Illinois notes

[Revive 755]

Has IDOT done any PEL studies yet?  I believe Kane County did two for Randall (one for the I-90 interchange, one for the US 20 interchange) and seems to be continuing those into Phase 1 studies.

I know of one going on along Wilmington-Peotone Road in Will County.

From looking over https://wilmingtonpeotonestudy.com/ and https://wilmingtonpeotonestudy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Public-Meeting-Materials%E2%80%94Wilmington-Peotone.pdf the study seems like it's lacking:

• No at least brief look for new alignments west of IL 53, particularly tying into the Lorenzo Road interchange? Sure a new Kankakee River bridge would be costly, but if Will County keeps growing another bridge will probably be needed.  This would also provide a more continuous corridor over to IL 47.
• No SPUI option for I-57?  And is IDOT going to keep those bridges over the abandoned railroad or remove them some year?

[edwaleni]

Quote from: Revive 755 on 11/10/2024, 11:58:27 PM

• No SPUI option for I-57?  And is IDOT going to keep those bridges over the abandoned railroad or remove them some year?

You are talking about the I-57 bridges over the former CMG (Milwaukee Road) west of Peotone?I already asked @Rick Powell about that and he said Will County/City of Peotone requested the bridges stay for a future trail.

[Revive 755]

You are talking about the I-57 bridges over the former CMG (Milwaukee Road) west of Peotone?I already asked @Rick Powell about that and he said Will County/City of Peotone requested the bridges stay for a future trail.

Yes, those bridges.  Doesn't really look like there's enough of the old railroad ROW left west of I-57 for a trail.

[Rick Powell]

Quote from: Revive 755 on 11/10/2024, 10:58:27 PM
• No at least brief look for new alignments west of IL 53, particularly tying into the Lorenzo Road interchange? Sure a new Kankakee River bridge would be costly, but if Will County keeps growing another bridge will probably be needed.  This would also provide a more continuous corridor over to IL 47.
• No SPUI option for I-57?  And is IDOT going to keep those bridges over the abandoned railroad or remove them some year?

IDOT is getting ready to study the I-55 corridor from IL 113 to I-80 so any new work involving a new Wilmington Peotone connection would also be in their purview. For looking at alignments west of IL 53, for anything north of the river, the properties of Midewin Tallgrass Prairie are untouchable by federal law (specifically "no new highways"), and the properties of IDNR have only slightly less federal protection. Going south of the river has few available feasible paths, except maybe retracing the former Illiana corridor, and would be very expensive to tie into IL 129 interchange and to cross the Kankakee River. North River Road is well used by trucks now, but is unexpandable for the reasons above.

As far as I know the Will County forest preserve district still has a rail trail in their long range plans. They usually buy from willing sellers and avoid using their condemnation powers, so the trail, if it ever happens, may need to veer from the old railroad ROW in places where there aren't willing sellers.

[edwaleni]

You are talking about the I-57 bridges over the former CMG (Milwaukee Road) west of Peotone?I already asked @Rick Powell about that and he said Will County/City of Peotone requested the bridges stay for a future trail.

Yes, those bridges.  Doesn't really look like there's enough of the old railroad ROW left west of I-57 for a trail.

I checked the Will County tax records. From Joliet to Manhattan the ROW is owned by the county for their Waponsee Glacial Trail. SE of Manhattan it varies to a great degree. Many of the adjoining farmers/owners reabsorbed the ROW under the Abandoned Railroad Recovery Law in Illinois, so it was merged with their properties. Some of it is owned by Commonwealth Edison for a power line easement. Many of the strips that are left are owned by locals in New Lenox or Peotone, who are paying from $26 to $130 in property taxes. There are a couple of businesses that own some as well, a grain elevator and a bank in Louisiana. The City of Peotone owns the ROW in their city limits. To the Will County line it goes bank to Commonwealth Edison and various residents.

[paulthemapguy]

IDOT seems to be behind the curve when it comes to SPUIs.  The I-55 interchange at US52 should have been made into a SPUI when they reconstructed it last year. But all they did is add lanes to the ramps, as if that would solve the problem of the three signalized intersection points being way too close together...    

(The three signalized intersection points are at the SB ramps, the NB ramps, and the east frontage road)

[JoePCool14]

IDOT seems to be behind the curve

You could've just stopped there.

---

In the news: The head of IDOT, Omer Osman, is retiring at the end of this year.

https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2024-12-11/peoria-resident-omer-osman-retires-as-head-of-illinois-department-of-transportation

[edwaleni]

In the news: The head of IDOT, Omer Osman, is retiring at the end of this year.

https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2024-12-11/peoria-resident-omer-osman-retires-as-head-of-illinois-department-of-transportation

Interesting.

Omer was the assistant for a long time and was the "interim" director during the IDOT "dry spell" while the IL legislature milked the IDOT revenue stream.

Now they have a massive constitutionally protected revenue stream, a flood of projects and he decides to head out. Where there is money, there is politics. When IDOT was broke, no politics.

His replacement is Gia Biagi, former head of CDOT.

Gia Biagi, who (was at) the Studio as Principal of Urbanism. In this role, she (was) leading the Studio's growing portfolio of planning and urban design work, which unites an emphasis on ecology and revitalizing cities with a renewed focus on how to reimagine public assets, institutions, and neighborhoods to be more relevant, connected, and responsive to their communities.

Going further.....

Biagi's career, spanning both private practice and public service, has established her as a visionary leader in community-centered and environmentally responsible urban planning and design. From 2019 to 2023, she served as Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Transportation (CDOT), where she delivered hundreds of innovative transportation projects citywide and created a nation-leading strategic plan focused on safe, sustainable, and efficient mobility options and building equity into its daily operations. This new role marks Biagi's return to Studio Gang, where she previously worked from 2015 to 2019. Prior to that, she held positions in Chicago's Park District and Department of Planning and Development, where her work focused on neighborhood revitalization through planning, programs, policies and capital investments.

"I have spent my career thinking about how the spaces in cities that connect us all can be more equitable, inclusive, and accessible," said Gia. "I am looking forward to the ways that this new role will allow me to share this experience with cities around the world."

[Brandon]

In the news: The head of IDOT, Omer Osman, is retiring at the end of this year.

https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2024-12-11/peoria-resident-omer-osman-retires-as-head-of-illinois-department-of-transportation

Interesting.

Omer was the assistant for a long time and was the "interim" director during the IDOT "dry spell" while the IL legislature milked the IDOT revenue stream.

Now they have a massive constitutionally protected revenue stream, a flood of projects and he decides to head out. Where there is money, there is politics. When IDOT was broke, no politics.

His replacement is Gia Biagi, former head of CDOT.

Gia Biagi, who (was at) the Studio as Principal of Urbanism. In this role, she (was) leading the Studio's growing portfolio of planning and urban design work, which unites an emphasis on ecology and revitalizing cities with a renewed focus on how to reimagine public assets, institutions, and neighborhoods to be more relevant, connected, and responsive to their communities.

Going further.....

Biagi's career, spanning both private practice and public service, has established her as a visionary leader in community-centered and environmentally responsible urban planning and design. From 2019 to 2023, she served as Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Transportation (CDOT), where she delivered hundreds of innovative transportation projects citywide and created a nation-leading strategic plan focused on safe, sustainable, and efficient mobility options and building equity into its daily operations. This new role marks Biagi's return to Studio Gang, where she previously worked from 2015 to 2019. Prior to that, she held positions in Chicago's Park District and Department of Planning and Development, where her work focused on neighborhood revitalization through planning, programs, policies and capital investments.

"I have spent my career thinking about how the spaces in cities that connect us all can be more equitable, inclusive, and accessible," said Gia. "I am looking forward to the ways that this new role will allow me to share this experience with cities around the world."

Well, that'll set us even further back.  She's probably completely clueless as to the needs of the state outside the Tri-State.

[hobsini2]

In the news: The head of IDOT, Omer Osman, is retiring at the end of this year.

https://www.nprillinois.org/illinois/2024-12-11/peoria-resident-omer-osman-retires-as-head-of-illinois-department-of-transportation

Interesting.

Omer was the assistant for a long time and was the "interim" director during the IDOT "dry spell" while the IL legislature milked the IDOT revenue stream.

Now they have a massive constitutionally protected revenue stream, a flood of projects and he decides to head out. Where there is money, there is politics. When IDOT was broke, no politics.

His replacement is Gia Biagi, former head of CDOT.

Gia Biagi, who (was at) the Studio as Principal of Urbanism. In this role, she (was) leading the Studio's growing portfolio of planning and urban design work, which unites an emphasis on ecology and revitalizing cities with a renewed focus on how to reimagine public assets, institutions, and neighborhoods to be more relevant, connected, and responsive to their communities.

Going further.....

Biagi's career, spanning both private practice and public service, has established her as a visionary leader in community-centered and environmentally responsible urban planning and design. From 2019 to 2023, she served as Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Transportation (CDOT), where she delivered hundreds of innovative transportation projects citywide and created a nation-leading strategic plan focused on safe, sustainable, and efficient mobility options and building equity into its daily operations. This new role marks Biagi's return to Studio Gang, where she previously worked from 2015 to 2019. Prior to that, she held positions in Chicago's Park District and Department of Planning and Development, where her work focused on neighborhood revitalization through planning, programs, policies and capital investments.

"I have spent my career thinking about how the spaces in cities that connect us all can be more equitable, inclusive, and accessible," said Gia. "I am looking forward to the ways that this new role will allow me to share this experience with cities around the world."

Well, that'll set us even further back.  She's probably completely clueless as to the needs of the state outside the Tri-State.

Could be worse. Could be someone from say Metropolis who has never spent any time north of I-74. But this is also why you have regional managers within the state DOT.

[ET21]

IDOT: Don't worry, the express lanes will be open by late fall

late fall rolls around

IDOT: Don't worry, late fall doesn't end until 12/21

4 days before the end of fall

Kennedy Express lanes delayed to 2025 via WGN
IDiOT strikes again

[Revive 755]

Could be worse. Could be someone from say Metropolis who has never spent any time north of I-74.

Not sure that would make much of a difference - the current secretary (Omer Osman) seems to have had a more central/downstate background per https://idot.illinois.gov/news/meet-the-secretary--omer-osman-reflects-on-idot-journey.html.

[edwaleni]

Could be worse. Could be someone from say Metropolis who has never spent any time north of I-74.

Not sure that would make much of a difference - the current secretary (Omer Osman) seems to have had a more central/downstate background per https://idot.illinois.gov/news/meet-the-secretary--omer-osman-reflects-on-idot-journey.html.

Omer was from Peoria.

[Rick Powell]

Omer was from Peoria.

Still is. He commuted from Peoria on the days he went to Springfield. Of course, the IDOT Secretary puts tens of thousands of miles of travel every year by car, rail and air for face to face meetings and events. It is not a job for a homebody.

On another note, I am leaving consultant world and going back to work for IDOT next year after a 15-year absence.

[JoePCool14]

IDOT: Don't worry, the express lanes will be open by late fall

late fall rolls around

IDOT: Don't worry, late fall doesn't end until 12/21

4 days before the end of fall

Kennedy Express lanes delayed to 2025 via WGN
IDiOT strikes again

I like how one guy questioned why the DNC elites were able to use them but not the commoners. 

[edwaleni]

Omer was from Peoria.

Still is. He commuted from Peoria on the days he went to Springfield. Of course, the IDOT Secretary puts tens of thousands of miles of travel every year by car, rail and air for face to face meetings and events. It is not a job for a homebody.

On another note, I am leaving consultant world and going back to work for IDOT next year after a 15-year absence.

Congrats Rick! From what I hear they really need the help. Are you going to service a region, or overall at the HQ in Springfield?

And does this mean you will stop posting here at AARoads?

[Rick Powell]

On another note, I am leaving consultant world and going back to work for IDOT next year after a 15-year absence.

Congrats Rick! From what I hear they really need the help. Are you going to service a region, or overall at the HQ in Springfield?

And does this mean you will stop posting here at AARoads?

I will be back at the District 3 (Ottawa) office, minutes away from my home. As a consultant I did a lot of remote work but also made countless trips into Chicago, and will miss the people but not the long days. The one thing I will have to give up is my work on the I-290/CTA Blue Line corridor, which is starting to take shape but will take years to design, finance and build.

As far as posting, I don't see why not, I joined AARoads about a year after I left IDOT. As a consultant I'd occasionally post on projects I was currently working on for IDOT and other clients, with a disclaimer if the discussion got into the weeds of things. I'll probably add one of those "DOT Employee" badges to my user ID here.

[ET21]

Omer was from Peoria.

Still is. He commuted from Peoria on the days he went to Springfield. Of course, the IDOT Secretary puts tens of thousands of miles of travel every year by car, rail and air for face to face meetings and events. It is not a job for a homebody.

On another note, I am leaving consultant world and going back to work for IDOT next year after a 15-year absence.

Congrats!