Illinois notes

[SEWIGuy]

The reality is that it's fine. Just drive it today and there is plenty of signage.

Enjoy your white privilege, knowing English well enough to understand the sign—which is posted after the toll point—that tells you how to pay your toll.

Again with the nonsense hyperbole.

[SEWIGuy]

The fact that they are on a toll road is well signed. How to pay is well signed. It's the driver's responsibility to figure it out from there.

How to pay is signed? Yes. Well signed?  According to some who can't read overhead gantries quickly that say "I-Pass or Pay Online" at EVERY PLAZA now, it's debatable.
I-39/90 South Beloit Plaza: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4514985,-88.994909,3a,15.8y,168.13h,95.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssH_oPlF5C-xg0Qyj4RxMyA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

I-94 Waukegan Plaza: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4488879,-87.9590904,3a,75y,165.09h,93.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIeyoLOkk12GjHdG9VtJuYw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Now you could make a case that these signs should say at the bottom "NO CASH ACCEPTED". https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8218171,-89.4613633,3a,75y,85.99h,89.48t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sk31FIgQp15-ku_aIkOptQw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

The thing is, a lot of agencies that use bill by mail as the default for non-transponder traffic sign their tolls the similarly, so those of us from the East Coast are used to toll agencies crying wolf over that (note that, despite what the sign says, there is no need to call that phone number if you don't have E-ZPass).

Or maybe people from the east coast should learn the rules when traveling here.

[ET21]

The fact that they are on a toll road is well signed. How to pay is well signed. It's the driver's responsibility to figure it out from there.

How to pay is signed? Yes. Well signed?  According to some who can't read overhead gantries quickly that say "I-Pass or Pay Online" at EVERY PLAZA now, it's debatable.
I-39/90 South Beloit Plaza: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4514985,-88.994909,3a,15.8y,168.13h,95.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1ssH_oPlF5C-xg0Qyj4RxMyA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

I-94 Waukegan Plaza: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4488879,-87.9590904,3a,75y,165.09h,93.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sIeyoLOkk12GjHdG9VtJuYw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

Now you could make a case that these signs should say at the bottom "NO CASH ACCEPTED". https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8218171,-89.4613633,3a,75y,85.99h,89.48t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sk31FIgQp15-ku_aIkOptQw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

How long before the ISTHA goes to 'toll by plate' photo tolling by mail like other agencies do with 'no transponder' traffic?

mike

Good question. The agency just made the switch over to the "stickers" instead of the transponders recently although the transponders still work...for now.

My transponder goes for another 8 years, expires in 2032 lol. Lets see if they force me to go to stickers in the next 3-5 years cause I have a feeling they will be.

But per their words, I can use the transponder until it expires.

[ran4sh]

Sticker transponders *are* transponders. And they should be forced on all of E-ZPass (eventually), because they work and they're better.

[hobsini2]

I was just at the I-Pass office today. They said my transponder was still good through May of 2026 according to the sticker I have on it. They tested it with me watching. No issues.

[paulthemapguy]

I-80 tree removal is in full swing this week around Houbolt Road.  Substantial work on the I-80 overhaul through Joliet to Minooka is expected to begin next week. I'm very excited to see how this string of projects turns out when it's done!  But IDOT officials aren't anticipating completion until 2028, probably because the work was broken up into 6+ different contracts on different subsections of I-80.  Please don't be a Circle Interchange situation that takes 8 years...

[hobsini2]

I-80 tree removal is in full swing this week around Houbolt Road.  Substantial work on the I-80 overhaul through Joliet to Minooka is expected to begin next week. I'm very excited to see how this string of projects turns out when it's done!  But IDOT officials aren't anticipating completion until 2028, probably because the work was broken up into 6+ different contracts on different subsections of I-80.  Please don't be a Circle Interchange situation that takes 8 years...

The Des Plaines Bridge project alone will be another 4 years according to the projections.
The current phase for Briggs St, Richards St, Rowell Ave and River Rd bridges is to be completed this year.
The mainline from Ridge Rd to River Rd and from Rowell Ave to Gougar Rd is to be completed next year.
The mainline from River Rd to Wheeler Ave including the I-55 and Larkin Ave interchanges is to be completed in 2026.
2026-2028 is the construction period currently for the Des Plaines Bridge.
https://www.i80will.org/schedule-1

Could it take longer? Sure. But remember there was a different governor in the middle of the Circle Interchange construction with Rauner. He was not a pro-infrastructure guy.

[vdeane]

Sticker transponders *are* transponders. And they should be forced on all of E-ZPass (eventually), because they work and they're better.

Can't move a sticker between vehicles without an ugly scotch tape hack that is noted to not be without risk.  Funny way of being "better", especially since rental car companies gouge anyone who dares use a toll road without bringing along their own transponder or using a cash booth.

And what if you have multiple cars but don't want to get a separate transponder for each?  May parents have two cars between them, but never use the Thruway at the same time, so they only have one E-ZPass.  We're not sure how trailers are supposed to work, either.  Back in the day, you needed a separate transponder for towing, but I can't find much on the subject these days.  Thankfully, Dad prefers taking NY 104 over the Thruway, so the question has never come up.

[sprjus4]

Sticker transponders *are* transponders. And they should be forced on all of E-ZPass (eventually), because they work and they're better.

Virginia and North Carolina use E-ZPass Flex transponders to allow HOV-2 or HOV-3 (depending on the area) to travel for free in HO/T lanes in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Charlotte.

How do you propose stickers are used in this case?

[SEWIGuy]

Sticker transponders *are* transponders. And they should be forced on all of E-ZPass (eventually), because they work and they're better.

Can't move a sticker between vehicles without an ugly scotch tape hack that is noted to not be without risk.  Funny way of being "better", especially since rental car companies gouge anyone who dares use a toll road without bringing along their own transponder or using a cash booth.

And what if you have multiple cars but don't want to get a separate transponder for each?  May parents have two cars between them, but never use the Thruway at the same time, so they only have one E-ZPass.  We're not sure how trailers are supposed to work, either.  Back in the day, you needed a separate transponder for towing, but I can't find much on the subject these days.  Thankfully, Dad prefers taking NY 104 over the Thruway, so the question has never come up.

Sticker transponders are free in Illinois. Just order one for each car and link it in your account. Not hard.

[ran4sh]

Sticker transponders *are* transponders. And they should be forced on all of E-ZPass (eventually), because they work and they're better.

Virginia and North Carolina use E-ZPass Flex transponders to allow HOV-2 or HOV-3 (depending on the area) to travel for free in HO/T lanes in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Charlotte.

How do you propose stickers are used in this case?

Look up the alternative option in North Carolina for using HOV mode with a sticker. Georgia does the same thing. You use a web site or app to set HOV mode on or off.

https://www.ncquickpass.com/hov/

[vdeane]

Sticker transponders are free in Illinois. Just order one for each car and link it in your account. Not hard.

Transponders are free in NY too (even though we use hard case) with automatic replenishment.  The rationale my parents had basically boiled down to "why should we get two if we don't need two?".

[sprjus4]

Sticker transponders *are* transponders. And they should be forced on all of E-ZPass (eventually), because they work and they're better.

Virginia and North Carolina use E-ZPass Flex transponders to allow HOV-2 or HOV-3 (depending on the area) to travel for free in HO/T lanes in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Charlotte.

How do you propose stickers are used in this case?

Look up the alternative option in North Carolina for using HOV mode with a sticker. Georgia does the same thing. You use a web site or app to set HOV mode on or off.

https://www.ncquickpass.com/hov/

Yeah, no thanks. I'd rather not have to go on my phone 15 minutes prior and set it. What if I didn't plan to use the lanes initially, or didn't do that?

My current hard cover transponder lets me flip a switch and it's on in an instant. No sticker or app is going to replace that efficiency. No thank you, I'll stick with the hard cover transponder.

[SEWIGuy]

Sticker transponders are free in Illinois. Just order one for each car and link it in your account. Not hard.

Transponders are free in NY too (even though we use hard case) with automatic replenishment.  The rationale my parents had basically boiled down to "why should we get two if we don't need two?".

I don't think toll agencies should set their policies based on thoughts similar to your parents.

[ran4sh]

Sticker transponders *are* transponders. And they should be forced on all of E-ZPass (eventually), because they work and they're better.

Virginia and North Carolina use E-ZPass Flex transponders to allow HOV-2 or HOV-3 (depending on the area) to travel for free in HO/T lanes in Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Charlotte.

How do you propose stickers are used in this case?

Look up the alternative option in North Carolina for using HOV mode with a sticker. Georgia does the same thing. You use a web site or app to set HOV mode on or off.

https://www.ncquickpass.com/hov/

Yeah, no thanks. I'd rather not have to go on my phone 15 minutes prior and set it. What if I didn't plan to use the lanes initially, or didn't do that?

My current hard cover transponder lets me flip a switch and it's on in an instant. No sticker or app is going to replace that efficiency. No thank you, I'll stick with the hard cover transponder.

If it works like Georgia you can just leave it in whatever mode you usually use it in and it will stay that way (i.e. if you only use HOV and not toll, you can set HOV mode, permanent/no expiration, and you don't have to do it "15 minutes prior" to every trip).

I just thought it was interesting that you were using North Carolina as an example of a state that uses a switchable transponder, as if they didn't already have a solution for sticker transponders.

[triplemultiplex]

A trip down the length of Illinois last week gave me a chance to see three major projects of interest.
First, it was great to see all the progress at I-39's western jct with US 20.  Man, that's gonna be nice when done.  No more getting in line for the single lane, "get off to stay on" among the parade of trucks lumbering along the ramp.

Next up was the interchange reconstruction in Champaign between I-57 and I-74.  The two new flyovers had most of their beams in place, if I recall.  I think I even noticed some deck pouring on one of them.

Then down in SOIL, the northward progress of six laning I-57.
Two things strike me about that project.  First, comparing it to other 4 to 6 expansions you see in the region, Illinois is definitely doing this project cheaper than say, Wisconsin or Kentucky.  Rather than pave out the shoulders on one carriageway and shunting all four lanes of traffic there while the other carriageway is reconstructed from the ground up, they just push you outward in both directions and work in the median.  The pavement on the existing lanes isn't replaced completely, but is just overlayed to match the new lane.  And overpasses; IL is only replacing those if they can't absolutely cram six lanes underneath them.
The other thing is I'm curious as to why they started in Marion and are working their way north in these early years of the project.  I think it would've been most logical to fill the gap between Marion and I-24 first.  That gives you a natural break for the end of the 3x3.  Then you start working north from Marion.

Last note from that trip; still gobsmacked that Illinois has no visible progress toward adding a third lane to I-55 around Springfield.  The six lane stretches north and south of there flow so much better.  C'mon, IDOT!

[ilpt4u]

IDOT D9 is doing overpass work on the Marion-57/24 split section to prepare for the 6 lane

I-57 was just closed overnight Sunday PM->Monday AM between IL 148 and Marion Main St/Old IL 13 to set beams on the new Grassy Road overpass. They did the Westminster Rd Overpass last year. The IL 148 one just north of the 57/24 split is gonna be the real fun one, but that is in the early stages also

Not sure if any of the RR overpasses on the stretch need redone or if IDOT is gonna squeeze in the 5th&6th lanes

[Rick Powell]

Not sure if any of the RR overpasses on the stretch need redone or if IDOT is gonna squeeze in the 5th&6th lanes

Here's an IDOT add-lane project that left the RR bridge in place and narrowed down the shoulders to fit, been in place over 20 years, I-80EB at Minooka. Eventually the RR bridge will be replaced, it's been looked at from before the lane add took place. These 6 lanes will tie into the ongoing reconstruction next door in Will County.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4624112,-88.2640556,3a,65.4y,100.55h,94.87t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sRQvWlfXj1_xpYz28E-RQ7Q!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DRQvWlfXj1_xpYz28E-RQ7Q%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D128.11198%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

[ilpt4u]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uAD2mhbY7zLPuhFR9?g_st=ic

That is the one in question for the Marion-57/24 split segment. Might be able to squeeze it in under. Pretty sure that is a BNSF-owned line, but don't quote me on that

[Rick Powell]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uAD2mhbY7zLPuhFR9?g_st=ic

That is the one in question for the Marion-57/24 split segment. Might be able to squeeze it in under. Pretty sure that is a BNSF-owned line, but don't quote me on that

Looks like room to spare to add a 12' lane and 12' inside shoulder, and maybe widen the outside shoulder a little, if everything is widened to the inside.