Illinois notes

[edwaleni]

The Mayor of Murphysboro recently traveled to Springfield to lobby for more funding for the SouthWest Connector project

FWIW: He has been driving up to Springfield to lobby since his first term as mayor and is currently on his third.

The project website is now setup for anime based gambling.

His last trip to Springfield that was announced in the press was in 2023.

So if he is still going, he isn't talking about it much.

[ilpt4u]

The Mayor of Murphysboro recently traveled to Springfield to lobby for more funding for the SouthWest Connector project

FWIW: He has been driving up to Springfield to lobby since his first term as mayor and is currently on his third.

The project website is now setup for anime based gambling.

His last trip to Springfield that was announced in the press was in 2023.

So if he is still going, he isn't talking about it much.

He posted recently about it on FB: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10161543035693995&id=520718994

I spent Wednesday in Springfield advocating for funding for the Southwest Connector and funding for a new Police/Fire Station/City Hall in Murphysboro.  Appreciated spending time with Paul Jacobs for Illinois State Representative District 118, Dale Fowler, State Senator Christopher Belt, State Representative Patrick Windhorst, State Rep. Jay Hoffman, State Rep. Marty Moylan, State Representative David Friess,  State Senator Terri Bryant , Mika Baugher and other staff from Emanuel Chris Welch office, and State Representative Dave Severin.

Mayor of Murphysboro Will Stephens

[edwaleni]

The Mayor of Murphysboro recently traveled to Springfield to lobby for more funding for the SouthWest Connector project

FWIW: He has been driving up to Springfield to lobby since his first term as mayor and is currently on his third.

The project website is now setup for anime based gambling.

His last trip to Springfield that was announced in the press was in 2023.

So if he is still going, he isn't talking about it much.

He posted recently about it on FB: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10161543035693995&id=520718994

I spent Wednesday in Springfield advocating for funding for the Southwest Connector and funding for a new Police/Fire Station/City Hall in Murphysboro.  Appreciated spending time with Paul Jacobs for Illinois State Representative District 118, Dale Fowler, State Senator Christopher Belt, State Representative Patrick Windhorst, State Rep. Jay Hoffman, State Rep. Marty Moylan, State Representative David Friess,  State Senator Terri Bryant , Mika Baugher and other staff from Emanuel Chris Welch office, and State Representative Dave Severin.

Mayor of Murphysboro Will Stephens

Gotcha. I was thinking press releases, not Facebook posts.

The fact that the project site is kaput typically means it has no current funding.

[Mav94]

Gotcha. I was thinking press releases, not Facebook posts.

The fact that the project site is kaput typically means it has no current funding.

Honestly, just bypassing Pinckneyville and Sparta would do the trick, but since they just spent some bucks fixing the courthouse square in Pinckneyville, I won't be holding my breath.

[kphoger]

Am I remembering wrong, or did the plan from 20 years ago not include going through Sparta?  I thought it went north from Pinckneyville.

[edwaleni]

Someone must have heard me. Posted on the project Facebook page yesterday.

Southwest IL Connector
1d  ·
The Southwest Connector has a new website.

https://www.swiconnector.com/

[Mav94]

So the biggest city on the route of the Southwest Connector (Waterloo) doesn't get bypassed? The only reason I think there's even a slight chance anything will ever happen with this route is the work that's already done on IL 13/127 heading north out of Murphysboro.

[Revive 755]

So the biggest city on the route of the Southwest Connector (Waterloo) doesn't get bypassed?

Technically IL 3 is currently on a bypass of Waterloo - it's just a bypass that wasn't far enough out or built to a high enough standard.

The only reason I think there's even a slight chance anything will ever happen with this route is the work that's already done on IL 13/127 heading north out of Murphysboro.

That hasn't stopped a number of other corridors in Illinois from dying - US 67 comes to mind.

[edwaleni]

So the biggest city on the route of the Southwest Connector (Waterloo) doesn't get bypassed? The only reason I think there's even a slight chance anything will ever happen with this route is the work that's already done on IL 13/127 heading north out of Murphysboro.

IL-3 is a bypass of downtown Waterloo. It used to go down Market Street and was moved to the westside of town. But it is not limited access.

[ilpt4u]

The only reason I think there's even a slight chance anything will ever happen with this route is the work that's already done on IL 13/127 heading north out of Murphysboro.

That hasn't stopped a number of other corridors in Illinois from dying - US 67 comes to mind.

So does IL 336 Peoria-Macomb...its overbuilt stub exit off 474 that was to be the Peoria end is just silly now that the corridor is dead

[Mav94]

So the biggest city on the route of the Southwest Connector (Waterloo) doesn't get bypassed?

Technically IL 3 is currently on a bypass of Waterloo - it's just a bypass that wasn't far enough out or built to a high enough standard.

I suppose it's telling that I've driven IL 3 through Waterloo 8-10 times and had no idea I was on a bypass.

[kphoger]

I suppose it's telling that I've driven IL 3 through Waterloo 8-10 times and had no idea I was on a bypass.

I'm the opposite.  When I lived in the area, my usual route at work didn't include that area and, when I ran someone else's route, I usually had no customers south of Route 13 in that part of the state.  All that is to say, I've only driven Route 3 through Waterloo a single time, heading south from I-255 to Red Bud.  And I wasn't even sure I was in Waterloo.  After a little while, I was like, 'Huh, I guess that must have been Waterloo, was expecting more.'

[Rick Powell]

I suppose it's telling that I've driven IL 3 through Waterloo 8-10 times and had no idea I was on a bypass.

It seems more like a bypass at the north end, where it's 4 lanes with a grass median. Even where it goes to a 5-lane undivided section there are only 5 signalized intersections. But like many bypasses, once the through traffic gravitates there, so does commercial activity, more buildings show up, and the local traffic mixes in with the "bypass" traffic and it seems more like main street.

[ilpt4u]

https://www.facebook.com/share/1YvZ27RyRv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Apparently an issue with the 55/70 overpass over IL 157...there is a hole in the overpass deck and concrete falling onto 157. Collinsville

[roadman65]

I noticed that on GSV in the Chicago area that many traffic signals outside the city don't use backplates on side mounted signal heads. They still use them overhead, but that is all.

I know within the city backplates are not used on all heads, but the rest of Illinois always used back plates on overhead and side mounts.

Is this a new trend?

[roadman65]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH1SGyVAFY1/?igsh=bTlpMTd3d3prZnR1

The portion of old Route 66 outside Chicago that's now closed since 98.

[hobsini2]

I noticed that on GSV in the Chicago area that many traffic signals outside the city don't use backplates on side mounted signal heads. They still use them overhead, but that is all.

I know within the city backplates are not used on all heads, but the rest of Illinois always used back plates on overhead and side mounts.

Is this a new trend?

No that's not a new trend. I have lived in Illinois since 1980. When we first moved to Illinois, this was the standard set up for a signal in the Chicago area:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7619607,-88.2102032,3a,75y,244.98h,80.02t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sKkUcFd0tBpxoLPRy15_MsQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D9.982069527397925%26panoid%3DKkUcFd0tBpxoLPRy15_MsQ%26yaw%3D244.98186404297866!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

Then in the 1990s, this was the setup for most DuPage County signals. Notice no signal at the stop line right:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7655438,-88.0083931,3a,75y,357.34h,78.54t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSshkMx3K3Wo_Fk3tfHN_QQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D11.460516852235429%26panoid%3DSshkMx3K3Wo_Fk3tfHN_QQ%26yaw%3D357.3425133796748!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

This is how most signals are setup that have been added or redone since 2010:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7127993,-88.0638481,3a,75y,239.8h,87.75t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sTCF4omgauF-u4svMRS5s7g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.2491925841504212%26panoid%3DTCF4omgauF-u4svMRS5s7g%26yaw%3D239.79899532375902!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

The only time in general that you would see backplates used on signals is if the signal is on the mast arm:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6544607,-88.0803107,3a,75y,6.17h,89.8t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sT1fRM1G2DaWrt2zNfXEykA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.2009354046565477%26panoid%3DT1fRM1G2DaWrt2zNfXEykA%26yaw%3D6.172800867611724!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

[edwaleni]

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH1SGyVAFY1/?igsh=bTlpMTd3d3prZnR1

The portion of old Route 66 outside Chicago that's now closed since 98.

The aggregates company got greedy and took limestone too close to the ROW and it started to subside.

IDOT closed the road and sent traffic a new way and filed a lawsuit against the company.

The aggregates company claim there was no breach of the ROW.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/01/26/the-death-of-joliet-road/

As expected the lawsuit was settled in 2010.

https://www.chicago-personal-injury-lawyer-blawg.com/illinois_department_of_transpo_1/

Since the damage is permanent:

IDOT representatives have stated that the money from the settlement will not be used to repair the damaged portion of Joliet Road that was the issue of the lawsuit.

Vulcan Materials is a large supplier of aggregate for use in regional highways. Everyone kind of knew they would settle, because everyone knows Vulcan will want to mine the aggregate below the road to supply, you guessed it, an IDOT highway project.

[roadman65]

I noticed that on GSV in the Chicago area that many traffic signals outside the city don't use backplates on side mounted signal heads. They still use them overhead, but that is all.

I know within the city backplates are not used on all heads, but the rest of Illinois always used back plates on overhead and side mounts.

Is this a new trend?

No that's not a new trend. I have lived in Illinois since 1980. When we first moved to Illinois, this was the standard set up for a signal in the Chicago area:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7619607,-88.2102032,3a,75y,244.98h,80.02t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sKkUcFd0tBpxoLPRy15_MsQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D9.982069527397925%26panoid%3DKkUcFd0tBpxoLPRy15_MsQ%26yaw%3D244.98186404297866!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

Then in the 1990s, this was the setup for most DuPage County signals. Notice no signal at the stop line right:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7655438,-88.0083931,3a,75y,357.34h,78.54t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sSshkMx3K3Wo_Fk3tfHN_QQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D11.460516852235429%26panoid%3DSshkMx3K3Wo_Fk3tfHN_QQ%26yaw%3D357.3425133796748!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

This is how most signals are setup that have been added or redone since 2010:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7127993,-88.0638481,3a,75y,239.8h,87.75t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sTCF4omgauF-u4svMRS5s7g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.2491925841504212%26panoid%3DTCF4omgauF-u4svMRS5s7g%26yaw%3D239.79899532375902!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

The only time in general that you would see backplates used on signals is if the signal is on the mast arm:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6544607,-88.0803107,3a,75y,6.17h,89.8t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sT1fRM1G2DaWrt2zNfXEykA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.2009354046565477%26panoid%3DT1fRM1G2DaWrt2zNfXEykA%26yaw%3D6.172800867611724!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/28209306854
Vandalia in Downstate uses Back Plates on all signal heads on US 51 at I-70.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH1SGyVAFY1/?igsh=bTlpMTd3d3prZnR1

The portion of old Route 66 outside Chicago that's now closed since 98.

The aggregates company got greedy and took limestone too close to the ROW and it started to subside.

IDOT closed the road and sent traffic a new way and filed a lawsuit against the company.

The aggregates company claim there was no breach of the ROW.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2001/01/26/the-death-of-joliet-road/

As expected the lawsuit was settled in 2010.

https://www.chicago-personal-injury-lawyer-blawg.com/illinois_department_of_transpo_1/

Since the damage is permanent:

IDOT representatives have stated that the money from the settlement will not be used to repair the damaged portion of Joliet Road that was the issue of the lawsuit.

Vulcan Materials is a large supplier of aggregate for use in regional highways. Everyone kind of knew they would settle, because everyone knows Vulcan will want to mine the aggregate below the road to supply, you guessed it, an IDOT highway project.

I find that interesting that one mining company can actually destroy a road without even touching it.

The lawsuit is common and has no effect on me personally that the state issued one.

I found the article that it popped up and it is interesting history cause a major artery is now permanently effected by long time mining practices nearby.  Plus it's part of old historic Route 66 as well.

[Revive 755]

This is how most signals are setup that have been added or redone since 2010:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7127993,-88.0638481,3a,75y,239.8h,87.75t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sTCF4omgauF-u4svMRS5s7g!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D2.2491925841504212%26panoid%3DTCF4omgauF-u4svMRS5s7g%26yaw%3D239.79899532375902!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

That mast arm is too short for most of the IDOT D-1 signals built in the 2010's - this is closer:  https://maps.app.goo.gl/uxpq65F2z2kYs5Jc9

The only time in general that you would see backplates used on signals is if the signal is on the mast arm:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6544607,-88.0803107,3a,75y,6.17h,89.8t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sT1fRM1G2DaWrt2zNfXEykA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D0.2009354046565477%26panoid%3DT1fRM1G2DaWrt2zNfXEykA%26yaw%3D6.172800867611724!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMyNS4xIKXMDSoJLDEwMjExNDU1SAFQAw%3D%3D

Or if it's a Kane County signal.
Kirk Road at Wilson Street
Longmeadow Parkway at Sleepy Hollow Road

Or on some other random signals such as 75th Street at Plainfield Road in Daried. (Streetview and some signals in Naperville.

[paulthemapguy]

For my entire 35-year lifespan lived in the Chicagoland area, IDOT District 1 standards have called for backplates for overhead signal heads but not the post-mounted ones. I remember when I was a kid of 8-10 years old, venturing out of District 1 into Districts 2, 3, 4, etc. and considering it strange that post-mounted heads would have backplates in some other IDOT Districts.

Some specific entities within D1, who go the extra mile with their signals, may enact more specific standards that go above and beyond the baseline put in place by D1. So there might be some exceptions like Kane County.

And good luck finding any backplates whatsoever in the City of Chicago.

[hobsini2]

For my entire 35-year lifespan lived in the Chicagoland area, IDOT District 1 standards have called for backplates for overhead signal heads but not the post-mounted ones. I remember when I was a kid of 8-10 years old, venturing out of District 1 into Districts 2, 3, 4, etc. and considering it strange that post-mounted heads would have backplates in some other IDOT Districts.

Some specific entities within D1, who go the extra mile with their signals, may enact more specific standards that go above and beyond the baseline put in place by D1. So there might be some exceptions like Kane County.

And good luck finding any backplates whatsoever in the City of Chicago.

Challenge accepted.
55th St at Harlem Ave. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7919244,-87.8012627,3a,60y,264.83h,80.18t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s4x4rqCMvCIjcpVEMITnIaA!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fcb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile%26w%3D900%26h%3D600%26pitch%3D9.819355173082428%26panoid%3D4x4rqCMvCIjcpVEMITnIaA%26yaw%3D264.8286123531994!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDMzMC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
While it is on the border, the intersection is in the city limits. I believe if I recall there are some up on Cumberland Ave as well near Lawrence.

[Brandon]

I noticed that on GSV in the Chicago area that many traffic signals outside the city don't use backplates on side mounted signal heads. They still use them overhead, but that is all.

I know within the city backplates are not used on all heads, but the rest of Illinois always used back plates on overhead and side mounts.

Is this a new trend?

No, it's not a new trend.  District 1 does not use backplates on side and pole mounted signals; only on the overhead signals.  CDOT does not use backplates at all, on any signal I know of in Chicago.  Downstate districts (2 through 9) use backplates fairly constantly on all signals.

[edwaleni]

The only reason I think there's even a slight chance anything will ever happen with this route is the work that's already done on IL 13/127 heading north out of Murphysboro.

That hasn't stopped a number of other corridors in Illinois from dying - US 67 comes to mind.

So does IL 336 Peoria-Macomb...its overbuilt stub exit off 474 that was to be the Peoria end is just silly now that the corridor is dead

IDOT still owns a dedicated ROW from the stub all the way to IL-116 east of Hanna City. And own various parts of the ROW to south of Hanna City after crossing over IL-116 and the former CNW/UP ROW which will become a rail trail.

Conventional wisdom believes that someday IDOT will extend the stub to IL-116 and end there. (forever)

They also own the ROW east of the exit ramps all the way to Kickapoo Creek south of Farmington Road.

The only way that would accelerate is if a major logistics firm (ie: Amazon), or manufacturer makes a pitch to locate themselves off that stub west of Maxwell Road. Then I can almost expect IDOT and Peoria County to bend over backwards to get that road extended ASAP.

[Revive 755]

So does IL 336 Peoria-Macomb...its overbuilt stub exit off 474 that was to be the Peoria end is just silly now that the corridor is dead

I thought that interchange predated the 336 plan and was built for a previous project that died?  Google Earth imagery has it already present in 1985.

EDIT:  Nevermind.  One of the more recent EIS's online for that portion of 336 does mention something active in the 1970's (https://idot.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idot/documents/idot-projects/district-4/il-336-fap-315/il336feis-1.pdf