Chicago Skyway McDonalds

[jwags]

Planning a trip eastbound on the Chicago Skyway and I noticed on street view that at the McDonalds near the toll plaza there is a gate in the parking lot that you have to pass though if you wish to access the drive through when traveling eastbound. Does anyone know what this gate is for and if you have to pay anything to pass through it?

[NWI_Irish96]

Stopped at that McD many times but never used the drive-thru.  I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that EB traffic pays their toll before reaching McD but westbound traffic pays after reaching McD.  Hopefully somebody else knows.

[thefro]

Google maps lists their number if someone wants to call the manager and ask (773) 734-4200 

There is another gate stopping the westbound traffic from getting into the eastbound parking lot near the "front" of the building.

I think it may be traffic control because there's no signs out of the parking lot marking which way you're going... if someone would get turned around and would start going westbound they'd have to pay the Skyway Toll.

[theline]

My guess is that the gates are to help prevent wrong way drivers, rather than any toll purpose. I think if someone wants to drive from Indiana to experience the cuisine at the Skyway McD's and then return to the Hoosier state, they are welcome to do so toll-free. On the other hand, the fare is probably identical and the ambiance a bit better at Ronald's place right on State Line Road, just off the end of the ITR US 12 ramp. I've eaten there many times, since I figure we're better off with a few less truck fumes.

[GCrites]

Have either of those been torn down and turned unto those ugly new Eyebrows of Doom though?

[MrDisco99]

Been there.  You just pull over left after the toll.  The drive-thru window is on the westbound side after the turn-around.  After that you loop back around the building and merge back onto the highway.  The prices are a good bit higher than the typical McDonald's but the food is the same.

[getemngo]

Have either of those been torn down and turned unto those ugly new Eyebrows of Doom though?

The Skyway one hasn't; I drove by it this month. The 3 nearest McDonald's to my house have all been remodeled since the Eyebrow was introduced but kept their mansards.

Also, like all toll highway food, the Skyway McDonald's is ridiculously crowded and overpriced.

[Joe The Dragon]

Have either of those been torn down and turned unto those ugly new Eyebrows of Doom though?

The Skyway one hasn't; I drove by it this month. The 3 nearest McDonald's to my house have all been remodeled since the Eyebrow was introduced but kept their mansards.

Also, like all toll highway food, the Skyway McDonald's is ridiculously crowded and overpriced.

airports are the same way

[GCrites]

Probably 'cause the rent's $10,000 a month.

[SteveG1988]

It's closed, looks boarded up.

[JREwing78]

Good! It's a f***ing stupid traffic impediment.

[SteveG1988]

Good! It's a f***ing stupid traffic impediment.

But it did not look like a full closure. Would not be suprised if it gets a remodeling.

[Brandon]

Good! It's a f***ing stupid traffic impediment.

I fail to see how as everyone must stop at this toll plaza.  It would be if there were I-Pass ORT lanes, but that's not the case here.

[SteveG1988]

I cannot see it going away, it is a money maker for the owners of the bridge.

[SteveG1988]

It should stay. It's unique.


iPhone

The only toll bridge with a service plaza.

[SteveG1988]

It should stay. It's unique.


iPhone

The only toll bridge with a service plaza.

In the Interstate system, yes!


iPhone

Well the only other one i can think of would be the ambassador bridge...but that is a duty free shop in the no-mans land.

[SP Cook]

http://www.cbbt.com/tour.html

http://www.dutyfreecanada.com/stores/sault-ste-marie-duty-free/

http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9618_48384-22044--,00.html

[USRoute12]

I've eaten at this McDonald's more than once. I loved watching all the cars go by in my younger years. I really hope they don't tear it out.

[Henry]

I've eaten at this McDonald's more than once. I loved watching all the cars go by in my younger years. I really hope they don't tear it out.

If they don't, they will rebuild it to modern standards. Better that than not rebuilding at all.

[GeekJedi]

In the news today - it's closed for good.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html

[Joe The Dragon]

I've eaten at this McDonald's more than once. I loved watching all the cars go by in my younger years. I really hope they don't tear it out.

If they don't, they will rebuild it to modern standards. Better that than not rebuilding at all.

They need to add high speed toll lanes in it's place

[Brandon]

In the news today - it's closed for good.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html

That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.

[johndoe780]

In the news today - it's closed for good.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html

That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.

No, the Mobils on each side of the Des Plaines Oasis are still open.

[SSOWorld]

kinda makes Des Plaines look like a NYC Parkway rest area

But said stop is a dwarf of its former self that got razed in favor of expanding lanes and a new interchange.

[SteveG1988]

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150710/south-chicago/skyway-mcdonalds-is-shut-down-where-will-drivers-go-when-they-need-go