Bloomington-Normal East Highway Study (I-74 to I-55)

[Revive 755]

Main study website:
http://www.eastsidehighway.com/

Website with some older study info:
http://www.mcplan.org/transportation/eastside/eastside.html

[SEWIGuy]

Oooo...a 3di running from I-39 around the east side of Bloomington to I-74 would be nice!

[Revive 755]

Oooo...a 3di running from I-39 around the east side of Bloomington to I-74 would be nice!

A Google News Archive search returns a result regarding an I-455 legend for the Eastern Bypass from the Bloomington paper.  At the moment I don't feel like paying $2.95 to see the article to find out more.

[3467]

There isnt any money for anything futher in the 5 year plan. Also I dont see how they could get away with a FONSI.
Wise move save the $2.95

[NE2]

A Google News Archive search returns a result regarding an I-455 legend for the Eastern Bypass from the Bloomington paper.  At the moment I don't feel like paying $2.95 to see the article to find out more.

This one? http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_9ba43183-0538-54d6-835e-797e447f860a.html

[Revive 755]

This one? http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_9ba43183-0538-54d6-835e-797e447f860a.html

Yes.  Funny how it can be located through searching the newspaper site.

Also I dont see how they could get away with a FONSI.

IIRC some other expressway project in Illinois managed to get away with a FONSI, but I think it may have been one of the add two lanes to the existing road projects.  Given the opposition already present, I think proceeding with an EIS would be the more prudent course for the bypass project.

[NE2]

This one? http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_9ba43183-0538-54d6-835e-797e447f860a.html

Yes.  Funny how it can be located through searching the newspaper site.

Actually through searching Google for Interstate 455.

[RoadboyIL]

Oooo...a 3di running from I-39 around the east side of Bloomington to I-74 would be nice!

Yup, the Towanda-Barnes Road (or, as I call it, Megachurch Boulevard) doesn't quite cut it as a bypass, though for those of us coming from the south (Heyworth), it's still a nice way to get to I-55 and avoid Bloomington.  I was sort of hoping for I-674 or I-139, though ...

[rmsandw]

While I would love to see a 3-di on this route...I also would like to see I-39 sent on the eastside vs. the west-plex of 55/74/51

[hobsini2]

Wouldn't it be more cost effective to just have the Bus I-55 Veterans Pkwy converted to a freeway?  Sign that as I-655.  It already is 4 lanes.  Has an interchange with US 51 on the south side.
Here is what i would do for exits:
I-55/74/US 51/Future I-39? - Full stack int.
Morris Ave. - full diamond int.
Bus US 51 Main St - already a full diamond int.
US 150 Morrissey Dr - full folded diamond int.
Oakland Ave - NB off, SB on
IL 9 Empire St. - Full folded diamond int.
College Ave - full diamond int.
Shelborune Dr - SB off only.
I-55 - partial cloverleaf int. (current int should be redone as a full cloverleaf.)

[Brandon]

Wouldn't it be more cost effective to just have the Bus I-55 Veterans Pkwy converted to a freeway? 

No.  BL-55 has far too many driveway entrances for conversion to freeway.  I'd guess that's why I-55 was routed around the other side of B-N in the first place.

[Henry]

Oooo...a 3di running from I-39 around the east side of Bloomington to I-74 would be nice!

A Google News Archive search returns a result regarding an I-455 legend for the Eastern Bypass from the Bloomington paper.  At the moment I don't feel like paying $2.95 to see the article to find out more.

Oooo...a 3di running from I-39 around the east side of Bloomington to I-74 would be nice!

Yup, the Towanda-Barnes Road (or, as I call it, Megachurch Boulevard) doesn't quite cut it as a bypass, though for those of us coming from the south (Heyworth), it's still a nice way to get to I-55 and avoid Bloomington.  I was sort of hoping for I-674 or I-139, though ...

While I would love to see a 3-di on this route...I also would like to see I-39 sent on the eastside vs. the west-plex of 55/74/51

Interesting article! And I, too, would love to see this thing signed as a 3di. As for the following:

Wouldn't it be more cost effective to just have the Bus I-55 Veterans Pkwy converted to a freeway?  Sign that as I-655.  It already is 4 lanes.  Has an interchange with US 51 on the south side.
Here is what i would do for exits:
I-55/74/US 51/Future I-39? - Full stack int.
Morris Ave. - full diamond int.
Bus US 51 Main St - already a full diamond int.
US 150 Morrissey Dr - full folded diamond int.
Oakland Ave - NB off, SB on
IL 9 Empire St. - Full folded diamond int.
College Ave - full diamond int.
Shelborune Dr - SB off only.
I-55 - partial cloverleaf int. (current int should be redone as a full cloverleaf.)

...I just don't see this happening, ever. And IIRC, it was part of the old Route 66, so that's another reason they'd never go for any freeway conversion there.

[rmsandw]

Besides the driveways along Vets Pkwy, IDOT just spent alot of money over the last 10 years upgrading the east side of the parkway to 6 lanes, and new retimed signals.  Impressive traffic flow in the after noon rush. The 6 lanes runs from the near the Norfolk Southern overpass on the southside north to I-55.

That is why the Towanda-Barnes route for the I-55 to I-74 section and around McLean County 30 for the I-74 to U.S. 51 section is being eyed.

What is also interesting is an article in the Pantagraph last month mentioned plans by the City of Bloomington to extend the Mitsubishi Motorway from IL 9/U.S. 150 to I-55 at Shirley.