbound bridge to build a new southbound Mile-Long Bridge that will open sometime in 2022.

https://www.radio.com/wbbm780/news/local/illinois-tollway-prepares-to-open-mile-long-bridge-next-week
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 22, 2020, 03:00:52 AM
Looks like the Edens Spur work is wrapping up finally!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-tollway-reopening-edens-spur/article_f12f4f35-797c-540b-b69a-65d09bb78103.html

Quote
The Illinois Tollway reopened all lanes and restored eastbound and westbound traffic to its permanent configuration this week as completion nears on the $109.1 million Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Improvement Project.

All westbound lanes on the Edens Spur Tollway between the Union Pacific Railroad and Edens Expressway reopened to traffic Thursday, and all eastbound lanes reopened Friday.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on November 22, 2020, 04:14:04 PM
Looks like the Edens Spur work is wrapping up finally!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-tollway-reopening-edens-spur/article_f12f4f35-797c-540b-b69a-65d09bb78103.html

Quote
The Illinois Tollway reopened all lanes and restored eastbound and westbound traffic to its permanent configuration this week as completion nears on the $109.1 million Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Improvement Project.

All westbound lanes on the Edens Spur Tollway between the Union Pacific Railroad and Edens Expressway reopened to traffic Thursday, and all eastbound lanes reopened Friday.

I drove through there yesterday and noticed the exit from the Edens to the spur was back to two lanes and the new overhead gantries and signs approaching the ramp are up and looking great.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 22, 2020, 08:42:09 PM
Looks like the Edens Spur work is wrapping up finally!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-tollway-reopening-edens-spur/article_f12f4f35-797c-540b-b69a-65d09bb78103.html

Quote
The Illinois Tollway reopened all lanes and restored eastbound and westbound traffic to its permanent configuration this week as completion nears on the $109.1 million Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Improvement Project.

All westbound lanes on the Edens Spur Tollway between the Union Pacific Railroad and Edens Expressway reopened to traffic Thursday, and all eastbound lanes reopened Friday.

I drove through there yesterday and noticed the exit from the Edens to the spur was back to two lanes and the new overhead gantries and signs approaching the ramp are up and looking great.

I'm very curious to see how that looks through there. Just wondering, since they were rebuilding the overpasses over the railroad both ways just West of the Edens/Spur Interchange, is there still that merge down to one lane on the ramp from the inbound Spur onto the Edens? That has always been a terrible choke point (to where the tollway would have a flashing light warning of stopped traffic), and this always seemed like a good opportunity to correct that issue.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on November 24, 2020, 08:47:22 PM
Looks like the Edens Spur work is wrapping up finally!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-tollway-reopening-edens-spur/article_f12f4f35-797c-540b-b69a-65d09bb78103.html

Quote
The Illinois Tollway reopened all lanes and restored eastbound and westbound traffic to its permanent configuration this week as completion nears on the $109.1 million Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Improvement Project.

All westbound lanes on the Edens Spur Tollway between the Union Pacific Railroad and Edens Expressway reopened to traffic Thursday, and all eastbound lanes reopened Friday.

Very cool! I'm heading back home from college tomorrow, so I'm going to have to head out and check out the finished product.

I wonder if ISTHA bothered to add the exit number back for the Waukegan exit or not. Last time I checked, it was not signed with a number.  :-/
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on November 28, 2020, 09:10:03 PM
Looks like the Edens Spur work is wrapping up finally!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-tollway-reopening-edens-spur/article_f12f4f35-797c-540b-b69a-65d09bb78103.html

Quote
The Illinois Tollway reopened all lanes and restored eastbound and westbound traffic to its permanent configuration this week as completion nears on the $109.1 million Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Improvement Project.

All westbound lanes on the Edens Spur Tollway between the Union Pacific Railroad and Edens Expressway reopened to traffic Thursday, and all eastbound lanes reopened Friday.

I drove through there yesterday and noticed the exit from the Edens to the spur was back to two lanes and the new overhead gantries and signs approaching the ramp are up and looking great.

I'm very curious to see how that looks through there. Just wondering, since they were rebuilding the overpasses over the railroad both ways just West of the Edens/Spur Interchange, is there still that merge down to one lane on the ramp from the inbound Spur onto the Edens? That has always been a terrible choke point (to where the tollway would have a flashing light warning of stopped traffic), and this always seemed like a good opportunity to correct that issue.

I drove through yesterday and yes, it merges down to one lane to go down the ramp from the spur to the Edens. I'm surprised they didn't change this configuration.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 28, 2020, 10:34:53 PM
Looks like the Edens Spur work is wrapping up finally!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-tollway-reopening-edens-spur/article_f12f4f35-797c-540b-b69a-65d09bb78103.html

Quote
The Illinois Tollway reopened all lanes and restored eastbound and westbound traffic to its permanent configuration this week as completion nears on the $109.1 million Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Improvement Project.

All westbound lanes on the Edens Spur Tollway between the Union Pacific Railroad and Edens Expressway reopened to traffic Thursday, and all eastbound lanes reopened Friday.

I drove through there yesterday and noticed the exit from the Edens to the spur was back to two lanes and the new overhead gantries and signs approaching the ramp are up and looking great.

I'm very curious to see how that looks through there. Just wondering, since they were rebuilding the overpasses over the railroad both ways just West of the Edens/Spur Interchange, is there still that merge down to one lane on the ramp from the inbound Spur onto the Edens? That has always been a terrible choke point (to where the tollway would have a flashing light warning of stopped traffic), and this always seemed like a good opportunity to correct that issue.

I drove through yesterday and yes, it merges down to one lane to go down the ramp from the spur to the Edens. I'm surprised they didn't change this configuration.

That's disappointing and an obvious missed opportunity to fix a notable bottleneck. I wonder if it comes down to cooperation (or lack of) from IDOT?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on November 29, 2020, 03:00:38 PM
Looks like the Edens Spur work is wrapping up finally!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-tollway-reopening-edens-spur/article_f12f4f35-797c-540b-b69a-65d09bb78103.html

Quote
The Illinois Tollway reopened all lanes and restored eastbound and westbound traffic to its permanent configuration this week as completion nears on the $109.1 million Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Improvement Project.

All westbound lanes on the Edens Spur Tollway between the Union Pacific Railroad and Edens Expressway reopened to traffic Thursday, and all eastbound lanes reopened Friday.

I drove through there yesterday and noticed the exit from the Edens to the spur was back to two lanes and the new overhead gantries and signs approaching the ramp are up and looking great.

I'm very curious to see how that looks through there. Just wondering, since they were rebuilding the overpasses over the railroad both ways just West of the Edens/Spur Interchange, is there still that merge down to one lane on the ramp from the inbound Spur onto the Edens? That has always been a terrible choke point (to where the tollway would have a flashing light warning of stopped traffic), and this always seemed like a good opportunity to correct that issue.

I drove through yesterday and yes, it merges down to one lane to go down the ramp from the spur to the Edens. I'm surprised they didn't change this configuration.

That's disappointing and an obvious missed opportunity to fix a notable bottleneck. I wonder if it comes down to cooperation (or lack of) from IDOT?

IDOT -- Cooperate?

(https://media1.tenor.com/images/b703f51ef12319283c299d8bdd7a798e/tenor.gif?itemid=3613518)

They're likely still bitter about the diversion of the route due to resistance from the locals at the time and will do anything to fuck ISTHA.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on December 06, 2020, 12:08:10 AM
Looks like the Edens Spur work is wrapping up finally!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-tollway-reopening-edens-spur/article_f12f4f35-797c-540b-b69a-65d09bb78103.html

Quote
The Illinois Tollway reopened all lanes and restored eastbound and westbound traffic to its permanent configuration this week as completion nears on the $109.1 million Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Improvement Project.

All westbound lanes on the Edens Spur Tollway between the Union Pacific Railroad and Edens Expressway reopened to traffic Thursday, and all eastbound lanes reopened Friday.

I drove through there yesterday and noticed the exit from the Edens to the spur was back to two lanes and the new overhead gantries and signs approaching the ramp are up and looking great.

I'm very curious to see how that looks through there. Just wondering, since they were rebuilding the overpasses over the railroad both ways just West of the Edens/Spur Interchange, is there still that merge down to one lane on the ramp from the inbound Spur onto the Edens? That has always been a terrible choke point (to where the tollway would have a flashing light warning of stopped traffic), and this always seemed like a good opportunity to correct that issue.

I drove through yesterday and yes, it merges down to one lane to go down the ramp from the spur to the Edens. I'm surprised they didn't change this configuration.

That's disappointing and an obvious missed opportunity to fix a notable bottleneck. I wonder if it comes down to cooperation (or lack of) from IDOT?

IDOT -- Cooperate?

(https://media1.tenor.com/images/b703f51ef12319283c299d8bdd7a798e/tenor.gif?itemid=3613518)

They're likely still bitter about the diversion of the route due to resistance from the locals at the time and will do anything to fuck ISTHA.

I took the Edens Spur eastbound again today. I can't figure out why they didn't go with two lanes from the spur down to the Edens. The roadway and preceding bridges are all wide enough, they just funnel traffic down to one lane right before the ramp. They definitely had an opportunity to make things better there.

The other thing I've always been curious about, why isn't IL 43/Waukegan Road marked as Exit 27? It doesn't have an exit number; it's like it was skipped when ISHTA numbered all the interchanges years ago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 07, 2020, 09:26:33 AM
Northbound I-294 lanes have been shifted onto the new mile long bridge span. They will now begin to dismantle to original northbound bridge to built the new southbound lanes
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 07, 2020, 04:08:46 PM
Looks like the Edens Spur work is wrapping up finally!

https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/state-and-regional/illinois-tollway-reopening-edens-spur/article_f12f4f35-797c-540b-b69a-65d09bb78103.html

Quote
The Illinois Tollway reopened all lanes and restored eastbound and westbound traffic to its permanent configuration this week as completion nears on the $109.1 million Edens Spur Tollway (I-94) Improvement Project.

All westbound lanes on the Edens Spur Tollway between the Union Pacific Railroad and Edens Expressway reopened to traffic Thursday, and all eastbound lanes reopened Friday.

I drove through there yesterday and noticed the exit from the Edens to the spur was back to two lanes and the new overhead gantries and signs approaching the ramp are up and looking great.

I'm very curious to see how that looks through there. Just wondering, since they were rebuilding the overpasses over the railroad both ways just West of the Edens/Spur Interchange, is there still that merge down to one lane on the ramp from the inbound Spur onto the Edens? That has always been a terrible choke point (to where the tollway would have a flashing light warning of stopped traffic), and this always seemed like a good opportunity to correct that issue.

I drove through yesterday and yes, it merges down to one lane to go down the ramp from the spur to the Edens. I'm surprised they didn't change this configuration.

That's disappointing and an obvious missed opportunity to fix a notable bottleneck. I wonder if it comes down to cooperation (or lack of) from IDOT?
IDOT may not have the funds for that. (may be drop US-41 to 2 lanes there as the cheap as way)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on December 09, 2020, 11:36:14 AM
The other thing I've always been curious about, why isn't IL 43/Waukegan Road marked as Exit 27? It doesn't have an exit number; it's like it was skipped when ISHTA numbered all the interchanges years ago.

It's clear that no one cared enough about it to re-incorporate the exit number in the project. There was actually a brief period of time before the rebuild where the exit was numbered. Needless to say, it's a bit irritating.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on December 12, 2020, 06:38:02 PM
I noticed new overhead signs westbound approach Elmhurst Road on I-90/Jane Addams today. Unfortunately, the new signs have weirdly stretched Series E lettering and the lowercase letters are too small for the uppercase letters on the sign. (I hate it when sign manufacturers treat the dimensions like a 'font size'). I haven't noticed this type of issue before on ISHTA roads (maybe one other sign now that I think about it), but now I wonder if the new EB overhead signs for I-490 that are currently covered up have the same issue. I sent an email to ISHTA about the error, this is my first time reporting something like this to them. Do they usually respond?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 14, 2020, 06:44:34 PM
anyone know if the IL tollway will stay ETC ONLY after covid is over?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on December 14, 2020, 06:52:36 PM
anyone know if the IL tollway will stay ETC ONLY after covid is over?

My guess is yes. I drove through the Elgin plaza yesterday and noticed they've changed things again with all non-open road tolling traffic funneled through the single I-Pass Only lane on the left of the plaza lanes which is now signed "I-Pass or Pay Online". Previous to this, a couple of the self-service lanes were open (although the self-service machines were apparently off and they had a VMS saying "Do Not Stop". With the sign changes, I guess they don't plan to return to manual collection or self-service options, at least at that location.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 14, 2020, 06:56:05 PM
anyone know if the IL tollway will stay ETC ONLY after covid is over?
Unclear. They have have plans to, they're not sharing them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 15, 2020, 09:44:49 AM
They were experimenting with self-serve lanes at a few plazas. Not gonna lie, it def seems like they would continue down that path and Covid maybe sped the process up. We'll see as 2021 and 2022 go along
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on December 15, 2020, 03:26:15 PM
anyone know if the IL tollway will stay ETC ONLY after covid is over?

My guess is yes. They changed all of the toll related signs on I-88 EB from Aurora to the Tri-State indicating I-Pass or Pay Online.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on December 15, 2020, 07:27:39 PM
anyone know if the IL tollway will stay ETC ONLY after covid is over?

My guess is yes. They changed all of the toll related signs on I-88 EB from Aurora to the Tri-State indicating I-Pass or Pay Online.

Likewise on I-355.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on December 16, 2020, 07:07:56 PM
anyone know if the IL tollway will stay ETC ONLY after covid is over?

My guess is yes. They changed all of the toll related signs on I-88 EB from Aurora to the Tri-State indicating I-Pass or Pay Online.

Likewise on I-355.

Is that at the ramp plazas or the mainline too? Do they just have the cash lanes completely blocked off?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on December 16, 2020, 07:18:02 PM
anyone know if the IL tollway will stay ETC ONLY after covid is over?

My guess is yes. They changed all of the toll related signs on I-88 EB from Aurora to the Tri-State indicating I-Pass or Pay Online.

Likewise on I-355.

Is that at the ramp plazas or the mainline too? Do they just have the cash lanes completely blocked off?

The cash lanes are closed.  Only the I-Pass Only lanes are open for the exits attached to the toll plaza areas.

In fact, just today on my commute home, I saw this from the Tollway on the VMSs:
"NO CASH COLLECTION
PAY ONLINE REQUIRED
ILLINOISTOLLWAY.COM"
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Highway63 on December 17, 2020, 01:31:09 PM
I did not know that the tollways weren't taking cash anymore. I am firmly against it, as it screws over non-local travelers. (But then, I am generally against tollways as a concept.) Good to know for the next time I go to the area.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on December 17, 2020, 01:45:50 PM
I did not know that the tollways weren't taking cash anymore. I am firmly against it, as it screws over non-local travelers. (But then, I am generally against tollways as a concept.) Good to know for the next time I go to the area.
Tolls can be paid at the Tollway’s website, quite easily, within 2 weeks of travel

I would assume ISTHA’s 1-800-UC-I-Pass hotline would also quote you a bill and provide an address to mail a check and/or take a credit card payment over the phone, but I have never tried that. I’m guessing the Customer Service Desk at the Downers Grove ISTHA HQ probably isn’t open to walk in and pay tolls, but it might be

What screws over non-local travelers is the higher tolls for not having I-Pass/EZ-Pass, not so much Cash vs Cashless

Mailing address from getipass.com:
Quote from: ISTHA
Cash Customers
Cash customers may also pay by check or money order payable to the Illinois Tollway. Please write your license plate number and date(s) of travel in the memo field of your check.

Mail to: Illinois Tollway - P.O. Box 5544 - Chicago, IL 60680-5544
https://www.illinoistollway.com/unpaid-tolls
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 17, 2020, 02:20:37 PM
I did not know that the tollways weren't taking cash anymore. I am firmly against it, as it screws over non-local travelers. (But then, I am generally against tollways as a concept.) Good to know for the next time I go to the area.
Tolls can be paid at the Tollway’s website, quite easily, within 2 weeks of travel

I would assume ISTHA’s 1-800-UC-I-Pass hotline would also quote you a bill and provide an address to mail a check and/or take a credit card payment over the phone, but I have never tried that. I’m guessing the Customer Service Desk at the Downers Grove ISTHA HQ probably isn’t open to walk in and pay tolls, but it might be

What screws over non-local travelers is the higher tolls for not having I-Pass/EZ-Pass, not so much Cash vs Cashless

Mailing address from getipass.com:
Quote from: ISTHA
Cash Customers
Cash customers may also pay by check or money order payable to the Illinois Tollway. Please write your license plate number and date(s) of travel in the memo field of your check.

Mail to: Illinois Tollway - P.O. Box 5544 - Chicago, IL 60680-5544
https://www.illinoistollway.com/unpaid-tolls

I just got a letter from Florida. Pretty easy to pay online. It was a single booth and to shunpike it would have taken another 20 minutes and a lot of redirects, so in that case it was worth it.

I do wish you could buy a 1 week or weekend pass with the bar code to put in your windshield. Then the cameras or sensors will detect it, check the plate image and your are good to go.

That certainly beats the toll by plate processing charges and allows toll roads to collect out of state cash much easier.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on December 17, 2020, 02:57:15 PM
What screws over non-local travelers is the higher tolls for not having I-Pass/EZ-Pass, not so much Cash vs Cashless

Of course, there's expecting out-of-area travelers to actually know how to pay their tolls, too.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: TheHighwayMan394 on December 17, 2020, 03:45:31 PM
I know it's lazy, but I don't want to carve out extra time to pay tolls online later (or go "oh, I need to do that" at a moment I can't immediately do so or do not want to, so I inevitably forget until the next time I remember I need to pay my toll, again at a time I can't immediately stop what I'm doing to do so), dig out my card, calculate what booths I went through, punch in my card, plus I don't like owing people.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on December 17, 2020, 03:52:58 PM
I know it's lazy, but I don't want to carve out extra time to pay tolls online later (or go "oh, I need to do that" at a moment I can't immediately do so or do not want to, so I inevitably forget until the next time I remember I need to pay my toll, again at a time I can't immediately stop what I'm doing to do so), dig out my card, calculate what booths I went through, punch in my card, plus I don't like owing people.

...and that's assuming you know (1) that you're supposed to do all that and (2) how to do so.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on December 18, 2020, 08:59:47 AM
I know it's lazy, but I don't want to carve out extra time to pay tolls online later (or go "oh, I need to do that" at a moment I can't immediately do so or do not want to, so I inevitably forget until the next time I remember I need to pay my toll, again at a time I can't immediately stop what I'm doing to do so), dig out my card, calculate what booths I went through, punch in my card, plus I don't like owing people.

They changed it so you create an account once with your license plate and they'll just charge your card each time you go thru. No more calculating. You still don't get the 50% discount unless you use iPass/EZPass though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on December 18, 2020, 12:54:15 PM

I know it's lazy, but I don't want to carve out extra time to pay tolls online later (or go "oh, I need to do that" at a moment I can't immediately do so or do not want to, so I inevitably forget until the next time I remember I need to pay my toll, again at a time I can't immediately stop what I'm doing to do so), dig out my card, calculate what booths I went through, punch in my card, plus I don't like owing people.

They changed it so you create an account once with your license plate and they'll just charge your card each time you go thru. No more calculating. You still don't get the 50% discount unless you use iPass/EZPass though.

Meaning you still have to go online or call someone and set up that account?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on December 18, 2020, 02:24:30 PM

I know it's lazy, but I don't want to carve out extra time to pay tolls online later (or go "oh, I need to do that" at a moment I can't immediately do so or do not want to, so I inevitably forget until the next time I remember I need to pay my toll, again at a time I can't immediately stop what I'm doing to do so), dig out my card, calculate what booths I went through, punch in my card, plus I don't like owing people.

They changed it so you create an account once with your license plate and they'll just charge your card each time you go thru. No more calculating. You still don't get the 50% discount unless you use iPass/EZPass though.

Meaning you still have to go online or call someone and set up that account?

Or you could just wait for the invoice to arrive in the mail with a $3 fee per toll (except IL-390 is $1.50). Still a crappy system but better than old way of $20 fine per toll. They'd be better off just doing something like NY or FL that just mails a bill with a small fee per bill to cover mailing cost. But this is Illinois, it's not supposed to be convenient or make sense.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on December 18, 2020, 02:37:03 PM
Or you could just wait for the invoice to arrive in the mail with a $3 fee per toll (except IL-390 is $1.50). Still a crappy system but better than old way of $20 fine per toll.

Which is all well and good if you're the owner of the vehicle.  But what if you're driving a company fleet vehicle with no toll pass?  That would be no problem at all if you could pay cash or credit at an actual toll booth.  But, instead, you have to jump through hoops to pay that toll, or else your central office will get a bill for your "toll violation", including surcharge.

And another question:  if you set up an "account" to pay a "missed" toll, then do you later still have the option to pay cash at locations that do have toll booths?  Or will you be double-dipped if you do that?  Because–following along in my fleet driver situation–another driver eight months later at another location within the same system might want to pay cash because that's what corporate expects him to do.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 18, 2020, 02:52:33 PM
Or you could just wait for the invoice to arrive in the mail with a $3 fee per toll (except IL-390 is $1.50). Still a crappy system but better than old way of $20 fine per toll.

Which is all well and good if you're the owner of the vehicle.  But what if you're driving a company fleet vehicle with no toll pass?  That would be no problem at all if you could pay cash or credit at an actual toll booth.  But, instead, you have to jump through hoops to pay that toll, or else your central office will get a bill for your "toll violation", including surcharge.

And another question:  if you set up an "account" to pay a "missed" toll, then do you later still have the option to pay cash at locations that do have toll booths?  Or will you be double-dipped if you do that?  Because–following along in my fleet driver situation–another driver eight months later at another location within the same system might want to pay cash because that's what corporate expects him to do.

Welcome to Illinois, enjoy your costly stay
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on December 20, 2020, 07:38:24 PM
Or you could just wait for the invoice to arrive in the mail with a $3 fee per toll (except IL-390 is $1.50). Still a crappy system but better than old way of $20 fine per toll.

Which is all well and good if you're the owner of the vehicle.  But what if you're driving a company fleet vehicle with no toll pass?  That would be no problem at all if you could pay cash or credit at an actual toll booth.  But, instead, you have to jump through hoops to pay that toll, or else your central office will get a bill for your "toll violation", including surcharge.

And another question:  if you set up an "account" to pay a "missed" toll, then do you later still have the option to pay cash at locations that do have toll booths?  Or will you be double-dipped if you do that?  Because—following along in my fleet driver situation—another driver eight months later at another location within the same system might want to pay cash because that's what corporate expects him to do.

Welcome $$$ to $$$ Illinois $$$, enjoy your $$$ costly $$$ stay $$$$$.

FTFY.  ;-)

As for my thoughts on the Tollway going all electronic, I think that's pretty likely at this point. The plaza on the Edens Spur has new signage that heavily implies cash will not be returning. I don't remember what exactly the sign said though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 21, 2020, 01:04:26 PM
But this is Illinois, it's not supposed to be convenient or make sense.

Like during the Ryan era as Sec of State, you could only use Discover to pay your plate renewals online. And they still charged you a card recovery fee.

I wonder how much cash they "discovered" in Ryan's jacket after that went down.

As a kid we all used to get rulers every year from IL Sec of State Paul Powell, with his name emblazoned across them.

Then he died, and they found mattresses full of hard cold cash stuffed in them. If memory serves they recovered around $1.2 million.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 22, 2020, 07:14:59 PM
Or you could just wait for the invoice to arrive in the mail with a $3 fee per toll (except IL-390 is $1.50). Still a crappy system but better than old way of $20 fine per toll.

Which is all well and good if you're the owner of the vehicle.  But what if you're driving a company fleet vehicle with no toll pass?  That would be no problem at all if you could pay cash or credit at an actual toll booth.  But, instead, you have to jump through hoops to pay that toll, or else your central office will get a bill for your "toll violation", including surcharge.

And another question:  if you set up an "account" to pay a "missed" toll, then do you later still have the option to pay cash at locations that do have toll booths?  Or will you be double-dipped if you do that?  Because–following along in my fleet driver situation–another driver eight months later at another location within the same system might want to pay cash because that's what corporate expects him to do.

Welcome $$$ to $$$ Illinois $$$, enjoy your $$$ costly $$$ stay $$$$$.

FTFY.  ;-)

As for my thoughts on the Tollway going all electronic, I think that's pretty likely at this point. The plaza on the Edens Spur has new signage that heavily implies cash will not be returning. I don't remember what exactly the sign said though.
I'm beginning to speculate the same now that I've driven the Tri-State and N-W tollways today.  The South Beloit plaza's signs were replaced indicating I-PASS or Pay Online with them "striping shoulders" where the ramps to the cash lanes are and installing signs saying "authorized vehicles only".  The Waukegan Plaza mirrors this except for the fact that the far right lane is forced into it by the ORT lanes being limited to 3.  The other N-W Tollway plazas have a spare lane open with "I-PASS or PAY ONLINE" noted - but the advance signs were not changed (which sets up a "bait-and-switch" approach to it).  This - in addition to the welcome signs saying "pay online", indicate an effort by ISTHA to eliminate cash altogether.

The ramp tolls that are not already online only still have a lane saying "self serve" (meaning cash or credit).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on December 23, 2020, 03:04:46 PM
They other thing I have noticed that has change with the Aurora Plaza is that there is on the overhead gantry before the plaza a yellow "15 MPH" banner in the sign. I do think this is going to be permanent.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 23, 2020, 03:21:37 PM
They other thing I have noticed that has change with the Aurora Plaza is that there is on the overhead gantry before the plaza a yellow "15 MPH" banner in the sign. I do think this is going to be permanent.
That was also the case for the Waukegan and all (except the Rosemont (Devon Avenue) Plaza which didn't have anything (had the old prior to purple mandate signs) until the lane itself which had a subliminal "or pay online" on it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 23, 2020, 04:54:58 PM
No one listens to those 15 mph warnings though. Slowest I've really gone is 30 mph through those because you have traffic breathing down your neck behind you.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on December 23, 2020, 06:50:48 PM
So when they inevitably begin tearing down the cash plazas, what will they do with the ROW?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on December 23, 2020, 07:05:59 PM
No one listens to those 15 mph warnings though. Slowest I've really gone is 30 mph through those because you have traffic breathing down your neck behind you.

Coming from the Tri-state onto the Kennedy at the River Rd plaza I've slowed down to 30 and gotten honked at by more than a few cars. I'm amazed at how fast I've seen some cars whip through the toll booths there.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on December 23, 2020, 07:47:42 PM
So when they inevitably begin tearing down the cash plazas, what will they do with the ROW?
Go Old School Skyway and put McDonalds where the Cash Lanes are

Granted, it would be the outside of the toll plaza, not the middle, but same (general) idea!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 24, 2020, 05:25:52 AM
No one listens to those 15 mph warnings though. Slowest I've really gone is 30 mph through those because you have traffic breathing down your neck behind you.

Coming from the Tri-state onto the Kennedy at the River Rd plaza I've slowed down to 30 and gotten honked at by more than a few cars. I'm amazed at how fast I've seen some cars whip through the toll booths there.
Welcome to Chicagoland!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: GeekJedi on January 02, 2021, 02:45:54 PM
Or you could just wait for the invoice to arrive in the mail with a $3 fee per toll (except IL-390 is $1.50). Still a crappy system but better than old way of $20 fine per toll.

And another question:  if you set up an "account" to pay a "missed" toll, then do you later still have the option to pay cash at locations that do have toll booths?  Or will you be double-dipped if you do that?  Because—following along in my fleet driver situation—another driver eight months later at another location within the same system might want to pay cash because that's what corporate expects him to do.

Which is all well and good if you're the owner of the vehicle.  But what if you're driving a company fleet vehicle with no toll pass?  That would be no problem at all if you could pay cash or credit at an actual toll booth.  But, instead, you have to jump through hoops to pay that toll, or else your central office will get a bill for your "toll violation", including surcharge.

We could play "what-if" all day long. However, I think most of that is overthinking it. There are signs everywhere stating that you need to go to illinoistollway.com. Don't have the internet? Go to the library or mail a check. If you really want to pay the tolls, you can figure out how to do it before it becomes a violation. Heck, home internet penetration is now up to 86%, so you're definitely looking at outliers. Manual lanes have been on the chopping block for years - the ISTHA was just looking for a way to eliminate them without a backlash, and COVID provided that.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on January 02, 2021, 07:48:35 PM
Non-electronic toll plazas are no longer needed in the 21st century. I'm sure that, soon, electronic toll plazas will be the only ones that exist. No more stop-and-pay toll plazas, only drive-by-and-pay-later-or-electronically toll plazas.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 02, 2021, 10:30:12 PM
We could play "what-if" all day long. However, I think most of that is overthinking it. There are signs everywhere stating that you need to go to illinoistollway.com.

In violation of the MUTCD.

Don't have the internet? Go to the library or mail a check. If you really want to pay the tolls, you can figure out how to do it before it becomes a violation. Heck, home internet penetration is now up to 86%, so you're definitely looking at outliers.

Be great if the libraries weren't closed due to Covid restrictions.  Also could be a problem if one ends up with a multi-day internet outage.

Non-electronic toll plazas are no longer needed in the 21st century. I'm sure that, soon, electronic toll plazas will be the only ones that exist. No more stop-and-pay toll plazas, only drive-by-and-pay-later-or-electronically toll plazas.

Disagree until I can use an I-Pass on the various Texas toll facilities and the bridges out in California.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on January 02, 2021, 11:07:31 PM
We could play "what-if" all day long. However, I think most of that is overthinking it. There are signs everywhere stating that you need to go to illinoistollway.com.

In violation of the MUTCD.

How does it violate?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 02, 2021, 11:22:59 PM
In violation of the MUTCD.

How does it violate?

Quote from: 2009 MUTCD Section 2A.06 Paragraph 14
Except as provided in Paragraph 16 and except for the Carpool Information (D12-2) sign (see Section 2I.11), Internet addresses and e-mail addresses, including domain names and uniform resource locators (URL), shall not be displayed on any sign, supplemental plaque, sign panel (including logo sign panels on Specific Service signs), or changeable message sign.

Quote from: 2009 MUTCD Section 2A.06 Paragraph 16
Internet addresses, e-mail addresses, or telephone numbers with more than four characters may be displayed
on signs, supplemental plaques, sign panels, and changeable message signs that are intended for viewing only by pedestrians, bicyclists, occupants of parked vehicles, or drivers of vehicles on low-speed roadways where engineering judgment indicates that an area is available for drivers to stop out of the traffic flow to read the

[edited to fix quoting error]
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 03, 2021, 05:59:05 PM
In violation of the MUTCD.

How does it violate?

Quote from: 2009 MUTCD Section 2A.06 Paragraph 14
Except as provided in Paragraph 16 and except for the Carpool Information (D12-2) sign (see Section 2I.11), Internet addresses and e-mail addresses, including domain names and uniform resource locators (URL), shall not be displayed on any sign, supplemental plaque, sign panel (including logo sign panels on Specific Service signs), or changeable message sign.

Quote from: 2009 MUTCD Section 2A.06 Paragraph 16
Internet addresses, e-mail addresses, or telephone numbers with more than four characters may be displayed
on signs, supplemental plaques, sign panels, and changeable message signs that are intended for viewing only by pedestrians, bicyclists, occupants of parked vehicles, or drivers of vehicles on low-speed roadways where engineering judgment indicates that an area is available for drivers to stop out of the traffic flow to read the

[edited to fix quoting error]
well try that in the court room to get out of your toll bill. Or maybe best best case pay by mail NO ADMIN FEES and at cash rate.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on January 05, 2021, 06:27:37 PM
We could play "what-if" all day long. However, I think most of that is overthinking it. There are signs everywhere stating that you need to go to illinoistollway.com.

In violation of the MUTCD.

How does it violate?
I see how now

https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/interpretations/2_09_174.htm?fbclid=IwAR3Ft5pvGRn_OKD_imOXuoFSu0o3mHyoFcjp2HyMW3fWFOFYpkQEWgGIdpU

As long as it curbs if not eliminate the joke/law of the day messages (they can be on but for a limited time)

</end_of_topic_derailment>
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on January 16, 2021, 06:41:31 PM
It looks like ISHTA is converting the overhead signs for I-PASS or online toll only. Taken today at the Waukegan Tolls, same signs in both directions. These signs replace "ELECTRONIC TOLL ONLY" and "CASH" signs.  The diagrammatic signs are gone as well, replaced with "TOLL AHEAD / I-PASS OR ONLINE PAY ONLY" signs.

(https://jpnearl.com/upstatenyroads.com/aaroads/waukegan_tolls.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on January 16, 2021, 06:56:09 PM
It looks like ISHTA is converting the overhead signs for I-PASS or online toll only. Taken today at the Waukegan Tolls, same signs in both directions. These signs replace "ELECTRONIC TOLL ONLY" and "CASH" signs.  The diagrammatic signs are gone as well, replaced with "TOLL AHEAD / I-PASS OR ONLINE PAY ONLY" signs.

(https://jpnearl.com/upstatenyroads.com/aaroads/waukegan_tolls.jpg)

So they are going all electronic full time? I wonder how long until they tear down the cash booths?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on January 16, 2021, 07:19:57 PM
I noticed that at a few booths along I-294. I figured it was because of Covid and they didn't want interactions between drivers and toll booths but seemed a bit much to make a brand new sign. Maybe Covid really kickstarted the whole "Get an IPass or pay online"
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: machias on January 16, 2021, 09:51:00 PM
I noticed that at a few booths along I-294. I figured it was because of Covid and they didn't want interactions between drivers and toll booths but seemed a bit much to make a brand new sign. Maybe Covid really kickstarted the whole "Get an IPass or pay online"

I think that's what's going on here. They've used the COVID restrictions as a reason to eliminate the toll booths altogether. I noticed a bunch of signs have been changed on I-88 as well, removing any mentions of cash booths at the interchanges. I'll drive through there on Monday to see if the overhead "ELECTRONIC TOLL ONLY" signs have been replaced as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 16, 2021, 10:51:18 PM
I noticed that at a few booths along I-294. I figured it was because of Covid and they didn't want interactions between drivers and toll booths but seemed a bit much to make a brand new sign. Maybe Covid really kickstarted the whole "Get an IPass or pay online"
may in the Central Tri-State Tollway rebuild they will just fully remove them at cermak.

o hare airport has 5 lanes was started some time ago.

Waukegan needs an way to get to 4 lanes
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Opkl2 on January 17, 2021, 02:54:50 AM
If the tollway is going all electronic, I-294 could use some more interchanges between lengthy gaps. I also would like to see what will happen with the abandoned cash lanes. They probably could’ve kept the coin buckets for out-of-state drivers though. Or perhaps a machine that accepts card payments.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 17, 2021, 01:01:57 PM
If the tollway is going all electronic, I-294 could use some more interchanges between lengthy gaps. I also would like to see what will happen with the abandoned cash lanes. They probably could’ve kept the coin buckets for out-of-state drivers though. Or perhaps a machine that accepts card payments.

The Tollway already had machines that could take credit cards. (https://goo.gl/maps/5PjXwJiYcaH6aL5n9).

As for adding ramps, ISTHA almost always requires some form of local funding to help pay for them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on January 17, 2021, 02:32:02 PM
I noticed that at a few booths along I-294. I figured it was because of Covid and they didn't want interactions between drivers and toll booths but seemed a bit much to make a brand new sign. Maybe Covid really kickstarted the whole "Get an IPass or pay online"
may in the Central Tri-State Tollway rebuild they will just fully remove them at cermak.

o hare airport has 5 lanes was started some time ago.

Waukegan needs an way to get to 4 lanes

The O'Hare section is pretty much finished, 5-6 lane sections with the Irving Park and Oasis exits merged into one. I think they might redo the cash booths with self serve booths unless they really want to tear down the structure. Some of those are old whereas others like on I-88 are only 10 years old
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on January 18, 2021, 08:18:08 AM
It looks like ISHTA is converting the overhead signs for I-PASS or online toll only. Taken today at the Waukegan Tolls, same signs in both directions. These signs replace "ELECTRONIC TOLL ONLY" and "CASH" signs.  The diagrammatic signs are gone as well, replaced with "TOLL AHEAD / I-PASS OR ONLINE PAY ONLY" signs.

...image cut in reply...
It looks like ISHTA is converting the overhead signs for I-PASS or online toll only. Taken today at the Waukegan Tolls, same signs in both directions. These signs replace "ELECTRONIC TOLL ONLY" and "CASH" signs.  The diagrammatic signs are gone as well, replaced with "TOLL AHEAD / I-PASS OR ONLINE PAY ONLY" signs.

...image cut in reply...

The only instances as of year-end are at this and South Beloit (I-90).  Everything else has the old signs (Note they were not in a hurry to replace non-compliant white signs at Elgin or Devon Ave to begin with as those were not under contract with the widening last decade).  If there were any credit card machines on I-355 south of I-88, they're all gone!  You can only pay online for those ramps.

Many signs will likely require replacement once the new MUTCD is published since internet addresses will be banned by it.

Another hint at permanent AET is that you can register your car for a Pay-by-Plate option in advance, but trust me - the E-Z Pass option is better long term. The latter is for the occasional driver of the roads from afar.  You are not automatically charged through this without registering (You're still obligated to go to the site and pay)

Whatever plans they have for AET long term are definitely being kept under wraps.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on January 25, 2021, 01:47:28 PM
The tollway has been gradually replacing most of the old overpasses on the original portion I-88 in recent years. Church Road, Mitchell Road, Farnsworth Ave, York Road have all be replaced. This year, Deerpath Road is being replaced, as well as the Windsor Dr overpass on the EB I-88 to SB I-294 ramp.

The most glaring omissions are Randall Road, Eola Road and IL-83. Will they replace these in the coming years?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 25, 2021, 11:21:15 PM
The tollway has been gradually replacing most of the old overpasses on the original portion I-88 in recent years. Church Road, Mitchell Road, Farnsworth Ave, York Road have all be replaced. This year, Deerpath Road is being replaced, as well as the Windsor Dr overpass on the EB I-88 to SB I-294 ramp.

The most glaring omissions are Randall Road, Eola Road and IL-83. Will they replace these in the coming years?
https://www.randallover90.com/
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 25, 2021, 11:50:54 PM
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5dbc5da72aee2977b92f7063/t/600a2d2336efb12f9c0614fa/1611279704980/RandallOver90_ConceptsUnderConsideration.pdf
of all the plans in there why no?

full DDI

something really big like the w dodge st / I-680 setup.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on January 26, 2021, 08:42:36 AM
The tollway has been gradually replacing most of the old overpasses on the original portion I-88 in recent years. Church Road, Mitchell Road, Farnsworth Ave, York Road have all be replaced. This year, Deerpath Road is being replaced, as well as the Windsor Dr overpass on the EB I-88 to SB I-294 ramp.

The most glaring omissions are Randall Road, Eola Road and IL-83. Will they replace these in the coming years?
https://www.randallover90.com/

That is over I-90. I am talking about I-88.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on January 26, 2021, 09:50:19 AM
The tollway has been gradually replacing most of the old overpasses on the original portion I-88 in recent years. Church Road, Mitchell Road, Farnsworth Ave, York Road have all be replaced. This year, Deerpath Road is being replaced, as well as the Windsor Dr overpass on the EB I-88 to SB I-294 ramp.

The most glaring omissions are Randall Road, Eola Road and IL-83. Will they replace these in the coming years?

Eola I think was rehabbed when they built the exit 10 years ago. IL-83 could use a nice upgrade
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 03, 2021, 10:47:40 AM
With this being the 10th anniversary of when Move Illinois was approved, what do you think the next big projects will be when the current work wraps up? After the central Tri-State rebuild, the EOE and the I-57/294 interchange, what else is needed?

The IL-53 extension is sadly dead, but I think one big thing should be the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. That needs to be rebuilt with a new configuration.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 03, 2021, 11:47:28 AM
With this being the 10th anniversary of when Move Illinois was approved, what do you think the next big projects will be when the current work wraps up? After the central Tri-State rebuild, the EOE and the I-57/294 interchange, what else is needed?

The IL-53 extension is sadly dead, but I think one big thing should be the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. That needs to be rebuilt with a new configuration.

- Finish I-390 as a tollroad to IL-59 for the EOE
- Complete the North Lake Expressway (IL-120) from I-94 to Round Lake (IDOT owns 70% of the ROW)
- Build connection ramps to IL-83 south from IL-120. It is unincorporated Lake County and not subject to the local NIMBYism further south. (IDOT owns 100%)
- Start the Illiana from I-80 near Morris to I-57 north of Manteno, regardless of the airport. (IDOT owns >10% of ROW) At a minimum, start the bridge to I-55
- Land acquisition to improve IL-47 north of Morris to Oswego.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 03, 2021, 10:53:32 PM
I'm still waiting until either most of the ROW for IL 53 is sold/transferred before I call it dead instead of dormant.  If the ROW stays in IDOT hands it could try to come back again in 2023.

I think a revisit/partial build of the Illiana may come up, particularly if the growth around Crown Point keeps up.  Possibly an IL 394 upgrade/extension.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 04, 2021, 11:18:19 AM
I'm still waiting until either most of the ROW for IL 53 is sold/transferred before I call it dead instead of dormant.  If the ROW stays in IDOT hands it could try to come back again in 2023.

I think a revisit/partial build of the Illiana may come up, particularly if the growth around Crown Point keeps up.  Possibly an IL 394 upgrade/extension.

IDOT owns or has rights to a large amount of land in the state.  I have a bad feeling that in a moment of weakness, they are going to sell off a ton of it to help balance the poorly run budgets in the state.

While I have no proof of it, the state of Illinois may have used this unused land as collateral as part of their junk bond debt refinancing efforts.

If this is the case, Illinois might have to either sit on it, and if they sell it, it has to be designated to go directly to the bond holders and doesn't help the annual budget at all.

I don't want to see a repeat on the 1980's where to balance their budgets, many Illinois school districts, with declining enrollments and a poor economy, sold off a lot of land, land they needed 10 years later when enrollments went into a boom phase. They subsequently ended up overpaying to get the last remaining open land in their jurisdiction.

While I think IDOT should just wait it out another 10-20 years and then see what options are possible on IL-53, long term they are going to need a north-south option of *some* kind. It really s/b a tollroad becuase they have better budgets to support sound remediations. Something critical in this ROW.

I seriously thought about any tollway opportunities outside the metro Chicago area that arent covered by a tax funded highway today and they were all marginal.

With political leaders only thinking about the next election they have a bad habit of thinking tactically, not strategically.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 04, 2021, 11:36:41 AM
With this being the 10th anniversary of when Move Illinois was approved, what do you think the next big projects will be when the current work wraps up? After the central Tri-State rebuild, the EOE and the I-57/294 interchange, what else is needed?

The IL-53 extension is sadly dead, but I think one big thing should be the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. That needs to be rebuilt with a new configuration.

Definitely a yes on the I-90/I-290 interchange. That ramp from 90 East to 53 North in particular is hell. Then again, so is 53 South to 90 West... yeah the whole thing is a disaster.

As for other big projects (fictional dreaming incoming), would be interesting to see upgrades to US-41 eventually in Lake County. Potentially some intersections converted to interchanges? I don't know if its necessary, but that's one route that comes to mind. Maybe some grade separation improvements to US-12 up to Wisconsin.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 04, 2021, 09:12:00 PM
With this being the 10th anniversary of when Move Illinois was approved, what do you think the next big projects will be when the current work wraps up? After the central Tri-State rebuild, the EOE and the I-57/294 interchange, what else is needed?

The IL-53 extension is sadly dead, but I think one big thing should be the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. That needs to be rebuilt with a new configuration.

Definitely a yes on the I-90/I-290 interchange. That ramp from 90 East to 53 North in particular is hell. Then again, so is 53 South to 90 West... yeah the whole thing is a disaster.

As for other big projects (fictional dreaming incoming), would be interesting to see upgrades to US-41 eventually in Lake County. Potentially some intersections converted to interchanges? I don't know if its necessary, but that's one route that comes to mind. Maybe some grade separation improvements to US-12 up to Wisconsin.
You're talking about Lake County - a section of land devoted to wealthy N.I.M.B.Y.s
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 04, 2021, 10:34:14 PM
As for other big projects (fictional dreaming incoming), would be interesting to see upgrades to US-41 eventually in Lake County. Potentially some intersections converted to interchanges? I don't know if its necessary, but that's one route that comes to mind. Maybe some grade separation improvements to US-12 up to Wisconsin.

I don't think giving US 41 to ISTHA would go over well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 05, 2021, 08:54:35 AM
As for other big projects (fictional dreaming incoming), would be interesting to see upgrades to US-41 eventually in Lake County. Potentially some intersections converted to interchanges? I don't know if its necessary, but that's one route that comes to mind. Maybe some grade separation improvements to US-12 up to Wisconsin.

I don't think giving US 41 to ISTHA would go over well.

I didn't realize we were talking about only ISTHA projects. My bad. US-41 being tolled would make negative sense.

You're talking about Lake County - a section of land devoted to wealthy N.I.M.B.Y.s

I am very much away of that. I've heard of many people complain about Lake County traffic, and then also not support the 53 extension.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 05, 2021, 11:36:44 AM
The Daily Herald asked the is of the route 53 lane in a story about a year ago. Looks like parks. Also with the increase in remote work a lot of projects may change over the next decade. Also online shopping changes traffic matters too.

But IL 120 was studies as a county tolled arterial .
There were plans to extend 390.
Now it's just a ramp
Anyone know what happened.

The Illiana and crosstown exist in a theoretical CMAP future corridors.
I think the the prairie parkway and other outer belt ideas were dropped.

I tried to collect the plans that were actually in plans. The 1971 Interim plan was never official. The 1995 plan was. It has the foxway which was cancelled because no ROW.
That was replaced by various outer belt ideas that stretched from 90 to 65.

Interestingly some form of mini crosstown always survived because the ROW is there
There was also an IKE Stevenson Connector in the 2010 Plan

I found a Tribune story a study began
I end with 2 questions
What happened to 390 extension?
IKE Stevenson?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 05, 2021, 11:00:47 PM
- Finish I-390 as a tollroad to IL-59 for the EOE
- Complete the North Lake Expressway (IL-120) from I-94 to Round Lake (IDOT owns 70% of the ROW)
- Build connection ramps to IL-83 south from IL-120. It is unincorporated Lake County and not subject to the local NIMBYism further south. (IDOT owns 100%)
- Start the Illiana from I-80 near Morris to I-57 north of Manteno, regardless of the airport. (IDOT owns >10% of ROW) At a minimum, start the bridge to I-55
- Land acquisition to improve IL-47 north of Morris to Oswego.
IDOT owns 10% of land for the unbuilt Prairie Parkway, but didn't buy any land that I know of for the Illiana yet. I think there may be an issue with selling the Prairie Parkway land since federal $ was involved. IL 47 will be a 4 lane arterial from south of Morris to north of I-88, it is already programmed and being designed and ROW being bought in all the existing gaps. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 05, 2021, 11:06:15 PM
- Finish I-390 as a tollroad to IL-59 for the EOE
- Complete the North Lake Expressway (IL-120) from I-94 to Round Lake (IDOT owns 70% of the ROW)
- Build connection ramps to IL-83 south from IL-120. It is unincorporated Lake County and not subject to the local NIMBYism further south. (IDOT owns 100%)
- Start the Illiana from I-80 near Morris to I-57 north of Manteno, regardless of the airport. (IDOT owns >10% of ROW) At a minimum, start the bridge to I-55
- Land acquisition to improve IL-47 north of Morris to Oswego.
IDOT owns 10% of land for the unbuilt Prairie Parkway, but didn't buy any land that I know of for the Illiana yet. I think there may be an issue with selling the Prairie Parkway land since federal $ was involved. IL 47 will be a 4 lane arterial from south of Morris to north of I-88, it is already programmed and being designed and ROW being bought in all the existing gaps.

When are they going to start construction on the segments between Sugar Grove and Yorkville? I keep hearing it’s just around the corner, but there is never any indication construction will start.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 05, 2021, 11:49:47 PM

What happened to 390 extension?


There's a case study going on to extend it a bit further west to County Line Road, but otherwise the only other section being done is the IL 390/I-490 JCT by O'Hare
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 06, 2021, 12:04:45 AM

What happened to 390 extension?


There's a case study going on to extend it a bit further west to County Line Road, but otherwise the only other section being done is the IL 390/I-490 JCT by O'Hare

Did you mean Country Farm Road (1/2 mile west of the current end at Lake St.)?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 06, 2021, 12:46:19 AM
When are they going to start construction on the segments between Sugar Grove and Yorkville? I keep hearing it’s just around the corner, but there is never any indication construction will start.
District 1 will build the piece between Cross Street and Galena Road (crossing into Kendall County) and District 3 will build the remaining piece from Galena to Kennedy. I *think* District 3 might be ahead of the District 1 piece, since they led the original study for the whole section, and have had a design consultant on board all along where District 1 had to go and hire one. But lots of right of way parcels to buy in both sections, and each section has a railroad overpass to do. They are planning on adding a 3rd track to the overpass in Yorkville that would be compatible with a Metra extension. The 3rd track is a beneficiary of a "shoo-fly" detour track that will stay in place following construction.

IDOT has a FY 2021/22 "look ahead" that does not mention construction engineering for the project, but mentions it for the IL 71 project from IL 126 in Yorkville to Orchard Road in Oswego. So I'd guess FY 2023 at the earliest, which starts July 2022.

District 3 is also working on plans and right of way to close the 4-lane gap between Caton Farm Road and IL 71, south end of Yorkville.

With the completion of the IL 47 and IL 71 projects, additional state highway expansions in Kendall County will probably be on pause for a while. There was a study in the 90s to widen US 34 and IL 31 from Orchard Road all the way to the Kane County line, but nothing became of it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 06, 2021, 03:17:37 PM
I went through every project since 1966
The U.S. 12 spur and US 14 A long with an Illiana precursor and Illinois 1 were there
The other 2 routes were 20 and 30
30 was cancelled and 20 is still sort of discussed.
14 stayed arterial and the spur for 12 was part of the 53 extension

The fates of the others
53 120. Most of the ROW was acquired and the tollway  authorized and cancelled
What is possible. Maybe the Lake County tolled arterial
Lake Front. The Amstutz and another freeway mile Completed as Arterial .
Foxway. A little ROW bought but cancelled due to development
Became Prairie Parkway inspiration.
The PP . See Above. An extension to 90 floated
355 was Finished
Elgin Ohare partly finished with ramps possible to county farm road.
Illinois 1 has been discussed in area mostly with Illiana and airport. Since connecting Indiana cities was in its purpose and need in its first EIS it went nowhere

So we have left in CMAP
Crosstown
Illiana...but not in Indiana's plans.

And from Lake County IL 120

I guess anything else is fictional unless you want to comment on CMAP 2060 or the the Tollway Plan



Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 06, 2021, 07:34:33 PM

What happened to 390 extension?


There's a case study going on to extend it a bit further west to County Line Road, but otherwise the only other section being done is the IL 390/I-490 JCT by O'Hare

Did you mean Country Farm Road (1/2 mile west of the current end at Lake St.)?

Yes that's what I meant lol
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 07, 2021, 12:40:35 AM
With this being the 10th anniversary of when Move Illinois was approved, what do you think the next big projects will be when the current work wraps up? After the central Tri-State rebuild, the EOE and the I-57/294 interchange, what else is needed?

The IL-53 extension is sadly dead, but I think one big thing should be the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. That needs to be rebuilt with a new configuration.


- Land acquisition to improve IL-47 north of Morris to Oswego.


Do you mean Sugar Grove? 47 doesn't go to Oswego.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 07, 2021, 12:01:16 PM
With this being the 10th anniversary of when Move Illinois was approved, what do you think the next big projects will be when the current work wraps up? After the central Tri-State rebuild, the EOE and the I-57/294 interchange, what else is needed?

The IL-53 extension is sadly dead, but I think one big thing should be the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. That needs to be rebuilt with a new configuration.


- Land acquisition to improve IL-47 north of Morris to Oswego.


Do you mean Sugar Grove? 47 doesn't go to Oswego.

I meant Yorkville actually.  But in general that area is growing at a good clip and will be demanding better connectivity.

They already are having a vote to join Metra soon.

IL-47 was widened Missouri style (add a new 2 lane next to existing) as far north as Caton Farm Road, but they need to take it further north.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 07, 2021, 12:56:04 PM
IL-47 was widened Missouri style (add a new 2 lane next to existing) as far north as Caton Farm Road, but they need to take it further north.

Looks like they did replace the old lanes to me. (https://goo.gl/maps/F2GMt62Zncr9LWe1A)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on February 07, 2021, 03:17:10 PM
With this being the 10th anniversary of when Move Illinois was approved, what do you think the next big projects will be when the current work wraps up? After the central Tri-State rebuild, the EOE and the I-57/294 interchange, what else is needed?

The IL-53 extension is sadly dead, but I think one big thing should be the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. That needs to be rebuilt with a new configuration.


- Land acquisition to improve IL-47 north of Morris to Oswego.


Do you mean Sugar Grove? 47 doesn't go to Oswego.

I meant Yorkville actually.  But in general that area is growing at a good clip and will be demanding better connectivity.

They already are having a vote to join Metra soon.

IL-47 was widened Missouri style (add a new 2 lane next to existing) as far north as Caton Farm Road, but they need to take it further north.

IDOT fully replaced the lanes.  It's only the right-of-way that was widened to one side.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 07, 2021, 04:23:11 PM
Looks nice. Any Traffic lights North of Morris on it?
I wonder if they could use the PP ROW for a Yorkville Plano bypass.Even if you had a light at 34 or would pretty much accomplish the PP.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 07, 2021, 10:38:19 PM
With this being the 10th anniversary of when Move Illinois was approved, what do you think the next big projects will be when the current work wraps up? After the central Tri-State rebuild, the EOE and the I-57/294 interchange, what else is needed?

The IL-53 extension is sadly dead, but I think one big thing should be the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. That needs to be rebuilt with a new configuration.


- Land acquisition to improve IL-47 north of Morris to Oswego.


Do you mean Sugar Grove? 47 doesn't go to Oswego.

I meant Yorkville actually.  But in general that area is growing at a good clip and will be demanding better connectivity.

They already are having a vote to join Metra soon.

IL-47 was widened Missouri style (add a new 2 lane next to existing) as far north as Caton Farm Road, but they need to take it further north.

IDOT fully replaced the lanes.  It's only the right-of-way that was widened to one side.

Thanks, its been a while since I drove that way. I usually end up over on IL-59.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 07, 2021, 10:40:18 PM
With this being the 10th anniversary of when Move Illinois was approved, what do you think the next big projects will be when the current work wraps up? After the central Tri-State rebuild, the EOE and the I-57/294 interchange, what else is needed?

The IL-53 extension is sadly dead, but I think one big thing should be the I-90/I-290 interchange in Schaumburg. That needs to be rebuilt with a new configuration.


- Land acquisition to improve IL-47 north of Morris to Oswego.


Do you mean Sugar Grove? 47 doesn't go to Oswego.

I meant Yorkville actually.  But in general that area is growing at a good clip and will be demanding better connectivity.

They already are having a vote to join Metra soon.

IL-47 was widened Missouri style (add a new 2 lane next to existing) as far north as Caton Farm Road, but they need to take it further north.

IDOT fully replaced the lanes.  It's only the right-of-way that was widened to one side.

Thanks, its been a while since I drove that way. I usually end up over on IL-59.

IMHO, 47 should be widened south of Morris down to Dwight
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 07, 2021, 10:54:12 PM
Looks nice. Any Traffic lights North of Morris on it?

Assuming you're only referring to the section between Morris and Yorkville, there's one at the US 52 intersection.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 08, 2021, 09:20:28 AM
I thought it was absurd that they widened IL-47 only as far north as Caton Farm Road-- the only explanation I can think of for that, is that there must be some other form of programming to widen IL-47 from that point north to IL-71.

And there is!  https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/il-47-project

Edit:  I realized this is the Illinois Tollway thread. Maybe we could move this talk back to the Illinois Notes thread because this is a pretty heavy derailment.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 08, 2021, 11:03:23 AM
We diverted because we were wondering if there is anything the tollway could add .
With only one traffic light,thanks for that, it looks like this pretty much fulfills PP.

Could the tollway do a small project like a Yorkville or Grayslake bypass IL 120?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 08, 2021, 12:43:23 PM
Could the tollway do a small project like a Yorkville or Grayslake bypass IL 120?
Kendall County is already building a new bridge over the Fox River between Plano and Yorkville along the Eldamain/High Point Road corridor, and the N-S corridor is set up for future 4 lanes (similar to the Orchard Road bridge which has a wide foundation). There will be a defacto IL 47 bypass of Yorkville using Walker Road, HighPoint/Eldamain, and Galena Road, although there may not be a real time saving once it's in place. It's difficult to see how a short bypass route, especially tolled, could generate enough $ to pay for itself with four non-tolled N-S alternatives available nearby (IL 47, the new bridge, Orchard Road, and Fox River Drive).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 08, 2021, 12:56:02 PM
Looks nice. Any Traffic lights North of Morris on it?

Assuming you're only referring to the section between Morris and Yorkville, there's one at the US 52 intersection.

Between I-80 in Morris and IL 71 in Yorkville, there are six stoplights. Gore Road, Mall Road, Granville Road, ProLogis Parkway, US 52 (new) and Saravanos Drive. It is noted that both Yorkville and Morris have extended their utilities substantially north of 80 and south of 71. Growth is slow now, but if it ever takes off again, additional stoplights might start dotting the route.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 08, 2021, 01:23:10 PM
I see it. I am sure you are right. Also I think the State Senator from Grayslake felt the big project era was over because remote work and see dead malls thread....these are the historic big traffic generators.
That's why I reviewed the past considered projects . The Tollway  was an option but I just don't see any of them happening.
It's cost plus less traffic and some NIMBY to revere to a debate in General Highways.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 08, 2021, 01:32:20 PM
We noticed those 4 Morris lights that is why I wondered how many more. .
Considering the US has its lowest birthrate ever and Illinois is always lower....
We shall see.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on February 08, 2021, 03:09:04 PM
What is the future of the Oases (Service Areas) on the Illinois Tollways? They have already gotten rid of the Des Planes Oasis on the JAMT, and the McDonald's on the Chicago Skyway. The O'Hare Oasis on the TST is no more, and I've heard the Hinsdale Oasis (also on the TST) may be demolished in the future as well. Hopefully, they won't all eventually close down.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 08, 2021, 09:23:38 PM
What is the future of the Oases (Service Areas) on the Illinois Tollways? They have already gotten rid of the Des Planes Oasis on the JAMT, and the McDonald's on the Chicago Skyway. The O'Hare Oasis on the TST is no more, and I've heard the Hinsdale Oasis (also on the TST) may be demolished in the future as well. Hopefully, they won't all eventually close down.

I think in the end only the Lincoln and DeKalb Oasis will survive.

The land purchased in 1952 for the planned Downers Grove oasis was sold back in the 1980's. The rest of the land was used for the electronic toll sensor bridge over the road.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 08, 2021, 09:36:33 PM
What is the future of the Oases (Service Areas) on the Illinois Tollways? They have already gotten rid of the Des Planes Oasis on the JAMT, and the McDonald's on the Chicago Skyway. The O'Hare Oasis on the TST is no more, and I've heard the Hinsdale Oasis (also on the TST) may be demolished in the future as well. Hopefully, they won't all eventually close down.

I think in the end only the Lincoln and DeKalb Oasis will survive.

The land purchased in 1952 for the planned Downers Grove oasis was sold back in the 1980's. The rest of the land was used for the electronic toll sensor bridge over the road.

The Belvidere Oasis will probably also survive.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 09, 2021, 03:00:26 AM
I would suspect that Lake Forest will too. They kept the gas stations for a while after the overheads. Maybe the will at Hinsdale . I don't know.
There was supposed to be another on 88 because the original plan was for it to extend to the Quad Cities getting as far as 74 or even 67. Also it's on page 5 of Illinois note a sour of about 10 miles meat the 78 interchange up to Clinton.
While I see the QC cutoff I am still not sure why it ends at MP 44.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 09, 2021, 09:30:07 AM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 09, 2021, 01:13:50 PM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 09, 2021, 01:19:55 PM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.
Also Lake Forest
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 09, 2021, 01:29:52 PM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.
Also Lake Forest

True, but I believe the I-80/294 section will need a fifth lane long before I-94 needs one in the north suburbs.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on February 09, 2021, 09:29:06 PM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.

There's no room there with the quarry for a fifth lane in either direction.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 09, 2021, 10:43:10 PM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.

There's no room there with the quarry for a fifth lane in either direction.

Then what are they going to do when a fifth lane is needed?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 09, 2021, 11:45:38 PM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.

There's no room there with the quarry for a fifth lane in either direction.

Then what are they going to do when a fifth lane is needed?

Technically they could still add another lane on each side, but I have a feeling it would probably violate some safety rules, mostly around the amount of weight and construction so much closer to the edging. One fracture or calving of limestone and that road is kaput.

IDOT already allowed a quarry to breach the edgings on the former US-66 (Joliet Road) at 55th Street and its been closed for many years. (supposedly IDOT is still in legal action with Ozinga)

The delay is mostly because they are a major supplier of aggregate to Chicago area highway suppliers and that makes them politically connected.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on February 10, 2021, 01:34:40 PM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.

There's no room there with the quarry for a fifth lane in either direction.

Then what are they going to do when a fifth lane is needed?

Technically they could still add another lane on each side, but I have a feeling it would probably violate some safety rules, mostly around the amount of weight and construction so much closer to the edging. One fracture or calving of limestone and that road is kaput.

IDOT already allowed a quarry to breach the edgings on the former US-66 (Joliet Road) at 55th Street and its been closed for many years. (supposedly IDOT is still in legal action with Ozinga)

The delay is mostly because they are a major supplier of aggregate to Chicago area highway suppliers and that makes them politically connected.

I-94 in Lake County has been built out mostly as big as we will see it for any foreseeable future. They may extend a fifth auxiliary lane as far North as maybe Half Day Road, but that's probably about it. There is a lot of traffic, but mostly not enough to warrant a fifth lane each way most of the way through Lake County. They also would have to do some major revamp of overpasses and such.

I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

With that, I say the Lake Forest, Belvidere, and Dekalb Oasis's are safe. Lincoln will one day meet the same fate as O'Hare and Hinsdale (reduced to Gas Stations and 7-11s only). Sadly, Des Plaines is never coming back in any form, which is a shame, as I used to like stopping for the gas at that one. On a related note, knowing the resistance that Hinsdale especially is putting up to the loss of the oasis, why hadn't they thought of ponying up money to pay for a rebuild after the widening is done? If they want one so bad, ask the tollway if they can help finance a new one, and maybe even take over part of the operating costs of it, or be in charge of contracting that, as a partnership with the tollway? Just a thought, if they really want to maintain a full oasis, and there is value to having one there as a central location.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on February 10, 2021, 01:40:46 PM
I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

Illinois adding a 5th lane won't do any good unless Indiana also adds a 5th land, and if Indiana adds a 5th lane, there goes my house.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 10, 2021, 04:09:52 PM
I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

Illinois adding a 5th lane won't do any good unless Indiana also adds a 5th land, and if Indiana adds a 5th lane, there goes my house.

Plenty of other issues here as well. The bridges in this stretch date back to the original construction in the 1950's and would require replacement.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 10, 2021, 04:25:20 PM
I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

Illinois adding a 5th lane won't do any good unless Indiana also adds a 5th land, and if Indiana adds a 5th lane, there goes my house.

Plenty of other issues here as well. The bridges in this stretch date back to the original construction in the 1950's and would require replacement.

On the ISTHA segment. IDOT and InDOT replaced their crossroad bridges. It's been discussed before, but for whatever reason, the policy of the tollway in the original Congestion Relief Program was to leave most of the existing crossroad bridges intact even while the mainline was rebuilt. The result is four lanes being squeezed under the bridges and having no shoulders, which is pretty dangerous on that stretch of I-80/294 if you ask me.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on February 11, 2021, 09:11:36 AM
I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

Illinois adding a 5th lane won't do any good unless Indiana also adds a 5th land, and if Indiana adds a 5th lane, there goes my house.

Plenty of other issues here as well. The bridges in this stretch date back to the original construction in the 1950's and would require replacement.

On the ISTHA segment. IDOT and InDOT replaced their crossroad bridges. It's been discussed before, but for whatever reason, the policy of the tollway in the original Congestion Relief Program was to leave most of the existing crossroad bridges intact even while the mainline was rebuilt. The result is four lanes being squeezed under the bridges and having no shoulders, which is pretty dangerous on that stretch of I-80/294 if you ask me.

It's definitely a tight squeeze in a few spots along that whole stretch. I'd be curious what ROW would be needed for that in Indiana especially, it never seemed like too much, but I honestly don't get through there too often (hopefully no properties or minimal impact). However, thinking about it, they really need to at least extend four lanes to probably as far as Michigan City (the lane drop just East of I-65 especially can really be a mess at times, and particularly since it is just before the I-80 switchover). As for the ISTHA, why they didn't spend just a little more to replace more of the overpasses there is beyond me. Sadly, most of these are going to need replacement, one way or the other, over the next decade or so, so really, they kind of just are on borrowed time with that. Hoping that they at least accommodate future widening when they do so.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on February 11, 2021, 09:56:54 AM
So they are keeping the 7  11 at Ohare and Hinsdale?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 11, 2021, 10:06:35 AM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.
Lincoln looks like they can jam in an 5th lane with out taking it down. But no full shoulders / flex lane + 5 lanes
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 11, 2021, 10:12:16 AM
I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

Illinois adding a 5th lane won't do any good unless Indiana also adds a 5th land, and if Indiana adds a 5th lane, there goes my house.
They can add one form IL-1 to IL-394/I-94 or just IL-1 to lincoln ramps.  I-80 to IL-1 is at 5
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 12, 2021, 09:02:18 AM
So they are keeping the 7  11 at Ohare and Hinsdale?

Least at O'Hare. I'd assume the same at Hinsdale
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on February 12, 2021, 09:03:14 PM
I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

Illinois adding a 5th lane won't do any good unless Indiana also adds a 5th land, and if Indiana adds a 5th lane, there goes my house.
They can add one form IL-1 to IL-394/I-94 or just IL-1 to lincoln ramps.  I-80 to IL-1 is at 5


They really need to increase the speed limit through there , 55 is too slow.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on February 12, 2021, 09:59:05 PM
I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

Illinois adding a 5th lane won't do any good unless Indiana also adds a 5th land, and if Indiana adds a 5th lane, there goes my house.
They can add one form IL-1 to IL-394/I-94 or just IL-1 to lincoln ramps.  I-80 to IL-1 is at 5


They really need to increase the speed limit through there , 55 is too slow.

Probably due to ongoing construction, I imagine they might increase it when all finished. It definitely needs to be increased. Going 55 through there is dangerous as opposed to at least 70.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on February 12, 2021, 10:51:12 PM
I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

Illinois adding a 5th lane won't do any good unless Indiana also adds a 5th land, and if Indiana adds a 5th lane, there goes my house.
They can add one form IL-1 to IL-394/I-94 or just IL-1 to lincoln ramps.  I-80 to IL-1 is at 5


They really need to increase the speed limit through there , 55 is too slow.

Probably due to ongoing construction, I imagine they might increase it when all finished. It definitely needs to be increased. Going 55 through there is dangerous as opposed to at least 70.

It's 55 there normally, without construction.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 13, 2021, 09:58:28 AM
I-294/I-80 is going to need that fifth lane within the next decade or two. Especially if there will be no Illiana, that is solely the main way for cross country truck traffic, and that along will warrant an additional lane (of course, cooperation from IDOT and InDOT will be needed to make it worthwhile, which is a whole other discussion in and of itself).

Illinois adding a 5th lane won't do any good unless Indiana also adds a 5th land, and if Indiana adds a 5th lane, there goes my house.
They can add one form IL-1 to IL-394/I-94 or just IL-1 to lincoln ramps.  I-80 to IL-1 is at 5


They really need to increase the speed limit through there , 55 is too slow.

Probably due to ongoing construction, I imagine they might increase it when all finished. It definitely needs to be increased. Going 55 through there is dangerous as opposed to at least 70.

It's 55 there normally, without construction.
And likely only stay there or go to 60 because Chicago/Cook County
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 13, 2021, 12:29:39 PM
And likely only stay there or go to 60 because Chicago/Cook County

That didn't stop I-90 from going to 70 west of the Elmhurst Road (https://goo.gl/maps/ribvm953Y5RBxjZb7)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Opkl2 on February 14, 2021, 05:12:47 PM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.

If this ever happens, I would like to see exit/ entrance ramps added to the Chicago Ave overpass. This will offer both Thornton and South Holland direct access to the toll road.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 14, 2021, 05:54:01 PM
And likely only stay there or go to 60 because Chicago/Cook County

That didn't stop I-90 from going to 70 west of the Elmhurst Road (https://goo.gl/maps/ribvm953Y5RBxjZb7)
Well aware of that - they only put it in after the smart road system was added - still 60 east of Elmhurst and I still don't believe they'll push it up especially when IDOT is not bumping speeds on 290 nor is the tollway bumping 88 to 65 or 70 within 355 (it's 60 now).  The Chicago 6 is stubborn in this matter.  (Maybe except Will County ;) )
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 14, 2021, 10:50:26 PM
And likely only stay there or go to 60 because Chicago/Cook County

That didn't stop I-90 from going to 70 west of the Elmhurst Road (https://goo.gl/maps/ribvm953Y5RBxjZb7)
Well aware of that - they only put it in after the smart road system was added - still 60 east of Elmhurst and I still don't believe they'll push it up especially when IDOT is not bumping speeds on 290 nor is the tollway bumping 88 to 65 or 70 within 355 (it's 60 now).  The Chicago 6 is stubborn in this matter.  (Maybe except Will County ;) )
I-294 should go to 70 from I-90 to I-55 after the rebuild
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on February 15, 2021, 09:41:12 AM
It's never been my experience that the speed Chicagoland drivers go on the expressway has any relation to the number on the sign.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 15, 2021, 10:11:11 AM
It's never been my experience that the speed Chicagoland drivers go on the expressway has any relation to the number on the sign.

Nope  :-D

I have never gone the speed limit on the local highways. I have to go at least 70 mph in the city/burbs and 80 in the farmlands or else I'll get ran off the road by other drivers.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 15, 2021, 04:43:20 PM
It's never been my experience that the speed Chicagoland drivers go on the expressway has any relation to the number on the sign.

This is true. As the speed limit drops on 94 coming south from Wisconsin... no one moves a muscle.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on February 15, 2021, 04:44:29 PM

It's never been my experience that the speed Chicagoland drivers go on the expressway has any relation to the number on the sign.

This is true. As the speed limit drops on 94 coming south from Wisconsin... no one moves a muscle.

Heck, it's been my experience that the general speed of traffic increases roughly where the speed limit decreases when approaching Chicagoland from the south on I-55.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 15, 2021, 04:59:21 PM
Do you think the I-90/I-290/IL-53 interchange revamp be brought back post Move Illinois, or is it dead in the water for good? Did the improvements on I-90 fix anything in regards to traffic in that area (pre-COVID)?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 15, 2021, 07:56:32 PM
Do you think the I-90/I-290/IL-53 interchange revamp be brought back post Move Illinois, or is it dead in the water for good? Did the improvements on I-90 fix anything in regards to traffic in that area (pre-COVID)?

From my perspective, no. The interchange is still at its core a cloverleaf. One of the worst problems is the ramp from 90 East to 53 North. Trying to merge into a constant line of cars exiting to 90 West from 53 North is incredibly dangerous.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 15, 2021, 09:39:10 PM
It's never been my experience that the speed Chicagoland drivers go on the expressway has any relation to the number on the sign.

This is true. As the speed limit drops on 94 coming south from Wisconsin... no one moves a muscle.
it drops to 65 at grand and then 60 at I-94 / I-294 but why when I-90 is 70 for a lot closer to the city.

They can do 65 at least till I-90 (maybe after Central Tri-State Tollway rebuild is done?)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 15, 2021, 09:41:08 PM
It's never been my experience that the speed Chicagoland drivers go on the expressway has any relation to the number on the sign.
I one did 88 MPH on I-88 just for the hell of it and back to the future.

Also did 90 MPH on I-90 for an few sec just to hit that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 15, 2021, 09:43:33 PM
Do you think the I-90/I-290/IL-53 interchange revamp be brought back post Move Illinois, or is it dead in the water for good? Did the improvements on I-90 fix anything in regards to traffic in that area (pre-COVID)?
The state does not have the funds now maybe add an toll to the IL-59 on ramps and remove the tolls at the I-290 exit.

Not an lot room to add an flyover with out needing to demo buildings.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: quickshade on February 15, 2021, 11:21:52 PM
Do you think the I-90/I-290/IL-53 interchange revamp be brought back post Move Illinois, or is it dead in the water for good? Did the improvements on I-90 fix anything in regards to traffic in that area (pre-COVID)?
The state does not have the funds now maybe add an toll to the IL-59 on ramps and remove the tolls at the I-290 exit.

Not an lot room to add an flyover with out needing to demo buildings.

The traffic on I90 was improved, you don't get stuck in traffic backups because of people exiting to 290/53 North. Also the merge onto 90 West from 53 South is much better, you don't have to stop and merge like before. Personally if they could widen the i90 East to 290 merge from 1 lane up to 2 lanes and add a flyover ramp from 290/53 North to 90 West the whole thing would be ok. I struggle to see how Illinois can allocate 45 Billion in transit improvements throughout the state and not earmark this as a major improvement. If anyone from Springfield had to merge onto 53 north from 90 East or from 290 to 90 West for a week at rush hour they would see how bad that interchange is and fund it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on February 16, 2021, 09:46:15 AM
I one did 88 MPH on I-88 just for the hell of it and back to the future.

Also did 90 MPH on I-90 for an few sec just to hit that.

I had a roommate who was VERY frugal with his money.  That carried over to his driving:  driving in 5th gear at 35 mph in suburban traffic, coasting in neutral when the light a half-mile away turned red, etc.  He got excellent fuel economy!

But one day, he decided to see what his car was like at high speed.  So he took it up to 100 mph briefly.  On the Eisenhower.  East of Austin.  Then he dropped back down to a more reasonable speed and resumed being frugal.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 17, 2021, 04:55:19 AM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.
Also Lake Forest
To clarify on Lake Forest - it's already to a point where the shoulder is compromised by the width of the tunnel underneath.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on February 17, 2021, 07:32:51 AM
It's never been my experience that the speed Chicagoland drivers go on the expressway has any relation to the number on the sign.

Nope  :-D

I have never gone the speed limit on the local highways. I have to go at least 70 mph in the city/burbs and 80 in the farmlands or else I'll get ran off the road by other drivers.


But now you run the risk of being pulled over doing that. And yes, there are cops that will do it like  with what happened to me for example  (https://youtu.be/kOxPHHHYQ3g)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on February 17, 2021, 07:41:16 AM
It's never been my experience that the speed Chicagoland drivers go on the expressway has any relation to the number on the sign.

Nope  :-D

I have never gone the speed limit on the local highways. I have to go at least 70 mph in the city/burbs and 80 in the farmlands or else I'll get ran off the road by other drivers.


But now you run the risk of being pulled over doing that. And yes, there are cops that will do it like  with what happened to me for example  (https://youtu.be/kOxPHHHYQ3g)

The odds of getting pulled over on 80/94/294 with moderate traffic is very low, as most of the cars are speeding. I will take that very low chance of getting a ticket over the increased chance of an accident by going the speed limit.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 17, 2021, 07:45:31 AM
Belvidere, Lake Forest, DeKalb, and Lincoln will probably live on. O'Hare and Hinsdale might become only gas and the 7/11s

I could see Lincoln going away when a fifth lane is inevitably needed on I-80/294/94.
Also Lake Forest
To clarify on Lake Forest - it's already to a point where the shoulder is compromised by the width of the tunnel underneath.

That’s how they all are on the Tri-State. They didn’t bother to rebuild/lengthen the bridge decks when they rebuilt the Oasis’s so they ended up having to squeeze 4 lanes under the existing bridge deck.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: GeekJedi on February 19, 2021, 02:41:00 PM
I was on the Tri-State from the WI state line south to I-90, then I-90 west to 290, and I can confirm that all references to cash tolls have been removed and replaced with I-Pass signs. Also, when entering the Tri-State from WI, there is a new sign that details I-Pass or pay online.

It's pretty much a given at this point that manned booths will not be back. They've been trying to find a way to eliminate them for some time without causing a backlash, and COVID has done it for them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 19, 2021, 03:07:01 PM
I was on the Tri-State from the WI state line south to I-90, then I-90 west to 290, and I can confirm that all references to cash tolls have been removed and replaced with I-Pass signs. Also, when entering the Tri-State from WI, there is a new sign that details I-Pass or pay online.

It's pretty much a given at this point that manned booths will not be back. They've been trying to find a way to eliminate them for some time without causing a backlash, and COVID has done it for them.

Yeah I've noticed more signs getting replaced as well on the southern section of 294 and 88
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 19, 2021, 05:10:34 PM
I was on the Tri-State from the WI state line south to I-90, then I-90 west to 290, and I can confirm that all references to cash tolls have been removed and replaced with I-Pass signs. Also, when entering the Tri-State from WI, there is a new sign that details I-Pass or pay online.

It's pretty much a given at this point that manned booths will not be back. They've been trying to find a way to eliminate them for some time without causing a backlash, and COVID has done it for them.

Yeah I've noticed more signs getting replaced as well on the southern section of 294 and 88

So when will they start tearing down the booths?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 19, 2021, 07:04:51 PM
I was on the Tri-State from the WI state line south to I-90, then I-90 west to 290, and I can confirm that all references to cash tolls have been removed and replaced with I-Pass signs. Also, when entering the Tri-State from WI, there is a new sign that details I-Pass or pay online.

It's pretty much a given at this point that manned booths will not be back. They've been trying to find a way to eliminate them for some time without causing a backlash, and COVID has done it for them.

Yeah I've noticed more signs getting replaced as well on the southern section of 294 and 88

So when will they start tearing down the booths?

I could see some toll booths get another ORT lane on the mainline:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 19, 2021, 08:25:59 PM
What would be the point of more ORT lanes? At least as initially announced, the number of ORT lanes is the same as the number of travel lanes. Adding more won’t increase capacity due to the number of lanes before and/or after the toll gantry.


iPhone
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 19, 2021, 08:50:38 PM
What would be the point of more ORT lanes? At least as initially announced, the number of ORT lanes is the same as the number of travel lanes. Adding more won’t increase capacity due to the number of lanes before and/or after the toll gantry.


iPhone
Well, some of them have three lanes each way through the ORT whereas outside of the toll plazas would be four lanes each way like at the Elgin and Waukegan Toll Plazas for example, and that was done before the major widening projects that occurred over the years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 19, 2021, 08:56:26 PM
What would be the point of more ORT lanes? At least as initially announced, the number of ORT lanes is the same as the number of travel lanes. Adding more won’t increase capacity due to the number of lanes before and/or after the toll gantry.


iPhone
Well, some of them have three lanes each way through the ORT whereas outside of the toll plazas would be four lanes each way like at the Elgin and Waukegan Toll Plazas for example, and that was done before the major widening projects that occurred over the years.
I-90 is only three lanes west of the Elgin plaza. Haven’t been through Waukegan in years.


iPhone
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 19, 2021, 09:59:26 PM
I-90 is only three lanes west of the Elgin plaza. Haven’t been through Waukegan in years.

There are four lanes each way on I-90 between Randall Road and the Elgin Toll Plaza:  Three throughs plus one auxiliary lane. (https://goo.gl/maps/qoExyJ4hK76A9jRN7)  Some long range transportation plans have I-90 eventually going to four through lanes west of Randall.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 19, 2021, 10:21:47 PM
I-90 is only three lanes west of the Elgin plaza. Haven’t been through Waukegan in years.

There are four lanes each way on I-90 between Randall Road and the Elgin Toll Plaza:  Three throughs plus one auxiliary lane. (https://goo.gl/maps/qoExyJ4hK76A9jRN7)  Some long range transportation plans have I-90 eventually going to four through lanes west of Randall.

I forgot about that auxiliary lane. As I never exit at Randall Rd., I'm only paying attention to the through travel lanes.

If the number of ORT lanes hasn't kept up with the number of travel lanes outside the plaza, then bad on the Tollway for not widening the road the entire way. The last thing they need is for the toll plazas to become choke points.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 19, 2021, 11:37:16 PM
I-90 is only three lanes west of the Elgin plaza. Haven’t been through Waukegan in years.

There are four lanes each way on I-90 between Randall Road and the Elgin Toll Plaza:  Three throughs plus one auxiliary lane. (https://goo.gl/maps/qoExyJ4hK76A9jRN7)  Some long range transportation plans have I-90 eventually going to four through lanes west of Randall.

There will be no need for eight lanes west of Randall for the foreseeable future. I honestly think we’ll see I-88 six laned to Dekalb before I-90 is widened west of Randall Road.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 20, 2021, 10:56:52 AM
I was on the Tri-State from the WI state line south to I-90, then I-90 west to 290, and I can confirm that all references to cash tolls have been removed and replaced with I-Pass signs. Also, when entering the Tri-State from WI, there is a new sign that details I-Pass or pay online.

It's pretty much a given at this point that manned booths will not be back. They've been trying to find a way to eliminate them for some time without causing a backlash, and COVID has done it for them.
Does this include the coin drop/Credit card payment lanes on the exits?  When I went through in late December they were still there on 94/294/90 (355 did not have any south of 88.)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 20, 2021, 04:29:53 PM
I was on the Tri-State from the WI state line south to I-90, then I-90 west to 290, and I can confirm that all references to cash tolls have been removed and replaced with I-Pass signs. Also, when entering the Tri-State from WI, there is a new sign that details I-Pass or pay online.

It's pretty much a given at this point that manned booths will not be back. They've been trying to find a way to eliminate them for some time without causing a backlash, and COVID has done it for them.
Does this include the coin drop/Credit card payment lanes on the exits?  When I went through in late December they were still there on 94/294/90 (355 did not have any south of 88.)

From what I can tell Scott, the coin/credit machines are being removed everywhere too.  All of the coin basket ramps are now I-Pass or Pay Online along 88. The "old" plazas still remain for now at Highland Ave, Winfield Rd, Farnsworth Ave and Orchard Rd but I wouldn't be surprised if they get replaced soon with the toll gantries.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 20, 2021, 04:33:24 PM
I was on the Tri-State from the WI state line south to I-90, then I-90 west to 290, and I can confirm that all references to cash tolls have been removed and replaced with I-Pass signs. Also, when entering the Tri-State from WI, there is a new sign that details I-Pass or pay online.

It's pretty much a given at this point that manned booths will not be back. They've been trying to find a way to eliminate them for some time without causing a backlash, and COVID has done it for them.
Does this include the coin drop/Credit card payment lanes on the exits?  When I went through in late December they were still there on 94/294/90 (355 did not have any south of 88.)

From what I can tell Scott, the coin/credit machines are being removed everywhere too.  All of the coin basket ramps are now I-Pass or Pay Online along 88. The "old" plazas still remain for now at Highland Ave, Winfield Rd, Farnsworth Ave and Orchard Rd but I wouldn't be surprised if they get replaced soon with the toll gantries.

they need to redo tolling to be done at lots of points like the EOE so the cost is more even. OR maybe do an Full ETR 407 setup.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 20, 2021, 10:55:05 PM
There will be no need for eight lanes west of Randall for the foreseeable future. I honestly think we’ll see I-88 six laned to Dekalb before I-90 is widened west of Randall Road.

There's a lot more development currently happening along I-90 west of Randall than along I-88.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 21, 2021, 09:01:20 AM
There will be no need for eight lanes west of Randall for the foreseeable future. I honestly think we’ll see I-88 six laned to Dekalb before I-90 is widened west of Randall Road.

There's a lot more development currently happening along I-90 west of Randall than along I-88.

It's still not necessary though, and probably still won't be for a while. Especially with the virus drastically changing traffic patterns.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 21, 2021, 09:08:57 AM
There will be no need for eight lanes west of Randall for the foreseeable future. I honestly think we’ll see I-88 six laned to Dekalb before I-90 is widened west of Randall Road.

There's a lot more development currently happening along I-90 west of Randall than along I-88.

It's still not necessary though, and probably still won't be for a while. Especially with the virus drastically changing traffic patterns.

Indeed. The best case scenario I see is I-90 is eight laned to IL-47, but even that is decades off.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 22, 2021, 10:18:15 AM
We'll be getting a temporary express lane on southbound I-294 from the Oasis to St. Charles road. They are beginning the next major reconstruction phase. Details below:

"Once the advance work is complete, in March work will continue to shift southbound I-294 to the left with one southbound lane traveling in a counterflow lane on the northbound side of I-294 between the Bensenville Yard Railroad Bridge and Wolf Road. Additional traffic shifts will be scheduled in March and April in both directions, including a shift on southbound I-294 that will extend the counterflow lane from Wolf Road to St. Charles Road, creating a continuous counterflow from the Bensenville Yard Railroad Bridge to St. Charles Road in April.

Southbound traffic entering the counterflow lane at the Bensenville Yard Railroad Bridge will not be able to change lanes until just past St. Charles Road. The counterflow lane will include shoulders and several emergency pull-out areas for drivers in need of stopping.

The traffic shifts and counterflow lane will remain in this configuration through the end of 2021 as work begins to reconstruct and widen I-294 between Wolf Road and St. Charles Road, including rebuilding the bridges carrying I-294 over North Avenue, Grand Avenue and the Union Pacific Railroad and constructing the ramps that will connect I-294 to the new I-490 Tollway. Repair work is also scheduled on the Wolf Road Bridge over I-294.

Additional counterflow lanes that will move northbound traffic onto the southbound side of I-294 will be needed as the roadway rebuilding and widening continues in 2022."
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Opkl2 on February 25, 2021, 06:51:39 PM
The tollway confirmed today (Feb. 25, 2021) that cash collections are going away permanently.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 25, 2021, 09:33:20 PM
Considering they've been changing signs this was predictable.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 25, 2021, 11:17:21 PM
The tollway confirmed today (Feb. 25, 2021) that cash collections are going away permanently.

They may as well just start demolishing the cash plazas now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on February 26, 2021, 01:00:34 AM
With them going i-pass only, Any alt route to shirpike?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 26, 2021, 06:27:12 AM
With them going i-pass only, Any alt route to shirpike?

Not I-Pass only - just cashless.  You can sign up for pay-by-plate (albiet at cash rates and only on a 14-day temporary basis) so you can go through without an I-Pass/EZ-Pass.  There are routes that parallel the toll roads - just be prepared to go slow and run into a lot of 4-way stops and traffic lights.
The tollway confirmed today (Feb. 25, 2021) that cash collections are going away permanently.

They may as well just start demolishing the cash plazas now.
I think they will be starting in March.  Local Chicago media hint at this but no details (https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-illinois-tollway-cashless-tolling-permanent-20210225-p52n7pwx6nbcdgad4u4jb3ysfq-story.html) are given as per usual.  The tollway website has not posted any news releases regarding this move, but those living around the roads could see it happening with the permanent sign changes at the plazas and the takedown of whatever automated machines and lane markings of the cash lanes at some plazas restricting them to authorized personnel only.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on February 26, 2021, 07:35:55 AM
With them going i-pass only, Any alt route to shirpike?


You didn't specify a route, so I'm going to guess you mean the short toll section of I-80. The shunpike route would be IL 394, US 30, I-57, which adds at least 15 minutes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 26, 2021, 09:55:13 AM
The tollway confirmed today (Feb. 25, 2021) that cash collections are going away permanently.

Oh my gosh, who could've had this on their 2021 Bingo card??? /s

The question that remains now is what will be done using the space that existing plazas take up. It would be really nice if they could turn some of them into mini-oases with just fuel, a convenience store, and maybe one fast foot joint.

Imagine if ISTHA split the highway and built something like this in the middle, a-la the classic Chicago Skyway McDonald's! (In my dreams...)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on February 26, 2021, 11:24:46 AM
With them going i-pass only, Any alt route to shirpike?


You didn't specify a route, so I'm going to guess you mean the short toll section of I-80. The shunpike route would be IL 394, US 30, I-57, which adds at least 15 minutes.
I mean by a few routes, Going towards western wisconsin near rockford,
Heading towars to iowa
I know how to get to other parts of wisconsin.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on February 26, 2021, 11:34:18 AM
With them going i-pass only, Any alt route to shirpike?


You didn't specify a route, so I'm going to guess you mean the short toll section of I-80. The shunpike route would be IL 394, US 30, I-57, which adds at least 15 minutes.
I mean by a few routes, Going towards western wisconsin near rockford,
Heading towars to iowa
I know how to get to other parts of wisconsin.

Depends on where you are starting, but I-80 and I-39 are going to be your non-toll ways to get to Iowa and Rockford. If you're starting out farther north and heading to Rockford, US 20 is going to be your best bet but that's going to be slow. It's a lot of effort to avoid tolls.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on February 26, 2021, 04:30:37 PM
Thanks.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 26, 2021, 04:55:57 PM
The tollway confirmed today (Feb. 25, 2021) that cash collections are going away permanently.

Oh my gosh, who could've had this on their 2021 Bingo card??? /s

The question that remains now is what will be done using the space that existing plazas take up. It would be really nice if they could turn some of them into mini-oases with just fuel, a convenience store, and maybe one fast foot joint.

Imagine if ISTHA split the highway and built something like this in the middle, a-la the classic Chicago Skyway McDonald's! (In my dreams...)

More lanes at full speed will be nice at some places.

Others use the space for more ramps? I need to update my I-294 / I-94 plan.

Also later on more tolling points like the EOE?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: thspfc on February 26, 2021, 06:54:48 PM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor”  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on February 26, 2021, 07:10:58 PM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor”  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: thspfc on February 26, 2021, 08:39:45 PM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor”  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.
Oh, absolutely. But I don't think that either are needed, unless the next exit is less than a mile or two away from the one where the sign is.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 26, 2021, 10:09:03 PM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor”  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

The IL-23 exit is new. Most likely, they haven't updated the advance signs yet.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 26, 2021, 10:12:11 PM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47.

Genoa Road is signed instead of IL 23 at IL 47 because the IL 23 interchange only opened in the past few years and ISTHA hasn't changed the signs.


As to the earlier discussion on shunpike options for the tollways:

* I-94/northern Tri-State:  US 41 (expressway/high type arterial route)

* I-355 north of I-55:  IL 83 (mix of expressway, freeway, and arterial roads)

* I-355 south of I-55:  Not really a good option here, though IL 83, IL 171, and Bell Road partially work.

* I-88 east of Aurora:  IL 56/Butterfield Road (lots of signals)

* I-88 west of Aurora:  US 30 (lots of slow towns east of I-39, not as bad west of I-39) or IL 38 (very slow through DeKalb and Rochelle)

* I-90 west of I-290 to Rockford:  US 20 (lots of signals in the urbanized portions and multiple 30 mph sections through towns west of Elgin)

* I-39/I-90:  Perryville Road, IL 173, and IL 251 (lots of signals) or Business 20 and IL 76 (if coming from the east, lots of signals around Belvidere)

* The I-80/I-294 joint section:  Usually worth just paying the toll over the numerous photo-enforced signals on US 6
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 27, 2021, 01:09:08 AM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47.

Genoa Road is signed instead of IL 23 at IL 47 because the IL 23 interchange only opened in the past few years and ISTHA hasn't changed the signs.


As to the earlier discussion on shunpike options for the tollways:

* I-355 north of I-55:  IL 83 (mix of expressway, freeway, and arterial roads) ALSO I-294 from I-90 to I-55


I-90 form about IL-25 to end of toll road

IL-72

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 27, 2021, 08:50:35 AM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47.

Genoa Road is signed instead of IL 23 at IL 47 because the IL 23 interchange only opened in the past few years and ISTHA hasn't changed the signs.


As to the earlier discussion on shunpike options for the tollways:

* I-355 north of I-55:  IL 83 (mix of expressway, freeway, and arterial roads) ALSO I-294 from I-90 to I-55


I-90 form about IL-25 to end of toll road

IL-72
just defeated your purpose - unless you mean I-290

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 27, 2021, 08:52:07 AM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor”  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.
Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 27, 2021, 09:46:37 AM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles”. Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor” exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.
Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.

All those problems are related to the IL-23 exit being added after the fact. Unfortunately, the signage wasn't really thought through particularly well. For instance, the signs at the exit have "EXIT ONLY" on them for no reason... while also being ground mounted.

As for describing exits far away, that's standard ISTHA fare to display the exit you're at, as well as the next two. You can see the same deal on I-94 north of I-294, for instance.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 27, 2021, 10:28:16 AM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor”  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.
Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.

The signage hasn't been updated as IL-23 just opened up fully either last year or 2019.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 27, 2021, 12:07:03 PM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor”  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.
Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.

The signage hasn't been updated as IL-23 just opened up fully either last year or 2019.
When was the last time you drove that road?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on February 27, 2021, 12:22:14 PM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47.

Genoa Road is signed instead of IL 23 at IL 47 because the IL 23 interchange only opened in the past few years and ISTHA hasn't changed the signs.


As to the earlier discussion on shunpike options for the tollways:

* I-94/northern Tri-State:  US 41 (expressway/high type arterial route)

* I-355 north of I-55:  IL 83 (mix of expressway, freeway, and arterial roads)

* I-355 south of I-55:  Not really a good option here, though IL 83, IL 171, and Bell Road partially work.

* I-88 east of Aurora:  IL 56/Butterfield Road (lots of signals)

* I-88 west of Aurora:  US 30 (lots of slow towns east of I-39, not as bad west of I-39) or IL 38 (very slow through DeKalb and Rochelle)

* I-90 west of I-290 to Rockford:  US 20 (lots of signals in the urbanized portions and multiple 30 mph sections through towns west of Elgin)

* I-39/I-90:  Perryville Road, IL 173, and IL 251 (lots of signals) or Business 20 and IL 76 (if coming from the east, lots of signals around Belvidere)

* The I-80/I-294 joint section:  Usually worth just paying the toll over the numerous photo-enforced signals on US 6
This will help alot of people who dont want to get I-PASS
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: thspfc on February 27, 2021, 12:45:28 PM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47.

Genoa Road is signed instead of IL 23 at IL 47 because the IL 23 interchange only opened in the past few years and ISTHA hasn't changed the signs.


As to the earlier discussion on shunpike options for the tollways:

* I-94/northern Tri-State:  US 41 (expressway/high type arterial route)

* I-355 north of I-55:  IL 83 (mix of expressway, freeway, and arterial roads)

* I-355 south of I-55:  Not really a good option here, though IL 83, IL 171, and Bell Road partially work.

* I-88 east of Aurora:  IL 56/Butterfield Road (lots of signals)

* I-88 west of Aurora:  US 30 (lots of slow towns east of I-39, not as bad west of I-39) or IL 38 (very slow through DeKalb and Rochelle)

* I-90 west of I-290 to Rockford:  US 20 (lots of signals in the urbanized portions and multiple 30 mph sections through towns west of Elgin)

* I-39/I-90:  Perryville Road, IL 173, and IL 251 (lots of signals) or Business 20 and IL 76 (if coming from the east, lots of signals around Belvidere)

* The I-80/I-294 joint section:  Usually worth just paying the toll over the numerous photo-enforced signals on US 6
This will help alot of people who dont want to get I-PASS
Surely the extra amount of gas money you need to shunpike is more than the cost of I-Pass, right?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on February 27, 2021, 12:51:18 PM
Yeah, but isnt getting one a arm and  a leg.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 27, 2021, 01:04:09 PM
Why does ISTHA sign some exits so far in advance? At the IL-47 interchange there’s a sign that says “Genoa Road 22 Miles” . Why? And why that exit specifically? IL-23 is a more important interchange, and it’s much closer to IL-47. US-20’s Marengo exit is also signed at IL-47, and even that isn’t needed. For “minor”  exits such as these, two BGSes in total is enough: one 1-2 miles away, and one right at the exit.

ISTHA signs the next exit, no matter how far away it is located.  Personally, I prefer it to having a silly "Next Exit x Miles" sign.
Which - at US-20 - is now what you have.  Next Exit - 6 Miles.  NO mention of IL-23.

IL-47 and IL-23 make zero mention of a next exit.

The signage hasn't been updated as IL-23 just opened up fully either last year or 2019.
When was the last time you drove that road?
Never mind, just saw the one 47 is still what you said..
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on February 27, 2021, 01:36:27 PM
Yeah, but isnt getting one a arm and  a leg.
Getting an I-Pass an arm and a leg?!?

What, $50 ($40 in tolls and $10 deposit) and available at some Oases, the Tollway HQ in Downers Grove, pretty much every Chicagoland Jewel, and Chicagoland/Northern IL Road Ranger Truck Stops. They can also be ordered and delivered to you from the tollway's website

And ISTHA is a full member of the EZ-Pass Group, so if you prefer getting an EZ-Pass from another state/agency, that works too!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: zzcarp on February 27, 2021, 02:06:34 PM
Yeah, but isnt getting one a arm and  a leg.
Getting an I-Pass an arm and a leg?!?

What, $50 ($40 in tolls and $10 deposit) and available at some Oases, the Tollway HQ in Downers Grove, pretty much every Chicagoland Jewel, and Chicagoland/Northern IL Road Ranger Truck Stops. They can also be ordered and delivered to you from the tollway's website

IMHO, the I-Pass is one of the best deals for transponders. When I moved to Denver in 2006 I was stuck in a half-hour backup at the I-80 toll booth in Chicagoland, and I vowed never to be stuck in that again with the advent of open road tolling. Once you purchase the transponder, there's no annual fee and I can use it for driving to Cleveland from Denver. I've even used it in my rental cars when I've flown back east into the EZ-Pass system. I only wish it were interoperable with our Expresstoll system here in Denver and the Kansas Turnpike for when I travel via I-70.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Mdcastle on February 27, 2021, 03:04:51 PM
Guess it's time to get me a transponder now that MnPass is joining E-Zpass later this summer.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 27, 2021, 06:25:06 PM
Anyone who's looking to shunpike, it's basically not worth trying in Chicagoland. All alternatives are slow, riddled with stoplights everywhere. The tollways are often the only reasonable choice. If you're looking to avoid I-90 or I-88 in the rural areas, that's another story. It's still not worth it to me though...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 27, 2021, 08:07:36 PM
Today was a bad day to drive the Chicago expressways to avoid tolls.  The Kennedy outbound was for all intents and purposes closed (the only lanes between Western and Edens was the reversibles.  The Ike and 55 were slow too.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 27, 2021, 10:35:37 PM
Anyone who's looking to shunpike, it's basically not worth trying in Chicagoland. All alternatives are slow, riddled with stoplights everywhere. The tollways are often the only reasonable choice. If you're looking to avoid I-90 or I-88 in the rural areas, that's another story. It's still not worth it to me though...

To me it really depends on the segment in question.  Using US 41 to bypass the Waukegan Toll ($1.40) usually seems worth it to me unless I am coming from/going to someplace far into Wisconsin.  With the Genoa Road exit now tolled and US 20 having a reduced speed limit it is less attractive to bypass the Belvidere Plaza when continuing west on US 20 towards Dubuque than it used to be.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on February 27, 2021, 10:42:47 PM
Anyone who's looking to shunpike, it's basically not worth trying in Chicagoland. All alternatives are slow, riddled with stoplights everywhere. The tollways are often the only reasonable choice. If you're looking to avoid I-90 or I-88 in the rural areas, that's another story. It's still not worth it to me though...

It’s very difficult to do in most areas outside of perhaps the Tri-State between Deerfield and the state line.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 27, 2021, 11:29:05 PM
To me it really depends on the segment in question.  Using US 41 to bypass the Waukegan Toll ($1.40) usually seems worth it to me unless I am coming from/going to someplace far into Wisconsin.  With the Genoa Road exit now tolled and US 20 having a reduced speed limit it is less attractive to bypass the Belvidere Plaza when continuing west on US 20 towards Dubuque than it used to be.

Good catch regarding US-41. Most times of the day, it's a reasonable enough choice. I sometimes use it for a change of scenery.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 28, 2021, 03:04:45 PM
Personally, I use these as my shunpikes...
Ronald Reagan East-West Tollway
I-88 between IL 31 and Mannheim Rd to get onto I-290 East - IL 56 Butterfield Rd & Cermak Rd
I-88 between IL 31 and IL 56 West - Indian Trail Rd, Orchard Rd and Galena Blvd.
I-88 between Dixon and IL 56 West - US 30
Jane Addams Northwest Tollway
I-90 between River Rd and IL 47 - IL 72 Higgins Rd (lots of lights and turns)
I-90 between IL 47 and Rockton Rd - US 20, Bus US 20 in Belvidere, Beloit Rd/Belvidere Rd, IL 251
I-39/90 between US 20/I-39 South and Rockton Rd - IL 251 (lots of lights and turns)
Tri-State Tollway
I-80 between I-94 and Kedzie Ave to get to I-80 West - Torrance Ave, Thornton Rd, Indiana Ave, Chicago Hts-Glenwood Rd, 187th St, Dixie Hwy, 183rd St, Kedzie Ave
I-294 between I-80 and I-55 - Kedzie Ave, 135th St, Calumet Sag Rd, IL 83 Kingery Hwy
I-294 between I-55 and I-90 - IL 83 Kingery Hwy or US 12 & 45 La Grange Rd/Mannheim Rd (lots of lights on both)
I-294 between I-90 and Lake-Cook Rd - Des Plaines River Rd, US 45 & IL 21 Milwaukee Ave
I-94 between Edens Expy and Russell Rd - US 41 Skokie Hwy or IL 21 Milwaukee Ave
Veterans Memorial North-South Tollway
I-355 between I-55 and I-80 - Center St/Hickory St, Ruby St, Broadway in Joliet, IL 53 Joliet Rd
I-355 between I-55 and Army Trail Rd - IL 53 or IL 83
Elgin-O'Hare Tollway
Route 390 between County Farm Rd/Barrington Rd and York Rd - IL 19 Irving Park Rd or US 20 Lake St (lots of lights)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 28, 2021, 03:16:04 PM
I-294 between I-80 and I-55 - Kedzie Ave, 135th St, Calumet Sag Rd, IL 83 Kingery Hwy
I-294 between I-55 and I-90 - IL 83 Kingery Hwy or US 12 & 45 La Grange Rd/Mannheim Rd (lots of lights on both)

I'm pretty much the same. For these two sections, I'll occasionally use Flavin/Willow Springs Road in case the Kingery is also nasty. Flavin is mostly forest preserve two-lane roadway, and Willow Springs is slower mph and more lights due to neighborhoods
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 28, 2021, 10:12:07 PM
Elgin-O'Hare Tollway
Route 390 between County Farm Rd/Barrington Rd and York Rd - IL 19 Irving Park Rd or US 20 Lake St (lots of lights)

There's also IL 19, Wise Road, Nerge Road (after a jog on Roselle), and Devon Avenue.  Still has a decent number of lights, but it lacks the slower downtown portions in Roselle and Itasca and the problematic railroad crossing in Wood Dale.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on March 01, 2021, 10:00:20 AM
Molitor/Diehl Road is great as an alternate to I-88 between Farnsworth and Naper Blvd.  From Mill St or Diehl Road east to IL-53, Warrenville Road is a good alternative.  If you need to get from Aurora to I-355, use Diehl for the west part of your route and eventually cross over to the north side of the tollway in Naperville to use Warrenville Road instead.  East of about IL-53, you'll want to use the option recommended above, IL-56.  Once you're east of Lombard, you might consider 22nd St., though 22nd gets backed up with all the traffic to the Oak Brook Mall.

IL-53 is probably the best alternative to I-355 north of Lombard; Use Madison St in Lombard to cut east to Finley Road, now that there's a signal there.  Use Finley/Belmont from Lombard south to 63rd, then use 63rd to cut over to Woodward south of there.  You shouldn't need an alternate to I-355 south of I-55 due to traffic reasons unless there's a major crash, but due to the lack of bridges over the Des Plaines River, your alternate route will probably take you through downtown Lemont.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on March 01, 2021, 12:01:32 PM
Anyone who's looking to shunpike, it's basically not worth trying in Chicagoland. All alternatives are slow, riddled with stoplights everywhere. The tollways are often the only reasonable choice. If you're looking to avoid I-90 or I-88 in the rural areas, that's another story. It's still not worth it to me though...

Unless it's the week-end rush hour, at which time the toll road might end up taking even longer than the local streets.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on March 01, 2021, 03:27:55 PM
To get to the west suburbs, you can use IL-38 or IL-64.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on March 01, 2021, 03:33:41 PM
To get to the west suburbs, you can use IL-38 or IL-64.

Saint Charles Road or Butterfield Road too, depending on your destination.  But I wouldn't recommend any of them for getting all the way from the Cook/DuPage county line out into farmland.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: skluth on March 01, 2021, 05:17:23 PM
I used to drive a lot between St Louis and Green Bay. It's not technically a shunpike, but I used to avoid the worst of the Tri-State by using Palatine Road, IL 53, I-290, and I-355 (the one toll road). It seemed faster most of the time, especially the years when they were rebuilding the Tri-State around O'Hare. I'd usually use I-39 with I-43 or US 151 to bypass the entire Chicago area, but sometimes I'd want to stop at the outlets west of Kenosha or one of the Chicago Ikea stores.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2021, 08:00:11 PM
I used to drive a lot between St Louis and Green Bay. It's not technically a shunpike, but I used to avoid the worst of the Tri-State by using Palatine Road, IL 53, I-290, and I-355 (the one toll road). It seemed faster most of the time, especially the years when they were rebuilding the Tri-State around O'Hare. I'd usually use I-39 with I-43 or US 151 to bypass the entire Chicago area, but sometimes I'd want to stop at the outlets west of Kenosha or one of the Chicago Ikea stores.


I would guess that if you were driving that route now, that I-55, I-39, I-90, WI-26, US-151 and I-41 would be just as fast as Chicago.  And you would only be paying a toll for the short section of I-90 in IL.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on March 01, 2021, 10:28:10 PM
I used to drive a lot between St Louis and Green Bay. It's not technically a shunpike, but I used to avoid the worst of the Tri-State by using Palatine Road, IL 53, I-290, and I-355 (the one toll road). It seemed faster most of the time, especially the years when they were rebuilding the Tri-State around O'Hare. I'd usually use I-39 with I-43 or US 151 to bypass the entire Chicago area, but sometimes I'd want to stop at the outlets west of Kenosha or one of the Chicago Ikea stores.

I was going to say, going through Chicago doesn’t make much sense on that route.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on March 01, 2021, 11:39:30 PM
Thanks for ideas.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 02, 2021, 09:19:39 AM
To get to the west suburbs, you can use IL-38 or IL-64.

Saint Charles Road or Butterfield Road too, depending on your destination.  But I wouldn't recommend any of them for getting all the way from the Cook/DuPage county line out into farmland.

I've done IL-38 once from DeKalb to the I-294 JCT, once during the middle of a weekday and on a Saturday, both pre-Covid. Took me maybe 10-15 minutes extra than I-88. Maybe I was lucky with the lights but it didn't seem as bad as I thought it would be
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on March 02, 2021, 10:10:41 AM
I've done IL-38 once from DeKalb to the I-294 JCT, once during the middle of a weekday and on a Saturday, both pre-Covid. Took me maybe 10-15 minutes extra than I-88. Maybe I was lucky with the lights but it didn't seem as bad as I thought it would be

I used to live on Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.  A couple of years and three apartments later, I lived one block from Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.  Once a week for a while, I took Pace bus from Roosevelt/Blanchard Road to the Forest Park blue line station (and then transferred to another bus).  So let me tell you:

Yes, you must have been lucky.

On the other hand...

I once had to go from DuPage County to Harlem & Augusta for a concert I was performing in.  It was Friday afternoon/evening.  Coming up Naperville Road from the south, I got onto I-88.  Approaching the end of the on-ramp, I was greeted by a wide sea of brake lights:  welcome to the Friday afternoon crowd heading into the city for weekend fun.  Well, folks, I couldn't afford to sit in traffic all day, as I had a performance to participate in.  So I popped my car into reverse, backed all the way down the shoulder of the on-ramp to Naperville Road, and took local streets:  Naperville Road, Butterfield Road, Route 53, Saint Charles Road, 5th Avenue Maywood, Lake Street, 1st Avenue, Chicago Avenue, Thatcher Avenue, Augusta Street.  Got there much faster than if I had stuck with I-88.

If you know the right side roads to take, you can actually make decent time by avoiding highways.  I learned how to get to O'Hare without delay during rush hour, for example.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on March 02, 2021, 12:36:17 PM
I once had all day to drive from Chicago to Des Moines, and I took IL-38 from its eastern end through DeKalb to wherever it made sense to cut down to US-30 near Sterling.  After you get out of the Chicago mess, it was actually a nice little drive. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 02, 2021, 03:28:40 PM
I've done IL-38 once from DeKalb to the I-294 JCT, once during the middle of a weekday and on a Saturday, both pre-Covid. Took me maybe 10-15 minutes extra than I-88. Maybe I was lucky with the lights but it didn't seem as bad as I thought it would be

I used to live on Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.  A couple of years and three apartments later, I lived one block from Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.  Once a week for a while, I took Pace bus from Roosevelt/Blanchard Road to the Forest Park blue line station (and then transferred to another bus).  So let me tell you:

Yes, you must have been lucky.

On the other hand...

I once had to go from DuPage County to Harlem & Augusta for a concert I was performing in.  It was Friday afternoon/evening.  Coming up Naperville Road from the south, I got onto I-88.  Approaching the end of the on-ramp, I was greeted by a wide sea of brake lights:  welcome to the Friday afternoon crowd heading into the city for weekend fun.  Well, folks, I couldn't afford to sit in traffic all day, as I had a performance to participate in.  So I popped my car into reverse, backed all the way down the shoulder of the on-ramp to Naperville Road, and took local streets:  Naperville Road, Butterfield Road, Route 53, Saint Charles Road, 5th Avenue Maywood, Lake Street, 1st Avenue, Chicago Avenue, Thatcher Avenue, Augusta Street.  Got there much faster than if I had stuck with I-88.

If you know the right side roads to take, you can actually make decent time by avoiding highways.  I learned how to get to O'Hare without delay during rush hour, for example.

Yes, I have taken Roosevelt all the way to Mannheim at times to miss the Strangler.

My relatives used toll bypass all the time. They used US-30 to avoid I-88. IL-59/IL-53 to avoid I-355 coming from the south, and use IL-59 or IL-83 going to Wisconsin.

I used to cut across from Morocco, Indiana, then to Manteno and then over to Peotone, not so much to avoid the tolls, just the craziness of traffic.

My father used IL-47 to avoid I-90 to Wisconsin.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on March 02, 2021, 04:43:41 PM
Dont forget Il-64 can be used too along with IL-53
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 02, 2021, 09:21:01 PM
I once had all day to drive from Chicago to Des Moines, and I took IL-38 from its eastern end through DeKalb to wherever it made sense to cut down to US-30 near Sterling.  After you get out of the Chicago mess, it was actually a nice little drive.
IL 38 used to be US 30A/Alternate US 30

That is why it is named “Thirty-Eight”  – sounds a like like “Thirty-Eigh” /“Thirty-A”
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 03, 2021, 09:42:15 AM
I've done IL-38 once from DeKalb to the I-294 JCT, once during the middle of a weekday and on a Saturday, both pre-Covid. Took me maybe 10-15 minutes extra than I-88. Maybe I was lucky with the lights but it didn't seem as bad as I thought it would be

I used to live on Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.  A couple of years and three apartments later, I lived one block from Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.  Once a week for a while, I took Pace bus from Roosevelt/Blanchard Road to the Forest Park blue line station (and then transferred to another bus).  So let me tell you:

Yes, you must have been lucky.

On the other hand...

I once had to go from DuPage County to Harlem & Augusta for a concert I was performing in.  It was Friday afternoon/evening.  Coming up Naperville Road from the south, I got onto I-88.  Approaching the end of the on-ramp, I was greeted by a wide sea of brake lights:  welcome to the Friday afternoon crowd heading into the city for weekend fun.  Well, folks, I couldn't afford to sit in traffic all day, as I had a performance to participate in.  So I popped my car into reverse, backed all the way down the shoulder of the on-ramp to Naperville Road, and took local streets:  Naperville Road, Butterfield Road, Route 53, Saint Charles Road, 5th Avenue Maywood, Lake Street, 1st Avenue, Chicago Avenue, Thatcher Avenue, Augusta Street.  Got there much faster than if I had stuck with I-88.

If you know the right side roads to take, you can actually make decent time by avoiding highways.  I learned how to get to O'Hare without delay during rush hour, for example.

Bus travel is also always longer unless it was a shuttle or express bus on that route. Plus Forest Park is easily another 15-20 minutes east of the IL-38/294 JCT. I need to do another drive on that route lol
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 03, 2021, 11:09:26 AM
This is changing the subject, but has anyone else noticed, with the latest Tollway site updates that they suddenly are lacking any viable update information on the I-490 Tollway projects? For instance, the interchange at I-90/I-490 seems to be virtually at a standstill (webcam is still up, though). The latest "update" just directs you to check the daily news feed. I thought that there was supposed to be work on some of the ramps, for instance? Anyone have any insight into what is going on, or if there might be a sudden holdup that we're not being told about?

EDIT: I also asked a similar question on the I-490 thread, so if I need to remove this and move to there, just let me know!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 04, 2021, 09:05:54 AM
This is changing the subject, but has anyone else noticed, with the latest Tollway site updates that they suddenly are lacking any viable update information on the I-490 Tollway projects? For instance, the interchange at I-90/I-490 seems to be virtually at a standstill (webcam is still up, though). The latest "update" just directs you to check the daily news feed. I thought that there was supposed to be work on some of the ramps, for instance? Anyone have any insight into what is going on, or if there might be a sudden holdup that we're not being told about?

EDIT: I also asked a similar question on the I-490 thread, so if I need to remove this and move to there, just let me know!

They've been doing a lot of the ground work behind the interchange on the north side. I could see some of the action when I would drive down Mount Prospect road. I think this spring/summer they are going to start building the remaining ramps and begin to build the interstate southward, pending what Cook Co. does with Touhy Ave, the southern end of Mount Prospect road, and the train tracks
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: skluth on March 06, 2021, 12:28:41 PM
I used to drive a lot between St Louis and Green Bay. It's not technically a shunpike, but I used to avoid the worst of the Tri-State by using Palatine Road, IL 53, I-290, and I-355 (the one toll road). It seemed faster most of the time, especially the years when they were rebuilding the Tri-State around O'Hare. I'd usually use I-39 with I-43 or US 151 to bypass the entire Chicago area, but sometimes I'd want to stop at the outlets west of Kenosha or one of the Chicago Ikea stores.


I would guess that if you were driving that route now, that I-55, I-39, I-90, WI-26, US-151 and I-41 would be just as fast as Chicago.  And you would only be paying a toll for the short section of I-90 in IL.
Yes, the last time I drove back to GB before I moved to California I used WI 26 (and the CTH A cut to US 151 around Beaver Dam). It's a very nice drive though the Kettle Moraine region except for the sections right around the interstates. If I still lived in the Midwest, I'd be using that or I-43 from Beloit every time to GB depending on traffic and construction to avoid the Chicago metro.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 15, 2021, 10:34:30 AM
The next big shift for I-294, the 95th to 75th street section

"As work resumes for the 2021 construction season, daily shoulder closures and overnight lane closures will be scheduled as needed between 95th Street and LaGrange Road for installation of temporary lighting along the roadway and protective shielding under 87th Street and Roberts Road bridges, as well as pavement patching and rumble strip removal.

Once this advance work is complete, traffic shifts will be put in place on I-294 between the 82nd Street Toll Plaza and 95th Street. On southbound I-294, four lanes of traffic will remain open and shifted to the right. On northbound I-294, four lanes of traffic will be shifted to the left, with two northbound lanes traveling in a counterflow lane on the southbound side of I-294.

Between LaGrange Road and the 82nd Street Toll Plaza, traffic in both directions will be shifted to the outside shoulders in both directions to accommodate construction work.

Additional traffic shifts will be scheduled later this spring, including in both directions on I-294 between the Mile Long Bridge and I-55, as well as on the ramps connecting I-55 to northbound I-294 and southbound I-294 to I-55. Additional traffic shifts, lane reductions and ramp detours will be scheduled needed to complete work between I-55 and 95th Street.

The traffic shifts and counterflow lane are scheduled to remain in this configuration through the end of 2021 as work begins to reconstruct and widen I-294 between I-55 and 95th Street.

Work in this southern section of the Central Tri-State Project between I-55 and 95th Street includes rebuilding and widening the roadway to five lanes in both directions, including construction of new I-294 bridges over I-55, Flagg Creek, 87th Street and Roberts Road, as well as reconstructing shoulders including adding Flex Lanes and is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023."
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 23, 2021, 03:49:01 PM
Some interesting updates:

I-294/I-57
"Traffic shifts on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) and I-57 are scheduled to begin next week as work resumes on the I-294/I-57 Interchange Project. Work is continuing to construct the new interchange ramps that will connect northbound I-294 to northbound I-57 and southbound I-57 to northbound I-294, as well roadway widening on I-294 and I-57.

Work in 2021 includes completion of roadway widening on I-57, widening of the I-57 bridge over Dixie Highway, replacing the 147th Street Bridge, as well as continued construction of the ramp connecting northbound I-294 to northbound I-57 and the two ramps carrying southbound I-57 to I-294, including a flyover ramp bridge. Work to widen the CSX Railroad Bridge on I-57 is also scheduled to begin this year.

Beginning the week of March 22, traffic on southbound I-294 will be reduced from four to three lanes to provide a work zone to construct the new auxiliary lane from southbound I-57 onto southbound I-294. Work will also continue to build retaining walls and reconstruct mainline bridges. Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration through summer.

In addition, on I-57, traffic shifts will be scheduled in both directions between Kedzie Avenue and 147th Street as well as between 147th Street and Thornton Road. These closures and shifts are needed for ramp pier work located in the median of I-57 and for work to widen the bridges over 149th Street and Dixie Highway, as well as on collector-distributors roads and retaining walls. After the shifts are put in place, traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration into summer."

I-294/I-290/St. Charles Road
"In 2021 and 2022, the Illinois Tollway will be reconstructing the St. Charles Road Interchange at I-290. This work includes removing and replacing the St. Charles Road Bridge over I-294 and repairing and replacing the bridge deck on the bridge over I-290. In addition, the four interchange ramps on the east side of I-290 will be reconstructed and a portion of westbound I-290 will be widened. Additional work includes retaining wall construction, drainage improvements and roadway lighting improvements

Ramp closures will be needed during construction, and additional traffic shifts and lane closures will be scheduled on ramps, St. Charles Road, I-294 and I-290 to complete the work. Electronic message signs and construction signage will be put in place in advance to alert drivers to changes in traffic patterns and detours throughout construction. All work is weather dependent and up-to-date information regarding lane closures will be available in the Illinois Tollway’s Daily Construction Alerts.

Work has started with daily lane closures on St. Charles Road to prepare for a traffic shift and start of bridge work. Over the next two weeks, lane closures will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. reducing St. Charles Road to one lane in both directions between Taft Avenue and Poplar Avenue. On I-290, full closures will be needed to prepare for work on the St. Charles Road Bridge. On I-294, traffic is currently shifted in both directions between Electric Avenue and St. Charles Road.

Once advance work is complete, St. Charles Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted to the eastbound lanes over I-294 and I-290 to accommodate bridge removal and reconstruction. Work on the bridges over I-294 and I-290 will be conducted one half at a time, to provide a work zone and safety accommodate St. Charles Road traffic. Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration through September when all traffic will be shifted to the westbound lanes.

In addition, in 2021, work will include reconstruction of the two ramps connecting westbound St. Charles Road to westbound I-290. In order to accommodate this work, the ramps are scheduled to be closed to traffic with posted detours. The ramp closures are anticipated to begin in early April and will remain closed through 2021.

Westbound St. Charles Road traffic traveling to westbound I-290 will be routed through the other open ramps at the interchange and onto I-290. Westbound I-290 traffic exit to westbound St. Charles Road, traffic will be directed to continue north the North Avenue Interchange and back onto eastbound I-290 to reach westbound St. Charles Road."
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on March 23, 2021, 10:26:05 PM
Some interesting updates:

I-294/I-290/St. Charles Road

It's so weird seeing my hometown streets mentioned like this. I know exactly where those streets are and how they affect the construction. Anyway, it's a bit strange that the Saint Charles Road bridge over 294 is being rebuilt, given that it had previously been rebuilt not too long ago, about 18 years I think, during the last round of construction on 294.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on March 24, 2021, 08:57:58 PM
Some interesting updates:

I-294/I-290/St. Charles Road

It's so weird seeing my hometown streets mentioned like this. I know exactly where those streets are and how they affect the construction. Anyway, it's a bit strange that the Saint Charles Road bridge over 294 is being rebuilt, given that it had previously been rebuilt not too long ago, about 18 years I think, during the last round of construction on 294.

It’s been almost 30 years since the central tri-state was last widened.

They should just convert the interchange to a four legged and get rid of the loop ramps to gain more ROW for I-294
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on March 24, 2021, 09:19:03 PM
Some interesting updates:

I-294/I-290/St. Charles Road

It's so weird seeing my hometown streets mentioned like this. I know exactly where those streets are and how they affect the construction. Anyway, it's a bit strange that the Saint Charles Road bridge over 294 is being rebuilt, given that it had previously been rebuilt not too long ago, about 18 years I think, during the last round of construction on 294.

It’s been almost 30 years since the central tri-state was last widened.

Well, I'll be. It was rebuilt in 1992 (http://bridgereports.com/1138979). I could have sworn it was 2003, but BridgeReports wouldn't lie.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on March 25, 2021, 07:05:06 PM
Some interesting updates:

I-294/I-290/St. Charles Road

It's so weird seeing my hometown streets mentioned like this. I know exactly where those streets are and how they affect the construction. Anyway, it's a bit strange that the Saint Charles Road bridge over 294 is being rebuilt, given that it had previously been rebuilt not too long ago, about 18 years I think, during the last round of construction on 294.

It’s been almost 30 years since the central tri-state was last widened.

Well, I'll be. It was rebuilt in 1992 (http://bridgereports.com/1138979). I could have sworn it was 2003, but BridgeReports wouldn't lie.

I lived in Oak Park and worked in Westchester in 2003 and that area was definitely not under construction then.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on March 28, 2021, 06:41:26 PM
This weekend, a detour for Joliet Road has been posted and will be in place for a while for the 294 widening project.  Joliet Road will be closed from I-55 to Wolf Rd with La Grange Rd being used for the detour.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on April 08, 2021, 08:09:34 PM
Driving the Tri-State today, it looks like they're ripping out the mainline cash booths on 82nd and 83rd street plazas.  These are within the area of the current construction project.  Also from what I see they have shut off the self-serve cash systems on I-90.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on July 15, 2021, 02:44:30 PM
I am currently dogsitting in my old home town, near the infamous loop ramp from I-294 to I-290. They are pounding I-beams or something similar into the ground. The noise is most impressive if also most annoying.

ETA: Also amazing to me is how the cars and trucks never stop. There is someone coming down that ramp at every minute of every day one after another, unceasingly.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 16, 2021, 11:40:25 AM
I am currently dogsitting in my old home town, near the infamous loop ramp from I-294 to I-290. They are pounding I-beams or something similar into the ground. The noise is most impressive if also most annoying.

ETA: Also amazing to me is how the cars and trucks never stop. There is someone coming down that ramp at every minute of every day one after another, unceasingly.

Would you rather they not work on them?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on July 16, 2021, 03:19:35 PM
I am currently dogsitting in my old home town, near the infamous loop ramp from I-294 to I-290. They are pounding I-beams or something similar into the ground. The noise is most impressive if also most annoying.

ETA: Also amazing to me is how the cars and trucks never stop. There is someone coming down that ramp at every minute of every day one after another, unceasingly.

Would you rather they not work on them?

No. I'm not someone who thinks that every element of a project must be pleasant in order to support it or to find it worthwhile.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 16, 2021, 05:16:12 PM
I am currently dogsitting in my old home town, near the infamous loop ramp from I-294 to I-290. They are pounding I-beams or something similar into the ground. The noise is most impressive if also most annoying.

ETA: Also amazing to me is how the cars and trucks never stop. There is someone coming down that ramp at every minute of every day one after another, unceasingly.

Would you rather they not work on them?

No. I'm not someone who thinks that every element of a project must be pleasant in order to support it or to find it worthwhile.

These must be the pilings for new bridges, abutments, and/or retaining walls. They are usually driven by a rig with a drop hammer that makes the noise on contact with the piling. When the piling is to a point where there is little to no movement with each drop, within a recommended specification, it is considered to be stabilized and the crew moves on to the next location. There are other methods that accomplish the task with less noise such as vibratory placement or drilled shaft foundations, but they are more expensive and not always suited for the underground conditions.

The nice thing about H-piles is that it is possible to add on to their length if needed during driving, and they are easy to cut off if there is any excess length on top after the pile is driven.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 19, 2021, 03:40:11 PM
Drove up to WI on I-90 through Rockford this weekend, and I have a few observations about the Northern section near Rockford and North:
-I am noticing that the stretch North of the I-39 merge seems to be in a bit of a need of a resurfacing.
-The portion from Rockford and North seems to be one of the last stretches of tollway outside of the Central I-294 portion where lighting remains that hasn't been upgraded to LED.
-It is a little odd to have the continuous lighting down I-90 and then, as you reach Rockford, have it abruptly end. I drove this during the day, but that would be strange at night (given it would stop anyways once you reach the IDOT portion North of the South Beloit toll plaza).
-As with I-94 in Northern Lake County, it's always easy for me to tell where the Tollway section ends just South of the State Line. It is rather curious that the Tollway maintenance doesn't continue up to the State Line in both cases.
-Many of the overpasses seem to still be original tollway construction, so I wonder if these will be needing replacement sooner than later.

Overall, the portion from Rockford North really is looking a little dated now that the remainder has been completely rebuilt. I know it'd be a big project, but I wonder if the Tollway might consider this stretch in its next infrastructure program.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 19, 2021, 03:54:15 PM
Drove up to WI on I-90 through Rockford this weekend, and I have a few observations about the Northern section near Rockford and North:
-I am noticing that the stretch North of the I-39 merge seems to be in a bit of a need of a resurfacing.
-The portion from Rockford and North seems to be one of the last stretches of tollway outside of the Central I-294 portion where lighting remains that hasn't been upgraded to LED.
-It is a little odd to have the continuous lighting down I-90 and then, as you reach Rockford, have it abruptly end. I drove this during the day, but that would be strange at night (given it would stop anyways once you reach the IDOT portion North of the South Beloit toll plaza).
-As with I-94 in Northern Lake County, it's always easy for me to tell where the Tollway section ends just South of the State Line. It is rather curious that the Tollway maintenance doesn't continue up to the State Line in both cases.
-Many of the overpasses seem to still be original tollway construction, so I wonder if these will be needing replacement sooner than later.

Overall, the portion from Rockford North really is looking a little dated now that the remainder has been completely rebuilt. I know it'd be a big project, but I wonder if the Tollway might consider this stretch in its next infrastructure program.

I assumed they were waiting on WisDOT to finish on their side of the state line.

https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/ (https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 19, 2021, 04:19:36 PM
Drove up to WI on I-90 through Rockford this weekend, and I have a few observations about the Northern section near Rockford and North:
-I am noticing that the stretch North of the I-39 merge seems to be in a bit of a need of a resurfacing.
-The portion from Rockford and North seems to be one of the last stretches of tollway outside of the Central I-294 portion where lighting remains that hasn't been upgraded to LED.
-It is a little odd to have the continuous lighting down I-90 and then, as you reach Rockford, have it abruptly end. I drove this during the day, but that would be strange at night (given it would stop anyways once you reach the IDOT portion North of the South Beloit toll plaza).
-As with I-94 in Northern Lake County, it's always easy for me to tell where the Tollway section ends just South of the State Line. It is rather curious that the Tollway maintenance doesn't continue up to the State Line in both cases.
-Many of the overpasses seem to still be original tollway construction, so I wonder if these will be needing replacement sooner than later.

Overall, the portion from Rockford North really is looking a little dated now that the remainder has been completely rebuilt. I know it'd be a big project, but I wonder if the Tollway might consider this stretch in its next infrastructure program.

Another question is when is IDOT going to finally rebuild/widen I-39/US 20 between I-90 and the I-39/US 20 split off? They’ve been talking about for years redoing that interchange and six laning in between.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on July 19, 2021, 04:45:55 PM
The changeover to LED is slow but happening on the South Beloit to Cherry Valley portion.  That portion was rebuilt almost a decade ago (not sure exactly when…).  This and the western portion of I-88 get forgotten since they’re farther away from Chicago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 19, 2021, 05:24:54 PM
The changeover to LED is slow but happening on the South Beloit to Cherry Valley portion.  That portion was rebuilt almost a decade ago (not sure exactly when…).  This and the western portion of I-88 get forgotten since they’re farther away from Chicago.

Actually, the Western I-88 portion has been fully upgraded with new LED lighting (new light poles and everything). The I-90 Far North portion is the most curious to me, partly based on the I-88 portion, which is much lower traffic. I think the I-90 Cherry Valley to South Beloit rebuild was done in 2008/09 or thereabouts. Mainly, it really seemed to be more an overlay with an additional lane slapped in the middle. One new interchange was added during this time as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 19, 2021, 05:27:19 PM
Drove up to WI on I-90 through Rockford this weekend, and I have a few observations about the Northern section near Rockford and North:
-I am noticing that the stretch North of the I-39 merge seems to be in a bit of a need of a resurfacing.
-The portion from Rockford and North seems to be one of the last stretches of tollway outside of the Central I-294 portion where lighting remains that hasn't been upgraded to LED.
-It is a little odd to have the continuous lighting down I-90 and then, as you reach Rockford, have it abruptly end. I drove this during the day, but that would be strange at night (given it would stop anyways once you reach the IDOT portion North of the South Beloit toll plaza).
-As with I-94 in Northern Lake County, it's always easy for me to tell where the Tollway section ends just South of the State Line. It is rather curious that the Tollway maintenance doesn't continue up to the State Line in both cases.
-Many of the overpasses seem to still be original tollway construction, so I wonder if these will be needing replacement sooner than later.

Overall, the portion from Rockford North really is looking a little dated now that the remainder has been completely rebuilt. I know it'd be a big project, but I wonder if the Tollway might consider this stretch in its next infrastructure program.

Another question is when is IDOT going to finally rebuild/widen I-39/US 20 between I-90 and the I-39/US 20 split off? They’ve been talking about for years redoing that interchange and six laning in between.

It actually was quite apparent to me the amount of traffic that goes that way, just by how much I saw "split off" at the Cherry Valley interchange. The section through Rockford definitely needs a widening, and I almost wonder how long term the truck traffic will impact the need to widen (although I'd give other "downstate" Interstates priority first, such as I-80 and I-55).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 19, 2021, 05:29:04 PM
Drove up to WI on I-90 through Rockford this weekend, and I have a few observations about the Northern section near Rockford and North:
-I am noticing that the stretch North of the I-39 merge seems to be in a bit of a need of a resurfacing.
-The portion from Rockford and North seems to be one of the last stretches of tollway outside of the Central I-294 portion where lighting remains that hasn't been upgraded to LED.
-It is a little odd to have the continuous lighting down I-90 and then, as you reach Rockford, have it abruptly end. I drove this during the day, but that would be strange at night (given it would stop anyways once you reach the IDOT portion North of the South Beloit toll plaza).
-As with I-94 in Northern Lake County, it's always easy for me to tell where the Tollway section ends just South of the State Line. It is rather curious that the Tollway maintenance doesn't continue up to the State Line in both cases.
-Many of the overpasses seem to still be original tollway construction, so I wonder if these will be needing replacement sooner than later.

Overall, the portion from Rockford North really is looking a little dated now that the remainder has been completely rebuilt. I know it'd be a big project, but I wonder if the Tollway might consider this stretch in its next infrastructure program.

I assumed they were waiting on WisDOT to finish on their side of the state line.

https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/ (https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/)

I will say, once WI is done, which looks like they are getting close... it does appear this might highlight the need for the Tollway to give South Beloit to Cherry Valley a little facelift, if you will.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 19, 2021, 06:03:35 PM
Drove up to WI on I-90 through Rockford this weekend, and I have a few observations about the Northern section near Rockford and North:
-I am noticing that the stretch North of the I-39 merge seems to be in a bit of a need of a resurfacing.
-The portion from Rockford and North seems to be one of the last stretches of tollway outside of the Central I-294 portion where lighting remains that hasn't been upgraded to LED.
-It is a little odd to have the continuous lighting down I-90 and then, as you reach Rockford, have it abruptly end. I drove this during the day, but that would be strange at night (given it would stop anyways once you reach the IDOT portion North of the South Beloit toll plaza).
-As with I-94 in Northern Lake County, it's always easy for me to tell where the Tollway section ends just South of the State Line. It is rather curious that the Tollway maintenance doesn't continue up to the State Line in both cases.
-Many of the overpasses seem to still be original tollway construction, so I wonder if these will be needing replacement sooner than later.

Overall, the portion from Rockford North really is looking a little dated now that the remainder has been completely rebuilt. I know it'd be a big project, but I wonder if the Tollway might consider this stretch in its next infrastructure program.

I assumed they were waiting on WisDOT to finish on their side of the state line.

https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/ (https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/)

I will say, once WI is done, which looks like they are getting close... it does appear this might highlight the need for the Tollway to give South Beloit to Cherry Valley a little facelift, if you will.

I checked the ISTHA site and it only makes reference to IDOT work in District 2.

I also looked at the current ISHTA capital plan and nothing was listed for this space.

Under the reference of the "Move Illinois" capital plan, it was noted that IDOT is working ISTHA on a plan to update the Jane Addams from I-39 to O'Hare to improve mobility, but nothing beyond that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on July 19, 2021, 06:25:36 PM
The North fork of I-90 is indeed in poor shape. I remember driving it a few months ago and it was not great. Resurfacing would be the baseline. An extra lane would be the cherry on top.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: cwm1276 on July 19, 2021, 06:42:50 PM
Drove up to WI on I-90 through Rockford this weekend, and I have a few observations about the Northern section near Rockford and North:
-I am noticing that the stretch North of the I-39 merge seems to be in a bit of a need of a resurfacing.
-The portion from Rockford and North seems to be one of the last stretches of tollway outside of the Central I-294 portion where lighting remains that hasn't been upgraded to LED.
-It is a little odd to have the continuous lighting down I-90 and then, as you reach Rockford, have it abruptly end. I drove this during the day, but that would be strange at night (given it would stop anyways once you reach the IDOT portion North of the South Beloit toll plaza).
-As with I-94 in Northern Lake County, it's always easy for me to tell where the Tollway section ends just South of the State Line. It is rather curious that the Tollway maintenance doesn't continue up to the State Line in both cases.
-Many of the overpasses seem to still be original tollway construction, so I wonder if these will be needing replacement sooner than later.

Overall, the portion from Rockford North really is looking a little dated now that the remainder has been completely rebuilt. I know it'd be a big project, but I wonder if the Tollway might consider this stretch in its next infrastructure program.

I assumed they were waiting on WisDOT to finish on their side of the state line.

https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/ (https://projects.511wi.gov/i-39-90/)

I will say, once WI is done, which looks like they are getting close... it does appear this might highlight the need for the Tollway to give South Beloit to Cherry Valley a little facelift, if you will.

I checked the ISTHA site and it only makes reference to IDOT work in District 2.

I also looked at the current ISHTA capital plan and nothing was listed for this space.

Under the reference of the "Move Illinois" capital plan, it was noted that IDOT is working ISTHA on a plan to update the Jane Addams from I-39 to O'Hare to improve mobility, but nothing beyond that.

The I39/US 20 expansion did make the Multi-year plan.  https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20Project%20Information.pdf

To bad the study originally planned construction in 2015, it will be more like 2030.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 19, 2021, 10:02:23 PM
The North fork of I-90 is indeed in poor shape. I remember driving it a few months ago and it was not great. Resurfacing would be the baseline. An extra lane would be the cherry on top.


Must have a bad memory, I drove it in June and it was relatively smooth.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 19, 2021, 10:06:02 PM
The North fork of I-90 is indeed in poor shape. I remember driving it a few months ago and it was not great. Resurfacing would be the baseline. An extra lane would be the cherry on top.

There's already three lanes on I-90 between I-39 and the Wisconsin border.  Unless I'm going through at the wrong times that stretch doesn't particularly seem to need a fourth lane.

Under the reference of the "Move Illinois" capital plan, it was noted that IDOT is working ISTHA on a plan to update the Jane Addams from I-39 to O'Hare to improve mobility, but nothing beyond that.

That rebuild has been done for a few years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on July 20, 2021, 12:45:00 AM
The North fork of I-90 is indeed in poor shape. I remember driving it a few months ago and it was not great. Resurfacing would be the baseline. An extra lane would be the cherry on top.

They've made some timely patches since you last drove it; that's largely addressed the problems for now. I'm actually quite impressed at how well the asphalt has held up since the widening was completed in 2009; it's only been in the past year or two that the potholes have shown up.

I would expect in 2024-2025 that ISTHA will mill and overlay the entire stretch. If they're going to light the tollway up to the tollbooths at Exit 3, that would be the time to do it. It would also be a good time to widen the bridge over Bus US-20/State St and extend the 4th lane up to that exit, to give thru traffic a bit more time to merge down to 3 lanes northbound and a bit more time southbound to position themselves for the split at I-39/US-20.

That will hold it until about 2040, when ISTHA will likely need to replace/widen bridges and overpasses. At that point it will make sense to add that 4th lane up to at least IL 173. I would also expect full-depth pavement replacement with concrete then. If WisDOT ends up adding a 4th lane to I-39/90 north of the state line, IDOT and ISTHA will probably follow suit to maintain continuity. It will make little sense to extend the widening past IL-173 before WisDOT does on its side.

The IDOT stretch north of Rockton Rd was completed in 2016 as WisDOT ramped up the 6/8 laning of I-39/90 north of the state line, and is fine aside from a really nasty southbound exit ramp at IL-75/US-51 that was inexplicably missed during the rest of the roadwork. I'm also surprised it wasn't addressed when WisDOT finished the 6-laning down to the border.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on July 20, 2021, 01:01:49 AM
I am currently dogsitting in my old home town, near the infamous loop ramp from I-294 to I-290. They are pounding I-beams or something similar into the ground. The noise is most impressive if also most annoying.

ETA: Also amazing to me is how the cars and trucks never stop. There is someone coming down that ramp at every minute of every day one after another, unceasingly.

Would you rather they not work on them?

No. I'm not someone who thinks that every element of a project must be pleasant in order to support it or to find it worthwhile.

These must be the pilings for new bridges, abutments, and/or retaining walls. They are usually driven by a rig with a drop hammer that makes the noise on contact with the piling. When the piling is to a point where there is little to no movement with each drop, within a recommended specification, it is considered to be stabilized and the crew moves on to the next location. There are other methods that accomplish the task with less noise such as vibratory placement or drilled shaft foundations, but they are more expensive and not always suited for the underground conditions.

The nice thing about H-piles is that it is possible to add on to their length if needed during driving, and they are easy to cut off if there is any excess length on top after the pile is driven.

I'm sure that's exactly what they're doing. Something similar was done a few weeks ago on Butterfield Road. That bridge will be about 350 feet wide when all is said and done, which I find absolutely amazing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 20, 2021, 07:15:34 AM
The North fork of I-90 is indeed in poor shape. I remember driving it a few months ago and it was not great. Resurfacing would be the baseline. An extra lane would be the cherry on top.


Must have a bad memory, I drove it in June and it was relatively smooth.
Smooth is I-88 in Oak Brook. That stretch north of Rockford has road buckling in the asphalt. But then again, you were the same guy who told me in June that the US 20 portion of the Rockford Bypass was not in bad shape and you insisted I was wrong despite driving on it THAT weekend.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on July 20, 2021, 09:11:09 AM
The North fork of I-90 is indeed in poor shape. I remember driving it a few months ago and it was not great. Resurfacing would be the baseline. An extra lane would be the cherry on top.

They've made some timely patches since you last drove it; that's largely addressed the problems for now. I'm actually quite impressed at how well the asphalt has held up since the widening was completed in 2009; it's only been in the past year or two that the potholes have shown up.

I would expect in 2024-2025 that ISTHA will mill and overlay the entire stretch. If they're going to light the tollway up to the tollbooths at Exit 3, that would be the time to do it. It would also be a good time to widen the bridge over Bus US-20/State St and extend the 4th lane up to that exit, to give thru traffic a bit more time to merge down to 3 lanes northbound and a bit more time southbound to position themselves for the split at I-39/US-20.

That will hold it until about 2040, when ISTHA will likely need to replace/widen bridges and overpasses. At that point it will make sense to add that 4th lane up to at least IL 173. I would also expect full-depth pavement replacement with concrete then. If WisDOT ends up adding a 4th lane to I-39/90 north of the state line, IDOT and ISTHA will probably follow suit to maintain continuity. It will make little sense to extend the widening past IL-173 before WisDOT does on its side.

The IDOT stretch north of Rockton Rd was completed in 2016 as WisDOT ramped up the 6/8 laning of I-39/90 north of the state line, and is fine aside from a really nasty southbound exit ramp at IL-75/US-51 that was inexplicably missed during the rest of the roadwork. I'm also surprised it wasn't addressed when WisDOT finished the 6-laning down to the border.

They may have, and if so that's cool. I was up there in September. And maybe it doesn't need 8 lanes. I haven't driven it nearly enough to know that.

The short I-39/US-20 concurrency, well I know a thing or two about how badly that needs more lanes. But that's not ISTHA's jurisdiction.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 20, 2021, 01:11:33 PM
The short I-39/US-20 concurrency, well I know a thing or two about how badly that needs more lanes. But that's not ISTHA's jurisdiction.

This is the major I-39 work programmed by IDOT in District 2 in the FY 22-27 program:
I-39/U.S. 51/U.S. 20: $199.2 million for bridge replacement, reconstruction and additional lanes on 5.8 miles from Blackhawk Road to I-90, I-39 to Kishwaukee River and Bell School Road to I-39.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 20, 2021, 02:50:05 PM
The short I-39/US-20 concurrency, well I know a thing or two about how badly that needs more lanes. But that's not ISTHA's jurisdiction.

This is the major I-39 work programmed by IDOT in District 2 in the FY 22-27 program:
I-39/U.S. 51/U.S. 20: $199.2 million for bridge replacement, reconstruction and additional lanes on 5.8 miles from Blackhawk Road to I-90, I-39 to Kishwaukee River and Bell School Road to I-39.

But are they actually going to start the project in this time frame? It’s been in previous multi year plans but has never come to fruition.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on July 21, 2021, 09:42:36 AM
Noticed some new things on the Central Tri-State work.

The 490 interchange towers have begun to pop up as they slowly get constructed.
Mile long bridge continues at a brisk pace, looks like half of the concrete supports for the new northbound bridge are completed
Initial work has begun on rebuilding the 88th Ave ramp
Trucks are in place to begin demolishing the Plainfield Ave bridge
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 21, 2021, 08:43:19 PM
The short I-39/US-20 concurrency, well I know a thing or two about how badly that needs more lanes. But that's not ISTHA's jurisdiction.

This is the major I-39 work programmed by IDOT in District 2 in the FY 22-27 program:
I-39/U.S. 51/U.S. 20: $199.2 million for bridge replacement, reconstruction and additional lanes on 5.8 miles from Blackhawk Road to I-90, I-39 to Kishwaukee River and Bell School Road to I-39.

But are they actually going to start the project in this time frame? It’s been in previous multi year plans but has never come to fruition.

Honestly, this is one of those short stretches that would benefit from being transferred to ISTHA jurisdiction. This way we could be sure it would probably be done in a timely manner and correctly. Yeah, some Rockford and Cherry Valley residents might balk at the added tolls, but honestly, most people who use it probably are tollway bound or coming from the tollway anyway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on July 22, 2021, 08:05:58 AM
The short I-39/US-20 concurrency, well I know a thing or two about how badly that needs more lanes. But that's not ISTHA's jurisdiction.

This is the major I-39 work programmed by IDOT in District 2 in the FY 22-27 program:
I-39/U.S. 51/U.S. 20: $199.2 million for bridge replacement, reconstruction and additional lanes on 5.8 miles from Blackhawk Road to I-90, I-39 to Kishwaukee River and Bell School Road to I-39.

But are they actually going to start the project in this time frame? It’s been in previous multi year plans but has never come to fruition.

Honestly, this is one of those short stretches that would benefit from being transferred to ISTHA jurisdiction. This way we could be sure it would probably be done in a timely manner and correctly. Yeah, some Rockford and Cherry Valley residents might balk at the added tolls, but honestly, most people who use it probably are tollway bound or coming from the tollway anyway.

It could be, but I'm not sure if I need the upgrade that badly. Rockford area regulars may feel differently. The saving grace of the section is that it's incredibly short. So even if the four lanes don't handle it very well, you only have to deal with it a few minutes before you're on open road again. And at the minimum, IDOT did resurface it, so it's a smooth ride.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on July 22, 2021, 08:23:07 AM
The short I-39/US-20 concurrency, well I know a thing or two about how badly that needs more lanes. But that's not ISTHA's jurisdiction.

This is the major I-39 work programmed by IDOT in District 2 in the FY 22-27 program:
I-39/U.S. 51/U.S. 20: $199.2 million for bridge replacement, reconstruction and additional lanes on 5.8 miles from Blackhawk Road to I-90, I-39 to Kishwaukee River and Bell School Road to I-39.

But are they actually going to start the project in this time frame? It’s been in previous multi year plans but has never come to fruition.

Honestly, this is one of those short stretches that would benefit from being transferred to ISTHA jurisdiction. This way we could be sure it would probably be done in a timely manner and correctly. Yeah, some Rockford and Cherry Valley residents might balk at the added tolls, but honestly, most people who use it probably are tollway bound or coming from the tollway anyway.

It could be, but I'm not sure if I need the upgrade that badly. Rockford area regulars may feel differently. The saving grace of the section is that it's incredibly short. So even if the four lanes don't handle it very well, you only have to deal with it a few minutes before you're on open road again. And at the minimum, IDOT did resurface it, so it's a smooth ride.

Yes, it is needed badly. The ramps from US 20 WB to I-39 SB are a single lane, narrow congestion plagued mess.

The ideal thing would be to reconfigure to have SB I-39 use through lanes and have US 20 WB exit instead, but that would cost a ton more money, so we have to take what we can get.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on July 29, 2021, 03:24:30 PM
Was Interstate 39/US 51 ever proposed to go north of the US 20 freeway? There are imprints in the land that suggest a SB-to-EB cloverleaf on-ramp and an EB-to-NB cloverleaf off-ramp were to have been constructed: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2190941,-89.0130634,856m/data=!3m1!1e3. Maybe 39/51 was to have proposed to go north of 20 into Rockford itself, and then meet the Interstate 39/90 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (then the Interstate 90 Northwest Tollway) at a location further north of the existing Exit 17 connection.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on July 29, 2021, 03:57:16 PM
Was Interstate 39/US 51 ever proposed to go north of the US 20 freeway? There are imprints in the land that suggest a SB-to-EB cloverleaf on-ramp and an EB-to-NB cloverleaf off-ramp were to have been constructed: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2190941,-89.0130634,856m/data=!3m1!1e3. Maybe 39/51 was to have proposed to go north of 20 into Rockford itself, and then meet the Interstate 39/90 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (then the Interstate 90 Northwest Tollway) at a location further north of the existing Exit 17 connection.


If you look at historic aerials from the time it was under construction, there was some open ROW just north of the interchange at the time, but it didn't go very far.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 29, 2021, 05:09:09 PM
Was Interstate 39/US 51 ever proposed to go north of the US 20 freeway? There are imprints in the land that suggest a SB-to-EB cloverleaf on-ramp and an EB-to-NB cloverleaf off-ramp were to have been constructed: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2190941,-89.0130634,856m/data=!3m1!1e3. Maybe 39/51 was to have proposed to go north of 20 into Rockford itself, and then meet the Interstate 39/90 Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (then the Interstate 90 Northwest Tollway) at a location further north of the existing Exit 17 connection.


If you look at historic aerials from the time it was under construction, there was some open ROW just north of the interchange at the time, but it didn't go very far.

I believe it was supposed to terminate at Charles Street originally, which at the time would have been on the east edge of the city limits. I think that part got deferred in 1974 along with a host of other statewide projects. I would imagine the ramp grading was put in with the idea it might get funded later and it didn't. It remained clear for a few years open to acquisition. I would have to check some City of Rockford records to confirm.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 29, 2021, 10:22:52 PM
^ I thought the stub at the western/southern I-39/US 20 interchange was supposed to be a connection to the cancelled freeway along the railroads to downtown Rockford?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mrose on July 30, 2021, 05:31:11 AM
Honestly, this is one of those short stretches that would benefit from being transferred to ISTHA jurisdiction. This way we could be sure it would probably be done in a timely manner and correctly. Yeah, some Rockford and Cherry Valley residents might balk at the added tolls, but honestly, most people who use it probably are tollway bound or coming from the tollway anyway.

Maybe they could bring back the 15 cent one.

*ducks*
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 30, 2021, 08:54:05 AM
Honestly, this is one of those short stretches that would benefit from being transferred to ISTHA jurisdiction. This way we could be sure it would probably be done in a timely manner and correctly. Yeah, some Rockford and Cherry Valley residents might balk at the added tolls, but honestly, most people who use it probably are tollway bound or coming from the tollway anyway.

Maybe they could bring back the 15 cent one.

*ducks*
Well, with how much the tolls are now, I don't think people would push back at 15 cents. Sadly, it'd probably be something more like $1 at least. On the bright side, since no more cash collection, all they would need to do is just add an electronic toll collection gantry... probably at an upgraded I-39/US 20 interchange. That said, this is getting into fictional territory, so I'll stop here!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 03, 2021, 09:56:25 AM
Question? Does the tollway intend to remove the signs alluding to cash payments? There are still many places where this is posted, and honestly, I can see where those without IPass who are coming from out of state would be very confused. I know the decision was abrupt, but they have had half a year now to get on removing (or at least covering) those signs.

Also, I realize this next item is a more longer term thing, but wouldn't it make sense now to start removing the toll plaza structures. I would say some should get priority over others... for instance, the EB I-90 River Road Toll Plaza would be a perfect one to start with, as an example. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 03, 2021, 10:15:58 AM
They already have in many spots. Most notable include I-88 which took all the signs down and left the gantry structures up. It'll probably be an eventual phase out
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 20, 2021, 03:47:07 PM
I found by luck this video posted last October showing the progress of the reconstruction of Mile Long Bridge
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 23, 2021, 03:28:04 PM
Pre-stressed concrete.

90 inches by 187 feet.

I am going to check around, they said it is the longest ever fabbed in the midwest.

I would be curious where a pre-stressed beam more than 187 feet would be in use right now.


Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 23, 2021, 04:12:32 PM
(https://img.equipmentworld.com/files/base/randallreilly/all/image/2021/01/eqw.long-girder.png)

The longest prestressed girder ever built in North America is prepared for transport to its new home on the future I-5 Puyallup River Bridge in Tacoma, Washington. Photo credit: WSDOT


Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 25, 2021, 07:24:57 PM
I had to drive around one of those during my long trip last weekend.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Hobart on August 25, 2021, 09:54:17 PM
So I'm not sure if this was brought up already, but I noticed that the Illinois Tollway uses a different striping ratio for the broken yellow lines than roads maintained by IDOT. I'm not sure if it's the only road that does this, but does anybody know why the ISTHA uses a different striping ratio?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 25, 2021, 10:18:03 PM
So I'm not sure if this was brought up already, but I noticed that the Illinois Tollway uses a different striping ratio for the broken yellow lines than roads maintained by IDOT. I'm not sure if it's the only road that does this, but does anybody know why the ISTHA uses a different striping ratio?
I think you meant “…broken yellowwhite lines…”  as ISTHA doesn’t have too many opportunties to sign broken yellow lines, as the Tollways are not 2 lane undivided highways

Don’t know the reason, but they are not the only agency that uses the longer lane stripe. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority uses the same/similar to ISTHA, and also the Indiana Toll Road uses a similar striping ratio
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on August 25, 2021, 11:24:54 PM
So I'm not sure if this was brought up already, but I noticed that the Illinois Tollway uses a different striping ratio for the broken yellow lines than roads maintained by IDOT. I'm not sure if it's the only road that does this, but does anybody know why the ISTHA uses a different striping ratio?
I think you meant “…broken yellowwhite lines…”  as ISTHA doesn’t have too many opportunties to sign broken yellow lines, as the Tollways are not 2 lane undivided highways

Don’t know the reason, but they are not the only agency that uses the longer lane stripe. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority uses the same/similar to ISTHA, and also the Indiana Toll Road uses a similar striping ratio

Yeah, they use 25:25, instead of 10:30. Also, the lane lines are thicker. The yellow line on the left, however, is not thicker, which I don't like.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 26, 2021, 11:46:29 AM
So I'm not sure if this was brought up already, but I noticed that the Illinois Tollway uses a different striping ratio for the broken yellow lines than roads maintained by IDOT. I'm not sure if it's the only road that does this, but does anybody know why the ISTHA uses a different striping ratio?
I think you meant “…broken yellowwhite lines…”  as ISTHA doesn’t have too many opportunties to sign broken yellow lines, as the Tollways are not 2 lane undivided highways

Don’t know the reason, but they are not the only agency that uses the longer lane stripe. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority uses the same/similar to ISTHA, and also the Indiana Toll Road uses a similar striping ratio

Yeah, they use 25:25, instead of 10:30. Also, the lane lines are thicker. The yellow line on the left, however, is not thicker, which I don't like.

Overall, I much prefer how the Tollway does the striping (and honestly, their construction standards as a whole) compared to IDOT. The striping on the tollway is a lot easier to see, and I think IDOT would be wise to take a page out of their construction standards book. That said, I am not too sure the reason, but it is a lot easier to see... also one more way it is obvious when the tollway maintenance begins and ends on a roadway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on August 26, 2021, 12:04:48 PM
The striping on the tollway is a lot easier to see, and I think IDOT would be wise to take a page out of their construction standards book.

To be fair, here IDOT is just following the MUTCD. The change to thicker lines, though, has been recommended for the next version.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 07, 2021, 10:37:10 PM
I am hoping for more lanes where the booths were, such as Irving Park exit on 294. Big back up to the one I-Pass lane on right.

Whenever people complain of tolls, just look at the Ike in Oak Park/Maywood, and the narrow Edens with underpasses that flood often. Freeways for sure. :popcorn:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 08, 2021, 02:29:07 AM
Tollway sign pet peeve

Heading south on the Tri-State, right after the 94-294 split for Edens spur, sign says "Begin 294. 92 Ends"
94 doesn't "end"!  :angry: It goes east on its own. Who approved this?  :banghead:

Sign on left side would make more sense showing split of routes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 08, 2021, 03:50:24 AM
Tollway sign pet peeve

Heading south on the Tri-State, right after the 94-294 split for Edens spur, sign says "Begin 294. 92 Ends"
94 doesn't "end"!  :angry: It goes east on its own. Who approved this?  :banghead:

Sign on left side would make more sense showing split of routes.

Simply ISTHA being ISTHA.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 08, 2021, 10:58:49 AM
Tollway sign pet peeve

Heading south on the Tri-State, right after the 94-294 split for Edens spur, sign says "Begin 294. 92 Ends"
94 doesn't "end"!  :angry: It goes east on its own. Who approved this?  :banghead:

Sign on left side would make more sense showing split of routes.

I assume no one here likes that standard ISTHA practice. It's stupid and makes no sense.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 08, 2021, 02:24:12 PM
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51437363618_5f0956c63c_h.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 08, 2021, 02:49:56 PM
Tollway sign pet peeve

Heading south on the Tri-State, right after the 94-294 split for Edens spur, sign says "Begin 294. 92 Ends"
94 doesn't "end"!  :angry: It goes east on its own. Who approved this?  :banghead:

Sign on left side would make more sense showing split of routes.

I checked the maps going back to the mid-50's. I wanted to see if I-94 "ended" at that I-294 split before the Edens Connector was built.

The maps aren't clear, in 1956 it calls it US-41 with the connector under construction. By 1958 it shows I-94 from the split all the way to Foster, where the "Northwest Expressway" was still under construction.

I can only guess, but this must be a carry over legacy sign from the 1950's from when I-294 opened before the Edens Connector did. ISTHA keeps replacing the sign over the years even though I-94 doesn't end there anymore.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 08, 2021, 03:56:15 PM
It was TOLL-US41 for some time
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 08, 2021, 04:10:00 PM
I think just not too bright to say "94 ends" as if the Spur doesn't exist.  :pan:

Also, many overhead signs saying 94 on the left is going to Chicago, and then to say it "ended"? Can go on all day, but  :spin:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 08, 2021, 04:33:43 PM
I am hoping for more lanes where the booths were, such as Irving Park exit on 294. Big back up to the one I-Pass lane on right.

I-Pass is left side for that exit, and there is an eventual conversion most likely with the in person cash tolls dying with Covid. They are using them as staging areas for the rebuild at the moment.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 09, 2021, 12:33:30 AM
Tollway sign pet peeve

Heading south on the Tri-State, right after the 94-294 split for Edens spur, sign says "Begin 294. 92 Ends"
94 doesn't "end"!  :angry: It goes east on its own. Who approved this?  :banghead:

Sign on left side would make more sense showing split of routes.

I assume no one here likes that standard ISTHA practice. It's stupid and makes no sense.

It's telling you that 94 ends on that path and that it is now 294. Makes sense to me. I understood it since I was in my teens. At the end of 294 in South Holland it says the reverse, indicating that 294 is over on that path (except for good) and that 80/94 is taking over
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on September 09, 2021, 05:24:07 AM
Quote from: Crash_It link=topic=17650.hmsg2658883#msg2658883 date=1631162010
Tollway sign pet peeve

Heading south on the Tri-State, right after the 94-294 split for Edens spur, sign says "Begin 294. 92 Ends"
94 doesn't "end"!  :angry: It goes east on its own. Who approved this?  :banghead:

Sign on left side would make more sense showing split of routes.

I assume no one here likes that standard ISTHA practice. It's stupid and makes no sense.

It's telling you that 94 ends on that path and that it is now 294. Makes sense to me. I understood it since I was in my teens. At the end of 294 in South Holland it says the reverse, indicating that 294 is over on that path (except for good) and that 80/94 is taking over

It makes sense cause you grew up with it. It is actually poor signage because I-94 doesn’t “end.” . What they are indicating should just be done with guide signs. Or simply a sign that says “294 Begins”  without the End portion.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 09, 2021, 08:39:08 AM
I’m pretty sure there is no corresponding “I-94 Ends/Begin I-80/294”  where 94 breaks off of I-80 to head north along the Bishop Ford and I-294 begins
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 09, 2021, 08:45:53 AM
An old friend of mine who grew up in Niles said I-94 didn't technically exist until the Northwest Expressway (now the Kennedy) was completed from the circle to Foster. He said the maps showed what "it was going to be" as I-94, but that until it was done it was signed US-41. From his memory, I-294 was done 12-18 months before the 90-94 combo through downtown was. But he is pretty old now and said it might not be exactly that. He remembers Mayor Daley getting involved to move 90-94 east to save St Stanislaus and all of the homes that were demolished in Chicago to get those expressways built. That is why he said it took so long to build. I-294 was mostly rural in 1956 and got done fast. 90-94 was urban and had more impediments.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 09, 2021, 08:57:22 AM
I’m pretty sure there is no corresponding “I-94 Ends/Begin I-80/294”  where 94 breaks off of I-80 to head north along the Bishop Ford and I-294 begins

If it ever existed, it would have been at mile marker zero.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51440177034_43914363f3_c.jpg)

This is what it looks like now. Again if it existed, it was probably removed when ISTHA added the fourth lane and redid the exits between the Lincoln Oasis and the Bishop Ford.

That reconstruction was pretty extensive and all of the bridges were replaced so as to fit the additional ramps and lane.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on September 09, 2021, 01:42:51 PM
I’m pretty sure there is no corresponding “I-94 Ends/Begin I-80/294”  where 94 breaks off of I-80 to head north along the Bishop Ford and I-294 begins

Actually, there is, but it is Begin I-294; I-80/94 Ends, with a corresponding sign in the opposite direction.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 09, 2021, 02:10:08 PM
I’m pretty sure there is no corresponding “I-94 Ends/Begin I-80/294”  where 94 breaks off of I-80 to head north along the Bishop Ford and I-294 begins

Actually, there is, but it is Begin I-294; I-80/94 Ends, with a corresponding sign in the opposite direction.

Here is this one.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51440155541_81e129529a_c.jpg)

But less than a mile later, just before the Bishop Ford (I-94) merges in, you see this:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51440425098_6d99150c10_c.jpg)

Then just before the Indiana border, you get these 2 random signs.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51441135505_78b7d0fe48.jpg)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51440172626_4b6a6aa24d.jpg)

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 10, 2021, 02:39:24 AM
An old friend of mine who grew up in Niles said I-94 didn't technically exist until the Northwest Expressway (now the Kennedy) was completed from the circle to Foster. He said the maps showed what "it was going to be" as I-94, but that until it was done it was signed US-41. From his memory, I-294 was done 12-18 months before the 90-94 combo through downtown was. But he is pretty old now and said it might not be exactly that. He remembers Mayor Daley getting involved to move 90-94 east to save St Stanislaus and all of the homes that were demolished in Chicago to get those expressways built. That is why he said it took so long to build. I-294 was mostly rural in 1956 and got done fast. 90-94 was urban and had more impediments.

90 was routed on the Congress/Eisenhower X-Way 1956 until 1978/9. Then was moved co-sign with 94 to junction, etc.. Edens was built in early 50's before Interstate Act and was 41 for a time, from Foster. Then 41 moved to Lincoln Av,
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 10, 2021, 10:51:08 AM
An old friend of mine who grew up in Niles said I-94 didn't technically exist until the Northwest Expressway (now the Kennedy) was completed from the circle to Foster. He said the maps showed what "it was going to be" as I-94, but that until it was done it was signed US-41. From his memory, I-294 was done 12-18 months before the 90-94 combo through downtown was. But he is pretty old now and said it might not be exactly that. He remembers Mayor Daley getting involved to move 90-94 east to save St Stanislaus and all of the homes that were demolished in Chicago to get those expressways built. That is why he said it took so long to build. I-294 was mostly rural in 1956 and got done fast. 90-94 was urban and had more impediments.

90 was routed on the Congress/Eisenhower X-Way 1956 until 1978/9. Then was moved co-sign with 94 to junction, etc.. Edens was built in early 50's before Interstate Act and was 41 for a time, from Foster. Then 41 moved to Lincoln Av,

Correct. Sorry I was flip-flopping between legacy signage and current signage a little too freely.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on September 14, 2021, 04:00:49 PM
https://wgntv.com/news/hinsdale-oasis-pavilion-now-closed/

The Hinsdale Oasis over-the-road structure is now permanently closed on September 13. Gas stations will still be available like the O'Hare Oasis.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 14, 2021, 04:13:36 PM
https://wgntv.com/news/hinsdale-oasis-pavilion-now-closed/

The Hinsdale Oasis over-the-road structure is now permanently closed on September 13. Gas stations will still be available like the O'Hare Oasis.

RIP. Another cool legacy of the tollway gone.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 14, 2021, 04:49:58 PM
https://wgntv.com/news/hinsdale-oasis-pavilion-now-closed/

The Hinsdale Oasis over-the-road structure is now permanently closed on September 13. Gas stations will still be available like the O'Hare Oasis.

RIP. Another cool legacy of the tollway gone.

What was originally 7 is down to 4 total (Lincoln, Lake Forest, Belvidere, and DeKalb remain while O'Hare, Hinsdale, and Des Plaines are gone, with not even the gas stations remaining for Des Plaines). The good news for those is that they are unlikely to be removed anytime in the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on September 14, 2021, 05:03:39 PM
What was originally 7 is down to 4 total (Lincoln, Lake Forest, Belvidere, and DeKalb remain while O'Hare, Hinsdale, and Des Plaines are gone, with not even the gas stations remaining for Des Plaines). The good news for those is that they are unlikely to be removed anytime in the foreseeable future.

DeKalb is not, and never was, over the road.

Having lived in Illinois in the 60s, there were originally only five. Lincoln was added in the late 60s IIRC and DeKalb with the extension west of Aurora.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 14, 2021, 05:17:38 PM
DeKalb is a trumpet interchange, works well.

Lincoln opened in 1973 and its original décor fit that year, perfectly. Very "leisure suit" and brown, compared to the 1958 era Oases. Re-done in the 2000's.

The O'Hare/Hinsdale 7-11/Mobil stations now need to be upgraded to what Des Plaines was before demolition. Bigger restrooms, for one thing.

One good thing is Ogden Av interchange is easy off/on, no extra tolls, with places to go for gas/food/lodging. Hinsdale should promote it a bit more.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on September 14, 2021, 05:39:11 PM
https://wgntv.com/news/hinsdale-oasis-pavilion-now-closed/

The Hinsdale Oasis over-the-road structure is now permanently closed on September 13. Gas stations will still be available like the O'Hare Oasis.

RIP. Another cool legacy of the tollway gone.

What was originally 7 is down to 4 total (Lincoln, Lake Forest, Belvidere, and DeKalb remain while O'Hare, Hinsdale, and Des Plaines are gone, with not even the gas stations remaining for Des Plaines). The good news for those is that they are unlikely to be removed anytime in the foreseeable future.

I think it’s the Lincoln Oasis will one day come down as well, when that stretch of road inevitably needs to be widened to five lanes in each direction. That is probably a decade or two off though.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 14, 2021, 07:17:51 PM
lake forest for even longer?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 14, 2021, 07:56:28 PM
https://wgntv.com/news/hinsdale-oasis-pavilion-now-closed/

The Hinsdale Oasis over-the-road structure is now permanently closed on September 13. Gas stations will still be available like the O'Hare Oasis.

RIP. Another cool legacy of the tollway gone.

What was originally 7 is down to 4 total (Lincoln, Lake Forest, Belvidere, and DeKalb remain while O'Hare, Hinsdale, and Des Plaines are gone, with not even the gas stations remaining for Des Plaines). The good news for those is that they are unlikely to be removed anytime in the foreseeable future.

I think it’s the Lincoln Oasis will one day come down as well, when that stretch of road inevitably needs to be widened to five lanes in each direction. That is probably a decade or two off though.
That section will not be widen in our lifetime unless you are able to figure out away to fill the quarry and shoulder up the bed - it's impossible due to the hundred-foot high wall the Tollway runs on.  Because of that, that oasis won't be moved anytime soon.

Lake Forest, on the other hand, must be ripped out because it's undercrossing lost its shoulders to 4-lane 94 under it.  another set of lanes, it's gone.

Des Plaines was unfortunate due to it being the most disposable feature in the area (otherwise private property is domained to the agency for 490 to connect.)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 14, 2021, 08:42:40 PM
waukegan toll needs to be all ETC 4 lanes each way.


Now maybe they can do 5 lanes each way no shoulders over the quarry
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 14, 2021, 10:46:47 PM

I think it’s the Lincoln Oasis will one day come down as well, when that stretch of road inevitably needs to be widened to five lanes in each direction. That is probably a decade or two off though.
That section will not be widen in our lifetime unless you are able to figure out away to fill the quarry and shoulder up the bed - it's impossible due to the hundred-foot high wall the Tollway runs on.  Because of that, that oasis won't be moved anytime soon.

The quarry section east of the railroad overpass but west of State Street appears well within the span length of a suspension bridge.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 01:06:39 AM
Hope they can build more trumpet type Oases, with room for 5 lanes under ramps.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 15, 2021, 09:00:17 AM
Hope they can build more trumpet type Oases, with room for 5 lanes under ramps.

As much as I'd love this, I don't think the tollway can legally–or has any interest in–construct new oases. The ones that we have are all we'll have. Best to support them while they're there.

Also, regarding the DeKalb oasis: that one is very interesting for the mere fact it's different from the rest in the system. I got my first chance to visit it over the summer. The layout inside is very weird, and unfortunately there's lots of empty space. There is one nice seating area where you can sit right outside the Interstate which is cool.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 15, 2021, 09:27:15 AM
Good thing I stopped at Hinsdale one last time this summer, used to be my go-to for an early dinner before heading out to Aurora/Sugar Grove/DeKalb for parties/school/friends houses.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 09:57:06 AM
I worked one summer at DeKalb Oasis McDonald's, while at NIU. They said at time they were a 'test site', to see if able to open in other Oases. It did work out, although some had BK or Wendy's.

I can see now why can't build new ones, too. But, can build more full interchanges, as was done to Elmhurst Rd.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 15, 2021, 11:29:16 AM
I am hoping for more lanes where the booths were, such as Irving Park exit on 294. Big back up to the one I-Pass lane on right.

More lanes where the booths were would be helpful in spots where you have to go through the former cash tolls area in order to exit [294 S at Irving Park, 294 N at Touhy, others I'm not familiar with because I don't drive through there often].  I saw that they've removed the physical booths from the lanes at Irving Park, but I'm not sure what the plan is from there, whether they'll leave the infrastructure in place in case the permanent decision becomes temporary or do something else.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 15, 2021, 12:54:26 PM
toll roads that take cash are going away from taking it all over the place.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 15, 2021, 01:27:33 PM
My Hinsdale Oasis story.

Family coming back from trip in Indiana and rolling up the tollway. This was back in 1975 and the Tri-State is going through a construction/widening cycle from I-80 up to O'Hare.

My mother declares she needs a potty stop right before 159th Street, but dad can't exit due to the traffic and lane shifts.

Cicero Ave didn't have any services near the exit back then, you would have to drive up into Alsip and my dad was not up for that.

My mom was furious. Next try was 95th Street, (Bridgeview). My Dad had already set his mind on Hinsdale, but my mom had other thoughts. (like "right now")

We pass 95th Street and an argument immediately follows as to why it is so hard to find a reasonable bathroom. There just wasn't a lot of commercial development near these tollway exits back in 1975.

We finally make it to Hinsdale and my mom runs as fast as I have ever seen her to make the dash inside to the Oasis bathrooms. (She made it)

Ever since then, anytime we came up to the Hinsdale Oasis, the call out for bathroom time was always made as if by auto pilot.

The old saying "When mama ain't happy, nobody happy" certainly applied in this case.

In defense of my dad, he didn't like cash tolling. Bathroom stops cost money back then on the older Tollway rules.

Today, its no big deal, but back then carrying enough quarters and dimes for the change buckets was always a pain.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 15, 2021, 01:36:35 PM
Today, its no big deal, but back then carrying enough quarters and dimes for the change buckets was always a pain.

Yeah, but they were a great way to get rid of the pennies in your spare change!  I think the hoppers might have even been set up to accept an amount slightly lower than the posted toll.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 15, 2021, 02:09:03 PM
Or the time I was coming back from Michigan with my uncle.

He dropped his quarter and it rolled under the car.

He gets out of the car to go find his quarter.

Meanwhile the line starts backing up behind us.

I get out and my side and look and there are hundreds upon hundreds of quarters all pushed into the asphalt. I tell him to forget it and just pull out another quarter.

Soon the honking starts, but that doesn't deter him.

He finally finds his quarter under the car, throws it into the basket and off we go.

I ask him why didn't you just get out another quarter?

I then get a 15 minute lecture on the value of a quarter, and while it may not have value to me, it certainly does to him.

That was my last word until we got home.


Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 02:46:06 PM
Don't miss sitting in lanes waiting to pay tolls, at all. I dump my extra change buying stuff at 7-11.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 15, 2021, 03:07:38 PM
Don't miss sitting in lanes waiting to pay tolls, at all.

Oh God no, I have strong memories of the backups at the Deerfield toll plaza, especially on weekends during the summer.

I dump my extra change buying stuff at 7-11.

I don't pay with cash very often and get coins back even less often, so I just hoard them until I have enough to justify taking them to the bank to be counted.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 15, 2021, 04:50:21 PM
Don't miss sitting in lanes waiting to pay tolls, at all. I dump my extra change buying stuff at 7-11.

I was among many who had that dime, nickel, quarter organizer in the front seat specifically for the tolls. Then came the mid 2000s and I got my iPass and haven't looked back since (OK, except when I was driving a friend's car one time and they didn't have an iPass). Interesting that the self-service lane option never really got a foothold, and I do wonder why those weren't at least kept (maybe cost and manpower needed to maintain?).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 05:23:26 PM
Just pay online, and get a tech savvy friend to help if needed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 16, 2021, 08:29:13 AM
Interesting that the self-service lane option never really got a foothold, and I do wonder why those weren't at least kept (maybe cost and manpower needed to maintain?).

They probably came around too late. If they had introduced them network-wide a decade or so ago, they may have actually stuck around. At this point, it makes more sense for ISTHA to move to online only.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 16, 2021, 09:50:16 AM
I was among many who had that dime, nickel, quarter organizer in the front seat specifically for the tolls.

The one that had the different-sized notches where you could store the coins sideways, or the kind that was a coin dispenser?

Interesting that the self-service lane option never really got a foothold, and I do wonder why those weren't at least kept (maybe cost and manpower needed to maintain?).

Not that many people any more who have a credit card and own a car, but not a toll transponder, or have a credit card and own a car, but don't have regular access to the Internet.  When they announced they were ending cash toll collection, they also announced they were expanding access to this program: https://www.illinoistollway.com/assist
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 16, 2021, 11:05:56 AM
I was among many who had that dime, nickel, quarter organizer in the front seat specifically for the tolls.

The one that had the different-sized notches where you could store the coins sideways, or the kind that was a coin dispenser?

Interesting that the self-service lane option never really got a foothold, and I do wonder why those weren't at least kept (maybe cost and manpower needed to maintain?).

Not that many people any more who have a credit card and own a car, but not a toll transponder, or have a credit card and own a car, but don't have regular access to the Internet.  When they announced they were ending cash toll collection, they also announced they were expanding access to this program: https://www.illinoistollway.com/assist

Answer to first item: The one that had different sized notches to store the coins sideways.
Second Item: For local drivers, I totally get it (BTW, I have been using iPass for 15 years now). I do think of those out of state drivers, though, who don't know the system as well. For those drivers, the website doesn't exactly tell you where it detected your plate and such (as far as I know), so it isn't as user friendly, and having that self-service option would be a helpful idea, since they whole plaza is still there in most cases (unless the ISTHA has plans to ultimately tear them down).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 16, 2021, 11:12:29 AM
Saw a Self Serve lane at the exit for IL-22 on Tri-State (94). So still hanging in there.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 16, 2021, 11:12:37 AM
For those drivers, the website doesn't exactly tell you where it detected your plate and such (as far as I know), so it isn't as user friendly

Oh, it's awful in that regard; I'm a local and I couldn't tell you which toll plaza I exited at, or the precise time of day I exited.

I don't think they installed any of the self-service machines at mainline toll plazas, though; maybe they will.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 16, 2021, 12:47:48 PM
Saw a Self Serve lane at the exit for IL-22 on Tri-State (94). So still hanging in there.
the roselle rd ones where just shutdown over the past 1-2 days
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 16, 2021, 03:10:44 PM
For those drivers, the website doesn't exactly tell you where it detected your plate and such (as far as I know), so it isn't as user friendly

Oh, it's awful in that regard; I'm a local and I couldn't tell you which toll plaza I exited at, or the precise time of day I exited.

I don't think they installed any of the self-service machines at mainline toll plazas, though; maybe they will.

Based on the trend, it seems that they are being removed, if anything. I think they are making a mistake by doing that, for reasons noted above, but I guess online is the future and the future is now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 16, 2021, 10:25:08 PM
I don't think they installed any of the self-service machines at mainline toll plazas, though; maybe they will.

They did install some at mainline plazas:

* The Army Trail Plaza on I-355 had one for each direction. (https://goo.gl/maps/smbdmBM3bSemVZzw5)
* The Boughton Plaza on I-355 had one for each direction. (https://goo.gl/maps/WmzsMh2Ukp4pgD4H6)

What's worse is they seem to have gotten rid of the I-Pass confirmation lights (these (https://goo.gl/maps/iDWerHEuV6f5TQxu6)) at some of the ramp plazas (unless I'm hitting a lot of burnt out ones - the online statement shows no issues with my transponder).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 17, 2021, 08:20:26 AM
That’s unfortunate - I appreciate the confirmation that my EZ-Pass was read. I’ve been honked at several times for confirming the blue light lights up before proceeding.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on September 17, 2021, 09:13:19 AM
Blue light always pops up no matter your speed. I think the "full stop" or 15 mph limit is for safety mostly for when they had people in the booths along with the narrow kiosk lanes. I've gone through at many mph between 15 and 55 and the light always goes on.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 17, 2021, 10:16:45 AM
Blue light always pops up no matter your speed.
Yeah, but I still like to wait for the blue light to come on before proceeding.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 17, 2021, 12:50:40 PM
The I-Pass lights flash fairly quick, even at 35 mph.  :clap:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 17, 2021, 03:17:29 PM
If I roll through at 35, it's gonna be way too late to do anything about it if the blue light doesn't come on.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on September 17, 2021, 03:26:55 PM
If I roll through at 35, it's gonna be way too late to do anything about it if the blue light doesn't come on.

What would you do if it doesn't come on? Even if you come to a stop, it's too late to do anything about it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 17, 2021, 05:24:55 PM
"What would you do if it doesn't come on?"

I never had an issue in 20 some years of I-Pass. And, the open road tolling lanes do not have the 'confirmation lights'. With rentals, paid online easily. And have auto-replenish.
 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 17, 2021, 05:50:55 PM
If there's an issue with my EZ-Pass, I'd like to know about it sooner rather than later.  I don't drive through toll plazas with barriers nearly as much as I drive through toll plazas without barriers.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 17, 2021, 10:43:23 PM
If there's an issue with my EZ-Pass, I'd like to know about it sooner rather than later.

I second this.  I would like to know of any issues with my I-Pass rather than have it act up, not know about it, and have issues when trying to use it on a toll facility outside of Illinois - mainly Indiana where there are still gates at the plazas.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 17, 2021, 11:13:42 PM
If there's an issue with my EZ-Pass, I'd like to know about it sooner rather than later.

I second this.  I would like to know of any issues with my I-Pass rather than have it act up, not know about it, and have issues when trying to use it on a toll facility outside of Illinois - mainly Indiana where there are still gates at the plazas.
Why does Indiana still have gates? even in the ECT only lanes?? I all most took out an gate one day not knowing that they had them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on September 17, 2021, 11:18:45 PM
Why does Indiana still have gates? even in the ECT only lanes?? I all most took out an gate one day not knowing that they had them.

Because apparently it’s more important not to let even one car through without or with an inoperative EZ-Pass even if it means delaying all the cars in line behind the problem car. And yes, I’ve seen that happen.


iPhone
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: roadman65 on October 19, 2021, 11:03:15 PM
http://www.highwayhost.org/Illinois/IllinoisTollway/tollway1.html
Vintage photos of the original Howard Johnson Restaurants at the Oasis that now are food courts for Tollway Travelers.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on October 20, 2021, 10:51:07 AM
https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/long-term-ramp-closure-starts-this-week-for-central-tri-state-project/

The ramp from I-294 SB (Tri-State) to I-290 WB (Eisenhower) will close starting tomorrow night (October 21st) at 8 pm for ramp and pavement reconstruction, and it won't reopen until sometime in November.

Traffic will be directed to continue southbound on I-294 to eastbound on I-290. Drivers will then exit at Mannheim Road and flip around to access westbound I-290.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on October 20, 2021, 05:06:14 PM
http://www.highwayhost.org/Illinois/IllinoisTollway/tollway1.html
Vintage photos of the original Howard Johnson Restaurants at the Oasis that now are food courts for Tollway Travelers.

Before Ho Jo's, the Oases had Fred Harvey restaurants.

https://news.wttw.com/2015/10/28/ask-geoffrey-oct-28

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 22, 2021, 10:28:14 AM
Few new updates I noticed when driving 294 yesterday

-We're on new pavement (well concrete) now from 95th to the 83rd street toll plaza northbound. The two right lanes are new while the two left lanes remain from the original split. They have begun to dig out and rebuild the center northbound lanes.

-Mile long bridge going on as usual, new beams continue to be added for the southbound bridge. Archer/LaGrange/79th/88th Ave work continues.

-The new I-55 ramp bridge structures are almost done, new bridge structures are also up for Plainfield Road. No new beams yet on either.

-The old Hinsdale Oasis signs are now gone and southbound was replaced with a I-55 exit sign, the first I noticed of which has noted the Obama Expy tag.

-BNSF bridge work continues, nothing new.

-The N294 to W290 ramp has begun to lay the foundation work for the new ramp. St. Charles Road reconstruction continues, and new bridges are being built over North Ave for the southbound lanes.

-Ramp towers continue to go up for the new 490 interchange. Least two are now done with a third almost topping out soon.

-New signage is now up going southbound approaching Irving Park. It is now a double exit for both Irving Park and the O'Hare Oasis remnants (7-11). A 5-1/2 mile 290 west Rockford sign is also up with the new Irving sign. They have also replaced the older tollway signs with more modern ones showing (Pay Online). 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on October 22, 2021, 11:42:08 AM

-The N294 to W290 ramp has begun to lay the foundation work for the new ramp. St. Charles Road reconstruction continues, and new bridges are being built over North Ave for the southbound lanes.


Is the new ramp going to eliminate/reduce the immense bottleneck that the old ramp causes? Even at 7am on a weekend morning you crawl along at 5mph for a couple minutes trying to make that movement.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on October 22, 2021, 02:03:59 PM

-The N294 to W290 ramp has begun to lay the foundation work for the new ramp. St. Charles Road reconstruction continues, and new bridges are being built over North Ave for the southbound lanes.


Is the new ramp going to eliminate/reduce the immense bottleneck that the old ramp causes? Even at 7am on a weekend morning you crawl along at 5mph for a couple minutes trying to make that movement.

We're gonna find out.  :-D
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on October 22, 2021, 02:59:51 PM

-The N294 to W290 ramp has begun to lay the foundation work for the new ramp. St. Charles Road reconstruction continues, and new bridges are being built over North Ave for the southbound lanes.


Is the new ramp going to eliminate/reduce the immense bottleneck that the old ramp causes? Even at 7am on a weekend morning you crawl along at 5mph for a couple minutes trying to make that movement.

We're gonna find out.  :-D

On the Tollway site is a link to You Tube animated video showing that new ramp will go under 294 to 290 West. The old 20 MPH signed cloverleaf is going 'bye bye'. Can't wait till it's done,  :colorful:
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on October 22, 2021, 03:05:56 PM
" -Mile long bridge going on as usual, new beams continue to be added for the southbound bridge. Archer/LaGrange/79th/88th Ave work continues."

Wasn't Mile-Long rebuilt in 1993-4? I know it was needed to be widened, but amazed how fast time went since 4 lanes put in.

"-The new I-55 ramp bridge structures are almost done, new bridge structures are also up for Plainfield Road. No new beams yet on either."

Since I-55 was built in the 60's, this ramp bridge has been rebuilt twice. Around 1979-80 and 1993-4 widen project. 3rd time.
Original bridge was only one lane!  :-o
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on October 23, 2021, 06:12:29 PM

-The N294 to W290 ramp has begun to lay the foundation work for the new ramp. St. Charles Road reconstruction continues, and new bridges are being built over North Ave for the southbound lanes.


Is the new ramp going to eliminate/reduce the immense bottleneck that the old ramp causes? Even at 7am on a weekend morning you crawl along at 5mph for a couple minutes trying to make that movement.
In theory, yes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on October 24, 2021, 01:07:35 AM
-BNSF bridge work continues, nothing new.
From a weekly Metra rider, the new bridge now has tracks laid on it. They've got one of the tracks connected to the main line at one end so far. Not that this affects drivers in any way, but I thought I'd share.

Gonna estimate that trains will be running on the new bridge by the end of the year.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on November 01, 2021, 11:30:33 AM
Whatever happened to the proposed I-90 Lee Street eastbound exit ramp? Is it stuck in Limbo?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on November 01, 2021, 11:58:01 AM
There is an eastbound exit at Elmhurst Rd at least. Maybe waiting for completion of 490.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 24, 2021, 09:57:07 AM
Not as many changes as last time but noticed some more stuff for the Tri-State

-Southbound lanes now have a split between LaGrange Rd and 88th Ave. Northbound remains split from before 95th to the 83rd plaza. Both sections have new concrete curing in the center.

-Bridge beams continue to go up for the southbound Mile Long section. Beams are also in place over LaGrange Rd fully.

-New beams/concrete curing from Plainfield Rd to 75th street including over I-55. We should hopefully be rid of that very tight 3 lane section by the summer with a more traditional wide split for construction of the center sections.

-Plainfield Rd bridge has new beams up for the eastbound lanes. No major changes to the Oasis, BNSF bridge, or by Odgen as of yet.

-NB 294 to WB 290 ramps continue to be built, St. Charles Road section continuing to be built with the new bridge almost fully completed. 290 stuff still looks to be ongoing.

-New concrete and beam placement over North Ave and from the new 490 interchange to St. Charles for SB lanes. New lanes have been poured southbound for the eventual ramps to 490.

-No major changes from Wolf Rd to O'Hare Oasis. Work continues in the southbound lanes with the left lane express continuing.

-Irving Park and northward into Rosemont is pretty much done, not sure if they need to replace the pavement on the rail bridge section just south of Balmoral.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 25, 2021, 11:28:02 PM
-NB 294 to WB 290 ramps continue to be built, St. Charles Road section continuing to be built with the new bridge almost fully completed. 290 stuff still looks to be ongoing.

I drove over both Saint Charles Road bridges today, and I don't know if I'd agree that they're almost completed. They're definitely well on their way though. My mother is impressed that the new bridges will be, it appears, considerably wider than the previous ones. I was impressed with the new lighting through the interchange, in particular the ramps on the east side of the 290 interchange. The lighting is much brighter (presumably LED), and on regular poles and not high ones.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on November 26, 2021, 10:22:18 AM
I'll be glad when the notorious exit ramps, I-290 to I-294/88, and I-294's 20 mph [more like 3 mph] cloverleaf to I-290 are replaced. They back up for miles in peak times.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 26, 2021, 06:59:16 PM
-NB 294 to WB 290 ramps continue to be built, St. Charles Road section continuing to be built with the new bridge almost fully completed. 290 stuff still looks to be ongoing.

I drove over both Saint Charles Road bridges today, and I don't know if I'd agree that they're almost completed. They're definitely well on their way though. My mother is impressed that the new bridges will be, it appears, considerably wider than the previous ones. I was impressed with the new lighting through the interchange, in particular the ramps on the east side of the 290 interchange. The lighting is much brighter (presumably LED), and on regular poles and not high ones.

Yes I realized that when I went under it yesterday going to Thanksgiving dinner lol. The north side of the bridge is complete, the south end is almost ready for beams
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 17, 2021, 11:07:44 PM
Article in the Daily Herald today mentioned a couple contracts the Tollway approved:

* A new message board for "westbound I-90 near River Road", along with guide sign replacement.

* Another contract for ramp queue warnings at multiple locations, with priority locations on I-90 being at "Route 39, Route 53 and the Lee Street vicinity".
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 08, 2022, 05:11:18 PM
https://chi.streetsblog.org/2022/02/07/take-a-survey-to-weigh-in-on-paces-proposed-tri-state-tollway-express-services/

There is a survey going on the PACE's proposed Tri-State Tollway express bus services.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 09, 2022, 09:14:02 AM
Stuff I noticed since last update this past Friday

-No major changes from the eventual I-490 JCT to O'Hare Oasis. The southbound express lane is now shifted to just before Wolf Rd.

-Southbound I-294 to westbound I-290 has a new ramp opened with lighting already turned on. Otherwise no changes between St. Charles Rd and Lake St. Bridge construction continues for St. Charles Rd.

-Northbound I-294 to I-290 will eventually have a major shift sometime in the next few weeks, new lanes have been built.

-Some lane shifts between Ogden Ave and I-88 in both directions, looks like prepping for eventual shifts.

-No major changes by the BNSF bridge, it looks almost ready, mostly track work at this point.

-A big shift between 75th St and I-55. Both north/southbound lanes are back to 4 lanes and southbound is on new pavement. Middle sections are now being torn up. The new I-55 ramp bridge to northbound 294 is waiting for the steel beams. Plainfield Rd bridge continues construction.

-Mile long bridge construction continues, no major changes.

-No major changes between LaGrange and 95th St, but something they do need to update is the street lines on the southbound section. Paint has been scratched up by the plows and covered with salt dust. At one point, the far right lane merges back left and becomes a short shoulder before then going back right for the 95th exit. Have seen probably 5 close calls here approaching the ramps.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: US20IL64 on February 09, 2022, 10:57:41 AM
I like the new ramp from SB 294 to WB 290, more pavement to merge onto 290, and for now, some length breaking away from 294. The curve is somewhat larger too, can go a bit quicker on it to help match 290 traffic speed for merging, too.  :colorful:

Old stub ramp bridge still there to be demolished later.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on February 12, 2022, 01:01:54 AM

-No major changes by the BNSF bridge, it looks almost ready, mostly track work at this point.


Thanks for the updates.

As far as the BNSF bridge goes, it's complete. All 3 tracks are in use on the new bridge so trains no longer use the temporary bridge. This happened sometime in early to mid January.

It's been a while since I took the train downtown, but I know there was a single track left still on the temporary bridge that had some equipment on it. There's another project going on as well. A new pedestrian underpass is being built on the east side of the tollway at around Prospect Ave. Besides that, I'd imagine in the next couple months, they'll start taking down the temporary bridge?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 21, 2022, 12:13:29 PM

-No major changes by the BNSF bridge, it looks almost ready, mostly track work at this point.


Thanks for the updates.

As far as the BNSF bridge goes, it's complete. All 3 tracks are in use on the new bridge so trains no longer use the temporary bridge. This happened sometime in early to mid January.

It's been a while since I took the train downtown, but I know there was a single track left still on the temporary bridge that had some equipment on it. There's another project going on as well. A new pedestrian underpass is being built on the east side of the tollway at around Prospect Ave. Besides that, I'd imagine in the next couple months, they'll start taking down the temporary bridge?

The temp bridge is down over 294, only the median support beam remains
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 14, 2022, 11:39:34 AM
Couple update notes:

-I-294 southbound is on new concrete from Wolf Rd to the I-290 westbound ramp, express lane remains but I expect that to be altered over the next few weeks.

-I-294 northbound to I-290 has a split right after entering the ramp. Right lane is east, left lane goes to the westbound circle ramp. Has caused very nasty backups and a few crashes since being implemented about 10 days ago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on March 31, 2022, 12:34:59 PM
Few more Tri-State notes

-Minor split on NB 294 between the 83rd Toll and LaGrange Road while they continue work on the new NB lanes, the 88th Ave bridge, and the center median.

-SB 294 from Hinsdale Oasis to Willow Springs Rd is now 3 lanes again. Approaching I-55, the 2 right lanes are exit only for the I-55 exit. You regain a left lane after I-55 to go back to 4 lanes.

-The express lane has been trimmed and reworked between St. Charles Rd & the O'Hare Oasis. Southbound now has the express lane from just before the I-290 West exit to St. Charles now, northbound now has it from Wolf Rd to the O'Hare Oasis.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on May 09, 2022, 10:17:43 AM
Tri-State updates

-With the closure of the I-55 south/Wolf Rd ramp on NB 294, I-55 is now only one exit with the NB ramp. Remains 3 lanes from Willow Springs Rd to the Hinsdale Oasis.

-Steel beams have begun to go up for the new I-55 ramp to NB 294/Oasis.

-Hinsdale Oasis has begun its teardown.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on May 09, 2022, 05:31:22 PM
When are they going to start demolishing the cash lane plazas systemwide?

Wasn't Mile-Long rebuilt in 1993-4? I know it was needed to be widened, but amazed how fast time went since 4 lanes put in.

I believe it was merely widened during the early 90s central Tri-State widening and that part of the old bridge was still the original. The current reconstruction project replaces the entire thing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on May 10, 2022, 09:49:57 AM
When are they going to start demolishing the cash lane plazas systemwide?
Probably never, on the odd chance they reverse their decision not to have manned toll plazas.  Or they decide to install machines that take cash and credit/debit cards.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 10, 2022, 01:49:30 PM
When are they going to start demolishing the cash lane plazas systemwide?
Probably never, on the odd chance they reverse their decision not to have manned toll plazas.  Or they decide to install machines that take cash and credit/debit cards.
They need to move to an EOE like setup with lot's of tolling points. To make the pricing more even.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on May 10, 2022, 02:59:23 PM
They need to move to an EOE like setup with lot's of tolling points. To make the pricing more even.

The tolling on the legacy roads has become a hot mess as they add ramp tolls every time they improve one even when they don't fit the general tolling structure.

For instance, I-90 WB: Enter at I-290 or IL-59 and pay not toll to enter but enter at Roselle Rd. or Barrington Rd. (in between I-290 and IL-59) and pay $0.45 (I-Pass rate) to enter. Exit at IL-47 and pay $0.30 to exit but go another five miles to US 20 and pay nothing to exit. Combine that with unequal tolls between directions (I-290 and IL-59 have $0.30 EB exit tolls but as just mentioned above, no WB enterance tolls. And plenty more examples can be found.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 10, 2022, 07:39:15 PM
You can ride free from IL 132 to IL-21 both ways ON I-294
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on May 10, 2022, 08:21:36 PM
What they should do is restructure the points where you are influenced by the mainline tolls on the older tollways. For example, on I-88, Rt 59 is the current (and correct) division of influence.
I would do it as follows:

I-88 Reagan (E-W) Twy
York/Meyers I-290 to Rt 59
Aurora Rt 59 to Rt 47
DeKalb Rt 47 to I-39/US 51
Dixon I-39 to US 30

I-90 Jane Addams (NW) Twy
River/Devon I-190/Kennedy Expy to I-290/Rt 53
Elgin I-290/Rt 53 to Rt 47
Marengo/Belvidere Rt 47 to I-39/US 20/US 51
South Beloit I-39/US 20/US 51 to Rockton Rd
(Honestly, they should move the South Beloit Toll to south of Riverside Blvd. and make it Rockford or do a split direction like they did with Marengo/Belvidere with the plazas at the current South Beloit for Northwestbound and south of Riverside Blvd for Southeastbound)

I-94/I-294/I-80 Tri State Twy
163rd St I-94/Rt 394 to Rt 50 Cicero Ave/127th St
83rd/82nd Rt 50 Cicero Ave/127th St to I-55
Cermak I-55 to I-290
Irving Park/Touhy I-290 to Willow Rd
*NEW Half Day Willow Rd to Rt 132 Grand Ave (This would include the Edens Spur Plaza at Pfingsten Rd. I would put this just north of Rt 22 Half Day Rd)
Waukegan Rt 132 Grand Ave to US 41

I-355 Veterans Memorial (N-S) Twy
Spring Creek I-80 to I-55
Boughton I-55 to I-88
Army Trail I-88 to I-290 (the free section north of Army Trail remains free for now)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on May 10, 2022, 08:38:57 PM
Army Trail I-88 to I-290 (the free section north of Army Trail remains free for now)

The section of I-355 north of Army Trail Rd. is free because it's not and never has been part of the tollway. It was built by IDOT years before the I-355 tollway was built. It was originally part of IL-53 which then moved over to its current route at Army Trail Rd. When the I-355 tollway opened, IL-53 was moved back to its original route on Rohlwing Rd. from Biesterfield Rd. south.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on May 10, 2022, 09:03:46 PM
Army Trail I-88 to I-290 (the free section north of Army Trail remains free for now)

The section of I-355 north of Army Trail Rd. is free because it's not and never has been part of the tollway. It was built by IDOT years before the I-355 tollway was built. It was originally part of IL-53 which then moved over to its current route at Army Trail Rd. When the I-355 tollway opened, IL-53 was moved back to its original route on Rohlwing Rd. from Biesterfield Rd. south.
I'm well aware of that. I remember the days when the 53 stub ended at Army Trail.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on May 11, 2022, 08:16:31 AM
When are they going to start demolishing the cash lane plazas systemwide?
Probably never, on the odd chance they reverse their decision not to have manned toll plazas.  Or they decide to install machines that take cash and credit/debit cards.

I disagree. I think in the not-so-distant future, we will begin to see mainline cash plazas be removed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on May 11, 2022, 08:58:16 AM
Army Trail I-88 to I-290 (the free section north of Army Trail remains free for now)

The section of I-355 north of Army Trail Rd. is free because it's not and never has been part of the tollway. It was built by IDOT years before the I-355 tollway was built. It was originally part of IL-53 which then moved over to its current route at Army Trail Rd. When the I-355 tollway opened, IL-53 was moved back to its original route on Rohlwing Rd. from Biesterfield Rd. south.
I'm well aware of that. I remember the days when the 53 stub ended at Army Trail.

Sorry, but it wasn't clear you knew that since earlier you said the area of influence for the Army Trail toll should be I-88 to I-290 implying that you thought the section between Army Trail Rd. and I-290 was part of the Tollway.

Personally, I wish they would have put the I-Pass scanners on all entrances and exits so that a per mile toll could then be calculated based on where you entered and exited. Interestingly, quite a few years ago I was on an Oklahoma toll road (Cherokee Turnpike) that did that even though the cash tolls were handled on a traditional mainline toll with ramp tolls for those operating short of the mainline toll. There were scanners at all entrances and exits that were meaningless to cash payers (unless co-located with a ramp cash ttoll) and transponder holders bypassed the mainline toll.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on May 11, 2022, 09:47:36 AM
One thing I've noticed though is some of their side toll plaza conversions are ruining the traffic flow. For example, the NB 294 Touhy Ave exit is now the far right lane (the feeder ramp from I-90 WB to I-294 NB). Instead of keeping it the two right lanes, its now only the far right which during rush hour has caused quite a few near misses and unnecessary backups because you're also dealing with people coming from WB I-90.

Another one is its only one lane now entering WB I-90 from both NB/SB 294. You have three lanes converging to one when the old setup was two lanes that then fed into the Lee St Toll Plaza for the far right lane and I-90 or the plaza in the second right lane. Haven't used it enough but muscle memory the last time had me driving on the newly painted shoulder instead of the far right lane like I used to for many years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: skluth on May 11, 2022, 10:43:50 AM
One thing I've noticed though is some of their side toll plaza conversions are ruining the traffic flow. For example, the NB 294 Touhy Ave exit is now the far right lane (the feeder ramp from I-90 WB to I-294 NB). Instead of keeping it the two right lanes, its now only the far right which during rush hour has caused quite a few near misses and unnecessary backups because you're also dealing with people coming from WB I-90.

Another one is its only one lane now entering WB I-90 from both NB/SB 294. You have three lanes converging to one when the old setup was two lanes that then fed into the Lee St Toll Plaza for the far right lane and I-90 or the plaza in the second right lane. Haven't used it enough but muscle memory the last time had me driving on the newly painted shoulder instead of the far right lane like I used to for many years.

The problem there is not the side toll plazas. The problem is bad highway design, basically building the new side plazas without taking into account the rest of the traffic flow.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on May 11, 2022, 11:56:44 AM
One thing I've noticed though is some of their side toll plaza conversions are ruining the traffic flow. For example, the NB 294 Touhy Ave exit is now the far right lane (the feeder ramp from I-90 WB to I-294 NB). Instead of keeping it the two right lanes, its now only the far right which during rush hour has caused quite a few near misses and unnecessary backups because you're also dealing with people coming from WB I-90.

Another one is its only one lane now entering WB I-90 from both NB/SB 294. You have three lanes converging to one when the old setup was two lanes that then fed into the Lee St Toll Plaza for the far right lane and I-90 or the plaza in the second right lane. Haven't used it enough but muscle memory the last time had me driving on the newly painted shoulder instead of the far right lane like I used to for many years.

The problem there is not the side toll plazas. The problem is bad highway design, basically building the new side plazas without taking into account the rest of the traffic flow.
This particular issue is a result of the fact that they only left one lane open at each toll plaza.  Which probably works fine for, say, the Elgin toll plaza on I-90, but not so much at all of the toll plazas where everyone who is exiting at the next exit (I-294 south at Irving Park, I-294 north at Touhy, etc.).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on May 11, 2022, 01:08:38 PM
When are they going to start demolishing the cash lane plazas systemwide?
Probably never, on the odd chance they reverse their decision not to have manned toll plazas.  Or they decide to install machines that take cash and credit/debit cards.

I disagree. I think in the not-so-distant future, we will begin to see mainline cash plazas be removed.
I could see it happening by 2030.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on May 11, 2022, 06:17:03 PM
One thing I've noticed though is some of their side toll plaza conversions are ruining the traffic flow. For example, the NB 294 Touhy Ave exit is now the far right lane (the feeder ramp from I-90 WB to I-294 NB). Instead of keeping it the two right lanes, its now only the far right which during rush hour has caused quite a few near misses and unnecessary backups because you're also dealing with people coming from WB I-90.

Another one is its only one lane now entering WB I-90 from both NB/SB 294. You have three lanes converging to one when the old setup was two lanes that then fed into the Lee St Toll Plaza for the far right lane and I-90 or the plaza in the second right lane. Haven't used it enough but muscle memory the last time had me driving on the newly painted shoulder instead of the far right lane like I used to for many years.

The problem there is not the side toll plazas. The problem is bad highway design, basically building the new side plazas without taking into account the rest of the traffic flow.

Bingo. The ramps merging from I-90 to I-294 northbound are horrendous, especially the loop ramp if you're coming from the eastbound lanes. Very slow, little room to merge, and then there's another merge ahead you have to contend with. This is further compounded by the toll plaza and high traffic volumes.

I would like to see if something could be done here someday. Rip out the cash lanes and create a C/D system to handle incoming I-90 traffic to I-294 north with the extra space perhaps...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on May 11, 2022, 10:48:15 PM
I disagree. I think in the not-so-distant future, we will begin to see mainline cash plazas be removed.

I don't think the mainline cash plazas will be removed unless there is a widening/reconstruction project that requires modifying the plazas or the plazas develop safety/structural issues that require them to be removed.

I don't think any of the cash plazas are being removed with the I-294 rebuild.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: I-39 on May 11, 2022, 11:27:22 PM
I disagree. I think in the not-so-distant future, we will begin to see mainline cash plazas be removed.

I don't think the mainline cash plazas will be removed unless there is a widening/reconstruction project that requires modifying the plazas or the plazas develop safety/structural issues that require them to be removed.

I don't think any of the cash plazas are being removed with the I-294 rebuild.

Why wouldn’t they remove them eventually if they aren’t going to use them? They won’t want to pay to maintain unused space forever.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 11, 2022, 11:41:37 PM
Weigh Stations, perhaps?

Historically, the Cash booths also had (supposedly) scales built into the lanes for truck weighs. I assume the I-Pass/EZ-Pass Express lanes have Weigh-in-Motion technology

But non-equipped trucks are not getting weighed anymore, are they?

Other possibilities: Truck Parking. More 7-Elevens? Drive Thru only McDonalds or Starbucks? Salt Domes and/or Maintenance Vehicle/Equipment parking?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 12, 2022, 12:08:56 AM
some of them all Maintenance depots as well.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on June 12, 2022, 11:09:15 PM
Some updated 294 things I saw this weekend (might be repeating a few things, apologies)

Northbound 294:
-Same split between 82nd Toll and the Mile Long remains, however the official 88th Ave ramp construction has begun with expansion beginning on the bridge. The WB Archer Ave to NB 294 ramp also looks to be almost ready to go.

-Another split between 75th and I-55, two left express, two right for an exit only lane. 3 lanes go from there to Hinsdale Oasis. New ramp beams for the I-55 to NB 294/Oasis are up and bridge work has begun. Plainfield Rd bridge work continues, the Oasis structure is gone minus the bridge structure over the highway.

-The new pedestrian bridge path work has begun, railroad bridge work continues but its looking almost completed. Ogden Ave work hasn't had much movement yet. Clearing work continues to expand the NB lanes between Ogden and I-88, including work on the 31st St bridge.

-No major changes at I-290/88. New bridge piers have gone up in recent weeks. NB 294 to WB 290 ramp work continues. St. Charles Rd bridge work continues.

-No noticeable changes between North Ave and Wolf Rd. Pier work continues for the 490 interchange, you can actually see steel beams in place on piers just north of the highway. NB lanes split (2 left, 2 right) at Wolf Rd. The left two lanes split again at the Bensenville bridge with one going contraflow.

Southbound 294:
-Inner lane reworks continue between O'Hare and North Ave. Center median work is especially noticeable at the Grand Ave curve. The lanes split (1 left, 3 right) just after North Ave.

-Center median work between Roosevelt Rd and the Cermak Toll.

-Nothing major between Cermak and the Hinsdale Oasis (see NB notes for the railroad/Oasis work). Two right lanes are exit only for I-55, three left for the highway. The I-55 ramp did get new signage again approaching the toll.

-Three lanes from Plainfield Road to just past I-55, then again from 75th St to LaGrange Road as cement work begins on the new SB bridge.

-A new split from 82nd St to 95th as work begins on the SB right lanes/medians (3 left, one right). That right lane is 95th St exit access and have already seen vehicles in the right express lane slow to a crawl thinking they can exit. Tollway set up those white median markers and a full barrel wall to prevent crossovers.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 13, 2022, 10:59:31 AM
Some updated 294 things I saw this weekend (might be repeating a few things, apologies)

Northbound 294:
-Same split between 82nd Toll and the Mile Long remains, however the official 88th Ave ramp construction has begun with expansion beginning on the bridge. The WB Archer Ave to NB 294 ramp also looks to be almost ready to go.

-Another split between 75th and I-55, two left express, two right for an exit only lane. 3 lanes go from there to Hinsdale Oasis. New ramp beams for the I-55 to NB 294/Oasis are up and bridge work has begun. Plainfield Rd bridge work continues, the Oasis structure is gone minus the bridge structure over the highway.

-The new pedestrian bridge path work has begun, railroad bridge work continues but its looking almost completed. Ogden Ave work hasn't had much movement yet. Clearing work continues to expand the NB lanes between Ogden and I-88, including work on the 31st St bridge.

-No major changes at I-290/88. New bridge piers have gone up in recent weeks. NB 294 to WB 290 ramp work continues. St. Charles Rd bridge work continues.

-No noticeable changes between North Ave and Wolf Rd. Pier work continues for the 490 interchange, you can actually see steel beams in place on piers just north of the highway. NB lanes split (2 left, 2 right) at Wolf Rd. The left two lanes split again at the Bensenville bridge with one going contraflow.

Southbound 294:
-Inner lane reworks continue between O'Hare and North Ave. Center median work is especially noticeable at the Grand Ave curve. The lanes split (1 left, 3 right) just after North Ave.

-Center median work between Roosevelt Rd and the Cermak Toll.

-Nothing major between Cermak and the Hinsdale Oasis (see NB notes for the railroad/Oasis work). Two right lanes are exit only for I-55, three left for the highway. The I-55 ramp did get new signage again approaching the toll.

-Three lanes from Plainfield Road to just past I-55, then again from 75th St to LaGrange Road as cement work begins on the new SB bridge.

-A new split from 82nd St to 95th as work begins on the SB right lanes/medians (3 left, one right). That right lane is 95th St exit access and have already seen vehicles in the right express lane slow to a crawl thinking they can exit. Tollway set up those white median markers and a full barrel wall to prevent crossovers.
Actually on Ogden Ave itself, they do have it down to 1 lane each way over 294. Had that in place last weekend.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on July 11, 2022, 08:22:32 PM
Hope they can build more trumpet type Oases, with room for 5 lanes under ramps.

As much as I'd love this, I don't think the tollway can legally–or has any interest in–construct new oases. The ones that we have are all we'll have. Best to support them while they're there.

Also, regarding the DeKalb oasis: that one is very interesting for the mere fact it's different from the rest in the system. I got my first chance to visit it over the summer. The layout inside is very weird, and unfortunately there's lots of empty space. There is one nice seating area where you can sit right outside the Interstate which is cool.
Why couldn't they from a legal perspective? It may be true that at least at the moment they aren't interested in building new ones but I don't see why there would be any law against it. I wish they would at least rebuild one I miss stopping at O Hare or Hinsdale it would be my first break. Lake Forest is too early and Lincoln is quite a stretch. I was on the Tri State last weekend and it wasn't fun having to wait until Lincon for a break. Another think I also don't like about that Oasis is merging on to the interstate the lane becomes an exit only lane and you don't have much time to get back on the mainline.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on August 08, 2022, 12:10:45 AM
Just looked at the plans for the removal of the manual lanes on NB I-294 at Plaza 41 (163rd Street) to accommodate some truck parking as well as a new toll gantry for the ramp from I-80 eastbound to I-294 northbound & the truck parking.

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree that the Tollway needs more truck parking along its system, and this will be the first one that is being implemented on the Illinois Tollway system.

https://www.illinoistollwaybidding.com/jobs/4868/details/i-22-4855-northbound-plaza-41-truck-parking-plaza-improvements
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on August 08, 2022, 09:04:11 AM
Converting old toll plazas into truck parking, or even parking for regular vehicles, is a great idea. It makes me wonder if they'll do this in other places eventually.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on August 08, 2022, 09:16:08 AM
Converting old toll plazas into truck parking, or even parking for regular vehicles, is a great idea. It makes me wonder if they'll do this in other places eventually.

Haven't figured out why they still have one lane open through the old cash plazas since all the high-speed plazas are now "I-Pass or Pay by Plate." I think it's been long enough for almost everyone to know there is no more cash collection.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 08, 2022, 10:20:15 AM
Converting old toll plazas into truck parking, or even parking for regular vehicles, is a great idea. It makes me wonder if they'll do this in other places eventually.
some are part of maintenance areas right now maybe make the maintenance areas bigger.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on August 08, 2022, 10:39:35 AM
Hope they can build more trumpet type Oases, with room for 5 lanes under ramps.

As much as I'd love this, I don't think the tollway can legally–or has any interest in–construct new oases. The ones that we have are all we'll have. Best to support them while they're there.

Also, regarding the DeKalb oasis: that one is very interesting for the mere fact it's different from the rest in the system. I got my first chance to visit it over the summer. The layout inside is very weird, and unfortunately there's lots of empty space. There is one nice seating area where you can sit right outside the Interstate which is cool.
Why couldn't they from a legal perspective? It may be true that at least at the moment they aren't interested in building new ones but I don't see why there would be any law against it. I wish they would at least rebuild one I miss stopping at O Hare or Hinsdale it would be my first break. Lake Forest is too early and Lincoln is quite a stretch. I was on the Tri State last weekend and it wasn't fun having to wait until Lincon for a break. Another think I also don't like about that Oasis is merging on to the interstate the lane becomes an exit only lane and you don't have much time to get back on the mainline.


The gas stations and convenience stores are still open though right?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 08, 2022, 11:30:56 AM
Hope they can build more trumpet type Oases, with room for 5 lanes under ramps.

As much as I'd love this, I don't think the tollway can legally–or has any interest in–construct new oases. The ones that we have are all we'll have. Best to support them while they're there.

Also, regarding the DeKalb oasis: that one is very interesting for the mere fact it's different from the rest in the system. I got my first chance to visit it over the summer. The layout inside is very weird, and unfortunately there's lots of empty space. There is one nice seating area where you can sit right outside the Interstate which is cool.
Why couldn't they from a legal perspective? It may be true that at least at the moment they aren't interested in building new ones but I don't see why there would be any law against it. I wish they would at least rebuild one I miss stopping at O Hare or Hinsdale it would be my first break. Lake Forest is too early and Lincoln is quite a stretch. I was on the Tri State last weekend and it wasn't fun having to wait until Lincon for a break. Another think I also don't like about that Oasis is merging on to the interstate the lane becomes an exit only lane and you don't have much time to get back on the mainline.


The gas stations and convenience stores are still open though right?

Yes for now.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 08, 2022, 10:09:30 PM

Haven't figured out why they still have one lane open through the old cash plazas since all the high-speed plazas are now "I-Pass or Pay by Plate." I think it's been long enough for almost everyone to know there is no more cash collection.

Probably some combination of capacity issues and weaving for those plazas near interchanges - particularly for the Army Trail and Boughton Plazas on I-355.

What's more questionable is the newer sign for the westbound plaza at the Genoa Road exit marking the wide I-Pass lane for 15 mph. (https://goo.gl/maps/iuUFtgVaKFhLo9Ng9)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on August 08, 2022, 11:05:07 PM

Haven't figured out why they still have one lane open through the old cash plazas since all the high-speed plazas are now "I-Pass or Pay by Plate." I think it's been long enough for almost everyone to know there is no more cash collection.

Probably some combination of capacity issues and weaving for those plazas near interchanges - particularly for the Army Trail and Boughton Plazas on I-355.

Any weaving problem is the result of allowing traffic to go through the old cash lanes. Close them and problem goes away.
Quote

What's more questionable is the newer sign for the westbound plaza at the Genoa Road exit marking the wide I-Pass lane for 15 mph. (https://goo.gl/maps/iuUFtgVaKFhLo9Ng9)

There shouldn’t even be ramp tolls at Genoa Rd. Their presence is one of ISTHA’s broken promises when they went to one-way tolling at Hampshire and Belvedere which was round-trip travelers woulnd’t pay any more. Travelers who make round-trips to/from Genoa Rd. were told they’d pay the double-toll one direction and no toll the other direction. But then someone said “but some people are getting a free ride”  so they decided to screw the Genoa Rd. users. Just one more reason ISTHA’s tolls on I-90 have become super-screwed up (e.g. I-290 at Schaumburg to U.S. 20 at Marengo costs $0.75 but Barrington Rd to IL-47 at Huntley, completely contained within the I-290 to U.S. 20 trip, costs $1.50 with an entry toll (no entry toll five miles back at I-290), the Elgin mainline toll, and an exit toll (no exit toll four miles ahead at U.S. 20)).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 10, 2022, 11:02:00 AM

Haven't figured out why they still have one lane open through the old cash plazas since all the high-speed plazas are now "I-Pass or Pay by Plate." I think it's been long enough for almost everyone to know there is no more cash collection.

Probably some combination of capacity issues and weaving for those plazas near interchanges - particularly for the Army Trail and Boughton Plazas on I-355.

Any weaving problem is the result of allowing traffic to go through the old cash lanes. Close them and problem goes away.
Quote

What's more questionable is the newer sign for the westbound plaza at the Genoa Road exit marking the wide I-Pass lane for 15 mph. (https://goo.gl/maps/iuUFtgVaKFhLo9Ng9)

There shouldn’t even be ramp tolls at Genoa Rd. Their presence is one of ISTHA’s broken promises when they went to one-way tolling at Hampshire and Belvedere which was round-trip travelers woulnd’t pay any more. Travelers who make round-trips to/from Genoa Rd. were told they’d pay the double-toll one direction and no toll the other direction. But then someone said “but some people are getting a free ride”  so they decided to screw the Genoa Rd. users. Just one more reason ISTHA’s tolls on I-90 have become super-screwed up (e.g. I-290 at Schaumburg to U.S. 20 at Marengo costs $0.75 but Barrington Rd to IL-47 at Huntley, completely contained within the I-290 to U.S. 20 trip, costs $1.50 with an entry toll (no entry toll five miles back at I-290), the Elgin mainline toll, and an exit toll (no exit toll four miles ahead at U.S. 20)).

Absolutely agree. This is why I was saying the ISTHA needs to reevaluate the mainline tolls "areas of influence" months ago.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on August 10, 2022, 11:33:05 AM

Haven't figured out why they still have one lane open through the old cash plazas since all the high-speed plazas are now "I-Pass or Pay by Plate." I think it's been long enough for almost everyone to know there is no more cash collection.

Probably some combination of capacity issues and weaving for those plazas near interchanges - particularly for the Army Trail and Boughton Plazas on I-355.

Any weaving problem is the result of allowing traffic to go through the old cash lanes. Close them and problem goes away.
Quote

What's more questionable is the newer sign for the westbound plaza at the Genoa Road exit marking the wide I-Pass lane for 15 mph. (https://goo.gl/maps/iuUFtgVaKFhLo9Ng9)

There shouldn’t even be ramp tolls at Genoa Rd. Their presence is one of ISTHA’s broken promises when they went to one-way tolling at Hampshire and Belvedere which was round-trip travelers woulnd’t pay any more. Travelers who make round-trips to/from Genoa Rd. were told they’d pay the double-toll one direction and no toll the other direction. But then someone said “but some people are getting a free ride”  so they decided to screw the Genoa Rd. users. Just one more reason ISTHA’s tolls on I-90 have become super-screwed up (e.g. I-290 at Schaumburg to U.S. 20 at Marengo costs $0.75 but Barrington Rd to IL-47 at Huntley, completely contained within the I-290 to U.S. 20 trip, costs $1.50 with an entry toll (no entry toll five miles back at I-290), the Elgin mainline toll, and an exit toll (no exit toll four miles ahead at U.S. 20)).

Absolutely agree. This is why I was saying the ISTHA needs to reevaluate the mainline tolls "areas of influence" months ago.

I've always looked at it this way and don't know why it couldn't be done.

On an E-W tollway, take the midpoint between any two mainline toll plazas. Interchanges east of that midpoint have westbound entry and westbound exit tolls only. Interchanges west of that midpoint have eastbound entry and eastbound exit tolls only. Seems like the fairest way of doing it.

Yes, if you happen to be someone who gets on one interchange on one side of that midpoint and go to the next one on the other side you kinda get screwed, but it still seems like the fairest way.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 10, 2022, 11:38:03 AM
just do an EOE and add more tolling points
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on August 10, 2022, 11:48:52 AM
There shouldn’t even be ramp tolls at Genoa Rd. Their presence is one of ISTHA’s broken promises when they went to one-way tolling at Hampshire and Belvedere which was round-trip travelers woulnd’t pay any more. Travelers who make round-trips to/from Genoa Rd. were told they’d pay the double-toll one direction and no toll the other direction. But then someone said “but some people are getting a free ride”  so they decided to screw the Genoa Rd. users. Just one more reason ISTHA’s tolls on I-90 have become super-screwed up (e.g. I-290 at Schaumburg to U.S. 20 at Marengo costs $0.75 but Barrington Rd to IL-47 at Huntley, completely contained within the I-290 to U.S. 20 trip, costs $1.50 with an entry toll (no entry toll five miles back at I-290), the Elgin mainline toll, and an exit toll (no exit toll four miles ahead at U.S. 20)).

Absolutely agree. This is why I was saying the ISTHA needs to reevaluate the mainline tolls "areas of influence" months ago.

I-90 began getting screwed up more than 25 years ago when the eliminated the WB entry toll at I-290. Originally, things were balanced with the areas of influence of the mainline tolls being Kennedy to Barrington Rd. (originally WB exit/EB entry only) for the O'Hare complex tolls and IL-59 (originally EB exit/WB entry only) to US-20 (Marengo/Hampshire) for the Elgin toll. Roselle Rd. was also WB exit/EB entry) so after the I-290 ramp tolls to/from the west, there were no other ramp tolls until IL-25 to/from the east. Then they started making a real mess of things when the added the Beverly Rd. ramps to/from the east without ramp tolls even though in the Elgin toll area of influence. Their solution to that potential free ride was first to add the EB exit toll at IL-59 and then add the WB exit tolls at Roselle Rd., Barrington Rd., IL-59 and Beverly Rd. With that, the WB boundary between areas of influence moved to I-290. It also created what I consider a flaw in that a person entering EB at IL-25 paid an entry toll but then had no place the could exit without paying another toll (I believe that having paid a toll, there should be at least one place you can exit without paying another toll).

If you subscribe to the idea of "areas of influence" for a mainline toll, then there should never be a place where there is both an exit and an entry toll in the same direction. And there should be a boundary interchange (could be split between two half-interchanges as it used to be between Barrington Rd., and IL-59) where there are no ramp tolls. This has been grossly violated by ISTHA on I-90 with ramp tolls both ways at Meacham Rd. (partial interchange - WB exit and entry only), Roselle Rd., Barrington Rd., and IL-47. And none of that gets into the mess they created with the one-way tolls west of the US-20 Marengo/Hampshire interchange. I suspect their thinking is that some of these ramp tolls are to pay for the interchange improvements rather than the mainline usage but that's not how tolling has traditionally worked. But it's also created the bizarre situation I encountered a couple of years ago when I-90 was closed due to "police activity" between US-20 (Marengo/Hampshire) and IL-47 with traffic detoured via US-20 and IL-47. But ISTHA was not going to be denied their entry tolls at IL-47 so the detoured traffic paid more in tolls for the "privilege" of a longer and slower back roads route.

Fortunately, we're moving in two months to a state without toll roads after which I can largely put ISTHA and their bizarre tolls behind me.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on August 10, 2022, 11:58:01 AM
Any weaving problem is the result of allowing traffic to go through the old cash lanes. Close them and problem goes away.
OK, but then you'd have to block the entrance with the cash lanes with Jersey barriers or something similar, lest someone drive towards the cash lanes, discover they're all closed, and then do something boneheaded like reversing (or, worse, driving in the wrong direction) to get back to the ETC lanes.  And then there's a risk of someone who's driving using muscle memory crashing into the barriers.

And you still have to leave at least one cash line (ideally, more than one, given the backups I've seen) open on 294 south at Irving Park, 294 north before Touhy, etc.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 10, 2022, 12:13:37 PM
There shouldn’t even be ramp tolls at Genoa Rd. Their presence is one of ISTHA’s broken promises when they went to one-way tolling at Hampshire and Belvedere which was round-trip travelers woulnd’t pay any more. Travelers who make round-trips to/from Genoa Rd. were told they’d pay the double-toll one direction and no toll the other direction. But then someone said “but some people are getting a free ride” so they decided to screw the Genoa Rd. users. Just one more reason ISTHA’s tolls on I-90 have become super-screwed up (e.g. I-290 at Schaumburg to U.S. 20 at Marengo costs $0.75 but Barrington Rd to IL-47 at Huntley, completely contained within the I-290 to U.S. 20 trip, costs $1.50 with an entry toll (no entry toll five miles back at I-290), the Elgin mainline toll, and an exit toll (no exit toll four miles ahead at U.S. 20)).

Absolutely agree. This is why I was saying the ISTHA needs to reevaluate the mainline tolls "areas of influence" months ago.

I-90 began getting screwed up more than 25 years ago when the eliminated the WB entry toll at I-290. Originally, things were balanced with the areas of influence of the mainline tolls being Kennedy to Barrington Rd. (originally WB exit/EB entry only) for the O'Hare complex tolls and IL-59 (originally EB exit/WB entry only) to US-20 (Marengo/Hampshire) for the Elgin toll. Roselle Rd. was also WB exit/EB entry) so after the I-290 ramp tolls to/from the west, there were no other ramp tolls until IL-25 to/from the east. Then they started making a real mess of things when the added the Beverly Rd. ramps to/from the east without ramp tolls even though in the Elgin toll area of influence. Their solution to that potential free ride was first to add the EB exit toll at IL-59 and then add the WB exit tolls at Roselle Rd., Barrington Rd., IL-59 and Beverly Rd. With that, the WB boundary between areas of influence moved to I-290. It also created what I consider a flaw in that a person entering EB at IL-25 paid an entry toll but then had no place the could exit without paying another toll (I believe that having paid a toll, there should be at least one place you can exit without paying another toll).

If you subscribe to the idea of "areas of influence" for a mainline toll, then there should never be a place where there is both an exit and an entry toll in the same direction. And there should be a boundary interchange (could be split between two half-interchanges as it used to be between Barrington Rd., and IL-59) where there are no ramp tolls. This has been grossly violated by ISTHA on I-90 with ramp tolls both ways at Meacham Rd. (partial interchange - WB exit and entry only), Roselle Rd., Barrington Rd., and IL-47. And none of that gets into the mess they created with the one-way tolls west of the US-20 Marengo/Hampshire interchange. I suspect their thinking is that some of these ramp tolls are to pay for the interchange improvements rather than the mainline usage but that's not how tolling has traditionally worked. But it's also created the bizarre situation I encountered a couple of years ago when I-90 was closed due to "police activity" between US-20 (Marengo/Hampshire) and IL-47 with traffic detoured via US-20 and IL-47. But ISTHA was not going to be denied their entry tolls at IL-47 so the detoured traffic paid more in tolls for the "privilege" of a longer and slower back roads route.

Fortunately, we're moving in two months to a state without toll roads after which I can largely put ISTHA and their bizarre tolls behind me.

In the case of Route 25 having a toll and not getting off without a free point, Route 59 was that free point ages ago when it was a EB off/WB only interchange.

As i posted before...
I-88 Reagan (E-W) Twy
York/Meyers I-290 to Rt 59
Aurora Rt 59 to Rt 47
DeKalb Rt 47 to I-39/US 51
Dixon I-39 to US 30

I-90 Jane Addams (NW) Twy
River/Devon I-190/Kennedy Expy to I-290/Rt 53
Elgin I-290/Rt 53 to Rt 47
Marengo/Belvidere Rt 47 to I-39/US 20/US 51
South Beloit I-39/US 20/US 51 to Rockton Rd
(Honestly, they should move the South Beloit Toll to south of Riverside Blvd. and make it Rockford or do a split direction like they did with Marengo/Belvidere with the plazas at the current South Beloit for Northwestbound and south of Riverside Blvd for Southeastbound)

I-94/I-294/I-80 Tri State Twy
163rd St I-94/Rt 394 to Rt 50 Cicero Ave/127th St
83rd/82nd Rt 50 Cicero Ave/127th St to I-55
Cermak I-55 to I-290
Irving Park/Touhy I-290 to Willow Rd
*NEW Half Day Willow Rd to Rt 132 Grand Ave (This would include the Edens Spur Plaza at Pfingsten Rd. I would put this just north of Rt 22 Half Day Rd)
Waukegan Rt 132 Grand Ave to US 41

I-355 Veterans Memorial (N-S) Twy
Spring Creek I-80 to I-55
Boughton I-55 to I-88
Army Trail I-88 to I-290 (the free section north of Army Trail remains free)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 15, 2022, 09:34:33 AM
294 rebuild notes

-No major changes between 95th and I-55. Bridge work continues on 88th Ave, Mile Long, I-55 mainline, and the new ramp from I-55 to NB 294. Roadway work continues especially between Willow Springs Rd and the I-55/NB 294 ramp. Noise walls going up along the NB lanes between Willow Springs and I-55. There will be a big traffic shift happening this week in this section.

-Plainfield Rd to I-88, the EB Plainfield Rd bridge is almost ready and the WB side is expected to start getting torn down soon. Hinsdale Oasis minus the median supports is gone. The new pedestrian bridge adjacent to 47th St is 50% up over the NB lanes. BNSF bridge is pretty much done it looks like, work is now adjusting to begin 294 expansion. Ogden Ave has begun shifts/bridge work. Expansion work continues from Ogden onto the NB294 to WB I-88 ramp.

-I-88 to St. Charles, an absolute mess during rush hour lol. The split on the NB294 to I-290 ramp causes gridlock now every day cause people still don't read signs and dart over last minute. But, WB-290 ramp has shifted onto the new concrete, now they have begun to tear out parts of the old ramp. Bridge supports continue to go up for the new ramps. EB 290 to SB 294 is shifted to the left while they build the new ramp to its right.

-St. Charles to Bensenville Bridge, no major changes. Expansion work continues on the SB lanes between WB 290 ramp to just before EB 290 ramp. Reconstruction continues in the middle from WB 290 to Wolf Rd. 490 interchange continues, most of the steel beams are up for the NB 294 to NB 490, they have now begun to build the median bridge support. A big traffic shift is expected here as well over the next week.

-Bensenville Bridge and northward, shifts continue for bridge rebuilds on both NB/SB 294 including through O'Hare Oasis. Otherwise north of that roadwork has been completed.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on August 20, 2022, 08:15:07 AM
When it comes to the tolling, I think ISTHA should consider moving towards a EOE-styled approach. It's definitely more simple to understand and means you pay per segment you travel. No double paying or being charged for exiting and re-entering.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 24, 2022, 12:36:31 AM
When it comes to the tolling, I think ISTHA should consider moving towards a EOE-styled approach. It's definitely more simple to understand and means you pay per segment you travel. No double paying or being charged for exiting and re-entering.

I am rather surprised with the Central Tri State rebuild they don't just simply remove the toll plazas where it is being rebuilt, for instance, the Cermak Rd Toll Plaza honestly could just be removed and then the sides turned into a regular C/D type of ramp
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on August 24, 2022, 08:47:00 PM
When it comes to the tolling, I think ISTHA should consider moving towards a EOE-styled approach. It's definitely more simple to understand and means you pay per segment you travel. No double paying or being charged for exiting and re-entering.
That is a good point I remember when I visited Yorktown Mall this summer I was charged to exit then getting back on had to go through another toll check point.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on August 31, 2022, 06:13:31 PM
I was at the Lincoln Oasis last week and I was surprised it's half empty. I would think now that Hinsdale closed some of the businesses that were there would have moved over to Lincoln. There is no Taco Bell, KFC or Panera at Lincoln and there was at Hinsdale. Why not move them there? That would make sense. The Lake Forest Oasis to my surprise also has spaces available as well why? With 2 Oasis closed I would think the other 2 remaining ones would be filled with as many tenants as they can take but they're not.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 31, 2022, 07:30:07 PM
I was at the Lincoln Oasis last week and I was surprised it's half empty. I would think now that Hinsdale closed some of the businesses that were there would have moved over to Lincoln. There is no Taco Bell, KFC or Panera at Lincoln and there was at Hinsdale. Why not move them there? That would make sense. The Lake Forest Oasis to my surprise also has spaces available as well why? With 2 Oasis closed I would think the other 2 remaining ones would be filled with as many tenants as they can take but they're not.

Because Oasis interests beyond gas and a bathroom has been waning for many years for general motorists.

When the Tollways had more restrictive options for getting off and on, it had some value, but today with it getting easier to traverse the Tollway system, therefore the Oasis format is less viable as a retail entity.

When they were conceived, autos averaged only 12 mpg on the highway, today with the average highway mpg exceeding 23, cars can travel nearly twice as far without having to stop.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 31, 2022, 10:48:30 PM
I was at the Lincoln Oasis last week and I was surprised it's half empty. I would think now that Hinsdale closed some of the businesses that were there would have moved over to Lincoln. There is no Taco Bell, KFC or Panera at Lincoln and there was at Hinsdale. Why not move them there? That would make sense. The Lake Forest Oasis to my surprise also has spaces available as well why? With 2 Oasis closed I would think the other 2 remaining ones would be filled with as many tenants as they can take but they're not.

The various pandemic restrictions (with Illinois having more than Wisconsin and Indiana) probably didn't help.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on September 01, 2022, 07:06:05 PM
I wonder if any of the still-open Oasises on the tollway system will eventually be closed in the future. The Dekalb Oasis on Interstate 88 and the Belvidere Oasis on Interstate 90 are the only oases that are in rural areas (relatively speaking). If all of the oases on the Tri-State Tollway closed, I'm not sure how much people would miss them, as there are likely plenty of other options in the surrounding communities to get food and fuel from. I assume that is why no oases were built on the Interstate 355 Veterans Memorial Tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on September 01, 2022, 08:26:31 PM
When they were conceived, autos averaged only 12 mpg on the highway, today with the average highway mpg exceeding 23, cars can travel nearly twice as far without having to stop.

If cars today get twice the mileage, given that there's now about half as many oases as before, it kind of works out.  :-D
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 01, 2022, 09:52:23 PM
I wonder if any of the still-open Oasises on the tollway system will eventually be closed in the future. The Dekalb Oasis on Interstate 88 and the Belvidere Oasis on Interstate 90 are the only oases that are in rural areas (relatively speaking). If all of the oases on the Tri-State Tollway closed, I'm not sure how much people would miss them, as there are likely plenty of other options in the surrounding communities to get food and fuel from. I assume that is why no oases were built on the Interstate 355 Veterans Memorial Tollway.
and say EOE like tolling with lot's of tolling points + filling in the missing ramps may be the final nail in the coffin for them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on September 01, 2022, 10:10:00 PM

When they were conceived, autos averaged only 12 mpg on the highway, today with the average highway mpg exceeding 23, cars can travel nearly twice as far without having to stop.

If cars today get twice the mileage, given that there's now about half as many oases as before, it kind of works out.  :-D

Cars may be getting twice the mileage, but how many more cars are there on the highways now?  I'm guessing it's more than twofold.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 02, 2022, 10:55:00 AM
I wonder if any of the still-open Oasises on the tollway system will eventually be closed in the future. The Dekalb Oasis on Interstate 88 and the Belvidere Oasis on Interstate 90 are the only oases that are in rural areas (relatively speaking). If all of the oases on the Tri-State Tollway closed, I'm not sure how much people would miss them, as there are likely plenty of other options in the surrounding communities to get food and fuel from. I assume that is why no oases were built on the Interstate 355 Veterans Memorial Tollway.

I-355 was not conceived originally as a tollway. It was supposed to be the FAP to replace IL-53 as a primary north-south arterial.  Land was already at a premium when the first part of I-355 was built, I don't think it even occurred to ISTHA to build one when they were handed the project.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on September 02, 2022, 11:50:04 AM

When they were conceived, autos averaged only 12 mpg on the highway, today with the average highway mpg exceeding 23, cars can travel nearly twice as far without having to stop.

If cars today get twice the mileage, given that there's now about half as many oases as before, it kind of works out.  :-D

Cars may be getting twice the mileage, but how many more cars are there on the highways now?  I'm guessing it's more than twofold.

That's what we call a confounding variable.  :-D

More seriously, from what I've been able to glean from things I've found online, there is about 7.5 times as much traffic on 294 than there was in 1960. So, interest is definitely declining.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 02, 2022, 01:35:22 PM
I wonder if any of the still-open Oasises on the tollway system will eventually be closed in the future. The Dekalb Oasis on Interstate 88 and the Belvidere Oasis on Interstate 90 are the only oases that are in rural areas (relatively speaking). If all of the oases on the Tri-State Tollway closed, I'm not sure how much people would miss them, as there are likely plenty of other options in the surrounding communities to get food and fuel from. I assume that is why no oases were built on the Interstate 355 Veterans Memorial Tollway.
The only one I've set foot in during the past ten years is the Lake Forest Oasis, and I would not be surprised at all if it closed.

One more thing that's contributing to the lack of traffic in Oases that no one has brought up yet: In the age of ETC, it's not really THAT inconvenient to leave and re-enter a tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on September 02, 2022, 02:11:32 PM
One more thing that's contributing to the lack of traffic in Oases that no one has brought up yet: In the age of ETC, it's not really THAT inconvenient to leave and re-enter a tollway.

I assumed that's what |edwaleni| meant by the statement quoted below.  I guess maybe I assumed wrong.

When the Tollways had more restrictive options for getting off and on, it had some value, but today with it getting easier to traverse the Tollway system, therefore the Oasis format is less viable as a retail entity.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 02, 2022, 02:37:59 PM
I wonder if any of the still-open Oasises on the tollway system will eventually be closed in the future. The Dekalb Oasis on Interstate 88 and the Belvidere Oasis on Interstate 90 are the only oases that are in rural areas (relatively speaking).
I wouldn’t be shocked at all if DeKalb and Belvidere closed.

Annie Glidden Rd has plenty of services up towards NIU, and the only reason the area at the end of the interchange hasn’t popped up services is due to the Oasis. Not to mention the Rochelle exit is near and is free and has services

The Belvidere Oasis has plenty of nearby services. From the Chicago side, the Marengo exit is a free exit with plenty of services avilable. Coming from Rockford, there are plenty of services available in Rockford. Belvidere itself has services at its exits.

Long story short, neither “rural”  Oasis is really necessary anymore
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on September 02, 2022, 09:19:13 PM
I wonder if any of the still-open Oasises on the tollway system will eventually be closed in the future. The Dekalb Oasis on Interstate 88 and the Belvidere Oasis on Interstate 90 are the only oases that are in rural areas (relatively speaking).
I wouldn’t be shocked at all if DeKalb and Belvidere closed.

Annie Glidden Rd has plenty of services up towards NIU, and the only reason the area at the end of the interchange hasn’t popped up services is due to the Oasis. Not to mention the Rochelle exit is near and is free and has services

The Belvidere Oasis has plenty of nearby services. From the Chicago side, the Marengo exit is a free exit with plenty of services avilable. Coming from Rockford, there are plenty of services available in Rockford. Belvidere itself has services at its exits.

Long story short, neither “rural”  Oasis is really necessary anymore
The Rochelle exit is almost 20 miles from the DeKalb Oasis. There really aren't any services at either DeKalb exit near the tollway. There is a Casey's on Peace Rd but it's a good several miles from the tollway and I beleive there is a toll at that exit. The DeKalb Oasis is definitely needed. I was there back in May it gets a fair amount of traffic. It's not going anywhere in the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 02, 2022, 10:23:27 PM
I'm gonna also say that the Belvidere Oasis is nice to have too. I know that it's personal bias, but I think it still has its place. I don't think it should close.

The Lake Forest Oasis I can definitely see closing. I would be disappointed, but I can understand it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 02, 2022, 10:50:49 PM
One more thing that's contributing to the lack of traffic in Oases that no one has brought up yet: In the age of ETC, it's not really THAT inconvenient to leave and re-enter a tollway.

It might not be inconvenient, but it can result in a nice extra toll for exiting or reentering (or both at some interchanges).  Based on the I-Pass passenger car rates on the Tollway's website:

* I-88 at Peace Road:  $0.75
* I-88 at Anne Glidden Road:  $1.05
* I-90 at Genoa Road:  $0.75 to exit westbound, $0.55 to exit eastbound
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 03, 2022, 06:53:40 AM
One more thing that's contributing to the lack of traffic in Oases that no one has brought up yet: In the age of ETC, it's not really THAT inconvenient to leave and re-enter a tollway.

It might not be inconvenient, but it can result in a nice extra toll for exiting or reentering (or both at some interchanges).  Based on the I-Pass passenger car rates on the Tollway's website:

* I-88 at Peace Road:  $0.75
* I-88 at Anne Glidden Road:  $1.05
* I-90 at Genoa Road:  $0.75 to exit westbound, $0.55 to exit eastbound
You can thank ISTHA for that - making deals with local munis to cover and make driver pay for it to weasel their way out of it (typical).  Several I-90 interchanges (west ramps to Irene, Genoa (which was free before the reconstruction of I-90), 23, 47, and the west ramps to Barrington Roselle and Elmhurst.  294 has Balmoral, the north ramps to 57 and 147th.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: skluth on September 03, 2022, 02:33:52 PM
I always liked the Lake Forest Oasis before I started avoiding the Tri-State completely (using I-39) on my trips between St Louis and Green Bay. It was a nice place to relax and get my bearings upon entering Illinois. I'd usually grab a bite to eat and hit the rest room, though I'd wait to get gas until I got to past Joliet (about the halfway point and cheaper than gas at the oasis). I'd rarely stop going north, preferring to stop at the WI Welcome Center instead. I rarely used the other oases, but I also mostly either travelled on the Tri-State between WI and I-55 and the Northwest on its I-39 concurrency. I don't remember I-355 having an oasis (I-355/Palatine Rd/ Willow Rd is less stressful than the Stevenson/Tri-State main line) and I've never driven I-88 in Illinois, so I won't comment on those.

I think they can get rid of all the cross-highway buildings, close about half the oases, and get by with something like a nice Wawa or QuikTrip at any oasis kept open.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on September 03, 2022, 02:55:40 PM
I always liked the Lake Forest Oasis before I started avoiding the Tri-State completely (using I-39) on my trips between St Louis and Green Bay. It was a nice place to relax and get my bearings upon entering Illinois. I'd usually grab a bite to eat and hit the rest room, though I'd wait to get gas until I got to past Joliet (about the halfway point and cheaper than gas at the oasis). I'd rarely stop going north, preferring to stop at the WI Welcome Center instead. I rarely used the other oases, but I also mostly either travelled on the Tri-State between WI and I-55 and the Northwest on its I-39 concurrency. I don't remember I-355 having an oasis (I-355/Palatine Rd/ Willow Rd is less stressful than the Stevenson/Tri-State main line) and I've never driven I-88 in Illinois, so I won't comment on those.

I think they can get rid of all the cross-highway buildings, close about half the oases, and get by with something like a nice Wawa or QuikTrip at any oasis kept open.
I-355 never had any Oases.  A little side not on the Oases. Back prior to 1980ish, there were several that had Howard Johnson's Restaurants.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: skluth on September 03, 2022, 03:50:53 PM
I always liked the Lake Forest Oasis before I started avoiding the Tri-State completely (using I-39) on my trips between St Louis and Green Bay. It was a nice place to relax and get my bearings upon entering Illinois. I'd usually grab a bite to eat and hit the rest room, though I'd wait to get gas until I got to past Joliet (about the halfway point and cheaper than gas at the oasis). I'd rarely stop going north, preferring to stop at the WI Welcome Center instead. I rarely used the other oases, but I also mostly either travelled on the Tri-State between WI and I-55 and the Northwest on its I-39 concurrency. I don't remember I-355 having an oasis (I-355/Palatine Rd/ Willow Rd is less stressful than the Stevenson/Tri-State main line) and I've never driven I-88 in Illinois, so I won't comment on those.

I think they can get rid of all the cross-highway buildings, close about half the oases, and get by with something like a nice Wawa or QuikTrip at any oasis kept open.
I-355 never had any Oases.  A little side not on the Oases. Back prior to 1980ish, there were several that had Howard Johnson's Restaurants.

I'm pretty sure Lake Forest was a HoJos back in the day. Don't remember the others.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on September 03, 2022, 03:59:23 PM
I always liked the Lake Forest Oasis before I started avoiding the Tri-State completely (using I-39) on my trips between St Louis and Green Bay. It was a nice place to relax and get my bearings upon entering Illinois. I'd usually grab a bite to eat and hit the rest room, though I'd wait to get gas until I got to past Joliet (about the halfway point and cheaper than gas at the oasis). I'd rarely stop going north, preferring to stop at the WI Welcome Center instead. I rarely used the other oases, but I also mostly either travelled on the Tri-State between WI and I-55 and the Northwest on its I-39 concurrency. I don't remember I-355 having an oasis (I-355/Palatine Rd/ Willow Rd is less stressful than the Stevenson/Tri-State main line) and I've never driven I-88 in Illinois, so I won't comment on those.

I think they can get rid of all the cross-highway buildings, close about half the oases, and get by with something like a nice Wawa or QuikTrip at any oasis kept open.
I-355 never had any Oases.  A little side not on the Oases. Back prior to 1980ish, there were several that had Howard Johnson's Restaurants.

I'm pretty sure Lake Forest was a HoJos back in the day. Don't remember the others.
I recall the Des Plaines and Hinsdale were ones as well. I may be wrong. I was 4 at the time.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 06, 2022, 02:59:25 PM
I always liked the Lake Forest Oasis before I started avoiding the Tri-State completely (using I-39) on my trips between St Louis and Green Bay. It was a nice place to relax and get my bearings upon entering Illinois. I'd usually grab a bite to eat and hit the rest room, though I'd wait to get gas until I got to past Joliet (about the halfway point and cheaper than gas at the oasis). I'd rarely stop going north, preferring to stop at the WI Welcome Center instead. I rarely used the other oases, but I also mostly either travelled on the Tri-State between WI and I-55 and the Northwest on its I-39 concurrency. I don't remember I-355 having an oasis (I-355/Palatine Rd/ Willow Rd is less stressful than the Stevenson/Tri-State main line) and I've never driven I-88 in Illinois, so I won't comment on those.

I think they can get rid of all the cross-highway buildings, close about half the oases, and get by with something like a nice Wawa or QuikTrip at any oasis kept open.
I-355 never had any Oases.  A little side not on the Oases. Back prior to 1980ish, there were several that had Howard Johnson's Restaurants.

I'm pretty sure Lake Forest was a HoJos back in the day. Don't remember the others.
I recall the Des Plaines and Hinsdale were ones as well. I may be wrong. I was 4 at the time.
They were.  And before that, they were Harvey Houses (as depicted in Inside Llewyn Davis).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on September 07, 2022, 10:59:44 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1188102/20220906+-+Tri-State+Tollway+%28I-294%29_I-57+Interchange+Ramps+Complete%2C+Scheduled+to+Open+to+Traffic+on+September+11.pdf/c446e0b4-876f-29fe-8837-b12b6d0ab670?t=1662504105798

Looks like phase 2 of the I-294/I-57 interchange will be finally opening to traffic on the night of September 11th, 2 full years ahead of schedule!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 07, 2022, 11:03:27 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1188102/20220906+-+Tri-State+Tollway+%28I-294%29_I-57+Interchange+Ramps+Complete%2C+Scheduled+to+Open+to+Traffic+on+September+11.pdf/c446e0b4-876f-29fe-8837-b12b6d0ab670?t=1662504105798

Looks like phase 2 of the I-294/I-57 interchange will be finally opening to traffic on the night of September 11th, 2 full years ahead of schedule!
I bumped the 5-year dormant thread on the interchange with a link to the Chicago Trubune story on the planned opening this weekend

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=98.0
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 08, 2022, 10:19:33 AM
This was posted to O'Hare's FB page - I thought it was an interesting view of construction on I-490:

(https://scontent-ord5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/302167255_6246366285378639_9013151788380871485_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=ROr1L8nyTeoAX8RKIW-&tn=7nViJK-PaCZ_xK4k&_nc_ht=scontent-ord5-1.xx&oh=00_AT-y1G092CLEZR82re14lgQMzjXuGZdZ1dEG9IS0xNemew&oe=631E00E3)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 05, 2022, 09:34:11 AM
294 observations from this past weekend. I wasn't able to get good looks at the 290/88 interchange work due to nighttime darkness.

-From 95th to Hinsdale Oasis: NB lanes have been shifted back to the right onto new concrete/pavement as they begin to rebuild the middle from the toll booth to just before LaGrange Rd. No changes otherwise, rebuild continues for the new right lanes over I-55 and between I-55/Plainfield Rd. Concrete has begun to get laid for the new SB lanes between the toll booth and 95th, still have to use the one right lane to access 95th.

New bridge beams are up over 87th/Roberts. Mile long bridge continues work, Plainfield Rd bridge has begun to rebuild the other half.

-From Hinsdale to St. Charles Rd: NB lanes have been shifted now from Ogden to the I-88 WB ramp as the Ogden interchange work really gets going. New noise wall beams have also begun to go up but couldn't see the extent due to nighttime darkness. No changes otherwise going through St. Charles Rd. SB lanes are shifted at St. Charles as they begin to rebuild the roadway underneath the bridge. Minor shifts between Cermak and Ogden due to repaving efforts/Ogden Ave interchange work.

The BNSF bridge is fully complete and the shoulder on both sides are being cleared out to begin building the new roadway. The new pedestrian bridge by 47th St remains at 50%, only the NB lanes section is up.

-From St. Charles Rd to Balmoral: New SB lanes between North Ave and St. Charles continues work. The entire center section is now being rebuilt with the most significant construction around the future 490 JCT where a central pier is being built into the median.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 09, 2022, 01:11:52 PM
Added note: The new I-55 to NB 294 is now open. The old ramp is slowly being torn down.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Crash_It on October 11, 2022, 12:20:56 PM
Added note: The new I-55 to NB 294 is now open. The old ramp is slowly being torn down.

People had a real hard time with the original one. Can't wait to see it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on October 22, 2022, 10:24:55 PM
https://www.cmtengr.com/project/illinois-tollway-congestion-relief/ Is this a old one or new?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on October 22, 2022, 11:16:46 PM
https://www.cmtengr.com/project/illinois-tollway-congestion-relief/ Is this a old one or new?

Looks old to me. Open Road Tolling has been a thing for at least the past decade on the Tollway. I've also observed no effort to remove the non-open-road tollbooths.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: roadman65 on October 22, 2022, 11:23:04 PM
Is there a reason why there is no NB exit to IL 171( Archer Avenue) on I-294?  Considering IL 171 has access to SB I-294, you would figure the opposite direction would have equal access.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 23, 2022, 12:26:03 AM
Is there a reason why there is no NB exit to IL 171( Archer Avenue) on I-294?  Considering IL 171 has access to SB I-294, you would figure the opposite direction would have equal access.

Long story short, tollways were originally setup to feed traffic to the tollbooths and (at the time) the new O'Hare Airport. While many of the interchanges have been updated to have all directional access (see recent I-90 reconstruction as a great example of this), many tollways, especially I-294 still have many of these legacy interchange setups. Oddly, even with the reconstruction ongoing on Central I-294, there doesn't seem to be much appetite to add additional access on 294, aside from the recently finished interchange at I-57.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 23, 2022, 07:23:55 AM
Is there a reason why there is no NB exit to IL 171( Archer Avenue) on I-294?  Considering IL 171 has access to SB I-294, you would figure the opposite direction would have equal access.
There used to be a NB exit to Cork/88th Ave, only 2-3 blocks south of 171/Archer Ave, and ISTHA is putting that one back in as part of the Central Tri-State rebuild project
Long story short, tollways were originally setup to feed traffic to the tollbooths and (at the time) the new O'Hare Airport. While many of the interchanges have been updated to have all directional access (see recent I-90 reconstruction as a great example of this), many tollways, especially I-294 still have many of these legacy interchange setups. Oddly, even with the reconstruction ongoing on Central I-294, there doesn't seem to be much appetite to add additional access on 294, aside from the recently finished interchange at I-57.
Look at I-55 and I-294. There will still be no direct ramp from SB I-55 to SB I-294 once this rebuild project is done. To make the movement, the signed routing is I-55S->LaGrange Rd S/US 12/20/45->I-294S. At least LaGrange Rd is Freeflow between the two interchanges. It is just short of Freeway due to one at-grade access point at Lawndale Ave/Canal Bank Rd for RIROs only/no crossing over and no left turns, on the island between the canal and the river

Other option to make the movement is to take 55S beyond the 294 exit to the County Line Rd Cloverleaf, and wind your way back to 55N and then take the 55N->294S ramp
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 24, 2022, 09:48:57 AM
Some notes from this past Friday evening (SB 294 only)

-The SB right lane was being torn up between 82nd St Toll and 95th, the exit to 95th was really janky as you had to cross over the lane plus the pavement divot when the ramp splits from the highway. It was supposed to be completed by this morning.

-The new SB Mile Long bridge is open, the old bridge has begun getting torn down.

-The north side of the Plainfield Rd bridge is awaiting bridge beams. The new center piers are finished.

-The pedestrian pathway by 47th St is fully up. Side work has commenced to complete that bridge.

-Much of SB 294 is almost fully resurfaced between I-88 and I-55. Looks like one final repaving before they begin to rebuild all the lanes in this section.

-There are new overhead signs between the Bensenville Bridge & the west I-290 ramp on SB 294. I feel a couple of them are temporary and will be updated as construction progresses. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on October 24, 2022, 11:32:34 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1291249/Meeting+Exhibits+-+PM2+-+10042022.pdf/4999c7dd-ada7-c362-7cb1-12533a58bc10?t=1665069112916

Here are the exhibits from the Illinois Route 390's U.S. Route 20 Interchange Improvement Study. A partial DDI, along with a one-lane each direction extension to County Farm Road, is recommended to move forward.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 25, 2022, 11:07:57 AM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1291249/Meeting+Exhibits+-+PM2+-+10042022.pdf/4999c7dd-ada7-c362-7cb1-12533a58bc10?t=1665069112916

Here are the exhibits from the Illinois Route 390's U.S. Route 20 Interchange Improvement Study. A partial DDI, along with a one-lane each direction extension to County Farm Road, is recommended to move forward.
one lane? and is setup so they can extend the road at an later time?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 25, 2022, 02:54:51 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1291249/Meeting+Exhibits+-+PM2+-+10042022.pdf/4999c7dd-ada7-c362-7cb1-12533a58bc10?t=1665069112916

Here are the exhibits from the Illinois Route 390's U.S. Route 20 Interchange Improvement Study. A partial DDI, along with a one-lane each direction extension to County Farm Road, is recommended to move forward.
one lane? and is setup so they can extend the road at an later time?

No it looks like essentially a long on/off ramp. Going WB you either exit at US-20 or County Farm, EB you hop on at either County Farm or US-20. Plus it looks like they want you to get on EB 390 from County Farm as they eliminate the on ramp from EB US 20 to EB 390
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on October 25, 2022, 07:38:05 PM
I couldn't access the document on Microsoft Edge (it said "The connection for this site is not secure. www.illinoistollway.com sent an invalid response".; not the first site to do that to me), so I had to open it using Google Chrome (which I have on my computer in addition to having Opera). The presentation only includes the conversion of the US 20/W. Lake St. interchange to a diverging diamond, and 390's planned connection to County Farm Rd. It was my understanding that 390 would ultimately be extended as an arterial roadway to North Ave., along with improvements to US 20/W. Lake St. between that point and Shales Prwy./Elgin Bypass. I assume that the connection to County Farm Rd. would be built first, while the rest of it would be built later, if it is constucted at all.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2022, 10:20:31 PM
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/1291249/Meeting+Exhibits+-+PM2+-+10042022.pdf/4999c7dd-ada7-c362-7cb1-12533a58bc10?t=1665069112916

Here are the exhibits from the Illinois Route 390's U.S. Route 20 Interchange Improvement Study. A partial DDI, along with a one-lane each direction extension to County Farm Road, is recommended to move forward.
one lane? and is setup so they can extend the road at an later time?

No it looks like essentially a long on/off ramp. Going WB you either exit at US-20 or County Farm, EB you hop on at either County Farm or US-20. Plus it looks like they want you to get on EB 390 from County Farm as they eliminate the on ramp from EB US 20 to EB 390

There will be a ramp from EB US 20 to EB 390, and all alternatives keep this option. Honestly, as a current solution, I am OK with this, except I would have spent a little extra to have two lanes on the extension/ramps. It does look like they could potentially accommodate some type of extension down the line. It will come down more to appetite (and money) to build it further in any form. I am curious how usage of this will be impacted once the I-490 Tollway connection is complete. I know both any further extension of this and IL 53 seem either very dormant or dead in the water, but I guess never say never as potential conditions going on in both cases could resurrect these at some point. If nothing else, the State would be smart to not give up their land just yet.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on November 25, 2022, 10:24:52 PM
Living down in Southern IL, I don’t get to drive the Tri-State much, anymore, but younger in life I lived in Chicagoland and drove it many times, especially south of 88. That said, seeing the Central Construction Project in progress is pretty neat

I drove NB 294 on Black Friday evening from the 80/94/294/394 “southpoint”  to the 290 WB exit, so thru a lot of the Central Construction Zone

Before getting there, tho, at the 80/294 split, there is now a floating “North”  with no Shield to the right of the North 294 Wisconsin info on the BGS at the split. I assume an I-57 shield will be added under the “North”  on the panel. I did not see a corresponding floating “South”  on the West 80 Iowa BGS, tho

The BGS for the new I-57 North exit is pretty standard and normal

In the construction zone, the old Cash lanes at the 83rd St Toll are completely closed now, but are still standing. Looked like the new Archer Ave bridge structures are up and the old ones are being taken down

After being on the new Mile Long Bridge, there is a traffic split where 2 left lanes are sent over to the NB side and 2 right lanes serve the I-55 interchange, and they merge back between the onramp from I-55 and the offramp to Hinsdale Oasis, which of course is now Hinsdale 7-Eleven/Mobil

There were segments of layed concrete pavement in this area for the NB lanes that still had the plastic “curing”  plastic blankets on, so, I’m guessing that was poured right before Thanksgiving

Nothing really eventful that I noticed next, until the 290 ramps. Drove it in the dark, so not the greatest look, but especially after merging onto 290, there is quite a bit of work done and you can see the new areas ready for the new fly-under ramps for 294 NB->290 WB under the new 294 SB lanes. Also at one point of 290 the 294 SB retaining wall is built right to the edge of the right WB 290 shoulder, which is kinda neat. Can also see the new, massive support piers for the new SB 294 CD road to help cut down the weaving traffic for the Exits and Entrances with 290 and 88, that regularly cause backups in the old configuration

ISTHA is making progress. Don’t know how fast or how much, but it should be pretty nice when done
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 26, 2022, 12:09:38 PM
Living down in Southern IL, I don’t get to drive the Tri-State much, anymore, but younger in life I lived in Chicagoland and drove it many times, especially south of 88. That said, seeing the Central Construction Project in progress is pretty neat

I drove NB 294 on Black Friday evening from the 80/94/294/394 “southpoint”  to the 290 WB exit, so thru a lot of the Central Construction Zone

Before getting there, tho, at the 80/294 split, there is now a floating “North”  with no Shield to the right of the North 294 Wisconsin info on the BGS at the split. I assume an I-57 shield will be added under the “North”  on the panel. I did not see a corresponding floating “South”  on the West 80 Iowa BGS, tho

The BGS for the new I-57 North exit is pretty standard and normal

In the construction zone, the old Cash lanes at the 83rd St Toll are completely closed now, but are still standing. Looked like the new Archer Ave bridge structures are up and the old ones are being taken down

After being on the new Mile Long Bridge, there is a traffic split where 2 left lanes are sent over to the NB side and 2 right lanes serve the I-55 interchange, and they merge back between the onramp from I-55 and the offramp to Hinsdale Oasis, which of course is now Hinsdale 7-Eleven/Mobil

There were segments of layed concrete pavement in this area for the NB lanes that still had the plastic “curing”  plastic blankets on, so, I’m guessing that was poured right before Thanksgiving

Nothing really eventful that I noticed next, until the 290 ramps. Drove it in the dark, so not the greatest look, but especially after merging onto 290, there is quite a bit of work done and you can see the new areas ready for the new fly-under ramps for 294 NB->290 WB under the new 294 SB lanes. Also at one point of 290 the 294 SB retaining wall is built right to the edge of the right WB 290 shoulder, which is kinda neat. Can also see the new, massive support piers for the new SB 294 CD road to help cut down the weaving traffic for the Exits and Entrances with 290 and 88, that regularly cause backups in the old configuration

ISTHA is making progress. Don’t know how fast or how much, but it should be pretty nice when done

At first I was going to ask "which one?" on the mile long bridge then I saw your I-55 remark and knew which one.

ISHTA actually has two "mile long" bridges on I-294.  The one you reference is in Western Springs over the Des Plaines River valley. The other is the one in Bensenville over the Canadian Pacific rail yards.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on November 27, 2022, 02:54:29 PM
Before getting there, tho, at the 80/294 split, there is now a floating “North”  with no Shield to the right of the North 294 Wisconsin info on the BGS at the split. I assume an I-57 shield will be added under the “North”  on the panel. I did not see a corresponding floating “South”  on the West 80 Iowa BGS, tho

That floating TOLL North banner has been there for years now, well before construction on the NB 57 ramp was underway. Since at least 2015, in fact! I doubt that's why it's there. To be honest, I have no idea why it's there. I still wonder if someone was told to put that as a patch over the original "North Tollway" banners in the center of the sign, but they just decided to put it on the top right corner because they didn't know what they were doing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Jericho That on November 28, 2022, 08:48:12 AM

At first I was going to ask "which one?" on the mile long bridge then I saw your I-55 remark and knew which one.

ISHTA actually has two "mile long" bridges on I-294.  The one you reference is in Western Springs over the Des Plaines River valley. The other is the one in Bensenville over the Canadian Pacific rail yards.

For whatever reason, the Western Springs bridge is the official Mile Long Bridge. The Tollway calls the bridge over the CP railyard the Bensenville Yard Bridge.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 28, 2022, 09:06:31 AM

At first I was going to ask "which one?" on the mile long bridge then I saw your I-55 remark and knew which one.

ISHTA actually has two "mile long" bridges on I-294.  The one you reference is in Western Springs over the Des Plaines River valley. The other is the one in Bensenville over the Canadian Pacific rail yards.

For whatever reason, the Western Springs bridge is the official Mile Long Bridge. The Tollway calls the bridge over the CP railyard the Bensenville Yard Bridge.

Interesting, I never knew it had an "official" title.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 28, 2022, 09:38:33 AM

At first I was going to ask "which one?" on the mile long bridge then I saw your I-55 remark and knew which one.

ISHTA actually has two "mile long" bridges on I-294.  The one you reference is in Western Springs over the Des Plaines River valley. The other is the one in Bensenville over the Canadian Pacific rail yards.

For whatever reason, the Western Springs bridge is the official Mile Long Bridge. The Tollway calls the bridge over the CP railyard the Bensenville Yard Bridge.

Willow Springs/Hodgkins for the Mile Long bridge. Western Springs is further north near the Ogden Ave interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 28, 2022, 11:50:19 AM

At first I was going to ask "which one?" on the mile long bridge then I saw your I-55 remark and knew which one.

ISHTA actually has two "mile long" bridges on I-294.  The one you reference is in Western Springs over the Des Plaines River valley. The other is the one in Bensenville over the Canadian Pacific rail yards.

For whatever reason, the Western Springs bridge is the official Mile Long Bridge. The Tollway calls the bridge over the CP railyard the Bensenville Yard Bridge.

Is this the bridge you're referring to? I ask since it's only a bit longer than half a mile.

(https://i.imgur.com/Zla474R.png)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on November 28, 2022, 09:15:37 PM
Yes that is the Bensonville Bridge.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 13, 2022, 12:56:42 PM
New signage is going up on the SB 294 section between 88th Ave and 95th St. What used to be those small signs along the noisewall are now overhead
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Quimby on December 15, 2022, 04:38:17 PM

At first I was going to ask "which one?" on the mile long bridge then I saw your I-55 remark and knew which one.

ISHTA actually has two "mile long" bridges on I-294.  The one you reference is in Western Springs over the Des Plaines River valley. The other is the one in Bensenville over the Canadian Pacific rail yards.

For whatever reason, the Western Springs bridge is the official Mile Long Bridge. The Tollway calls the bridge over the CP railyard the Bensenville Yard Bridge.

Interesting, I never knew it had an "official" title.

It has its own wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mile-Long_Bridge
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 27, 2022, 09:59:10 AM
I-294 update from what I saw during holiday travels last week.

NB I-294
-95th to 88th Ave: 4 lanes are open with the counter-flow gone, just a very wide left shoulder with cones blocking. Have a feeling they have some final work to do when things warm up. 88th Ave bridge/ramp work continues.

88th Ave to I-55: The WB Archer Ave to NB 294 ramp looks almost ready to be opened. The split flow at the end of the Mile Long Bridge now has 3 lanes right, 2 lanes left. Far right lane of the right split goes to I-55 with a new overhead sign. The remaining two lanes merge to one before rejoining the "express lanes".

I-55 to St. Charles Rd: Resurfacing is completed with the inside shoulder blocked off, some chunks of the median gone. Pretty much status quo for now, everything looks prepped to begin tearing up that section once things warm up. Plainfield Rd bridge continues to be built. Piers continue to be built for the 290/88 JCT ramps.

St. Charles Rd to Bensenville Bridge: A new split has formed, 2 right lanes and 2 left lanes. Goes from North Ave to just past Wolf Rd while they begin to rebuild the middle pavement again. Looks like most of the 490 piers are built that are in view, just need the bridge deck beams.

The only notable SB 294 news is the 88th Ave-95th section. 5 lanes are back with a wide left shoulder blocked by cones. New signage is up for the 95th exit and the far right lane is again an exit only for 95th St. Everything else SB is very similar to the NB observations.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 14, 2023, 09:26:20 AM
Two big updates to 294

-NB 294 has reopened the SB I-55/Wolf Road ramp with a temp configuration of 3 lanes left/1 lane right. The right lane is on new roadway. In a couple weeks another shift will commence.

-The bigger headline one is up north. NB 294 splits with 2 lanes left, 2 lanes right at the I-290 exit. The two right lanes are on new roadway and gains a third lane from the old EB I-88 on ramp on the left. Eventually the far right lane becomes WB I-290 exit only with two lanes continuing northbound on 294. The left two lanes remain on mainline 294 and continue mostly normal but EB I-88 traffic merge in. This merge is causing major havoc with the AM/PM rush hours the last couple mornings with backups on I-88 EB going as far back as Midwest road and NB 294 traffic backing up as far south as Cermak occasionally.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on April 23, 2023, 11:00:06 AM
I-294 updates

95th to Plainfield Road: Its looking like a stage change or cleanup is underway to open up the 5th lane in multiple sections. Median rebuilding continues especially around the Plainfield Road/I-55 bridges and the 83rd-87th/Roberts Rd sections. The 88th Ave bridge/ramps continue to be built.

Plainfield Rd to Cermak Toll: The entire median has been torn up and is beginning to be rebuilt. The remaining overhead gantries are down and the old pedestrian bridge near Ogden has been gone for a few months now. The Ogden ramp reconfiguration has also continued along.

Cermak-North Ave: The NB lanes are where the most changes have been noticed after driving it yesterday. The left 2 lanes (express) is still mostly the same save for a few new movements, but the right 3 lanes have seen some big changes. You can now only access Roosevelt Rd through the toll booth lanes only as a barrier now separates the mainline traffic from merging right. Only one lane now exits back to the mainline after the local Roosevelt lanes. The 294/290 locals are now up to 3 lanes the entire length with the right lane being an exit only to 290 west eventually. The EB 290 ramp is very janky atm with a surprise right turn with 2 signs saying "GO HERE" essentially. Reminds me how nasty the 95th St exit was going SB for awhile.

North of there everything still remains the same. The new SB 294-EB 290 ramp continues to be built.

North Ave-O'Hare Oasis: No major changes here. The visible I-490 JCT stuff has pretty much stopped for about half a year now but I'm sure there's been stuff going on below and not visible from 294.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on May 21, 2023, 01:09:12 AM
Update to the above post between Plainfield and Cermak. The median was torn out for roadway shifts as the entire east side of the highway (NB sections) get torn up and rebuilt. At Plainfield, 55th, and 31st the NB lanes split 2 left, 2 right around the bridge median piers. SB lanes remain shifted as they were earlier this year, though its now 4 lanes from Plainfield Rd to the I-55 bridge where it then becomes 5 lanes to 95th.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 30, 2023, 10:33:43 PM
Eastbound I-90 had another fatal multi-vehicle crash near the I-290/IL 53 interchange this week.  There was also a fatal multi-vehicle wreck in the same area this past April.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on July 04, 2023, 08:53:25 AM
Eastbound I-90 had another fatal multi-vehicle crash near the I-290/IL 53 interchange this week.  There was also a fatal multi-vehicle wreck in the same area this past April.

Looks like different circumstances.  One crash in an area is not necessarily comparable to another.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 10, 2023, 10:54:32 AM
The southern third of the Tri-State rebuild is almost done (95th to I-55). Last things that need to be finished that I noticed:

-Median rebuild between Willow Springs Rd/75th exit and Joliet Rd
-Reopening the EB Archer to SB 294 ramp
-Opening the new WB Archer to NB 294 ramp
-Completing the 88th Ave rebuild and opening those new ramps (exit NB, entrance SB)
-Final new asphalt between the Mile Long Bridge and I-55 once the lanes are switched back
-New signage and the overhead automated lane signals
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 11, 2023, 04:49:15 PM
Have they considered dismantling the toll booths?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 13, 2023, 07:03:08 PM
Have they considered dismantling the toll booths?

Many many moons ago (roughly 25 years ago) I worked for the ISTHA as a dispatcher. One of the things that was given to us during the training was a "collection book" that had a breakdown of what each plaza (ramp and mainline) collected. I wish I knew what I did with it. But anyway, back in 1998ish, the toll authority collected over 300 million in tolls in 1 year.  Pre-COVID, they collect almost 1.38 Billion in 2019. They will not give that up anytime soon since it pays for the maintenance and upgrades of the system.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 13, 2023, 07:12:10 PM
Have they considered dismantling the toll booths?

Many many moons ago (roughly 25 years ago) I worked for the ISTHA as a dispatcher. One of the things that was given to us during the training was a "collection book" that had a breakdown of what each plaza (ramp and mainline) collected. I wish I knew what I did with it. But anyway, back in 1998ish, the toll authority collected over 300 million in tolls in 1 year.  Pre-COVID, they collect almost 1.38 Billion in 2019. They will not give that up anytime soon since it pays for the maintenance and upgrades of the system.

@ Hobsini,

Did you work at ISTHA when they used 1 guy in a Ford Escort to go around and pick up the coins collected from all the booths?

I seem to recall the guy put on some 250k miles plus and had the rear shocks replaced several times due to carrying the weight of the coin for so many years.

After a major audit revealed the practice, they stopped using him and went to a bonded vendor.

Since you spent a few years there, just curious if you knew the guy.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on August 13, 2023, 07:12:37 PM
Have they considered dismantling the toll booths?

Many many moons ago (roughly 25 years ago) I worked for the ISTHA as a dispatcher. One of the things that was given to us during the training was a "collection book" that had a breakdown of what each plaza (ramp and mainline) collected. I wish I knew what I did with it. But anyway, back in 1998ish, the toll authority collected over 300 million in tolls in 1 year.  Pre-COVID, they collect almost 1.38 Billion in 2019. They will not give that up anytime soon since it pays for the maintenance and upgrades of the system.

I think SSOWorld meant dismantling the old cash lanes at the mainline plazas adjacent to the ORT lanes. They no longer serve any purpose (for the first few months after the tollway went cashless, they were useful for people who thought they had to go to the cash lanes where they could then read a sign saying it's cashless at slow speed or while stopped (I saw that a few times). But now, they serve no benefit.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 13, 2023, 07:18:48 PM
Have they considered dismantling the toll booths?

Many many moons ago (roughly 25 years ago) I worked for the ISTHA as a dispatcher. One of the things that was given to us during the training was a "collection book" that had a breakdown of what each plaza (ramp and mainline) collected. I wish I knew what I did with it. But anyway, back in 1998ish, the toll authority collected over 300 million in tolls in 1 year.  Pre-COVID, they collect almost 1.38 Billion in 2019. They will not give that up anytime soon since it pays for the maintenance and upgrades of the system.

@ Hobsini,

Did you work at ISTHA when they used 1 guy in a Ford Escort to go around and pick up the coins collected from all the booths?

I seem to recall the guy put on some 250k miles plus and had the rear shocks replaced several times due to carrying the weight of the coin for so many years.

After a major audit revealed the practice, they stopped using him and went to a bonded vendor.

Since you spent a few years there, just curious if you knew the guy.
I know of that story but I never knew the guy.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 13, 2023, 07:23:21 PM
Have they considered dismantling the toll booths?

Many many moons ago (roughly 25 years ago) I worked for the ISTHA as a dispatcher. One of the things that was given to us during the training was a "collection book" that had a breakdown of what each plaza (ramp and mainline) collected. I wish I knew what I did with it. But anyway, back in 1998ish, the toll authority collected over 300 million in tolls in 1 year.  Pre-COVID, they collect almost 1.38 Billion in 2019. They will not give that up anytime soon since it pays for the maintenance and upgrades of the system.

I think SSOWorld meant dismantling the old cash lanes at the mainline plazas adjacent to the ORT lanes. They no longer serve any purpose (for the first few months after the tollway went cashless, they were useful for people who thought they had to go to the cash lanes where they could then read a sign saying its cashless at slow speed or while stopped (I saw that a few times). But now, they serve no benefit.
Fair point. I would have to look into that. It probably was not on their visual horizon when the bids for the Tri-State widening went out. The bids I believe went out sometime around 2015. They only went cashless in response to COVID. Now it is no secret that they wanted to eliminate the jobs at the toll booths but they needed a legit excuse to do so. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 13, 2023, 09:58:59 PM
Have they considered dismantling the toll booths?

Many many moons ago (roughly 25 years ago) I worked for the ISTHA as a dispatcher. One of the things that was given to us during the training was a "collection book" that had a breakdown of what each plaza (ramp and mainline) collected. I wish I knew what I did with it. But anyway, back in 1998ish, the toll authority collected over 300 million in tolls in 1 year.  Pre-COVID, they collect almost 1.38 Billion in 2019. They will not give that up anytime soon since it pays for the maintenance and upgrades of the system.

@ Hobsini,

Did you work at ISTHA when they used 1 guy in a Ford Escort to go around and pick up the coins collected from all the booths?

I seem to recall the guy put on some 250k miles plus and had the rear shocks replaced several times due to carrying the weight of the coin for so many years.

After a major audit revealed the practice, they stopped using him and went to a bonded vendor.

Since you spent a few years there, just curious if you knew the guy.
I know of that story but I never knew the guy.

I remember when they interviewed him and he said the trip he dreaded the most was going out to Dixon in the winter time. The collection cages were always nearly empty, the wind would be blowing and if it was snowing, it took forever to get there and back.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 14, 2023, 11:34:46 AM
Have they considered dismantling the toll booths?

Many many moons ago (roughly 25 years ago) I worked for the ISTHA as a dispatcher. One of the things that was given to us during the training was a "collection book" that had a breakdown of what each plaza (ramp and mainline) collected. I wish I knew what I did with it. But anyway, back in 1998ish, the toll authority collected over 300 million in tolls in 1 year.  Pre-COVID, they collect almost 1.38 Billion in 2019. They will not give that up anytime soon since it pays for the maintenance and upgrades of the system.

@ Hobsini,

Did you work at ISTHA when they used 1 guy in a Ford Escort to go around and pick up the coins collected from all the booths?

I seem to recall the guy put on some 250k miles plus and had the rear shocks replaced several times due to carrying the weight of the coin for so many years.

After a major audit revealed the practice, they stopped using him and went to a bonded vendor.

Since you spent a few years there, just curious if you knew the guy.
I know of that story but I never knew the guy.

I remember when they interviewed him and he said the trip he dreaded the most was going out to Dixon in the winter time. The collection cages were always nearly empty, the wind would be blowing and if it was snowing, it took forever to get there and back.
Yeah Dixon was always a pain in the ass to dispatch vehicles to because our office/motor pool is at 355 & 88. A few years ago, while coming back from a storm chase in Iowa got a flat tire by the Dixon Toll Plaza. It took over 2 hours for the HELP truck to arrive.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on August 17, 2023, 04:55:10 PM
SB 294 got a big stage shift between Wolf Rd and I-88. There is a new lane split after the original one at North Ave (1 left, 3 right). At St. Charles Rd for the right 3 lanes, the left lane joins up with the left express, the two right lanes now go onto the new bridge for I-290 East and I-88 West and merge with the I-290 E to I-294 SB ramp. You can still access I-88 from the left 2 lanes, however its looking like we are beginning to see the early stages for the new CD section.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on August 17, 2023, 06:05:35 PM
SB 294 got a big stage shift between Wolf Rd and I-88. There is a new lane split after the original one at North Ave (1 left, 3 right). At St. Charles Rd for the right 3 lanes, the left lane joins up with the left express, the two right lanes now go onto the new bridge for I-290 East and I-88 West and merge with the I-290 E to I-294 SB ramp. You can still access I-88 from the left 2 lanes, however its looking like we are beginning to see the early stages for the new CD section.

Ahhhhhh, that's what that is. I drove 290 East to 294 South on the 6th, and those lanes were not open yet, and then I drove it again on the 12th, and they were open, but I wasn't able to figure out where they were coming from by looking at either a current map or a map of the final configuration. Now it makes sense.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 12, 2023, 05:43:46 AM
The Toll way wants comments for new capital projects .
Guess what may be back. ....
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 12, 2023, 07:37:51 AM
The Toll way wants comments for new capital projects .
Guess what may be back. ....
Rt 53/Lake County?

Illiana?

355->57?

I thought all those are dead
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 12, 2023, 09:37:03 AM
RT 53 was mentioned in  and article in The Daily Herald . It's about the next capital program .I have a tough time posting links here but Google news Illinois Toll way and 2 articles in the last couple of days should pop up.
If there is going to be public suggestions I am sure this forum will provide them.
Mine
53
Illiana
Outer belt
Mini crosstown
US 20
US 30 spur. The 10 mile spur off 88 on page 5 of Illinois Notes
Stevenson
Ike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 12, 2023, 04:08:14 PM
New stage change for the north-central section of 294 from last week

"Overnight Friday, October 6, lane closures will be scheduled starting at 8 p.m. on northbound I-294 between Grand Avenue and Wolf Road with traffic reduced to a single lane at times to complete the traffic shift. All lanes are scheduled to reopen by 5 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, with two lanes of northbound traffic shifted to the left with a work zone on the right. The two additional lanes of northbound traffic will remain on the southbound side in a counterflow configuration. Traffic is scheduled to remain in this configuration through summer of 2024. "
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Plutonic Panda on October 12, 2023, 05:08:39 PM
The Toll way wants comments for new capital projects .
Guess what may be back. ....
Rt 53/Lake County?

Illiana?

355->57?

I thought all those are dead
Hopefully all of them are revived.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 12, 2023, 09:36:03 PM
The Toll way wants comments for new capital projects .
Guess what may be back. ....

I have a feeling managed lanes with even higher tolls.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on October 12, 2023, 10:14:41 PM
The Toll way wants comments for new capital projects .
Guess what may be back. ....
Hypotenuse? ;)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 12, 2023, 10:24:02 PM
The Toll way wants comments for new capital projects .
Guess what may be back. ....
Hypotenuse? ;)
I almost brought up that excellent proposal…
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 13, 2023, 06:50:47 AM
How could I have not listed it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 13, 2023, 09:23:14 AM
From a ISTHA perspective, I guess I would want to see the following:

IL-390 US-20 (Lake Street) to IL-59
I-80 (near Morris) to I-65 in Indiana (Illiana)
Carbondale to the Metro East direct route (vs the planned gerrymander by IDOT)
US-20 (Freeport to Peosta IA) with new (proper) Mississippi Bridge south of Spanish Mines.

Not in scope:

I say avoid IL-53 for now. It's been too soon since the last review. The locals need to suffer more years of traffic jams to realize they created the sprawl themselves, not the highway.
US-67 from Jerseyville to Galesburg (or Macomb). Any 4 lane in this area is dubious in value as it is and dates back to a vision laid out in the early 1960's.
While IL-336 is dead between Peoria and Macomb I did consider some kind of facility via Canton to Macomb to connect to a future update to US-67. The toll would have to be pretty low however.

I am curious how some states are able to build non-connected, medium distance toll roads, but Illinois doesn't. The new Fox River bridge in Kane County will require I-Pass, but is not under ISTHA.

With electronic tolling becoming prevalent nationally, I would think Illinois could take advantage of it by building more short or intermediate distance toll roads.

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 13, 2023, 01:34:13 PM
The Tollway did study the 24 extension and the Chicago KC. They were both big money losers.
20 however makes sense if they could get all of it. And they could do a 188 spur if they got more of 88.

I think Illinia plus an Outer belt to 90
And a mini crosstown from Kennedy to Stevenson. Aim for a 4 lane with 60000 s day and a high toll. Provides a North South and diverts from the crazy heavy downtown strech.
And the article specifically mentioned 53 and the Bears . Revive the thread from fictional.
And of course I am sure they want the news lanes on the IKe and Stevenson
Also agree on Elgin Ohare.
I Also would look at the Ike Stevenson connector on some rail lines near Western Ave.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on October 13, 2023, 04:16:56 PM
I kind of doubt any new toll roads will be built after IL 390 and Interstate 490 are completed. Maybe more toll lanes could be added to Chicago’s freeway system.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 13, 2023, 05:15:27 PM
I didn't think so either until I read the Daily Herald article.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Quimby on October 13, 2023, 07:05:27 PM
My top choice would be to revive the 53 extension north of Lake Cook Rd, but I agree with the poster above that it's too soon after the most recent failure.  Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods are rich and powerful enough to send any new attempt down to defeat yet again.  Maybe someday in the distant future if the ROW isn't sold off.  So, here's my wish list:

- Rte 120 tollway (de-linked from the broader 53 project) from I-94 to US 12. 
- Extend IL 390 to North Ave/Lake St. (beyond that, i can't imagine it ever being extended all the way to Rte. 59)
- Tolled lanes on Stevenson and Ike
- Illiana (the current I-80 from the 294 junction to the IN Toll Road junction is just brutal)

Someone above mentioned extending 355 to I-57, but is there land still available for that?  Certainly not at the current 355 terminus at I-80. 
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 13, 2023, 08:57:50 PM
My top choice would be to revive the 53 extension north of Lake Cook Rd, but I agree with the poster above that it's too soon after the most recent failure.  Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods are rich and powerful enough to send any new attempt down to defeat yet again.  Maybe someday in the distant future if the ROW isn't sold off.  So, here's my wish list:

- Rte 120 tollway (de-linked from the broader 53 project) from I-94 to US 12. 
- Extend IL 390 to North Ave/Lake St. (beyond that, i can't imagine it ever being extended all the way to Rte. 59)
- Tolled lanes on Stevenson and Ike
- Illiana (the current I-80 from the 294 junction to the IN Toll Road junction is just brutal)

Someone above mentioned extending 355 to I-57, but is there land still available for that?  Certainly not at the current 355 terminus at I-80.
Without knowing who owns what property, the only corridor I see possible to get south of I-80 is at Gougar Rd. Some warehouses and a church would have to go bye-bye, and it would take some snaking around Lincoln-Way West HS, but that is about the only even theoretical corridor off I-80

Due south at the existing 355/80 interchange would only be possible taking out multiple subdivisions or tunnelling, neither of which I see happening. A short I-80 multiplex west and south was considered a possibility at one point, to then continue southeast towards I-57, theoretically near Peotone or so
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 13, 2023, 09:11:48 PM
Depending on what happens with the South Suburban/Peotone Airport, an upgrade/extension of IL 394 could be added.  There might even be enough issues with IL 394 already to justify handing it over and letting ISTHA add interchanges. 

Maybe tie the IL 394 upgrades into an shorter Illiana too.  There also seems to be an awful lot of truck traffic already using the IL 17/IN 2 corridor (with the newish truck stop at Grant Park being fairly busy the other day for not being near an interstate).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 14, 2023, 06:58:14 AM
That's where the new EV factory is going to be and IL 17 was the original location of the Illiana in the original supplemental freeway corridors.
Also instead of full US 20 I might suggest just a Galena Bypass as a test along with the 188 spur. No big risk for them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 14, 2023, 02:17:26 PM
My top choice would be to revive the 53 extension north of Lake Cook Rd, but I agree with the poster above that it's too soon after the most recent failure.  Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods are rich and powerful enough to send any new attempt down to defeat yet again.  Maybe someday in the distant future if the ROW isn't sold off.  So, here's my wish list:

- Rte 120 tollway (de-linked from the broader 53 project) from I-94 to US 12. 
- Extend IL 390 to North Ave/Lake St. (beyond that, i can't imagine it ever being extended all the way to Rte. 59)
- Tolled lanes on Stevenson and Ike
- Illiana (the current I-80 from the 294 junction to the IN Toll Road junction is just brutal)

Someone above mentioned extending 355 to I-57, but is there land still available for that?  Certainly not at the current 355 terminus at I-80.

As for US-20 (Elgin-OHare) west to Elgin proper, IDOT owns all the ROW as far IL-59 except for the commercial properties at Oak Street in Bartlett to make it a limited access highway with frontage roads. So it isn't an issue of enough land or ROW at this point.

West of IL-59, at the last public hearing 20 some years ago 3 commercial property owners were pretty noisy about the whole thing.  2 car dealers on the north side and Villa Olivia resort on the south where it meets Naperville Road.

Also the residents and a local fire district for the adjoining subdivisions wanted a guaranteed east-west frontage road which IDOT said would require more taking of private property.

Since IDOT couldn't get funding, the issue has been pretty low key.

My take is make it a tollroad as far west as the CN railroad overpass. IDOT wants to redo the whole Villa Street/Bluff City section anyway.

Since IL-390 is already connected to the toll "grid", I assume this add on would be easier, more manageable and fits into IDOT's long term goals for US-20.

That's as much as I will go into it otherwise it gets too fictional.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 14, 2023, 02:22:10 PM
That's where the new EV factory is going to be and IL 17 was the original location of the Illiana in the original supplemental freeway corridors.
Also instead of full US 20 I might suggest just a Galena Bypass as a test along with the 188 spur. No big risk for them.

For the I-188 spur are you talking about US-30 to Clinton, Iowa?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 14, 2023, 07:17:24 PM
Yes. I would call it fictional but the tollway is openly talking 53 and asking for suggestions so let's give them some.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on October 14, 2023, 07:57:13 PM
My top 5 suggestions for the Tollway to pursue, if I'm understanding all this, in no particular order:
As for the Galena Bypass, I hesitate to think that would work. If you tolled something like that, I'm not sure you'd get enough revenue to justify its construction. The existing highway is bad, but I think drivers would find it's also "good enough" when compared to a tolled route.

Actually, I just had another idea. I've thought about submitting a suggestion to the Tollway about this, but I think they need to consider looking into ramp metering. Certain interchanges I see just dump cars onto the highway and it really isn't great during rush hour. It's not needed everywhere, but at certain locations (i.e., Dempster Ave on-ramps on I-294).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 14, 2023, 09:52:07 PM
As for the Galena Bypass, I hesitate to think that would work. If you tolled something like that, I'm not sure you'd get enough revenue to justify its construction. The existing highway is bad, but I think drivers would find it's also "good enough" when compared to a tolled route.

Probably depends on the day and how much the toll is for the bypass.  Some of my past trips through Galena have been unpleasant enough to make WI 11 look more appealing over US 20.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 15, 2023, 09:56:30 AM
I am sure there will be public comments when they begin the 15 month study. I hope everyone makes suggestions .I was just looking at the tri state rebuild on Ch 7 stream. That's a whole new road along with 490. We might be suggesting rounding errors with the 53 and outer belt .
There really isn't a lot of full access control downstate besides 20 /Galena 30 spur and Jerseyville and a Peoria belt.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mvak36 on October 16, 2023, 04:10:33 PM
RT 53 was mentioned in  and article in The Daily Herald . It's about the next capital program .I have a tough time posting links here but Google news Illinois Toll way and 2 articles in the last couple of days should pop up.
If there is going to be public suggestions I am sure this forum will provide them.
Mine
53
Illiana
Outer belt
Mini crosstown
US 20
US 30 spur. The 10 mile spur off 88 on page 5 of Illinois Notes
Stevenson
Ike

I think I might have found the article you were referring to: https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20231007/illinois-tollway-launches-new-strategic-and-capital-plan-process-seeks-input

Quote
Among the project ideas being floated for the tollway to undertake is Route 53 improvements if the Chicago Bears move to Arlington Heights.

Apologies if someone already posted this.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on October 16, 2023, 04:38:27 PM
Sounds like that has more to do with improving the existing section of IL-53 from I-90 to Lake Cook rather than any sort of extension. I'd welcome that, as IL-53 is in bad shape there. Lots of cloverleaves, bad mainline which is presumably reaching End-of-Life, and deteriorated bridge structures/approaches. They are some of the worst I've driven, and only continue to get worse.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 16, 2023, 05:20:09 PM
I don't think they could transfer route 53 to the tollway  unless they do the extension.
It was floated before as part of the extension and dropped.

Thanks for posting the article.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Ellie on October 16, 2023, 06:07:43 PM
My top 5 suggestions for the Tollway to pursue, if I'm understanding all this, in no particular order:
  • Illiana. Would help to relieve a bottleneck on one of the nation's most important highway corridors and provide a desperately needed alternative to the Borman.

Would the Illiana actually help much? Maybe I'm missing something but the route seems to be too far to the south to be of much use to anyone unless they're coming from southwest of Chicago to northeast of it. That seems to be a very small minority of Borman traffic, though. If it went to Michigan City and Morris I could see it as more of a Chicagoland bypass, but the originally planned-route seems very insufficient.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: TheCatalyst31 on October 16, 2023, 06:50:07 PM
My top 5 suggestions for the Tollway to pursue, if I'm understanding all this, in no particular order:
  • Illiana. Would help to relieve a bottleneck on one of the nation's most important highway corridors and provide a desperately needed alternative to the Borman.

Would the Illiana actually help much? Maybe I'm missing something but the route seems to be too far to the south to be of much use to anyone unless they're coming from southwest of Chicago to northeast of it. That seems to be a very small minority of Borman traffic, though. If it went to Michigan City and Morris I could see it as more of a Chicagoland bypass, but the originally planned-route seems very insufficient.

It would probably pick up some of the Chicago-Indianapolis traffic. The Borman is usually the worst part of that drive, and I bet a lot of drivers would pay a toll to avoid it. (Yes, there's already the Skyway, but you have to deal with downtown Chicago traffic to take that.)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rothman on October 16, 2023, 06:52:00 PM
My top 5 suggestions for the Tollway to pursue, if I'm understanding all this, in no particular order:
  • Illiana. Would help to relieve a bottleneck on one of the nation's most important highway corridors and provide a desperately needed alternative to the Borman.

Would the Illiana actually help much? Maybe I'm missing something but the route seems to be too far to the south to be of much use to anyone unless they're coming from southwest of Chicago to northeast of it. That seems to be a very small minority of Borman traffic, though. If it went to Michigan City and Morris I could see it as more of a Chicagoland bypass, but the originally planned-route seems very insufficient.
To answer the question: Yes.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 17, 2023, 08:01:34 PM
Illiana from I-80 (Morris) to I-65 (North of Dinwiddie) would probably relieve the Borman from logistics traffic coming out of the 2 global rail yards south of Joliet that need to go to Indy or Danville.  I always thought the Illiana shouldn't end at I-65 but go all the way to Wanatah (US-30 & US-231)  But that is not a ISTHA issue. Indiana sold their toll authority, but could open a bid out to Veolis or another construct/operate consortium for that part. For a complete Borman bypass Indiana would have to leverage the US-20 work at South Bend, but I digress.

I guess I will bite on the tollway and IL-53 for now. To get as far north as IL-22, they (ISTHA) are going to have to do alot of cut and fill and then lower the road with a cut and large fencing, similar to what I-355 does from US-34 (Ogden Ave.) to Hobson Road. I remember the public hearings on I-355 and the people in Downers Grove and Woodridge were more worried about noise pollution. So ISTHA decided to do a cut or sunken highway through that area with lots of trees and high fences to deal with the noise. It worked. The people who live nearby don't complain and even after they added a third lane on each side, the noise was kept manageable.

What I mean by a "cut and fill" on the Lake-Cook end, is simply cut out the wetlands with a deep trench and build a park/forest/trails over the highway. Yes, its expensive, but I don't see any other way to placate the green nimby's other that simply doing what Seattle and some other cities do...."bury the highway" and make the end result even better than what was there before. The only worry I would have is that everyone all the way to IL-120 would want that too. That is just not practical. Stop the cut and fill somewhere near Old IL-53 so it can cross Buffalo Creek.

I do think if they just come out and say they will replace the greenspace, people won't be so objecting. If people make the "sprawl" argument, I would be blunt and say "too late" the sprawl came with out us and now we have to deal with it.

For US-20 to work as a tollroad it would have to add some transporation value other than simply removing the danger of the geometry beyond Galena. That why I believe for the tolls to work it needs a new bridge across the Mississippi and line up with the beltway Iowa is building for Dubuque. Dubuque wants another bridge for downtown, I think that is a waste. Essentially a new toll bridge with limited access back to Freeport.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 17, 2023, 09:07:02 PM
Illiana from I-80 (Morris) to I-65 (North of Dinwiddie) would probably relieve the Borman from logistics traffic coming out of the 2 global rail yards south of Joliet that need to go to Indy or Danville.  I always thought the Illiana shouldn't end at I-65 but go all the way to Wanatah (US-30 & US-231)  But that is not a ISTHA issue. Indiana sold their toll authority, but could open a bid out to Veolis or another construct/operate consortium for that part. For a complete Borman bypass Indiana would have to leverage the US-20 work at South Bend, but I digress.
and Indiana will need to have high speed gateless tolling

also what about building an toll I-394 from I-94/I-294 to to the Illiana as well?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on October 17, 2023, 10:10:22 PM
Has anyone heard about the Burnham Highway proposal? It seems like it is a successor to the Illiana Expressway. Its website is here: https://www.greatlakesbasintransportation.com/burnhamhighway.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 18, 2023, 12:28:12 PM
Has anyone heard about the Burnham Highway proposal? It seems like it is a successor to the Illiana Expressway. Its website is here: https://www.greatlakesbasintransportation.com/burnhamhighway.
That is the same group that proposed to build an outer rail belt around the Chicago region and into Indiana and Wisconsin.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 18, 2023, 07:13:27 PM
Has anyone heard about the Burnham Highway proposal? It seems like it is a successor to the Illiana Expressway. Its website is here: https://www.greatlakesbasintransportation.com/burnhamhighway.
That is the same group that proposed to build an outer rail belt around the Chicago region and into Indiana and Wisconsin.

Hopefully they have more money in the bank this time.  When the rail proposal went up for review, they had just over $300 in their checking account. That caused a PR nightmare.

As for the highway it seems to be pretty close to my pitch for a "Illiana Extended" but they go all the way to Michigan City.

I get what these guys are trying to achieve from a highway perspective and it makes total sense, airport or not.

I don't want to get to far into a tangent, but that rail proposal was rejected by every Class 1 railroad. To be blunt, they meet in Chicago for a reason. Nuff said.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on October 20, 2023, 07:37:17 AM
Has anyone heard about the Burnham Highway proposal? It seems like it is a successor to the Illiana Expressway. Its website is here: https://www.greatlakesbasintransportation.com/burnhamhighway (https://www.greatlakesbasintransportation.com/burnhamhighway).

I like that proposed routing. This feels like something that travelers on I-80 could use to bypass Chicagoland altogether and not have it be too inconvenient distance-wise. And it still looks reasonable to use from I-55 and I-57. Too bad this most likely will never happen, at least not to this extent...
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on October 20, 2023, 09:46:28 AM
(https://static.wixstatic.com/media/bf8723_e58f0cd53b9c49e78542afd9ffdfe591~mv2_d_5101_3877_s_4_2.png/v1/crop/x_0,y_102,w_5101,h_3119/fill/w_1003,h_613,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/GLBTBuildMap_Highway_121219.png)

Close to what the Illiana should've looked like.
Probably will meet the same fate. :(
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 20, 2023, 12:51:56 PM
When I say outer belt I take it up to to 90 . Probably same fate but never hurts to make a comment when they take them
I did include projects where ROW could be obtained like the outer belt 53 and a mini crosstown or western ave where there is railroad.
It's tough to find anything else.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on October 20, 2023, 01:08:13 PM
I agree that is very unlikely this Burnham Highway will ever be built. It is likely just the pipe dream of an advocacy group, and not a legitimate proposal like the Illiana Expressway was.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on October 20, 2023, 02:35:42 PM
The website for the proposal has little to no information about who's behind the effort. I mean, one of us individually could put something like this together and pose as an advocacy group.

The railroad effort used to have a daydream about making it into Wisconsin, but it appears that's no longer being proposed.
.(https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/glbtmap.png)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on October 20, 2023, 02:39:56 PM
The website for the proposal has little to no information about who's behind the effort. I mean, one of us individually could put something like this together and pose as an advocacy group.

This website?  https://www.greatlakesbasintransportation.com/leadership
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on October 21, 2023, 03:18:35 PM
The website for the proposal has little to no information about who's behind the effort. I mean, one of us individually could put something like this together and pose as an advocacy group.

This website?  https://www.greatlakesbasintransportation.com/leadership

Quickest way to get the correct answer: Be wrong on the internet. ;-)

Thanks for the assist!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on October 28, 2023, 04:30:09 PM
Was on 294 SB last night and there was a stage change between North Ave and I-88/290. No more express lane SB, we're on new pavement between North Ave and St. Charles Rd.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 31, 2023, 01:35:13 PM
Illiana from I-80 (Morris) to I-65 (North of Dinwiddie) would probably relieve the Borman from logistics traffic coming out of the 2 global rail yards south of Joliet that need to go to Indy or Danville.  I always thought the Illiana shouldn't end at I-65 but go all the way to Wanatah (US-30 & US-231)  But that is not a ISTHA issue. Indiana sold their toll authority, but could open a bid out to Veolis or another construct/operate consortium for that part. For a complete Borman bypass Indiana would have to leverage the US-20 work at South Bend, but I digress.

I guess I will bite on the tollway and IL-53 for now. To get as far north as IL-22, they (ISTHA) are going to have to do alot of cut and fill and then lower the road with a cut and large fencing, similar to what I-355 does from US-34 (Ogden Ave.) to Hobson Road. I remember the public hearings on I-355 and the people in Downers Grove and Woodridge were more worried about noise pollution. So ISTHA decided to do a cut or sunken highway through that area with lots of trees and high fences to deal with the noise. It worked. The people who live nearby don't complain and even after they added a third lane on each side, the noise was kept manageable.

What I mean by a "cut and fill" on the Lake-Cook end, is simply cut out the wetlands with a deep trench and build a park/forest/trails over the highway. Yes, its expensive, but I don't see any other way to placate the green nimby's other that simply doing what Seattle and some other cities do...."bury the highway" and make the end result even better than what was there before. The only worry I would have is that everyone all the way to IL-120 would want that too. That is just not practical. Stop the cut and fill somewhere near Old IL-53 so it can cross Buffalo Creek.

I do think if they just come out and say they will replace the greenspace, people won't be so objecting. If people make the "sprawl" argument, I would be blunt and say "too late" the sprawl came with out us and now we have to deal with it.

For US-20 to work as a tollroad it would have to add some transporation value other than simply removing the danger of the geometry beyond Galena. That why I believe for the tolls to work it needs a new bridge across the Mississippi and line up with the beltway Iowa is building for Dubuque. Dubuque wants another bridge for downtown, I think that is a waste. Essentially a new toll bridge with limited access back to Freeport.
and then the end of freeport bypass to start rockford bypass part?
toll the freeport bypass?
toll the rockford bypass?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on October 31, 2023, 01:43:42 PM
Illiana from I-80 (Morris) to I-65 (North of Dinwiddie) would probably relieve the Borman from logistics traffic coming out of the 2 global rail yards south of Joliet that need to go to Indy or Danville.  I always thought the Illiana shouldn't end at I-65 but go all the way to Wanatah (US-30 & US-231)  But that is not a ISTHA issue. Indiana sold their toll authority, but could open a bid out to Veolis or another construct/operate consortium for that part. For a complete Borman bypass Indiana would have to leverage the US-20 work at South Bend, but I digress.

I guess I will bite on the tollway and IL-53 for now. To get as far north as IL-22, they (ISTHA) are going to have to do alot of cut and fill and then lower the road with a cut and large fencing, similar to what I-355 does from US-34 (Ogden Ave.) to Hobson Road. I remember the public hearings on I-355 and the people in Downers Grove and Woodridge were more worried about noise pollution. So ISTHA decided to do a cut or sunken highway through that area with lots of trees and high fences to deal with the noise. It worked. The people who live nearby don't complain and even after they added a third lane on each side, the noise was kept manageable.

What I mean by a "cut and fill" on the Lake-Cook end, is simply cut out the wetlands with a deep trench and build a park/forest/trails over the highway. Yes, its expensive, but I don't see any other way to placate the green nimby's other that simply doing what Seattle and some other cities do...."bury the highway" and make the end result even better than what was there before. The only worry I would have is that everyone all the way to IL-120 would want that too. That is just not practical. Stop the cut and fill somewhere near Old IL-53 so it can cross Buffalo Creek.

I do think if they just come out and say they will replace the greenspace, people won't be so objecting. If people make the "sprawl" argument, I would be blunt and say "too late" the sprawl came with out us and now we have to deal with it.

For US-20 to work as a tollroad it would have to add some transporation value other than simply removing the danger of the geometry beyond Galena. That why I believe for the tolls to work it needs a new bridge across the Mississippi and line up with the beltway Iowa is building for Dubuque. Dubuque wants another bridge for downtown, I think that is a waste. Essentially a new toll bridge with limited access back to Freeport.
and then the end of freeport bypass to start rockford bypass part?
toll the freeport bypass?
toll the rockford bypass?

Given IDOT's usual lack of maintenance on the Rockford bypass, I'd be in favor of tolling the whole thing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rothman on October 31, 2023, 04:59:15 PM
Illiana from I-80 (Morris) to I-65 (North of Dinwiddie) would probably relieve the Borman from logistics traffic coming out of the 2 global rail yards south of Joliet that need to go to Indy or Danville.  I always thought the Illiana shouldn't end at I-65 but go all the way to Wanatah (US-30 & US-231)  But that is not a ISTHA issue. Indiana sold their toll authority, but could open a bid out to Veolis or another construct/operate consortium for that part. For a complete Borman bypass Indiana would have to leverage the US-20 work at South Bend, but I digress.

I guess I will bite on the tollway and IL-53 for now. To get as far north as IL-22, they (ISTHA) are going to have to do alot of cut and fill and then lower the road with a cut and large fencing, similar to what I-355 does from US-34 (Ogden Ave.) to Hobson Road. I remember the public hearings on I-355 and the people in Downers Grove and Woodridge were more worried about noise pollution. So ISTHA decided to do a cut or sunken highway through that area with lots of trees and high fences to deal with the noise. It worked. The people who live nearby don't complain and even after they added a third lane on each side, the noise was kept manageable.

What I mean by a "cut and fill" on the Lake-Cook end, is simply cut out the wetlands with a deep trench and build a park/forest/trails over the highway. Yes, its expensive, but I don't see any other way to placate the green nimby's other that simply doing what Seattle and some other cities do...."bury the highway" and make the end result even better than what was there before. The only worry I would have is that everyone all the way to IL-120 would want that too. That is just not practical. Stop the cut and fill somewhere near Old IL-53 so it can cross Buffalo Creek.

I do think if they just come out and say they will replace the greenspace, people won't be so objecting. If people make the "sprawl" argument, I would be blunt and say "too late" the sprawl came with out us and now we have to deal with it.

For US-20 to work as a tollroad it would have to add some transporation value other than simply removing the danger of the geometry beyond Galena. That why I believe for the tolls to work it needs a new bridge across the Mississippi and line up with the beltway Iowa is building for Dubuque. Dubuque wants another bridge for downtown, I think that is a waste. Essentially a new toll bridge with limited access back to Freeport.
and then the end of freeport bypass to start rockford bypass part?
toll the freeport bypass?
toll the rockford bypass?

Given IDOT's usual lack of maintenance on the Rockford bypass, I'd be in favor of tolling the whole thing.
So you can pay more and they still don't maintain it?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on October 31, 2023, 05:34:46 PM
I think you would have to toll it all including a bridge or just do something limited like Galena. When they take comments I will give them plenty.
How likely probably not but it never hurts to ask.
The tollway is pretty well maintained.
Also it attracted a new Cultivated Meat plant at the old all state location. Easy access to the tri state is a selling point .
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 31, 2023, 05:38:32 PM
I think you would have to toll it all including a bridge or just do something limited like Galena. When they take comments I will give them plenty.
How likely probably not but it never hurts to ask.
The tollway is pretty well maintained.
Also it attracted a new Cultivated Meat plant at the old all state location. Easy access to the tri state is a selling point .
The IL Tollway maintains the roads under its jurisdiction to a higher standard, mostly because they don't have the indemnification limits through the state Court of Claims like IDOT does.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on October 31, 2023, 06:00:55 PM
So you can pay more and they still don't maintain it?

ISTHA tollways and IDOT freeways in Illinois are like night and day. Drive the Edens or Stevenson and compare them to the Tri-State or I-355.

If tolling more highways is the only way we get new and/or better highways, toll the whole system. It's sad that that's where we're at, but that's what it is.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 31, 2023, 08:14:42 PM
So you can pay more and they still don't maintain it?

ISTHA tollways and IDOT freeways in Illinois are like night and day. Drive the Edens or Stevenson and compare them to the Tri-State or I-355.

If tolling more highways is the only way we get new and/or better highways, toll the whole system. It's sad that that's where we're at, but that's what it is.

Why just "one" toll authority in Illinois?

Some states have many, I think Florida has at least 5.

If you want to unleash better roads in Illinois, allow more toll authorities.

For those who ask, yes, I remember the Skyway.

ISTHA shed their section bonding limitations years ago and can finance the entire network as an entire system.




Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on October 31, 2023, 10:03:11 PM
For US-20 to work as a tollroad it would have to add some transporation value other than simply removing the danger of the geometry beyond Galena. That why I believe for the tolls to work it needs a new bridge across the Mississippi and line up with the beltway Iowa is building for Dubuque. Dubuque wants another bridge for downtown, I think that is a waste. Essentially a new toll bridge with limited access back to Freeport.

Also, the numbers need to work, which is probably why this hasn't happened yet.

Between Dubuque and Galena AADT counts on US-20 (from 2021) are 18,700 vpd on the existing Julien Dubuque Bridge, dropping to 14,000 vpd at the IL-35 split, and leveling off around 10,000 vpd coming into Galena. It dips as low as 3600 vpd between Galena and Stockton before recovering to 8600 vpd at the west Bus US-20 intersection outside Freeport. The Freeport bypass carries between 6000 and 8000 vpd, rising to 14,000 east of the east Bus US-20 interchange, and eventually to 18,000 vpd before the west Bus US-20 interchange outside Rockford.

Not sure if ISTHA has the appetite to build 90+ miles of new tollway and a 4-lane toll bridge to Iowa, based on those traffic counts. I suspect tourist travel to Galena could nudge weekend numbers higher, and a 4-lane straight shot to Chicago from Iowa could pull some additional traffic. The terrain between Dubuque and Freeport limits the options for alternatives (but drives up construction costs). If they plow up one of the sides of the 4-lane sections for new tollway and revert the remaining side to frontage road, it would stand a better chance.

Just tolling the roadway and bridge to tie SW Arterial Corridor into US-20 on the IL side might fly. But without a high-quality modern roadway connecting it to Freeport it's not going to pull a lot of thru-traffic.

As I expressed before, Iowa would expedite whatever work they needed to do to tie into a modern 4-lane US-20 connecting Dubuque to Rockford (and on to Chicago). But Illinois has a lot of needs, and despite the abysmal safety record of the vintage 2-lane US-20 between Galena and Freeport, the (lack of) outrage or of a suitably-connected politician greasing the wheels means 4-laning US-20 is going nowhere fast.

More (note both of these study websites are quite vintage):
https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/us-20-galena-bypass (https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/us-20-galena-bypass)
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/us20-freeport (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/us20-freeport)


Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on November 01, 2023, 06:57:55 AM
Given IDOT's usual lack of maintenance on the Rockford bypass, I'd be in favor of tolling the whole thing.
So you can pay more and they still don't maintain it?

ISTHA has far better roads than IDOT.  I've never driven on a tollway where I'm afraid I'm going to break a rim or get a flat just because I was changing lanes.  I have on IDOT freeways.

Compare I-88: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RTR99YVy72zg87wo7
To I-39: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TehaagYexYb4ZR2y7
And US-20: https://maps.app.goo.gl/H5FvhuAwf4PgFfab8
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on November 01, 2023, 02:55:25 PM
Given IDOT's usual lack of maintenance on the Rockford bypass, I'd be in favor of tolling the whole thing.
So you can pay more and they still don't maintain it?

ISTHA has far better roads than IDOT.  I've never driven on a tollway where I'm afraid I'm going to break a rim or get a flat just because I was changing lanes.  I have on IDOT freeways.

Compare I-88: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RTR99YVy72zg87wo7
To I-39: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TehaagYexYb4ZR2y7
And US-20: https://maps.app.goo.gl/H5FvhuAwf4PgFfab8

Agreed, I-94 in Lake County, IL (Tri-State Tollway) was one of the very BEST major highways that I was even on when I last drove it about ten years or so ago (it had been upgraded to eight lanes and repaved a year earlier).  Compare that with most IDOT owned and maintained 'free' interstates.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on November 14, 2023, 07:01:50 PM
NB Tri-State is effectively closed at 95th St right now for a wreck. Wreckers are on the scene trying to clear

NBC-5 Chicago Chopper is on scene. Nice imagery of the new NB mile long bridge, but traffic is backed up to 127th St/Cicero

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/northbound-lanes-of-i-294-closed-near-75th-st-due-to-fully-engulfed-fire-involving-car-hauler/3278026/

Some of the chopper footage showed drivers using the new Cork Ave exit to get off the blocked tollway. No idea if that exit is legitimately open yet. GSV on Cork Ave is 3 months old and pavement work on the ramp appears complete as of the GSV car
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on November 14, 2023, 08:25:32 PM
NB Tri-State is effectively closed at 95th St right now for a wreck. Wreckers are on the scene trying to clear

NBC-5 Chicago Chopper is on scene. Nice imagery of the new NB mile long bridge, but traffic is backed up to 127th St/Cicero

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/northbound-lanes-of-i-294-closed-near-75th-st-due-to-fully-engulfed-fire-involving-car-hauler/3278026/

Some of the chopper footage showed drivers using the new Cork Ave exit to get off the blocked tollway. No idea if that exit is legitimately open yet. GSV on Cork Ave is 3 months old and pavement work on the ramp appears complete as of the GSV car

Twitter with video: https://twitter.com/NeilFiorito/status/1724564219805221233
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: StogieGuy7 on November 15, 2023, 01:08:05 PM

Agreed, I-94 in Lake County, IL (Tri-State Tollway) was one of the very BEST major highways that I was even on when I last drove it about ten years or so ago (it had been upgraded to eight lanes and repaved a year earlier).  Compare that with most IDOT owned and maintained 'free' interstates.

Mike

Still is the case, you can honestly go 85-90 mph and it's still a smooth ride because that road is so good.  In contrast to the Edens (if you follow 94), which is inconsistent and not nearly at the same level of build quality.  FWIW, I 94 north of the Cheddar Curtain (unnecessarily diplexed with I 41) is almost as good as to Tollway. The only thing that WisDOT skimped on was the interchanges, which are mostly still simple diamonds with waaaaay too many mistimed traffic signals controlling them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 19, 2023, 05:46:49 PM
That whole stretch from the 80/294 JCT to Milwaukee on 294/94 is gonna be one of the smoothest rides in the region once the central project is complete
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on November 20, 2023, 08:17:56 PM
May as well admit it too: Since I normally use the ISTHA tollways to get into Chicago like I did today, this is one of the very few highways that I'd gladly pay to drive on, since they are better-maintained than the IDOT freeways/expressways. Sort of like a Jekyll and Hyde thing they have out here.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on November 24, 2023, 11:02:46 AM
I was watching the tollway cameras on Ch. 7 stream. Is the center lane at Balmoral exceptionally wide . I just saw a car next to a semi both inside the center lane?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on November 24, 2023, 11:49:17 AM
I see Google maps is updated and it widens for the split at 90 But it seems to be wide quite a long way before.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 24, 2023, 07:05:26 PM
I was watching the tollway cameras on Ch. 7 stream. Is the center lane at Balmoral exceptionally wide . I just saw a car next to a semi both inside the center lane?

Not that I've noticed when I drive it once a week, was it NB or SB lanes?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 3467 on November 25, 2023, 09:54:00 AM
Northbound right before or after Balmoral. .It's widening out before the split with 90. It seems they are starting it early.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on November 26, 2023, 09:05:10 PM
Northbound right before or after Balmoral. .It's widening out before the split with 90. It seems they are starting it early.

Ahh yeah I've always been in that lane to get ready for the Touhy exit or to get off for I-90. It does get pretty wide in that middle lane.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KMOX4 on December 03, 2023, 10:11:19 PM
Not sure if anybody notices this, but anyone going north near 163rd ST on I-294 NB, The Toll Plaza is Missing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on December 03, 2023, 11:11:22 PM
Not sure if anybody notices this, but anyone going north near 163rd ST on I-294 NB, The Toll Plaza is Missing.

Spot is going to be truck parking
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on December 04, 2023, 06:30:46 AM
Not sure if anybody notices this, but anyone going north near 163rd ST on I-294 NB, The Toll Plaza is Missing.

Spot is going to be truck parking

That's probably the best thing for a lot of the former manual lanes.  This state has a serious dearth of truck parking, and converting these can help alleviate it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 04, 2023, 08:29:22 PM
Not sure if anybody notices this, but anyone going north near 163rd ST on I-294 NB, The Toll Plaza is Missing.

Spot is going to be truck parking

That's probably the best thing for a lot of the former manual lanes.  This state has a serious dearth of truck parking, and converting these can help alleviate it.
Given that they banned parking on the Oasis ramps....

with good reason.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on December 19, 2023, 03:29:22 PM
We have a new shift on NB 294.

Two right lanes are now the locals for the Hinsdale Oasis, Ogden Ave, and I-88.
Two left lanes are express from Plainfield Rd to Cermak.
Split begins before the I-55 ramp

Also new signage has been put up on the NB side of the Mile Long Bridge, work continues along at the 290/88 JCT which is just a black hole of gridlock these days, and they are moving dirt to begin the eventual ramp climb to NB 490 from NB 294 to meet up with the already present steel beams hanging over the side of SB 294.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on January 01, 2024, 12:32:32 PM
We are on new concrete from Plainfield Road to Cermak Rd on NB-294, including some new signage as well. Work has now shifted to the middle, SB 294 lanes remain the same in this section.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on January 01, 2024, 05:22:58 PM
Not sure if anybody notices this, but anyone going north near 163rd ST on I-294 NB, The Toll Plaza is Missing.
The SB plaza is now gone at that point as of Saturday 12/30/2023

Spot is going to be truck parking

That's probably the best thing for a lot of the former manual lanes.  This state has a serious dearth of truck parking, and converting these can help alleviate it.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Quimby on January 11, 2024, 01:12:07 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: wanderer2575 on January 11, 2024, 01:45:27 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

Nothing said about out-of-state I-PASS owners.  I assumed (perhaps in error) that previously ISTHA mailed a new transponder when the current one expires.  I live outside of Detroit; I don't want to have to drive to Chicago to get a sticker when my transponder expires later this year.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 11, 2024, 01:48:03 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

Nothing said about out-of-state I-PASS owners.  I assumed (perhaps in error) that previously ISTHA mailed a new transponder when the current one expires.  I live outside of Detroit; I don't want to have to drive to Chicago to get a sticker when my transponder expires later this year.

Nope. When my last transponder expired, I had to physically go to Illlinois to get it replaced.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on January 11, 2024, 01:58:48 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

Nothing said about out-of-state I-PASS owners.  I assumed (perhaps in error) that previously ISTHA mailed a new transponder when the current one expires.  I live outside of Detroit; I don't want to have to drive to Chicago to get a sticker when my transponder expires later this year.

Nope. When my last transponder expired, I had to physically go to Illlinois to get it replaced.

You can create an Indiana Toll Road account online and order one from them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: KelleyCook on January 11, 2024, 08:10:28 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

Nothing said about out-of-state I-PASS owners.  I assumed (perhaps in error) that previously ISTHA mailed a new transponder when the current one expires.  I live outside of Detroit; I don't want to have to drive to Chicago to get a sticker when my transponder expires later this year.

With the License Plate readers that Illinois now have, I personally found it easier the past few years to not bother with their transponders (or stickers) and just wait for the bill to arrive.  Then you register online and Illinois Tollway will just autobill me's a month after I drive through.  More importantly, they don't keep $35 "in reserve"
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: JREwing78 on January 11, 2024, 11:53:27 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report (https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report)

Nothing said about out-of-state I-PASS owners.  I assumed (perhaps in error) that previously ISTHA mailed a new transponder when the current one expires.  I live outside of Detroit; I don't want to have to drive to Chicago to get a sticker when my transponder expires later this year.

Nope. When my last transponder expired, I had to physically go to Illlinois to get it replaced.

Not exactly a hardship in my case, since I live 15 minutes from the Illinois line. You could also order a new transponder be shipped to you, and then you just apply it to your account. It just happened to be quicker/easier/cheaper in my case to stop at the Road Ranger at Exit 1 in South Beloit and get the new transponder.

It doesn't have to be an Illinois EZ-Pass transponder to get the 50% discount off ISTHA's base toll rate; an EZ-Pass from any state will work. One round trip from Wisconsin to southern Michigan and the transponder pays for itself.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on January 12, 2024, 05:06:54 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

This is probably in preparation for acceptance of SunPass Mini transponders as well as compatibility with K-Tag, PikePass, and the Texas transponders (all stickers).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on January 13, 2024, 08:23:16 AM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

This is probably in preparation for acceptance of SunPass Mini transponders as well as compatibility with K-Tag, PikePass, and the Texas transponders (all stickers).
could be a defection from E-Z Pass too
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mgk920 on January 13, 2024, 12:50:51 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

This is probably in preparation for acceptance of SunPass Mini transponders as well as compatibility with K-Tag, PikePass, and the Texas transponders (all stickers).
could be a defection from E-Z Pass too

My read of the article says that this is being adopted by all of the agencies nationwide that are part of the E-E-Z Pass consortium and will be usable throughout by February.

Hmmm, I wonder if the old transponders will make good collectibles or even Christmas tree ornaments . . .

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on January 13, 2024, 01:26:18 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

This is probably in preparation for acceptance of SunPass Mini transponders as well as compatibility with K-Tag, PikePass, and the Texas transponders (all stickers).
could be a defection from E-Z Pass too

My read of the article says that this is being adopted by all of the agencies nationwide that are part of the E-E-Z Pass consortium and will be usable throughout by February.

Hmmm, I wonder if the old transponders will make good collectibles or even Christmas tree ornaments . . .

Mike
I didn't read it that way. I took it to me all EZ-Pass roads will be able to read ISTHA stickers, not that every agency is moving to stickers.

I wonder how this will affect rental cars. I travel with my own transponder. Considering the outrageous fees most rental car companies charge for using their own transponder or pay by plate, I suspect if I can't use my own account, I'll just shunpike my shorter trips as it won't be worth it for the short trips I make when I'm in the Chicago area.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on January 13, 2024, 02:43:00 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

This is probably in preparation for acceptance of SunPass Mini transponders as well as compatibility with K-Tag, PikePass, and the Texas transponders (all stickers).
could be a defection from E-Z Pass too

My read of the article says that this is being adopted by all of the agencies nationwide that are part of the E-E-Z Pass consortium and will be usable throughout by February.

Hmmm, I wonder if the old transponders will make good collectibles or even Christmas tree ornaments . . .

Mike
I didn't read it that way. I took it to me all EZ-Pass roads will be able to read ISTHA stickers, not that every agency is moving to stickers.

I wonder how this will affect rental cars. I travel with my own transponder. Considering the outrageous fees most rental car companies charge for using their own transponder or pay by plate, I suspect if I can't use my own account, I'll just shunpike my shorter trips as it won't be worth it for the short trips I make when I'm in the Chicago area.

Indiana definitely not moving to stickers. I just had an old transponder go bad and had to get it replaced.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: GeekJedi on January 14, 2024, 02:49:28 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

Nothing said about out-of-state I-PASS owners.  I assumed (perhaps in error) that previously ISTHA mailed a new transponder when the current one expires.  I live outside of Detroit; I don't want to have to drive to Chicago to get a sticker when my transponder expires later this year.

Nope. When my last transponder expired, I had to physically go to Illlinois to get it replaced.

You can have them send another one to you and ship the other one back. I've done that a few times over the years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 14, 2024, 10:01:01 PM
There's an assembly with an I-490 shield and a diagonal arrow posted where the ramp to I-490 will branch off the EB I-90 C-D roadway.  The assembly is currently facing eastward (it's visible to westbound I-90 traffic).  There's also a turned exit gore sign a little further west - looks like the eastbound exit to I-490 will be 74.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on January 15, 2024, 10:52:34 AM
I'm hoping to make a drive down Elmhurst/York Rd in a few weeks to check out the interchange progress. Haven't been down that way in 3 years since I moved.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: wanderer2575 on January 15, 2024, 01:45:46 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

Nothing said about out-of-state I-PASS owners.  I assumed (perhaps in error) that previously ISTHA mailed a new transponder when the current one expires.  I live outside of Detroit; I don't want to have to drive to Chicago to get a sticker when my transponder expires later this year.

With the License Plate readers that Illinois now have, I personally found it easier the past few years to not bother with their transponders (or stickers) and just wait for the bill to arrive.  Then you register online and Illinois Tollway will just autobill me's a month after I drive through.  More importantly, they don't keep $35 "in reserve"

Thing is, I don't use it in Illinois.  In the umpteen years I've had it, I've driven on the Tollway only once.  I have it because with some regularity (at least once a year) I use it in OH and PA, plus I've used it many times in other eastern states.  The reserve balance doesn't bother me; I'm more averse to paying a monthly service fee.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on January 15, 2024, 02:11:28 PM
Hmmm, I wonder if the old transponders will make good collectibles or even Christmas tree ornaments . . .

Collect as many as you can from people.  Box them up.  White elephant gift!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Henry on January 15, 2024, 10:43:42 PM
There's an assembly with an I-490 shield and a diagonal arrow posted where the ramp to I-490 will branch off the EB I-90 C-D roadway.  The assembly is currently facing eastward (it's visible to westbound I-90 traffic).  There's also a turned exit gore sign a little further west - looks like the eastbound exit to I-490 will be 74.
That sounds about right, as Exit 73 is the Elmhurst Road exit. Does anyone know what the exit number will be off I-294? (I'm guessing 36, but it might be 35 as well, being almost equidistant between the two existing interchanges, I-290 and IL 19.)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 16, 2024, 12:01:22 AM
Does anyone have any picture updates on the 294-490-390 work going down on the west side of ORD?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 16, 2024, 08:52:49 AM
Does anyone have any picture updates on the 294-490-390 work going down on the west side of ORD?

A few pics are posted at the Tollway website.
https://www.illinoistollway.com/i-490-tollway-project-construction-cameras#I-490/I-294%20Cameras
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 16, 2024, 10:03:06 AM
Does anyone have any picture updates on the 294-490-390 work going down on the west side of ORD?

A few pics are posted at the Tollway website.
https://www.illinoistollway.com/i-490-tollway-project-construction-cameras#I-490/I-294%20Cameras

Thanks. I recognize no one is going to go stand in 4 inches of snow and sub zero wind chill just to snap a photo or two, but I just had not seen a physical update in a long time.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: 74/171FAN on January 16, 2024, 10:23:32 AM
Does anyone have any picture updates on the 294-490-390 work going down on the west side of ORD?

A few pics are posted at the Tollway website.
https://www.illinoistollway.com/i-490-tollway-project-construction-cameras#I-490/I-294%20Cameras

Thanks. I recognize no one is going to go stand in 4 inches of snow and sub zero wind chill just to snap a photo or two, but I just had not seen a physical update in a long time.

I am sure some road enthusiast is up to the challenge especially now that you bring it up.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: mvak36 on January 16, 2024, 03:37:17 PM
This is probably a stupid question, but whenever I-490 is completed, how would someone coming in from the west on IL390 get to the O'Hare terminal? Would they have to take 490 to either I-90 or some other exit to get off on a local road?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on January 16, 2024, 03:45:20 PM
This is probably a stupid question, but whenever I-490 is completed, how would someone coming in from the west on IL390 get to the O'Hare terminal? Would they have to take 490 to either I-90 or some other exit to get off on a local road?

Personally, I'd probably still take Irving park to Mannheim, but I'm probably an oddball.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on January 16, 2024, 03:50:25 PM
This is probably a stupid question, but whenever I-490 is completed, how would someone coming in from the west on IL390 get to the O'Hare terminal? Would they have to take 490 to either I-90 or some other exit to get off on a local road?

The 90/490 interchange will be a full interchange so 390>490>90>O'Hare will be an option. Or, much as you would today, exit it to York Rd (I think there'll be an exit there - otherwise the last exit to streets and then to York Rd.) and then go either way - north to Touhy>Higgins>Mannheim to O'Hare or south to Irving Park>Mannheim>O'Hare.

I used to live in Roselle and 390>York>Irving Park>Mannheim was usually the better option than 390>290>90 (390 only goes to Busse right now but then you just continued straight on the future frontage road / former Thorndale to York).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on January 16, 2024, 07:12:42 PM
This is probably a stupid question, but whenever I-490 is completed, how would someone coming in from the west on IL390 get to the O'Hare terminal? Would they have to take 490 to either I-90 or some other exit to get off on a local road?

The 90/490 interchange will be a full interchange so 390>490>90>O'Hare will be an option. Or, much as you would today, exit it to York Rd (I think there'll be an exit there - otherwise the last exit to streets and then to York Rd.) and then go either way - north to Touhy>Higgins>Mannheim to O'Hare or south to Irving Park>Mannheim>O'Hare.

I used to live in Roselle and 390>York>Irving Park>Mannheim was usually the better option than 390>290>90 (390 only goes to Busse right now but then you just continued straight on the future frontage road / former Thorndale to York).

Will it be possible to do 390 to 490 to 294 to 190?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on January 16, 2024, 07:17:45 PM
This is probably a stupid question, but whenever I-490 is completed, how would someone coming in from the west on IL390 get to the O'Hare terminal? Would they have to take 490 to either I-90 or some other exit to get off on a local road?

The 90/490 interchange will be a full interchange so 390>490>90>O'Hare will be an option. Or, much as you would today, exit it to York Rd (I think there'll be an exit there - otherwise the last exit to streets and then to York Rd.) and then go either way - north to Touhy>Higgins>Mannheim to O'Hare or south to Irving Park>Mannheim>O'Hare.

I used to live in Roselle and 390>York>Irving Park>Mannheim was usually the better option than 390>290>90 (390 only goes to Busse right now but then you just continued straight on the future frontage road / former Thorndale to York).

Will it be possible to do 390 to 490 to 294 to 190?

Per the drawings posted on the Tollway's website, the 490/294 interchange will be to/from the south only. So no, you can't go 490 south to 294 north.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: hobsini2 on January 16, 2024, 07:23:22 PM
You can not go north on 294 from 490 in the current configuration plan.
https://www.illinoistollway.com/projects/490/294-interchange-project
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on January 16, 2024, 07:51:58 PM
Thanks. That will make construction easier.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: kphoger on January 17, 2024, 10:25:40 AM
For some reason, I thought partial interchanges were being deprecated these days.  Why do we keep seeing them constructed?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on January 17, 2024, 10:59:00 AM
Because sometimes pragmatism dictates incomplete movements at some junctions still, despite overarching 'best practices' which advise against them.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 17, 2024, 12:04:42 PM
Because sometimes pragmatism dictates incomplete movements at some junctions still, despite overarching 'best practices' which advise against them.
And sometimes, like I-57 and I-294, the most useful movements are done first, and the others are added several years after the fact.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on January 17, 2024, 01:44:23 PM
For some reason, I thought partial interchanges were being deprecated these days.  Why do we keep seeing them constructed?

Despite the Illinois Tollway and others wanting us to think of I-490 as a new road (which will no doubt be reflected in high tolls), functionally it is 95% long new ramps of the I-90/I-294 O'Hare interchange. And when you think of it that way, there is absolutely no reason to build south to north connections at the 490/294 junction since that move in this now oversized interchange that completely surrounds O'Hare is 490>90>294 and v.v.

Even if you could go south 490 to north 294, the first place you could get off would be O'Hare and it's about a mile shorter from 390 to do that via 90.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 17, 2024, 01:59:34 PM
Because sometimes pragmatism dictates incomplete movements at some junctions still, despite overarching 'best practices' which advise against them.
And sometimes, like I-57 and I-294, the most useful movements are done first, and the others are added several years after the fact.
also with I-57 and I-294 the mainline moves done with I-80 / I-294 are missing and are just about useless to have.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 17, 2024, 05:07:07 PM
For some reason, I thought partial interchanges were being deprecated these days.  Why do we keep seeing them constructed?

Despite the Illinois Tollway and others wanting us to think of I-490 as a new road (which will no doubt be reflected in high tolls), functionally it is 95% long new ramps of the I-90/I-294 O'Hare interchange. And when you think of it that way, there is absolutely no reason to build south to north connections at the 490/294 junction since that move in this now oversized interchange that completely surrounds O'Hare is 490>90>294 and v.v.

Even if you could go south 490 to north 294, the first place you could get off would be O'Hare and it's about a mile shorter from 390 to do that via 90.
Granted it would be a low-demand movement. There might be a few people who'd want to access Balmoral Ave. off of NB I-294 in Rosemont, which exit is before O'Hare and does not have a SB exit where it could be accessed coming off of I-90.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on January 17, 2024, 11:08:26 PM
Granted it would be a low-demand movement. There might be a few people who'd want to access Balmoral Ave. off of NB I-294 in Rosemont, which exit is before O'Hare and does not have a SB exit where it could be accessed coming off of I-90.

I forget that one's there as thanks to it having a higher toll compared to continuing to O'Hare/River Rd. (used to be double but they left it unchanged when they almost doubled everything else), it's not one I would ever consider using. I do not reward the ISTHA for their rip-off tolls that charge you more for going less.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on January 22, 2024, 08:50:39 AM
Granted it would be a low-demand movement. There might be a few people who'd want to access Balmoral Ave. off of NB I-294 in Rosemont, which exit is before O'Hare and does not have a SB exit where it could be accessed coming off of I-90.

I forget that one's there as thanks to it having a higher toll compared to continuing to O'Hare/River Rd. (used to be double but they left it unchanged when they almost doubled everything else), it's not one I would ever consider using. I do not reward the ISTHA for their rip-off tolls that charge you more for going less.

Isn’t the general consensus that the new ramp tolls directly pay for the construction of the new ramps? I know if you map out I90 many of the toll combos make no sense unless you justify them in that way.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on January 22, 2024, 12:56:43 PM
Granted it would be a low-demand movement. There might be a few people who'd want to access Balmoral Ave. off of NB I-294 in Rosemont, which exit is before O'Hare and does not have a SB exit where it could be accessed coming off of I-90.

I forget that one's there as thanks to it having a higher toll compared to continuing to O'Hare/River Rd. (used to be double but they left it unchanged when they almost doubled everything else), it's not one I would ever consider using. I do not reward the ISTHA for their rip-off tolls that charge you more for going less.

Isn’t the general consensus that the new ramp tolls directly pay for the construction of the new ramps? I know if you map out I90 many of the toll combos make no sense unless you justify them in that way.

Yes, that is what the ISTHA says and some of it does make sense when looked at that way. But it does not, IMHO, in any way JUSTIFY them. Plus there are several formerly untolled ramps that became tolled when the interchange was improved (these were not new ramps, just part of overall improvements of the interchange): Roselle Rd enter EB, Barrington Rd enter EB, IL-47 enter EB and exit WB, and Genoa Rd (exit both directions).

I encountered the most egregious result of this one night when due to an accident, I-90 was closed from US-20 (Hampshire/Marengo) to IL-47 (Huntley). Under normal operations, EB traffic would pay at the Hampshire toll, then at the Elgin toll. But with the detour, not only did you pay those two plus an extra $0.30 (I-Pass rate) for re-entering at IL-47. A higher toll to be inconvenienced by the detour.

Any way, again IMHO, over the last 25+ years, the ISTHA has demonstrated that they really no longer understand any of the tolling logic previously used by them as well as other non-ticket toll roads. Things like it should never cost you less to go one more exit and having paid a toll, there should be at least one opportunity to exit without paying another toll (enter I-90 at IL-47 EB or IL-25 EB or at Roselle Rd or Barrington Rd WB and you pay a toll at entry and cannot exit without paying a second toll). And then there's the mess they created when they removed the Deerfield toll. SB on the Tri-State (I-94/I-294), it's $0.95 to exit at the Edens Spur, Lake-Cook Rd., Willow Rd, or Golf Rd but only $0.75 to go all the way to the O'Hare complex after which you can then exit with no additional toll at Irving Park Rd. or I-290 continuing SB on I-294 or at Lee St., Elmhurst Rd., Arlington Heights Rd., or I-290 continuing WB on I-90 (and when I lived in Roselle and was coming south on the Tri-State, I was faced with the decision of exit at Willow Rd, pay $0.95, fight my way across Palatine Rd. to IL-53 and then south or continue to the O'Hare complex, pay $0.75, and out I-90 to I-290/IL-53. Slower and a higher toll vs. faster and a lower toll. Not much of a decision actually.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 22, 2024, 01:11:10 PM
Yeah, I would take whatever exit is most convenient for me. If it costs me $.20 in the process, I really wouldn't care - if I even bothered to look it up in the first place.

I'm pretty sure that ISTHA counts on the vast majority of people being like me.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on January 22, 2024, 02:19:18 PM
Granted it would be a low-demand movement. There might be a few people who'd want to access Balmoral Ave. off of NB I-294 in Rosemont, which exit is before O'Hare and does not have a SB exit where it could be accessed coming off of I-90.

I forget that one's there as thanks to it having a higher toll compared to continuing to O'Hare/River Rd. (used to be double but they left it unchanged when they almost doubled everything else), it's not one I would ever consider using. I do not reward the ISTHA for their rip-off tolls that charge you more for going less.

Isn’t the general consensus that the new ramp tolls directly pay for the construction of the new ramps? I know if you map out I90 many of the toll combos make no sense unless you justify them in that way.

Yes, that is what the ISTHA says and some of it does make sense when looked at that way. But it does not, IMHO, in any way JUSTIFY them. Plus there are several formerly untolled ramps that became tolled when the interchange was improved (these were not new ramps, just part of overall improvements of the interchange): Roselle Rd enter EB, Barrington Rd enter EB, IL-47 enter EB and exit WB, and Genoa Rd (exit both directions).

I encountered the most egregious result of this one night when due to an accident, I-90 was closed from US-20 (Hampshire/Marengo) to IL-47 (Huntley). Under normal operations, EB traffic would pay at the Hampshire toll, then at the Elgin toll. But with the detour, not only did you pay those two plus an extra $0.30 (I-Pass rate) for re-entering at IL-47. A higher toll to be inconvenienced by the detour.

Any way, again IMHO, over the last 25+ years, the ISTHA has demonstrated that they really no longer understand any of the tolling logic previously used by them as well as other non-ticket toll roads. Things like it should never cost you less to go one more exit and having paid a toll, there should be at least one opportunity to exit without paying another toll (enter I-90 at IL-47 EB or IL-25 EB or at Roselle Rd or Barrington Rd WB and you pay a toll at entry and cannot exit without paying a second toll). And then there's the mess they created when they removed the Deerfield toll. SB on the Tri-State (I-94/I-294), it's $0.95 to exit at the Edens Spur, Lake-Cook Rd., Willow Rd, or Golf Rd but only $0.75 to go all the way to the O'Hare complex after which you can then exit with no additional toll at Irving Park Rd. or I-290 continuing SB on I-294 or at Lee St., Elmhurst Rd., Arlington Heights Rd., or I-290 continuing WB on I-90 (and when I lived in Roselle and was coming south on the Tri-State, I was faced with the decision of exit at Willow Rd, pay $0.95, fight my way across Palatine Rd. to IL-53 and then south or continue to the O'Hare complex, pay $0.75, and out I-90 to I-290/IL-53. Slower and a higher toll vs. faster and a lower toll. Not much of a decision actually.

That being said how many free sections exist? I can only think of a handful which is a shame especially surrounding the one-way tolling areas which should theoretically have no toll areas within them. The most annoying of these if having to pay to use the IL-47 exit in every direction except EB entry where you instead get to pay the double toll at Marengo (very frustrating since you're essentially paying the Rockford to Marengo toll to go like 2 miles). At some point wouldn't it make more sense to just go to a milage based system with gantries at every interchange? They could completely eliminate the mainline tolls except at the beginning and end. The current toll system just feels like it was haphazardly put together.

As an aside I'll often just take 294 south to get on I-90 EB to avoid paying the .95 Edens Spur toll, save .20, and have a smoother ride into the city. Been aware of that trick for a few years now. Coming from Wisconsin I've considered using 41 and getting on in Gurnee to avoid the Waukegan toll heading to ORD. Wouldn't make much sense when going to Chicago since at that point 41 is just a straight shot into the city.

Toll free sections I'm aware of:
I-90
State St (BUS 20) Rockford to I-39

I-94/294
Grand Ave (Gurnee) to Milwaukee St

I-88
The area between the start of ISTHA maintenance and Rt 26 (Dixon)
Rt 251 (Rochelle) to I-39

I-355 and IL-390
None that I'm aware of
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on January 22, 2024, 02:40:09 PM
That being said how many free sections exist? I can only think of a handful which is a shame especially surrounding the one-way tolling areas which should theoretically have no toll areas within them. The most annoying of these if having to pay to use the IL-47 exit in every direction except EB entry where you instead get to pay the double toll at Marengo (very frustrating since you're essentially paying the Rockford to Marengo toll to go like 2 miles). At some point wouldn't it make more sense to just go to a milage based system with gantries at every interchange? They could completely eliminate the mainline tolls except at the beginning and end. The current toll system just feels like it was haphazardly put together.

You mean IL-23, not IL-47. That's a recently added exit and yes, the addition of exits, their desire to remove some choke points (Deerfield toll, WB entrance to I-90 at I-290, I-39 at Rockford) has resulted in it looking like a bad patch job.

Quote

Toll free sections I'm aware of:
I-90
State St (BUS 20) Rockford to I-39

I-94/294
Grand Ave (Gurnee) to Milwaukee St

I-88
The area between the start of ISTHA maintenance and Rt 26 (Dixon)
Rt 251 (Rochelle) to I-39

I-355 and IL-390
None that I'm aware of

Those probably exist more because it's not worth the cost of toll collection for the little traffic that would just use those segments without using a tolled portion. However, 20+ years ago, what's now the plaza east of Dixon was a between the ramps mainline plaza with ramp tolls in both directions for traffic entering or leaving at Dixon (and the same at Dekalb).

Regarding IL-390, sort of. I-290 west to Meacham Rd. puts you on the mainline road for a few hundred feet without a toll. EB the reverse move is direct to the I-290 ramp and the original plans for the WB move also had a direct ramp-to-ramp connection that was deleted. There's also a free move EB via the frontage road that does not exist WB: you can go from I-290 to Arlington Heights Rd. via the frontage road but WB you need to enter the mainline and pay a toll. Just more tolling inconsistency from ISTHA.

True mileage based tolls with gantries at every entrance and exit either greatly increase the back office complexity (something that other threads say the NYSTA is having a problem with) or requires read/write transponders (incompatible with the stickers ISTHA is moving to) so that a virtual ticket can be written to the transponder on entry (which I believe is what some of the EZ-Pass roads used to do).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on January 22, 2024, 02:57:31 PM
Quote
You mean IL-23, not IL-47.
Yea, you're right. My error.

Quote
True mileage based tolls with gantries at every entrance and exit either greatly increase the back office complexity (something that other threads say the NYSTA is having a problem with) or requires read/write transponders (incompatible with the stickers ISTHA is moving to) so that a virtual ticket can be written to the transponder on entry (which I believe is what some of the EZ-Pass roads used to do).
I was always under the impression some internal database was used to track transponder ID's and then entry/exit points were linked up after exit. This system would've been in place in IN, OH, PA, NY, MA, and NJ along with Maine but only for Maine accounts (out of state passes pay cash rates which are not mileage based). I don't think the box transponders contain any form of writing capability. Regardless, the new sticker tags state they will be compatible with EZ-Pass so I assume the entire EZ-Pass Group has finally adopted 6C sticker tech (https://e-zpassiag.com/interoperability/85-interoperability). Additionally, Kansas and Florida have milage based toll systems and have used sticker tags for years.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on January 22, 2024, 04:17:10 PM
Quote
You mean IL-23, not IL-47.
Yea, you're right. My error.

Quote
True mileage based tolls with gantries at every entrance and exit either greatly increase the back office complexity (something that other threads say the NYSTA is having a problem with) or requires read/write transponders (incompatible with the stickers ISTHA is moving to) so that a virtual ticket can be written to the transponder on entry (which I believe is what some of the EZ-Pass roads used to do).
I was always under the impression some internal database was used to track transponder ID's and then entry/exit points were linked up after exit. This system would've been in place in IN, OH, PA, NY, MA, and NJ along with Maine but only for Maine accounts (out of state passes pay cash rates which are not mileage based). I don't think the box transponders contain any form of writing capability. Regardless, the new sticker tags state they will be compatible with EZ-Pass so I assume the entire EZ-Pass Group has finally adopted 6C sticker tech (https://e-zpassiag.com/interoperability/85-interoperability). Additionally, Kansas and Florida have milage based toll systems and have used sticker tags for years.

What I meant by the back office complexity is the matching of entries and exits.

I thought I had read that originally EZ-Pass was read/write with a virtual ticket written to the transponder at entry when on ticket systems.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 22, 2024, 04:27:15 PM
I have used my IPass in EZPass states that are based on mileage.

I think the issue with the mileage based fares in Illinois is that its more of an interconnected system with "free" freeways than the Indiana Toll Road or Ohio Turnpike which is basically just one freeway.  Unless you have toll collection at the beginning and end of each tolled portion, it's never really going to be accurate. If they had made the decision to do this from the beginning, that would be fine. But they just pull the toll collection areas in places where they made some sense decades ago, and that's where they still are today.

I think you are looking for something logical for a system that isn't and really never meant to be. It's just a way to collect money based loosely on how much someone uses it.   
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on January 22, 2024, 04:49:33 PM
they need to add more tolling points (to each road) like how IL-390 is setup.

Some added ramp tolls and reprice each point in the full system.

they don't need to put them at each entry/exit point. To get the most of what an mileage system has and can do it with less hardware.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on January 22, 2024, 05:01:00 PM
I think the issue with the mileage based fares in Illinois is that its more of an interconnected system with "free" freeways than the Indiana Toll Road or Ohio Turnpike which is basically just one freeway.  Unless you have toll collection at the beginning and end of each tolled portion, it's never really going to be accurate. If they had made the decision to do this from the beginning, that would be fine. But they just pull the toll collection areas in places where they made some sense decades ago, and that's where they still are today.

I think you are looking for something logical for a system that isn't and really never meant to be. It's just a way to collect money based loosely on how much someone uses it.


I disagree. While some people use it in a way where you enter, exit, enter again, and then exit again, there are distinct endpoints to the Tollway. And even today's system recognizes that it is an interconnected system so a toll paid on one road covers your use of the road you then connect to without exiting the tollway system (e.g. Enter on I-355 at Army Trail Rd, Exit on I-88 at IL-59: one toll plaza on I-355 but that toll also covers the I-88 use; Enter on I-90 at Arlington Heights Rd., exit on I-294 at I-290 (Ike): one toll on I-294 (Irving Park) that covers the whole trip). Some posts I've seen suggest that some people don't get that and think the tolls are per road and as a result, they don't understand how the O'Hare complex works (you pay a toll leaving the O'Hare interchange no matter what road you're on or if you exit to O'Hare or River Rd. and that toll covers whatever road you were on approaching the interchange and what road you're on leaving; those posts ask questions like why is there a toll WB on I-90 at Devon but not EB). The present system, by a summing of the tolls you'd pay regardless of roads involved, has a distinct toll for every pair of entry and exit points you can do in one continuous trip on the Tollway system.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 22, 2024, 09:54:21 PM
For some reason, I thought partial interchanges were being deprecated these days.  Why do we keep seeing them constructed?

Despite the Illinois Tollway and others wanting us to think of I-490 as a new road (which will no doubt be reflected in high tolls), functionally it is 95% long new ramps of the I-90/I-294 O'Hare interchange. And when you think of it that way, there is absolutely no reason to build south to north connections at the 490/294 junction since that move in this now oversized interchange that completely surrounds O'Hare is 490>90>294 and v.v.

Even if you could go south 490 to north 294, the first place you could get off would be O'Hare and it's about a mile shorter from 390 to do that via 90.

I never have considered I-490 as any kind of standalone highway myself, but simply a way to reach 2 things:

- Future West Terminal
- Connecting I-390 to the system

Access from the east is for political reasons (after all it is a "Chicago" airport) and access from the west is to relieve I-90 & IL-64 and provide better suburban access.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ran4sh on January 22, 2024, 10:17:41 PM
I-Pass transponders are officially being replaced by windshield stickers.  Stickers will be available by the end of January, but motorists can keep using their existing transponders until they expire.

https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/il-tollway-transponders-being-replaced-stickers-report

This is probably in preparation for acceptance of SunPass Mini transponders as well as compatibility with K-Tag, PikePass, and the Texas transponders (all stickers).
could be a defection from E-Z Pass too

It's the other way around. E-ZPass will now accept sticker transponders. In Georgia we found out that Peach Pass transponders are now accepted throughout the E-ZPass region, and we've never had hard-case transponders here
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: dvferyance on January 30, 2024, 08:56:50 PM
I also have to pay $2.80 when I go to Gurnee Mills even though I exit the tollway like 2 miles past the toll point.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: jwags on January 31, 2024, 04:21:16 PM
I also have to pay $2.80 when I go to Gurnee Mills even though I exit the tollway like 2 miles past the toll point.

If you're only going to Gurnee Mills or Six Flags from the north you are better off taking US-41 to Stearns School Rd and avoiding the tollway altogether.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 04, 2024, 07:54:33 AM
ISTHA has spoken (https://www.illinoistollway.com/-/illinois-tollway-moving-to-i-pass-sticker-tags)  The agency has changed to stickers 😡

Those with I-PASS cartridge transponder can use them as long as they still work - but when they expire, you're stuck (pun intended). You won't be able to use them in rentals after are forced on to them just like with FL/GA, TX/OK/KS, CO and WA. 

I-PASS is still part of the E-ZPass network despite the change.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: oscar on February 04, 2024, 12:10:46 PM
ISTHA has spoken (https://www.illinoistollway.com/-/illinois-tollway-moving-to-i-pass-sticker-tags)  The agency has changed to stickers 😡

Those with I-PASS cartridge transponder can use them as long as they still work - but when they expire, you're stuck (pun intended). You won't be able to use them in rentals after are forced on to them just like with FL/GA, TX/OK/KS, CO and WA. 

I-PASS is still part of the E-ZPass network despite the change.

Will those of us with E-ZPass transponders from other states still be able to use them on Illinois toll roads? My guess is yes, since I-PASS will still be part of the E-ZPass network, and existing I-Pass cartridge (hard case?) transponders will still work (until their batteries die) on Illinois toll roads.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 04, 2024, 12:24:27 PM
The interoperability will not change.  Theory here is ISTHA is the first of the agencies to go sticker as this might be the start of standardization where stickers win.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ilpt4u on February 04, 2024, 12:30:39 PM
The interoperability will not change.  Theory here is ISTHA is the first of the agencies to go sticker as this might be the start of standardization where stickers win.
Does that mean other EZ-Pass agencies with stickers (thinking North Carolina) that the stickers will now work in EZ-Pass land? Before they had both a hard pack option for EZ-Pass interoperability

See nothing on the NC QuickPass website about changes to its sticker acceptance

I missed that Georgia’s PeachPass had already joined EZ-Pass and uses stickers
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 04, 2024, 12:45:21 PM
ISTHA has spoken (https://www.illinoistollway.com/-/illinois-tollway-moving-to-i-pass-sticker-tags)  The agency has changed to stickers 😡

Those with I-PASS cartridge transponder can use them as long as they still work - but when they expire, you're stuck (pun intended). You won't be able to use them in rentals after are forced on to them just like with FL/GA, TX/OK/KS, CO and WA. 

I-PASS is still part of the E-ZPass network despite the change.

Regarding rentals, ISTHA says tickets will be free if ordered online. How many you can order at a time is unknown but if I can, I'll get a bunch and use them one-time in rentals. But that depends on what the rental companies do. If they mount stickers in their cars, then I'll shunpike (fortunately my Illinois use is such that I can generally shunpike) but that will preclude using transponders from other states. But considering how rental fleets move about the country, permanently mounted stickers in rental cars is a problem since a car might not be a local car (in the last few years, I've only rented from National and Hertz at O'Hare and I'd say the available cars (I'm in both of their programs where you pick your own car from a designated area) are always about 50% out-of-state).
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rothman on February 04, 2024, 02:49:36 PM
Stickers don't sound very transferable between vehicles.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on February 04, 2024, 03:00:46 PM
Stickers don't sound very transferable between vehicles.

Stick the sticker on your old, inoperable transponder and it is.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: oscar on February 04, 2024, 03:24:32 PM
Stickers don't sound very transferable between vehicles.

Stick the sticker on your old, inoperable transponder and it is.

There's the old Scotch Tape trick, too. Of course, even if the toll agency is OK with a DIY sticker switch, you'd have to report the move so the license plate readers at toll plazas won't get confused if there's a sticker misread.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Rothman on February 04, 2024, 03:36:22 PM
Stickers don't sound very transferable between vehicles.

Stick the sticker on your old, inoperable transponder and it is.

There's the old Scotch Tape trick, too. Of course, even if the toll agency is OK with a DIY sticker switch, you'd have to report the move so the license plate readers at toll plazas won't get confused if there's a sticker misread.
All I'm saying is that I move my chunky E-ZPass between vehicles without any issue, whether or not I update my account with the license plates (rental companies and E-ZPass IAG recommend not doing so with rental cars).  If they switched to a sticker, it sounds like I'd lose that convenience.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: lstone19 on February 04, 2024, 03:45:12 PM
Stickers don't sound very transferable between vehicles.

Stick the sticker on your old, inoperable transponder and it is.

There's the old Scotch Tape trick, too. Of course, even if the toll agency is OK with a DIY sticker switch, you'd have to report the move so the license plate readers at toll plazas won't get confused if there's a sticker misread.
All I'm saying is that I move my chunky E-ZPass between vehicles without any issue, whether or not I update my account with the license plates (rental companies and E-ZPass IAG recommend not doing so with rental cars).  If they switched to a sticker, it sounds like I'd lose that convenience.

The latter is what I do. I have a suction cup mount so I don't need to put velcro strips each car. I have a 100% read rate with it.

For stickers, if possible, I'd get a lot, put one in a rental, and then pull it off and throw it away. But I'll deal with it when the time comes. I have an ISTHA transponder and a NYSTA transponder both good for a few years at this point.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: vdeane on February 04, 2024, 04:40:44 PM
This sticker move also makes it harder to avoid transponder discrimination.  I know at least one person who has more than one E-ZPass to minimize the amount of out of state rates they have to deal with when traveling the northeast corridor.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: boilerup25 on February 05, 2024, 12:01:02 AM
Excuse the derailment of the existing topic, but I recently passed by the future I-90/I-490 interchange and saw some progress being made, and something a little interesting when it comes to signs, especially with ground-mounted I-490 signs:

I-90 WB to I-490 SB:
(https://i.imgur.com/WDyO0rB.jpg)

I-490 bridge:
(https://i.imgur.com/lCddxDl.jpg)

Sign for I-490 SB from I-90 EB reversed until the road is open (excuse the poor quality):
(https://i.imgur.com/IlXXN8j.jpg)
Transcribed: TOLL SOUTH I-490 <-

Covered BGS for I-490 SB from I-90 EB:
(https://i.imgur.com/1NPkK0q.jpg)

This might be the first time I have seen a (partially) visible I-490 sign in Illinois. There are no I-490 signs on I-294 (no BGS's or pole mounted signs), and per Google Street View, the BGS indicating I-490 SB from future IL 390 EB is still missing the I-490 shield.

(https://i.imgur.com/Qebox3K.png)

*This GSV dates to 2022.

I wonder what's with the arrow being mismatched and in the wrong direction for the TOLL SOUTH I-490 sign? I thought that arrow was supposed to be a white arrow on a blue background for an interstate, not a black arrow on a white background.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 05, 2024, 01:47:36 PM
Go nuts.

https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6 (https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6)

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/MEDIAX_849526-T1/images/I/61FfQkkrXrL._AC_SX679_.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 06, 2024, 08:34:32 PM
not likely.  Good luck with them toll violations
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: ET21 on February 08, 2024, 11:54:05 AM
New signage is up on SB 294 between Grand Ave and North Ave for the future County Line Rd exit
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on February 08, 2024, 12:19:04 PM
Go nuts.

https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6 (https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6)

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/MEDIAX_849526-T1/images/I/61FfQkkrXrL._AC_SX679_.jpg)

Will this work? My understanding, which admittedly might be incorrect, is that the stickers make use of the windshield somehow to be read.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on February 08, 2024, 02:56:28 PM
Go nuts.

https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6 (https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6)

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/MEDIAX_849526-T1/images/I/61FfQkkrXrL._AC_SX679_.jpg)

Will this work? My understanding, which admittedly might be incorrect, is that the stickers make use of the windshield somehow to be read.

That's been my understanding as well, and why people use cellophane tape for the stickers, if they do not want to remove the backing.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 11, 2024, 03:21:27 AM
Next toll plaza to get dismantled: Plaza 32 (I-294 NB to River Road and I-190 towards O'hare)...

Will be replaced with a monotube gantry... https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9866251,-87.8643858,3a,75y,66.97h,91.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTPk-G8ZVsx43i1aeMEvCHw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

https://www.illinoistollwaybidding.com/jobs/5686/details/i-23-4918-plaza-improvements
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: Brandon on February 11, 2024, 09:02:04 AM
Next toll plaza to get dismantled: Plaza 32 (I-294 NB to River Road and I-190 towards O'hare)...

Will be replaced with a monotube gantry... https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9866251,-87.8643858,3a,75y,66.97h,91.5t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sTPk-G8ZVsx43i1aeMEvCHw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

https://www.illinoistollwaybidding.com/jobs/5686/details/i-23-4918-plaza-improvements

Plaza 32, O'Hare East.  I'm surprised this hasn't been replaced with a simple electronic gantry yet.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: rte66man on February 13, 2024, 06:08:30 PM
Go nuts.

https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6 (https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6)

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/MEDIAX_849526-T1/images/I/61FfQkkrXrL._AC_SX679_.jpg)

Will this work? My understanding, which admittedly might be incorrect, is that the stickers make use of the windshield somehow to be read.

That's been my understanding as well, and why people use cellophane tape for the stickers, if they do not want to remove the backing.

The successful read rate drops if the sticker isn't directly on the windshield.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway Notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 13, 2024, 11:22:19 PM
Go nuts.

https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6 (https://www.amazon.com/QUIKSLOT-Business-Windshield-Vehicles-Mounting/dp/B0CQYYKDF6)

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/MEDIAX_849526-T1/images/I/61FfQkkrXrL._AC_SX679_.jpg)

Will this work? My understanding, which admittedly might be incorrect, is that the stickers make use of the windshield somehow to be read.

That's been my understanding as well, and why people use cellophane tape for the stickers, if they do not want to remove the backing.

The successful read rate drops if the sticker isn't directly on the windshield.

I am not calling you out personally, but I do call BS on the "direct" to the glass requirement.

RFID tattoos or bar code scan, as long as it is readable or visible to the reading/imaging device above, you are good.

If the sticker is not anywhere near the windshield, (like on the back of your mirror) then of course, diffusion would probably ruin the read.

But having a sticker less than 1mm below the glass pane should not create a false or error-ed out read.

I think the jury is still out on this perception of the stickers.