AARoads Forum

Regional Boards => Great Lakes and Ohio Valley => Topic started by: mgk920 on September 12, 2012, 02:19:57 PM

Title: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on September 12, 2012, 02:19:57 PM
I drove down to Chicago yesterday (Tuesday, 2012-09-11) and noticed a few interesting items.

-IDOT has added the new MUTCD yellow outlines to the black 'target' background frames around its overhead mast-arm signal heads along US 41 (Skokie Highway) in Lake County.  Although I would have much preferred that the feds used white instead of yellow, as is the standard in Europe, they do look pretty nice and do make the signal heads much more visible, especially at night.  It will be easy to tell that there are signals at an intersection should the power fail at night, too.

-Chicagoland is lousy with Clearwiew, although a limited few FHWA BGSs still exist on the expressways, including some button copy.

-The badly overdue rebuilding of the north-south part of Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago is well under way with the forms for the southernmost couple of blocks now being constructed.  The parts farther north that are done look *fantastic* and it should be a great drive when all is done.  I'm not sure if it is expected to be done yet this year, but it might be close.

-Is the City of Chicago cutting back on the number of streetlights on their streets?  :-o  From the Sears Skydeck, some streets looked dimmer and less intensively lit than I remember the last time that I was there, even though those streets still used high-pressure sodium-vapor lamps.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sipes23 on September 12, 2012, 10:24:23 PM
I saw the earthmovers headed up the hill in Algonquin yesterday. Work has begun on the IL 31 bypass around downtown Algonquin. It is supposed to cause lane closures on IL 62, but I've not seen them yet. Work should finish in 2014.

http://www.algonquin.org/egov/docs/1293659786178.htm

I also had the chance encounter with the IL 60/83 closure at the CN tracks in Mundelein last night. If you're familiar with the area, finding a sensible detour should be easy enough. Otherwise consult Google maps. The suggested detour looks pretty rough.

http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Transportation/Roadwork/ConstDocuments/ILRte60_ILRte83_EJ_ERRPressRelease.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 13, 2012, 05:03:16 PM
Mike - They are putting in HIDs all over and are now preferring flat bottoms of the heads over the jutting out covers they have used forever.  I don't think they reduced the density of lamp posts.  Recall they had those lights on two streets for some time (1 being LSD).

I saw the yellow borders on IL 173 traffic light heads.

Quote from: mgk920 on September 12, 2012, 02:19:57 PM
I drove down to Chicago yesterday (Tuesday, 2012-09-11) and noticed a few interesting items.

-IDOT has added the new MUTCD yellow outlines to the black 'target' background frames around its overhead mast-arm signal heads along US 41 (Skokie Highway) in Lake County.  Although I would have much preferred that the feds used white instead of yellow, as is the standard in Europe, they do look pretty nice and do make the signal heads much more visible, especially at night.  It will be easy to tell that there are signals at an intersection should the power fail at night, too.

-Chicagoland is lousy with Clearwiew, although a limited few FHWA BGSs still exist on the expressways, including some button copy.

-The badly overdue rebuilding of the north-south part of Wacker Drive in downtown Chicago is well under way with the forms for the southernmost couple of blocks now being constructed.  The parts farther north that are done look *fantastic* and it should be a great drive when all is done.  I'm not sure if it is expected to be done yet this year, but it might be close.

-Is the City of Chicago cutting back on the number of streetlights on their streets?  :-o  From the Sears Skydeck, some streets looked dimmer and less intensively lit than I remember the last time that I was there, even though those streets still used high-pressure sodium-vapor lamps.

Mike
http://wackerdrive.net/project-schedule/

End of 2012.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sipes23 on October 04, 2012, 11:33:54 AM
I ran across some construction on IL176 in Wauconda that didn't have an immediately apparent purpose. Some digging turned up that there is a bicycle tunnel being put under the road. Maybe I need to check out their bike trail system over there too. In the spring.

Lake County has a very thorough website for their transportation department. Here are the construction projects.

http://www.lakecountyil.gov/TRANSPORTATION/Pages/ConstructionProjects.aspx
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Mdcastle on October 23, 2012, 04:13:11 PM
In some areas they're replacing high pressure sodium vapor with metal halide too, which looks "dimmer" too me even at apparently equivalent lumens. I've yet to see an LED in chicagoland.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sandwalk on November 02, 2012, 09:49:10 PM
Some updates from the Rockford area:

Illinois Route 173 in Machesney Park, which has had massive commercial development within the past 5 or so years (not surprisingly, after the I-90 exit opened), is now 4 lanes from Illinois 251 to near the Rockford Speedway.  The last phase of the project will make the road 4 lanes out to the Tollway....good news with traffic counts exceeding 30,000 vehicles per day.
http://www.wrex.com/story/19927731/173-road-construction-set-to-finish-november-1

Illinois Route 2 construction continues between Rockford and Rockton.  A new, 4-lane divided highway will replace the existing 2-lane road (which will become an east side frontage road).  This new section of highway is from of Bauer Pkwy (Toll Bridge) to just north of Latham Road.  The new approximately 3 mile highway is already paved with traffic lights in place....not sure of the exact opening date.  After this stretch is opened, nearly 18 of the 21 miles of Illinois 2 from Beloit south to the Chicago Rockford International Airport will be 4 or more lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 26, 2013, 10:13:22 PM
Dusting off this thread since I don't believe the two points below warrant starting a new thread:

* On WB I-90 there is a 'speed enforced by aircraft' sign a short distance west of IL 59 with a symbol that appeared more like a predator drone than an aircraft - or could be I didn't get a good look at the sign.

* The I-90 interchange with IL 47 is almost complete.  The new WB I-90 to SB IL 47 loop ramp is open.  The permanent(?) BGS's on WB I-90 approaching the interchange are up with the the I-Pass Only/Cash not accepted part mostly covered.  The signs lack an exit number.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on October 27, 2013, 09:10:19 AM
This week, the installs of the exit gore signs with EXIT NUMBERS was completed on I-355.

Couple of interesting notes. First, the collector lane gore sign for SB 355 to IL 56 Butterfield Rd and I-88 is initially signed "Ramp 22". The exit for Butterfield is just a regular Exit 22 but there is no exit number for the I-88 ramps.

Secondly, NB 355 approaching I-88 and US 34 Ogden Ave, the I-88 ramp says "Ramp 20A" and Ogden Ave is "Exit 20B". The odd thing though is SB 355 to Ogden Ave is "Exit 19" even though the interchange with Ogden Ave is a regular full diamond.

The Exit tabs on the BGSs have not been added yet to the toll section of 355.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: UNDSIOUX on November 01, 2013, 05:25:53 AM
FYI- as a regular user of I-90/I-39, the eastbound/southbound traffic between South Beloit and Rockton Road is now using the new pavement and you are no longer squeezed in sharing the westbound/northbound lanes.  The third lane is still not open (on both sides) and there are plenty of barriers to move as well as restriping on both sides, but I don't see them taking more than a week or two to finish this.   

But I fear they will drag this out and those 55 MPH signs will remain posted until Turkey Day travel week. :banghead: 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 01, 2013, 10:18:47 AM
IL 47 reconstruction and add-lanes through Yorkville is well underway with the old retaining wall by the courthouse gone (the wall was an ugly landmark) and several buildings removed.  Most of the big storm sewer has been put in place on the south side of the Fox River, and new Northbound concrete pavement is in place for several blocks (traffic is still squeezed to the west side with about 18 feet of clearance for both lanes).  Like the previous IL 47 project in Huntley, it's a nice drive-through if you're looking for construction activity, but a route you'd want to avoid in the AM and PM if you're just travelling.

Later this month, IDOT will be taking bids for reconstruction and adding lanes to IL 47 in Grundy County, from Morris north to the county line.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 01, 2013, 10:45:37 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 01, 2013, 10:18:47 AM
IL 47 reconstruction and add-lanes through Yorkville is well underway with the old retaining wall by the courthouse gone (the wall was an ugly landmark) and several buildings removed.  Most of the big storm sewer has been put in place on the south side of the Fox River, and new Northbound concrete pavement is in place for several blocks (traffic is still squeezed to the west side with about 18 feet of clearance for both lanes).  Like the previous IL 47 project in Huntley, it's a nice drive-through if you're looking for construction activity, but a route you'd want to avoid in the AM and PM if you're just travelling.

Later this month, IDOT will be taking bids for reconstruction and adding lanes to IL 47 in Grundy County, from Morris north to the county line.

I've noticed (I work in Yorkville, south of downtown), and I try to avoid that area whenever possible.  It can take as long a half an hour to get through downtown Yorkville right now due to the construction.  It will be nice when finished, and I have noticed concrete being laid just south of the bridge.  The best detour route is to go east on IL-71 to Orchard Road, and then back west on US-34.

IL-47 really needs the widening, but the Prairie Parkway would've been a great addition for the increasing truck traffic.  I predict that IL-47, merely widened by itself, will be outdated and overburdened within five years.  It's a popular truck route from the intermodal yards in Joliet and Elwood to I-88 and north.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 01, 2013, 02:59:00 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 01, 2013, 10:45:37 AM
I've noticed (I work in Yorkville, south of downtown), and I try to avoid that area whenever possible.  It can take as long a half an hour to get through downtown Yorkville right now due to the construction.  It will be nice when finished, and I have noticed concrete being laid just south of the bridge.  The best detour route is to go east on IL-71 to Orchard Road, and then back west on US-34.

IL-47 really needs the widening, but the Prairie Parkway would've been a great addition for the increasing truck traffic.  I predict that IL-47, merely widened by itself, will be outdated and overburdened within five years.  It's a popular truck route from the intermodal yards in Joliet and Elwood to I-88 and north.

There is also increased engineering activity in other parts of the IL 47 corridor.  In District 3, IDOT is working on design plans for IL 47 from Grundy County line to Caton Farm Road, planning studies for IL 47 from Caton Farm to IL 71 and also from north Yorkville to Sugar Grove, and the tollway is moving fast on designing the IL 47 and I-88 conversion to a full-access interchange.  In District 1, IDOT continues with planning studies for the Huntley to Woodstock and through Woodstock sections, and Kane County seems to be moving to build the Anderson Road bypass (which could have been an IL 47 re-route around the east side of Elburn if development hadn't blocked the south connection).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on November 02, 2013, 11:07:40 PM
Quote from: UNDSIOUX on November 01, 2013, 05:25:53 AM
FYI- as a regular user of I-90/I-39, the eastbound/southbound traffic between South Beloit and Rockton Road is now using the new pavement and you are no longer squeezed in sharing the westbound/northbound lanes.  The third lane is still not open (on both sides) and there are plenty of barriers to move as well as restriping on both sides, but I don't see them taking more than a week or two to finish this.   

But I fear they will drag this out and those 55 MPH signs will remain posted until Turkey Day travel week. :banghead: 


That's great news. I was getting tired of driving out of my way to avoid this stretch.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 14, 2013, 10:13:29 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 01, 2013, 02:59:00 PM
There is also increased engineering activity in other parts of the IL 47 corridor.  In District 3, IDOT is working on design plans for IL 47 from Grundy County line to Caton Farm Road, planning studies for IL 47 from Caton Farm to IL 71 and also from north Yorkville to Sugar Grove, and the tollway is moving fast on designing the IL 47 and I-88 conversion to a full-access interchange.  In District 1, IDOT continues with planning studies for the Huntley to Woodstock and through Woodstock sections, and Kane County seems to be moving to build the Anderson Road bypass (which could have been an IL 47 re-route around the east side of Elburn if development hadn't blocked the south connection).

I think there was a request for consulting services from IDOT for contract plans for IL 47 through Woodstock recently, with a note that the project had many multi-lane roundabouts.

Anderson Road between IL 38 and Keslinger Road was on a state letting not that long ago; can't remember which one.



The print edition of the Daily Herald today (not finding an article online yet) mentioned in an article that ISTHA would study extending the fourth lane on I-355 south from 75th Street to the Boughton Road Toll Plaza.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on November 14, 2013, 11:51:54 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 14, 2013, 10:13:29 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 01, 2013, 02:59:00 PM
There is also increased engineering activity in other parts of the IL 47 corridor.  In District 3, IDOT is working on design plans for IL 47 from Grundy County line to Caton Farm Road, planning studies for IL 47 from Caton Farm to IL 71 and also from north Yorkville to Sugar Grove, and the tollway is moving fast on designing the IL 47 and I-88 conversion to a full-access interchange.  In District 1, IDOT continues with planning studies for the Huntley to Woodstock and through Woodstock sections, and Kane County seems to be moving to build the Anderson Road bypass (which could have been an IL 47 re-route around the east side of Elburn if development hadn't blocked the south connection).

I think there was a request for consulting services from IDOT for contract plans for IL 47 through Woodstock recently, with a note that the project had many multi-lane roundabouts.

Anderson Road between IL 38 and Keslinger Road was on a state letting not that long ago; can't remember which one.



The print edition of the Daily Herald today (not finding an article online yet) mentioned in an article that ISTHA would study extending the fourth lane on I-355 south from 75th Street to the Boughton Road Toll Plaza.

they should also add one up to I-290
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: UNDSIOUX on November 19, 2013, 07:30:35 PM
Quote from: UNDSIOUX on November 01, 2013, 05:25:53 AM
FYI- as a regular user of I-90/I-39, the eastbound/southbound traffic between South Beloit and Rockton Road is now using the new pavement and you are no longer squeezed in sharing the westbound/northbound lanes.  The third lane is still not open (on both sides) and there are plenty of barriers to move as well as restriping on both sides, but I don't see them taking more than a week or two to finish this.   

But I fear they will drag this out and those 55 MPH signs will remain posted until Turkey Day travel week. :banghead:

FYI- as of this afternoon, all three lanes on WB90/NB39 are open from the toll plaza at Rockton Rd. to the stateline and the limit is back up to 65 MPH.  Looked like the same on the other side but I was unable to confirm (we'll see tomorrow morning).    :colorful:  No more construction- winter must be on the way!!

Looking forward to one construction-free year on my I-90 commute  (haven't had many of those in the last 7 years)... then Sconnie's turn to widen the section from Beloit to Janesville beginning in 2015.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on November 20, 2013, 12:16:22 AM
Quote from: JREwing78 on November 02, 2013, 11:07:40 PM
Quote from: UNDSIOUX on November 01, 2013, 05:25:53 AM
FYI- as a regular user of I-90/I-39, the eastbound/southbound traffic between South Beloit and Rockton Road is now using the new pavement and you are no longer squeezed in sharing the westbound/northbound lanes.  The third lane is still not open (on both sides) and there are plenty of barriers to move as well as restriping on both sides, but I don't see them taking more than a week or two to finish this.   

But I fear they will drag this out and those 55 MPH signs will remain posted until Turkey Day travel week. :banghead: 


That's great news. I was getting tired of driving out of my way to avoid this stretch.

Crap, you're talking about the short non-tolled stretch just south of the Wisconsin line, not the 40+ mile construction zone east of Rockford, right?

Considering that I'm getting really sick of taking I-88 into Chicago, I looked up the status on the Illinois Tollway website. It appears they've reintroduced 2 EBD lanes of traffic on the newly-rebuilt EBD carriageway, albeit at a 55mph speed limit.

WBD is still a clusterf*** until the end of December (2 narrow lanes WBD, except for the single-lane around Belvidere), when they're supposed to be done with WBD construction until the spring.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on November 20, 2013, 12:43:35 AM
has the lake shore drive extension opened?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on November 20, 2013, 01:55:23 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on November 20, 2013, 12:43:35 AM
has the lake shore drive extension opened?

It's not an 'extension', per se, but rather a new section of boulevard well disconnected from the rest.  Bypassing a serpentine former street section of US 41, it opened several weeks ago.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: UNDSIOUX on November 20, 2013, 06:04:44 PM
Yep- I meant only the I-39/90 stretch down to Cherry Valley.  Obviously, I turn off at the split and I won't even attempt to drive the I-90 stretch until it is completed for the same reason I didn't drive I-90 for almost 2 years while it was under construction from Cherry Valley up to Rockton Rd.  The whole "Trucks Keep Left" and 45 MPH limit- I have no idea why they simply cannot post signs that say "Slow Traffic Keep LEFT- Pass on the right".  It is amazing that these DOT "engineers" promote the weaving that occurs as people go around slow trucks in the left lane and the slow cars in the right lane.  It's just a recipe for impatience and stupidity and I have a tough time dealing with that for a couple miles, let alone 40+.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 20, 2013, 10:53:39 PM
^^ The trucks are kept to the left as those lanes are better supported for carrying their weight through the construction zone.  The right lanes tend to be temporary and not full depth.  Thus, they are only capable of carrying lighter loads such as passenger cars.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on November 21, 2013, 08:01:03 PM
Quote from: UNDSIOUX on November 20, 2013, 06:04:44 PM
Yep- I meant only the I-39/90 stretch down to Cherry Valley.  Obviously, I turn off at the split and I won't even attempt to drive the I-90 stretch until it is completed for the same reason I didn't drive I-90 for almost 2 years while it was under construction from Cherry Valley up to Rockton Rd.  The whole "Trucks Keep Left" and 45 MPH limit- I have no idea why they simply cannot post signs that say "Slow Traffic Keep LEFT- Pass on the right".  It is amazing that these DOT "engineers" promote the weaving that occurs as people go around slow trucks in the left lane and the slow cars in the right lane.  It's just a recipe for impatience and stupidity and I have a tough time dealing with that for a couple miles, let alone 40+.

they need to make the more rual / interstate class roads work zone speed limit 50-55 MPH
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 21, 2013, 09:28:55 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on November 21, 2013, 08:01:03 PM
Quote from: UNDSIOUX on November 20, 2013, 06:04:44 PM
Yep- I meant only the I-39/90 stretch down to Cherry Valley.  Obviously, I turn off at the split and I won't even attempt to drive the I-90 stretch until it is completed for the same reason I didn't drive I-90 for almost 2 years while it was under construction from Cherry Valley up to Rockton Rd.  The whole "Trucks Keep Left" and 45 MPH limit- I have no idea why they simply cannot post signs that say "Slow Traffic Keep LEFT- Pass on the right".  It is amazing that these DOT "engineers" promote the weaving that occurs as people go around slow trucks in the left lane and the slow cars in the right lane.  It's just a recipe for impatience and stupidity and I have a tough time dealing with that for a couple miles, let alone 40+.

they need to make the more rual / interstate class roads work zone speed limit 50-55 MPH

There's no reason for anything less than 60 when workers are not present or are behind a concrete barrier wall.  This 45 mph crap is just that, crap.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on November 21, 2013, 09:35:28 PM
The 45mph limit in the currently I-90 construction zone east of Rockford made sense - the lanes were REALLY narrow, which makes it tricky to drive with 10ft wide semis struggling to stay on their side of the line. I only nudged my speed up to 50-55 just to more closely match the speed of traffic.
Title: Re: Illinois Notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on February 27, 2014, 09:51:45 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on October 27, 2013, 09:10:19 AM
This week, the installs of the exit gore signs with EXIT NUMBERS was completed on I-355.

Couple of interesting notes. First, the collector lane gore sign for SB 355 to IL 56 Butterfield Rd and I-88 is initially signed "Ramp 22". The exit for Butterfield is just a regular Exit 22 but there is no exit number for the I-88 ramps.

Secondly, NB 355 approaching I-88 and US 34 Ogden Ave, the I-88 ramp says "Ramp 20A" and Ogden Ave is "Exit 20B". The odd thing though is SB 355 to Ogden Ave is "Exit 19" even though the interchange with Ogden Ave is a regular full diamond.

The Exit tabs on the BGSs have not been added yet to the toll section of 355.


Wait does this mean that ISTHA is adding Exit Numbers to all highways? Or just 355?

* Interstate 90 east of Rockford: construction going on there. Some new signs have been installed on the South side of the tollway. Some signs feature exit tabs with numbers while others do not. Also, certain old ISTHA signs are still remaining. It's very confusing to me. Anyone have any insight to this?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 27, 2014, 10:10:41 PM
^^ ISTHA is in the process of replacing the signs along I-90 as the road is rebuilt.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on February 28, 2014, 06:54:26 AM
In the end - they have essentially given in to the pressure.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: roadman65 on March 06, 2014, 07:59:48 PM
When did they remove the old brown gantries on I-290 near Chicago?  I was on GSV and noticed that they are all typical now instead of the fancy design of before.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tdindy88 on March 06, 2014, 08:39:44 PM
According to the pictures I took along the Eisenhower from last summer (I-290 from the Tri-State to the Circle) there were still at least several brown gantries going eastbound and probably about the same going west. Honestly I saw more signs on bridges than on newer styles of gantries.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 07, 2014, 06:55:28 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on March 06, 2014, 07:59:48 PM
When did they remove the old brown gantries on I-290 near Chicago?  I was on GSV and noticed that they are all typical now instead of the fancy design of before.

Which part?  I-290 still has a bunch of them, particularly on the Extension and Route 53 sections.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 09, 2014, 03:05:21 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on March 06, 2014, 07:59:48 PM
When did they remove the old brown gantries on I-290 near Chicago?  I was on GSV and noticed that they are all typical now instead of the fancy design of before.

Brown ones are still up mainly west of I-294. Once you get to the Hillside interchange, you start seeing the normal gantries, with an isolated brown one here or there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 09, 2014, 07:03:13 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 09, 2014, 03:05:21 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on March 06, 2014, 07:59:48 PM
When did they remove the old brown gantries on I-290 near Chicago?  I was on GSV and noticed that they are all typical now instead of the fancy design of before.

Brown ones are still up mainly west of I-294. Once you get to the Hillside strangler, you start seeing the normal gantries, with an isolated brown one here or there.
FTFY  :happy:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 16, 2014, 11:55:51 PM
So long, Des Plaines Oasis.

The over-the-tollway portion has closed for good earlier this evening (3-16-2014), as it will be torn down to make way for the reconstruction and widening of the Addams (I-90) between Elgin and O'Hare. If I remember correctly, the gas station portions will remain open, but they're on borrowed time as well; they will be removed to make way for the Elgin-O'Hare Bypass in a few years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on March 19, 2014, 06:15:07 PM
Why? Why? WHY?!?!!?  :confused:  :banghead:  :pan: LoL Whatever.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Gnutella on March 20, 2014, 05:11:25 AM
A long time ago I was on I-55/I-72 in Springfield, and I noticed the old signs for Exit 96B and Exit 94 had small pieces on the bottom that read "Springfield." I just looked on Google Streetview and they're gone. In fact, one of the replacement signs looks like an exit sign in Georgia (Exit 96B NB/EB).

Dam. :-(
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on March 20, 2014, 03:27:16 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 09, 2014, 03:05:21 PM
Quote from: roadman65 on March 06, 2014, 07:59:48 PM
When did they remove the old brown gantries on I-290 near Chicago?  I was on GSV and noticed that they are all typical now instead of the fancy design of before.

Brown ones are still up mainly west of I-294. Once you get to the Hillside interchange, you start seeing the normal gantries, with an isolated brown one here or there.
Reminds me of what was recently done on I-95 in Baltimore, when MD started putting up Clearview-font signs on shiny new gantries. Without the brown ones that were there before, it's now another less charming urban drive. And I've also been told that some of the matching brown high-mast poles that accompanied the old gantries have also been replaced by dull-gray variants that appear to be the norm for this type of lighting.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 20, 2014, 09:30:06 PM
Exit tabs beginning to appear along I-90 toll road southbound only mostly on side signs but a few bridge signs have them too. Gore point signs do have them. Down side - yellow "TOLL" banners are being placed on the highway trailblazers. WHY??? you're already on the road - it's too late!!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 20, 2014, 11:30:35 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 20, 2014, 09:30:06 PM
Exit tabs beginning to appear along I-90 toll road southbound only mostly on side signs but a few bridge signs have them too. Gore point signs do have them. Down side - yellow "TOLL" banners are being placed on the highway trailblazers. WHY??? you're already on the road - it's too late!!

Forgive my ignorance, but we're talking about the Addams Tollway, yes? Obviously, it is for the Addams. I do not even know why I asked this. Also, I thought such would be the case, as I mentioned it in a thread a while back. Another big step toward universal mileage integration, a must for the Illinois Tollway system.

Also, I'm pretty sure they put the yellow "TOLL" banners on the signs in case drivers want to cut their losses and bail out. :)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 21, 2014, 12:58:26 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 20, 2014, 11:30:35 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 20, 2014, 09:30:06 PM
Exit tabs beginning to appear along I-90 toll road southbound only mostly on side signs but a few bridge signs have them too. Gore point signs do have them. Down side - yellow "TOLL" banners are being placed on the highway trailblazers. WHY??? you're already on the road - it's too late!!

Forgive my ignorance, but we're talking about the Addams Tollway, yes? Obviously, it is for the Addams. I do not even know why I asked this. Also, I thought such would be the case, as I mentioned it in a thread a while back. Another big step toward universal mileage integration, a must for the Illinois Tollway system.

Also, I'm pretty sure they put the yellow "TOLL" banners on the signs in case drivers want to cut their losses and bail out. :)
where they're at is a point where its too late to bail out. (already on the toll road)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 16, 2014, 10:13:29 PM
ISTHA has finally added some maps for the new ramps on I-90 at Roselle and Meacham Roads, plus other work along the corridor.   (http://www.illinoistollway.com/construction-and-planning/projects-by-roadway/jane-addams-memorial-tollway-i-90)

First I've heard of the Geona Road interchange being changed from a trumpet to a folded diamond.  Link to map (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/e85ee017-1a06-48a1-aa1b-f79b4fe07374)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 18, 2014, 12:53:00 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on April 16, 2014, 10:13:29 PM

First I've heard of the Geona Road interchange being changed from a trumpet to a folded diamond.  Link to map (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/e85ee017-1a06-48a1-aa1b-f79b4fe07374)

It makes sense though now that they have made the Belvidere Plaza EB only and there is no toll collected on that set of ramps.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on April 18, 2014, 06:24:16 PM
ISHTA's ultimate plan is to turn the double trumpet "Toll booth trap" interchanges (Genoa Rd, State St, US 20 for example) into diamonds or folded diamonds.  State's not being changed though.  There's too much occupied real estate around it.  Looked to me like US 20 isn't being modified either.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 19, 2014, 08:38:18 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 18, 2014, 06:24:16 PM
ISHTA's ultimate plan is to turn the double trumpet "Toll booth trap" interchanges (Genoa Rd, State St, US 20 for example) into diamonds or folded diamonds.  State's not being changed though.  There's too much occupied real estate around it.  Looked to me like US 20 isn't being modified either.

Actually, I would leave the State St interchange as is because of the amount of traffic already on State St. Another light there is a bad idea.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 19, 2014, 11:20:38 PM

^ Might be able to turn it into a SPUI with lots of retaining wall and get better spacing between the stoplights on State Street for I-39/I-90 and Lyford Road.  ISTHA doesn't like SPUIs however.

If ISTHA wants to get rid of the trumpet "Toll booth trap" interchanges, I'm surprised they are not trying to change the Hampshire Interchange (US 20) into a diamond or folded diamond.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 21, 2014, 07:40:51 AM
^ But neither State St interchange nor the Hampshire interchange have toll booths on them. So unless there is an actual design flaw for that kind of interchange in either area, why change either of them? The Cherry Valley trumpet did need changing because you were dealing with an Interstate to freeway/now Interstate connection.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on April 21, 2014, 08:36:18 AM
I would assume it has to do with the extra bridge for the trumpet. At Genoa the land is cheaper than the bridge and it does not need a tollbooth any more.  At State and Hampshire, development and the cut for US 20 at Hampshire.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on May 30, 2014, 06:34:20 PM
IDOT will be holding a public meeting for the study on rebuilding/widening I-55 through Springfield on June 3.  Source (http://i55springfield.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=15)


On this week's update of ISTHA's Letting Schedule, (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/15912/Bid+Letting+Schedule.pdf) the outside mainline roadway work on I-90 and the ramps at Meacham are listed (second page, sixth project from bottom).  Given the completion date, I wonder if they are attempting to get the Meacham ramps (WB Exit, WB Entrance) open before the start of the Christmas shopping season?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on May 31, 2014, 12:57:15 PM
I saw the beginnings of the new flyover ramps at Thorndale and 290 for the Elgin-O'Hare. Reminds me of when they began to build the 355 interchange (hopefully the EOH won't become a 355 standstill project due to funds running out)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on May 31, 2014, 02:13:28 PM
Quote from: ET21 on May 31, 2014, 12:57:15 PM
I saw the beginnings of the new flyover ramps at Thorndale and 290 for the Elgin-O'Hare. Reminds me of when they began to build the 355 interchange (hopefully the EOH won't become a 355 standstill project due to funds running out)

I don't think that will be an issue since the Tollway Authority is fronting most of the funds for the EOH extension/bypass project. True, it's not an endless cash flow, but ISTHA seems to handle their funds decently.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on May 31, 2014, 10:42:45 PM
^IMHO, I think the IL 390/EOH part is almost guaranteed to be completed.  It's the West Bypass and the improvements on I-294 between the West Bypass and the US 20/IL 64 interchange that I would expect to face any delays or cancellations.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 01, 2014, 12:22:14 AM
Quote from: ET21 on May 31, 2014, 12:57:15 PM
I saw the beginnings of the new flyover ramps at Thorndale and 290 for the Elgin-O'Hare. Reminds me of when they began to build the 355 interchange (hopefully the EOH won't become a 355 standstill project due to funds running out)

The 355 interchange was not due to funding, but due to the EIS having to be redone.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 01, 2014, 01:31:35 AM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on May 31, 2014, 02:13:28 PM
Quote from: ET21 on May 31, 2014, 12:57:15 PM
I saw the beginnings of the new flyover ramps at Thorndale and 290 for the Elgin-O'Hare. Reminds me of when they began to build the 355 interchange (hopefully the EOH won't become a 355 standstill project due to funds running out)

I don't think that will be an issue since the Tollway Authority is fronting most of the funds for the EOH extension/bypass project. True, it's not an endless cash flow, but ISTHA seems to handle their funds decently.

With their last toll increase in August 2011, ISTHA has a LOT more bonding authority for this project than before, as well as adequate bonding authority for the ongoing I-90 reconstruction and expansion and several other system rehabs and improvements.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 07, 2014, 11:05:07 PM
There's a bunch of signs being stored in the SE quadrant of the intersection of Highland Road with the EB I-88 ramps.  Couple of them appeared to be I-PASS signs for toll plazas and another appeared to be a smaller BGS with an I-355 shield.  Unfortunately the light changed before I could get a picture.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 08, 2014, 12:49:19 AM
I think one of was left lane i-pass only and cash keep right.

The exit there is 2 cash lanes and 0 i-pass only lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 08, 2014, 01:01:48 AM
Meeting exhibits from the recent meeting for I-55 through Springfield are up.  Highlights from the alternatives exhibits: (http://i55springfield.com/site/pdfs/Station%203-2.pdf)

* I-72 is widened to six lanes from IL 4 to I-55

* I-55/I-72 is widened to six lanes from the 6th Street interchange to south of the IL 29 interchange

* From south of the IL 29 interchange to north of the I-72/Clear Lake Avenue interchange I-55 is widened to six lanes plus C-D lanes (which do not appear on some of the interchange alternatives)

* From north of the I-72/Clear Lake Avenue interchange to the BL 55 interchange at Sherman, I-55 is widened to six lanes

* The interchange alternatives have unusual names.  Instead of the usual Alt 1/Alt 2 or Alt A/Alt B, the Sixth Street interchange has the "Cyclone" and "Rocket" alternatives

Interchange Alternatives
Sixth Street
* In both options, NB I-55 to BL 55/Sixth Street becomes a right side exit
* In the Cyclone Alternative, the NB I-55 to WB I-72 loop is replaced with a flyover.  EB I-72 gets a C-D roadway
* In the Rocket Alternative, NB I-55 to WB I-72 and EB I-72 to NB BL 55/6th Street become semi-direct/turbine ramps

Stevenson Drive
* Hawkeye Alternative - SB ramps become a standard diamond.  NB becomes a larger folded diamond
* Hoosier Alternative - the existing interchange is replaced with a new diamond interchange with an extended Dirkson Parkway
* Husker Alternative - the existing interchange is replaced with a SPUI

IL 29
* Wildcat Alternative - the current cloverleaf becomes a six-ramp partial cloverleaf with exit loops from I-55
* Wolverine Alternative - the current cloverleaf becomes a SPUI

I-72/Clear Lake Avenue
* Boilmaker Alternative - all loops except for the NB to WB loop are replaced with semi-direct/turbine ramps.  EB I-72 supposedly gets a C-D roadway to east of the Old US 36 interchange
* Bruin Alternative - WB I-72 is put onto a left side flyover, but the current WB to SB loop also remains.  I-55 gets C-D roads

IL 54
* Gopher Alternative - the current cloverleaf is replaced with a diamond
* Panther Alternative - the current cloverleaf is replaced with a SPUI
* Saluki Alternative - the current cloverleaf is replaced with a six-ramp partial cloverleaf with exit loops from I-55
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tdindy88 on June 08, 2014, 02:20:25 AM
Who are the Bruins and Panthers? Please tell me that's not a reference to UCLA and Carolina.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: pianocello on June 08, 2014, 11:25:59 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on June 08, 2014, 02:20:25 AM
Who are the Bruins and Panthers? Please tell me that's not a reference to UCLA and Carolina.

Eastern Illinois is the Panthers. Not sure about the Bruins, though.

Speaking of Bruin, what's up with that alternative? It looks like they would replace all the ramps without improving the design of the interchange. Also, the SB I-55 thru movement radius looks a bit tight at the southern part of the interchange.  (EDIT: wait, looks like those are C/D ramps. That's kinda hard to read, but easier to drive on.)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on June 09, 2014, 03:27:47 PM
I like the elimination of left-hand ramps at the southern 55-74 interchange.  Good plan.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mrsman on June 10, 2014, 12:29:42 AM
Quote from: pianocello on June 08, 2014, 11:25:59 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on June 08, 2014, 02:20:25 AM
Who are the Bruins and Panthers? Please tell me that's not a reference to UCLA and Carolina.

Eastern Illinois is the Panthers. Not sure about the Bruins, though.

Speaking of Bruin, what's up with that alternative? It looks like they would replace all the ramps without improving the design of the interchange. Also, the SB I-55 thru movement radius looks a bit tight at the southern part of the interchange.  (EDIT: wait, looks like those are C/D ramps. That's kinda hard to read, but easier to drive on.)

They should have stayed within the conference and made use of Spartan and Badger
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: amroad17 on June 10, 2014, 04:08:33 AM
Sounds like how the PBA had renamed their tournaments based on the "oil pattern" a couple of years ago with names like Cheetah, Viper, Chameleon, and Scorpion.  I'm glad they got rid of those names, however, all tournaments now are "... presented by _______".

Yes, I like to bowl when I can and watch when I can, which right now is not much.  So, instead, I will watch my son bowl on his PS3.  The video game is called "High Velocity Bowling".  Rather interesting to watch him roll some 300 games.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 14, 2014, 11:00:13 PM
CMAP is apparently in the process of updating the long range plan for Chicagoland, and has posted a list of major projects for the plan. (http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/10180/273487/Major_Capital_Projects_for_Public_Comment_20140530.pdf/66ae4513-3e6d-4d26-bf3f-c890db2b6dfe)  I don't see any new highway projects in the list though that haven't come up before.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on June 15, 2014, 08:54:31 PM
^^^ We're in the "Let's toll everything" generation

Just add another lane to the Stevenson, 4 lanes in each direction between Dan Ryan and 355, maybe even past that.  :pan:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 15, 2014, 11:06:50 PM
I don't like the idea of HOT lanes even more so on Toll roads.

Now maybe changing some free roads over to toll. Right now they are doing that to the EOE.

Maybe make I-290 (from I-355 to I-90) / IL-53 / I-355 (the non toll part) toll. or just IL-53 / I-XXX from I-90 to IL-120 + maybe routed over the part going to I-94 when they build them.

I-55 has room to widen with out a lot of work.

I-290 needs more maybe trun that into a full toll road.

At least now days we can do an 407 ETR and don't have to deal with tolling gates / part interchanges.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 05, 2014, 10:45:13 AM
Here's an interesting comparison, IDOT-style exit number versus ISHTA exit number (both signs installed by ISTHA at different times):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_4129_zps40f32d8b.jpg&hash=9d63bc2d761a3c89bb87d406aee2ab4d566e1af0) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_4129_zps40f32d8b.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Alps on July 06, 2014, 09:49:59 PM
While photographing button copy, I accidentally found a state-name shield:
http://goo.gl/maps/Hzvy0
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on July 11, 2014, 08:41:20 AM
Quote from: Alps on July 06, 2014, 09:49:59 PM
While photographing button copy, I accidentally found a state-name shield:
http://goo.gl/maps/Hzvy0
I live like 2 miles from that sign! It really is a good find.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on July 11, 2014, 02:28:07 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2014, 10:45:13 AM
Here's an interesting comparison, IDOT-style exit number versus ISHTA exit number (both signs installed by ISTHA at different times):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_4129_zps40f32d8b.jpg&hash=9d63bc2d761a3c89bb87d406aee2ab4d566e1af0) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_4129_zps40f32d8b.jpg.html)
Judging from the separate exit tab on the Clearview-font sign to the right, IL is apparently discontinuing the practice of having the exit numbers on the guide signs themselves (like GA is). When did this change occur?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mrsman on July 11, 2014, 04:21:59 PM
Quote from: Henry on July 11, 2014, 02:28:07 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2014, 10:45:13 AM
Here's an interesting comparison, IDOT-style exit number versus ISHTA exit number (both signs installed by ISTHA at different times):

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_4129_zps40f32d8b.jpg&hash=9d63bc2d761a3c89bb87d406aee2ab4d566e1af0) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_4129_zps40f32d8b.jpg.html)
Judging from the separate exit tab on the Clearview-font sign to the right, IL is apparently discontinuing the practice of having the exit numbers on the guide signs themselves (like GA is). When did this change occur?

I'm not a fan of this sign.  The control cities are too generic.  Why not use Joliet and Schaumburg
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 11, 2014, 06:42:25 PM
Quote from: Henry on July 11, 2014, 02:28:07 PM
Judging from the separate exit tab on the Clearview-font sign to the right, IL is apparently discontinuing the practice of having the exit numbers on the guide signs themselves (like GA is). When did this change occur?

Not at all.  Both signs here were installed by ISTHA, not IDOT.  However, the sign on the left was done prior to ISTHA adopting exit numbers while the sign on the right was done after ISTHA adopted exit numbers.  ISTHA did the left sign in IDOT's style, while the right sign is all ISTHA.

Quote from: mrsman on July 11, 2014, 04:21:59 PM
I'm not a fan of this sign.  The control cities are too generic.  Why not use Joliet and Schaumburg

Agreed about Schaumburg, but here, you are basically in the Joliet area.  Both routes (I-55 south and I-355 south) will take you to Joliet.  Lockport might be better.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mukade on July 11, 2014, 07:44:01 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 11, 2014, 06:42:25 PM
Quote from: Henry on July 11, 2014, 02:28:07 PM
Judging from the separate exit tab on the Clearview-font sign to the right, IL is apparently discontinuing the practice of having the exit numbers on the guide signs themselves (like GA is). When did this change occur?

Not at all.  Both signs here were installed by ISTHA, not IDOT.  However, the sign on the left was done prior to ISTHA adopting exit numbers while the sign on the right was done after ISTHA adopted exit numbers.  ISTHA did the left sign in IDOT's style, while the right sign is all ISTHA.

Quote from: mrsman on July 11, 2014, 04:21:59 PM
I'm not a fan of this sign.  The control cities are too generic.  Why not use Joliet and Schaumburg

Agreed about Schaumburg, but here, you are basically in the Joliet area.  Both routes (I-55 south and I-355 south) will take you to Joliet.  Lockport might be better.

Bolingbrook is three times bigger than Lockport and Downers Grove is twice as big. I-355 goes thru both. If you want the city at the southern terminus of I-355, it is New Lenox, and that is pretty close in size to Lockport.

All that said, why do you need a control city?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 11, 2014, 11:38:24 PM
Quote from: mukade on July 11, 2014, 07:44:01 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 11, 2014, 06:42:25 PM
Quote from: Henry on July 11, 2014, 02:28:07 PM
Judging from the separate exit tab on the Clearview-font sign to the right, IL is apparently discontinuing the practice of having the exit numbers on the guide signs themselves (like GA is). When did this change occur?

Not at all.  Both signs here were installed by ISTHA, not IDOT.  However, the sign on the left was done prior to ISTHA adopting exit numbers while the sign on the right was done after ISTHA adopted exit numbers.  ISTHA did the left sign in IDOT's style, while the right sign is all ISTHA.

Quote from: mrsman on July 11, 2014, 04:21:59 PM
I'm not a fan of this sign.  The control cities are too generic.  Why not use Joliet and Schaumburg

Agreed about Schaumburg, but here, you are basically in the Joliet area.  Both routes (I-55 south and I-355 south) will take you to Joliet.  Lockport might be better.

Bolingbrook is three times bigger than Lockport and Downers Grove is twice as big. I-355 goes thru both. If you want the city at the southern terminus of I-355, it is New Lenox, and that is pretty close in size to Lockport.

All that said, why do you need a control city?

However, here, Bolingbrook is north, not south, and actually at the interchange.  That said, Bolingbrook/Schaumburg would be better than Rockford at I-80.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 11, 2014, 11:47:45 PM
On a somewhat related tangent, the IDOT District 1 sign design guide has been posted on the IDOT website.  Link (http://www.dot.state.il.us/DistrictStandards/District%201/D1MiscManuals/D1%20Signing%20Guidelines%202013.pdf)

There's also a copy of the District 1 traffic signal design guide.  Link (http://www.dot.state.il.us/DistrictStandards/District%201/D1MiscManuals/D1%20TS%20Design%20Guidelines%202009.pdf)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mrsman on July 18, 2014, 11:13:29 AM
Quote from: mukade on July 11, 2014, 07:44:01 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 11, 2014, 06:42:25 PM
Quote from: Henry on July 11, 2014, 02:28:07 PM
Judging from the separate exit tab on the Clearview-font sign to the right, IL is apparently discontinuing the practice of having the exit numbers on the guide signs themselves (like GA is). When did this change occur?

Not at all.  Both signs here were installed by ISTHA, not IDOT.  However, the sign on the left was done prior to ISTHA adopting exit numbers while the sign on the right was done after ISTHA adopted exit numbers.  ISTHA did the left sign in IDOT's style, while the right sign is all ISTHA.

Quote from: mrsman on July 11, 2014, 04:21:59 PM
I'm not a fan of this sign.  The control cities are too generic.  Why not use Joliet and Schaumburg

Agreed about Schaumburg, but here, you are basically in the Joliet area.  Both routes (I-55 south and I-355 south) will take you to Joliet.  Lockport might be better.

Bolingbrook is three times bigger than Lockport and Downers Grove is twice as big. I-355 goes thru both. If you want the city at the southern terminus of I-355, it is New Lenox, and that is pretty close in size to Lockport.

All that said, why do you need a control city?

Control cities are helpful to direct people towards destinations and may be a helpful way for those who are directionally challenged.  Even I, occasionally (but not too frequently), mistake east and west (but rarely north and south), so a control city would be a helpful tool so as not to get lost.  Control cities help those who are not from the area find alternate means to get to places.

Yes, a control city is much more useful on a 2di to direct Chicago area traffic towards St. Louis or Milwaukee or Des Moines, but for a 3di, well known suburbs are helpful.  Schuamburg is a jobs center and is also close to O'Hare Airport and its also due north.  Even though I-355 doesn't reach Schaumburg it leads you to I-290 which does. 

Joliet for southbound I-355.  It certainly makes sense at the other interchanges like I-88 and I-290.  Brandon is right that both I-55 and I-355 get you to about the same distance from Central Joliet.  Yet, from this interchange, I-355 (and I-80) gets you there without overshooting and coming back, so it's more direct if you want to go towards the center of town.  Plus, if Joliet is the southbound control for the entire I-355 it should remain the control until you reach the city, whereas the only southbound control along I-55 in IL is St. Louis.

Incidentally, I hate how Google Maps puts in Lincoln Highway everywhere, even if the road commonly goes by another name.  I had to use GSV to find out that Cass Street is the name of westbound Lincoln Highway in central Joliet.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on July 19, 2014, 12:09:59 AM
Quote from: mrsman on July 18, 2014, 11:13:29 AM
Quote from: mukade on July 11, 2014, 07:44:01 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 11, 2014, 06:42:25 PM
Quote from: Henry on July 11, 2014, 02:28:07 PM
Judging from the separate exit tab on the Clearview-font sign to the right, IL is apparently discontinuing the practice of having the exit numbers on the guide signs themselves (like GA is). When did this change occur?

Not at all.  Both signs here were installed by ISTHA, not IDOT.  However, the sign on the left was done prior to ISTHA adopting exit numbers while the sign on the right was done after ISTHA adopted exit numbers.  ISTHA did the left sign in IDOT's style, while the right sign is all ISTHA.

Quote from: mrsman on July 11, 2014, 04:21:59 PM
I'm not a fan of this sign.  The control cities are too generic.  Why not use Joliet and Schaumburg

Agreed about Schaumburg, but here, you are basically in the Joliet area.  Both routes (I-55 south and I-355 south) will take you to Joliet.  Lockport might be better.

Bolingbrook is three times bigger than Lockport and Downers Grove is twice as big. I-355 goes thru both. If you want the city at the southern terminus of I-355, it is New Lenox, and that is pretty close in size to Lockport.

All that said, why do you need a control city?

Control cities are helpful to direct people towards destinations and may be a helpful way for those who are directionally challenged.  Even I, occasionally (but not too frequently), mistake east and west (but rarely north and south), so a control city would be a helpful tool so as not to get lost.  Control cities help those who are not from the area find alternate means to get to places.

Yes, a control city is much more useful on a 2di to direct Chicago area traffic towards St. Louis or Milwaukee or Des Moines, but for a 3di, well known suburbs are helpful.  Schuamburg is a jobs center and is also close to O'Hare Airport and its also due north.  Even though I-355 doesn't reach Schaumburg it leads you to I-290 which does. 

Joliet for southbound I-355.  It certainly makes sense at the other interchanges like I-88 and I-290.  Brandon is right that both I-55 and I-355 get you to about the same distance from Central Joliet.  Yet, from this interchange, I-355 (and I-80) gets you there without overshooting and coming back, so it's more direct if you want to go towards the center of town.  Plus, if Joliet is the southbound control for the entire I-355 it should remain the control until you reach the city, whereas the only southbound control along I-55 in IL is St. Louis.

Incidentally, I hate how Google Maps puts in Lincoln Highway everywhere, even if the road commonly goes by another name.  I had to use GSV to find out that Cass Street is the name of westbound Lincoln Highway in central Joliet.

Except that control cities like Schaumburg or West Suburbs are really mostly for locals who should know where they are traveling. Control cities around I-270 around St. Louis point to KC, Indy, Tulsa, Louisville, and Memphis, cities that make sense to the long distance traveller. If STL followed the same logic as Chicago the control cities would be places like Kirkwood and Florissant and Jeffco, places locals understand but too obscure to travelers just passing through. Control cities should not be too centric to the area.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: DevalDragon on July 19, 2014, 02:22:07 AM
That and I-355 does not go to Rockford. Without, of course, getting on I-290 and I-90 first.

Quote from: Brandon on July 11, 2014, 11:38:24 PM
However, here, Bolingbrook is north, not south, and actually at the interchange.  That said, Bolingbrook/Schaumburg would be better than Rockford at I-80.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sipes23 on September 04, 2014, 04:19:16 PM
The Algonquin Bypass is finally done. It took about two years, but now that it's done it's a huge improvement for north-south traffic on IL 31.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: billtm on September 27, 2014, 09:53:07 PM
Random question: How does I-94 in Chicago (Bishop Ford) handle traffic volumes between MM65 -MM63 (I-57 merge)? It's only 2 lanes! And it's in Chicagoland! Is it that very few cars drive on it? Or is there no space or money to widen it?  :confused:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 27, 2014, 10:01:36 PM
Quote from: billtm on September 27, 2014, 09:53:07 PM
Random question: How does I-94 in Chicago (Bishop Ford) handle traffic volumes between MM65 -MM63 (I-57 merge)? It's only 2 lanes! And it's in Chicagoland! Is it that very few cars drive on it? Or is there no space or money to widen it?  :confused:

I've never had many issues going through that junction. Then again, those were during off-hours and not rush hour. What I've noticed is it depends on the rush hour. Morning is heavy towards downtown, afternoon heavy towards the burbs and Indiana. Outside of accidents, the junction is usually open unless it's in one of those specific rush hour periods.

I'm sure there's a spreadsheet of traffic volume statistics that can answer your question much better
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: billtm on September 27, 2014, 10:08:28 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 27, 2014, 10:01:36 PM
Quote from: billtm on September 27, 2014, 09:53:07 PM
Random question: How does I-94 in Chicago (Bishop Ford) handle traffic volumes between MM65 -MM63 (I-57 merge)? It's only 2 lanes! And it's in Chicagoland! Is it that very few cars drive on it? Or is there no space or money to widen it?  :confused:

I've never had many issues going through that junction. Then again, those were during off-hours and not rush hour. What I've noticed is it depends on the rush hour. Morning is heavy towards downtown, afternoon heavy towards the burbs and Indiana. Outside of accidents, the junction is usually open unless it's in one of those specific rush hour periods.

I'm sure there's a spreadsheet of traffic volume statistics that can answer your question much better

Do you know where I might be able to find area specific traffic volume statistic spreadsheets?  :hmmm:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 27, 2014, 10:14:04 PM
Quote from: billtm on September 27, 2014, 09:53:07 PM
Random question: How does I-94 in Chicago (Bishop Ford) handle traffic volumes between MM65 -MM63 (I-57 merge)? It's only 2 lanes! And it's in Chicagoland! Is it that very few cars drive on it? Or is there no space or money to widen it?  :confused:

A good portion of the traffic splits off to Stony Island east of that point (heading northbound), and most of the traffic heading off the Ryan is going onto I-57 toward Kankakee and I-80.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 28, 2014, 07:34:43 PM
Quote from: billtm on September 27, 2014, 10:08:28 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 27, 2014, 10:01:36 PM
Quote from: billtm on September 27, 2014, 09:53:07 PM
Random question: How does I-94 in Chicago (Bishop Ford) handle traffic volumes between MM65 -MM63 (I-57 merge)? It's only 2 lanes! And it's in Chicagoland! Is it that very few cars drive on it? Or is there no space or money to widen it?  :confused:

I've never had many issues going through that junction. Then again, those were during off-hours and not rush hour. What I've noticed is it depends on the rush hour. Morning is heavy towards downtown, afternoon heavy towards the burbs and Indiana. Outside of accidents, the junction is usually open unless it's in one of those specific rush hour periods.

I'm sure there's a spreadsheet of traffic volume statistics that can answer your question much better

Do you know where I might be able to find area specific traffic volume statistic spreadsheets?  :hmmm:

That I am unsure of. Your best bet would probably be IDOT. I've only seen traffic stats for construction projects and/or study areas
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 29, 2014, 10:28:25 PM
Is it just me or does ISTHA actually seem to be improving on their signage? Take I-88 as a good example and the next exit gore signs and tabs. However every so often they have been missing a tab or two on some signs which is really frustrating. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dave069 on October 11, 2014, 04:10:21 PM
I also have a question about I-94. I haven't been out on the Tri-State Tollway portion of I-94 in a while but I heard they were putting a fourth lane in between IL-173 and the Wisconsin border. The Tollway's page has made no mention of this however. Are they building a fourth lane on that part of I-94?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on October 11, 2014, 04:38:12 PM
From what I've read and heard, there are no plans in the immediate future for expansion of this small section of the Tri-State. The ISTHA page is very good with keeping drivers updated on the latest projects.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 11, 2014, 06:19:34 PM
Quote from: dave069 on October 11, 2014, 04:10:21 PM
I also have a question about I-94. I haven't been out on the Tri-State Tollway portion of I-94 in a while but I heard they were putting a fourth lane in between IL-173 and the Wisconsin border. The Tollway's page has made no mention of this however. Are they building a fourth lane on that part of I-94?

The Tri-State is four lanes all the way to Russell Road, IIRC from my trip to Appleton.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on October 12, 2014, 02:35:45 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 11, 2014, 06:19:34 PM
Quote from: dave069 on October 11, 2014, 04:10:21 PM
I also have a question about I-94. I haven't been out on the Tri-State Tollway portion of I-94 in a while but I heard they were putting a fourth lane in between IL-173 and the Wisconsin border. The Tollway's page has made no mention of this however. Are they building a fourth lane on that part of I-94?

The Tri-State is four lanes all the way to Russell Road, IIRC from my trip to Appleton.

Sure is (just went through last weekend). At 9pm on a Sunday night, the 55mph speed limit on that stretch is ridiculously slow; traffic flows at 75-80. The right shoulder gets sacrificed under the older bridges. A similar tactic, albeit taken to smaller extremes, is being used on I-90 between Rockford and Elgin.

Once you're over the border a few miles into Wisconsin, you'll lose lanes due to the long-term construction to widen I-94 into Milwaukee.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adventurernumber1 on October 23, 2014, 03:26:03 PM
I have been to Chicago before (on a mission trip), and I have also seen a good bit of it on GM street view. I've always wondered, on many portions of many of Chicago's freeways, why are the broken stripes dividing travel lanes so much longer than elsewhere?

Here's an example of what I'm talking about on I-90 near the Chicago O'Hare International Airport: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0021774,-87.886576,3a,75y,301.24h,82.98t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sg22Qubx0pDqt5ZEgnIAZVw!2e0

Here's another example on I-294 in the same area: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9627752,-87.8757061,3a,75y,27.51h,89.14t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1szyMxY7UalYF9DHv1m-E2QA!2e0

An example on I-355 in the suburb of Wheaton (I remember seeing this stretch of interstate on my mission trip; we stayed at a college in Wheaton): https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8488154,-88.0324187,3a,75y,304.12h,88.63t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1slgdXUVk7sQcT_W_EfzHQsA!2e0

And many other places
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 23, 2014, 03:41:46 PM
Quote from: adventurernumber1 on October 23, 2014, 03:26:03 PM
I have been to Chicago before (on a mission trip), and I have also seen a good bit of it on GM street view. I've always wondered, on many portions of many of Chicago's freeways, why are the broken stripes dividing travel lanes so much longer than elsewhere?

Here's an example of what I'm talking about on I-90 near the Chicago O'Hare International Airport: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0021774,-87.886576,3a,75y,301.24h,82.98t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sg22Qubx0pDqt5ZEgnIAZVw!2e0

Here's another example on I-294 in the same area: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9627752,-87.8757061,3a,75y,27.51h,89.14t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1szyMxY7UalYF9DHv1m-E2QA!2e0

An example on I-355 in the suburb of Wheaton (I remember seeing this stretch of interstate on my mission trip; we stayed at a college in Wheaton): https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8488154,-88.0324187,3a,75y,304.12h,88.63t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1slgdXUVk7sQcT_W_EfzHQsA!2e0

And many other places

The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA, not to be confused with IDOT - they are separate) uses the longer lane lines (3:3 ratio - 3ft of line, 3ft of space).  The New Jersey Turnpike does the same thing.  I believe both ISTHA and NJTP do this for visibility purposes.  Personally, I like them much better than the more typical 3:1 ratio used for lane lines (1ft of stripe, 3 ft of space).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adventurernumber1 on October 23, 2014, 03:48:53 PM
That makes sense, and I have thought about that Ive seen this striping style on the toll roads in Chicago, and I also have seen these long broken stripes on the NJ Turnpike from videos/pics and the sort. I personally like both striping styles, but I'm less used to the longer stripes due to my location. But thanks for the info, Brandon!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on November 14, 2014, 02:26:23 PM
The Northwest Tollway expansion is basically done heading westbound.  That is going to be REALLY nice when 100% complete.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 14, 2014, 03:51:21 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on November 14, 2014, 02:26:23 PM
The Northwest Tollway expansion is basically done heading westbound.  That is going to be REALLY nice when 100% complete.

They need to get rid of the fucking 45 and 55 mph signs if they're not working on a section.  No one pays any heed to it as the rule of "follow the signs 24/7" cheapens the meaning of them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on November 14, 2014, 04:36:05 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 14, 2014, 03:51:21 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on November 14, 2014, 02:26:23 PM
The Northwest Tollway expansion is basically done heading westbound.  That is going to be REALLY nice when 100% complete.

They need to get rid of the fucking 45 and 55 mph signs if they're not working on a section.  No one pays any heed to it as the rule of "follow the signs 24/7" cheapens the meaning of them.

Especially the ones that claim they are photo enforced, I know for a fact that most of them are bs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 14, 2014, 05:11:25 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on November 14, 2014, 04:36:05 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 14, 2014, 03:51:21 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on November 14, 2014, 02:26:23 PM
The Northwest Tollway expansion is basically done heading westbound.  That is going to be REALLY nice when 100% complete.

They need to get rid of the fucking 45 and 55 mph signs if they're not working on a section.  No one pays any heed to it as the rule of "follow the signs 24/7" cheapens the meaning of them.

Especially the ones that claim they are photo enforced, I know for a fact that most of them are bs.

I've seen a grand total of one photo van since 2008, and that was being used on I-80 a few weeks ago.

This one was parked, not taking pictures at the time.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_4820_zps85ef6528.jpg&hash=4788d3e1f2e74c496a5e97845dc87bbb528adb9b) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_4820_zps85ef6528.jpg.html)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_4821_zps1e8d5fa1.jpg&hash=14eca8d7a32499bfb6638127787c344b761c9f4c) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_4821_zps1e8d5fa1.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 16, 2014, 01:48:50 PM
There's an article on the website for the Rockford paper regarding the number of trucks on I-39.  Link (http://www.rrstar.com/article/20141115/NEWS/141119648/?Start=1)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on November 16, 2014, 04:30:08 PM
Why does US 51 multiplex with I-39 when SR 251 parallels it?  I'm assuming 251 is old 51, why not keep 51 on it's old alignment and never have a 251 at all?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 16, 2014, 04:35:23 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on November 16, 2014, 04:30:08 PM
Why does US 51 multiplex with I-39 when SR 251 parallels it?  I'm assuming 251 is old 51, why not keep 51 on it's old alignment and never have a 251 at all?

Because I-39 was originally built as US-51.  I-39 was later added to it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on November 19, 2014, 09:27:58 PM
A common rule about U.S. routes - once on a freeway it stays on a freeway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: NE2 on November 19, 2014, 10:40:08 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on November 19, 2014, 09:27:58 PM
A common rule about U.S. routes - once on a freeway it stays on a freeway.
AASHTO rule that states have ignored. Most recently, NCDOT moved US 220 off I-73/74, replacing US 220 Alt.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 22, 2014, 11:19:57 PM
Exhibits from a recent public meeting for the Alton-Godfrey Connector are up (Link (click on the 'Get Involved' tab) (http://www.dot.state.il.us/projects/Alton-Godfrey-Study)

* Looks like all of the alternatives still under consideration remove the current grade separation between US 67 and IL 3, and replace it with a new signalized intersection slightly to the north, at the cost of several businesses.

* Appears that Alton Square Mall Drive (which appears to become part of the new corridor in all but Alternative 12-3)  would gain an overpass at Oakwood Avenue.

* Alternative 6 (which I would not expect to survive given the long structure in the middle of the corridor) features a new interchange where Wenzel Road crosses IL 255.

(Edited to fix bad link)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: NE2 on November 23, 2014, 12:08:08 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 22, 2014, 11:19:57 PM
Exhibits from a recent public meeting for the Alton-Godfrey Connector are up (Link (click on the 'Get Involved' tab) (//http://)
http://www.dot.state.il.us/projects/Alton-Godfrey-Study
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on November 24, 2014, 12:08:13 AM
Looks like new clearview signs are going up on the Kennedy. Went into town last night going eastbound to find the right lane shutdown as crews were taking down gantries and rebuilding them with new towers and signage
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dave069 on December 05, 2014, 10:01:09 AM
Quote from: JREwing78 on October 12, 2014, 02:35:45 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 11, 2014, 06:19:34 PM
Quote from: dave069 on October 11, 2014, 04:10:21 PM
I also have a question about I-94. I haven't been out on the Tri-State Tollway portion of I-94 in a while but I heard they were putting a fourth lane in between IL-173 and the Wisconsin border. The Tollway's page has made no mention of this however. Are they building a fourth lane on that part of I-94?

The Tri-State is four lanes all the way to Russell Road, IIRC from my trip to Appleton.

Sure is (just went through last weekend). At 9pm on a Sunday night, the 55mph speed limit on that stretch is ridiculously slow; traffic flows at 75-80. The right shoulder gets sacrificed under the older bridges. A similar tactic, albeit taken to smaller extremes, is being used on I-90 between Rockford and Elgin.

Once you're over the border a few miles into Wisconsin, you'll lose lanes due to the long-term construction to widen I-94 into Milwaukee.

They finally finished the I-90 work around november but they still have the 55 signs and thats really annoying. Who would drive that slow on the open road? Im really hoping they bump it up to 70 soon because its already 70 in rockford. A "rural" interstate does not start in rockford and an "urban interstate doesn't start in the middle of nowhere. The tollway's logic is quite flawed imho.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on December 06, 2014, 12:27:51 AM
Quote from: dave069 on December 05, 2014, 10:01:09 AM
They finally finished the I-90 work around november but they still have the 55 signs and thats really annoying. Who would drive that slow on the open road? Im really hoping they bump it up to 70 soon because its already 70 in rockford. A "rural" interstate does not start in rockford and an "urban interstate doesn't start in the middle of nowhere. The tollway's logic is quite flawed imho.

When I went through there over the Thanksgiving holiday, it was posted for 65 for most of its length (a couple construction zones were 45 or 55).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dave069 on December 06, 2014, 11:58:11 AM
Quote from: JREwing78 on December 06, 2014, 12:27:51 AM
Quote from: dave069 on December 05, 2014, 10:01:09 AM
They finally finished the I-90 work around november but they still have the 55 signs and thats really annoying. Who would drive that slow on the open road? Im really hoping they bump it up to 70 soon because its already 70 in rockford. A "rural" interstate does not start in rockford and an "urban interstate doesn't start in the middle of nowhere. The tollway's logic is quite flawed imho.

When I went through there over the Thanksgiving holiday, it was posted for 65 for most of its length (a couple construction zones were 45 or 55).

Oh yeah, I went on their webpage yesterday and saw that most of it had been raised to 65. That part should become a 70 soon, hopefully. Keeping it at 65 would be completely illogical.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 10, 2014, 11:21:24 PM
http://www.wics.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_20148.shtml
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tdindy88 on December 12, 2014, 11:14:36 AM
Out of mere curiosity I was looking at the traffic cameras and message boards around Chicago this morning, I swear this was random, and I noticed that there is no longer a "Circle" interchange, something called the "Jane Byrne?" When did this happen?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 12, 2014, 11:59:44 AM
A former mayor (who killed the crosstown0 got it named for her just before she died recently
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 12, 2014, 12:43:49 PM
Quote from: 3467 on December 12, 2014, 11:59:44 AM
A former mayor (who killed the crosstown0 got it named for her just before she died recently

It was done as an "honor" by the other politicians in Chicago.  I call it an "honor" and use the term very dubiously, as they liked to call her "Crazy Jane".  It's a basketcase of an interchange.  The Taste would've been better to name for her as she started it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tdindy88 on December 12, 2014, 12:45:58 PM
I figured it was a "political" thing, it being Chicago and all, just surprised I hadn't heard about it here.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 12, 2014, 02:18:12 PM
Muni's tend not to like generic names for structures (Lake Shore Drive notwithstanding) - Just ask New York City - Hugh????

Just like Sears Tower, I will remember it as the Circle.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 15, 2014, 08:22:03 PM
US 34 Biggsville ByPass opened a week ago today. Google Traffic and Maps has not picked it up so you will see a gap on US 34. The 67 opening above used the existing ROW and did not have that problem
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dfwmapper on December 16, 2014, 01:05:17 AM
Quote from: 3467 on December 15, 2014, 08:22:03 PM
US 34 Biggsville ByPass opened a week ago today. Google Traffic and Maps has not picked it up so you will see a gap on US 34. The 67 opening above used the existing ROW and did not have that problem
I'll take a swing at it tomorrow. Is the old route signed as anything?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Alex on December 16, 2014, 09:26:29 AM
The Biggsville Bypass could become part of an overall four-lane corridor for US 34 between Burlington, IA and Monmouth, IL.

Public comment period open for potential U.S. 34 project (http://www.reviewatlas.com/article/20141021/News/141029976)

QuoteOnly 22 two-lane miles of U.S. 34 between Monmouth and Burlington stand in the way of a unified four-lane expressway and a resulting economic boom for Monmouth.

QuoteReinforcing his adamant stance on the necessity of public input from community members, business owners and politicians, Crow referenced the Biggsville Bypass. The Illinois Department of Transportation had no intentions of building the Biggsville Bypass, much like they have no plans to further improve U.S. 34, until the community came together.
"It was an entirely community-driven change. They came together and lobbied, and that is what made everything happen," Crow said. "We need that same kind of commitment.

QuoteThe completion of a four-lane expressway would have several economic benefits for the city of Monmouth, he said. The biggest impact would be the creation of a new direct route to Iowa, which would alter current trucking routes.
"This would have a huge impact on our community's economy. It is really the key to the growth of not only Monmouth but all of Western Illinois," Crow said. "As Monmouth is the only major city between Burlington and Galesburg, we would see much additional growth around the U.S. 67 and U.S. 34 interchange."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 16, 2014, 07:25:53 PM
The Old road is mostly signed as Illinois 94, The Stubs at the end are unsigned but you can access them from local roads near each end of the bypass . Illinois is chaotic with non -interstate mileage signs Knox Warren and Henderson counties have them at roads and county lines not every mile but Henry and Bureau are just the opposite. On the new 67 in Morgan there are none on the new route whereas on the Biggsville by pass they are using Interstate markers . The new route ads about a tenth of a mile . So now there are about 17 miles left. IDOT has never been thrilled about building roads it thinks benefit the other I state next door with the strange exception of US 20 which is the most costly 4 lane proposal by far running 10 -20 million a mile. I think these 2 route of about 5 or 6 miles ran about 6 million a mile . Both 67 and 34 were new pavement 67 used a little of the old road ,both have one interchange
The road between Biggsville and Monmouth is a modern 2 lane and IDOT has most of the ROW . The other stretch is still more problematic Because of Army Corp Floodplain regs it wont cost 200 million for those 4 miles just a mere 80 . IDOT has a new Phase 1 I just don't expect much more here for a long time
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 16, 2014, 07:56:20 PM
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/D3/01.24.2014.pdf

Another 34 (Old US 32) update. This was cancelled and the website is gone. I wonder if this is going to happen to US 30 in Whiteside County where almost everyone in Morrison is against the bypass and IDOT noted most supporters were from another state
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 16, 2014, 10:50:56 PM
Quote from: 3467 on December 16, 2014, 07:56:20 PM
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/D3/01.24.2014.pdf

Another 34 (Old US 32) update. This was cancelled and the website is gone. I wonder if this is going to happen to US 30 in Whiteside County where almost everyone in Morrison is against the bypass and IDOT noted most supporters were from another state

This is old news.  There was a change in mayor in Sandwich...the long-serving mayor who was for the project was defeated and the new mayor convinced IDOT to cancel the study.  It would have had a lot of building impacts to convert US 34 to a 5-lane highway thru Sandwich.  When I was with IDOT, we also studied a two-way couple which would have disrupted few buildings, but would have turned a low-speed city street into two lanes of one way traffic and taken some of the parking off of it.  IDOT is putting all of its US 34 resources to the east, where towns like Yorkville and Plano are all for the lane expansion, and the traffic is slightly higher.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 16, 2014, 11:20:50 PM
It looks like something similar in Morrison and Pickneyville. There was also supposed to be some sort of financing study on US 20 out in October but I have not seen anything. Waiting on New Gov?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 16, 2014, 11:31:34 PM
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/featured-projects/index

IDOT updated its Projects Page There is a US 51 study underway but not here . But similar to Sandwich ,Vandalia is not happy about a bypass in this case.
Does anyone know what is really going on with 30,20,51,50 or 127?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Alex on December 20, 2014, 11:11:10 AM
(//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/midwest/il_1970_nw.jpg)

What is the background on the proposed road from the East West Tollway to U.S. 30 at Fulton? I scanned this from a 1970 Chicago & Vicinity / Illinois fold map.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on December 20, 2014, 08:43:07 PM
It looks as though during the original studies for the East / West Tollway, they were considering routing it due west to Clinton, IA.  (Partly at Clinton's urging.)

Example:

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1963/09/26/page/105/article/motor-club-to-hear-study-on-tollway

Even when the final route was decided to the Quad Cities, they were still studying an extension to Clinton.  (Good thing they didn't do that because I don't think traffic would have justified it.)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 20, 2014, 08:55:09 PM
They were but IDOT was considering the corridor they are looking at now . This corridor was considered in the current study but dropped early.
They were handing this corridor over to the tollway at this time. Could this have been a tollway plan?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on December 20, 2014, 09:16:42 PM
Quote from: 3467 on December 20, 2014, 08:55:09 PM
They were but IDOT was considering the corridor they are looking at now . This corridor was considered in the current study but dropped early.
They were handing this corridor over to the tollway at this time. Could this have been a tollway plan?

Yeah sorry, that's what the article said.  That the Clinton route could not be supported by toll revenue.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 20, 2014, 10:20:53 PM
That explains why its on the map and the other corridors were not until IDOT started to actually build them. very interesting. Thanks for that
The route under study is an expressway and it still could not support toll revenue. IDOT seems to be studying tolls or something for US 20. The website says something was supposed to be released in October . Most of their studies are in Limbo right now . That is why I asked if anyone knew what was going on 34 and 67 are the only ones I have any firsthand knowledge of .
I can update a couple of widen and repaves . US 67 North of Viola looks to have added a foot to each shoulder when it was repaved earlier this year . IL 116 was widened this fall west of US 67 . 3-4 feet were added on each side of this 9-10 foot pavement at a cost of 150,000 per mile . I am such a roadgeek I get out and measure
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on December 20, 2014, 10:26:54 PM
Quote from: Alex on December 20, 2014, 11:11:10 AM
(//www.aaroads.com/forum_images/midwest/il_1970_nw.jpg)

What is the background on the proposed road from the East West Tollway to U.S. 30 at Fulton? I scanned this from a 1970 Chicago & Vicinity / Illinois fold map.

There's now a proposal to upgrade US 30 into a 4 lane expressway from IL-136 in Fulton to Rock Falls.  I assume this US 30 upgrade will be 4-lane divided with mostly at-grade intersections and a bypass of Morrison too.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/us-30-fulton-to-rock-falls

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.idot.illinois.gov%2FAssets%2Fuploads%2FIDOT-Projects%2FDistrict-2%2FUS-30-Fulton-to-Rock-Falls%2Fimages%2FLocationMap_140710_LOres.jpg&hash=48945289c47b989cc185b32044cfe7f43d8c8b90)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 20, 2014, 10:31:47 PM
Comments for Morrison were against it by a large margin. They don't want to be bypassed
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 22, 2014, 01:24:46 AM
Quote from: 3467 on December 16, 2014, 11:31:34 PM

IDOT updated its Projects Page There is a US 51 study underway but not here .
Does anyone know what is really going on with 30,20,51,50 or 127?

www.us51eis.com - I don't know why, but never has been in the IDOT Projects page.  The project is being led by IDOT District 7.  They are trying to wrap up the EIS study fairly soon.  Considering that US 51 is being improved from the north to the south, and that there is about 10 miles yet to be completed within the previous EIS study from south of Assumption to south of Pana, and there is no construction funding in the program for any of it to 2020, I think it will be a long time before this is even completed around Pana.  The bypass around Vandalia could not take a more direct route because everything to the east and south of Vandalia is a floodplain.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 22, 2014, 12:01:29 PM
I wondered if it was because of IDOT lack of enthusiasm for the project . Like Sandwich IDOT seems to no longer have the desire to push when there does not seem to be much local support. US 30 had floodplain issues around Morrison.
I found out the floodplain issues on US 34 were  sort of resolved or at least the Army Corps seems to be more accepting of a less expensive alternative.
I read some of the meeting comments on US 51. Most in Vandalia want a through town improvement. The consultants tell them that would not get a positive ROD because of purpose and need. It looks to me the consultants just want to get it done get paid and if it stays on a shelf so be it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 22, 2014, 12:09:16 PM
http://www.robdailynews.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=12193
About  year old update on US 50 . IDOT has most of the ROW They are getting away with just and EA here for Olney to Illinois 1 . There is also a bypass study from 64 to 50 around Lebanon. I don't see how you go around Carlyle . Despite the desires of this group I think IDOT will just do these projects and keep the ROW unless Indiana plans to 4 lane their section
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on December 22, 2014, 03:43:18 PM
I've never understood the desire to 4-lane 50.  The same thing goes for 51 south of Vandalia.  I travel 51 there to Sandoval several times a year and it never has much traffic.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on December 22, 2014, 03:54:40 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on December 22, 2014, 03:43:18 PM
I've never understood the desire to 4-lane 50.  The same thing goes for 51 south of Vandalia.  I travel 51 there to Sandoval several times a year and it never has much traffic.

Could it be for trucks?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 22, 2014, 04:41:37 PM
Truck Volumes are not very high. It all really comes from the old supplemental freeway system . If you compare it to the existing studies you can see it has become the supplemental expressway system. IDOT actually calls them the Principal Arterials now. There are only 3 or 4 corridors not under some study or construction
Illinois 1 and US 67 north of Monmouth. There were corridor studies submitted for both or parts of both in the early 70s. Neither got approval to proceed. EPA pointed out US 41 to IDOT in the IL 1 study . FHWA pointed out I-74 to IDOT on the US 67 study IDOT never really revisited them . They did promise a reconstruct and a lot of passing lanes north of Monmouth and they are still working on that.
IL 127 north of Pickneyville  is another . IDOT points out the road is wide with full paved shoulders(in Texas they would repaint the lines and declare victory but this is Illinois) The other is the US 50 section between Carlyle and I-57 which has other serious issues.
Of the other corridors only US 20 is planned as Freeway and IDOT was supposed to release a study in October on how to fund it US 34 and 67 have had their EISs done and expressway construction has been completed on several sections as previously mentioned  IL 29 and IL 336 near Peoria  are under study for expressways as is US 30 in Whiteside County and Illinois 127 in Southern Illinois. Its about 350 miles of highway or about 3.5 Billion
I would add though it is common to call Illinois broke,it came up with the supplemental freeway system when its pensions were more underfunded than they are today. However Medicaid was not a third of its budget then.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Pete from Boston on January 06, 2015, 10:12:02 PM
Getting on 57/70 in Effingham the other day, I noticed that the destination city for westbound 70 is East St. Louis.  Is Illinois one of those states that will ignore the obvious choice (St. Louis) in favor of one inside the state? 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 06, 2015, 10:36:34 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 06, 2015, 10:12:02 PM
Getting on 57/70 in Effingham the other day, I noticed that the destination city for westbound 70 is East St. Louis.  Is Illinois one of those states that will ignore the obvious choice (St. Louis) in favor of one inside the state? 

Illinois has two levels of control cities, a primary and a secondary.  If you got on from a surface street, you will see East St Louis.  If it's from I-57, you'll see just St Louis.  An example of the two control city levels can be given along I-55:

Primary
Chicago, St Louis

Secondary
Chicago, Joliet, Bloomington (also, Bloomington-Normal), Springfield, East St Louis, St Louis (in East St Louis)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: pianocello on January 07, 2015, 11:48:54 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on January 06, 2015, 10:12:02 PM
Is Illinois one of those states that will ignore the obvious choice (St. Louis) in favor of one inside the state? 

Yes. There is exactly one interchange in which BGS's on I-80 say "Davenport". All others say either "Des Moines" (the primary control city, seen at interstate junctions and west/north of the I-74 interchange) or "Moline-Rock Island" (the secondary control city, which has a combined population of about 15K less than Davenport)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 07, 2015, 09:40:29 PM
It's interesting how I-80 uses Joliet and Moline-Rock Island and skips LaSalle-Peru, which I-39 uses.

Regarding using East St. Louis over St. Louis: since East St. Louis is right next to St. Louis, Illinois ought to just list St. Louis.  Using East St. Louis is not providing much useful information to motorist and is justing wasting space on signs.  If Illinois wants another point on I-55 and I-70 before St. Louis, they should use "Troy."  Otherwise "Cicero" ought to be used for a little bit on the other end of I-55 north of Joliet but before switching to 'Chicago'
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Stratuscaster on January 07, 2015, 10:51:17 PM
Quote from: pianocello on January 07, 2015, 11:48:54 AM
Yes. There is exactly one interchange in which BGS's on I-80 say "Davenport". All others say either "Des Moines" (the primary control city, seen at interstate junctions and west/north of the I-74 interchange) or "Moline-Rock Island" (the secondary control city, which has a combined population of about 15K less than Davenport)
Don't forget the ones that simply say "Iowa."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 07, 2015, 11:48:39 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 07, 2015, 09:40:29 PM
It's interesting how I-80 uses Joliet and Moline-Rock Island and skips LaSalle-Peru, which I-39 uses.

Regarding using East St. Louis over St. Louis: since East St. Louis is right next to St. Louis, Illinois ought to just list St. Louis.  Using East St. Louis is not providing much useful information to motorist and is justing wasting space on signs.  If Illinois wants another point on I-55 and I-70 before St. Louis, they should use "Troy."  Otherwise "Cicero" ought to be used for a little bit on the other end of I-55 north of Joliet but before switching to 'Chicago'

1. East St Louis used to be one of the biggest cities in the state.  When chosen as a secondary control, it was the main city of Metro East, and about 80k in population.

2. Cicero never touches I-55 and works more as a disassociated neighborhood of Chicago than anything else.  Might as well used Chicago as the control at that point.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on January 11, 2015, 07:17:38 PM
http://capitolfax.com/2015/01/10/rauner-makes-some-agency-board-appointments/

New IDOT Secretary
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on January 13, 2015, 08:33:10 PM
http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/01/12/new-idot-director-no-fan-of-illiana-expressway/a8fffv9/

More on IDOTs new Director
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sandwalk on April 10, 2015, 01:52:56 AM
Impressive video from northern Illinois Thursday of a large tornado crossing Interstate 39 just north of Rochelle:
https://youtu.be/cPOWY6PkYSc
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on April 10, 2015, 12:49:55 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 13, 2015, 08:33:10 PM
http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/01/12/new-idot-director-no-fan-of-illiana-expressway/a8fffv9/

More on IDOTs new Director
And down goes the Illiana...again!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 10, 2015, 02:59:30 PM
Quote from: Henry on April 10, 2015, 12:49:55 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 13, 2015, 08:33:10 PM
http://www.theherald-news.com/2015/01/12/new-idot-director-no-fan-of-illiana-expressway/a8fffv9/

More on IDOTs new Director
And down goes the Illiana...again!

A major mistake as it is a very necessary road.  But, there goes this state yet again not thinking ahead.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 05, 2015, 09:35:07 PM
As of late last week, there is detour signing along I-55 between the Shirley Interchange and the interchange with US 136 which features US 66 shields with an 'Old' banner (unfortunately since they were unexpected I didn't manage to get any pictures).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 30, 2015, 05:35:58 PM
IDOT may take over Arsenal Road from I-55 to Baseline Road in exchange for Will County taking some other secondary routes that are not specified:  Link. (http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=13232)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on July 30, 2015, 11:45:24 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 30, 2015, 05:35:58 PM
IDOT may take over Arsenal Road from I-55 to Baseline Road in exchange for Will County taking some other secondary routes that are not specified:  Link. (http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=13232)

IMO, I wouldn't be surprised the state route IDOT wants to decommission and hand over to Will County is IL-129, since it isn't of much use as a state route since the former Route 66 bridge going over railroad tracks was demolished in the late 1990s and the southbound entrance ramp form I-55 was removed in 2011 too.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 08, 2015, 10:09:03 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on July 30, 2015, 11:45:24 PM
IMO, I wouldn't be surprised the state route IDOT wants to decommission and hand over to Will County is IL-129, since it isn't of much use as a state route since the former Route 66 bridge going over railroad tracks was demolished in the late 1990s and the southbound entrance ramp form I-55 was removed in 2011 too.

I think there are a couple unmarked ones that will go before IL 129, such as the IDOT-maintained sections of Hoff Road, Old Chicago Road, Manhattan-Monee Road, Coal City Road, and West River Road.  Additionally, the interchange with I-55 will probably be rebuilt and reconfigured to a more standard interchange, no matter what happens with the Illiana.     

(Unmarked state routes based on Will County highway system maps (http://www.willcountyillinois.com/County-Offices/Economic-Development/Division-of-Transportation/Highway-System); maps download instead of opening in browser)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cl94 on August 09, 2015, 02:27:30 PM
After visiting a potential grad school this weekend (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), I understand all of the IDOT hate. Pavement conditions were abysmal on just about every IDOT-maintained highway I traveled on and speed limits in most places seemed a bit low. Did like the 3-4 signal heads facing almost every intersection approach.

Are any of the "photo enforced" work zones actually equipped with speed cameras? I passed through a couple on I-74 and didn't see any.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 09, 2015, 04:09:50 PM
Quote from: cl94 on August 09, 2015, 02:27:30 PM
Are any of the "photo enforced" work zones actually equipped with speed cameras? I passed through a couple on I-74 and didn't see any.

Rarely.  The vans look like this:

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_4820_zps85ef6528.jpg&hash=4788d3e1f2e74c496a5e97845dc87bbb528adb9b) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_4820_zps85ef6528.jpg.html)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi837.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fzz298%2Fmidamcrossrds%2F100_4821_zps1e8d5fa1.jpg&hash=14eca8d7a32499bfb6638127787c344b761c9f4c) (http://s837.photobucket.com/user/midamcrossrds/media/100_4821_zps1e8d5fa1.jpg.html)

When active, they have the speed listed in a large LED display above the van.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:53:51 PM
Didn't Oberweis pass some bill (that Quinn tried to veto) that raised speed limits in Illinois to 70 mph?

I was under the impression that speed limits in rural Illinois were 70 mph, which is fair for the most part.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cl94 on August 09, 2015, 05:56:18 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:53:51 PM
Didn't Oberweis pass some bill (that Quinn tried to veto) that raised speed limits in Illinois to 70 mph?

I was under the impression that speed limits in rural Illinois were 70 mph, which is fair for the most part.

They are 70 on Interstate highways
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:58:36 PM
Quote from: cl94 on August 09, 2015, 05:56:18 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:53:51 PM
Didn't Oberweis pass some bill (that Quinn tried to veto) that raised speed limits in Illinois to 70 mph?

I was under the impression that speed limits in rural Illinois were 70 mph, which is fair for the most part.

They are 70 on Interstate highways

70's not bad at all. How high did you expect it to be?

Found a map:
http://chicagoist.com/2014/01/03/here_are_the_illinois_highways_wher.php
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cl94 on August 09, 2015, 05:59:04 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:58:36 PM
Quote from: cl94 on August 09, 2015, 05:56:18 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:53:51 PM
Didn't Oberweis pass some bill (that Quinn tried to veto) that raised speed limits in Illinois to 70 mph?

I was under the impression that speed limits in rural Illinois were 70 mph, which is fair for the most part.

They are 70 on Interstate highways

70's not bad at all. How high did you expect it to be?

Found a map:
http://chicagoist.com/2014/01/03/here_are_the_illinois_highways_wher.php

I meant surface highways
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 06:03:53 PM
Quote from: cl94 on August 09, 2015, 05:59:04 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:58:36 PM
Quote from: cl94 on August 09, 2015, 05:56:18 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:53:51 PM
Didn't Oberweis pass some bill (that Quinn tried to veto) that raised speed limits in Illinois to 70 mph?

I was under the impression that speed limits in rural Illinois were 70 mph, which is fair for the most part.

They are 70 on Interstate highways

70's not bad at all. How high did you expect it to be?

Found a map:
http://chicagoist.com/2014/01/03/here_are_the_illinois_highways_wher.php

I meant surface highways

Depends where. Before speed limits were raised on the tollways, there were adjacent state highways that had the same speed limit as a parallel interstate.

I.e. Golf rd (IL-58) had a speed limit (between Barrington and 59, and I think it was lowered to 50) of 55 mph, same as I-90 2 miles north.

Butterfield road (IL-56) west of 59 had a speed limit of 55 mph, same as I-88 2 miles south.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 09, 2015, 07:59:54 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 06:03:53 PM
Depends where. Before speed limits were raised on the tollways, there were adjacent state highways that had the same speed limit as a parallel interstate.

This still seems pretty applicable; still no speed limit change on many of the tollways.

Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 06:03:53 PMI.e. Golf rd (IL-58) had a speed limit (between Barrington and 59, and I think it was lowered to 50) of 55 mph, same as I-90 2 miles north.

I think you are correct (haven't been a fan of IL 58 since the red light camera went up for WB at Barrington Road, and even less so after the cameras went up for both EB and WB at Bartlett Road).  IL 72 does still have a stretch posted at 55 west of IL 59, which is at this time higher than the speed limit on the tollway (45 in the work zone).

Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 06:03:53 PMButterfield road (IL-56) west of 59 had a speed limit of 55 mph, same as I-88 2 miles south.

Couple more examples:

* Many sections of US 41 in Lake County are 55, same as most of the parallel I-94 (though US 41 usually sees a reduction to 45 near any signal).

* Part of US 20 between Belvidere and I-39 is posted at 65 with a couple traffic signals, same as parallel I-90

* If built as currently planned the IL 53 extension will continue this trend.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 09, 2015, 09:12:35 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:53:51 PM
Didn't Oberweis pass some bill (that Quinn tried to veto) that raised speed limits in Illinois to 70 mph?

I was under the impression that speed limits in rural Illinois were 70 mph, which is fair for the most part.
A second bill was passed writing language to default the toll roads to 70 unless ISTHA can prove otherwise, Quinn vetoed that one, the legislature overrode the veto, but ISHTA only proposed additional 65s and 60s - then never implemented them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 10, 2015, 10:56:29 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 09, 2015, 09:12:35 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 09, 2015, 05:53:51 PM
Didn't Oberweis pass some bill (that Quinn tried to veto) that raised speed limits in Illinois to 70 mph?

I was under the impression that speed limits in rural Illinois were 70 mph, which is fair for the most part.
A second bill was passed writing language to default the toll roads to 70 unless ISTHA can prove otherwise, Quinn vetoed that one, the legislature overrode the veto, but ISHTA only proposed additional 65s and 60s - then never implemented them.

They might be waiting for construction to pass on I-90/EOE as well as the upcoming I-294 widening.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 10, 2015, 09:34:57 PM
I can see waiting for I-90 work to be done but what about I-88? I-294 From I-90 to WI? From golf road to there was 70 before NMSL and WI is going to 70 as well.

I-294 from I-55 to I-80?? I-80 / I-294 to I-94 (end of toll road)  I can see that part going to 65 due to high traffic / trucks / IN being 55?.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 05:05:41 PM
I just drove on I-90 going to Wisconsin dells and was surprised the illinois side of I-90 being lit and the Wisconsin side being unlit.


I can't remember if I-90 has always been lit. Which interstate highways in Illinois/ITHSA highways are lit and which aren't?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 11, 2015, 06:55:16 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 05:05:41 PM
I just drove on I-90 going to Wisconsin dells and was surprised the illinois side of I-90 being lit and the Wisconsin side being unlit.


I can't remember if I-90 has always been lit. Which interstate highways in Illinois/ITHSA highways are lit and which aren't?
I-90 was lit from Rockford to Elgin as part of the 2013-2015 rebuild and I wonder why that is the case.  Can't enjoy a good night drive anymore.  ISHTA did that work.  IDOT doesn't even come close to that quality when it comes to lighting - just putting floodlights up. (varies by district).

WisDOT has a strong preference not to light freeways including bridges and interchanges.  The only areas that are lit are Milwaukee, some of the Beltline in Madison and some of I-41 in Green Bay.  Bridges that are lit are the Frego (I-43 Green Bay), Hoan (I-794), High-Rise (I-94 downtown Milwaukee), Bong (US-2) and Blatnik (I-535 - this one is MnDOT's)  That's only on Freeways.  Local bridges might have lighting on them if the respective local muni installs them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Big John on August 11, 2015, 07:00:56 PM
^^ WI 172 bridge in Ashwaubenon/Allouez is lit.  Plus I-41 in Oshkosh is lit in the vicinity of the Lake Butte des Morts causeway. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on August 11, 2015, 07:07:00 PM
IMHO, the most extreme example of that is the Los Angeles area - very little of their metro-wide freeway network is streetlit.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cl94 on August 11, 2015, 07:28:25 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on August 11, 2015, 07:07:00 PM
IMHO, the most extreme example of that is the Los Angeles area - very little of their metro-wide freeway network is streetlit.

Mike

Not as extreme, but lights are pretty rare in Upstate New York outside of Rochester. Lights are very hard to find outside of the Buffalo city limits and you won't find anything on Albany freeways. Compare that to Ohio and some other states, which light every interchange and suburban freeway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tdindy88 on August 11, 2015, 07:28:43 PM
I'm starting to wonder if that stretch of I-90 from Rockford to Elgin, or even to Chicago for that matter counts as the longest lit-up rural highway in the country. I have no idea if there are other such highways elsewhere, maybe in the Northeast or California but that's quite a distance for lights the whole way. I know the entire Tri-State has lights on them and that goes in and out from semi-rural to suburban near the far northern end. I assume the 41/94 corridor north into Wisconsin doesn't have lighting like that?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 07:35:26 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 11, 2015, 06:55:16 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 05:05:41 PM
I just drove on I-90 going to Wisconsin dells and was surprised the illinois side of I-90 being lit and the Wisconsin side being unlit.


I can't remember if I-90 has always been lit. Which interstate highways in Illinois/ITHSA highways are lit and which aren't?
I-90 was lit from Rockford to Elgin as part of the 2013-2015 rebuild and I wonder why that is the case.  Can't enjoy a good night drive anymore.  ISHTA did that work.  IDOT doesn't even come close to that quality when it comes to lighting - just putting floodlights up. (varies by district).

WisDOT has a strong preference not to light freeways including bridges and interchanges.  The only areas that are lit are Milwaukee, some of the Beltline in Madison and some of I-41 in Green Bay.  Bridges that are lit are the Frego (I-43 Green Bay), Hoan (I-794), High-Rise (I-94 downtown Milwaukee), Bong (US-2) and Blatnik (I-535 - this one is MnDOT's)  That's only on Freeways.  Local bridges might have lighting on them if the respective local muni installs them.

And it looks pretty good (LED lights.) As a whole, the costs for maintenance are probably negligible. LED lights last almost 10-15 years, and use 25-42 watts per head (~5000K temperature) as compared to 100 watts and replacement every 5 years when compared to sodium lamps (as well as the ugly yellow temperature~2700K )

I would say having lit highways in rural areas are more important than urban areas especially when it comes to animals such as deer.

And no, I-94 doesn't have any streetlights in Wisconsin.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 11, 2015, 11:27:06 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 07:35:26 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 11, 2015, 06:55:16 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 05:05:41 PM
I just drove on I-90 going to Wisconsin dells and was surprised the illinois side of I-90 being lit and the Wisconsin side being unlit.


I can't remember if I-90 has always been lit. Which interstate highways in Illinois/ITHSA highways are lit and which aren't?
I-90 was lit from Rockford to Elgin as part of the 2013-2015 rebuild and I wonder why that is the case.  Can't enjoy a good night drive anymore.  ISHTA did that work.  IDOT doesn't even come close to that quality when it comes to lighting - just putting floodlights up. (varies by district).

WisDOT has a strong preference not to light freeways including bridges and interchanges.  The only areas that are lit are Milwaukee, some of the Beltline in Madison and some of I-41 in Green Bay.  Bridges that are lit are the Frego (I-43 Green Bay), Hoan (I-794), High-Rise (I-94 downtown Milwaukee), Bong (US-2) and Blatnik (I-535 - this one is MnDOT's)  That's only on Freeways.  Local bridges might have lighting on them if the respective local muni installs them.

And it looks pretty good (LED lights.) As a whole, the costs for maintenance are probably negligible. LED lights last almost 10-15 years, and use 25-42 watts per head (~5000K temperature) as compared to 100 watts and replacement every 5 years when compared to sodium lamps (as well as the ugly yellow temperature~2700K )

I would say having lit highways in rural areas are more important than urban areas especially when it comes to animals such as deer.

And no, I-94 doesn't have any streetlights in Wisconsin.

ISTHA is notoriously efficient at lighting up the tollways. Besides I-90, IL-390 (Elgin-O'Hare Tollway) is also getting the LED treatment on the existing section as part of the rehab. What's funny is the section at I-290 where IDOT is still using the older sodium lamps on their portion of the construction, it just badly contrasts. I imagine all new ISTHA construction will use LED lighting going forward (probably next will be the I-294 Central Section Rebuild and I'm hoping IL-53 Extension, if they decide to build it). As far as IDOT, their lighting in District 1 is actually pretty efficient (though not quite as modern or elaborate as ISTHA of late). It's anything outside of District 1 that isn't as good, and appears to be "flood lights", although District 8 seems to be coming around on that (see the lighting replacement on I-255).

Overall, IDOT and ISTHA each run circles around other states in terms of lighting the highways, and I'm especially pointing at WI and MO. WI, as noted above, doesn't seem to believe in lighting in most spots in general, except Milwaukee it seems. MO haphazardly lights up interchanges using what appears to be the cheapest lighting material they can find, and one light pole at the end of a ramp does not constitute lighting an interchange (they do this in rural and urban areas). In short, Illinois does a good job of lighting highways, and friends of mine from out of state seem to comment a lot about how much it must cost to light up our roads.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 11:50:02 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 11, 2015, 11:27:06 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 07:35:26 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 11, 2015, 06:55:16 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 05:05:41 PM
I just drove on I-90 going to Wisconsin dells and was surprised the illinois side of I-90 being lit and the Wisconsin side being unlit.


I can't remember if I-90 has always been lit. Which interstate highways in Illinois/ITHSA highways are lit and which aren't?
I-90 was lit from Rockford to Elgin as part of the 2013-2015 rebuild and I wonder why that is the case.  Can't enjoy a good night drive anymore.  ISHTA did that work.  IDOT doesn't even come close to that quality when it comes to lighting - just putting floodlights up. (varies by district).

WisDOT has a strong preference not to light freeways including bridges and interchanges.  The only areas that are lit are Milwaukee, some of the Beltline in Madison and some of I-41 in Green Bay.  Bridges that are lit are the Frego (I-43 Green Bay), Hoan (I-794), High-Rise (I-94 downtown Milwaukee), Bong (US-2) and Blatnik (I-535 - this one is MnDOT's)  That's only on Freeways.  Local bridges might have lighting on them if the respective local muni installs them.

And it looks pretty good (LED lights.) As a whole, the costs for maintenance are probably negligible. LED lights last almost 10-15 years, and use 25-42 watts per head (~5000K temperature) as compared to 100 watts and replacement every 5 years when compared to sodium lamps (as well as the ugly yellow temperature~2700K )

I would say having lit highways in rural areas are more important than urban areas especially when it comes to animals such as deer.

And no, I-94 doesn't have any streetlights in Wisconsin.

ISTHA is notoriously efficient at lighting up the tollways. Besides I-90, IL-390 (Elgin-O'Hare Tollway) is also getting the LED treatment on the existing section as part of the rehab. What's funny is the section at I-290 where IDOT is still using the older sodium lamps on their portion of the construction, it just badly contrasts. I imagine all new ISTHA construction will use LED lighting going forward (probably next will be the I-294 Central Section Rebuild and I'm hoping IL-53 Extension, if they decide to build it). As far as IDOT, their lighting in District 1 is actually pretty efficient (though not quite as modern or elaborate as ISTHA of late). It's anything outside of District 1 that isn't as good, and appears to be "flood lights", although District 8 seems to be coming around on that (see the lighting replacement on I-255).

Overall, IDOT and ISTHA each run circles around other states in terms of lighting the highways, and I'm especially pointing at WI and MO. WI, as noted above, doesn't seem to believe in lighting in most spots in general, except Milwaukee it seems. MO haphazardly lights up interchanges using what appears to be the cheapest lighting material they can find, and one light pole at the end of a ramp does not constitute lighting an interchange (they do this in rural and urban areas). In short, Illinois does a good job of lighting highways, and friends of mine from out of state seem to comment a lot about how much it must cost to light up our roads.

Talk about inefficiency. When (and sodium lamps do often) blow out, wouldn't it just make sense to just convert it to LED right then and there? Initially, you'll get the color mismatch, but over time, it shouldn't matter as the sodium lamps were slowly converted to LED and the savings should pay for itself. As simple as street lights are, there's a ton of safety involved as well as avoidance of accidents. It's the simple things, none of these high tech gizmos such as autonomous driving or lane avoidance gadgets. I'm assuming the costs with LED lights aren't that much. LEDs last 2-3 times longer than traditional sodium lamps and use 1/2 to 2/3rd less power.


LEDs don't "burn" out like traditional bulbs; they slowly dim over time. They're rated at 70% light output until they're deemed past their lifespan. So in other words, you can have LEDS run much much longer than sodium lamps past their rated lifespan and probably no one would even know.

My town is slowly converting our neighborhood street lamps to LED. Instead of just converting it in the traditional sense via big batches, if a street light fails, they just change it out with an LED equivalent. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on August 11, 2015, 11:54:37 PM

Quote from: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 11:50:02 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 11, 2015, 11:27:06 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 07:35:26 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 11, 2015, 06:55:16 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on August 11, 2015, 05:05:41 PM
I just drove on I-90 going to Wisconsin dells and was surprised the illinois side of I-90 being lit and the Wisconsin side being unlit.


I can't remember if I-90 has always been lit. Which interstate highways in Illinois/ITHSA highways are lit and which aren't?
I-90 was lit from Rockford to Elgin as part of the 2013-2015 rebuild and I wonder why that is the case.  Can't enjoy a good night drive anymore.  ISHTA did that work.  IDOT doesn't even come close to that quality when it comes to lighting - just putting floodlights up. (varies by district).

WisDOT has a strong preference not to light freeways including bridges and interchanges.  The only areas that are lit are Milwaukee, some of the Beltline in Madison and some of I-41 in Green Bay.  Bridges that are lit are the Frego (I-43 Green Bay), Hoan (I-794), High-Rise (I-94 downtown Milwaukee), Bong (US-2) and Blatnik (I-535 - this one is MnDOT's)  That's only on Freeways.  Local bridges might have lighting on them if the respective local muni installs them.

And it looks pretty good (LED lights.) As a whole, the costs for maintenance are probably negligible. LED lights last almost 10-15 years, and use 25-42 watts per head (~5000K temperature) as compared to 100 watts and replacement every 5 years when compared to sodium lamps (as well as the ugly yellow temperature~2700K )

I would say having lit highways in rural areas are more important than urban areas especially when it comes to animals such as deer.

And no, I-94 doesn't have any streetlights in Wisconsin.

ISTHA is notoriously efficient at lighting up the tollways. Besides I-90, IL-390 (Elgin-O'Hare Tollway) is also getting the LED treatment on the existing section as part of the rehab. What's funny is the section at I-290 where IDOT is still using the older sodium lamps on their portion of the construction, it just badly contrasts. I imagine all new ISTHA construction will use LED lighting going forward (probably next will be the I-294 Central Section Rebuild and I'm hoping IL-53 Extension, if they decide to build it). As far as IDOT, their lighting in District 1 is actually pretty efficient (though not quite as modern or elaborate as ISTHA of late). It's anything outside of District 1 that isn't as good, and appears to be "flood lights", although District 8 seems to be coming around on that (see the lighting replacement on I-255).

Overall, IDOT and ISTHA each run circles around other states in terms of lighting the highways, and I'm especially pointing at WI and MO. WI, as noted above, doesn't seem to believe in lighting in most spots in general, except Milwaukee it seems. MO haphazardly lights up interchanges using what appears to be the cheapest lighting material they can find, and one light pole at the end of a ramp does not constitute lighting an interchange (they do this in rural and urban areas). In short, Illinois does a good job of lighting highways, and friends of mine from out of state seem to comment a lot about how much it must cost to light up our roads.

Talk about inefficiency. When (and sodium lamps do often) blow out, wouldn't it just make sense to just convert it to LED right then and there? Initially, you'll get the color mismatch, but over time, it shouldn't matter as the sodium lamps were slowly converted to LED and the savings should pay for itself. As simple as street lights are, there's a ton of safety involved as well as avoidance of accidents. It's the simple things, none of these high tech gizmos such as autonomous driving or lane avoidance gadgets. I'm assuming the costs with LED lights aren't that much. LEDs last 2-3 times longer than traditional sodium lamps and use 1/2 to 2/3rd less power.


LEDs don't "burn" out like traditional bulbs; they slowly dim over time. They're rated at 70% light output until they're deemed past their lifespan. So in other words, you can have LEDS run much much longer than sodium lamps past their rated lifespan and probably no one would even know.

My town is slowly converting our neighborhood street lamps to LED. Instead of just converting it in the traditional sense via big batches, if a street light fails, they just change it out with an LED equivalent.

Illinois isn't so good at the whole do what common sense dictates thing though.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 12, 2015, 05:38:43 PM
Actually, Illinois is changing the sodium lights to the LEDs when they finish a stretch of construction. I-190 is now almost all LED between the terminals and Mannheim Rd.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 13, 2015, 12:10:01 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 12, 2015, 05:38:43 PM
Actually, Illinois is changing the sodium lights to the LEDs when they finish a stretch of construction. I-190 is now almost all LED between the terminals and Mannheim Rd.

That stretch of I-190 is maintained by the CDOT (City of Chicago), and not IDOT. It looks like they replaced the light poles and everything with a more modern standard. Bessie Coleman Drive in that area is also seeing the lighting replaced. CDOT is starting to use LED lighting (see Lake Shore Drive) along with the tollway. Now if IDOT would start using it as well...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 13, 2015, 01:27:20 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 13, 2015, 12:10:01 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 12, 2015, 05:38:43 PM
Actually, Illinois is changing the sodium lights to the LEDs when they finish a stretch of construction. I-190 is now almost all LED between the terminals and Mannheim Rd.

That stretch of I-190 is maintained by the CDOT (City of Chicago), and not IDOT. It looks like they replaced the light poles and everything with a more modern standard. Bessie Coleman Drive in that area is also seeing the lighting replaced. CDOT is starting to use LED lighting (see Lake Shore Drive) along with the tollway. Now if IDOT would start using it as well...

I wonder if they'll put those new poles on Mannheim as well through there, which has been under a massive overhaul for the better part of 2 years
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 13, 2015, 04:18:34 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 13, 2015, 01:27:20 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 13, 2015, 12:10:01 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 12, 2015, 05:38:43 PM
Actually, Illinois is changing the sodium lights to the LEDs when they finish a stretch of construction. I-190 is now almost all LED between the terminals and Mannheim Rd.

That stretch of I-190 is maintained by the CDOT (City of Chicago), and not IDOT. It looks like they replaced the light poles and everything with a more modern standard. Bessie Coleman Drive in that area is also seeing the lighting replaced. CDOT is starting to use LED lighting (see Lake Shore Drive) along with the tollway. Now if IDOT would start using it as well...

I wonder if they'll put those new poles on Mannheim as well through there, which has been under a massive overhaul for the better part of 2 years
That's one IDOT Summer.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on August 13, 2015, 05:04:58 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 13, 2015, 04:18:34 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 13, 2015, 01:27:20 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 13, 2015, 12:10:01 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 12, 2015, 05:38:43 PM
Actually, Illinois is changing the sodium lights to the LEDs when they finish a stretch of construction. I-190 is now almost all LED between the terminals and Mannheim Rd.

That stretch of I-190 is maintained by the CDOT (City of Chicago), and not IDOT. It looks like they replaced the light poles and everything with a more modern standard. Bessie Coleman Drive in that area is also seeing the lighting replaced. CDOT is starting to use LED lighting (see Lake Shore Drive) along with the tollway. Now if IDOT would start using it as well...

I wonder if they'll put those new poles on Mannheim as well through there, which has been under a massive overhaul for the better part of 2 years
That's one IDOT Summer.

To be fair, the scope of this project was pretty big, especially the Balmoral underpass.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on August 18, 2015, 07:11:01 PM
According to this article, which is being discussed in the General Highway Talk forum, there's a proposal by the federal government to reduce I-180 to 2 lanes, which would make it a super-2.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:udt0D7cabQEJ:newstrib.com/main.asp%3FSectionID%3D2%26SubSectionID%3D232%26ArticleID%3D45768+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

I won't be surprised that I-180 gets downgraded at some point.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on August 22, 2015, 12:44:45 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 18, 2015, 07:11:01 PM
I won't be surprised that I-180 gets downgraded at some point.

The N-S portion of I-180 is critical to extend the proposed IL-29 4-laning to I-80 (when/if it ever happens, but there IS an approved EIS for it).  If for no other reason, the locals will resist any effort to downgrade 180.  They are getting a few congresspeople involved in looking into "whose" idea this is...no one seems to be taking credit for it at this point.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Stratuscaster on August 22, 2015, 05:22:16 PM
Last thing I read was that there's no formal discussion and any action at all is 10-20 years out.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on September 23, 2015, 08:51:24 PM
IDOT is testing concrete and buffer overlay paving on a section of I-72 between Springfield and Decatur.

http://www.sj-r.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20150904%2FNEWS%2F150909723%2F   (http://www.sj-r.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20150904%2FNEWS%2F150909723%2F)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on October 26, 2015, 02:44:24 PM
The Tollway is going to be reconstructing the Farnsworth Ave interchange at I-88 beginning next year.

http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/15912/Bid+Letting+Schedule.pdf (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/15912/Bid+Letting+Schedule.pdf)

Does anyone know what the specific plans are?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 26, 2015, 08:33:42 PM
Quote from: I-39 on October 26, 2015, 02:44:24 PM
http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/15912/Bid+Letting+Schedule.pdf (http://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/10157/15912/Bid+Letting+Schedule.pdf)

I don't recall seeing that entry for widening SB I-355 from "North of 71st St to Southof 75th St Milepost 16.10 to 15.6."  I would have though this was to try and bring the fourth SB through lane down to the Boughton Toll Plaza, but the southern terminus of the project does not appear to be far enough south to tie into the auxiliary lane gained south of 75th Street.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 17, 2016, 09:16:28 PM
Dusting off this thread rather than starting a new one . . .

If anyone is driving I-80 between I-74/I-280 and I-39, there are width restriction signs with shields for US 26 instead of IL 26 at the IL 26 interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: pianocello on April 18, 2016, 09:56:07 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on April 17, 2016, 09:16:28 PM
Dusting off this thread rather than starting a new one . . .

If anyone is driving I-80 between I-74/I-280 and I-39, there are width restriction signs with shields for US 26 instead of IL 26 at the IL 26 interchange.

Thanks for the heads-up. I'll have my camera (app) ready when I go past it in a month or so.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 18, 2016, 10:17:51 PM
It looks like the orange glow over Chicago may be on its way out. The city revealed a bold plan to replace all the remaining sodium vapor light fixtures over the next four years.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/chicago-to-upgrade-270000-street-lights-over-4-years-/1296000/

This is the first major upgrade to the street lamps in about 40 years. This is definitely long overdue, and it'll be interesting to see this implemented over the next four years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 19, 2016, 01:41:04 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on April 17, 2016, 09:16:28 PM
Dusting off this thread rather than starting a new one . . .

If anyone is driving I-80 between I-74/I-280 and I-39, there are width restriction signs with shields for US 26 instead of IL 26 at the IL 26 interchange.

That's a long-awaited project to widen IL 26 north of the I-80 overhead bridge, where the roadway and bridge widths are horribly mismatched. The project had been sitting on the shelf for at least 5 years, I left IDOT over 6 years ago, and the plans were nearly done at that time.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on April 19, 2016, 09:43:12 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 18, 2016, 10:17:51 PM
It looks like the orange glow over Chicago may be on its way out. The city revealed a bold plan to replace all the remaining sodium vapor light fixtures over the next four years.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/chicago-to-upgrade-270000-street-lights-over-4-years-/1296000/

This is the first major upgrade to the street lamps in about 40 years. This is definitely long overdue, and it'll be interesting to see this implemented over the next four years.

I've seen small testing zones. Most of the new bulbs give off the same amount of light.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 19, 2016, 07:33:33 PM
Quote from: ET21 on April 19, 2016, 09:43:12 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 18, 2016, 10:17:51 PM
It looks like the orange glow over Chicago may be on its way out. The city revealed a bold plan to replace all the remaining sodium vapor light fixtures over the next four years.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/chicago-to-upgrade-270000-street-lights-over-4-years-/1296000/

This is the first major upgrade to the street lamps in about 40 years. This is definitely long overdue, and it'll be interesting to see this implemented over the next four years.

I've seen small testing zones. Most of the new bulbs give off the same amount of light.

I could imagine, and if anything, one would hope so. That said, the orange glow, in large part, comes from the old school sodium vapor lights, so it'll likely become more of a whitetish glow as time goes on.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on May 14, 2016, 02:58:36 PM
Checked out the new upgrades to Mannheim Road (US-12/45) east of O'Hare. Most of the main roadwork is done between Irving Park (IL-19) and Higgens (IL-72) with 3 lanes in both directions. Balmoral Ave has a full interchange with Mannheim as well as access to O'Hare. There's also access to both Balmoral and Mannheim from eastbound I-190.

There are empty bridge piers to the north of I-190 on Mannheim so I'm assuming there is something more going in.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 14, 2016, 03:08:07 PM
Quote from: ET21 on May 14, 2016, 02:58:36 PM
Checked out the new upgrades to Mannheim Road (US-12/45) east of O'Hare. Most of the main roadwork is done between Irving Park (IL-19) and Higgens (IL-72) with 3 lanes in both directions. Balmoral Ave has a full interchange with Mannheim as well as access to O'Hare. There's also access to both Balmoral and Mannheim from eastbound I-190.

There are empty bridge piers to the north of I-190 on Mannheim so I'm assuming there is something more going in.
ATS to the new parking

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-ohare-parking-rental-car-garage-20150523-story.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on May 16, 2016, 05:47:22 PM
Quote from: ET21 on April 19, 2016, 09:43:12 AM
I've seen small testing zones. Most of the new bulbs give off the same amount of light.

With the installation of new fixtures, there will probably be an increased emphasis on avoiding stray lighting with more "directed" beams and less upward cast.  So the effect of the "haze" at a distance may be reduced when enough of the new fixtures are changed out.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on May 16, 2016, 09:48:56 PM
It's so weird to see the new lights. I haven't driven on 88 in months and last Friday I went to O'Hare, the lights on the stretch of 88 from Highland to York is so weird. I'm not used to it nor will I ever get used to it. I prefer the original ones, I understand why we need the newer bulbs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on May 16, 2016, 11:41:36 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on May 16, 2016, 09:48:56 PM
It's so weird to see the new lights. I haven't driven on 88 in months and last Friday I went to O'Hare, the lights on the stretch of 88 from Highland to York is so weird. I'm not used to it nor will I ever get used to it. I prefer the original ones, I understand why we need the newer bulbs.

Have they replaced the lights on I-88 with LED's?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on May 17, 2016, 09:53:57 AM
Quote from: I-39 on May 16, 2016, 11:41:36 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on May 16, 2016, 09:48:56 PM
It's so weird to see the new lights. I haven't driven on 88 in months and last Friday I went to O'Hare, the lights on the stretch of 88 from Highland to York is so weird. I'm not used to it nor will I ever get used to it. I prefer the original ones, I understand why we need the newer bulbs.

Have they replaced the lights on I-88 with LED's?

Yup, low energy LEDs. Currently there up between highland and york on 88 and on the bensenville bridge on 294
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on May 17, 2016, 01:34:05 PM
Quote from: ET21 on May 17, 2016, 09:53:57 AM
Quote from: I-39 on May 16, 2016, 11:41:36 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on May 16, 2016, 09:48:56 PM
It's so weird to see the new lights. I haven't driven on 88 in months and last Friday I went to O'Hare, the lights on the stretch of 88 from Highland to York is so weird. I'm not used to it nor will I ever get used to it. I prefer the original ones, I understand why we need the newer bulbs.

Have they replaced the lights on I-88 with LED's?

Yup, low energy LEDs. Currently there up between highland and york on 88 and on the bensenville bridge on 294

Are you sure? They look like they're 5000K HID lights rather than LED.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on May 17, 2016, 05:43:13 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on May 17, 2016, 01:34:05 PM
Quote from: ET21 on May 17, 2016, 09:53:57 AM
Quote from: I-39 on May 16, 2016, 11:41:36 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on May 16, 2016, 09:48:56 PM
It's so weird to see the new lights. I haven't driven on 88 in months and last Friday I went to O'Hare, the lights on the stretch of 88 from Highland to York is so weird. I'm not used to it nor will I ever get used to it. I prefer the original ones, I understand why we need the newer bulbs.

Have they replaced the lights on I-88 with LED's?

Yup, low energy LEDs. Currently there up between highland and york on 88 and on the bensenville bridge on 294

Are you sure? They look like they're 5000K HID lights rather than LED.

It's what the article posted by Chi stated. Don't know technical specifications
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on May 17, 2016, 11:57:11 PM
Quote from: ET21 on May 17, 2016, 05:43:13 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on May 17, 2016, 01:34:05 PM
Quote from: ET21 on May 17, 2016, 09:53:57 AM
Quote from: I-39 on May 16, 2016, 11:41:36 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on May 16, 2016, 09:48:56 PM
It's so weird to see the new lights. I haven't driven on 88 in months and last Friday I went to O'Hare, the lights on the stretch of 88 from Highland to York is so weird. I'm not used to it nor will I ever get used to it. I prefer the original ones, I understand why we need the newer bulbs.

Have they replaced the lights on I-88 with LED's?

Yup, low energy LEDs. Currently there up between highland and york on 88 and on the bensenville bridge on 294

Are you sure? They look like they're 5000K HID lights rather than LED.

It's what the article posted by Chi stated. Don't know technical specifications

That article was about Chicago phasing out HID headlights to LED, not the tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on May 18, 2016, 09:39:07 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on May 17, 2016, 11:57:11 PM
Quote from: ET21 on May 17, 2016, 05:43:13 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on May 17, 2016, 01:34:05 PM
Quote from: ET21 on May 17, 2016, 09:53:57 AM
Quote from: I-39 on May 16, 2016, 11:41:36 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on May 16, 2016, 09:48:56 PM
It's so weird to see the new lights. I haven't driven on 88 in months and last Friday I went to O'Hare, the lights on the stretch of 88 from Highland to York is so weird. I'm not used to it nor will I ever get used to it. I prefer the original ones, I understand why we need the newer bulbs.

Have they replaced the lights on I-88 with LED's?

Yup, low energy LEDs. Currently there up between highland and york on 88 and on the bensenville bridge on 294

Are you sure? They look like they're 5000K HID lights rather than LED.

It's what the article posted by Chi stated. Don't know technical specifications

That article was about Chicago phasing out HID headlights to LED, not the tollway.

Oops, whatever they use... lol
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on May 28, 2016, 03:16:51 AM
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2017-2022/Project%20Listing.pdf

Not sure if anyone read the new 2017-2022 highway program.

Overall, not bad. I'm glad they're 8 laning the Kennedy from Cumberland to Harlem. I'm assuming they're stopping the 4 laning at Harlem since they already own the ROW up until Harlem and not until the Edens since they don't own the ROW and 4 laning over the edens overpass can be pricey.

However, I can tell you for a fact, gas tax revenue is going up. Gas prices are low, people are driving more. My own municipality has received 22% more funding than projected due to more gas tax revenue from IDOT just this month.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on May 28, 2016, 07:23:58 AM
Prices have been nice. Even with the increase, $2.50-$2.70 a gallon isn't too bad for memorial weekend
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on May 28, 2016, 11:30:42 AM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on May 16, 2016, 09:48:56 PM
It's so weird to see the new lights. I haven't driven on 88 in months and last Friday I went to O'Hare, the lights on the stretch of 88 from Highland to York is so weird. I'm not used to it nor will I ever get used to it. I prefer the original ones, I understand why we need the newer bulbs.

This LED thing must be what they recently put in the lights in downtown Champaign. Dimmer bluish glow, could use a bit more color balancing to make it more normal but not as hideous as that unnatural orange only haze that used to hang over most towns. You'd always know where the cites were at night even in clouds from a commercial fight by the sudden orange glow below. Get away to the middle of nowhere, like the desolate town of Strawn, and you really can see the Milky Way at night, these orange street lamps are that bad that they ruined the night sky. Good riddance.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on May 28, 2016, 11:33:01 AM
Willing to pay the increase as long as I see results, especially since its just to level the tax out to what it should be. Hopefully we can still get a budget out of the state this year.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 28, 2016, 06:12:30 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on May 28, 2016, 03:16:51 AM
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2017-2022/Project%20Listing.pdf

Not sure if anyone read the new 2017-2022 highway program.

Overall, not bad. I'm glad they're 8 laning the Kennedy from Cumberland to Harlem. I'm assuming they're stopping the 4 laning at Harlem since they already own the ROW up until Harlem and not until the Edens since they don't own the ROW and 4 laning over the edens overpass can be pricey.

However, I can tell you for a fact, gas tax revenue is going up. Gas prices are low, people are driving more. My own municipality has received 22% more funding than projected due to more gas tax revenue from IDOT just this month.

There is that tunnel also by the Edens there is not a lot of room to fit in 4+3 lanes. Maybe have one become express / end when closed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on May 28, 2016, 10:54:11 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on May 28, 2016, 06:12:30 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on May 28, 2016, 03:16:51 AM
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2017-2022/Project%20Listing.pdf

Not sure if anyone read the new 2017-2022 highway program.

Overall, not bad. I'm glad they're 8 laning the Kennedy from Cumberland to Harlem. I'm assuming they're stopping the 4 laning at Harlem since they already own the ROW up until Harlem and not until the Edens since they don't own the ROW and 4 laning over the edens overpass can be pricey.

However, I can tell you for a fact, gas tax revenue is going up. Gas prices are low, people are driving more. My own municipality has received 22% more funding than projected due to more gas tax revenue from IDOT just this month.

There is that tunnel also by the Edens there is not a lot of room to fit in 4+3 lanes. Maybe have one become express / end when closed.

On the kennedy, that's not usually the chokepoint. The chokepoint is when Jane addams turns into the kennedy and you have everyone trying to merge and some people trying to get off cumberland south to get to the cta station.

Thankfully, the cumberland flyover should solve many of those problems.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 02, 2016, 09:48:26 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on May 28, 2016, 10:54:11 PM

On the kennedy, that's not usually the chokepoint. The chokepoint is when Jane addams turns into the kennedy and you have everyone trying to merge and some people trying to get off cumberland south to get to the cta station.

Thankfully, the cumberland flyover should solve many of those problems.

They should call that "The Rosemont Strangler"  :biggrin:
I'm interested to see how the Cumberland flyover helps things.  Or if it's just gonna push the point of jamming slightly farther ahead.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on June 03, 2016, 12:02:40 AM
Well to Harlem possibly, since studies are in to expand the Kennedy to 4 lanes from I-190 to Harlem. Obviously the Cumberland flyover is part of it.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i90-study (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i90-study)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on June 03, 2016, 12:44:40 AM
Quote from: ET21 on June 03, 2016, 12:02:40 AM
Well to Harlem possibly, since studies are in to expand the Kennedy to 4 lanes from I-190 to Harlem. Obviously the Cumberland flyover is part of it.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i90-study (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i90-study)

4 laning the Kennedy to Harlem is in IDOT's 2017-2022 plan, but it's a separate project from the cumberland flyover which is being constructed right now.

I would say most of the "rosemont traffic" is due to the poor intersection of Cumberland and 90. You have idiots all the way on the left who swing hard right to get off cumberland south to get to the cta station.

Once you get 1 mile east of cumberland, traffic smooths out nicely.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 04, 2016, 10:32:37 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on June 03, 2016, 12:44:40 AM
Quote from: ET21 on June 03, 2016, 12:02:40 AM
Well to Harlem possibly, since studies are in to expand the Kennedy to 4 lanes from I-190 to Harlem. Obviously the Cumberland flyover is part of it.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i90-study (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i90-study)

4 laning the Kennedy to Harlem is in IDOT's 2017-2022 plan, but it's a separate project from the cumberland flyover which is being constructed right now.

I would say most of the "rosemont traffic" is due to the poor intersection of Cumberland and 90. You have idiots all the way on the left who swing hard right to get off cumberland south to get to the cta station.

Once you get 1 mile east of cumberland, traffic smooths out nicely.

I think if the ISTHA were to have signs directing drivers from I-90 to I-190 West to Manheim to access Rosemont, this would help that traffic a lot. The new ramp to Balmoral from Manheim actually makes things a lot easier, but few people know about it. I've learned quickly to do that, and it makes life a lot easier (anything to avoid that mess at the River Road Toll Plaza).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on June 06, 2016, 12:48:29 AM
Looks like the EB 290 ramp to SB 294 is being closed 06/11


I guess they're repaving the road, but can I be a little wishful in hoping that they add 2 lanes? Traffic is damn terrible in the morning just because of the terrible design of the ramp.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 06, 2016, 06:59:17 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on June 06, 2016, 12:48:29 AM
Looks like the EB 290 ramp to SB 294 is being closed 06/11


I guess they're repaving the road, but can I be a little wishful in hoping that they add 2 lanes? Traffic is damn terrible in the morning just because of the terrible design of the ramp.

A second lane would make that worse than it is now.  The problem is the very short space before the exit to I-88 west after that ramp merges into south I-294.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 06, 2016, 08:16:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on June 06, 2016, 06:59:17 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on June 06, 2016, 12:48:29 AM
Looks like the EB 290 ramp to SB 294 is being closed 06/11


I guess they're repaving the road, but can I be a little wishful in hoping that they add 2 lanes? Traffic is damn terrible in the morning just because of the terrible design of the ramp.

A second lane would make that worse than it is now.  The problem is the very short space before the exit to I-88 west after that ramp merges into south I-294.
Also can use some realignment. and a aux lane from st charles rd
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 08, 2016, 09:31:23 AM
Here's a novel use for a low-ADT interstate in Illinois...

http://newstrib.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=51611&TM=34242.24
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on June 08, 2016, 10:27:00 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 08, 2016, 09:31:23 AM
Here's a novel use for a low-ADT interstate in Illinois...

http://newstrib.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=51611&TM=34242.24

(paywall)

:banghead:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 08, 2016, 05:29:50 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.

mgk, the synopsis of the article was that a private plane made an emergency landing on I-180, and the pilot remarked that he thought the road was closed because there were no vehicles on it.

Henry, there is a big ethanol plant north of the abandoned steel mill that wasn't there until a few years ago, and Acelor Mittal is trying to market the steel mill property to other potential industrial developers. So it's not exactly a road to nowhere, but more of a road to not much.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 08, 2016, 11:15:18 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 08, 2016, 05:29:50 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.

mgk, the synopsis of the article was that a private plane made an emergency landing on I-180, and the pilot remarked that he thought the road was closed because there were no vehicles on it.

Henry, there is a big ethanol plant north of the abandoned steel mill that wasn't there until a few years ago, and Acelor Mittal is trying to market the steel mill property to other potential industrial developers. So it's not exactly a road to nowhere, but more of a road to not much.

If looking at a bigger picture map, it is obvious that this could fill in as a Chicago-Peoria route if IDOT were to ever get the funding. If that happened, it would well serve a purpose. I don't see a point in "downgrading", but I also would say it is lower on the list of IDOT's Interstate maintenance priorities.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 09, 2016, 11:59:07 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on June 08, 2016, 11:15:18 PM

If looking at a bigger picture map, it is obvious that this could fill in as a Chicago-Peoria route if IDOT were to ever get the funding. If that happened, it would well serve a purpose. I don't see a point in "downgrading", but I also would say it is lower on the list of IDOT's Interstate maintenance priorities.

Wasn't the connection to 474 killed?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on June 09, 2016, 12:38:42 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.
That's way over the top. Many even thought my suggestion to eliminate one ramp was over the top this is an entire freeway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rothman on June 09, 2016, 02:12:51 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 09, 2016, 12:38:42 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.
That's way over the top. Many even thought my suggestion to eliminate one ramp was over the top this is an entire freeway.

I dunno.  Robert Moses Parkway north of Niagara Falls was reduced to a two-lane road.  I'm sure it can be done elsewhere.  At some point, the DOT has to ask, "Why are we paying to maintain this?"
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 09, 2016, 02:34:28 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 09, 2016, 12:38:42 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.
That's way over the top. Many even thought my suggestion to eliminate one ramp was over the top this is an entire freeway.

I've often thought that I-180 should be extended to I-39, creating a loop around the LaSalle-Peru area.  Yeah, little need for it, but a complete loop would be an attractive incentive for developers.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 09, 2016, 02:54:25 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on June 08, 2016, 10:27:00 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 08, 2016, 09:31:23 AM
Here's a novel use for a low-ADT interstate in Illinois...

http://newstrib.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=28&ArticleID=51611&TM=34242.24

(paywall)

:banghead:

Mike

We could put two lanes of traffic on the SB side of the highway, and reserve the NB side for planes  :D (or vice versa)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on June 10, 2016, 06:06:54 PM
Quote from: Rothman on June 09, 2016, 02:12:51 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 09, 2016, 12:38:42 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.
That's way over the top. Many even thought my suggestion to eliminate one ramp was over the top this is an entire freeway.

I dunno.  Robert Moses Parkway north of Niagara Falls was reduced to a two-lane road.  I'm sure it can be done elsewhere.  At some point, the DOT has to ask, "Why are we paying to maintain this?"
In another thread I suggested doing away with the SB 294 to 80 WB movement due to redundancy with I-57. Much reaction was it's bad idea.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 10, 2016, 10:57:25 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 10, 2016, 06:06:54 PM
Quote from: Rothman on June 09, 2016, 02:12:51 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 09, 2016, 12:38:42 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.
That's way over the top. Many even thought my suggestion to eliminate one ramp was over the top this is an entire freeway.

I dunno.  Robert Moses Parkway north of Niagara Falls was reduced to a two-lane road.  I'm sure it can be done elsewhere.  At some point, the DOT has to ask, "Why are we paying to maintain this?"
In another thread I suggested doing away with the SB 294 to 80 WB movement due to redundancy with I-57. Much reaction was it's bad idea.

If they decide to do an interchange reconstruction, they could eliminate those two ramps in the process, to cut costs.  Otherwise, it's not worth it to start up a demolition project just to delete them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on June 11, 2016, 04:52:05 AM
Quote from: Brandon on June 06, 2016, 06:59:17 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on June 06, 2016, 12:48:29 AM
Looks like the EB 290 ramp to SB 294 is being closed 06/11


I guess they're repaving the road, but can I be a little wishful in hoping that they add 2 lanes? Traffic is damn terrible in the morning just because of the terrible design of the ramp.

A second lane would make that worse than it is now.  The problem is the very short space before the exit to I-88 west after that ramp merges into south I-294.

Just drove through this stretch today.

It's really, ITHSA's problem, not IDOT's. Not sure how they're going to fix it, but I suppose it could be worked on when ITHSA works on the central portion of 5 laning the tristate
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 14, 2016, 05:03:34 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2016, 11:59:07 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on June 08, 2016, 11:15:18 PM

If looking at a bigger picture map, it is obvious that this could fill in as a Chicago-Peoria route if IDOT were to ever get the funding. If that happened, it would well serve a purpose. I don't see a point in "downgrading", but I also would say it is lower on the list of IDOT's Interstate maintenance priorities.

Wasn't the connection to 474 killed?

Still under study as the "Eastern Bypass" by IDOT District 4.

http://www.easternbypass.com/Default.aspx
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 14, 2016, 05:08:46 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2016, 02:34:28 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 09, 2016, 12:38:42 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.
That's way over the top. Many even thought my suggestion to eliminate one ramp was over the top this is an entire freeway.

I've often thought that I-180 should be extended to I-39, creating a loop around the LaSalle-Peru area.  Yeah, little need for it, but a complete loop would be an attractive incentive for developers.

There was an alternative to connect I-180 to I-39 (near IL 71) in addition to 4-laning IL 29 as part of a Peoria-to-Chicago route, but not selected as the final alternative.  An upgraded 4-lane IL 29 (which has an approved EIS) would connect IL 6 with the southern branch of the IL 29/I-180 interchange. No funding to get it built as of yet.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/il-29-project-study
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 14, 2016, 08:58:20 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 14, 2016, 05:08:46 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2016, 02:34:28 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 09, 2016, 12:38:42 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.
That's way over the top. Many even thought my suggestion to eliminate one ramp was over the top this is an entire freeway.

I've often thought that I-180 should be extended to I-39, creating a loop around the LaSalle-Peru area.  Yeah, little need for it, but a complete loop would be an attractive incentive for developers.

There was an alternative to connect I-180 to I-39 (near IL 71) in addition to 4-laning IL 29 as part of a Peoria-to-Chicago route, but not selected as the final alternative.  An upgraded 4-lane IL 29 (which has an approved EIS) would connect IL 6 with the southern branch of the IL 29/I-180 interchange. No funding to get it built as of yet.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/il-29-project-study

And it's not really necessary. Much more important things for IDOT to be spending their limited money on.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 17, 2016, 10:41:24 PM
Couple quick notes:

* The new toll plaza on the ramp from WB I-90 to Genoa Road appears to have a full-speed I-Pass lane:  Streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2356299,-88.8165998,3a,75y,297.57h,86.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sbCGzeEZVSWh9q0xyQf1eBQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en).  Not seeing any of the 15 mph signs usually found for the ramp I-Pass lanes.

* Possibly the only doghouse signal in Illinois: Washington Street at North Avenue in Naperville (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7786284,-88.1476451,3a,57.9y,105.62h,89.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sWn2j8bAMOPhffojTZKgGAw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on June 18, 2016, 08:28:05 AM
That's interesting, that reminds of the really strange signal at Naper Blvd and Plank Road. The signal has two red lights and it forms a T.

http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/images/signaperblvd0211.jpg (http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/images/signaperblvd0211.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 18, 2016, 02:59:24 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on June 18, 2016, 08:28:05 AM
That's interesting, that reminds of the really strange signal at Naper Blvd and Plank Road. The signal has two red lights and it forms a T.

http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/images/signaperblvd0211.jpg (http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/images/signaperblvd0211.jpg)

Hahaha, that signal looks like some type of alien or robot with the two red lights being like eyes!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on June 23, 2016, 10:29:27 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on June 08, 2016, 11:15:18 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 08, 2016, 05:29:50 PM
Quote from: Henry on June 08, 2016, 10:44:53 AM
It works for me.

I-180 could sure use a downgrade, since all those businesses on the other end of it have long since left, essentially making it a spur to nowhere.

mgk, the synopsis of the article was that a private plane made an emergency landing on I-180, and the pilot remarked that he thought the road was closed because there were no vehicles on it.

Henry, there is a big ethanol plant north of the abandoned steel mill that wasn't there until a few years ago, and Acelor Mittal is trying to market the steel mill property to other potential industrial developers. So it's not exactly a road to nowhere, but more of a road to not much.

If looking at a bigger picture map, it is obvious that this could fill in as a Chicago-Peoria route if IDOT were to ever get the funding. If that happened, it would well serve a purpose. I don't see a point in "downgrading", but I also would say it is lower on the list of IDOT's Interstate maintenance priorities.

Problem is the IL29 up to I-180 then over to Chicago isn't really a shortcut and people can already head over to Bloomington and take I-55 up which is about the same length. Any actual direct route to Chicago would go where no highways currrently exist, from Peoria through Steator up to Morris. No way is that ever going to get built. Perhaps adding an extra two lanes on US 24 to Chenoa like the stretch of 51 between Bloomington and Decatur is more feasible. I hear a lot of Peoria traffic already takes that route and it has a lot of accidents. With fantasy level funding, upgrading US24 to four lanes from Peoria to Logansport Indiana, with bypasses of towns such as Watseka, could provide trucks an alternate route around some of the worst traffic in the Midwest on the Kingery/Borman south end of Chicagoland and lake Michigan.

That said, I did take a ride on I-180 this weekend and have to say I was surprised that it was one of the most scenic Interstates in the entire State of Illinois, it becomes rolling forested hills just a few miles south of I-80.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on June 23, 2016, 09:37:17 PM
Anyone know when Google will update the satellite imagery for the Chicago area?  A number of things are already outdated.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on June 24, 2016, 04:41:25 PM
With Google Maps, everything is outdated, or why would there be a thread named "Google Maps Sucks"?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 26, 2016, 05:08:34 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on June 23, 2016, 10:29:27 AM

Problem is the IL29 up to I-180 then over to Chicago isn't really a shortcut and people can already head over to Bloomington and take I-55 up which is about the same length. Any actual direct route to Chicago would go where no highways currrently exist, from Peoria through Steator up to Morris. No way is that ever going to get built. Perhaps adding an extra two lanes on US 24 to Chenoa like the stretch of 51 between Bloomington and Decatur is more feasible. I hear a lot of Peoria traffic already takes that route and it has a lot of accidents. With fantasy level funding, upgrading US24 to four lanes from Peoria to Logansport Indiana, with bypasses of towns such as Watseka, could provide trucks an alternate route around some of the worst traffic in the Midwest on the Kingery/Borman south end of Chicagoland and lake Michigan.


There have been some moves to create a Chenoa-to-Peoria highway route.  It's 4-laned from Peoria east into Woodford County, but the urban section through Eureka would probably need a bypass. The I-55 and US 24 interchange at Chenoa was built in the 70's with an eye toward 4-laning US 24 at some point. And it was one of the alternatives in the Chicago to Peoria study that ultimately selected IL 29 as the preferred route.

My daughter lives right off of US 24 in Chatsworth; it is not a busy road, and people routinely drive 65 mph on it. It might eventually be looked at as a Chicago bypass route, but as of right now, it's not even on the radar. Fairbury, Gilman and Watseka are the only places where traffic slows down appreciably to go thru town.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 26, 2016, 08:03:33 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 26, 2016, 05:08:34 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on June 23, 2016, 10:29:27 AM

Problem is the IL29 up to I-180 then over to Chicago isn't really a shortcut and people can already head over to Bloomington and take I-55 up which is about the same length. Any actual direct route to Chicago would go where no highways currrently exist, from Peoria through Steator up to Morris. No way is that ever going to get built. Perhaps adding an extra two lanes on US 24 to Chenoa like the stretch of 51 between Bloomington and Decatur is more feasible. I hear a lot of Peoria traffic already takes that route and it has a lot of accidents. With fantasy level funding, upgrading US24 to four lanes from Peoria to Logansport Indiana, with bypasses of towns such as Watseka, could provide trucks an alternate route around some of the worst traffic in the Midwest on the Kingery/Borman south end of Chicagoland and lake Michigan.


There have been some moves to create a Chenoa-to-Peoria highway route.  It's 4-laned from Peoria east into Woodford County, but the urban section through Eureka would probably need a bypass. The I-55 and US 24 interchange at Chenoa was built in the 70's with an eye toward 4-laning US 24 at some point. And it was one of the alternatives in the Chicago to Peoria study that ultimately selected IL 29 as the preferred route.

My daughter lives right off of US 24 in Chatsworth; it is not a busy road, and people routinely drive 65 mph on it. It might eventually be looked at as a Chicago bypass route, but as of right now, it's not even on the radar. Fairbury, Gilman and Watseka are the only places where traffic slows down appreciably to go thru town.

Obviously, any upgrade to either route would be years or decades off with much bigger infrastructure needs coming first. In short, anything to divert some of the traffic from the mishmash of interchanges at Bloomington/Normal would be welcome (although the recently completed 6 laning of I-55 through has made a huge difference and probably moves this even lower on the list of priorities). US 24, from looking at it on a map, does make the most sense actually. Getting IDOT to even study it, let alone do engineering plans, is a whole other ballgame.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on June 27, 2016, 03:25:20 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on June 24, 2016, 04:41:25 PM
With Google Maps, everything is outdated, or why would there be a thread named "Google Maps Sucks"?

Not Google Maps, Google Earth.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on June 27, 2016, 08:31:44 PM
Quote from: tribar on June 27, 2016, 03:25:20 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on June 24, 2016, 04:41:25 PM
With Google Maps, everything is outdated, or why would there be a thread named "Google Maps Sucks"?

Not Google Maps, Google Earth.
Satellite imagery is the same for both though. Most of the Chicagoland is from early 2015, which may not seem old, but it sure is. Look at Thorndale, or the LSD/55 interchange, or the Circle interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 02, 2016, 11:53:40 PM
Well, for construction workers in IL, it's a relief to see that a deal was reached to keep the funds going for construction for the remainder of the year and avert a shutdown. In addition to how much of a pain it would have been to drivers to have delays in getting projects finished, it would have just been sad to see construction workers in the state without work. Just wondering, even though construction did not ultimately come to a halt, have there been any resulting delays that were noted from contractors focusing on "securing" their construction sites just incase?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 03, 2016, 01:37:36 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 02, 2016, 11:53:40 PM
Well, for construction workers in IL, it's a relief to see that a deal was reached to keep the funds going for construction for the remainder of the year and avert a shutdown. In addition to how much of a pain it would have been to drivers to have delays in getting projects finished, it would have just been sad to see construction workers in the state without work. Just wondering, even though construction did not ultimately come to a halt, have there been any resulting delays that were noted from contractors focusing on "securing" their construction sites just incase?

I didn't notice a whole lot of shutdown activities ahead of the 31st. The contractors were getting ready for the July 4 weekend anyway, where no short term lane shutdowns were going to be done. There was a directive to shut down "destructive" work a few days ahead of the deadline. I doubt if anyone lost more than a day or 2; some contractors may have been working extra hard to get billable work done ahead of the potential shutdown, too.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on July 03, 2016, 05:28:34 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 03, 2016, 01:37:36 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 02, 2016, 11:53:40 PM
Well, for construction workers in IL, it's a relief to see that a deal was reached to keep the funds going for construction for the remainder of the year and avert a shutdown. In addition to how much of a pain it would have been to drivers to have delays in getting projects finished, it would have just been sad to see construction workers in the state without work. Just wondering, even though construction did not ultimately come to a halt, have there been any resulting delays that were noted from contractors focusing on "securing" their construction sites just incase?

I didn't notice a whole lot of shutdown activities ahead of the 31st. The contractors were getting ready for the July 4 weekend anyway, where no short term lane shutdowns were going to be done. There was a directive to shut down "destructive" work a few days ahead of the deadline. I doubt if anyone lost more than a day or 2; some contractors may have been working extra hard to get billable work done ahead of the potential shutdown, too.

Well, they shut down the Farmer City rest area on I-74 last month and I always stopped and got a can of soda from it's vending machines when going between Champaign and Bloomington. Don't know if it is for remodeling or the budget battle.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on July 03, 2016, 05:46:34 PM
Many rest areas in Illinois are/were shut down due to the budget issues.

Farmer City, near Hamel, and Metropolis all come to mind.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 04, 2016, 02:57:34 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 03, 2016, 05:46:34 PM
Many rest areas in Illinois are/were shut down due to the budget issues.

Farmer City, near Hamel, and Metropolis all come to mind.

Really?  I thought the Farmer City rest area was one of the fancier ones!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on July 04, 2016, 06:58:26 PM
Who needs rest areas now that there are truck stops to stop at? :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cl94 on July 04, 2016, 07:28:45 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 04, 2016, 06:58:26 PM
Who needs rest areas now that there are truck stops to stop at? :-D

But you need to buy something in order to justify using the truck stop restroom
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 04, 2016, 07:55:02 PM
Quote from: cl94 on July 04, 2016, 07:28:45 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 04, 2016, 06:58:26 PM
Who needs rest areas now that there are truck stops to stop at? :-D

But you need to buy something in order to justify using the truck stop restroom

Who says you have to buy anything, I've used the Dixie/Shawson Husky a lot for instance to use the bathroom back when I used to planespot regularly with one of my friends and I never bought anything.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: MisterSG1 on July 05, 2016, 12:32:23 AM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.

I believe that violates a federal law, there's a reason you only see service centers on toll roads in the US, because they aren't allowed on non tolled interstates. The belief is that by building service centers, it would take away business located at actual exits.

With the prominence of national chains in which many have a huge multinational presence, obviously the purpose of the original law is kind of pointless and I see absolutely no reason why rest areas couldn't be converted into service centers. How often do you take an exit to go to a mom and pop shop, better yet, how often is a mom and pop shop advertised on the interstate using either BBS or billboards.


As for using the bathroom, with a general big space like a truck stop, obviously larger than your everyday gas station, I don't see an issue whatsoever. I'm sure you don't feel guilt about using the bathroom at Walmart now do you? I do feel a sense of having to buy something if I use the bathroom at a place that has a rather small floor space, like at a Subway for instance. I'm not sure why I feel this way, but I just do.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cl94 on July 05, 2016, 01:56:56 AM
I rarely stop in a business to use the restroom without buying something. Granted, I try and time restroom breaks with when I need a snack or drink to make that easier. I know I could slip in and out easily, but I'd feel bad. Real challenge is knowing what has a public restroom, especially in rural areas. At least in New York, they can be quite hard to come by in small towns, as few gas stations have them (especially clean ones).

As far as services on the Interstate system, yes, there is a law against it. Toll roads and facilities that existed before the 60s or something becoming part of the system are exempt. This is why the Major Deegan in the Bronx and 128 in Boston have service plazas, even though they were always free. Granted, New York is putting a rest area with a store on Free 90, so who knows what is actually allowed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 05:53:31 AM
Quote from: cl94 on July 04, 2016, 07:28:45 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on July 04, 2016, 06:58:26 PM
Who needs rest areas now that there are truck stops to stop at? :-D

But you need to buy something in order to justify using the truck stop restroom

No, you don't.  They're also required to have public restrooms as per the Illinois Plumbing Code (state law).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 05, 2016, 08:58:49 AM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 03, 2016, 05:46:34 PM
Many rest areas in Illinois are/were shut down due to the budget issues.

Farmer City, near Hamel, and Metropolis all come to mind.

I know the Minooka rest areas on 80 are/were closed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on July 05, 2016, 06:38:41 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.

What are they honestly going to do about it if you go ahead and use the bathroom anyways?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 06:45:03 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.

If it's a gas station in Illinois, then they're in violation of state law if they put up such a sign.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 09:00:18 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 06:45:03 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.

If it's a gas station in Illinois, then they're in violation of state law if they put up such a sign.
Not that many gas stations have bathrooms. It's places like Mc Donald's that have such signs
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 09:06:35 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 09:00:18 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 06:45:03 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.

If it's a gas station in Illinois, then they're in violation of state law if they put up such a sign.
Not that many gas stations have bathrooms. It's places like Mc Donald's that have such signs

Gas stations are required to have restrooms by law in Illinois as per the Illinois Plumbing Code.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Stratuscaster on July 05, 2016, 10:35:06 PM
Having them and making it convenient to actually USE them are two different things. ;)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cl94 on July 05, 2016, 10:55:57 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 09:06:35 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 09:00:18 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 06:45:03 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.

If it's a gas station in Illinois, then they're in violation of state law if they put up such a sign.
Not that many gas stations have bathrooms. It's places like Mc Donald's that have such signs

Gas stations are required to have restrooms by law in Illinois as per the Illinois Plumbing Code.

This was brought up in another thread. Illinois requires staffed gas stations to have a public restroom. Whether or not you'd actually want to use it is a different story.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on July 06, 2016, 08:54:19 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 09:00:18 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 06:45:03 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.

If it's a gas station in Illinois, then they're in violation of state law if they put up such a sign.
Not that many gas stations have bathrooms. It's places like Mc Donald's that have such signs

I've been in countless McDonald's all over the midwest and have never seen such a sign.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 06, 2016, 08:58:23 AM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 06, 2016, 08:54:19 AM

I've been in countless McDonald's all over the midwest and have never seen such a sign.

I actually have been in McDonald's that had the bathrooms locked. Specifically one near the United Center in Chicago. This was years and years ago, so maybe it changed, but it wasn't the most savory business.  The only reason we stopped is becausemy wife had to go.  BAD. (BTW, it was only the men's room that was locked.  And it was locked with a padlock, if I recall correctly.)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on July 06, 2016, 10:33:23 AM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 06, 2016, 08:54:19 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 09:00:18 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 06:45:03 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.

If it's a gas station in Illinois, then they're in violation of state law if they put up such a sign.
Not that many gas stations have bathrooms. It's places like Mc Donald's that have such signs

I've been in countless McDonald's all over the midwest and have never seen such a sign.
I saw it at the McDonald's in Merrilville IN just off I-65. This was a few years ago I usually avoid going to McDonald's as much as possible.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on July 06, 2016, 01:35:05 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 06, 2016, 08:58:23 AM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 06, 2016, 08:54:19 AM

I've been in countless McDonald's all over the midwest and have never seen such a sign.

I actually have been in McDonald's that had the bathrooms locked. Specifically one near the United Center in Chicago. This was years and years ago, so maybe it changed, but it wasn't the most savory business.  The only reason we stopped is becausemy wife had to go.  BAD. (BTW, it was only the men's room that was locked.  And it was locked with a padlock, if I recall correctly.)

In urban areas, the doors are locked to keep homeless people from using them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2016, 12:49:02 AM
Going back to the rest area closures, this page on the IDOT website has a map showing all the rest areas and closures.

http://idot.illinois.gov/travel-information/roadway-information/Rest-Areas-and-Welcome-Centers/index
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on July 12, 2016, 05:08:30 AM
Quote from: cl94 on July 05, 2016, 10:55:57 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 09:06:35 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 09:00:18 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 06:45:03 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.

If it's a gas station in Illinois, then they're in violation of state law if they put up such a sign.
Not that many gas stations have bathrooms. It's places like Mc Donald's that have such signs

Gas stations are required to have restrooms by law in Illinois as per the Illinois Plumbing Code.

This was brought up in another thread. Illinois requires staffed gas stations to have a public restroom. Whether or not you'd actually want to use it is a different story.

Never understood the point of rest areas on a non-tolled road. There are plenty of gas stations, restaurants, etc.


On the other hand,

Is there a map outline of this?

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/07/11/gov-bruce-rauner-public-private-partnership-will-lead-to-bridge-at-houbolt-road-in-joliet/ark0nm3/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 12, 2016, 05:36:28 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on July 12, 2016, 05:08:30 AM
Quote from: cl94 on July 05, 2016, 10:55:57 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 09:06:35 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 09:00:18 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 05, 2016, 06:45:03 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on July 05, 2016, 05:06:14 PM
Quote from: Stratuscaster on July 04, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
It's a courtesy to buy something if you use the restroom - but it's not a law.

Perhaps IDOT should look at deals to lease the rest areas and allow travel plazas to be built in them.
Many places have signs bathrooms for customers only. It's very clear the only place I will do it is at Wal Mart and only because I work for the company.

If it's a gas station in Illinois, then they're in violation of state law if they put up such a sign.
Not that many gas stations have bathrooms. It's places like Mc Donald's that have such signs

Gas stations are required to have restrooms by law in Illinois as per the Illinois Plumbing Code.

This was brought up in another thread. Illinois requires staffed gas stations to have a public restroom. Whether or not you'd actually want to use it is a different story.

Never understood the point of rest areas on a non-tolled road. There are plenty of gas stations, restaurants, etc.


On the other hand,

Is there a map outline of this?

http://www.theherald-news.com/2016/07/11/gov-bruce-rauner-public-private-partnership-will-lead-to-bridge-at-houbolt-road-in-joliet/ark0nm3/

Often Rest Areas are used by cross road truckers as sleeping points along the interstate. Not a lot of the gas stations and restaurants can accomidate their vehicles.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 12, 2016, 05:50:32 PM

Perhaps a corridor like this. This would make sense to me.
http://www.scribblemaps.com/api/maps/images/450/450/a9QxdAF2ly.png

I would tie it in to Vetter Rd on the southside of the river.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2016, 08:30:49 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 12, 2016, 05:50:32 PM

Perhaps a corridor like this. This would make sense to me.
http://www.scribblemaps.com/api/maps/images/450/450/a9QxdAF2ly.png

I would tie it in to Vetter Rd on the southside of the river.

I always assumed it would connect to the intersection of Laraway and Centerpoint, as a western extension of Laraway Road.\
I thought the corridor would look more like this.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8874/27992747560_aec8d2c53e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/JDC9AC)
hblara (https://flic.kr/p/JDC9AC) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 12, 2016, 08:36:31 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2016, 08:30:49 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 12, 2016, 05:50:32 PM

Perhaps a corridor like this. This would make sense to me.
http://www.scribblemaps.com/api/maps/images/450/450/a9QxdAF2ly.png

I would tie it in to Vetter Rd on the southside of the river.

I always assumed it would connect to the intersection of Laraway and Centerpoint, as a western extension of Laraway Road.\
I thought the corridor would look more like this.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8874/27992747560_aec8d2c53e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/JDC9AC)
hblara (https://flic.kr/p/JDC9AC) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

The only issue I see with connecting it that way to Laraway Rd is the woods to the west of the casino. I don't recall but is that a county preserve?

But I do like that as an alternate to get to Route 66 Raceway/Chicagoland Speedway for traffic from the west instead of using Route 53 or Arsenal Rd.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2016, 08:55:50 PM
Re: above ^

If Google is correct (which they aren't sometimes), the bounds of that county preserve are within that green area to the southwest.
I'm hoping that the tolls are collected electronically.  The amount of truck traffic stopping and taking off at a toll booth would rut and ravel the road beyond belief.  You should see the intersection of IL53 and Laraway right now.  Good god, all that rutting and raveling on the southbound approach.
Your Vetter Road idea is really interesting too.  I like that.  In fact, it would be awesome if they used my alignment over to Laraway with an offshoot road going southbound to connect to Vetter (or Elwood International Port Road...thank Elwood for insisting on an absurdly long name).  Let it be known that I'm definitely biased toward an alignment serving Laraway Road, because I work along Laraway Road a lot XD
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 12, 2016, 09:02:07 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2016, 08:30:49 PM
I always assumed it would connect to the intersection of Laraway and Centerpoint, as a western extension of Laraway Road.\
I thought the corridor would look more like this.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8874/27992747560_aec8d2c53e_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/JDC9AC)
hblara (https://flic.kr/p/JDC9AC) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

The Laraway extension to I-80 appears to have already been under consideration, see Page 38 of 48 of this document. (http://www.jada.org/pdf/transportation_updateJun82010.pdf)  Now if someone would provide a map showing what the proposed toll bridge that has been in the news lately is actually going to connect with. (Link to one article). (http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=3&RecNum=13677)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on July 22, 2016, 09:43:58 AM
Anyone notice the vast number of small lakes and ponds that seem to have been created during construction of the Interstate Highways? In central Illinois I-57 and I-74 is full of them, seem to have been the source of material for raising the highway and creating the overpasses. The long elevated part of I-74 by Farmer City has a whole bunch of them carved out for the fill. I notice some farmers put small houses and trees along them. Others are left as undeveloped puddles. Wonder if the fishing is good, or if they are very shallow, and get too hot and noxious algae filled during the summer? There is a whole housing development around a larger one in Mansfield.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 22, 2016, 10:03:02 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 22, 2016, 09:43:58 AM
Anyone notice the vast number of small lakes and ponds that seem to have been created during construction of the Interstate Highways? In central Illinois I-57 and I-74 is full of them, seem to have been the source of material for raising the highway and creating the overpasses. The long elevated part of I-74 by Farmer City has a whole bunch of them carved out for the fill. I notice some farmers put small houses and trees along them. Others are left as undeveloped puddles. Wonder if the fishing is good, or if they are very shallow, and get too hot and noxious algae filled during the summer? There is a whole housing development around a larger one in Mansfield.

If I'm not mistaken, all these lakes along I-80 in Nebraska have public access. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on July 22, 2016, 10:06:09 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 22, 2016, 09:43:58 AM
Anyone notice the vast number of small lakes and ponds that seem to have been created during construction of the Interstate Highways? In central Illinois I-57 and I-74 is full of them, seem to have been the source of material for raising the highway and creating the overpasses. The long elevated part of I-74 by Farmer City has a whole bunch of them carved out for the fill. I notice some farmers put small houses and trees along them. Others are left as undeveloped puddles. Wonder if the fishing is good, or if they are very shallow, and get too hot and noxious algae filled during the summer? There is a whole housing development around a larger one in Mansfield.

florida has a lot of these too.  I know in a lot of situations farmers are happy to part with the dirt. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on July 22, 2016, 01:10:26 PM
Those are called 'burrow pits' and are indeed used as a source of fill for the construction work.  There are several along US 10 west of I-41 here in the Appleton, WI area, too.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on July 24, 2016, 10:28:23 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 22, 2016, 09:43:58 AM
Anyone notice the vast number of small lakes and ponds that seem to have been created during construction of the Interstate Highways? In central Illinois I-57 and I-74 is full of them, seem to have been the source of material for raising the highway and creating the overpasses. The long elevated part of I-74 by Farmer City has a whole bunch of them carved out for the fill. I notice some farmers put small houses and trees along them. Others are left as undeveloped puddles. Wonder if the fishing is good, or if they are very shallow, and get too hot and noxious algae filled during the summer? There is a whole housing development around a larger one in Mansfield.

I've seen boats moored on some of these, they're like private lakes
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on August 10, 2016, 09:50:31 PM
Why did IDOT remove the EB I-190 to NB Mannheim Rd ramp?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 10, 2016, 10:06:38 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 09:50:31 PM
Why did IDOT remove the EB I-190 to NB Mannheim Rd ramp?

Construction? Plus with the new interchange allowing access to Balmoral, it's probably best to eliminate that exit if you can access it earlier with better flow
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on August 10, 2016, 10:11:52 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 10, 2016, 10:06:38 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 09:50:31 PM
Why did IDOT remove the EB I-190 to NB Mannheim Rd ramp?

Construction? Plus with the new interchange allowing access to Balmoral, it's probably best to eliminate that exit if you can access it earlier with better flow

I think only SB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 10, 2016, 10:32:23 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 10:11:52 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 10, 2016, 10:06:38 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 09:50:31 PM
Why did IDOT remove the EB I-190 to NB Mannheim Rd ramp?

Construction? Plus with the new interchange allowing access to Balmoral, it's probably best to eliminate that exit if you can access it earlier with better flow

I think only SB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral.

Actually NB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral with the new construction.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on August 11, 2016, 02:10:08 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 22, 2016, 09:43:58 AM
Anyone notice the vast number of small lakes and ponds that seem to have been created during construction of the Interstate Highways? In central Illinois I-57 and I-74 is full of them, seem to have been the source of material for raising the highway and creating the overpasses. The long elevated part of I-74 by Farmer City has a whole bunch of them carved out for the fill. I notice some farmers put small houses and trees along them. Others are left as undeveloped puddles. Wonder if the fishing is good, or if they are very shallow, and get too hot and noxious algae filled during the summer? There is a whole housing development around a larger one in Mansfield.

As a teenager, I helped measure the volume of all the borrow pits for contractor payment along I-55 in the Lexington/Towanda area of IL. The location of these pits was not mandated by the state; instead, the contractors that built the road were free to negotiate the price with whomever would do business with them. Obviously they sought sources as close to the new road as possible, to minimize haulage and drayage to and from the job site.  Some of the farmers and other land owners were able to negotiate additional terms into the price for allowing the contractor to dig, including filling the empty hole with water and additional $ that they used to put in picnic areas, fishing docks, and the like.   

There were a few sources used in interstate construction that were well removed from the new road. For instance, when I-39 was constructed, IDOT helped remove some of the old slag piles from decades-old coal mining operations from towns like Cedar Point, which was about 2 miles west of the highway, and made them available for fill; the higher cost of excavation and hauling was offset by the free availability of the material.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 11, 2016, 11:12:07 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 10, 2016, 10:32:23 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 10:11:52 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 10, 2016, 10:06:38 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 09:50:31 PM
Why did IDOT remove the EB I-190 to NB Mannheim Rd ramp?

Construction? Plus with the new interchange allowing access to Balmoral, it's probably best to eliminate that exit if you can access it earlier with better flow

I think only SB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral.

Actually NB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral with the new construction.

I wonder if one of the reasons for doing the huge Balmoral interchange with Mannheim was to eliminate some of the more dangerous ramps on I-190 while providing access from the airport to the entertainment district/hotels in Rosemont. I personally hate using WB 190 to NB US-12/45 ramp because of it's sudden turn and routing.

Edit: Post 1000!!!  :) :) :)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 11, 2016, 11:39:15 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 11, 2016, 11:12:07 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 10, 2016, 10:32:23 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 10:11:52 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 10, 2016, 10:06:38 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 09:50:31 PM
Why did IDOT remove the EB I-190 to NB Mannheim Rd ramp?

Construction? Plus with the new interchange allowing access to Balmoral, it's probably best to eliminate that exit if you can access it earlier with better flow

I think only SB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral.

Actually NB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral with the new construction.

I wonder if one of the reasons for doing the huge Balmoral interchange with Mannheim was to eliminate some of the more dangerous ramps on I-190 while providing access from the airport to the entertainment district/hotels in Rosemont. I personally hate using WB 190 to NB US-12/45 ramp because of it's sudden turn and routing.

Edit: Post 1000!!!  :) :) :)

The biggest problem on I-190 is the close proximity of the ramps to one another, from Bessie Coleman Dr east to I-294.  There's an onramp, and in two more second, there's the offramp you needed!  wahp wahp.   I'd be heavily in favor of removing some of the ramps joining I-190 and Mannheim.  Or at least reconfiguring some of that mess, especially the ramps in the northeast quadrant that are scrunched because of the railroad.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Stephane Dumas on August 16, 2016, 11:27:15 AM
I saw this one via http://tollroadsnews.com/news-briefs/daily-news-brief-august-12-2016/#brief-article2 about the idea of express toll lanes for I-55 in Cook and DuPage counties.

QuoteDaily Herald reports, "The Illinois Department of Transportation Thursday [August 11] asked construction firms to submit ideas on how to build two tolled express lanes on I-55 in DuPage and Cook counties."  The report adds, "The public-private partnership is a result of the state's budget woes and absence of a capital plan, as well as the necessity of fixing chronic traffic jams on I-55."  http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160811/news/160819717/

Chicago Tribune adds, "Private firms need to submit their ideas by Sept. 8, with a public forum scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Holiday Inn O'Hare. IDOT needs approval from the General Assembly for the I-55 toll project."  http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-stevenson-i55-toll-lanes-0812-biz-20160811-story.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 16, 2016, 11:40:54 AM
Quote from: Stephane Dumas on August 16, 2016, 11:27:15 AM
I saw this one via http://tollroadsnews.com/news-briefs/daily-news-brief-august-12-2016/#brief-article2 about the idea of express toll lanes for I-55 in Cook and DuPage counties.

QuoteDaily Herald reports, "The Illinois Department of Transportation Thursday [August 11] asked construction firms to submit ideas on how to build two tolled express lanes on I-55 in DuPage and Cook counties."  The report adds, "The public-private partnership is a result of the state's budget woes and absence of a capital plan, as well as the necessity of fixing chronic traffic jams on I-55."  http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160811/news/160819717/

Chicago Tribune adds, "Private firms need to submit their ideas by Sept. 8, with a public forum scheduled for Sept. 20 at the Holiday Inn O'Hare. IDOT needs approval from the General Assembly for the I-55 toll project."  http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-stevenson-i55-toll-lanes-0812-biz-20160811-story.html

I'd rather see it simply sold to ISHTA rather than have a private consortium do it.  Having seen what a private consortium does to the Indiana Toll Road, I don't trust them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 20, 2016, 11:55:09 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 11, 2016, 11:39:15 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 11, 2016, 11:12:07 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 10, 2016, 10:32:23 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 10:11:52 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 10, 2016, 10:06:38 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 09:50:31 PM
Why did IDOT remove the EB I-190 to NB Mannheim Rd ramp?

Construction? Plus with the new interchange allowing access to Balmoral, it's probably best to eliminate that exit if you can access it earlier with better flow

I think only SB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral.

Actually NB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral with the new construction.

I wonder if one of the reasons for doing the huge Balmoral interchange with Mannheim was to eliminate some of the more dangerous ramps on I-190 while providing access from the airport to the entertainment district/hotels in Rosemont. I personally hate using WB 190 to NB US-12/45 ramp because of it's sudden turn and routing.

Edit: Post 1000!!!  :) :) :)

The biggest problem on I-190 is the close proximity of the ramps to one another, from Bessie Coleman Dr east to I-294.  There's an onramp, and in two more second, there's the offramp you needed!  wahp wahp.   I'd be heavily in favor of removing some of the ramps joining I-190 and Mannheim.  Or at least reconfiguring some of that mess, especially the ramps in the northeast quadrant that are scrunched because of the railroad.

The next thing that needs to be addressed on I-190 EB is the NB Mannheim to EB 190 ramp and the EB 190 to SB 294 ramp. The big issue there is no room for a true merge between those ramps. And people on the NB Mannheim to EB 190 ramp NEVER yield despite there being a Yield sign.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9813487,-87.8766412,3a,75y,30.94h,89.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgd1T426aA4du_Aedrjm4kg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 20, 2016, 01:28:07 PM
^I agree that this section of the EB lanes is the most egregious.  There's a pitiful amount of space for traffic to weave.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 20, 2016, 11:05:53 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 20, 2016, 11:55:09 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 11, 2016, 11:39:15 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 11, 2016, 11:12:07 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 10, 2016, 10:32:23 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 10:11:52 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 10, 2016, 10:06:38 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 09:50:31 PM
Why did IDOT remove the EB I-190 to NB Mannheim Rd ramp?

Construction? Plus with the new interchange allowing access to Balmoral, it's probably best to eliminate that exit if you can access it earlier with better flow

I think only SB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral.

Actually NB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral with the new construction.

I wonder if one of the reasons for doing the huge Balmoral interchange with Mannheim was to eliminate some of the more dangerous ramps on I-190 while providing access from the airport to the entertainment district/hotels in Rosemont. I personally hate using WB 190 to NB US-12/45 ramp because of it's sudden turn and routing.

Edit: Post 1000!!!  :) :) :)

The biggest problem on I-190 is the close proximity of the ramps to one another, from Bessie Coleman Dr east to I-294.  There's an onramp, and in two more second, there's the offramp you needed!  wahp wahp.   I'd be heavily in favor of removing some of the ramps joining I-190 and Mannheim.  Or at least reconfiguring some of that mess, especially the ramps in the northeast quadrant that are scrunched because of the railroad.

The next thing that needs to be addressed on I-190 EB is the NB Mannheim to EB 190 ramp and the EB 190 to SB 294 ramp. The big issue there is no room for a true merge between those ramps. And people on the NB Mannheim to EB 190 ramp NEVER yield despite there being a Yield sign.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9813487,-87.8766412,3a,75y,30.94h,89.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgd1T426aA4du_Aedrjm4kg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

What about the rewidening? of I-190? The Cumberland Flyover / I-90 winding plans show an 3 lane I-190.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 25, 2016, 11:48:24 AM
Actually, 190 itself as a 2 lanes each way with an aux exit lane works fine. Traffic does not back up on that often. The big issue is the lack of space between exit and entrance ramps. I think if you had 2 "express lanes" and 2 aux c-d lanes EB from Bessie Coleman to Cumberland, that would help a ton.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 25, 2016, 07:43:12 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 25, 2016, 11:48:24 AM
Actually, 190 itself as a 2 lanes each way with an aux exit lane works fine. Traffic does not back up on that often. The big issue is the lack of space between exit and entrance ramps. I think if you had 2 "express lanes" and 2 aux c-d lanes EB from Bessie Coleman to Cumberland, that would help a ton.

It needs some flyovers.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 27, 2016, 01:08:50 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on August 20, 2016, 11:05:53 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 20, 2016, 11:55:09 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 11, 2016, 11:39:15 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 11, 2016, 11:12:07 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 10, 2016, 10:32:23 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 10:11:52 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 10, 2016, 10:06:38 PM
Quote from: tribar on August 10, 2016, 09:50:31 PM
Why did IDOT remove the EB I-190 to NB Mannheim Rd ramp?

Construction? Plus with the new interchange allowing access to Balmoral, it's probably best to eliminate that exit if you can access it earlier with better flow

I think only SB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral.

Actually NB Mannheim can be accessed from Balmoral with the new construction.

I wonder if one of the reasons for doing the huge Balmoral interchange with Mannheim was to eliminate some of the more dangerous ramps on I-190 while providing access from the airport to the entertainment district/hotels in Rosemont. I personally hate using WB 190 to NB US-12/45 ramp because of it's sudden turn and routing.

Edit: Post 1000!!!  :) :) :)

The biggest problem on I-190 is the close proximity of the ramps to one another, from Bessie Coleman Dr east to I-294.  There's an onramp, and in two more second, there's the offramp you needed!  wahp wahp.   I'd be heavily in favor of removing some of the ramps joining I-190 and Mannheim.  Or at least reconfiguring some of that mess, especially the ramps in the northeast quadrant that are scrunched because of the railroad.

The next thing that needs to be addressed on I-190 EB is the NB Mannheim to EB 190 ramp and the EB 190 to SB 294 ramp. The big issue there is no room for a true merge between those ramps. And people on the NB Mannheim to EB 190 ramp NEVER yield despite there being a Yield sign.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9813487,-87.8766412,3a,75y,30.94h,89.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgd1T426aA4du_Aedrjm4kg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

What about the rewidening? of I-190? The Cumberland Flyover / I-90 winding plans show an 3 lane I-190.

Maybe east of Mannheim or River Road. As a road itself, the capacity for the mainline is adequate, the ramps/aux lanes are the main problems.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 27, 2016, 07:42:51 PM
I found this article regarding an update on the IKE Rebuild. It looks like Oak Park and IDOT have finally come to some sort of agreement. If even there is a hold off on widening the expressway itself, re-configuring the left hand exits in Oak Park should go a long way in helping improve traffic flow.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-park/news/ct-oak-idot-eisenhower-tl-0811-20160804-story.html

QuoteA letter outlining cost responsibilities, maintenance and future considerations related to the proposed rebuilding and widening of Interstate 290 has been approved by the village of Oak Park and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

During the Aug. 1 village board meeting, trustees unanimously approved the agreement with IDOT by a 6-0 vote. Trustee Andrea Ott was absent.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 28, 2016, 05:00:13 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 27, 2016, 07:42:51 PM
I found this article regarding an update on the IKE Rebuild. It looks like Oak Park and IDOT have finally come to some sort of agreement. If even there is a hold off on widening the expressway itself, re-configuring the left hand exits in Oak Park should go a long way in helping improve traffic flow.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/oak-park/news/ct-oak-idot-eisenhower-tl-0811-20160804-story.html

QuoteA letter outlining cost responsibilities, maintenance and future considerations related to the proposed rebuilding and widening of Interstate 290 has been approved by the village of Oak Park and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

During the Aug. 1 village board meeting, trustees unanimously approved the agreement with IDOT by a 6-0 vote. Trustee Andrea Ott was absent.
That looks good.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 29, 2016, 09:09:27 AM
I  had reason to go to West Dundee yesterday from my home in Morris, and so I took rt. 47 up to rt 72 and in.

On the way up, I noticed the damndest thing..  A brand new roundabaout was installed on 47 at Burlington rd.  What made this odd was that I don't recall seeing this in March, the last time I was through the area, and why here? It's in the middle of f-ing nowhere! Anybody have the scoop on this?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on August 29, 2016, 11:07:57 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2016, 09:09:27 AM
I  had reason to go to West Dundee yesterday from my home in Morris, and so I took rt. 47 up to rt 72 and in.

On the way up, I noticed the damndest thing..  A brand new roundabaout was installed on 47 at Burlington rd.  What made this odd was that I don't recall seeing this in March, the last time I was through the area, and why here? It's in the middle of f-ing nowhere! Anybody have the scoop on this?

Construction started in April and they must have finished already (although I don't see any updated information on the Kane County website about it being finished. here are two links:

http://www.co.kane.il.us/dot/constProjects/burlingtonAt47.aspx (http://www.co.kane.il.us/dot/constProjects/burlingtonAt47.aspx)

^^ That describes the project and improvements and why they are doing them.

http://kanecountyconnects.com/2016/04/roundabout-construction-begins-april-4-at-burlington-road-and-route-47/ (http://kanecountyconnects.com/2016/04/roundabout-construction-begins-april-4-at-burlington-road-and-route-47/)

^^ Has the start date of April which explains why you didn't see it last time you were driving the area.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 29, 2016, 03:52:42 PM
Still seems kind of random to me, but then again, I'm not a highway designer.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: KG909 on August 29, 2016, 10:00:23 PM
Has anyone ever been to O Block

HTC Desire 510

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on August 29, 2016, 10:17:01 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2016, 03:52:42 PM
Still seems kind of random to me, but then again, I'm not a highway designer.

It's probably a safety fix.  Likely a high rate of right angle crashes, so a signal wouldn't fix that, but a roundabout would.  they are doing the same in indiana at similar intersection.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 30, 2016, 12:18:54 AM
They recently put in a round-a-bout on Dugan Road just south of US-30, which includes a crossroad and railroad tracks. It helped out immensely with rush hour and general flow and after US-30 finished it's improvements.

Maybe it's Kane Counties new road design fetish  :bigass:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 30, 2016, 09:30:35 AM
Quote from: quickshade on August 29, 2016, 11:07:57 AM

http://kanecountyconnects.com/2016/04/roundabout-construction-begins-april-4-at-burlington-road-and-route-47/ (http://kanecountyconnects.com/2016/04/roundabout-construction-begins-april-4-at-burlington-road-and-route-47/)

^^ Has the start date of April which explains why you didn't see it last time you were driving the area.

Thinking about it, that also explains the lack of traffic, as Burlington Road is still closed off at the roundabout.

Now I have that Yes song stuck in my head.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on August 30, 2016, 11:13:02 AM
I'm all for more roundabouts, they work very well and I wish more counties would take them seriously.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on August 30, 2016, 06:14:42 PM
If you want roundabouts, quickshade, come to Wisconsin. They have truckloads of them. And take a few of them with you on your way home.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on August 30, 2016, 07:26:10 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 30, 2016, 06:14:42 PM
If you want roundabouts, quickshade, come to Wisconsin. They have truckloads of them. And take a few of them with you on your way home.

Gladly, there are a few intersection out west in McHenry county that could use it. However I wouldn't go as overboard as Wisconsin did.  :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on August 31, 2016, 10:46:28 AM
Quote from: quickshade on August 30, 2016, 07:26:10 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 30, 2016, 06:14:42 PM
If you want roundabouts, quickshade, come to Wisconsin. They have truckloads of them. And take a few of them with you on your way home.

Gladly, there are a few intersection out west in McHenry county that could use it. However I wouldn't go as overboard as Wisconsin did.  :-D
There is no question Wisconsin has gone way overboard. I was in Wales the other day the roundabout at US 18 and WI 83 is going to be another problematic roundabout just like the ones in New Berlin are.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 31, 2016, 11:55:19 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 30, 2016, 06:14:42 PM
If you want roundabouts, quickshade, come to Wisconsin. They have truckloads of them. And take a few of them with you on your way home.

Good lord.  I think I was at I-94 and WI-65 last year when I saw a pair of roundabouts joining the state road to the exit ramps.  These things do nothing but increase the danger for the thru traffic on the state road.  I know!  Let's put two large obstacles in the middle of a 55 mph surface road!!  Yes I agree with the idea that WisDOT is going "overboard" heh
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on August 31, 2016, 02:02:36 PM
I think roundabouts get a bad rap. I think if they are done right traffic flows so much better. especial in areas where the side roads have enough traffic to warrant a stop sign but not a traffic signal. Hopefully Illinois uses them a bit more often.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 31, 2016, 04:56:47 PM
Quote from: quickshade on August 31, 2016, 02:02:36 PM
I think roundabouts get a bad rap. I think if they are done right traffic flows so much better. especial in areas where the side roads have enough traffic to warrant a stop sign but not a traffic signal. Hopefully Illinois uses them a bit more often.

There are good applications for them.  Being stuck in the middle of a rural 55mph highway isn't one of them  :D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on August 31, 2016, 09:27:18 PM
(Insert picture of a dead horse being beaten)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on September 01, 2016, 07:43:03 PM
https://memegenerator.net/instance/23266068
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cl94 on September 01, 2016, 09:07:51 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 31, 2016, 04:56:47 PM
Quote from: quickshade on August 31, 2016, 02:02:36 PM
I think roundabouts get a bad rap. I think if they are done right traffic flows so much better. especial in areas where the side roads have enough traffic to warrant a stop sign but not a traffic signal. Hopefully Illinois uses them a bit more often.

There are good applications for them.  Being stuck in the middle of a rural 55mph highway isn't one of them  :D

*cough* Malta (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9489545,-73.7899373,447m/data=!3m1!1e3) *cough*
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rothman on September 02, 2016, 08:24:34 AM
...and Malta (https://goo.gl/maps/jBBDr59ZBit), cough, cough...

Even NYSDOT's Chief Operations Officer some years back thought the five roundabouts in a half-mile was a bad idea and said so publicly at ITS-NY on year.

(personal opinion emphasized)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: spell4yr on September 29, 2016, 06:34:47 PM
I was on I-80 between the Tri-State and I-355 recently, and I assume that the new signs there were fabricated right as the Clearview approval was rescinded. I forget which is which, but it looks odd that the ground-mounted signs are in one font and the overhead signs are in the other.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on October 03, 2016, 11:02:58 AM
Quote from: spell4yr on September 29, 2016, 06:34:47 PM
I was on I-80 between the Tri-State and I-355 recently, and I assume that the new signs there were fabricated right as the Clearview approval was rescinded. I forget which is which, but it looks odd that the ground-mounted signs are in one font and the overhead signs are in the other.

I noticed some new signs on I-39 yesterday that were like this too!  The fall of Clearview has begun!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: spell4yr on October 04, 2016, 10:29:16 AM
Were all the I-39 signs replaced though? Because all the I-80 signs were new even though they were different fonts.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on October 04, 2016, 10:50:31 PM
Quote from: spell4yr on October 04, 2016, 10:29:16 AM
Were all the I-39 signs replaced though? Because all the I-80 signs were new even though they were different fonts.

Not all of them. The ones I noticed were along the I-39/90 corridor and at the I-39/US-20 interchange going northbound.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on October 05, 2016, 12:13:55 AM
This might be an example of a new sign without Clearview.  This is on I-39 northbound.  Obviously only a few new signs are showing the switch back to FHWA (it's not like they're doing a complete overhaul all at once)

(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7547/29977631702_254cdd0ccb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/MF2cv1)
I-39-I-88NA.5 (https://flic.kr/p/MF2cv1) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on October 05, 2016, 05:55:00 PM
I know the new signs they put up on Rt 59 at I-88 are back to the old font and not Clearview.
According to streetview, the interchange is still under construction. It finished the big part of it earlier this summer.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on October 05, 2016, 06:32:47 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on October 05, 2016, 05:55:00 PM
I know the new signs they put up on Rt 59 at I-88 are back to the old font and not Clearview.
According to streetview, the interchange is still under construction. It finished the big part of it earlier this summer.

That interchange is complete.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on October 05, 2016, 08:48:17 PM
Quote from: tribar on October 05, 2016, 06:32:47 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on October 05, 2016, 05:55:00 PM
I know the new signs they put up on Rt 59 at I-88 are back to the old font and not Clearview.
According to streetview, the interchange is still under construction. It finished the big part of it earlier this summer.

That interchange is complete.

95%. There's still landscaping going on and some "temporary" utility poles that need to be removed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on October 06, 2016, 10:32:54 AM
Yes I am aware. I drive it practically daily.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on November 03, 2016, 07:58:24 PM
East River Road bridge is open to traffic
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on November 03, 2016, 09:43:43 PM
The one over the Kennedy? Ah neat, last time I saw they were tearing it down, I don't go over there much anymore.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on November 04, 2016, 10:44:21 AM
Yup, they were doing final Kennedy work at the bridge and beginning on the extra lane going eastbound last night.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on November 04, 2016, 01:36:01 PM
Quote from: ET21 on November 04, 2016, 10:44:21 AM
Yup, they were doing final Kennedy work at the bridge and beginning on the extra lane going eastbound last night.

Are they going to rebuild the bridges and repave the entire pavement as well?

Any idea when they're going to start on the west end?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on November 05, 2016, 07:32:51 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 04, 2016, 01:36:01 PM
Quote from: ET21 on November 04, 2016, 10:44:21 AM
Yup, they were doing final Kennedy work at the bridge and beginning on the extra lane going eastbound last night.

Are they going to rebuild the bridges and repave the entire pavement as well?

Any idea when they're going to start on the west end?
Long range, I would assume that they will rebuild each bridge over the Kennedy and resurface it. Definitely needs both. As far as a timetable, who knows. Certainly not before they finish the construction on the NW Tollway and the Cumberland interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on November 12, 2016, 09:38:44 PM
ANyone know when the Flyover ramp for the Dan Ryan and Ike is supposed to open? It is coming along pretty well
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on November 12, 2016, 10:19:02 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on November 12, 2016, 09:38:44 PM
ANyone know when the Flyover ramp for the Dan Ryan and Ike is supposed to open? It is coming along pretty well

End of the year according to IDOT, no firm date given yet.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:26:05 PM
Is there a reason why IDOT doesn't use LED lights?

It's just odd driving over the 390 flyover with the yellow halogen lights and cross over to ITHSA land where you get bombarded by bright white LED lights.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 19, 2016, 02:29:43 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:26:05 PM
Is there a reason why IDOT doesn't use LED lights?

IDOT's behind the times as usual.  Do I really need to say more?  :pan:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:45:08 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 19, 2016, 02:29:43 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:26:05 PM
Is there a reason why IDOT doesn't use LED lights?

IDOT's behind the times as usual.  Do I really need to say more?  :pan:

Isn't there some agreement that IDOT has to start transitioning to LED lights for more federal funds?

I imagine there's some grant money for LED lights.

I also thought I read somewhere that IDOT started putting LED lights in starting 2012 or 2013.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on November 19, 2016, 03:26:46 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:45:08 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 19, 2016, 02:29:43 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:26:05 PM
Is there a reason why IDOT doesn't use LED lights?

IDOT's behind the times as usual.  Do I really need to say more?  :pan:

Isn't there some agreement that IDOT has to start transitioning to LED lights for more federal funds?

I imagine there's some grant money for LED lights.

I also thought I read somewhere that IDOT started putting LED lights in starting 2012 or 2013.

As of last year, they were still in phase 2 of the design and study of LED lighting. This includes things like retrofit cost, LED lifetime, the next advancement of LED lights and other possible lighting solutions plus maintenance, contractors, light pollution, etc. Basically a whole study on stuff that the tollway could have already told them about (why don't they ever work jointly on these studies) but IDOT felt it best to do on its own.

I'd make the suggestion that some lightbulb changing union see's LED as a loss in their jobs (10-15 year bulbs compared to 2 currently) and they are protesting against it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 04:19:29 PM
Quote from: quickshade on November 19, 2016, 03:26:46 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:45:08 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 19, 2016, 02:29:43 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:26:05 PM
Is there a reason why IDOT doesn't use LED lights?

IDOT's behind the times as usual.  Do I really need to say more?  :pan:

Isn't there some agreement that IDOT has to start transitioning to LED lights for more federal funds?

I imagine there's some grant money for LED lights.

I also thought I read somewhere that IDOT started putting LED lights in starting 2012 or 2013.

As of last year, they were still in phase 2 of the design and study of LED lighting. This includes things like retrofit cost, LED lifetime, the next advancement of LED lights and other possible lighting solutions plus maintenance, contractors, light pollution, etc. Basically a whole study on stuff that the tollway could have already told them about (why don't they ever work jointly on these studies) but IDOT felt it best to do on its own.

I'd make the suggestion that some lightbulb changing union see's LED as a loss in their jobs (10-15 year bulbs compared to 2 currently) and they are protesting against it.


Phase 2 out of how many studies and when's the projected completion date?

Doubt it'd get anywhere. Going from a lifespan of 5 years to 15-20 years isn't going to "kill jobs."

I also read somewhere that IDOT saved 60 million on union costs somewhere. Link to the unions protesting? Doubt it'd get far, especially with Rauner as governor.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 19, 2016, 09:34:51 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:26:05 PM
Is there a reason why IDOT doesn't use LED lights?

There are some IDOT projects that are being designed with LED lights...like the IL 178 over the Illinois River in Utica, which will have LED pedestrian and roadway lighting.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 20, 2016, 09:14:52 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 19, 2016, 09:34:51 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 19, 2016, 02:26:05 PM
Is there a reason why IDOT doesn't use LED lights?

There are some IDOT projects that are being designed with LED lights...like the IL 178 over the Illinois River in Utica, which will have LED pedestrian and roadway lighting.

The only use of LED lighting I've seen on IDOT maintained roadways/highways seems to be more related to local municipalities. For example, some of the roadways in Naperville have LED lighting, and some are IDOT maintained I believe. However, I am certain it is more something to do with Naperville than IDOT.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on November 23, 2016, 10:22:24 PM
I just saw LED lights at the weight station on I-74 between Bloomington and IL-117
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: I-39 on November 23, 2016, 10:22:24 PM
I just saw LED lights at the weight station on I-74 between Bloomington and IL-117

I just am baffled that IDOT doesn't use them in conjunction with the Tollway at the applicable interchanges, but they use them at a weigh station downstate. Again, the contrast of lighting on new interchanges on I-90 and IL 390 just seems odd. Or how about on the Manheim Road reconstruction near O'Hare, the City of Chicago controlled portions of the roadways over there all received upgrading to LED lighting, so one would think IDOT would better coordinate and follow suit.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on November 25, 2016, 11:02:42 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: I-39 on November 23, 2016, 10:22:24 PM
I just saw LED lights at the weight station on I-74 between Bloomington and IL-117

I just am baffled that IDOT doesn't use them in conjunction with the Tollway at the applicable interchanges, but they use them at a weigh station downstate. Again, the contrast of lighting on new interchanges on I-90 and IL 390 just seems odd. Or how about on the Manheim Road reconstruction near O'Hare, the City of Chicago controlled portions of the roadways over there all received upgrading to LED lighting, so one would think IDOT would better coordinate and follow suit.

The tollway stopped trying to coordinate because it took to long to get answers and IDOT always tried to take the lead on projects without having any kind of proper funding to accomplish them. When the I90 rebuild was first getting started a rebuild of the 53 interchange was looked at with the tollway willing to throw money at the project to cut down on the congestion. But politics downstate kept interfering with the project.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 25, 2016, 11:14:45 AM
Quote from: quickshade on November 25, 2016, 11:02:42 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: I-39 on November 23, 2016, 10:22:24 PM
I just saw LED lights at the weight station on I-74 between Bloomington and IL-117

I just am baffled that IDOT doesn't use them in conjunction with the Tollway at the applicable interchanges, but they use them at a weigh station downstate. Again, the contrast of lighting on new interchanges on I-90 and IL 390 just seems odd. Or how about on the Manheim Road reconstruction near O'Hare, the City of Chicago controlled portions of the roadways over there all received upgrading to LED lighting, so one would think IDOT would better coordinate and follow suit.

The tollway stopped trying to coordinate because it took to long to get answers and IDOT always tried to take the lead on projects without having any kind of proper funding to accomplish them. When the I90 rebuild was first getting started a rebuild of the 53 interchange was looked at with the tollway willing to throw money at the project to cut down on the congestion. But politics downstate kept interfering with the project.

Exactly my case for why every freeway in the state should be simply turned over or sold to ISTHA.  IDOT can be a real bear to deal with, even for municipalities and counties.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on November 25, 2016, 03:27:02 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 25, 2016, 11:14:45 AM
Quote from: quickshade on November 25, 2016, 11:02:42 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: I-39 on November 23, 2016, 10:22:24 PM
I just saw LED lights at the weight station on I-74 between Bloomington and IL-117

I just am baffled that IDOT doesn't use them in conjunction with the Tollway at the applicable interchanges, but they use them at a weigh station downstate. Again, the contrast of lighting on new interchanges on I-90 and IL 390 just seems odd. Or how about on the Manheim Road reconstruction near O'Hare, the City of Chicago controlled portions of the roadways over there all received upgrading to LED lighting, so one would think IDOT would better coordinate and follow suit.

The tollway stopped trying to coordinate because it took to long to get answers and IDOT always tried to take the lead on projects without having any kind of proper funding to accomplish them. When the I90 rebuild was first getting started a rebuild of the 53 interchange was looked at with the tollway willing to throw money at the project to cut down on the congestion. But politics downstate kept interfering with the project.

Exactly my case for why every freeway in the state should be simply turned over or sold to ISTHA.  IDOT can be a real bear to deal with, even for municipalities and counties.

Well, now that the constitutional amendment has been passed that bars gas tax money from being used on anything but it's intended purpose, IDOT doesn't need to worry about funding raids anymore. Maybe this will compel them to reform themselves, catch up and start cooperating more.

I know, wishful thinking............
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 10:39:36 PM
Quote from: I-39 on November 25, 2016, 03:27:02 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 25, 2016, 11:14:45 AM
Quote from: quickshade on November 25, 2016, 11:02:42 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: I-39 on November 23, 2016, 10:22:24 PM
I just saw LED lights at the weight station on I-74 between Bloomington and IL-117

I just am baffled that IDOT doesn't use them in conjunction with the Tollway at the applicable interchanges, but they use them at a weigh station downstate. Again, the contrast of lighting on new interchanges on I-90 and IL 390 just seems odd. Or how about on the Manheim Road reconstruction near O'Hare, the City of Chicago controlled portions of the roadways over there all received upgrading to LED lighting, so one would think IDOT would better coordinate and follow suit.

The tollway stopped trying to coordinate because it took to long to get answers and IDOT always tried to take the lead on projects without having any kind of proper funding to accomplish them. When the I90 rebuild was first getting started a rebuild of the 53 interchange was looked at with the tollway willing to throw money at the project to cut down on the congestion. But politics downstate kept interfering with the project.

Exactly my case for why every freeway in the state should be simply turned over or sold to ISTHA.  IDOT can be a real bear to deal with, even for municipalities and counties.

Well, now that the constitutional amendment has been passed that bars gas tax money from being used on anything but it's intended purpose, IDOT doesn't need to worry about funding raids anymore. Maybe this will compel them to reform themselves, catch up and start cooperating more.

I know, wishful thinking............

It probably is a pipe dream to think that IDOT will actually catch up with the times and get a clue with the other agencies in IL. Although, I never could understand how gas tax would have been funneled anywhere but transportation and infrastructure projects.

I do recall a similar measure passed in MO some years ago when I was in college there, and it did result in a slew of much needed projects at that time (of course MoDOT now has no money for anything).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on November 26, 2016, 11:12:43 AM
Quote from: I-39 on November 25, 2016, 03:27:02 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 25, 2016, 11:14:45 AM
Quote from: quickshade on November 25, 2016, 11:02:42 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: I-39 on November 23, 2016, 10:22:24 PM
I just saw LED lights at the weight station on I-74 between Bloomington and IL-117

I just am baffled that IDOT doesn't use them in conjunction with the Tollway at the applicable interchanges, but they use them at a weigh station downstate. Again, the contrast of lighting on new interchanges on I-90 and IL 390 just seems odd. Or how about on the Manheim Road reconstruction near O'Hare, the City of Chicago controlled portions of the roadways over there all received upgrading to LED lighting, so one would think IDOT would better coordinate and follow suit.

The tollway stopped trying to coordinate because it took to long to get answers and IDOT always tried to take the lead on projects without having any kind of proper funding to accomplish them. When the I90 rebuild was first getting started a rebuild of the 53 interchange was looked at with the tollway willing to throw money at the project to cut down on the congestion. But politics downstate kept interfering with the project.

Exactly my case for why every freeway in the state should be simply turned over or sold to ISTHA.  IDOT can be a real bear to deal with, even for municipalities and counties.

Well, now that the constitutional amendment has been passed that bars gas tax money from being used on anything but it's intended purpose, IDOT doesn't need to worry about funding raids anymore. Maybe this will compel them to reform themselves, catch up and start cooperating more.

I know, wishful thinking............

IDOT needs to go all it for the I-294 rebuild with I-290 ramps and other local roads.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US 41 on November 26, 2016, 06:38:35 PM
Does anyone know if they are finished with the 6 laning of I-70 and I-57 in Effingham yet? It seems like they have taken their sweet time on that project. I used to drive over there once a month to check out the construction, but I stopped because the cnstruction was taking so long and it didn't ever seem like very much progress was made. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on November 26, 2016, 06:46:40 PM
Quote from: US 41 on November 26, 2016, 06:38:35 PM
Does anyone know if they are finished with the 6 laning of I-70 and I-57 in Effingham yet? It seems like they have taken their sweet time on that project. I used to drive over there once a month to check out the construction, but I stopped because the cnstruction was taking so long and it didn't ever seem like very much progress was made. 

Yes, IDOT got done with that project.
Here is a YouTube video on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kJhf2elWYk
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 26, 2016, 07:04:40 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: I-39 on November 23, 2016, 10:22:24 PM
I just saw LED lights at the weight station on I-74 between Bloomington and IL-117

I just am baffled that IDOT doesn't use them in conjunction with the Tollway at the applicable interchanges, but they use them at a weigh station downstate.

It is my understanding that lighting is controlled at the District level in IDOT, similar to traffic signal design.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 26, 2016, 07:32:27 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 26, 2016, 07:04:40 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on November 25, 2016, 09:48:00 AM
Quote from: I-39 on November 23, 2016, 10:22:24 PM
I just saw LED lights at the weight station on I-74 between Bloomington and IL-117

I just am baffled that IDOT doesn't use them in conjunction with the Tollway at the applicable interchanges, but they use them at a weigh station downstate.

It is my understanding that lighting is controlled at the District level in IDOT, similar to traffic signal design.

Yes, but with substantial input from the Electrical unit in Springfield. They are starting to use more and more LED lighting on projects, and may show up in the next few years of projects where lighting is involved.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on November 27, 2016, 01:48:16 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on November 26, 2016, 06:46:40 PM
Quote from: US 41 on November 26, 2016, 06:38:35 PM
Does anyone know if they are finished with the 6 laning of I-70 and I-57 in Effingham yet? It seems like they have taken their sweet time on that project. I used to drive over there once a month to check out the construction, but I stopped because the cnstruction was taking so long and it didn't ever seem like very much progress was made. 

Yes, IDOT got done with that project.
Here is a YouTube video on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kJhf2elWYk

I like how they used concrete (well, for the majority of it.) IMO, portland concrete > asphalt
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 27, 2016, 04:26:38 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on November 26, 2016, 06:46:40 PM
Yes, IDOT got done with that project.
Here is a YouTube video on it.

I noticed that both the north and south junctions of I-57 and I-70 have a "three-level" bridge, that is, there is a place where three roadways intersect, with a bridge over a bridge over a road. I would have thought that that is an inefficient design, and that the crossover points would be better if they were more spread out. Does anyone know anything about this sort of thing?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 27, 2016, 08:36:22 PM
^ I know it seems to have been popular downstate, as the two interchanges at the ends of the I-57/I-64 multiplex and I-55 at I-155 are fairly similar in design.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US 41 on November 27, 2016, 08:55:49 PM
Thanks. It's about time they finished that project. And yes I agree that concrete is better than black top. The black top just seems to always break apart after 2 or 3 years. The concrete seems to be good for 30 years.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 30, 2016, 01:43:51 AM
Dan Ryan to Ike flyover ramp likely to open next month. Progress pic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNXuK-lgD-t/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on November 30, 2016, 09:07:17 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 30, 2016, 01:43:51 AM
Dan Ryan to Ike flyover ramp likely to open next month. Progress pic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNXuK-lgD-t/

then what's left for the eta completion to be 2018?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on November 30, 2016, 10:15:40 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 30, 2016, 09:07:17 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 30, 2016, 01:43:51 AM
Dan Ryan to Ike flyover ramp likely to open next month. Progress pic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNXuK-lgD-t/

then what's left for the eta completion to be 2018?

That and a complete resurfacing of Congress/290 pavement (pavement done by summer 18)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on November 30, 2016, 12:55:52 PM
Quote from: ET21 on November 30, 2016, 10:15:40 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 30, 2016, 09:07:17 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 30, 2016, 01:43:51 AM
Dan Ryan to Ike flyover ramp likely to open next month. Progress pic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNXuK-lgD-t/

then what's left for the eta completion to be 2018?

That and a complete resurfacing of Congress/290 pavement (pavement done by summer 18)

2 years? they resurfaced all of eisenhower in one summer back in 2009 or 2010.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on November 30, 2016, 06:20:59 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 30, 2016, 12:55:52 PM
Quote from: ET21 on November 30, 2016, 10:15:40 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on November 30, 2016, 09:07:17 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 30, 2016, 01:43:51 AM
Dan Ryan to Ike flyover ramp likely to open next month. Progress pic.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNXuK-lgD-t/

then what's left for the eta completion to be 2018?

That and a complete resurfacing of Congress/290 pavement (pavement done by summer 18)

2 years? they resurfaced all of eisenhower in one summer back in 2009 or 2010.

"This next step of the Jane Byrne Interchange project will focus on bridge work and pavement reconstruction on the westbound Eisenhower Expressway from the Post Office to Racine Avenue. The project improves traffic flow and safety, as well as connects the new flyover bridge from the inbound Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) to the westbound Eisenhower. These improvements are expected to be completed in Summer 2018."

I mean I agree, 2 years for such a small section is long. But I think "bridge work" means a full reconstruction of the mainline 290/Congress bridge over the Kennedy/Ryan
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 01, 2016, 09:57:05 AM
Seems to me that, as a 48 year old, I can't recall a time when the Byrne interchange WASN'T under construction.

Granted I don't get into the city as often as I probably should, but as my broadcasting professor once said "Perception is your reality."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on December 01, 2016, 05:15:35 PM
Aren't they actually redoing every bridge on the interchange?

Edit: Well it looks like they are aiming for the flyover ramp to open this weekend. http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/flyover-ramp-opens-sunday-at-jane-byrne-interchange/ (http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/flyover-ramp-opens-sunday-at-jane-byrne-interchange/)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on December 27, 2016, 11:36:31 AM
GSV has updated so you can see the mostly-finished product of the IL-71 rebuild & widening project in Oswego.

https://goo.gl/maps/2QfTG6azLGk
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 27, 2016, 12:11:43 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 27, 2016, 11:36:31 AM
GSV has updated so you can see the mostly-finished product of the IL-71 rebuild & widening project in Oswego.

https://goo.gl/maps/2QfTG6azLGk

It's finished now, but IDOT went a little overkill on parts of it.  Washington Street (Plainfield Road) and IL-71 does not need dual left turn lanes in each direction.  Nor do parts of the IL-71 and Orchard Road intersection.  They're not that busy.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 27, 2016, 04:32:53 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 27, 2016, 12:11:43 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 27, 2016, 11:36:31 AM
GSV has updated so you can see the mostly-finished product of the IL-71 rebuild & widening project in Oswego.

https://goo.gl/maps/2QfTG6azLGk

It's finished now, but IDOT went a little overkill on parts of it.  Washington Street (Plainfield Road) and IL-71 does not need dual left turn lanes in each direction.  Nor do parts of the IL-71 and Orchard Road intersection.  They're not that busy.

This project was designed in the mid-2000s when Kendall County was growing by 5000+ people a year and accommodated the projected growth. It may or may not materialize, but at the time, Joliet had a comprehensive plan that had 70,000 people in 36 square miles directly south of Oswego and definitely would have fed into the 71 corridor, as well as the growth from Yorkville, Plainfield and Oswego itself. One of the oft-heard criticisms of road planning in Kendall was that they were constantly trying to play catch-up, and the IL 71 design was meant to capture the projected growth so they wouldn't have to go back to the drawing board 10 or 15 years later.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-11-18/news/0411180384_1_kendall-residents-growth-plan-sewage-treatment-plant

P.S. GSV still has orange barrels blocking off 2 of the lanes. Last time I went through the area, all 4 through lanes were open except at the Orchard/Minkler intersection at the west end.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 27, 2016, 05:27:59 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 27, 2016, 04:32:53 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 27, 2016, 12:11:43 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 27, 2016, 11:36:31 AM
GSV has updated so you can see the mostly-finished product of the IL-71 rebuild & widening project in Oswego.

https://goo.gl/maps/2QfTG6azLGk

It's finished now, but IDOT went a little overkill on parts of it.  Washington Street (Plainfield Road) and IL-71 does not need dual left turn lanes in each direction.  Nor do parts of the IL-71 and Orchard Road intersection.  They're not that busy.

This project was designed in the mid-2000s when Kendall County was growing by 5000+ people a year and accommodated the projected growth. It may or may not materialize, but at the time, Joliet had a comprehensive plan that had 70,000 people in 36 square miles directly south of Oswego and definitely would have fed into the 71 corridor, as well as the growth from Yorkville, Plainfield and Oswego itself. One of the oft-heard criticisms of road planning in Kendall was that they were constantly trying to play catch-up, and the IL 71 design was meant to capture the projected growth so they wouldn't have to go back to the drawing board 10 or 15 years later.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-11-18/news/0411180384_1_kendall-residents-growth-plan-sewage-treatment-plant

P.S. GSV still has orange barrels blocking off 2 of the lanes. Last time I went through the area, all 4 through lanes were open except at the Orchard/Minkler intersection at the west end.

It's still a bit over kill for the types of roads being turned into from the dual left turn lanes.  Another example, IDOT is finishing up US-30 between I-55 and IL-59.  There are dual left turn lanes at Frontage Road, a road that will never be more than one lane per direction due to many factors, notwithstanding a wetland by Caton Farm Road.  That's an accident waiting to happen.  As are the new dual left turn lanes at Renwick Road, another road that will never be more than one lane per direction due to Plainfield's unwillingness to widen the road (it was presented to them as a possible bypass in the 1990s, and they rejected it - typical Plainfield).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 28, 2016, 09:06:04 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 27, 2016, 05:27:59 PM

  There are dual left turn lanes at Frontage Road, a road that will never be more than one lane per direction due to many factors, notwithstanding a wetland by Caton Farm Road.  That's an accident waiting to happen. 

I've often wondered about the dual turn lanes on southbound IL 47 at Pine Bluff Road south of Morris.  It's a similar setup.  I've almost gotten into some accidents there by douchenozzles trying to beat others before Pine Bluff road narrows down in a couple hundred feet.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 28, 2016, 09:09:43 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 28, 2016, 09:06:04 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 27, 2016, 05:27:59 PM

  There are dual left turn lanes at Frontage Road, a road that will never be more than one lane per direction due to many factors, notwithstanding a wetland by Caton Farm Road.  That's an accident waiting to happen. 

I've often wondered about the dual turn lanes on southbound IL 47 at Pine Bluff Road south of Morris.  It's a similar setup.  I've almost gotten into some accidents there by douchenozzles trying to beat others before Pine Bluff road narrows down in a couple hundred feet.

It's a damn stupid setup.  IDOT should be liable for this kind of thoughtlessness, IMHO.  You cannot have two left turn lanes turning into one road lane.  Of course, if IDOT was really smart, they'd adopt the Michigan Left and end this two left turn lane crap.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 28, 2016, 09:13:41 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 28, 2016, 09:09:43 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 28, 2016, 09:06:04 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 27, 2016, 05:27:59 PM

  There are dual left turn lanes at Frontage Road, a road that will never be more than one lane per direction due to many factors, notwithstanding a wetland by Caton Farm Road.  That's an accident waiting to happen. 

I've often wondered about the dual turn lanes on southbound IL 47 at Pine Bluff Road south of Morris.  It's a similar setup.  I've almost gotten into some accidents there by douchenozzles trying to beat others before Pine Bluff road narrows down in a couple hundred feet.

It's a damn stupid setup.  IDOT should be liable for this kind of thoughtlessness, IMHO.  You cannot have two left turn lanes turning into one road lane.  Of course, if IDOT was really smart, they'd adopt the Michigan Left and end this two left turn lane crap.

At least, especially with the new business park at Lorenzo Road and I-55, there is a doubtful potential for Pine Bluff to be widened at some point, but still, the dual turn lanes aren't needed.  A single longer left turn lane, sure.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on December 31, 2016, 02:44:21 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 28, 2016, 09:13:41 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 28, 2016, 09:09:43 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 28, 2016, 09:06:04 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 27, 2016, 05:27:59 PM

  There are dual left turn lanes at Frontage Road, a road that will never be more than one lane per direction due to many factors, notwithstanding a wetland by Caton Farm Road.  That's an accident waiting to happen. 

I've often wondered about the dual turn lanes on southbound IL 47 at Pine Bluff Road south of Morris.  It's a similar setup.  I've almost gotten into some accidents there by douchenozzles trying to beat others before Pine Bluff road narrows down in a couple hundred feet.

It's a damn stupid setup.  IDOT should be liable for this kind of thoughtlessness, IMHO.  You cannot have two left turn lanes turning into one road lane.  Of course, if IDOT was really smart, they'd adopt the Michigan Left and end this two left turn lane crap.

At least, especially with the new business park at Lorenzo Road and I-55, there is a doubtful potential for Pine Bluff to be widened at some point, but still, the dual turn lanes aren't needed.  A single longer left turn lane, sure.
I also wouldn't completely dismiss that Orchard Rd/Minkler Rd gets straightened and becomes a new corridor with a possible extension to I-80 since the Prairie Pkwy is dead. It would be a reasonable alternate to 47. I could see them treating it much like what they are doing with Ridge Rd. Kendall County is still very much a growing area. I would hope they foresee the need for the future.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 31, 2016, 05:40:57 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on December 31, 2016, 02:44:21 PM
I also wouldn't completely dismiss that Orchard Rd/Minkler Rd gets straightened and becomes a new corridor with a possible extension to I-80 since the Prairie Pkwy is dead. It would be a reasonable alternate to 47. I could see them treating it much like what they are doing with Ridge Rd. Kendall County is still very much a growing area. I would hope they foresee the need for the future.

The Orchard Road corridor was actually one of the "arterial" highway alternatives in the Prairie Parkway study. With all the add-lanes work that has been done to date by Kendall and Kane counties, it is 2/3rds done now. The Orchard Road Fox River bridge was set up for future additional lanes when it was built, and it has been considered to also re-route the marked US 34 over that bridge after US 34 is widened between Yorkville and Orchard Road (construction is just starting), and then to use the new IL-71 four-lane as marked US 34 into Oswego (the current US 34 between Orchard Rd. and the IL-71 junction at Wolf's Crossing Rd. might be "Business 34" or something). I don't know the current status of that planning, this was 10 years ago when I was still at IDOT.

FWIW, the current US 34 between Orchard and the Kane County line had an IDOT add-lanes study that was put on hold when Orchard Road was built, the county thought that Orchard would relieve the traffic that was using US 34 and eliminate the need for the widening. After Orchard was built, that section of US 34 still sees enough traffic to warrant an expansion, but there is little push for it now.

Grundy County is studying a new 4-lane corridor between the I-80 Brisbin Road interchange and the Kendall County line at Sherrill Road. The thought is that at some point, Kendall County will take this corridor from that point and jog it to Grove Road, where it ties into Plainfield Road just south of IL 71 (where those dual lefts were just built). It's way long range, but would be another major north-south corridor. Ideally, at some time the Grove-Plainfield intersection would be relocated to the south, because it is somewhat close to the Plainfield -IL 71 intersection today; but there are complications including a lot of park land that is owned by the Oswegoland Park District.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on January 01, 2017, 05:13:10 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 31, 2016, 05:40:57 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on December 31, 2016, 02:44:21 PM
I also wouldn't completely dismiss that Orchard Rd/Minkler Rd gets straightened and becomes a new corridor with a possible extension to I-80 since the Prairie Pkwy is dead. It would be a reasonable alternate to 47. I could see them treating it much like what they are doing with Ridge Rd. Kendall County is still very much a growing area. I would hope they foresee the need for the future.

The Orchard Road corridor was actually one of the "arterial" highway alternatives in the Prairie Parkway study. With all the add-lanes work that has been done to date by Kendall and Kane counties, it is 2/3rds done now. The Orchard Road Fox River bridge was set up for future additional lanes when it was built, and it has been considered to also re-route the marked US 34 over that bridge after US 34 is widened between Yorkville and Orchard Road (construction is just starting), and then to use the new IL-71 four-lane as marked US 34 into Oswego (the current US 34 between Orchard Rd. and the IL-71 junction at Wolf's Crossing Rd. might be "Business 34" or something). I don't know the current status of that planning, this was 10 years ago when I was still at IDOT.

FWIW, the current US 34 between Orchard and the Kane County line had an IDOT add-lanes study that was put on hold when Orchard Road was built, the county thought that Orchard would relieve the traffic that was using US 34 and eliminate the need for the widening. After Orchard was built, that section of US 34 still sees enough traffic to warrant an expansion, but there is little push for it now.

Grundy County is studying a new 4-lane corridor between the I-80 Brisbin Road interchange and the Kendall County line at Sherrill Road. The thought is that at some point, Kendall County will take this corridor from that point and jog it to Grove Road, where it ties into Plainfield Road just south of IL 71 (where those dual lefts were just built). It's way long range, but would be another major north-south corridor. Ideally, at some time the Grove-Plainfield intersection would be relocated to the south, because it is somewhat close to the Plainfield -IL 71 intersection today; but there are complications including a lot of park land that is owned by the Oswegoland Park District.

GTK Rick. And I agree that the Grove-Plainfield Rd intersection should have been moved. Ideally, I would have moved it to meet Woolley Rd when they realigned Wooley and Plainfield a few years ago. That would have made sense to me.

As far as US 34, I never thought about rerouting it that way but it might as well since 34 thru traffic with common sense would do that. Do the Bus 34 as you suggest. Have IL 31 extended southwest to Orchard Rd, and IL 25 extended south on Madison and east on Washington to meet up with IL 71. But then we are getting a bit into the fantasy realm.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on January 25, 2017, 12:57:04 AM
Minor notes on the Cumberland flyover/4th land on the Kennedy:

-Bridge piers are starting to grow by the 190/90 merge.

-Looks like Higgens could see a resurfacing with this project, as multiple sections between East River Road and Harlem are blocked for electrical and pavement cutting. Also the right lane is down from Harlem to Oriole going westbound on that mini-flyover for the 4th lane.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on January 25, 2017, 09:18:56 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on August 31, 2016, 09:27:18 PM
(Insert picture of a dead horse being beaten)
It's a valid argument. Roundabouts are not suitable for high speed roads. I am perfectly fine with them on slower speed roads but they are not meant for high speed roads becasue they are just that high speed roads. It's illogical to have to slow way down on a road that was built for speed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on January 25, 2017, 09:50:17 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 25, 2017, 09:18:56 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on August 31, 2016, 09:27:18 PM
(Insert picture of a dead horse being beaten)
It's a valid argument. Roundabouts are not suitable for high speed roads. I am perfectly fine with them on slower speed roads but they are not meant for high speed roads becasue they are just that high speed roads. It's illogical to have to slow way down on a road that was built for speed.

No, it's not a valid argument. The last time you brought it up, I presented several studies that proved otherwise - roundabouts reduce the amount of injuries and major damage at high-speed intersections. If it's "illogical" to slow way down on a road that's built for speed, we should then also remove any other traffic control devices, not just the one you don't like.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 25, 2017, 12:34:52 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 27, 2016, 12:11:43 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 27, 2016, 11:36:31 AM
GSV has updated so you can see the mostly-finished product of the IL-71 rebuild & widening project in Oswego.

https://goo.gl/maps/2QfTG6azLGk

It's finished now, but IDOT went a little overkill on parts of it.  Washington Street (Plainfield Road) and IL-71 does not need dual left turn lanes in each direction.  Nor do parts of the IL-71 and Orchard Road intersection.  They're not that busy.

I grew up in Oswego.  I would ride my bike as a 10-year-old to the corner store at IL-71 and Washington.  This intersection is very near and dear to my heart.  And you're absolutely right.  WHY are there dual left turn lanes ANYWHERE at this intersection?  They even put them at the western approach to the intersection, and Washington northbound is only one lane in each direction!  A five-lane road devoid of curbed medians would have been enough.  However, user Rick Powell was right--they were trying to account for projected growth...and the projections very much were overzealous, considering the economic downturn in 2007-8 that brought urban sprawl to a screeching halt.

My understanding is that the US34 expansion between Oswego and Yorkville is slated to start very soon if it hasn't begun already.  This is from the construction company that did the IL71 expansion.  This is just hearsay though.

I desperately want another Illinois River bridge between I-55 and Illinois 47.  I'd hazard that the most important north-south corridor between IL47 and IL59 (near Oswego) will connect to wherever that bridge gets put.  That puts Ridge Road, Grove Road/Brisbin Road, and Minkler Road on the table. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 25, 2017, 02:00:27 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 25, 2017, 12:34:52 PM


I desperately want another Illinois River bridge between I-55 and Illinois 47.  I'd hazard that the most important north-south corridor between IL47 and IL59 (near Oswego) will connect to wherever that bridge gets put.  That puts Ridge Road, Grove Road/Brisbin Road, and Minkler Road on the table.

Brisbin is the only place I can see a bridge cross the river, what with Dresden nuke plant, lock and dam, and all the enviromentally sensitive areas.

The big drawback with Brisbin, is that it wouldn't really connect with anything.  YOu'd either have to build new constructiontoconnect with DuPont road, over to IL 47, or Pine Bluff raod would need to be widended, and both would have some serious challenges to overcome..
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on January 28, 2017, 10:59:58 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on January 25, 2017, 09:50:17 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 25, 2017, 09:18:56 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on August 31, 2016, 09:27:18 PM
(Insert picture of a dead horse being beaten)
It's a valid argument. Roundabouts are not suitable for high speed roads. I am perfectly fine with them on slower speed roads but they are not meant for high speed roads becasue they are just that high speed roads. It's illogical to have to slow way down on a road that was built for speed.

No, it's not a valid argument. The last time you brought it up, I presented several studies that proved otherwise - roundabouts reduce the amount of injuries and major damage at high-speed intersections. If it's "illogical" to slow way down on a road that's built for speed, we should then also remove any other traffic control devices, not just the one you don't like.
Then there is no point to even have high speed roads if I have to keep slowing down all the time to go through a roundabout. Many roundabouts on high speed roads were previously 2 way stops were only the cross traffic had to stop not stoplights were the mainline also had to stop. Of course Wisdot will just say any study will prove roundabouts to be safer becasue they love them so much.  Even Europe which has more roundabouts doesn't build them on roads built for speed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 28, 2017, 11:07:45 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 28, 2017, 10:59:58 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on January 25, 2017, 09:50:17 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 25, 2017, 09:18:56 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on August 31, 2016, 09:27:18 PM
(Insert picture of a dead horse being beaten)
It's a valid argument. Roundabouts are not suitable for high speed roads. I am perfectly fine with them on slower speed roads but they are not meant for high speed roads becasue they are just that high speed roads. It's illogical to have to slow way down on a road that was built for speed.

No, it's not a valid argument. The last time you brought it up, I presented several studies that proved otherwise - roundabouts reduce the amount of injuries and major damage at high-speed intersections. If it's "illogical" to slow way down on a road that's built for speed, we should then also remove any other traffic control devices, not just the one you don't like.
Then there is no point to even have high speed roads if I have to keep slowing down all the time to go through a roundabout. Many roundabouts on high speed roads were previously 2 way stops were only the cross traffic had to stop not stoplights were the mainline also had to stop. Of course Wisdot will just say any study will prove roundabouts to be safer becasue they love them so much.  Even Europe which has more roundabouts doesn't build them on roads built for speed.


Why do you think WIDOT loves roundabouts to the point that they would grab any study that says they are safer?

And can you point to ANY study that disputes that they are safer? 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on January 29, 2017, 01:25:13 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 28, 2017, 10:59:58 PM
Of course Wisdot will just say any study will prove roundabouts to be safer becasue they love them so much.  Even Europe which has more roundabouts doesn't build them on roads built for speed.

The studies that I posted that disproved your "facts" were not produced by WisDOT. These were studies I found simply by searching, and were produced by other DOT's, researchers, and (I believe) a university study or two.

So, I think you can drop that theory now.

Don't forget the first rule of holes: When you find yourself in one, stop digging.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on January 30, 2017, 11:06:00 AM
Use a rotary on high speed roads then
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 30, 2017, 12:08:28 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on January 29, 2017, 01:25:13 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 28, 2017, 10:59:58 PM
Of course Wisdot will just say any study will prove roundabouts to be safer becasue they love them so much.  Even Europe which has more roundabouts doesn't build them on roads built for speed.

The studies that I posted that disproved your "facts" were not produced by WisDOT. These were studies I found simply by searching, and were produced by other DOT's, researchers, and (I believe) a university study or two.

So, I think you can drop that theory now.

Don't forget the first rule of holes: When you find yourself in one, stop digging.

Except that you didn't even bother to start digging for the studies you claim to exist
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on January 30, 2017, 05:10:25 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 30, 2017, 12:08:28 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on January 29, 2017, 01:25:13 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 28, 2017, 10:59:58 PM
Of course Wisdot will just say any study will prove roundabouts to be safer becasue they love them so much.  Even Europe which has more roundabouts doesn't build them on roads built for speed.

The studies that I posted that disproved your "facts" were not produced by WisDOT. These were studies I found simply by searching, and were produced by other DOT's, researchers, and (I believe) a university study or two.

So, I think you can drop that theory now.

Don't forget the first rule of holes: When you find yourself in one, stop digging.

Except that you didn't even bother to start digging for the studies you claim to exist

And you didn't do the most basic of searches. I've posted them here in the forum before.

Thanks for playing.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 31, 2017, 02:46:11 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on January 30, 2017, 05:10:25 PM
And you didn't do the most basic of searches. I've posted them here in the forum before.

Thanks for playing.

No, kiddo.  That ain't how it works.  You've got game, you bring it to the table.  You want a leg to stand on, you bring it.  I can't stand on your legs for you.  It's your job to back up your arguments, if you aim to be taken seriously at all.

Why do I have to explain this to anyone.  Your argument is "cuz I said so" until you quote something or you post a link.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on January 31, 2017, 03:21:00 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 31, 2017, 02:46:11 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on January 30, 2017, 05:10:25 PM
And you didn't do the most basic of searches. I've posted them here in the forum before.

Thanks for playing.

No, kiddo.  That ain't how it works.  You've got game, you bring it to the table.  You want a leg to stand on, you bring it.  I can't stand on your legs for you.  It's your job to back up your arguments, if you aim to be taken seriously at all.

Why do I have to explain this to anyone.  Your argument is "cuz I said so" until you quote something or you post a link.

Go look for the posts. I already backed up my argument here, no need to do it again because you're lazy.

There's a "search" button for a reason. Use it, kiddo.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 31, 2017, 08:22:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 31, 2017, 02:46:11 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on January 30, 2017, 05:10:25 PM
And you didn't do the most basic of searches. I've posted them here in the forum before.

Thanks for playing.

No, kiddo.  That ain't how it works.  You've got game, you bring it to the table.  You want a leg to stand on, you bring it.  I can't stand on your legs for you.  It's your job to back up your arguments, if you aim to be taken seriously at all.

Why do I have to explain this to anyone.  Your argument is "cuz I said so" until you quote something or you post a link.


http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Roundabout+safety+studies

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 03, 2017, 09:39:06 AM
Change of topic.

6-7 years ago, I-55 was widened to 6 lanes between Weber Rd. and the I&M Canal.  The road is in absolute horrid shape.  No more than one year after the construction ended, the pavement was already deteriorating, and it took two years to fix those patches.  More portions are deteriorating now.  The road almost needs to be rebuilt, IMHO, and of course, there's no money in the state to do so. It sucks driving this section every day.

It should have been widened to 6 lanes all the way down to Ridge Rd., and 55 should have been widened to 6 south of the Des Plaines as part of the Arsenal Road project.

Gotta love this state.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 03, 2017, 12:38:28 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 03, 2017, 09:39:06 AM
Change of topic.

6-7 years ago, I-55 was widened to 6 lanes between Weber Rd. and the I&M Canal.  The road is in absolute horrid shape.  No more than one year after the construction ended, the pavement was already deteriorating, and it took two years to fix those patches.  More portions are deteriorating now.  The road almost needs to be rebuilt, IMHO, and of course, there's no money in the state to do so. It sucks driving this section every day.

It should have been widened to 6 lanes all the way down to Ridge Rd., and 55 should have been widened to 6 south of the Des Plaines as part of the Arsenal Road project.

Gotta love this state.

IDOT was dragged into widening the freeway.  For some reason, they had no desire to widen I-55 and were finally forced to do so by our politicians.  Hence, IDOT did the shittiest job they could on it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 03, 2017, 06:35:29 PM
The shitty job on 55 costs us more money in the long run too.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on February 03, 2017, 07:13:45 PM
And they are making the same mistake now on I-90 from I-190 to Harlem Ave. They are simply rehabbing the existing pavement rather than doing a full rebuild.

It should be required that any road widening project needs to include rebuilding the existing pavement (unless the pavement is under 10 years old) to keep the road consistent.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on February 05, 2017, 02:12:58 AM
Oh lovely another Illinois topic locked up because some decided to go way off topic.

Do we know any of the projects scheduled for this year yet? Has IDOT or the Tollway released anything? I already know of the major ongoing ones such as Circle Interchange, 55 / Lake Shore Interchange and EOWA.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on February 05, 2017, 09:50:23 AM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on February 05, 2017, 02:12:58 AM
Oh lovely another Illinois topic locked up because some decided to go way off topic.

Do we know any of the projects scheduled for this year yet? Has IDOT or the Tollway released anything? I already know of the major ongoing ones such as Circle Interchange, 55 / Lake Shore Interchange and EOWA.

The Cumberland flyover.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 05, 2017, 12:27:34 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on February 05, 2017, 02:12:58 AM
Do we know any of the projects scheduled for this year yet? Has IDOT or the Tollway released anything? I already know of the major ongoing ones such as Circle Interchange, 55 / Lake Shore Interchange and EOWA.

I do not believe there are any big new projects starting up this year, other than perhaps the Cubmerland Flyover as tribar mentions, but more of continuing the projects already underway such as EOWA.

Based on the Tollway's letting schedule, (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/86690/Bid+Letting+Schedule/cf91e2f7-8096-4f36-ac4d-08dbe9666a0b) the only new projects starting appear to be reconstruction on I-88 and on the "East-West Connector" near I-294.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on February 05, 2017, 11:55:56 PM
Only thing I saw was finishing the bridge maintenance on some I-88 crossovers like Yackley, Finley, and Meyers Roads. Other than that, it's mostly finishing projects
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 06, 2017, 10:06:39 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 05, 2017, 12:27:34 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on February 05, 2017, 02:12:58 AM
Do we know any of the projects scheduled for this year yet? Has IDOT or the Tollway released anything? I already know of the major ongoing ones such as Circle Interchange, 55 / Lake Shore Interchange and EOWA.

I do not believe there are any big new projects starting up this year, other than perhaps the Cubmerland Flyover as tribar mentions, but more of continuing the projects already underway such as EOWA.

Based on the Tollway's letting schedule, (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/86690/Bid+Letting+Schedule/cf91e2f7-8096-4f36-ac4d-08dbe9666a0b) the only new projects starting appear to be reconstruction on I-88 and on the "East-West Connector" near I-294.

One of the projects is labeled "I-490 and I-294 advance work package," so I guess the I-490 label for the O'Hare western beltway is more official than I thought.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Stratuscaster on February 06, 2017, 07:18:30 PM
I've seen the application to AASHTO for I-490, but cannot recall if it's been actually approved as of yet.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on February 07, 2017, 10:05:15 AM
I've also seen those I-490 plans. While it would be nice to bypass the airport, its number a reminder of the failed Crosstown and LSD upgrade projects. (And yes, I'm aware that those were to become I-494, but still...)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dzlsabe on February 10, 2017, 12:43:52 AM
Quote from: Henry on February 07, 2017, 10:05:15 AM
I've also seen those I-490 plans. While it would be nice to bypass the airport, its number a reminder of the failed Crosstown and LSD upgrade projects. (And yes, I'm aware that those were to become I-494, but still...)

Why not just toll four lanes of XIke from Schaumburg to Strangler? It would be nice to bypass THE airport. NO additional fourth? Dupage tollway needed.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@42.0194927,-87.9871674,9260m/data=!3m1!1e3

https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@41.9460062,-87.9931201,9271m/data=!3m1!1e3

https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@41.9052049,-87.8817134,9277m/data=!3m1!1e3
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 10, 2017, 06:24:00 AM
^^ The Ike and the Bypass serve different functions, twit.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 10, 2017, 11:51:22 AM
Quote from: dzlsabe on February 10, 2017, 12:43:52 AM
Quote from: Henry on February 07, 2017, 10:05:15 AM
I've also seen those I-490 plans. While it would be nice to bypass the airport, its number a reminder of the failed Crosstown and LSD upgrade projects. (And yes, I'm aware that those were to become I-494, but still...)

Why not just toll four lanes of XIke from Schaumburg to Strangler? It would be nice to bypass THE airport. NO additional fourth? Dupage tollway needed.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@42.0194927,-87.9871674,9260m/data=!3m1!1e3

https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@41.9460062,-87.9931201,9271m/data=!3m1!1e3

https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@41.9052049,-87.8817134,9277m/data=!3m1!1e3

Schaumburg to I-290 / I-355 split is 4 lanes + AUX and I-290 is an right exit off the main line at I-355.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on February 11, 2017, 12:29:15 AM
^ i swear to god you better not get this thread locked too. So pipe down on your outrages and Hypo junk. For DZ

Also just take a picture of the area because for whatever reason the links can never pin point the area your referring to. Or it just shows me Chicago
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 19, 2017, 07:33:27 PM
Joe is not the one who was causing that. That was DZ.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Stratuscaster on February 19, 2017, 10:31:51 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on February 10, 2017, 11:51:22 AM
Schaumburg to I-290 / I-355 split is 4 lanes + AUX and I-290 is an right exit off the main line at I-355.
"Technically" I-355 is a LEFT exit off I-290. ;)

Just another reason it makes sense to run I-355 all the way up to I-90, IMHO.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Stratuscaster on February 19, 2017, 10:38:08 PM
Quote from: dzlsabe on February 10, 2017, 12:43:52 AM
Why not just toll four lanes of XIke from Schaumburg to Strangler? It would be nice to bypass THE airport. NO additional fourth? Dupage tollway needed.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@42.0194927,-87.9871674,9260m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@41.9460062,-87.9931201,9271m/data=!3m1!1e3
https://www.google.com/maps/dir///@41.9052049,-87.8817134,9277m/data=!3m1!1e3
To the general motoring public, does it really matter how many tollways there are, or what county they are located in?

If the plan is to have a Western O'hare Access point, then the I-490 plan makes sense in that regard.

And I agree with ILRoad55 - if you don't annotate your links or explain them, they serve no purpose at all.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on February 20, 2017, 12:14:58 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 19, 2017, 07:33:27 PM
Joe is not the one who was causing that. That was DZ.

DZ must have deleted his comment or it was removed. I'll fix that I guess.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 20, 2017, 09:05:23 AM
Anybody in the Chicago area get caught in this mess?

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/I-55-Shut-Down-Near-Route-30-After-Accident-State-Police-414126173.html

I was stopped for an hour before they directed traffic off onto the frontage road. Took me another 30 minutes to navigate the frontages.

When they widened 55 to 6 lanes, they never put emergency turn arounds, only access to the frontage roads.  The frontage access isn't a bad idea, but they also should have put the emergency crossovers in.  It may have made the situation better.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on February 20, 2017, 10:54:19 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 20, 2017, 09:05:23 AM
Anybody in the Chicago area get caught in this mess?

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/I-55-Shut-Down-Near-Route-30-After-Accident-State-Police-414126173.html

I was stopped for an hour before they directed traffic off onto the frontage road. Took me another 30 minutes to navigate the frontages.

When they widened 55 to 6 lanes, they never put emergency turn arounds, only access to the frontage roads.  The frontage access isn't a bad idea, but they also should have put the emergency crossovers in.  It may have made the situation better.

Yes I saw this on the news and I saw the traffic shown on Google Maps. They forced Traffic before Route 126 onto that and that's awful because it does not connect to a Frontage Road and goes all the way into downtown Plainfield. It also A two lane road that's mostly residential and forest. And then anyone before Weber was forced to get off there. Crazy accident.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 20, 2017, 12:26:55 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on February 20, 2017, 10:54:19 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 20, 2017, 09:05:23 AM
Anybody in the Chicago area get caught in this mess?

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/I-55-Shut-Down-Near-Route-30-After-Accident-State-Police-414126173.html

I was stopped for an hour before they directed traffic off onto the frontage road. Took me another 30 minutes to navigate the frontages.

When they widened 55 to 6 lanes, they never put emergency turn arounds, only access to the frontage roads.  The frontage access isn't a bad idea, but they also should have put the emergency crossovers in.  It may have made the situation better.

Yes I saw this on the news and I saw the traffic shown on Google Maps. They forced Traffic before Route 126 onto that and that's awful because it does not connect to a Frontage Road and goes all the way into downtown Plainfield. It also A two lane road that's mostly residential and forest. And then anyone before Weber was forced to get off there. Crazy accident.

It does connect to the western frontage road, indirectly, but not after going about a mile or so out of the way.

It's long past time for this...

http://www.airportand126study.com/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 20, 2017, 12:55:56 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 20, 2017, 09:05:23 AM
Anybody in the Chicago area get caught in this mess?

http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/I-55-Shut-Down-Near-Route-30-After-Accident-State-Police-414126173.html

I was stopped for an hour before they directed traffic off onto the frontage road. Took me another 30 minutes to navigate the frontages.

When they widened 55 to 6 lanes, they never put emergency turn arounds, only access to the frontage roads.  The frontage access isn't a bad idea, but they also should have put the emergency crossovers in.  It may have made the situation better.

Not caught in it, but saw it while heading northbound at 7 pm.  The state police were diverting people off at IL-126 and at Weber Road.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on February 25, 2017, 01:02:51 PM
I wanted to bring this to attention. http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/state-rep-hopes-to-rename-i55-for-obama/ (http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/state-rep-hopes-to-rename-i55-for-obama/)

Don't they usually name roads after someone dies? It just seems too early.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 25, 2017, 08:20:08 PM
^ I-55 already had a couple named sections downstate:

* Vince Demuzio Expressway for at least part of the section south of Springfield
* Paul Simon Freeway for the section that overlaps I-70

(Edited based on https://www.aaroads.com/guide.php?page=i0055seil (https://www.aaroads.com/guide.php?page=i0055seil)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 26, 2017, 09:13:35 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 20, 2017, 12:26:55 PM
It does connect to the western frontage road, indirectly, but not after going about a mile or so out of the way.

It's long past time for this...

http://www.airportand126study.com/

I couldn't agree more.  There needs to be more access to the highway between US52 and Weber.  Heck, it would be nice if there was a way to get ACROSS 55 between Airport Rd and Weber Rd--there's no way to pass over or under the highway for that whole 5 mile stretch!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ajlynch91 on February 26, 2017, 05:11:03 PM
If they're gonna rename a highway after Obama, name 57 after him. That doesn't have a name already, and the idea of the Stevenson being renamed after him is frankly sickening.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 26, 2017, 05:38:41 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on February 26, 2017, 05:11:03 PM
If they're gonna rename a highway after Obama, name 57 after him. That doesn't have a name already, and the idea of the Stevenson being renamed after him is frankly sickening.

Actually I thought that was the original plan!  Weren't they gonna do that with 57?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on February 26, 2017, 06:47:14 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on February 26, 2017, 05:11:03 PM
If they're gonna rename a highway after Obama, name 57 after him. That doesn't have a name already, and the idea of the Stevenson being renamed after him is frankly sickening.

57 would make the most sense.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 26, 2017, 07:17:56 PM
Completely agree that it should be I-57.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 04, 2017, 10:57:29 AM
It appears IDOT is dropping the Gateway Connector corridor in the St. Louis area:  http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article132984679.html (http://www.bnd.com/news/local/article132984679.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 13, 2017, 02:20:12 PM
Construction has begun on replacing the IL 178 bridge over the Illinois river at Utica / Starved Rock.  I think this is the last bridge between LaSalle /Peru and Morris to be replaced.

http://www.wbzg.net/2017/02/24/construction-begins-today-on-il-178-bridge-in-utica/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 14, 2017, 12:06:48 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 13, 2017, 02:20:12 PM
Construction has begun on replacing the IL 178 bridge over the Illinois river at Utica / Starved Rock.  I think this is the last bridge between LaSalle /Peru and Morris to be replaced.

http://www.wbzg.net/2017/02/24/construction-begins-today-on-il-178-bridge-in-utica/

There is one more truss bridge, IL 251 in Peru, that is actually older than the IL 178 bridge by 2 years. It has been rehabbed, but I'd anticipate it will be replaced within the next 15-20 years or so. The IL 178 bridge was in worse shape, and the grate drains on the shoulders (that caused deterioration of the stringers underneath the deck) didn't help.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on March 14, 2017, 12:39:48 AM
The Seneca bridge was replaced in the last 10 years as well...how old is the one in Marseilles?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 14, 2017, 01:02:12 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 14, 2017, 12:39:48 AM
The Seneca bridge was replaced in the last 10 years as well...how old is the one in Marseilles?

County Highway 15 replacement bridge was opened around December 1997, according to John Weeks' site. I remember it was a cold day, they had about 2,000 people on the bridge including a high school band, and several dignitaries speaking, before opening to traffic.

https://www.johnweeks.com/river_illinois/pages/illC08.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 14, 2017, 08:55:35 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 14, 2017, 12:39:48 AM
The Seneca bridge was replaced in the last 10 years as well...how old is the one in Marseilles?

Awesome Seneca bridge demo fail...



Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 14, 2017, 08:33:25 PM
More like Bridge Demo entertainment fail.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US71 on March 16, 2017, 11:40:59 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 14, 2017, 08:33:25 PM
More like Bridge Demo entertainment fail.

They took lessons from AHTD
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 17, 2017, 09:08:11 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 14, 2017, 12:06:48 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 13, 2017, 02:20:12 PM
Construction has begun on replacing the IL 178 bridge over the Illinois river at Utica / Starved Rock.  I think this is the last bridge between LaSalle /Peru and Morris to be replaced.

http://www.wbzg.net/2017/02/24/construction-begins-today-on-il-178-bridge-in-utica/

There is one more truss bridge, IL 251 in Peru, that is actually older than the IL 178 bridge by 2 years. It has been rehabbed, but I'd anticipate it will be replaced within the next 15-20 years or so. The IL 178 bridge was in worse shape, and the grate drains on the shoulders (that caused deterioration of the stringers underneath the deck) didn't help.

What's interesting, from what I've been able to glean about the new Utica / Starved Rock bridge, is that it will be built on the old road / bridge alignment just to the east of the current bridge. Before the current bridge, the previous bridge over the Illinois river was here.  Looking at a map, the road to the St. Louis canyon at Starved Rock was the original approach. North of the park entrance road, the old pavement for the previous bridge was utilized as one of the park's many trails.  Looks like the park's trail system is going to go down again, this time by one mile.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 17, 2017, 09:51:09 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 17, 2017, 09:08:11 AM
What's interesting, from what I've been able to glean about the new Utica / Starved Rock bridge, is that it will be built on the old road / bridge alignment just to the east of the current bridge. Before the current bridge, the previous bridge over the Illinois river was here.  Looking at a map, the road to the St. Louis canyon at Starved Rock was the original approach. North of the park entrance road, the old pavement for the previous bridge was utilized as one of the park's many trails.  Looks like the park's trail system is going to go down again, this time by one mile.

I would have thought has part of the environmental/4F process that section of trail would have to be replaced as part of the bridge replacement?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 17, 2017, 11:40:06 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 17, 2017, 09:51:09 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 17, 2017, 09:08:11 AM
What's interesting, from what I've been able to glean about the new Utica / Starved Rock bridge, is that it will be built on the old road / bridge alignment just to the east of the current bridge. Before the current bridge, the previous bridge over the Illinois river was here.  Looking at a map, the road to the St. Louis canyon at Starved Rock was the original approach. North of the park entrance road, the old pavement for the previous bridge was utilized as one of the park's many trails.  Looks like the park's trail system is going to go down again, this time by one mile.

I would have thought has part of the environmental/4F process that section of trail would have to be replaced as part of the bridge replacement?

We'll have to see.  I could be wrong on this.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 18, 2017, 12:13:36 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 17, 2017, 11:40:06 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 17, 2017, 09:51:09 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 17, 2017, 09:08:11 AM
What's interesting, from what I've been able to glean about the new Utica / Starved Rock bridge, is that it will be built on the old road / bridge alignment just to the east of the current bridge. Before the current bridge, the previous bridge over the Illinois river was here.  Looking at a map, the road to the St. Louis canyon at Starved Rock was the original approach. North of the park entrance road, the old pavement for the previous bridge was utilized as one of the park's many trails.  Looks like the park's trail system is going to go down again, this time by one mile.

I would have thought has part of the environmental/4F process that section of trail would have to be replaced as part of the bridge replacement?

We'll have to see.  I could be wrong on this.


The alignment that the old swing bridge was on (pre-1961) was about 200 feet to the east of the present bridge. The new bridge will not be on the old alignment...due to adjacent park land, it will be only 10 feet clearance from the present bridge, so it is going east but not nearly as far east as the old swing bridge. I have been up on the pre-1961 pavement in the park on the south side of the river, and there is no trail there, it is all overgrown with trees and vegetation, at least in the section nearest the river. The trail that crosses the west park entrance a few hundred feet back of IL 178 will be left intact by this project.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 20, 2017, 09:12:07 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 18, 2017, 12:13:36 AM


The alignment that the old swing bridge was on (pre-1961) was about 200 feet to the east of the present bridge. The new bridge will not be on the old alignment...due to adjacent park land, it will be only 10 feet clearance from the present bridge, so it is going east but not nearly as far east as the old swing bridge. I have been up on the pre-1961 pavement in the park on the south side of the river, and there is no trail there, it is all overgrown with trees and vegetation, at least in the section nearest the river. The trail that crosses the west park entrance a few hundred feet back of IL 178 will be left intact by this project.

The old road alignment, last I checked, is listed on the park maps as being a trail.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 21, 2017, 04:18:28 PM
Over the last couple weeks, I've seen Road Construction signs going up on I-55, around Weber Road in Bolingbrook. Anyone know what's going on?  I don't think it's the long delayed reconstruction of the Weber Rd. interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on March 24, 2017, 09:40:18 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 26, 2017, 05:38:41 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on February 26, 2017, 05:11:03 PM
If they're gonna rename a highway after Obama, name 57 after him. That doesn't have a name already, and the idea of the Stevenson being renamed after him is frankly sickening.

Actually I thought that was the original plan!  Weren't they gonna do that with 57?
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 26, 2017, 07:17:56 PM
Completely agree that it should be I-57.
I was thinking the exact same thing! Leave I-55 alone; the Stevenson is a better fit than the Obama ever will be.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on March 24, 2017, 08:37:11 PM
Anyone know what is being discussed for I39 around Rockford.  9 and half years after the last informational meeting IDOT had another one.  I saw it on the news after the fact. 

I did see a drawing of a DDI in the background, so I assume they are considering a DDI for Harrison and I39?  That is the only interchange in the study area.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on March 26, 2017, 06:09:19 PM
There was a recent meeting for the I-39/US 20 improvement project in Rockford. They are now projecting Phase I to be finished by the end of the year.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/I39US20 (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/I39US20)

Does anyone know what was said, and what alternative was chosen? This is a long overdue project.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on March 26, 2017, 07:01:03 PM
The DDI idea is growing on me.  I project this project to be completed after 2025. It is a bad section of road for the merging traffic northbound and the single lane 39 southbound.  Just yesterday I saw a semi taking the 39 ramp south slow backing up traffic.

20 was never designed to carry it's traffic and what has become a major north south Interstate.

The problem is I don't see any motivation in the state to want to complete a major highway project in the Rockford area.

Also this project will lead to more US 20 work around Rockford as multiple bridges are being let to rust for eventual replacement.  Bridges include Perryville, 20th street and IL 2.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on March 26, 2017, 07:03:14 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on March 26, 2017, 07:01:03 PM
The DDI idea is growing on me.  I project this project to be completed after 2025. It is a bad section of road for the merging traffic northbound and the single lane 39 southbound.  Just yesterday I saw a semi taking the 39 ramp south slow backing up traffic.

20 was never designed to carry it's traffic and what has become a major north south Interstate.

The problem is I don't see any motivation in the state to want to complete a major highway project in the Rockford area.

Also this project will lead to more US 20 work around Rockford as multiple bridges are being let to rust for eventual replacement.  Bridges include Perryville, 20th street and IL 2.

I thought they were suppose to replace the Perryville Road overpass soon?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on March 26, 2017, 08:13:58 PM
A railroad bridge on Perryville was just replaced, it is just north of 20/39.  I figured they were holding off on the 20/39 bridge for the 39 project.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 26, 2017, 08:20:51 PM
They just replaced the river bridges on 20 just west of 39 the past two years. I wouldn't be surprised if the roadway bridges are next and/or tied with this project
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Super Mateo on March 28, 2017, 10:08:12 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on February 26, 2017, 05:11:03 PM
If they're gonna rename a highway after Obama, name 57 after him. That doesn't have a name already, and the idea of the Stevenson being renamed after him is frankly sickening.

Well...that's how many states he said he visited...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on March 29, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Except for I-57, which doesn't have one.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:11:37 AM
Quote from: Henry on March 29, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Except for I-57, which doesn't have one.

I thought that was either the Calumet or Bishop Ford?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on March 29, 2017, 09:15:09 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:11:37 AM
Quote from: Henry on March 29, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Except for I-57, which doesn't have one.

I thought that was either the Calumet or Bishop Ford?

Nope, that's I-94 between I-57 and I-80.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 29, 2017, 09:32:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:11:37 AM
Quote from: Henry on March 29, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Except for I-57, which doesn't have one.

I thought that was either the Calumet or Bishop Ford?

It's the West Leg of the Dan Ryan Expressway, officially.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on March 30, 2017, 12:34:16 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 29, 2017, 09:32:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:11:37 AM
Quote from: Henry on March 29, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Except for I-57, which doesn't have one.

I thought that was either the Calumet or Bishop Ford?

It's the West Leg of the Dan Ryan Expressway, officially.
Technically yes officially not really. Not many maps mark it as such and I have never heard any Chicago traffic reporters refer to I-57 as the Dan Ryan. Usually when everyone thinks of the Dan Ryan it's I-94 between downtown and I-57.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on March 30, 2017, 02:36:46 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on March 30, 2017, 12:34:16 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 29, 2017, 09:32:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:11:37 AM
Quote from: Henry on March 29, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Except for I-57, which doesn't have one.

I thought that was either the Calumet or Bishop Ford?

It's the West Leg of the Dan Ryan Expressway, officially.
Technically yes officially not really. Not many maps mark it as such and I have never heard any Chicago traffic reporters refer to I-57 as the Dan Ryan. Usually when everyone thinks of the Dan Ryan it's I-94 between downtown and I-57.
Much like how I-80/94 is the Kingery Expy in Illinois and I-80 west of I-294 is the Moline Expy. It's a very loose name that no one uses.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 30, 2017, 04:11:09 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 30, 2017, 02:36:46 PM
Much like how I-80/94 is the Kingery Expy in Illinois and I-80 west of I-294 is the Moline Expy. It's a very loose name that no one uses.

Another one I've never heard of.  Hmmm
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on March 30, 2017, 04:18:47 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 30, 2017, 02:36:46 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on March 30, 2017, 12:34:16 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 29, 2017, 09:32:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:11:37 AM
Quote from: Henry on March 29, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Except for I-57, which doesn't have one.

I thought that was either the Calumet or Bishop Ford?

It's the West Leg of the Dan Ryan Expressway, officially.
Technically yes officially not really. Not many maps mark it as such and I have never heard any Chicago traffic reporters refer to I-57 as the Dan Ryan. Usually when everyone thinks of the Dan Ryan it's I-94 between downtown and I-57.
Much like how I-80/94 is the Kingery Expy in Illinois and I-80 west of I-294 is the Moline Expy. It's a very loose name that no one uses.

The Kingery Expressway is such a pointless name.  It's only 2 miles or so and there's already a Kingery Highway in Chicagoland.  I don't understand why that 2 mile stretch can't be a continuation of the Borman Expressway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 30, 2017, 04:33:54 PM
Quote from: tribar on March 30, 2017, 04:18:47 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 30, 2017, 02:36:46 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on March 30, 2017, 12:34:16 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 29, 2017, 09:32:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:11:37 AM
Quote from: Henry on March 29, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Except for I-57, which doesn't have one.

I thought that was either the Calumet or Bishop Ford?

It's the West Leg of the Dan Ryan Expressway, officially.
Technically yes officially not really. Not many maps mark it as such and I have never heard any Chicago traffic reporters refer to I-57 as the Dan Ryan. Usually when everyone thinks of the Dan Ryan it's I-94 between downtown and I-57.
Much like how I-80/94 is the Kingery Expy in Illinois and I-80 west of I-294 is the Moline Expy. It's a very loose name that no one uses.

The Kingery Expressway is such a pointless name.  It's only 2 miles or so and there's already a Kingery Highway in Chicagoland.  I don't understand why that 2 mile stretch can't be a continuation of the Borman Expressway.

Because Frank Borman was from Gary, and Robert Kingery was instrumental in getting the expressways built (as part of Cook County government).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on March 30, 2017, 04:46:17 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 30, 2017, 04:33:54 PM
Quote from: tribar on March 30, 2017, 04:18:47 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 30, 2017, 02:36:46 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on March 30, 2017, 12:34:16 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 29, 2017, 09:32:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:11:37 AM
Quote from: Henry on March 29, 2017, 09:08:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 29, 2017, 09:05:56 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 29, 2017, 07:26:48 AM
i really wouldn't care either way, i refer to the highway by their number exclusively.

I do too, but in Chicago, many people refer to the highways by name.
Except for I-57, which doesn't have one.

I thought that was either the Calumet or Bishop Ford?

It's the West Leg of the Dan Ryan Expressway, officially.
Technically yes officially not really. Not many maps mark it as such and I have never heard any Chicago traffic reporters refer to I-57 as the Dan Ryan. Usually when everyone thinks of the Dan Ryan it's I-94 between downtown and I-57.
Much like how I-80/94 is the Kingery Expy in Illinois and I-80 west of I-294 is the Moline Expy. It's a very loose name that no one uses.

The Kingery Expressway is such a pointless name.  It's only 2 miles or so and there's already a Kingery Highway in Chicagoland.  I don't understand why that 2 mile stretch can't be a continuation of the Borman Expressway.

Because Frank Borman was from Gary, and Robert Kingery was instrumental in getting the expressways built (as part of Cook County government).

Eisenhower and Kennedy weren't from ILL and we have roads named after them.  I just don't get the point of naming a 2 mile long portion of road after someone.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 30, 2017, 05:31:30 PM
Quote from: tribar on March 30, 2017, 04:46:17 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 30, 2017, 04:33:54 PM
Because Frank Borman was from Gary, and Robert Kingery was instrumental in getting the expressways built (as part of Cook County government).

Eisenhower and Kennedy weren't from ILL and we have roads named after them.  I just don't get the point of naming a 2 mile long portion of road after someone.

He was the director of the Illinois Department of Public Works (predecessor to IDOT) (not part of Cook County, as I thought), and died in 1951, a year after the expressway was completed.  The expressway was named for him in 1953.

Interestingly enough, the entire expressway, Kingery & Borman, were originally the Tri-State Highway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on March 31, 2017, 08:41:31 AM
Quote from: Brandon on March 30, 2017, 05:31:30 PM
Quote from: tribar on March 30, 2017, 04:46:17 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 30, 2017, 04:33:54 PM
Because Frank Borman was from Gary, and Robert Kingery was instrumental in getting the expressways built (as part of Cook County government).

Eisenhower and Kennedy weren't from ILL and we have roads named after them.  I just don't get the point of naming a 2 mile long portion of road after someone.

He was the director of the Illinois Department of Public Works (predecessor to IDOT) (not part of Cook County, as I thought), and died in 1951, a year after the expressway was completed.  The expressway was named for him in 1953.

Interestingly enough, the entire expressway, Kingery & Borman, were originally the Tri-State Highway.
Yep I have a Chicago Atlas Book that names that portion as the Tri-State Highway. Also gives I-80 the name Moline Expressway. It is from 2007 made by Rand Mcnally
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 31, 2017, 08:51:05 AM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on March 31, 2017, 08:41:31 AM

Yep I have a Chicago Atlas Book that names that portion as the Tri-State Highway. Also gives I-80 the name Moline Expressway. It is from 2007 made by Rand Mcnally

I need to see if Rand McNally still makes those.  I had an older version  and loved it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on March 31, 2017, 08:57:27 AM
Yea I got mine as a kid, I really loved maps. But the last version I can find is one for 2008, so they may have stopped. The 2007 edition did not have the 355 extension which I did not like.  :spin:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 31, 2017, 09:01:21 AM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on March 31, 2017, 08:57:27 AM
Yea I got mine as a kid, I really loved maps. But the last version I can find is one for 2008, so they may have stopped. The 2007 edition did not have the 355 extension which I did not like.  :spin:

Dude, I am a map collector from way back.  My first map was a 1957 Vermont road map that my cousin gave me when I was... 10 I think. 

It's been a while since I've gone through and organized my collection.  I need to do that again. I honestly don't know how many I have. It has to be over 1000, as 400+ maps are National Park maps
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 31, 2017, 09:02:08 AM
I have a really old Chicagoland atlas from 1990, where 355 was dashed labeled under construction. Really cool book.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: slorydn1 on March 31, 2017, 04:01:03 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 31, 2017, 09:02:08 AM
I have a really old Chicagoland atlas from 1990, where 355 was dashed labeled under construction. Really cool book.

You know what's making me feel really old? The fact that someone would call something from 1990, the year I turned 21 and the last year I lived in Chicagoland, really old, LOL.



Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 31, 2017, 04:14:22 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 31, 2017, 09:02:08 AM
I have a really old Chicagoland atlas from 1990, where 355 was dashed labeled under construction. Really cool book.

If it's dashed north of I-355, the map was out of date as of December 24, 1989 (opening date of I-355 from I-55 to Army Trail Rd).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 31, 2017, 06:14:03 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 31, 2017, 04:14:22 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 31, 2017, 09:02:08 AM
I have a really old Chicagoland atlas from 1990, where 355 was dashed labeled under construction. Really cool book.

If it's dashed north of I-355, the map was out of date as of December 24, 1989 (opening date of I-355 from I-55 to Army Trail Rd).

Entire corridor of I-355, but the Army Trail to 290 section was labeled as a freeway as it is today
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on March 31, 2017, 09:10:27 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 26, 2017, 08:20:51 PM
They just replaced the river bridges on 20 just west of 39 the past two years. I wouldn't be surprised if the roadway bridges are next and/or tied with this project
Yeah, but they really should have been rebuilt to handle 3 lanes in each direction.  They are hardly wider than the original ones.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on March 31, 2017, 11:10:04 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on March 31, 2017, 09:10:27 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 26, 2017, 08:20:51 PM
They just replaced the river bridges on 20 just west of 39 the past two years. I wouldn't be surprised if the roadway bridges are next and/or tied with this project
Yeah, but they really should have been rebuilt to handle 3 lanes in each direction.  They are hardly wider than the original ones.

The US 20 bypass doesn't really need three lanes west of the I-39 interchange. Most of the time, it's fine (with the exception of rush hour sometimes). But the I-39/US 20 multiplex definitely needs reconstruction/widening to three lanes in each direction (and frankly, I-39 should be expanded to three lanes to Baxter Road).

I believe there were plans at one point to reconstruct/expand US 20 to three lanes between IL-2 and I-39, but that has since been abandoned.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on April 01, 2017, 03:30:18 AM
Quote from: I-39 on March 31, 2017, 11:10:04 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on March 31, 2017, 09:10:27 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 26, 2017, 08:20:51 PM
They just replaced the river bridges on 20 just west of 39 the past two years. I wouldn't be surprised if the roadway bridges are next and/or tied with this project
Yeah, but they really should have been rebuilt to handle 3 lanes in each direction.  They are hardly wider than the original ones.

The US 20 bypass doesn't really need three lanes west of the I-39 interchange. Most of the time, it's fine (with the exception of rush hour sometimes). But the I-39/US 20 multiplex definitely needs reconstruction/widening to three lanes in each direction (and frankly, I-39 should be expanded to three lanes to Baxter Road).

It also needs safer entry/exit for Harrison Ave/US-20 traffic accessing NBD I-39/90 and EBD I-90. Traffic from WBD US-20 scarcely has 500 feet to merge into traffic bound for NBD I-39/90. Ditto for traffic attempting to head EBD on I-90. Separating I-39 traffic's movements from US-20's would help a lot here.

Also helpful: closing off cross traffic from Mill Rd. at US-20, or grade-separating Mill Rd altogether. Cherry Valley access would be inconvenienced, but it's a dangerous intersection for relatively little benefit.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on April 01, 2017, 08:54:29 AM
I can agree they work currently,  I would think in the next 30-40 years the US 20 Rock River bridges would need to be widen.  Just seems like it would have made sense to build them when they did the reconstruction.

I suspect it is all about the state being cheap Vs planning.

I would disagree with Mill road.  I think lowering the speed limit east of there to 55 should help as well.  Any high speed traffic signal will tend to have higher accidents.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 01, 2017, 09:36:24 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 01, 2017, 08:54:29 AM
I can agree they work currently,  I would think in the next 30-40 years the US 20 Rock River bridges would need to be widen.  Just seems like it would have made sense to build them when they did the reconstruction.

I suspect it is all about the state being cheap Vs planning.

I would disagree with Mill road.  I think lowering the speed limit east of there to 55 should help as well.  Any high speed traffic signal will tend to have higher accidents.

Instead of lowering the speed limit (which no one will pay any heed to) a warning beacon of "Prepare to Stop When Flashing" would be better.  Other states (like Iowa) use it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: slorydn1 on April 01, 2017, 10:13:48 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 01, 2017, 09:36:24 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 01, 2017, 08:54:29 AM
I can agree they work currently,  I would think in the next 30-40 years the US 20 Rock River bridges would need to be widen.  Just seems like it would have made sense to build them when they did the reconstruction.

I suspect it is all about the state being cheap Vs planning.

I would disagree with Mill road.  I think lowering the speed limit east of there to 55 should help as well.  Any high speed traffic signal will tend to have higher accidents.

Instead of lowering the speed limit (which no one will pay any heed to) a warning beacon of "Prepare to Stop When Flashing" would be better.  Other states (like Iowa) use it.

+1 We have those here in NC and they do get your attention.


Here is the one nearest to me:


https://www.google.com/maps/@35.0836464,-77.1532761,3a,53.2y,248.28h,84.91t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smaQLZLQbzeiTp0puUv3esg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en


They start flashing about 2 seconds before the stoplight goes from green to yellow. At the speed limit (and most are +5 anyway) if you clear these signs and they aren't flashing you'll clear the intersection before the yellow changes to red. If you see the beacon begin to flash before you pass the sign, you won't make it through the intersection before the red so you might as well begin braking now. They do work.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on April 02, 2017, 08:10:38 PM
I agree with lowered speed limits just at the signals, but in this case they lowered the speed limit of 20 between Cherry Valley and Belvidere to 55 from 65.  If traffic is moving at 55-60 at the intersection, that is much better than 65-70.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on April 02, 2017, 09:10:57 PM
Quote from: Brandon on April 01, 2017, 09:36:24 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 01, 2017, 08:54:29 AM
I can agree they work currently,  I would think in the next 30-40 years the US 20 Rock River bridges would need to be widen.  Just seems like it would have made sense to build them when they did the reconstruction.

I suspect it is all about the state being cheap Vs planning.

I would disagree with Mill road.  I think lowering the speed limit east of there to 55 should help as well.  Any high speed traffic signal will tend to have higher accidents.

Instead of lowering the speed limit (which no one will pay any heed to) a warning beacon of "Prepare to Stop When Flashing" would be better.  Other states (like Iowa) use it.
I have seen them in Virginia and Ohio.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on April 02, 2017, 10:47:11 PM
Quote from: Brandon on April 01, 2017, 09:36:24 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 01, 2017, 08:54:29 AM
I can agree they work currently,  I would think in the next 30-40 years the US 20 Rock River bridges would need to be widen.  Just seems like it would have made sense to build them when they did the reconstruction.

I suspect it is all about the state being cheap Vs planning.

I would disagree with Mill road.  I think lowering the speed limit east of there to 55 should help as well.  Any high speed traffic signal will tend to have higher accidents.

Instead of lowering the speed limit (which no one will pay any heed to) a warning beacon of "Prepare to Stop When Flashing" would be better.  Other states (like Iowa) use it.

There's a few that have popped up over Illinois recently.  I really like the concept behind these.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dzlsabe on April 02, 2017, 11:14:36 PM
Ive seen some that start flashing yellow when the light ahead is turning red.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 03, 2017, 12:08:55 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 02, 2017, 08:10:38 PM
I agree with lowered speed limits just at the signals, but in this case they lowered the speed limit of 20 between Cherry Valley and Belvidere to 55 from 65.  If traffic is moving at 55-60 at the intersection, that is much better than 65-70.

Again, lowering the speed limit is a very bad idea when it isn't paid heed to anyway.  Other states handle 65 mph at signals, Illinois can too.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on April 03, 2017, 06:16:13 PM
Quote from: Brandon on April 03, 2017, 12:08:55 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 02, 2017, 08:10:38 PM
I agree with lowered speed limits just at the signals, but in this case they lowered the speed limit of 20 between Cherry Valley and Belvidere to 55 from 65.  If traffic is moving at 55-60 at the intersection, that is much better than 65-70.
Again, lowering the speed limit is a very bad idea when it isn't paid heed to anyway.  Other states handle 65 mph at signals, Illinois can too.
They certainly want to be like WisDOT (another state that won't have the approach to signals be above 45 - EVER!)

Want to see a blatant abuse of it? Go to Rhinelander and drive around on US 8 - 45 in the middle of nowhere!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on April 03, 2017, 11:08:15 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 03, 2017, 06:16:13 PM
Want to see a blatant abuse of it? Go to Rhinelander and drive around on US 8 - 45 in the middle of nowhere!

That town is a horrific speed trap. Even more infuriating is that there are few alternatives to driving through it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 06, 2017, 11:16:52 PM
I like that the "Wisconsin notes" thread has been discussing Illinois, and now the "Illinois notes" thread is discussing Wisconsin.  :-D :pan:

Beloved cheeseheads, we're not so different, you and I...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on April 07, 2017, 03:36:26 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on April 06, 2017, 11:16:52 PM
I like that the "Wisconsin notes" thread has been discussing Illinois, and now the "Illinois notes" thread is discussing Wisconsin.  :-D :pan:

Beloved cheeseheads, we're not so different, you and I...


If by "discussing Illinois" you mean "sophomoric trolling by dzlsabe," you are correct.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 07, 2017, 10:05:40 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on April 06, 2017, 11:16:52 PM
I like that the "Wisconsin notes" thread has been discussing Illinois, and now the "Illinois notes" thread is discussing Wisconsin.  :-D :pan:

Beloved cheeseheads, we're not so different, you and I...

Some of us, like me, were born in one and live in the other. And for the record, even though I have lived more than 3/4 of my life in Illinois, I am a Cheesehead at heart.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on April 08, 2017, 08:51:22 AM
Article in the Rockford paper about 20/39 expansion.
http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan

This would be the subdivision just to the southeast of Harrison and 20/39.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 09, 2017, 01:50:59 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 08, 2017, 08:51:22 AM
Article in the Rockford paper about 20/39 expansion.
http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan

This would be the subdivision just to the southeast of Harrison and 20/39.

If residents are complaining about the roadway noise, then a reconstruction project with added lanes will typically include installation of noise walls where appropriate, from what I understand of IDOT's modus operandae.  That ought to make residents WANT the new project.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on April 09, 2017, 10:41:48 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on April 09, 2017, 01:50:59 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 08, 2017, 08:51:22 AM
Article in the Rockford paper about 20/39 expansion.
http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan

This would be the subdivision just to the southeast of Harrison and 20/39.

If residents are complaining about the roadway noise, then a reconstruction project with added lanes will typically include installation of noise walls where appropriate, from what I understand of IDOT's modus operandae.  That ought to make residents WANT the new project.

Where are the updated plans? The stuff on the IDOT website is 10 years old, it only shows them widening to three lanes. Also, why four lanes in each direction? The tollway portion is only three lanes. That could cause some bottlenecks. 

This project is long overdue, they need to move this towards the top of the priority list and get going already.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on April 09, 2017, 01:46:43 PM
Quote from: I-39 on April 09, 2017, 10:41:48 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on April 09, 2017, 01:50:59 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 08, 2017, 08:51:22 AM
Article in the Rockford paper about 20/39 expansion.
http://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan

This would be the subdivision just to the southeast of Harrison and 20/39.

If residents are complaining about the roadway noise, then a reconstruction project with added lanes will typically include installation of noise walls where appropriate, from what I understand of IDOT's modus operandae.  That ought to make residents WANT the new project.

Where are the updated plans? The stuff on the IDOT website is 10 years old, it only shows them widening to three lanes. Also, why four lanes in each direction? The tollway portion is only three lanes. That could cause some bottlenecks. 

This project is long overdue, they need to move this towards the top of the priority list and get going already.

I assume they are including longer than normal Harrison Ave ramps as 4th lanes, as the 10 year old plans show.  4 lanes in each direction does not make sense, unless including ramps.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 09, 2017, 01:48:54 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 09, 2017, 01:46:43 PM
I assume they are including longer than normal Harrison Ave ramps as 4th lanes, as the 10 year old plans show.  4 lanes in each direction does not make sense, unless including ramps.

You have a good point; I agree with you.  Maybe a fourth lane would be warranted as an "exit only" lane for a short while?  But other than that, I also have to ask, why the hell do we need four?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 09, 2017, 09:16:02 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on April 09, 2017, 01:48:54 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 09, 2017, 01:46:43 PM
I assume they are including longer than normal Harrison Ave ramps as 4th lanes, as the 10 year old plans show.  4 lanes in each direction does not make sense, unless including ramps.

You have a good point; I agree with you.  Maybe a fourth lane would be warranted as an "exit only" lane for a short while?  But other than that, I also have to ask, why the hell do we need four?

If they are going to make I-39 four lanes each way there, they better make sure I-80 through Joliet and towards Minooka is at least three as well! Also, make the Ike, Kennedy, and Stevenson in Chicago eight lanes the whole way through! Part of this lack of coordination would likely be alleviated if the different districts worked together better, but I'd like to know how IDOT is planning to do this "above and beyond" if they can't even afford to fix other equally pressing needs to at least the minimum of what they need to do across other parts of the state.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 21, 2017, 09:10:05 AM
Scrape and pave on I-55 from Weber road north (not sure to where right now.)

Yeah, that'll fix the problems.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 22, 2017, 09:41:13 AM
might as well go from Weber all the way up to LaGrange Road because that entire stretch is all asphalt and 3 lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 22, 2017, 11:03:53 AM
Hell, from the Des Plaines river in Channahon all the way to the city.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 22, 2017, 11:52:46 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 09, 2017, 09:16:02 PM
If they are going to make I-39 four lanes each way there, they better make sure I-80 through Joliet and towards Minooka is at least three as well! Also, make the Ike, Kennedy, and Stevenson in Chicago eight lanes the whole way through! Part of this lack of coordination would likely be alleviated if the different districts worked together better, but I'd like to know how IDOT is planning to do this "above and beyond" if they can't even afford to fix other equally pressing needs to at least the minimum of what they need to do across other parts of the state.

Assuming this project is only going to be for I-39 between I-90 and the western US 20 interchange, Google indicates this as a distance of around three miles - much longer than many of the other stretches of interstates that need widening being mentioned.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 24, 2017, 08:55:04 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 09, 2017, 09:16:02 PM


If they are going to make I-39 four lanes each way there, they better make sure I-80 through Joliet and towards Minooka

Plans are already drawn up...

http://i-80will.com/

EDIT: Link seems not to be working...

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i80-ridge-rd-to-us30
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 24, 2017, 10:05:06 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 24, 2017, 08:55:04 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 09, 2017, 09:16:02 PM


If they are going to make I-39 four lanes each way there, they better make sure I-80 through Joliet and towards Minooka

Plans are already drawn up...

http://i-80will.com/

EDIT: Link seems not to be working...

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i80-ridge-rd-to-us30

I did see this site previously. This is sorely needed, and why this wasn't done years ago is beyond me. Basically, I just don't get how Illinois has a habit of purposefully neglecting some highways while making sure others get more than their share of attention. For example, I-55 in Bloomington-Normal vs. Springfield.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 24, 2017, 10:14:56 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 24, 2017, 10:05:06 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 24, 2017, 08:55:04 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 09, 2017, 09:16:02 PM


If they are going to make I-39 four lanes each way there, they better make sure I-80 through Joliet and towards Minooka

Plans are already drawn up...

http://i-80will.com/

EDIT: Link seems not to be working...

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i80-ridge-rd-to-us30

I did see this site previously. This is sorely needed, and why this wasn't done years ago is beyond me. Basically, I just don't get how Illinois has a habit of purposefully neglecting some highways while making sure others get more than their share of attention. For example, I-55 in Bloomington-Normal vs. Springfield.

I guess a triplex is given higher precedence than a duplex  :-D :-D regardless of their AADT.

(55+74+51 > 55+72)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on April 24, 2017, 10:55:39 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 24, 2017, 10:05:06 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 24, 2017, 08:55:04 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 09, 2017, 09:16:02 PM


If they are going to make I-39 four lanes each way there, they better make sure I-80 through Joliet and towards Minooka

Plans are already drawn up...

http://i-80will.com/

EDIT: Link seems not to be working...

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/i80-ridge-rd-to-us30

I did see this site previously. This is sorely needed, and why this wasn't done years ago is beyond me. Basically, I just don't get how Illinois has a habit of purposefully neglecting some highways while making sure others get more than their share of attention. For example, I-55 in Bloomington-Normal vs. Springfield.

Because the bureaucrats in Springfield have no reason to drive around Springfield.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 24, 2017, 10:59:16 PM
Widening the Des Plaines River Bridge on I-80 is going to be the biggest cost IMO. That's probably why it has not been addressed. But it should be addressed really soon. Last week when I was on the bridge I noticed a lot of open rebar exposure.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on May 18, 2017, 09:05:50 AM
Apparently Plainfield IL has done some of it's own studies for fixing the I-55 / IL 126 interchange.

Oh, and the estimate for construction of the project has gone up over $1 million since the studies were first enacted in 2009.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/05/17/plainfield-adds-on-to-interstate-55-engineering-study/an87133/

Also, has the construction of the I-55 / Weber road Diverging Diamond started in earnest? I'm noticing a lot of utility surveying flags around the Weber / Normantown Rd. interesction.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on May 18, 2017, 12:24:36 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on May 18, 2017, 09:05:50 AM
Apparently Plainfield IL has done some of it's own studies for fixing the I-55 / IL 126 interchange.

Oh, and the estimate for construction of the project has gone up over $1 million since the studies were first enacted in 2009.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/05/17/plainfield-adds-on-to-interstate-55-engineering-study/an87133/


In reading the article, it appears that Plainfield (along with Bolingbrook and Romeoville) is contributing money to the IDOT study by intergovernmental agreement, rather than them doing something on the side of the IDOT study, and this is the best way to do it. In my past experience, almost every time a village tries to do a study on an IDOT facility without IDOT being the lead, they wind up running out of money or coming up with something so incomplete that it is unusable for further work.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on May 18, 2017, 01:52:51 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 18, 2017, 12:24:36 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on May 18, 2017, 09:05:50 AM
Apparently Plainfield IL has done some of it's own studies for fixing the I-55 / IL 126 interchange.

Oh, and the estimate for construction of the project has gone up over $1 million since the studies were first enacted in 2009.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/05/17/plainfield-adds-on-to-interstate-55-engineering-study/an87133/


In reading the article, it appears that Plainfield (along with Bolingbrook and Romeoville) is contributing money to the IDOT study by intergovernmental agreement, rather than them doing something on the side of the IDOT study, and this is the best way to do it. In my past experience, almost every time a village tries to do a study on an IDOT facility without IDOT being the lead, they wind up running out of money or coming up with something so incomplete that it is unusable for further work.

Plainfield keeps trying to make the full interchange at 126.  Romeoville, historically, has been adamant that the full interchange be at Airport (Lockport) Road.

I'm also glad of this:

QuoteTrustee Ed O'Rourke was concerned whether the village actually has a "seat at the table,"  because Romeoville and Bolingbrook have taken the lead on the study and forwarded the proposed intergovernmental agreement to Plainfield.

That means things will get done right.  Plainfield couldn't plan its way out of a paper bag when it comes to traffic.  They were told years ago, by IDOT and by the County that a bypass of downtown using Renwick Road would be a good idea.  Insular Plainfield decided to balk.  Now downtown Plainfield is a traffic clusterfuck.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on May 18, 2017, 02:10:19 PM
Quote from: Brandon on May 18, 2017, 01:52:51 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 18, 2017, 12:24:36 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on May 18, 2017, 09:05:50 AM
Apparently Plainfield IL has done some of it's own studies for fixing the I-55 / IL 126 interchange.

Oh, and the estimate for construction of the project has gone up over $1 million since the studies were first enacted in 2009.

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/05/17/plainfield-adds-on-to-interstate-55-engineering-study/an87133/


In reading the article, it appears that Plainfield (along with Bolingbrook and Romeoville) is contributing money to the IDOT study by intergovernmental agreement, rather than them doing something on the side of the IDOT study, and this is the best way to do it. In my past experience, almost every time a village tries to do a study on an IDOT facility without IDOT being the lead, they wind up running out of money or coming up with something so incomplete that it is unusable for further work.

Plainfield keeps trying to make the full interchange at 126.  Romeoville, historically, has been adamant that the full interchange be at Airport (Lockport) Road.

I'm also glad of this:

QuoteTrustee Ed O'Rourke was concerned whether the village actually has a "seat at the table,"  because Romeoville and Bolingbrook have taken the lead on the study and forwarded the proposed intergovernmental agreement to Plainfield.

That means things will get done right.  Plainfield couldn't plan its way out of a paper bag when it comes to traffic.  They were told years ago, by IDOT and by the County that a bypass of downtown using Renwick Road would be a good idea.  Insular Plainfield decided to balk.  Now downtown Plainfield is a traffic clusterfuck.

I grew up in the Plainfield area, and attended Plainfield High School.  For the longest time, Plainfield was extremely resistant to any change - I recall them trying over and over again to keep fast food chains out of the village. In essence, they were the southern suburban equivalent of Long Grove, and boy are they paying for it now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on May 18, 2017, 02:14:15 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on May 18, 2017, 02:10:19 PM
I grew up in the Plainfield area, and attended Plainfield High School.  For the longest time, Plainfield was extremely resistant to any change - I recall them trying over and over again to keep fast food chains out of the village. In essence, they were the southern suburban equivalent of Long Grove, and boy are they paying for it now.

Years ago, back in the very early 1980s, the truck stop at I-55 and US-30 (now closed) approached Plainfield first about annexation and having Plainfield supply water and sewer to the location.  Plainfield told them no.  Joliet, on the other hand, extended both water and sewer lines under I-55 to reach the truck stop and annexed the property.  Plainfield's attitude is also why the entire Caton Farm Road corridor is in Joliet.  The developers wanted water and sewer, and Joliet provided.

Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods should take note of the Plainfield example.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on May 18, 2017, 05:59:44 PM
Quote from: Brandon on May 18, 2017, 02:14:15 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on May 18, 2017, 02:10:19 PM
I grew up in the Plainfield area, and attended Plainfield High School.  For the longest time, Plainfield was extremely resistant to any change - I recall them trying over and over again to keep fast food chains out of the village. In essence, they were the southern suburban equivalent of Long Grove, and boy are they paying for it now.

Years ago, back in the very early 1980s, the truck stop at I-55 and US-30 (now closed) approached Plainfield first about annexation and having Plainfield supply water and sewer to the location.  Plainfield told them no.  Joliet, on the other hand, extended both water and sewer lines under I-55 to reach the truck stop and annexed the property.  Plainfield's attitude is also why the entire Caton Farm Road corridor is in Joliet.  The developers wanted water and sewer, and Joliet provided.

Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods should take note of the Plainfield example.

Totally agree with this. Actually, if you go into Long Grove, you see where a lot of stores closed or moved out because of this line of thinking. It's probably why Buffalo Grove has been able to expand as much as it has. Look also at Deer Park and Kildeer. Again, Long Grove could have had that area, but they resisted. They did seem to wise up a bit with the area at IL 83 and Aptakistic Road, but they missed on many other opportunities. Look at the mess around there with the roads now!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: csw on May 19, 2017, 09:56:08 PM
I'm living in Mt. Carmel, IL, for the summer, but probably won't have time for more than weekend road trips. Any suggestions on where to go and what to see within a reasonable radius? I'm already planning on heading to Shawnee National Forest several times.

I'm also going to head down around Carbondale or Mt. Vernon in August for the solar eclipse, although that will be a separate thing because I will be back at school by then.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 20, 2017, 12:32:34 PM
Quote from: csw on May 19, 2017, 09:56:08 PM
I'm living in Mt. Carmel, IL, for the summer, but probably won't have time for more than weekend road trips. Any suggestions on where to go and what to see within a reasonable radius? I'm already planning on heading to Shawnee National Forest several times.

I'm also going to head down around Carbondale or Mt. Vernon in August for the solar eclipse, although that will be a separate thing because I will be back at school by then.

Absolutely go see Garden of the Gods...it's the best thing down there.  Giant City SP is a couple hours west of you but that's also really cool.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on May 21, 2017, 01:57:01 PM
Quote from: csw on May 19, 2017, 09:56:08 PM
I'm living in Mt. Carmel, IL, for the summer, but probably won't have time for more than weekend road trips. Any suggestions on where to go and what to see within a reasonable radius? I'm already planning on heading to Shawnee National Forest several times.

I'm also going to head down around Carbondale or Mt. Vernon in August for the solar eclipse, although that will be a separate thing because I will be back at school by then.
I also suggest taking IL 1 and the ferry across the Ohio at Cave in the Rock. It is a prettier drive to get to Land Between the Lakes than I-24.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on May 22, 2017, 08:58:22 AM
Quote from: csw on May 19, 2017, 09:56:08 PM
I'm living in Mt. Carmel, IL, for the summer, but probably won't have time for more than weekend road trips. Any suggestions on where to go and what to see within a reasonable radius? I'm already planning on heading to Shawnee National Forest several times.

I'm also going to head down around Carbondale or Mt. Vernon in August for the solar eclipse, although that will be a separate thing because I will be back at school by then.

Normally I'd suggest the LaRue - Pine Hills Road, but part of that apparently washed out recently.  Pity, as IMHO, it's the most beautiful road in Southern IL

Check out Skyline Drive between Cobden and Alto Pass, and the drive up Bald Knob is worth it (yes, there's a giant cross at the top, and no you can't go to the top of it, but the views from the hill itself are amazing.)

The Rim Rock trail is awesome, but make sure you go down the stairs at the back of the loop for more awesomeness

Garden of the Gods, as stated above, but don't only do the observation trail, but get on the trails in the wilderness area also.  Still some spectacular views, with fewer people.

Just NE of the town of Simpson, the forest service keeps open a rickety old fire lookout tower that is open to the public. Definitely go up this.

Take the Giant City trail at Giant City State Park

There's certainly a lot more things to do, but these are some of my favorites.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on May 23, 2017, 09:13:40 AM
Here's something that has been bugging me for a long time...

My dad used to tell me that at one time I-55 just north of Braidwood collapsed into an underground mine shaft sometime in the late 60's / early 70's.  He told me about how they kept dumping gravel into the shaft, but never reached the bottom, so they just bridged over the shaft.  Indeed, I remember a detour around that area when I was a wee lad, but in doing a google search, I cannot find any reference to this.

Is this true, or is my dad full of shit?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on May 23, 2017, 05:49:55 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on May 23, 2017, 09:13:40 AM
Here's something that has been bugging me for a long time...

My dad used to tell me that at one time I-55 just north of Braidwood collapsed into an underground mine shaft sometime in the late 60's / early 70's.  He told me about how they kept dumping gravel into the shaft, but never reached the bottom, so they just bridged over the shaft.  Indeed, I remember a detour around that area when I was a wee lad, but in doing a google search, I cannot find any reference to this.

Is this true, or is my dad full of shit?

I dunno, most of the mines in that area were strip mines, not underground. I travelled I-55 in that area a bunch of times in the early 70s (I was working on the construction of I-55 further south as a teenager) and don't remember a lane closure for that purpose around Braidwood, but it is possible it happened before I frequented the area. I didn't go that way much until 1973 or so.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on May 27, 2017, 12:03:00 PM
Watch out at Garden of the Gods, there were rattlesnakes all over the place when I was there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on May 31, 2017, 07:00:29 PM
New IDOT 2018-2023 program is posted at their website.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2018-2023/2018-23%20MYP%20Book.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on May 31, 2017, 09:22:29 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 31, 2017, 07:00:29 PM
New IDOT 2018-2023 program is posted at their website.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2018-2023/2018-23%20MYP%20Book.pdf

How many of these projects are actually going to get done? It seems there has been a lot of the same projects on here for the last few years and they keep getting pushed back. Things like the I-55/72 widening and the I-57/74 interchange reconstruction need to happen now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on May 31, 2017, 10:14:00 PM
Quote from: I-39 on May 31, 2017, 09:22:29 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 31, 2017, 07:00:29 PM
New IDOT 2018-2023 program is posted at their website.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2018-2023/2018-23%20MYP%20Book.pdf

How many of these projects are actually going to get done? It seems there has been a lot of the same projects on here for the last few years and they keep getting pushed back. Things like the I-55/72 widening and the I-57/74 interchange reconstruction need to happen now.

As long as we lack a budget (thanks Madigan!), IDOT won't do as much.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 01, 2017, 09:10:19 AM
Glad to see that I-55 over  BNSF RR & GRANT CREEK on the list.  There's been horrible backups on 55 from there north to US 6 in the last year because of the condition of that bridge, holes appearing, concrete falling to the tracks below.  This is an emergency project.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 01, 2017, 03:15:03 PM
Quote from: I-39 on May 31, 2017, 09:22:29 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 31, 2017, 07:00:29 PM
New IDOT 2018-2023 program is posted at their website.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2018-2023/2018-23%20MYP%20Book.pdf

How many of these projects are actually going to get done? It seems there has been a lot of the same projects on here for the last few years and they keep getting pushed back. Things like the I-55/72 widening and the I-57/74 interchange reconstruction need to happen now.

the tollway can do the Managed Lanes part / switch the roads to full toll.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 01, 2017, 04:16:24 PM
I noticed that the traffic circle along IL-58 in Des Plaines is slated for a prompt reconstruction.  Do you think they'll make it a regular at-grade intersection, or will they preserve the traffic circle concept and improve it?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on June 01, 2017, 04:22:44 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 01, 2017, 04:16:24 PM
I noticed that the traffic circle along IL-58 in Des Plaines is slated for a prompt reconstruction.  Do you think they'll make it a regular at-grade intersection, or will they preserve the traffic circle concept and improve it?

They're making it a modern roundabout.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 01, 2017, 09:25:51 PM
pre work is going on now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on June 01, 2017, 10:16:15 PM
Representatives from Jackson, Randolph, Perry, and Monroe Counties want a 4-lane route from Murphysboro to Saint Louis.

http://countyjournal.org/coalition-aiming-to-bring-fourlane-connection-between-the-area-and-st-lou-p1450-177.htm#.WTA5uJxPeM4.facebook
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on June 01, 2017, 11:40:02 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on June 01, 2017, 10:16:15 PM
Representatives from Jackson, Randolph, Perry, and Monroe Counties want a 4-lane route from Murphysboro to Saint Louis.

http://countyjournal.org/coalition-aiming-to-bring-fourlane-connection-between-the-area-and-st-lou-p1450-177.htm#.WTA5uJxPeM4.facebook

Is this an unbuilt, originally proposed section of I-24?

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on June 01, 2017, 11:55:04 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on June 01, 2017, 11:40:02 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on June 01, 2017, 10:16:15 PM
Representatives from Jackson, Randolph, Perry, and Monroe Counties want a 4-lane route from Murphysboro to Saint Louis.

http://countyjournal.org/coalition-aiming-to-bring-fourlane-connection-between-the-area-and-st-lou-p1450-177.htm#.WTA5uJxPeM4.facebook

Is this an unbuilt, originally proposed section of I-24?

Mike

Tell them to get a state budget and increased road funding, then we can talk about IDOT wish lists. Or did they skip the part where the state has an 8 year backlog of projects??
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on June 02, 2017, 10:14:42 AM
Quote from: quickshade on June 01, 2017, 11:55:04 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on June 01, 2017, 11:40:02 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on June 01, 2017, 10:16:15 PM
Representatives from Jackson, Randolph, Perry, and Monroe Counties want a 4-lane route from Murphysboro to Saint Louis.

http://countyjournal.org/coalition-aiming-to-bring-fourlane-connection-between-the-area-and-st-lou-p1450-177.htm#.WTA5uJxPeM4.facebook

Is this an unbuilt, originally proposed section of I-24?

Mike

Tell them to get a state budget and increased road funding, then we can talk about IDOT wish lists. Or did they skip the part where the state has an 8 year backlog of projects??

Also, a couple of days ago, Moodys and S&P both downgraded the State of Illinois' bond rating to one step above 'junk'.  IIRC, this is the lowest ever for a USA state.

:wow:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 02, 2017, 12:41:55 PM
Quote from: quickshade on June 01, 2017, 11:55:04 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on June 01, 2017, 11:40:02 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on June 01, 2017, 10:16:15 PM
Representatives from Jackson, Randolph, Perry, and Monroe Counties want a 4-lane route from Murphysboro to Saint Louis.

http://countyjournal.org/coalition-aiming-to-bring-fourlane-connection-between-the-area-and-st-lou-p1450-177.htm#.WTA5uJxPeM4.facebook

Is this an unbuilt, originally proposed section of I-24?

Mike

Tell them to get a state budget and increased road funding, then we can talk about IDOT wish lists. Or did they skip the part where the state has an 8 year backlog of projects??

I think 8 years is generous, it's more like 15.......
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 02, 2017, 05:41:39 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on June 01, 2017, 11:40:02 PM
Is this an unbuilt, originally proposed section of I-24?

Mike

While it probably would have gotten designated as part of I-24 had it been built, it seems this corridor was just originally proposed as a supplemental freeway.  See http://www.midwestroads.com/illinois/il%20supp%20fwy.pdf (http://www.midwestroads.com/illinois/il%20supp%20fwy.pdf)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 03, 2017, 06:56:20 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on June 01, 2017, 10:16:15 PM
Representatives from Jackson, Randolph, Perry, and Monroe Counties want a 4-lane route from Murphysboro to Saint Louis.

http://countyjournal.org/coalition-aiming-to-bring-fourlane-connection-between-the-area-and-st-lou-p1450-177.htm#.WTA5uJxPeM4.facebook
Posting from Murphysboro as we speak, this would be beneficial to link the Carbondale/Marion area much better and more directly to STL. IL-127 already serves this purpose, but a 4 lane divided hwy, with a Pinckneyville and Nashville bypass, in addition to Grade Separation for the train route in Pinckneyville, would help. Current IL-127 is mostly 2-lane until you approach Murphysboro, where it grows to 4 Lanes, joins IL-13, and IL-13 is at least 4 lane thru Murphysboro and Carbondale over to Marion  (where it has a Southern IL SPUI with I-57)

Waiting for a long train on IL-127 in Pinckneyville is a major PITA, as there is no good way around it for miles

If you threw in Bypasses of the west side of Marion and of Carbondale, this could be an I-24 extension/completion, if built full freeway. And that would take truck traffic off I-57 between I-24 and I-64

Being picky, and I am a relative new comer to posting @ aaroads, but since this is a Southern IL proposal, is this not a better fit for the "Ohio Valley" board?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 03, 2017, 09:09:20 PM
The ramp from southbound I-39 to westbound I-88 is currently closed for what appears to be a complete rebuild from the subgrade and up.  As part of the detour signage there is one black on orange sign with a curly arrow that depicts the detour via three of the loop ramps at that interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on June 03, 2017, 11:47:19 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 03, 2017, 09:09:20 PM
The ramp from southbound I-39 to westbound I-88 is currently closed for what appears to be a complete rebuild from the subgrade and up.  As part of the detour signage there is one black on orange sign with a curly arrow that depicts the detour via three of the loop ramps at that interchange.
I wonder how often one of those ramps will get closed for a semi that couldn't keep itself on its wheels...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on June 09, 2017, 09:47:29 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 03, 2017, 09:09:20 PM
The ramp from southbound I-39 to westbound I-88 is currently closed for what appears to be a complete rebuild from the subgrade and up.  As part of the detour signage there is one black on orange sign with a curly arrow that depicts the detour via three of the loop ramps at that interchange.

Been like that for much of the Spring. I think all the ramps will be getting this treatment over time
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 09, 2017, 12:54:39 PM
Quote from: ET21 on June 09, 2017, 09:47:29 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 03, 2017, 09:09:20 PM
The ramp from southbound I-39 to westbound I-88 is currently closed for what appears to be a complete rebuild from the subgrade and up.  As part of the detour signage there is one black on orange sign with a curly arrow that depicts the detour via three of the loop ramps at that interchange.

Been like that for much of the Spring. I think all the ramps will be getting this treatment over time

I'm not so sure.  They've only removed the portion of the curve into I-88.  The rest of the ramp is has merely been repaved.  I'm guessing that this section has an issue with the base.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on June 09, 2017, 06:00:51 PM
Quote from: Brandon on June 09, 2017, 12:54:39 PM
Quote from: ET21 on June 09, 2017, 09:47:29 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 03, 2017, 09:09:20 PM
The ramp from southbound I-39 to westbound I-88 is currently closed for what appears to be a complete rebuild from the subgrade and up.  As part of the detour signage there is one black on orange sign with a curly arrow that depicts the detour via three of the loop ramps at that interchange.

Been like that for much of the Spring. I think all the ramps will be getting this treatment over time

I'm not so sure.  They've only removed the portion of the curve into I-88.  The rest of the ramp is has merely been repaved.  I'm guessing that this section has an issue with the base.

They redid I-39 over the past 2 summers, so I just assumed they were doing all the ramps as part of that project
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 12, 2017, 07:49:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on May 31, 2017, 10:14:00 PM
Quote from: I-39 on May 31, 2017, 09:22:29 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 31, 2017, 07:00:29 PM
New IDOT 2018-2023 program is posted at their website.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2018-2023/2018-23%20MYP%20Book.pdf

How many of these projects are actually going to get done? It seems there has been a lot of the same projects on here for the last few years and they keep getting pushed back. Things like the I-55/72 widening and the I-57/74 interchange reconstruction need to happen now.

As long as we lack a budget (thanks Madigan!), IDOT won't do as much.
And Brucey being just as stubborn. Let's be real now. They both are acting like bastards.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 12, 2017, 07:21:39 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 12, 2017, 07:49:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on May 31, 2017, 10:14:00 PM
Quote from: I-39 on May 31, 2017, 09:22:29 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 31, 2017, 07:00:29 PM
New IDOT 2018-2023 program is posted at their website.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2018-2023/2018-23%20MYP%20Book.pdf

How many of these projects are actually going to get done? It seems there has been a lot of the same projects on here for the last few years and they keep getting pushed back. Things like the I-55/72 widening and the I-57/74 interchange reconstruction need to happen now.

As long as we lack a budget (thanks Madigan!), IDOT won't do as much.
And Brucey being just as stubborn. Let's be real now. They both are acting like bastards.

Well, Brucey is not just rolling over and giving Madigan whatever he wants like every other Governor (from both sides) did before. He is actually trying to implement some fundamental reforms (term limits, redistricting reform, etc) first, but Madigan doesn't want that because he wants to hold on to power forever.

Both parties are responsible for the mess Illinois is in, so it's high time for someone to stand up and try to reform things. Right now, the only person whom I see who is attempting to fix the real issues is Brucey...........
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 13, 2017, 10:01:47 AM
Just got done with riding Bike MS : Tour De Farms over the weekend, and something that always perplexed me regarding the DeKalb area is, how come I-88 has an exit at Annie Glidden road, Peace Road, but not route 23? I understand Annie Glidden road, as that's a direct route to Northern Illinois University, but Route 23 is a direct route to downtown DeKalb.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 13, 2017, 11:49:33 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 12, 2017, 07:21:39 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 12, 2017, 07:49:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on May 31, 2017, 10:14:00 PM
Quote from: I-39 on May 31, 2017, 09:22:29 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 31, 2017, 07:00:29 PM
New IDOT 2018-2023 program is posted at their website.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2018-2023/2018-23%20MYP%20Book.pdf

How many of these projects are actually going to get done? It seems there has been a lot of the same projects on here for the last few years and they keep getting pushed back. Things like the I-55/72 widening and the I-57/74 interchange reconstruction need to happen now.

As long as we lack a budget (thanks Madigan!), IDOT won't do as much.
And Brucey being just as stubborn. Let's be real now. They both are acting like bastards.

Well, Brucey is not just rolling over and giving Madigan whatever he wants like every other Governor (from both sides) did before. He is actually trying to implement some fundamental reforms (term limits, redistricting reform, etc) first, but Madigan doesn't want that because he wants to hold on to power forever.

Both parties are responsible for the mess Illinois is in, so it's high time for someone to stand up and try to reform things. Right now, the only person whom I see who is attempting to fix the real issues is Brucey...........

During every state election in the foreseeable future, my intent is to vote out every incumbent candidate until we have a state again.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on June 13, 2017, 07:07:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 13, 2017, 10:01:47 AM
Just got done with riding Bike MS : Tour De Farms over the weekend, and something that always perplexed me regarding the DeKalb area is, how come I-88 has an exit at Annie Glidden road, Peace Road, but not route 23? I understand Annie Glidden road, as that's a direct route to Northern Illinois University, but Route 23 is a direct route to downtown DeKalb.

When you have Peace and Annie the same distance apart from 23, there really isn't a point. Just use Fairview to access it
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 13, 2017, 09:41:28 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 13, 2017, 11:49:33 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 12, 2017, 07:21:39 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 12, 2017, 07:49:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on May 31, 2017, 10:14:00 PM
Quote from: I-39 on May 31, 2017, 09:22:29 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 31, 2017, 07:00:29 PM
New IDOT 2018-2023 program is posted at their website.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2018-2023/2018-23%20MYP%20Book.pdf

How many of these projects are actually going to get done? It seems there has been a lot of the same projects on here for the last few years and they keep getting pushed back. Things like the I-55/72 widening and the I-57/74 interchange reconstruction need to happen now.

As long as we lack a budget (thanks Madigan!), IDOT won't do as much.
And Brucey being just as stubborn. Let's be real now. They both are acting like bastards.

Well, Brucey is not just rolling over and giving Madigan whatever he wants like every other Governor (from both sides) did before. He is actually trying to implement some fundamental reforms (term limits, redistricting reform, etc) first, but Madigan doesn't want that because he wants to hold on to power forever.

Both parties are responsible for the mess Illinois is in, so it's high time for someone to stand up and try to reform things. Right now, the only person whom I see who is attempting to fix the real issues is Brucey...........

During every state election in the foreseeable future, my intent is to vote out every incumbent candidate until we have a state again.

If I still lived in Illinois, I'd do the same. Here in Tennessee, things are the opposite. We actually have a booming economy (well, at least in the Nashville/Middle Tennessee area). It was hard to leave my home state, but things just got too bad to stay.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 13, 2017, 09:43:29 PM
Quote from: ET21 on June 13, 2017, 07:07:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 13, 2017, 10:01:47 AM
Just got done with riding Bike MS : Tour De Farms over the weekend, and something that always perplexed me regarding the DeKalb area is, how come I-88 has an exit at Annie Glidden road, Peace Road, but not route 23? I understand Annie Glidden road, as that's a direct route to Northern Illinois University, but Route 23 is a direct route to downtown DeKalb.

When you have Peace and Annie the same distance apart from 23, there really isn't a point. Just use Fairview to access it

^ This

Additionally, there really isn't any room with the Dekalb Oasis to the east.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 14, 2017, 08:46:52 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 13, 2017, 09:43:29 PM
Quote from: ET21 on June 13, 2017, 07:07:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 13, 2017, 10:01:47 AM
Just got done with riding Bike MS : Tour De Farms over the weekend, and something that always perplexed me regarding the DeKalb area is, how come I-88 has an exit at Annie Glidden road, Peace Road, but not route 23? I understand Annie Glidden road, as that's a direct route to Northern Illinois University, but Route 23 is a direct route to downtown DeKalb.

When you have Peace and Annie the same distance apart from 23, there really isn't a point. Just use Fairview to access it

^ This

Additionally, there really isn't any room with the Dekalb Oasis to the east.

Just seems to me that when they were planning the tollway through there that the route that connects two larger areas, in this case Ottawa and DeKalb, would have taken priority over two roads that end either at or near the tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 14, 2017, 05:46:39 PM
^ At least to the north of I-88 Peace Road is the better route for through traffic since it bypasses both downtown DeKalb and downtown Sycamore and is grade separated with the busy Union Pacific main line.

I'm going to wildly speculate that IL 23 did not get an interchange because DeKalb wanted two interchanges instead of one, or there was some plan that did not come to be that had IL 23 being rerouted to use Peace Road.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 14, 2017, 07:22:28 PM
If memory serves, Peace Road was originally either only a Half Interchange, and/or it was no Interchange and added later?

Annie Glidden may have been the only DeKalb exit for a time

That said, why does NIU get its own Interstate exit? I guess ISU, UIUC, and UIC have them too...but the IL Interstates only kinda got close to EIU and SIU, while WIU is out there in the Interstate-less haven of West/Central IL (tho it does have the "created" IL/MO-110 CKC Expressway, even if the Macomb bypass isn't in action just yet)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on June 14, 2017, 07:35:06 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on June 14, 2017, 07:22:28 PM
If memory serves, Peace Road was originally either only a Half Interchange, and/or it was no Interchange and added later?

Annie Glidden may have been the only DeKalb exit for a time

That said, why does NIU get its own Interstate exit? I guess ISU, UIUC, and UIC have them too...but the IL Interstates only kinda got close to EIU and SIU, while WIU is out there in the Interstate-less haven of West/Central IL (tho it does have the "created" IL/MO-110 KCK Expressway, even if the Macomb bypass isn't in action just yet)

You are correct. I lived in Dekalb in the mid 90's and Peace Rd. was an EB exit and WB entrance only. I believe the full interchange came to be after there was talk about building a mall near Peace and Fairview Roads, if I remember right.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 14, 2017, 07:49:59 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on June 14, 2017, 07:35:06 PM
You are correct. I lived in Dekalb in the mid 90's and Peace Rd. was an EB exit and WB entrance only. I believe the full interchange came to be after there was talk about building a mall near Peace and Fairview Roads, if I remember right.
EB Exit/WB Entrance would be movements facing the DeKalb toll plaza, which used to be in the middle of the Annie Glidden Interchange (it has since moved west, between DeKalb and I-39)

That way, the Tollway didn't have to put toll collection facilities at the exit. But automated coin buckets, and then I-Pass, makes it easier to add toll collection at exits these days
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on June 14, 2017, 08:15:07 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on June 14, 2017, 07:35:06 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on June 14, 2017, 07:22:28 PM
If memory serves, Peace Road was originally either only a Half Interchange, and/or it was no Interchange and added later?

Annie Glidden may have been the only DeKalb exit for a time

That said, why does NIU get its own Interstate exit? I guess ISU, UIUC, and UIC have them too...but the IL Interstates only kinda got close to EIU and SIU, while WIU is out there in the Interstate-less haven of West/Central IL (tho it does have the "created" IL/MO-110 KCK Expressway, even if the Macomb bypass isn't in action just yet)

That mall plan ended up turning into a major trucking port. The southeast side of DeKalb is big warehouses and trucking depots for Nestle, 3M, and UPS. The area is called Park 88

You are correct. I lived in Dekalb in the mid 90's and Peace Rd. was an EB exit and WB entrance only. I believe the full interchange came to be after there was talk about building a mall near Peace and Fairview Roads, if I remember right.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 14, 2017, 08:43:20 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on June 14, 2017, 07:35:06 PM
You are correct. I lived in Dekalb in the mid 90's and Peace Rd. was an EB exit and WB entrance only. I believe the full interchange came to be after there was talk about building a mall near Peace and Fairview Roads, if I remember right.

Older aerial imagery of the Peace Road interchange is it as a half diamond with ramps to/from the east, with the loops being added later for access to/from the west.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 14, 2017, 08:48:28 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 14, 2017, 08:43:20 PM
Older aerial imagery of the Peace Road interchange is it as a half diamond with ramps to/from the east, with the loops being added later for access to/from the west.
Whoops, I was backwards. Yup, see that on Google Earth now. I wasn't zoomed out far enough to get an old enough image before

So throw my theory about toll booths out the window...I'll just go with ISTHA likes Half Interchanges
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on June 14, 2017, 09:54:15 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 14, 2017, 08:43:20 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on June 14, 2017, 07:35:06 PM
You are correct. I lived in Dekalb in the mid 90's and Peace Rd. was an EB exit and WB entrance only. I believe the full interchange came to be after there was talk about building a mall near Peace and Fairview Roads, if I remember right.

That's what I meant - I just described it wrong! :-D

Older aerial imagery of the Peace Road interchange is it as a half diamond with ramps to/from the east, with the loops being added later for access to/from the west.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 15, 2017, 10:17:56 AM
Got into an argument at work about who's supposed to pick up animal carcasses off of the Illinois interstates.  I contend IDOT, but a co-worker who never admits to being wrong says it's the IDNR.  Who is responsible?

We got into the discussion because I noted that along the I-80 and  I-55 corridor that I drive every day to work there's at least 5 dead deer along the route that have been there for what seems like a month.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 15, 2017, 02:18:38 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 15, 2017, 10:17:56 AM
Got into an argument at work about who's supposed to pick up animal carcasses off of the Illinois interstates.  I contend IDOT, but a co-worker who never admits to being wrong says it's the IDNR.  Who is responsible?

We got into the discussion because I noted that along the I-80 and  I-55 corridor that I drive every day to work there's at least 5 dead deer along the route that have been there for what seems like a month.

Beats me.  Off the freeway, it's usually the county or municipal animal control.  As for on the freeway, I always thought it was IDOT.  Leaving them for a long period of time doesn't surprise me with the lack of mowing that they've done this year.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 15, 2017, 02:22:51 PM
Just a demonstration of how bad Chicago drivers really are...

Cook County to stop prosecuting some traffic offenses because it lacks resources, Foxx's office says (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-states-attorney-traffic-offense-prosecution-20170615-story.html)

QuoteCiting a lack of personnel, the Cook County state's attorney's office plans to stop prosecuting certain traffic offenses, a top county official said.

What's unsaid is that the drivers here are so bad, they just can't keep up.  :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 15, 2017, 02:26:43 PM
And the laughingstock of the 50 states continues its spiral into oblivion...

If Illinois lawmakers don't pass budget, IDOT may stop all roadwork (http://abc7chicago.com/politics/no-illinois-budget-could-mean-no-roadwork-idot-says/2102138/)

QuoteIf the crumbling roads across Illinois frustrate drivers now, just imagine what it would be like if the Illinois Department of Transportation stopped all its roadwork projects.

For the first time, IDOT said it could be a reality, if there isn't a new state budget very soon.

IDOT released a statement Wednesday, which said officials hope they don't have to take drastic measures. But IDOT will lose its ability to pay contractors starting July 1.

QuoteRead the full statement below:

"Due to the General Assembly's refusal to pass a balanced budget, the Illinois Department of Transportation loses its ability to pay contractors starting July 1. While we are hopeful the situation is resolved before then, the department is notifying contractors that all construction work is to shut down on June 30. Contractors will be advised to secure work zones to ensure their safety during any potential shutdown. As always, the safety of the traveling public will be the top priority as the department works through this process."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 15, 2017, 06:35:43 PM
Quote from: Brandon on June 15, 2017, 02:22:51 PM
Just a demonstration of how bad Chicago drivers really are...

Cook County to stop prosecuting some traffic offenses because it lacks resources, Foxx's office says (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-states-attorney-traffic-offense-prosecution-20170615-story.html)

QuoteCiting a lack of personnel, the Cook County state's attorney's office plans to stop prosecuting certain traffic offenses, a top county official said.

What's unsaid is that the drivers here are so bad, they just can't keep up.  :-D
they should raise the bar for speeding. Say interstates 20-30 over to get a ticket / 5-10 local roads and 10-15 other main roads.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 15, 2017, 07:28:41 PM
Quote from: Brandon on June 15, 2017, 02:26:43 PM
And the laughingstock of the 50 states continues its spiral into oblivion...

If Illinois lawmakers don't pass budget, IDOT may stop all roadwork (http://abc7chicago.com/politics/no-illinois-budget-could-mean-no-roadwork-idot-says/2102138/)

QuoteIf the crumbling roads across Illinois frustrate drivers now, just imagine what it would be like if the Illinois Department of Transportation stopped all its roadwork projects.

For the first time, IDOT said it could be a reality, if there isn't a new state budget very soon.

IDOT released a statement Wednesday, which said officials hope they don't have to take drastic measures. But IDOT will lose its ability to pay contractors starting July 1.

QuoteRead the full statement below:

"Due to the General Assembly's refusal to pass a balanced budget, the Illinois Department of Transportation loses its ability to pay contractors starting July 1. While we are hopeful the situation is resolved before then, the department is notifying contractors that all construction work is to shut down on June 30. Contractors will be advised to secure work zones to ensure their safety during any potential shutdown. As always, the safety of the traveling public will be the top priority as the department works through this process."

I'd suggest you leave before things get too out of hand. It's hard, but there are greener pastures elsewhere.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on June 15, 2017, 07:41:59 PM
Quote from: Brandon on June 15, 2017, 02:26:43 PM
And the laughingstock of the 50 states continues its spiral into oblivion...

If Illinois lawmakers don't pass budget, IDOT may stop all roadwork (http://abc7chicago.com/politics/no-illinois-budget-could-mean-no-roadwork-idot-says/2102138/)

QuoteIf the crumbling roads across Illinois frustrate drivers now, just imagine what it would be like if the Illinois Department of Transportation stopped all its roadwork projects.

For the first time, IDOT said it could be a reality, if there isn't a new state budget very soon.

IDOT released a statement Wednesday, which said officials hope they don't have to take drastic measures. But IDOT will lose its ability to pay contractors starting July 1.

QuoteRead the full statement below:

"Due to the General Assembly's refusal to pass a balanced budget, the Illinois Department of Transportation loses its ability to pay contractors starting July 1. While we are hopeful the situation is resolved before then, the department is notifying contractors that all construction work is to shut down on June 30. Contractors will be advised to secure work zones to ensure their safety during any potential shutdown. As always, the safety of the traveling public will be the top priority as the department works through this process."

:wow: :wow: :wow: :-o :-o :-o
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on June 16, 2017, 11:34:05 AM
Seems like both sides are playing chicken right now. Rauner having a special session and Cullerton saying no stop gap budget and that it's a waste of time because the senate did its job. So comes down to Madigan having to do his job. Next 2 weeks will be interesting.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on June 17, 2017, 09:10:57 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 15, 2017, 10:17:56 AM
Got into an argument at work about who's supposed to pick up animal carcasses off of the Illinois interstates.  I contend IDOT, but a co-worker who never admits to being wrong says it's the IDNR.  Who is responsible?

We got into the discussion because I noted that along the I-80 and  I-55 corridor that I drive every day to work there's at least 5 dead deer along the route that have been there for what seems like a month.

I've always seen IDOT pick them up.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on June 18, 2017, 07:35:43 PM
A new US 67 bridge across the Illinois River at Beardstown could only be 2 lanes instead of the originally planned 4 lanes.

"The U.S. 67 bridge replacement was initially going to be a four-lane project after a 1995 study identified U.S. 67 as a route that would benefit businesses by being a four-lane expressway. However, initial costs to replace the bridge hovered in the $170 million range, according to IDOT reports, making the bridge project less feasible as time went on."

http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/110756/us-67-bridge-project-draws-closer-to-a-reality (http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/110756/us-67-bridge-project-draws-closer-to-a-reality)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 18, 2017, 08:39:50 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 18, 2017, 07:35:43 PM
A new US 67 bridge across the Illinois River at Beardstown could only be 2 lanes instead of the originally planned 4 lanes.

"The U.S. 67 bridge replacement was initially going to be a four-lane project after a 1995 study identified U.S. 67 as a route that would benefit businesses by being a four-lane expressway. However, initial costs to replace the bridge hovered in the $170 million range, according to IDOT reports, making the bridge project less feasible as time went on."

http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/110756/us-67-bridge-project-draws-closer-to-a-reality (http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/110756/us-67-bridge-project-draws-closer-to-a-reality)

Honestly, with the state budget crisis, it's a miracle they are even moving forward with the replacement. It's critical that the bridge is replaced now, they can worry about four laning it later. I don't even think traffic really warrants four lanes right now, it's not like that area is booming or anything.

Of course, if they hadn't wasted tons of $$$ on the Illinois 336 corridor, they just might have been able to four lane US 67 between Jacksonville and Macomb by now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on June 20, 2017, 09:19:06 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 18, 2017, 08:39:50 PM
Of course, if they hadn't wasted tons of $$$ on the Illinois 336 corridor, they just might have been able to four lane US 67 between Jacksonville and Macomb by now.

I drove that 336 a few years back after going to Silom Springs State Park out there and I really don't see the point of that highway. It doesn't follow a straight line but keeps jogging at 90 degree angles so it doesn't really save any mileage or time. And any US 36 KC bound traffic is going to take the shorter, faster I-55 I-72 over to Hannibal instead of the expensive East West Tollway through Galesburg, etc on non limited access portions that are longer and slower. There is a small issue with the lack of four lanes to McComb and Western Illinois University where my brother went and wow was that ever a torturous drive going there. But then again that school is really in the minor league of the state college system and not very populous. The money may have been better spent making I-55 6 lanes through Central Illinois the way the Springfield to Lincoln stretch already is. Or giving Peoria a shortcut to Chicago by four laneing the modest US 24 stretch from Peoria to Chenoa at I-55 similar to the Decatur to Bloomington 4 lane stretch.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 20, 2017, 09:25:58 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 18, 2017, 08:39:50 PM

Of course, if they hadn't wasted tons of $$$ on the Illinois 336 corridor, they just might have been able to four lane US 67 between Jacksonville and Macomb by now.

Forgottonia wouldn't stop complaining about the lack of state funds used in the area.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on June 20, 2017, 02:11:55 PM
IDOT may have to halt everything come July 1st, do you all think with will happen?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on June 20, 2017, 02:17:22 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 20, 2017, 02:11:55 PM
IDOT may have to halt everything come July 1st, do you all think with will happen?

nope. budget will probably be signed before then, albeit with some hootering and some hollering from both sides.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 20, 2017, 06:44:38 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 20, 2017, 02:11:55 PM
IDOT may have to halt everything come July 1st, do you all think with will happen?

Yes, I do.  Even though the governor has been willing to strike a deal, the speaker has been, for lack of a better word, a dick about it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 20, 2017, 07:00:18 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on June 20, 2017, 09:19:06 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 18, 2017, 08:39:50 PM
Of course, if they hadn't wasted tons of $$$ on the Illinois 336 corridor, they just might have been able to four lane US 67 between Jacksonville and Macomb by now.

I drove that 336 a few years back after going to Silom Springs State Park out there and I really don't see the point of that highway. It doesn't follow a straight line but keeps jogging at 90 degree angles so it doesn't really save any mileage or time. And any US 36 KC bound traffic is going to take the shorter, faster I-55 I-72 over to Hannibal instead of the expensive East West Tollway through Galesburg, etc on non limited access portions that are longer and slower. There is a small issue with the lack of four lanes to McComb and Western Illinois University where my brother went and wow was that ever a torturous drive going there. But then again that school is really in the minor league of the state college system and not very populous. The money may have been better spent making I-55 6 lanes through Central Illinois the way the Springfield to Lincoln stretch already is. Or giving Peoria a shortcut to Chicago by four laneing the modest US 24 stretch from Peoria to Chenoa at I-55 similar to the Decatur to Bloomington 4 lane stretch.

Illinois 336 should not have been built at all. There is no traffic need for it and it is one of the biggest money waster highway projects in Illinois history. Heck, it would make Wisconsin proud! The only highway improvement needed at all in "Forgottonia" was to build a four lane expressway along US 67 between Monmouth and IL-255 in Godfrey (and even then, some sections do not even seem like they warrant four lanes right now). One could even make an argument that I-72 doesn't even need to be a freeway west of Springfield (instead, they could have just made US 36 an expressway).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 21, 2017, 08:48:08 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on June 20, 2017, 02:17:22 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 20, 2017, 02:11:55 PM
IDOT may have to halt everything come July 1st, do you all think with will happen?

nope. budget will probably be signed before then, albeit with some hootering and some hollering from both sides.

It looks like the governor is going to sign the latest budget.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 21, 2017, 08:50:12 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 20, 2017, 07:00:18 PM
. One could even make an argument that I-72 doesn't even need to be a freeway west of Springfield (instead, they could have just made US 36 an expressway).

If Missouri would make a continuation of I-72 to KC, it might get a lot busier, but I don't see MoDOT ever doing that, let alone continuing the corridor straight across .
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on June 21, 2017, 02:21:57 PM
missouri sounds like the most broke DOT, is there a state that's more broke?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: iBallasticwolf2 on June 21, 2017, 03:15:06 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 21, 2017, 02:21:57 PM
missouri sounds like the most broke DOT, is there a state that's more broke?
illinois
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rothman on June 21, 2017, 03:24:07 PM
I'd also wonder about NJ.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 21, 2017, 09:07:14 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on June 20, 2017, 09:19:06 AMAnd any US 36 KC bound traffic is going to take the shorter, faster I-55 I-72 over to Hannibal instead of the expensive East West Tollway through Galesburg, etc on non limited access portions that are longer and slower.

There is nothing that says someone cannot shunpike via I-80.  I-55 is also starting to become reliable at having congestion due to the section through Springfield, construction, or backups caused by speed enforcement.

As to IL 336 being a waste, I would like to see the traffic forecasts from the EIS (along with the assumptions for those), plus give it a few more years of traffic growth before jumping to that conclusion.  The counts do indicate it is gaining volume, and may have done so faster were it not for the recession.

Quote from: inkyatari on June 21, 2017, 08:50:12 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 20, 2017, 07:00:18 PM
. One could even make an argument that I-72 doesn't even need to be a freeway west of Springfield (instead, they could have just made US 36 an expressway).

If Missouri would make a continuation of I-72 to KC, it might get a lot busier, but I don't see MoDOT ever doing that, let alone continuing the corridor straight across .

Based on IDOT's counts, traffic has already started increasing on I-72.  There is certainly the traffic potential with the US 36 expressway across Missouri and the worsening conditions on I-70.  Better that it was built right the first time instead of being built similar to US 51 south of Bloomington and in need of unfunded upgrades.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on June 21, 2017, 09:32:55 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 21, 2017, 09:07:14 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on June 20, 2017, 09:19:06 AMAnd any US 36 KC bound traffic is going to take the shorter, faster I-55 I-72 over to Hannibal instead of the expensive East West Tollway through Galesburg, etc on non limited access portions that are longer and slower.

There is nothing that says someone cannot shunpike via I-80.  I-55 is also starting to become reliable at having congestion due to the section through Springfield, construction, or backups caused by speed enforcement.

As to IL 336 being a waste, I would like to see the traffic forecasts from the EIS (along with the assumptions for those), plus give it a few more years of traffic growth before jumping to that conclusion.  The counts do indicate it is gaining volume, and may have done so faster were it not for the recession.

Quote from: inkyatari on June 21, 2017, 08:50:12 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 20, 2017, 07:00:18 PM
. One could even make an argument that I-72 doesn't even need to be a freeway west of Springfield (instead, they could have just made US 36 an expressway).

If Missouri would make a continuation of I-72 to KC, it might get a lot busier, but I don't see MoDOT ever doing that, let alone continuing the corridor straight across .

Based on IDOT's counts, traffic has already started increasing on I-72.  There is certainly the traffic potential with the US 36 expressway across Missouri and the worsening conditions on I-70.  Better that it was built right the first time instead of being built similar to US 51 south of Bloomington and in need of unfunded upgrades.

Honestly, if I am going to KC, I go 80 to 35. Less traffic and seems quicker by an hr.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: csw on June 21, 2017, 10:22:32 PM
336 does seem unnecessary to me. I drove a few sections of it last weekend and it was virtually empty. I was surprised to see a divided highway in that location for sure
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 21, 2017, 10:44:49 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 21, 2017, 09:07:14 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on June 20, 2017, 09:19:06 AMAnd any US 36 KC bound traffic is going to take the shorter, faster I-55 I-72 over to Hannibal instead of the expensive East West Tollway through Galesburg, etc on non limited access portions that are longer and slower.

There is nothing that says someone cannot shunpike via I-80.  I-55 is also starting to become reliable at having congestion due to the section through Springfield, construction, or backups caused by speed enforcement.

As to IL 336 being a waste, I would like to see the traffic forecasts from the EIS (along with the assumptions for those), plus give it a few more years of traffic growth before jumping to that conclusion.  The counts do indicate it is gaining volume, and may have done so faster were it not for the recession.

Quote from: inkyatari on June 21, 2017, 08:50:12 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 20, 2017, 07:00:18 PM
. One could even make an argument that I-72 doesn't even need to be a freeway west of Springfield (instead, they could have just made US 36 an expressway).

If Missouri would make a continuation of I-72 to KC, it might get a lot busier, but I don't see MoDOT ever doing that, let alone continuing the corridor straight across .

Based on IDOT's counts, traffic has already started increasing on I-72.  There is certainly the traffic potential with the US 36 expressway across Missouri and the worsening conditions on I-70.  Better that it was built right the first time instead of being built similar to US 51 south of Bloomington and in need of unfunded upgrades.

Can you give us some counts on IL-336? I find it hard to believe traffic is truly increasing. 

Also, I see your point on I-72, but the expressway portion of US 36 in Missouri seems to be working (aside from the traffic light just east of I-35). I don't see the Missouri portion of US 36 being upgraded to Interstate standards anytime.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 21, 2017, 10:51:54 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 21, 2017, 09:32:55 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 21, 2017, 09:07:14 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on June 20, 2017, 09:19:06 AMAnd any US 36 KC bound traffic is going to take the shorter, faster I-55 I-72 over to Hannibal instead of the expensive East West Tollway through Galesburg, etc on non limited access portions that are longer and slower.

There is nothing that says someone cannot shunpike via I-80.  I-55 is also starting to become reliable at having congestion due to the section through Springfield, construction, or backups caused by speed enforcement.

As to IL 336 being a waste, I would like to see the traffic forecasts from the EIS (along with the assumptions for those), plus give it a few more years of traffic growth before jumping to that conclusion.  The counts do indicate it is gaining volume, and may have done so faster were it not for the recession.

Quote from: inkyatari on June 21, 2017, 08:50:12 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 20, 2017, 07:00:18 PM
. One could even make an argument that I-72 doesn't even need to be a freeway west of Springfield (instead, they could have just made US 36 an expressway).

If Missouri would make a continuation of I-72 to KC, it might get a lot busier, but I don't see MoDOT ever doing that, let alone continuing the corridor straight across .

Based on IDOT's counts, traffic has already started increasing on I-72.  There is certainly the traffic potential with the US 36 expressway across Missouri and the worsening conditions on I-70.  Better that it was built right the first time instead of being built similar to US 51 south of Bloomington and in need of unfunded upgrades.

Honestly, if I am going to KC, I go 80 to 35. Less traffic and seems quicker by an hr.

^ This

I did this a few times. Much better than I-70.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 22, 2017, 06:16:16 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on June 21, 2017, 09:32:55 PM
Honestly, if I am going to KC, I go 80 to 35. Less traffic and seems quicker by an hr.

Maybe I'm just good at hitting I-80 on the wrong days (when there is not even a football game in Iowa City), but it is on it's way to becoming as pleasant as I-70 across Missouri.

Quote from: I-39Can you give us some counts on IL-336? I find it hard to believe traffic is truly increasing.

See https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/gai.htm?mt=aadt (https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/gai.htm?mt=aadt) and compare some of the current counts against the historic counts (which requires checking the 'Identify Historic Counts' box and then clicking on the current count numbers.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 22, 2017, 07:14:41 PM
Quote from: I-39Can you give us some counts on IL-336? I find it hard to believe traffic is truly increasing.
See https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/gai.htm?mt=aadt (https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/gai.htm?mt=aadt) and compare some of the current counts against the historic counts (which requires checking the 'Identify Historic Counts' box and then clicking on the current count numbers.
[/quote]

Eh, it's not really increasing dramatically. In fact, in a lot of areas, its fluctuating. Plus, 3000-5000 VPD doesn't really scream the need for four lanes. I'd rather take an all-Interstate route I-55 to I-72/US 36 rather than non-Interstate Illinois 336.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ajlynch91 on June 23, 2017, 10:18:49 AM
The 336 number is also a waste, which doesn't say anything about the traffic counts, but it is completely multiplexed with 110...if IDOT wants to use that number for the CKC, fine, if not then they should just decommission it, because it really makes no sense having 336 completely multiplexed with another number for its entire length.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 23, 2017, 02:09:43 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on June 23, 2017, 10:18:49 AM
The 336 number is also a waste, which doesn't say anything about the traffic counts, but it is completely multiplexed with 110...if IDOT wants to use that number for the CKC, fine, if not then they should just decommission it, because it really makes no sense having 336 completely multiplexed with another number for its entire length.

Actually, IL-336 means something as it used to be a branch off US-36.  It's IL-110 that's a complete and total waste.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ajlynch91 on June 23, 2017, 03:25:41 PM
Except 110 goes on longer in both directions. If you want to decommission that, I have no disagreements since no segment of the road is not multiplexed with another number, but between the two, I would still get rid of 336. That it's a spur of US-36 doesn't really give a whole lot of incentive to keep that number since it really goes nowhere.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sparker on June 23, 2017, 03:46:58 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on June 23, 2017, 03:25:41 PM
Except 110 goes on longer in both directions. If you want to decommission that, I have no disagreements since no segment of the road is not multiplexed with another number, but between the two, I would still get rid of 336. That it's a spur of US-36 doesn't really give a whole lot of incentive to keep that number since it really goes nowhere.

Just call it IL 172 as a state expressway extension of the Interstate of the same number.  If an existing route needs to be renumbered, so be it.  Whether to continue that number all the way up to I-74 should be a locally-decided matter (or let IDOT tackle that one).  But 110 is a total waste of time and signing cost/effort; it needs to go! 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 23, 2017, 09:31:37 PM
Per this article flashing yellow arrows are coming to US 150/University Avenue in Champaign-Urbana:  http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-06-23/toms-mailbag-june-23-2017.html (http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2017-06-23/toms-mailbag-june-23-2017.html)

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 23, 2017, 10:43:35 PM
Quote from: Brandon on June 23, 2017, 02:09:43 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on June 23, 2017, 10:18:49 AM
The 336 number is also a waste, which doesn't say anything about the traffic counts, but it is completely multiplexed with 110...if IDOT wants to use that number for the CKC, fine, if not then they should just decommission it, because it really makes no sense having 336 completely multiplexed with another number for its entire length.

Actually, IL-336 means something as it used to be a branch off US-36.  It's IL-110 that's a complete and total waste.

Gonna have to go with Brandon on this one.  IL-110 is a completely useless and extraneous designation.  Its purpose is to serve as a route from Chicago to Kansas City, when it's not even nearly the best route between those two destinations. IL-336 at least clearly defines the expressway section connecting Macomb and Quincy.  The number fits the scheme of US Highways, so if there's any hope of having it upgraded to a US highway, the number of 336 is appropriate.  That's a big "if", though.  If it's destined to always be a state highway, they might as well give it a lower number like the rest of Illinois's highways--110 would work for that, actually!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on June 23, 2017, 10:46:12 PM
why does there need to be a freeway between kc and chicago at all?  isn't what's already there good enough? 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sparker on June 24, 2017, 03:52:40 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 23, 2017, 10:46:12 PM
why does there need to be a freeway between kc and chicago at all?  isn't what's already there good enough? 

The whole CKC/"110" concept was devised by interests in W. Illinois primarily to call attention to their region and direct developmental dollars toward that region.  Part of their strategy was to re-direct Chicago-to-KC traffic -- particularly of the commercial variety -- to the corridor passing through the midst of the area; hence the continuous "110" number between the termini.  IMO the concept is misguided -- although the corridor is now essentially a through 4-lane route thanks to the  Macomb (IL) bypass -- no trucker with a working GPS or the ability to read a map will seriously consider using a grid-pattern right-angled route across western Illinois -- especially one that involves the I-88 toll road -- when there are plenty of more direct and less costly alternatives.  I-80 to I-35 is the most obvious; and if St. Louis avoidance is desired and something a bit more direct than a Des Moines routing is also sought, I-55/I-72/US 36/I-35 works just fine, and is about 25 miles less distance than a "110"-based route.  This is one of those well-meaning (at least in terms of trying to "boost" the standing of one's local region) but misbegotten concepts that begs the question "what were they thinking? (or smoking!?)"   
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on June 24, 2017, 07:51:39 AM
All those concepts (like "Avenue of the Saints") are sold as better routes between two cities but are largely an excuse to build up highways in areas without them.  Really how many people drive between St. Louis and St. Paul, or between Chicago and KC, on a regular basis?  Relatively few. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on June 24, 2017, 09:46:10 AM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on June 23, 2017, 03:25:41 PM
Except 110 goes on longer in both directions. If you want to decommission that, I have no disagreements since no segment of the road is not multiplexed with another number, but between the two, I would still get rid of 336. That it's a spur of US-36 doesn't really give a whole lot of incentive to keep that number since it really goes nowhere.
IL-110 is duplexed with another highway it's entire route. Nobody cares about it nobody follows it. I am surprised it hasn't been done away with as is.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on June 24, 2017, 10:42:55 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 24, 2017, 09:46:10 AM
Nobody cares about it nobody follows it.

Apparently these people didn't get the memo about "not caring" (Yes, it's a useless route, and it probably won't move the needle, but they're trying):

""This is wonderful news. This allows us to start advertising the CKC as a national corridor," said Pat Poepping, a Quincy engineer and a member of the summit's steering committee."

"Thomas A. Oakley, a member of the summit's Transportation Task Force, said regional efforts first started promoting construction of the CKC in 1957. Illinois highways comprising the route were finished in 2008, and the Missouri portion was completed in 2010. Oakley said the summit is thrilled that the Macomb bypass project has finally started.

With the CKC logo and Route 110 signs on every route marker between downtown Chicago and downtown Kansas City, Oakley said communities along the CKC will be able to promote their location on the CKC."

"Even along Highway 36 there's other sections that overlap top of 36," said Kevin James, the Assistant District Engineer with MoDot. "The adding of Highway 110 and CKC is for a longer section but something to be used as a tool to promote economic development.""

"Dixon Mayor Jim Burke hopes a new route that passes through town will mean a big boost to local tourism across the Sauk Valley."

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on June 24, 2017, 12:41:15 PM
IL-110 has been around for like 6 years now. Has it done anything to promote tourism? Has anyone benefited from it?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on June 24, 2017, 02:23:26 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 24, 2017, 12:41:15 PM
IL-110 has been around for like 6 years now. Has it done anything to promote tourism? Has anyone benefited from it?

I don't know, but at this point does it matter? It's paid for, the towns that it runs through are happy about that, and life goes on. I don't think removing the route benefits anyone at this point (and also has a cost attached to it).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 24, 2017, 02:36:52 PM
Does the average person even realize 110 exists? I don't think there really is any benefit to it. Most people want to take Interstates, so they will take I-55/72/US 36 or I-55/70 to get to Kansas City. The whole thing is kind of stupid if you ask me.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on June 24, 2017, 07:36:46 PM
isn't 110 just stitched together existing routes across illinois? 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sparker on June 24, 2017, 11:52:40 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 24, 2017, 07:36:46 PM
isn't 110 just stitched together existing routes across illinois? 

yes.....AND Missouri.  Two states with unnecessary signage costs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on June 25, 2017, 03:01:55 PM
the only thing that makes that route interesting is the ckc sign
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ajlynch91 on June 25, 2017, 06:06:13 PM
It is pointless because of the fact that it overlaps roads completely across Illinois and Missouri. Removing 336 would add some legitimacy to the route, but not much. My point in favoring the 110 over 336, as stated before, is that 336 is also relatively pointless, as its only going to be going from Quincy to Peoria, and in the case of two pointless routes, I'd take the longer one with the better connections (Chicago to Kansas City) than two very small cities in the middle of nowhere.

But ultimately, both are pointless routes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sparker on June 26, 2017, 12:19:41 PM
Quote from: ajlynch91 on June 25, 2017, 06:06:13 PM
It is pointless because of the fact that it overlaps roads completely across Illinois and Missouri. Removing 336 would add some legitimacy to the route, but not much. My point in favoring the 110 over 336, as stated before, is that 336 is also relatively pointless, as its only going to be going from Quincy to Peoria, and in the case of two pointless routes, I'd take the longer one with the better connections (Chicago to Kansas City) than two very small cities in the middle of nowhere.

But ultimately, both are pointless routes.

And, as with most pointless routes/corridors, initiated as a result of localized ego, localized resentment, or a combination of both.  West-central Illinois doesn't get a lot of attention because it doesn't contain sizeable population centers and/or tourist attractions, not because of purposeful ignorance.  It is intrinsically valuable as what it is -- farmland with intervening towns -- but barring some unforeseen set of circumstances, it'll never attract the type of development that characterizes larger cities and suburbs.  Perhaps the CKC will attract a couple of truck stop facilities and a few Hardee's somewhere along its length -- but that's about it!  If the corridor's "cheerleaders" are looking for much more, all that can be said is "be careful what you wish for"!  Attracting "development" to one's area is the proverbial double-edged sword.  Besides, all but the Quincy-Galesburg segment of the CKC is along facilities that have been multi-lane for quite some time; commercial enhancements geared toward the "pass-through" trade are likely already there.  One of the aspects of commercial roadside service provisions such as fast-food outlets, convenience stores/gas stations, etc. is that they're expected, for the most part, by both franchise suppliers and franchise holders to do "double-duty" by not only serving traffic on the expressway/freeway facility where they're located -- but also to attract business from local residents -- which is why most of these are located in small (2K-10K) towns along the route rather than at rural interchanges surrounded by largely unpopulated fields.  Unless the CKC/110 can (unexpectedly) siphon extraordinary levels of traffic away from the existing main routes between its named end points, the chances are that the roadside facilities that are already existing along US 34 and US 67 from Monmouth to Macomb are more than sufficient to handle what through traffic it will get.  And the (relatively) "new-terrain" section from Macomb to Quincy:  except for the largely-bypassed Carthage, there's not much opportunity for road-service development there due to the lack of potential for local usage; 110/336 will remain a set of lanes through the fields with occasional undeveloped interchanges a la the typical upper-Midwest expressway arrangement.  The west-central IL area in question here is too far from any metro employment to serve as exurbs -- so unless the developmental goals include warehousing or distribution centers (unlikely for a state-signed expressway), a few select "pass-through" facilities are likely to constitute the maximum of what can be expected -- which underscores the pointlessness -- and ultimate futility -- of the whole enterprise.       
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 26, 2017, 03:32:47 PM
In a nutshell, three laning I-55 through Springfield would do more to facilitate a good route to KC (that bypasses St. Louis) than 110.

Three laning 55 should be the next high priority item on IDOT's list, if money ever presents itself.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 26, 2017, 07:18:39 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 26, 2017, 03:32:47 PM
Three laning 55 should be the next high priority item on IDOT's list, if money ever presents itself.

That and rebuilding the I-39/US 20 corridor in Rockford. Those are (arguably) the two biggest bottlenecks outside of the Chicago area. Also, the I-57/74 interchange should be right under those as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 27, 2017, 12:48:48 AM
I-57 between I-24/Marion and I-64/Mount Vernon needs 6 laned also (partially done). Very heavy truck traffic, with the SW/NE bound traffic from I-57 (Memphis-Chicago, and points beyond) and the SE/NW bound traffic from I-24/I-64 (Atlanta-St Louis, and points beyond).

Two separate commercial truck routes converge on that small section of I-57

Of course, the other way to fix that would be to build I-24 directly to I-255 on the SE corner of the STL Beltway, but thats certainly not happening any time soon, if ever, and would cost just a little bit more...

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sparker on June 27, 2017, 01:04:01 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on June 27, 2017, 12:48:48 AM
I-57 between I-24/Marion and I-64/Mount Vernon needs 6 laned also (partially done). Very heavy truck traffic, with the SW/NE bound traffic from I-57 (Memphis-Chicago, and points beyond) and the SE/NW bound traffic from I-24/I-64 (Atlanta-St Louis, and points beyond).

Two separate commercial truck routes converge on that small section of I-57

Of course, the other way to fix that would be to build I-24 directly to I-255 on the SE corner of the STL Beltway, but thats certainly not happening any time soon, if ever, and would cost just a little bit more...



Actually, six-laning I-57, particularly if the additional lanes are built in the median, would cost much,much less than a new-terrain extension of I-24 into greater St. Louis primarily because of property acquisition cost.  Even six-laning both I-57 from I-24 to I-64 and I-64 west of there all the way to ESL would in all likelihood be less than a 24 extension.   
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 27, 2017, 02:17:00 AM
Yes, it would be much more expensive to build I-24 directly to the I-255 Beltway of STL...I was using a bit of *sarcasm* saying that it would be just a bit more to build/extend I-24 to relieve some of the truck traffic on I-57 between Marion and Mount Vernon

IDOT has already 6-laned some portions, and I believe it is in their plans to upgrade the entire I-57 corridor between I-24 and I-64 to 6 lanes, and it, almost certainly, has to be considerably cheaper than building a new terrain Freeway

Once you get to I-64 West to STL/I-57 North to Chicago gore point in Mount Vernon, it really doesn't need it, because each route is back to its normal traffic level -- its just the "Multiplexed" SE<->NW and SW<->NE routes on that section of I-57 that has a very high truck travel volume, due to it serving 2 separate routes, despite only being signed I-57 (duplexing I-24 over I-57 and I-64 to STL doesn't prove a whole lot, so its not done)

I also selfishly want the fantasy I-24 extension, because it would cut my travel time to STL to about 1 hour, instead of 2, but I don't have the millions laying around to build it privately (and if I did, I'd just get a helicopter, anyway)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on June 27, 2017, 02:36:56 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 24, 2017, 02:36:52 PM
Does the average person even realize 110 exists? I don't think there really is any benefit to it. Most people want to take Interstates, so they will take I-55/72/US 36 or I-55/70 to get to Kansas City. The whole thing is kind of stupid if you ask me.
I never really thought Chicago to KC was a very popular connection anyways. It's certainly not like Chicago to NYC or Chicago to LA.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Finrod on June 27, 2017, 03:08:09 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 27, 2017, 02:36:56 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 24, 2017, 02:36:52 PM
Does the average person even realize 110 exists? I don't think there really is any benefit to it. Most people want to take Interstates, so they will take I-55/72/US 36 or I-55/70 to get to Kansas City. The whole thing is kind of stupid if you ask me.
I never really thought Chicago to KC was a very popular connection anyways. It's certainly not like Chicago to NYC or Chicago to LA.

My ex has family in Chicago, Kansas City and Dallas.  When they wanted to save money going to Kansas City, they drove one time, and I believe they went I-55 to I-70.  I-88 was a non-starter because of the toll.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 27, 2017, 03:46:31 PM
Quote from: Finrod on June 27, 2017, 03:08:09 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 27, 2017, 02:36:56 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 24, 2017, 02:36:52 PM
Does the average person even realize 110 exists? I don't think there really is any benefit to it. Most people want to take Interstates, so they will take I-55/72/US 36 or I-55/70 to get to Kansas City. The whole thing is kind of stupid if you ask me.
I never really thought Chicago to KC was a very popular connection anyways. It's certainly not like Chicago to NYC or Chicago to LA.

My ex has family in Chicago, Kansas City and Dallas.  When they wanted to save money going to Kansas City, they drove one time, and I believe they went I-55 to I-70.  I-88 was a non-starter because of the toll.

From here, I've found I-55 to I-72/US-36 and then down I-35 to be the least stressful of all the routes I've used.  I-70, to put it bluntly, sucks.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 27, 2017, 06:11:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on June 27, 2017, 03:46:31 PM
Quote from: Finrod on June 27, 2017, 03:08:09 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 27, 2017, 02:36:56 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 24, 2017, 02:36:52 PM
Does the average person even realize 110 exists? I don't think there really is any benefit to it. Most people want to take Interstates, so they will take I-55/72/US 36 or I-55/70 to get to Kansas City. The whole thing is kind of stupid if you ask me.
I never really thought Chicago to KC was a very popular connection anyways. It's certainly not like Chicago to NYC or Chicago to LA.

My ex has family in Chicago, Kansas City and Dallas.  When they wanted to save money going to Kansas City, they drove one time, and I believe they went I-55 to I-70.  I-88 was a non-starter because of the toll.

From here, I've found I-55 to I-72/US-36 and then down I-35 to be the least stressful of all the routes I've used.  I-70, to put it bluntly, sucks.

Even with I-70 being a controlled-access freeway vs. the US 36 expressway with at-grade intersections? How fast can you go on US 36?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 27, 2017, 07:05:08 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 27, 2017, 06:11:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on June 27, 2017, 03:46:31 PM
Quote from: Finrod on June 27, 2017, 03:08:09 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 27, 2017, 02:36:56 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 24, 2017, 02:36:52 PM
Does the average person even realize 110 exists? I don't think there really is any benefit to it. Most people want to take Interstates, so they will take I-55/72/US 36 or I-55/70 to get to Kansas City. The whole thing is kind of stupid if you ask me.
I never really thought Chicago to KC was a very popular connection anyways. It's certainly not like Chicago to NYC or Chicago to LA.

My ex has family in Chicago, Kansas City and Dallas.  When they wanted to save money going to Kansas City, they drove one time, and I believe they went I-55 to I-70.  I-88 was a non-starter because of the toll.

From here, I've found I-55 to I-72/US-36 and then down I-35 to be the least stressful of all the routes I've used.  I-70, to put it bluntly, sucks.

Even with I-70 being a controlled-access freeway vs. the US 36 expressway with at-grade intersections? How fast can you go on US 36?

The limit is 65, but it's easy to do 70-75 with little trouble.  The only traffic light is at I-35, and the busier roads US-36 crosses have interchanges.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 27, 2017, 07:59:55 PM
Quote from: Brandon on June 27, 2017, 07:05:08 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 27, 2017, 06:11:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on June 27, 2017, 03:46:31 PM
Quote from: Finrod on June 27, 2017, 03:08:09 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 27, 2017, 02:36:56 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 24, 2017, 02:36:52 PM
Does the average person even realize 110 exists? I don't think there really is any benefit to it. Most people want to take Interstates, so they will take I-55/72/US 36 or I-55/70 to get to Kansas City. The whole thing is kind of stupid if you ask me.
I never really thought Chicago to KC was a very popular connection anyways. It's certainly not like Chicago to NYC or Chicago to LA.

My ex has family in Chicago, Kansas City and Dallas.  When they wanted to save money going to Kansas City, they drove one time, and I believe they went I-55 to I-70.  I-88 was a non-starter because of the toll.

From here, I've found I-55 to I-72/US-36 and then down I-35 to be the least stressful of all the routes I've used.  I-70, to put it bluntly, sucks.

Even with I-70 being a controlled-access freeway vs. the US 36 expressway with at-grade intersections? How fast can you go on US 36?

The limit is 65, but it's easy to do 70-75 with little trouble.  The only traffic light is at I-35, and the busier roads US-36 crosses have interchanges.

Interesting. I bet it gets more traffic when I-70 eventually undergoes reconstruction.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 30, 2017, 12:16:46 PM
Well, today is it.  We'll see if IDOT can continue to pay contractors to do road work, or if they just stop dead at midnight.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on June 30, 2017, 01:38:44 PM
The outcome could affect my own schedule in the coming month.  My employer has an active contract with IDOT so we've had to plan contingencies for their budget impasse.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 08, 2017, 08:29:19 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 20, 2017, 09:25:58 AM
Forgottonia wouldn't stop complaining about the lack of state funds used in the area.

The push from the towns along the IL 336 corridor appear to be why IL 336 managed to be one of the supplemental freeway corridors that managed to be mostly built in some form.


And now for a couple tidbits based on the old EIS's for I-155:

* The corridor would have been built sooner had the original EIS survived a court challenge

* One of the reasons the corridor was built as a full freeway was due to the number of trucks expected to use the corridor as a connector between I-74 and I-55.  Also, one of the later EIS's indicates that most of the corridor was going to need to be a freeway (particularly the section near I-74), plus the section for the Mackinaw River Bridge replacement had been built as a freeway, so it was decide to built the whole corridor as a freeway the first time around.




I'm also wondering if the expressway-like sections of US 66 across Illinois had a bad safety record, which lead to a dislike of expressways in Illinois for a bit compared to full freeways.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 16, 2017, 11:13:51 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 08, 2017, 08:29:19 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 20, 2017, 09:25:58 AM
Forgottonia wouldn't stop complaining about the lack of state funds used in the area.

The push from the towns along the IL 336 corridor appear to be why IL 336 managed to be one of the supplemental freeway corridors that managed to be mostly built in some form.


And now for a couple tidbits based on the old EIS's for I-155:

* The corridor would have been built sooner had the original EIS survived a court challenge

* One of the reasons the corridor was built as a full freeway was due to the number of trucks expected to use the corridor as a connector between I-74 and I-55.  Also, one of the later EIS's indicates that most of the corridor was going to need to be a freeway (particularly the section near I-74), plus the section for the Mackinaw River Bridge replacement had been built as a freeway, so it was decide to built the whole corridor as a freeway the first time around.




I'm also wondering if the expressway-like sections of US 66 across Illinois had a bad safety record, which lead to a dislike of expressways in Illinois for a bit compared to full freeways.

As a former IDOT technician who worked on the original construction of I-55, the one we always heard about was the traffic signal at US66 and IL-47 at Dwight. First signalized intersection south of Chicago, and lots of stories about bad wrecks and fatalities. My dad (who also worked at IDOT) rebuilt a railroad grade crossing at Chenoa before I-55 was opened and a truck ran the barricade and messed everything up (I think the driver survived).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on July 16, 2017, 09:05:09 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 08, 2017, 08:29:19 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 20, 2017, 09:25:58 AM
Forgottonia wouldn't stop complaining about the lack of state funds used in the area.

The push from the towns along the IL 336 corridor appear to be why IL 336 managed to be one of the supplemental freeway corridors that managed to be mostly built in some form.


And now for a couple tidbits based on the old EIS's for I-155:

* The corridor would have been built sooner had the original EIS survived a court challenge

* One of the reasons the corridor was built as a full freeway was due to the number of trucks expected to use the corridor as a connector between I-74 and I-55.  Also, one of the later EIS's indicates that most of the corridor was going to need to be a freeway (particularly the section near I-74), plus the section for the Mackinaw River Bridge replacement had been built as a freeway, so it was decide to built the whole corridor as a freeway the first time around.




I'm also wondering if the expressway-like sections of US 66 across Illinois had a bad safety record, which lead to a dislike of expressways in Illinois for a bit compared to full freeways.

Then, after completing most of the interstates, IDOT went on to upgrade US 51 from Decatur to Bloomington into a 4 lane divided expressway complete with at-grade intersections with other state highways and an at-grade railroad crossing too. I guess IDOT thought the corridor from Decatur to Bloomington wasn't as important as what became I-39 from Normal to Rockford.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on July 16, 2017, 09:19:59 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on July 16, 2017, 09:05:09 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 08, 2017, 08:29:19 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 20, 2017, 09:25:58 AM
Forgottonia wouldn't stop complaining about the lack of state funds used in the area.

The push from the towns along the IL 336 corridor appear to be why IL 336 managed to be one of the supplemental freeway corridors that managed to be mostly built in some form.


And now for a couple tidbits based on the old EIS's for I-155:

* The corridor would have been built sooner had the original EIS survived a court challenge

* One of the reasons the corridor was built as a full freeway was due to the number of trucks expected to use the corridor as a connector between I-74 and I-55.  Also, one of the later EIS's indicates that most of the corridor was going to need to be a freeway (particularly the section near I-74), plus the section for the Mackinaw River Bridge replacement had been built as a freeway, so it was decide to built the whole corridor as a freeway the first time around.




I'm also wondering if the expressway-like sections of US 66 across Illinois had a bad safety record, which lead to a dislike of expressways in Illinois for a bit compared to full freeways.

Then, after completing most of the interstates, IDOT went on to upgrade US 51 from Decatur to Bloomington into a 4 lane divided expressway complete with at-grade intersections with other state highways and an at-grade railroad crossing too. I guess IDOT thought the corridor from Decatur to Bloomington wasn't as important as what became I-39 from Normal to Rockford.


Because it isn't?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 18, 2017, 11:29:39 AM
All this talk of "Forgottonia" has gotten me thinking...Is this just an Illinois-specific thing?  Are there regions in other states that have whined equally loudly about the lack of state funds applied to their region?  And then the DOT responded and gave them a useless expressway without any regard for logistics?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 18, 2017, 01:45:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 18, 2017, 11:29:39 AM
All this talk of "Forgottonia" has gotten me thinking...Is this just an Illinois-specific thing?  Are there regions in other states that have whined equally loudly about the lack of state funds applied to their region?  And then the DOT responded and gave them a useless expressway without any regard for logistics?

See:"Ada, Oklahoma" in the Central States section.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on July 18, 2017, 02:05:49 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 18, 2017, 01:45:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 18, 2017, 11:29:39 AM
All this talk of "Forgottonia" has gotten me thinking...Is this just an Illinois-specific thing?  Are there regions in other states that have whined equally loudly about the lack of state funds applied to their region?  And then the DOT responded and gave them a useless expressway without any regard for logistics?

See:"Ada, Oklahoma" in the Central States section.
:-D that stupid 2 lane toll road. what the hell were they thinking?  also, click on the city when you're on google maps, it has bizarre boarders, those can't be right can they?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on July 18, 2017, 05:45:29 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 20, 2017, 09:25:58 AM
Quote from: I-39 on June 18, 2017, 08:39:50 PM

Of course, if they hadn't wasted tons of $$$ on the Illinois 336 corridor, they just might have been able to four lane US 67 between Jacksonville and Macomb by now.

Forgottonia wouldn't stop complaining about the lack of state funds used in the area.

Speaking of "Forgottonia's", how's the US 20 Galena bypass coming along?  :spin:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on July 18, 2017, 08:45:49 PM
"Forgottonia" = low population area that wants more than its fair share of resources.  Apparently, induced demand is a fallacy in the suburbs, but sound government policy in the sticks.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: rte66man on July 19, 2017, 11:10:15 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on July 18, 2017, 02:05:49 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 18, 2017, 01:45:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 18, 2017, 11:29:39 AM
All this talk of "Forgottonia" has gotten me thinking...Is this just an Illinois-specific thing?  Are there regions in other states that have whined equally loudly about the lack of state funds applied to their region?  And then the DOT responded and gave them a useless expressway without any regard for logistics?

See:"Ada, Oklahoma" in the Central States section.
:-D that stupid 2 lane toll road. what the hell were they thinking?  also, click on the city when you're on google maps, it has bizarre boarders, those can't be right can they?

That true for most of OK.  The rural folks are always whining about OKC and Tulsa getting all the dollars while Tulsa whines about OKC getting all the dollars.

Not that OTA gave the Chickasaw to ODOT, there is no change of it ever:
(1) - getting four laned from Roff to Sulphur, or
(2) - getting extended to I-35 at the Turner Falls exit.
since those were the original goals when the road was first built.  As it is, OK1 is an abomination from Roff to Ada.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on July 19, 2017, 11:28:30 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 18, 2017, 11:29:39 AM
All this talk of "Forgottonia" has gotten me thinking...Is this just an Illinois-specific thing?  Are there regions in other states that have whined equally loudly about the lack of state funds applied to their region?  And then the DOT responded and gave them a useless expressway without any regard for logistics?

It seems to be pretty common in the Midwest. I grew up in Wisconsin and you hear the same complaints NW of a line from Green Bay to Madison. The Michigan UP and a few of the northern "mitten" counties at one time wanted to separate from the rest of the state and have their own state of Superior, which would be more a welfare state than West Virginia. I live in Missouri now and I hear the same complaints about areas outside of KC and STL, even Springfield which gets plenty of support. Illinois south of I-70 also complains about their state's domination by the Chicago region. I don't know if this is true in other parts of the country, but I can imagine it in Georgia, Oregon, and other states with a dominant economic region.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on July 19, 2017, 12:21:40 PM
Quote from: skluth on July 19, 2017, 11:28:30 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 18, 2017, 11:29:39 AM
All this talk of "Forgottonia" has gotten me thinking...Is this just an Illinois-specific thing?  Are there regions in other states that have whined equally loudly about the lack of state funds applied to their region?  And then the DOT responded and gave them a useless expressway without any regard for logistics?

It seems to be pretty common in the Midwest. I grew up in Wisconsin and you hear the same complaints NW of a line from Green Bay to Madison. The Michigan UP and a few of the northern "mitten" counties at one time wanted to separate from the rest of the state and have their own state of Superior, which would be more a welfare state than West Virginia. I live in Missouri now and I hear the same complaints about areas outside of KC and STL, even Springfield which gets plenty of support. Illinois south of I-70 also complains about their state's domination by the Chicago region. I don't know if this is true in other parts of the country, but I can imagine it in Georgia, Oregon, and other states with a dominant economic region.

i feel like this is true for every state.  here in indiana, the government pretends NW indiana doesn't exist
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on July 19, 2017, 06:35:54 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on July 16, 2017, 09:19:59 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on July 16, 2017, 09:05:09 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 08, 2017, 08:29:19 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 20, 2017, 09:25:58 AM
Forgottonia wouldn't stop complaining about the lack of state funds used in the area.

The push from the towns along the IL 336 corridor appear to be why IL 336 managed to be one of the supplemental freeway corridors that managed to be mostly built in some form.


And now for a couple tidbits based on the old EIS's for I-155:

* The corridor would have been built sooner had the original EIS survived a court challenge

* One of the reasons the corridor was built as a full freeway was due to the number of trucks expected to use the corridor as a connector between I-74 and I-55.  Also, one of the later EIS's indicates that most of the corridor was going to need to be a freeway (particularly the section near I-74), plus the section for the Mackinaw River Bridge replacement had been built as a freeway, so it was decide to built the whole corridor as a freeway the first time around.




I'm also wondering if the expressway-like sections of US 66 across Illinois had a bad safety record, which lead to a dislike of expressways in Illinois for a bit compared to full freeways.

Then, after completing most of the interstates, IDOT went on to upgrade US 51 from Decatur to Bloomington into a 4 lane divided expressway complete with at-grade intersections with other state highways and an at-grade railroad crossing too. I guess IDOT thought the corridor from Decatur to Bloomington wasn't as important as what became I-39 from Normal to Rockford.


Because it isn't?

It would have been if it had been built to interstate standards as it should have been. The Bloomington-Decatur section of US 51 had a higher accident rate than the Ogelsby-Normal section. Had they gone for the freeway, there would have been considerable pressure to continue the freeway south of Decatur (or at least upgradable expressway).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rothman on July 19, 2017, 10:29:21 PM


Quote from: silverback1065

i feel like this is true for every state.  here in indiana, the government pretends NW indiana doesn't exist

I wouldn't want to admit Gary's existence, either.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 20, 2017, 09:00:07 AM
Looking at old state maps, and I noted that there was an alternate US 20 through Chicago called "CITY 20".  Was this ever signed as such, or was it signed as ALT?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on July 20, 2017, 11:43:41 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 20, 2017, 09:00:07 AM
Looking at old state maps, and I noted that there was an alternate US 20 through Chicago called "CITY 20".  Was this ever signed as such, or was it signed as ALT?
http://www.n9jig.com/1-20.html
City US-20 was the old route of US-20 which ran east on Lake Street in Chicago, then south to Indiana along Torrance Av. (among other roads) until 1938. US-20 was rerouted around Chicago, and the old route became City US-20. It became Business US-20 in 1960, and lost the number altogether in 1968.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on July 26, 2017, 12:11:48 AM
Illinois 2017 official highway map is now available.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2017ILMap.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 27, 2017, 08:56:09 AM
The I-55 bridge over the Des Plaines River will have one lane closed each way from 7 am to 2 PM for inspection starting the 14th of August
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 31, 2017, 09:39:50 AM
I've had a fictional highway proposal of a western IL 47 bypass of Yorkville.  Part of that would include a bridge over the Fox River betrween Yorkville and Silver Springs State Park.

Well, it looks like a new bridge is going to be built, although not as a IL 47 bypass...

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/kendall-county-board-approves-eminent-domain-along-eldamain-rd/article_f0ae1e12-064c-11e6-9589-afb41412f38a.html


I hope they build the bridge two lanes, each direction.

EDIT:  Oops.  The bridge is still just proposed....
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 31, 2017, 02:26:10 PM
^^ It's much needed.  Otherwise you go all the way over to Plano at Fox River Dr/Ben St.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 31, 2017, 02:38:24 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 31, 2017, 09:39:50 AM
I've had a fictional highway proposal of a western IL 47 bypass of Yorkville.  Part of that would include a bridge over the Fox River betrween Yorkville and Silver Springs State Park.

Well, it looks like a new bridge is going to be built, although not as a IL 47 bypass...

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/kendall-county-board-approves-eminent-domain-along-eldamain-rd/article_f0ae1e12-064c-11e6-9589-afb41412f38a.html


I hope they build the bridge two lanes, each direction.

EDIT:  Oops.  The bridge is still just proposed....

That makes a lot of sense.
It would be nice if the also straighten out Eldamain Rd to meet up with Dugan Rd & Prairie St west of Sugar Grove. This would allow the trucks at the Menards Distribution Center to have a direct access to the IL 56 freeway and I-88 East via Dugan while taking traffic off of IL 47 in Sugar Grove.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 31, 2017, 06:31:51 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 31, 2017, 09:39:50 AM
I've had a fictional highway proposal of a western IL 47 bypass of Yorkville.  Part of that would include a bridge over the Fox River betrween Yorkville and Silver Springs State Park.

Well, it looks like a new bridge is going to be built, although not as a IL 47 bypass...

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/kendall-county-board-approves-eminent-domain-along-eldamain-rd/article_f0ae1e12-064c-11e6-9589-afb41412f38a.html


I hope they build the bridge two lanes, each direction.

EDIT:  Oops.  The bridge is still just proposed....

One of the "arterial" alternatives in the Prairie Parkway study was a corridor from I-80 to I-88 that generally followed Saratoga Road (about 3 miles west of IL 47 in Morris) from I-80 north to where it met Lisbon Road, continuing on High Point Road to cross the Fox River and connect to Eldamain Road. Near Galena Road, it would swing west to connect to Dauberman Road at US 30, and continue north to I-88. Kane County is studying the extension of Dauberman Road south of US 30 and across the BNSF RR to connect to Granart Road, just as Kendall County is studying the Eldamain crossing of the Fox River, but AFAIK there is currently no coordinated planning of an arterial corridor between the three counties involved.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 01, 2017, 10:54:00 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 31, 2017, 06:31:51 PM

One of the "arterial" alternatives in the Prairie Parkway study was a corridor from I-80 to I-88 that generally followed Saratoga Road (about 3 miles west of IL 47 in Morris) from I-80 north to where it met Lisbon Road, continuing on High Point Road to cross the Fox River and connect to Eldamain Road. Near Galena Road, it would swing west to connect to Dauberman Road at US 30, and continue north to I-88. Kane County is studying the extension of Dauberman Road south of US 30 and across the BNSF RR to connect to Granart Road, just as Kendall County is studying the Eldamain crossing of the Fox River, but AFAIK there is currently no coordinated planning of an arterial corridor between the three counties involved.

I just saw online Grundy County's plans for Saratoga Road...

https://www.grundyco.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SaratogaRdCorridorAccessStudyFINALReport.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on August 01, 2017, 06:01:42 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 01, 2017, 10:54:00 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 31, 2017, 06:31:51 PM

One of the "arterial" alternatives in the Prairie Parkway study was a corridor from I-80 to I-88 that generally followed Saratoga Road (about 3 miles west of IL 47 in Morris) from I-80 north to where it met Lisbon Road, continuing on High Point Road to cross the Fox River and connect to Eldamain Road. Near Galena Road, it would swing west to connect to Dauberman Road at US 30, and continue north to I-88. Kane County is studying the extension of Dauberman Road south of US 30 and across the BNSF RR to connect to Granart Road, just as Kendall County is studying the Eldamain crossing of the Fox River, but AFAIK there is currently no coordinated planning of an arterial corridor between the three counties involved.

I just saw online Grundy County's plans for Saratoga Road...

https://www.grundyco.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/SaratogaRdCorridorAccessStudyFINALReport.pdf

Also, IDOT's FY 2018-23 program has Eldamain Road from US 34 to River Road programmed for construction at $9 million in 2018. This would complete Eldamain all the way from Galena Road down to near the Fox River with recent concrete pavement. I haven't seen the proposed bridge plans for the Fox River crossing, but would guess that Kendall County would do what they did at Orchard Road - build a widened substructure capable of 4 lanes, but only build the bridge deck at 2 lanes to start.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 06, 2017, 04:52:11 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 31, 2017, 06:31:51 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 31, 2017, 09:39:50 AM
I've had a fictional highway proposal of a western IL 47 bypass of Yorkville.  Part of that would include a bridge over the Fox River betrween Yorkville and Silver Springs State Park.

Well, it looks like a new bridge is going to be built, although not as a IL 47 bypass...

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/kendall-county-board-approves-eminent-domain-along-eldamain-rd/article_f0ae1e12-064c-11e6-9589-afb41412f38a.html


I hope they build the bridge two lanes, each direction.

EDIT:  Oops.  The bridge is still just proposed....

One of the "arterial" alternatives in the Prairie Parkway study was a corridor from I-80 to I-88 that generally followed Saratoga Road (about 3 miles west of IL 47 in Morris) from I-80 north to where it met Lisbon Road, continuing on High Point Road to cross the Fox River and connect to Eldamain Road. Near Galena Road, it would swing west to connect to Dauberman Road at US 30, and continue north to I-88. Kane County is studying the extension of Dauberman Road south of US 30 and across the BNSF RR to connect to Granart Road, just as Kendall County is studying the Eldamain crossing of the Fox River, but AFAIK there is currently no coordinated planning of an arterial corridor between the three counties involved.

It was not long ago that the US 30 to Granhart Rd part of Dugan Rd was redone. I wonder why they are not using that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 07, 2017, 10:23:52 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 06, 2017, 04:52:11 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 31, 2017, 06:31:51 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 31, 2017, 09:39:50 AM
I've had a fictional highway proposal of a western IL 47 bypass of Yorkville.  Part of that would include a bridge over the Fox River betrween Yorkville and Silver Springs State Park.

Well, it looks like a new bridge is going to be built, although not as a IL 47 bypass...

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/kendall-county-board-approves-eminent-domain-along-eldamain-rd/article_f0ae1e12-064c-11e6-9589-afb41412f38a.html


I hope they build the bridge two lanes, each direction.

EDIT:  Oops.  The bridge is still just proposed....

One of the "arterial" alternatives in the Prairie Parkway study was a corridor from I-80 to I-88 that generally followed Saratoga Road (about 3 miles west of IL 47 in Morris) from I-80 north to where it met Lisbon Road, continuing on High Point Road to cross the Fox River and connect to Eldamain Road. Near Galena Road, it would swing west to connect to Dauberman Road at US 30, and continue north to I-88. Kane County is studying the extension of Dauberman Road south of US 30 and across the BNSF RR to connect to Granart Road, just as Kendall County is studying the Eldamain crossing of the Fox River, but AFAIK there is currently no coordinated planning of an arterial corridor between the three counties involved.

It was not long ago that the US 30 to Granhart Rd part of Dugan Rd was redone. I wonder why they are not using that.

Wasn't that mainly to help access into and out of the golf course over there for tournaments, as well as re-distribute the access to the warehouses along Granhart? US 30 was redone from Dugan to Municipal along with that section of Dugan
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 07, 2017, 04:26:15 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 07, 2017, 10:23:52 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 06, 2017, 04:52:11 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 31, 2017, 06:31:51 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 31, 2017, 09:39:50 AM
I've had a fictional highway proposal of a western IL 47 bypass of Yorkville.  Part of that would include a bridge over the Fox River betrween Yorkville and Silver Springs State Park.

Well, it looks like a new bridge is going to be built, although not as a IL 47 bypass...

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/kendall-county-board-approves-eminent-domain-along-eldamain-rd/article_f0ae1e12-064c-11e6-9589-afb41412f38a.html


I hope they build the bridge two lanes, each direction.

EDIT:  Oops.  The bridge is still just proposed....

One of the "arterial" alternatives in the Prairie Parkway study was a corridor from I-80 to I-88 that generally followed Saratoga Road (about 3 miles west of IL 47 in Morris) from I-80 north to where it met Lisbon Road, continuing on High Point Road to cross the Fox River and connect to Eldamain Road. Near Galena Road, it would swing west to connect to Dauberman Road at US 30, and continue north to I-88. Kane County is studying the extension of Dauberman Road south of US 30 and across the BNSF RR to connect to Granart Road, just as Kendall County is studying the Eldamain crossing of the Fox River, but AFAIK there is currently no coordinated planning of an arterial corridor between the three counties involved.

It was not long ago that the US 30 to Granhart Rd part of Dugan Rd was redone. I wonder why they are not using that.

Wasn't that mainly to help access into and out of the golf course over there for tournaments, as well as re-distribute the access to the warehouses along Granhart? US 30 was redone from Dugan to Municipal along with that section of Dugan

Probably so. US 30 is under reconstruction west of there going toward Big Rock.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 08, 2017, 08:34:24 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 07, 2017, 04:26:15 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 07, 2017, 10:23:52 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 06, 2017, 04:52:11 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 31, 2017, 06:31:51 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 31, 2017, 09:39:50 AM
I've had a fictional highway proposal of a western IL 47 bypass of Yorkville.  Part of that would include a bridge over the Fox River betrween Yorkville and Silver Springs State Park.

Well, it looks like a new bridge is going to be built, although not as a IL 47 bypass...

http://www.wspynews.com/news/local/kendall-county-board-approves-eminent-domain-along-eldamain-rd/article_f0ae1e12-064c-11e6-9589-afb41412f38a.html


I hope they build the bridge two lanes, each direction.

EDIT:  Oops.  The bridge is still just proposed....

One of the "arterial" alternatives in the Prairie Parkway study was a corridor from I-80 to I-88 that generally followed Saratoga Road (about 3 miles west of IL 47 in Morris) from I-80 north to where it met Lisbon Road, continuing on High Point Road to cross the Fox River and connect to Eldamain Road. Near Galena Road, it would swing west to connect to Dauberman Road at US 30, and continue north to I-88. Kane County is studying the extension of Dauberman Road south of US 30 and across the BNSF RR to connect to Granart Road, just as Kendall County is studying the Eldamain crossing of the Fox River, but AFAIK there is currently no coordinated planning of an arterial corridor between the three counties involved.

It was not long ago that the US 30 to Granhart Rd part of Dugan Rd was redone. I wonder why they are not using that.

Wasn't that mainly to help access into and out of the golf course over there for tournaments, as well as re-distribute the access to the warehouses along Granhart? US 30 was redone from Dugan to Municipal along with that section of Dugan

Probably so. US 30 is under reconstruction west of there going toward Big Rock.

Ohh I haven't been out there in a couple months. So they're finally redoing that section which I bet goes out to Hinckley as they redid the Hinckley to Waterman section during summer of 2014
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 09, 2017, 09:05:48 PM
^And they redid the Shabbona to Waterman section in the summer of 2010 because I actually contributed to that job as an IDOT intern  :sombrero:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 10, 2017, 08:32:29 AM
Only took 7 years, but they got it all resurfaced. All that's left is US 30 and I-39 :sombrero:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US71 on August 10, 2017, 10:56:43 AM
Quote from: sparker on June 24, 2017, 11:52:40 PM
Quote from: silverback1065 on June 24, 2017, 07:36:46 PM
isn't 110 just stitched together existing routes across illinois? 

yes.....AND Missouri.  Two states with unnecessary signage costs.
110 seems to be the priority road since I- 35 goes missing alot

SM-G930V

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US71 on August 10, 2017, 10:57:39 AM
Quote from: ET21 on August 10, 2017, 08:32:29 AM
Only took 7 years, but they got it all resurfaced. All that's left is US 30 and I-39 :sombrero:
Just in time to start again

SM-G930V

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 11, 2017, 08:06:52 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on June 27, 2017, 02:36:56 PM
Quote from: I-39 on June 24, 2017, 02:36:52 PM
Does the average person even realize 110 exists? I don't think there really is any benefit to it. Most people want to take Interstates, so they will take I-55/72/US 36 or I-55/70 to get to Kansas City. The whole thing is kind of stupid if you ask me.
I never really thought Chicago to KC was a very popular connection anyways. It's certainly not like Chicago to NYC or Chicago to LA.

Transportation planners have salivated over a CHI-KCMO connection for many years.  There was a proposal in the early 1980's to built a private, truck only expressway, but that didn't go over well with DOT. 

Missouri has 4 laned the entire route (not at Interstate standards) west of Hannibal and Illinois, always cash poor, has hobbled together a route using existing ROW's and bypasses with some new road built with IL-336. But with the Macomb Bypass in a constant state of confusion (now just the northbound side will be finished), and Illinois ride just above bankruptcy, it may be a few years before it becomes a smooth ride.  Engineering dollars have been allocated to build out a 4 lane substitute for US-24 west of Peoria to help out, but again it may be many years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on August 11, 2017, 10:54:13 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 11, 2017, 08:06:52 AM
Transportation planners have salivated over a CHI-KCMO connection for many years.  There was a proposal in the early 1980's to built a private, truck only expressway, but that didn't go over well with DOT. 

I am familiar with the study and a few of the people who worked on it. Actually, the reason the private toll road idea was abandoned is not "IDOT opposition", but that it wouldn't pay for itself. They tried to get buy-in from the major truckers at the time including Yellow Freight, but they couldn't justify the time savings with the toll costs, in the projected volumes that they were looking at. In a separate study, IDOT District 4 also was looking at some other alternatives to connect Chicago to Peoria roughly along IL 116 or US 24 corridors, but ultimately settled on an IL 29 corridor that would branch off of I-180 near Hennepin and meet up with the IL 6 western ring road at Peoria. That corridor has a completed EIS but no real push to build it at this time.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on August 12, 2017, 08:36:14 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on August 11, 2017, 10:54:13 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 11, 2017, 08:06:52 AM
Transportation planners have salivated over a CHI-KCMO connection for many years.  There was a proposal in the early 1980's to built a private, truck only expressway, but that didn't go over well with DOT. 

I am familiar with the study and a few of the people who worked on it. Actually, the reason the private toll road idea was abandoned is not "IDOT opposition", but that it wouldn't pay for itself. They tried to get buy-in from the major truckers at the time including Yellow Freight, but they couldn't justify the time savings with the toll costs, in the projected volumes that they were looking at. In a separate study, IDOT District 4 also was looking at some other alternatives to connect Chicago to Peoria roughly along IL 116 or US 24 corridors, but ultimately settled on an IL 29 corridor that would branch off of I-180 near Hennepin and meet up with the IL 6 western ring road at Peoria. That corridor has a completed EIS but no real push to build it at this time.

Do the traffic counts along IL-29 really justify 4 lanes? I don't think so. Same with IL-336.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on August 12, 2017, 09:13:37 PM
Why does IDOT replace BGS's on the brown gantries with BGS's that don't even fit properly? They did this on 53/290 a few years back and now they're starting to do it on the Kennedy. They look hideous and the old signs were fine as is.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 13, 2017, 05:27:49 PM
If you can cart it away...

Always wanted a bridge? IDOT's giving one away (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-bridge-donation-getting-around-0814-20170813-column.html)

QuoteThe Illinois Department of Transportation is offering to donate the historic Ford City Drive bridge over Pulaski Road near the Ford City Mall.

If you take IDOT up on its offer, it would be a costly thing to own. To even have a shot at taking over the bridge, applicants would have to prove they forever could maintain both the bridge and the features that give it historic significance. If they choose to move it, they also need to show how and when they would do it. And that might be pretty tough: The structure is crumbling and would be nearly impossible to move, according to IDOT officials.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 13, 2017, 09:51:29 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 12, 2017, 08:36:14 PM
Do the traffic counts along IL-29 really justify 4 lanes? I don't think so.

Disagree - there's enough ADT to warrant four lanes up to Sparland.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 13, 2017, 10:21:23 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 13, 2017, 09:51:29 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 12, 2017, 08:36:14 PM
Do the traffic counts along IL-29 really justify 4 lanes? I don't think so.

Disagree - there's enough ADT to warrant four lanes up to Sparland.

If connected to I-180, then it may induce some demand as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 13, 2017, 11:03:26 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 13, 2017, 10:21:23 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 13, 2017, 09:51:29 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 12, 2017, 08:36:14 PM
Do the traffic counts along IL-29 really justify 4 lanes? I don't think so.

Disagree - there's enough ADT to warrant four lanes up to Sparland.

If connected to I-180, then it may induce some demand as well.
For both it and I-180
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on August 14, 2017, 11:50:50 PM
What's the latest on the Illinois license plate saga?  I have not yet seen nor heard of any new-design plates with numbers above the [AP xxxxx] range, which have been on the road for at least a couple of months now, while I also have similarly not seen nor heard of any new old-design plates below about [ZV xxxxx], which have also been on the road for a couple of months now.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: machias on August 15, 2017, 07:22:13 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on August 14, 2017, 11:50:50 PM
What's the latest on the Illinois license plate saga?  I have not yet seen nor heard of any new-design plates with numbers above the [AP xxxxx] range, which have been on the road for at least a couple of months now, while I also have similarly not seen nor heard of any new old-design plates below about [ZV xxxxx], which have also been on the road for a couple of months now.

Mike

I registered two vehicles in Illinois two weeks ago. Both are in the AP 61xxx series.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on August 15, 2017, 09:27:01 PM
I have seen a good chunk of AB ##### and AC ##### plates that have July or August 18 expiration stickers here in Montgomery County.  I had not seen any up until recently.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on August 16, 2017, 04:07:53 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on August 14, 2017, 11:50:50 PM
What's the latest on the Illinois license plate saga?  I have not yet seen nor heard of any new-design plates with numbers above the [AP xxxxx] range, which have been on the road for at least a couple of months now, while I also have similarly not seen nor heard of any new old-design plates below about [ZV xxxxx], which have also been on the road for a couple of months now.

Mike

I did see an Illinois old-design plate with [ZUx xxxx] here in Appleton, WI yesterday, too.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on August 16, 2017, 07:28:58 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on August 16, 2017, 04:07:53 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on August 14, 2017, 11:50:50 PM
What's the latest on the Illinois license plate saga?  I have not yet seen nor heard of any new-design plates with numbers above the [AP xxxxx] range, which have been on the road for at least a couple of months now, while I also have similarly not seen nor heard of any new old-design plates below about [ZV xxxxx], which have also been on the road for a couple of months now.



Mike

I did see an Illinois old-design plate with [ZUx xxxx] here in Appleton, WI yesterday, too.

Mike

Once they ran out of Z## #### they went to ZZ# ####, then ZY, ZX, and ZU.  I don't believe I have seen any ZW.  They used these on the old base until the new base came out.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on August 22, 2017, 09:12:23 AM
Well, if ever they needed I-39 to be finished down to southern IL it was yesterday. It was the worst traffic I've ever seen in my life, worse than any Chicago Expressway. The entire road network south of I-64 was a parking lot. Going down US 51 those towns south of I64 had their act together, they had police directing traffic at the intersections in the small towns waving the columns through. Coming back up on the eastern side of the state was a different story. I-57 was completely stopped and had a 15 mile 3 lane backup into Carbondale waiting to get on. Tried US45 and route 1 and there was a half hour 5 mile backup at every single small town south of I-64. Unlike US 51 these places like Eldorado, Carmi, Crossville made no attempt to have any police (do they even have a police force?) to wave the traffic through red lights, instead the entire 5 mile column had to wait every other minute at a red light in some empty town where absolutely no cross-traffic was there to even need the light. 8 hour drive from Carbondale to Champaign 6 hours of which were just to get up to I-64. Once IL 130 branched off the traffic ended altough I saw I57 at Tuscola at 9pm and it was packed and only moving at around 45 50mph. Massive Wisconsin presence from all their plates I saw in Carbondale so have no clue as to how long it took them to get home.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 22, 2017, 09:50:49 AM
Was there ever talk of tolling the section of I-88 between the Quad Cities and Sterling / Rock Falls?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 22, 2017, 11:55:57 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 22, 2017, 09:50:49 AM
Was there ever talk of tolling the section of I-88 between the Quad Cities and Sterling / Rock Falls?

Not to my knowledge.  I've often wondered why ISTHA stopped at US-30 in Rock Falls with IDOT continuing the corridor to I-80.  A short route to Iowa would've been straight to Clinton, but I don't know if there were ever any plans for it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 22, 2017, 01:46:03 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 22, 2017, 11:55:57 AM
Not to my knowledge.  I've often wondered why ISTHA stopped at US-30 in Rock Falls with IDOT continuing the corridor to I-80.  A short route to Iowa would've been straight to Clinton, but I don't know if there were ever any plans for it.
I'm pretty sure someone posted an old map somewhere on this site that showed a spur route that departed mainline I-88/previously IL 5 and headed for Clinton, IA

Found a copy

(https://www.interstate-guide.com/maps/illnois_northwest_1970.jpg)
Sourced from interstate-guide.com's page on I-88 (Western/IL)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 22, 2017, 01:58:10 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on August 22, 2017, 09:12:23 AM
Well, if ever they needed I-39 to be finished down to southern IL it was yesterday. It was the worst traffic I've ever seen in my life, worse than any Chicago Expressway. The entire road network south of I-64 was a parking lot. Going down US 51 those towns south of I64 had their act together, they had police directing traffic at the intersections in the small towns waving the columns through. Coming back up on the eastern side of the state was a different story. I-57 was completely stopped and had a 15 mile 3 lane backup into Carbondale waiting to get on. Tried US45 and route 1 and there was a half hour 5 mile backup at every single small town south of I-64. Unlike US 51 these places like Eldorado, Carmi, Crossville made no attempt to have any police (do they even have a police force?) to wave the traffic through red lights, instead the entire 5 mile column had to wait every other minute at a red light in some empty town where absolutely no cross-traffic was there to even need the light. 8 hour drive from Carbondale to Champaign 6 hours of which were just to get up to I-64. Once IL 130 branched off the traffic ended altough I saw I57 at Tuscola at 9pm and it was packed and only moving at around 45 50mph. Massive Wisconsin presence from all their plates I saw in Carbondale so have no clue as to how long it took them to get home.
Not to be the bad guy, but really, this is better for the Ohio Valley board, which is better suited for Southern IL than the Great Lakes

That being said, there were a lot of people in Carbondale and Jackson County this weekend, and I heard the roads were pretty bad. But I live down here now, so no need to drive back North. Don't know how long it took my brother to get back home (he drove, lives Downtown)

Amtrak did run an additional train for the eclipse, I believe, and the regularly scheduled 4:30 pm-ish Carbondale-Chicago run had extra cars yesterday, as well. From the lines at the Carbondale Amtrak station (which really needs replaced, but it didn't make it into the current round of Downtown Carbondale rebuilding), there were a lot of people taking the Train option as well as Roads
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dcharlie on August 22, 2017, 02:05:01 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 22, 2017, 01:46:03 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 22, 2017, 11:55:57 AM
Not to my knowledge.  I've often wondered why ISTHA stopped at US-30 in Rock Falls with IDOT continuing the corridor to I-80.  A short route to Iowa would've been straight to Clinton, but I don't know if there were ever any plans for it.
I'm pretty sure someone posted an old map somewhere on this site that showed a spur route that departed mainline I-88/previously IL 5 and headed for Clinton, IA

Found a copy

(https://www.interstate-guide.com/maps/illnois_northwest_1970.jpg)
Sourced from interstate-guide.com's page on I-88 (Western/IL)

It's not exactly the spur shown in the map, but I did find this... 

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/IDOT-Projects/District-2/US-30-Fulton-to-Rock-Falls/files/US_30_Six_Alignment_Report%5B1%5D.pdf


Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 22, 2017, 04:03:45 PM
I want to think I've seen the route to Clinton on an old IDOT planning document...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 22, 2017, 04:14:51 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 22, 2017, 01:58:10 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on August 22, 2017, 09:12:23 AM
Well, if ever they needed I-39 to be finished down to southern IL it was yesterday. It was the worst traffic I've ever seen in my life, worse than any Chicago Expressway. The entire road network south of I-64 was a parking lot. Going down US 51 those towns south of I64 had their act together, they had police directing traffic at the intersections in the small towns waving the columns through. Coming back up on the eastern side of the state was a different story. I-57 was completely stopped and had a 15 mile 3 lane backup into Carbondale waiting to get on. Tried US45 and route 1 and there was a half hour 5 mile backup at every single small town south of I-64. Unlike US 51 these places like Eldorado, Carmi, Crossville made no attempt to have any police (do they even have a police force?) to wave the traffic through red lights, instead the entire 5 mile column had to wait every other minute at a red light in some empty town where absolutely no cross-traffic was there to even need the light. 8 hour drive from Carbondale to Champaign 6 hours of which were just to get up to I-64. Once IL 130 branched off the traffic ended altough I saw I57 at Tuscola at 9pm and it was packed and only moving at around 45 50mph. Massive Wisconsin presence from all their plates I saw in Carbondale so have no clue as to how long it took them to get home.
Not to be the bad guy, but really, this is better for the Ohio Valley board, which is better suited for Southern IL than the Great Lakes

That being said, there were a lot of people in Carbondale and Jackson County this weekend, and I heard the roads were pretty bad. But I live down here now, so no need to drive back North. Don't know how long it took my brother to get back home (he drove, lives Downtown)

Amtrak did run an additional train for the eclipse, I believe, and the regularly scheduled 4:30 pm-ish Carbondale-Chicago run had extra cars yesterday, as well. From the lines at the Carbondale Amtrak station (which really needs replaced, but it didn't make it into the current round of Downtown Carbondale rebuilding), there were a lot of people taking the Train option as well as Roads

I only am commenting on this in this thread since it's been started and did have an effect on Chicago bound traffic. However, U.S. 51 through Southern and Central IL was a life saver for me coming back to Chicago from the Eclipse. I was a little South of St. Louis where I viewed it, which I made it a point to bolt from there as soon as totality ended. The trick was to detour off main roads where needed, but essentially, I-70 East from St. Louis was fine, which I took to U.S. 51 and took that up to Decatur, then I-72 over to I-57, got off at Rantoul to avoid the backup just past there, and then got back on after it cleared using some side roads. In all, it took about 7 hours I was coming into the city on the Dan Ryan, which, based on stories I heard, was not bad at all. The point is that U.S. 51 definitely would have been a good candidate for an interstate yesterday. Although, even just extending the four-lane section South to at least I-64 or near Carbondale would have helped alleviate traffic. Ironically, though, the fact that it is just two lanes as you go South is what I think kept a lot of the traffic off of it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 22, 2017, 05:22:39 PM
US 51 isn't a bad route. I've made the drive between Carbondale and Bloomington/Normal a few times -- sure you end up going thru towns like Du Quoin and Centralia and Vandalia, but its a pretty nice ride, I think

That said, I would love I-39 to make it to at least Salem, IL -- I think it would be much harder to justify it all the way down to Dongola (Current US 51/I-57 junction) or Pulleys Mill (Current I-57/I-24 Junction) -- as I-39 would be closely paralleling I-57 only ~20 miles west between Salem and Dongola

For Regional traffic, usually upgrades more to IL 127 or IL 3 are wanted, to get a Carbondale-St Louis Expressway of some sort -- Interstate would be nice, but even 4 Lane Divided Highway Expressway would be ok
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 22, 2017, 10:33:17 PM
There's at least one surviving street blade on IL 40 for "SH" 88:
Blurry streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0904855,-89.6578795,3a,15y,73.94h,82.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3VzMRwnyFPQ3k0SobM0miQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)

Also, from recent travels parts of Old US 66 around Litchfield appear to have gotten the typical Illinois county mile markers with a route number of 934.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on August 23, 2017, 03:18:00 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 22, 2017, 01:46:03 PM

I'm pretty sure someone posted an old map somewhere on this site that showed a spur route that departed mainline I-88/previously IL 5 and headed for Clinton, IA

Found a copy


The US 30 study between Fulton and Sterling/Rock Falls, with the Morrison bypass, was recently cancelled by IDOT. This was a route that was on the IL Supplemental Freeway plan of the late 60's and had been in some form of planning ever since.

http://wqad.com/2017/03/15/idot-to-discuss-decision-to-scrap-major-renovation-on-u-s-route-30/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 23, 2017, 04:28:28 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on August 23, 2017, 03:18:00 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 22, 2017, 01:46:03 PM

I'm pretty sure someone posted an old map somewhere on this site that showed a spur route that departed mainline I-88/previously IL 5 and headed for Clinton, IA

Found a copy


The US 30 study between Fulton and Sterling/Rock Falls, with the Morrison bypass, was recently cancelled by IDOT. This was a route that was on the IL Supplemental Freeway plan of the late 60's and had been in some form of planning ever since.

http://wqad.com/2017/03/15/idot-to-discuss-decision-to-scrap-major-renovation-on-u-s-route-30/

Do you have that 60's doc?  I was trying to google it, but came up empty.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 23, 2017, 09:04:27 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 22, 2017, 10:33:17 PM
There's at least one surviving street blade on IL 40 for "SH" 88:
Blurry streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0904855,-89.6578795,3a,15y,73.94h,82.76t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s3VzMRwnyFPQ3k0SobM0miQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)

Also, from recent travels parts of Old US 66 around Litchfield appear to have gotten the typical Illinois county mile markers with a route number of 934.

I think Stark County has a bunch of those. 

Two old IL-88 shields are posted on the interior walls of Tanner's Apple Orchard, at the southeast corner of IL-17 and IL-40.  I know I posted it somewhere before, but here's a photo of it

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4171/34553685632_b0b92749d6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UDoEUy)
IL-088 (https://flic.kr/p/UDoEUy) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on August 24, 2017, 10:38:54 PM
IMO, IL-88 wouldn't have needed to be renumbered had the IL-5 freeway/tollway been signed as I-82 instead of I-88.  IL-82 is nearby too, though it doesn't actually intersect the interstate and has far fewer miles than IL-88/IL-40.  Not to mention I-88 would be the perfect number for an interstate upgrade of US 20 between Sioux City and Rockford.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 24, 2017, 10:46:18 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 24, 2017, 10:38:54 PM
IMO, IL-88 wouldn't have needed to be renumbered had the IL-5 freeway/tollway been signed as I-82 instead of I-88.  IL-82 is nearby too, though it doesn't actually intersect the interstate and has far fewer miles than IL-88/IL-40.  Not to mention I-88 would be the perfect number for an interstate upgrade of US 20 between Sioux City and Rockford.
Getting fictional...

Dump I-88. Sign it (even)80, maybe I-880. Take over I-294 south of the Strangler junction to come back to I-80. The Tri-State north of there can be (odd)94, perhaps I-194, up to I-94
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on August 25, 2017, 01:32:40 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 23, 2017, 04:28:28 PM

Do you have that 60's doc?  I was trying to google it, but came up empty.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwiWoLD90_HVAhUS5mMKHb8BAnsQFggmMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.midwestroads.com%2Fillinois%2Fil%2520supp%2520fwy.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHec0GYSfnArxFkO2O89CWTe_jFUA
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 25, 2017, 09:04:45 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on August 25, 2017, 01:32:40 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 23, 2017, 04:28:28 PM

Do you have that 60's doc?  I was trying to google it, but came up empty.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwiWoLD90_HVAhUS5mMKHb8BAnsQFggmMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.midwestroads.com%2Fillinois%2Fil%2520supp%2520fwy.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHec0GYSfnArxFkO2O89CWTe_jFUA

Thank you!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 30, 2017, 11:38:37 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on August 22, 2017, 09:12:23 AM
Well, if ever they needed I-39 to be finished down to southern IL it was yesterday. It was the worst traffic I've ever seen in my life, worse than any Chicago Expressway. The entire road network south of I-64 was a parking lot. Going down US 51 those towns south of I64 had their act together, they had police directing traffic at the intersections in the small towns waving the columns through. Coming back up on the eastern side of the state was a different story. I-57 was completely stopped and had a 15 mile 3 lane backup into Carbondale waiting to get on. Tried US45 and route 1 and there was a half hour 5 mile backup at every single small town south of I-64. Unlike US 51 these places like Eldorado, Carmi, Crossville made no attempt to have any police (do they even have a police force?) to wave the traffic through red lights, instead the entire 5 mile column had to wait every other minute at a red light in some empty town where absolutely no cross-traffic was there to even need the light. 8 hour drive from Carbondale to Champaign 6 hours of which were just to get up to I-64. Once IL 130 branched off the traffic ended altough I saw I57 at Tuscola at 9pm and it was packed and only moving at around 45 50mph. Massive Wisconsin presence from all their plates I saw in Carbondale so have no clue as to how long it took them to get home.

Well, when the next eclipse comes through in 2024, you can crab about a different route.  I would say it isn't IDOT's fault they couldn't anticipate the traffic for something like an eclipse, not Crossville or Carmi, IL police departments.  I don't think a I-39 extension all the way to Cairo would have helped the traffic the state had dealt with before and after.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 31, 2017, 12:59:28 AM
Quote from: Brandon on August 22, 2017, 11:55:57 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 22, 2017, 09:50:49 AM
Was there ever talk of tolling the section of I-88 between the Quad Cities and Sterling / Rock Falls?

Not to my knowledge.  I've often wondered why ISTHA stopped at US-30 in Rock Falls with IDOT continuing the corridor to I-80.  A short route to Iowa would've been straight to Clinton, but I don't know if there were ever any plans for it.

Well, here is my understanding of I-88.

It got the I-88 shield due to a clause in the NMSL law.  Only rural roads with interstate designations could raise their limits.  At the time it was signed IL-5 and the ISTHA petitioned to get an exception. So it was signed I-88 and they raised the speed limits.  Technically when NMSL law was repealed, they could have reverted back to IL-5 and took the I-88 shields down, but why?

As for the routing of I-88, its a tortured history rife with politics.

Shortly after WWII, IDOT started purchasing ROW west of 22nd Street in DuPage County all the way to North Aurora, IL for the planned West Suburban Expressway.  That expressway was going to eventually cross the Fox River and join US30 west of Aurora and go all the way to Rock Falls.

You can even see remnants of that planned West Suburban Expressway along IL-56 (Butterfield Road) though most components have disappeared over the many upgrades IL-56 has taken. IDOT finally sold off some of the ROW at certain locations in the 1990's when it was clear it was never to be used as intended.

The ISTHA came along and wanted to build the highway to the west of Chicago, but not on IDOT ROW in the 1950's.  Originally, I-88 was supposed to "end" at I-294 in Hinsdale on the east terminus. But politics played a role as the mayor of Oakbrook called the then head of the ISTHA and asked that the road be moved north so as not to split the town in half.  There was a retail center in the works on 22nd Street, how about some land up near there?  So ISTHA got some land on the cheap to sway it north.

Now I-88 was split in two north of Oakbrook. ISTHA wanted to keep a link to Hinsdale, but IDOT wanted a connection to the planned Eisenhower Extension (at the time I-90, later I-290) since the toll road would effectively replace their own. Today, I-88, I-290, Butterfield (IL-56) and 22nd Street all cross each other within a short distance.

But then a new round of politics were fired up. Then Chicago Mayor Richard Daley (1st) didn't like the idea of the what he termed the "Congress Expressway" that had been planned since the 1930's. He wanted the Congress to end at Central Avenue, which it did at the time when it was built.

IDOT had bought up the old Chicago, Aurora & Elgin ROW, that they had owned, but never used for the their Bellwood/Forest park bypass to avoid street running. (The IDOT service yard at I-290 & Laramie is the old railyard where it connected with the CTA once upon a time)

IDOT wanted to connect that Congress Extension with their original plan for a West Suburban Expressway. But the Mayor was against it. He saw the extension as a way for people to live outside of Chicago. So a compromise was struck between Cook County, IDOT and ISTHA, the eastbound spur to the then I-90 was limited to 1 lane only and became part of what was known as the Hillside Strangler. (The mayor wanted it to be a pain, period)

Oh, the politics aren't over just yet.  When ISTHA announced the proposed route roughly following US30 as IDOT was going to do, the politicians and people in DeKalb & Northern Illinois University howled and threatened to interfere with the bond sale if there wasn't a better option presented.  So ISTHA moved the route farther north, closer to DeKalb to get them in line.

But this decision caused more problems. After it was built, no one used it. In fact, ISTHA wined for years about how I-5 from the US30 Aurora Exit to Rock Falls was a huge money loser. Transporation experts said it wasn't an optimal route because it swayed so far north. The road even got into a somewhat dilapidated state with potholes and terrible section joints. ISTHA didn't want to put any money into it and finally repaved it, but the section joints just separated further and it got worse.

When the State of Illinois passed a new law allowing ISTHA to refinance their bonds and become a somewhat permanent entity, they were no longer beholden to turn the roads back to IDOT (as they were broke anyway) and could finance their activities as part of a single transportation entity.

By this time IL-5 was a big joke. While traffic between Aurora and DeKalb was picking up, between DeKalb and Rock Falls was next to nothing. Everyone used I-80 to go west to Moline, not IL-5.  After the law passed ISTHA absorbed the cost of the IL-5 reconstruction into a larger bond refinancing to pay for the Tri-State (I-294) reconstruction. If they had it their way, they would have dumped it and given it back to IDOT.  It's still a money loser when looking at just the segment itself, but has grown into a I-80 reliever over time.

IDOT already owned the land between Rock Falls and Moline for their proposed US30 expressway and finished the route east from Moline to Rock Falls.

And what of that West Suburban Expressway IDOT had planned?  If you drive IL-56 just west of IL-59, the bridge for the former EJ&E (now CN) still has the portal for the second set of lanes.  The freeway style bridge IDOT built over the former CAE Aurora Branch (torn down now) on IL-56 had unused lanes in anticipation of the freeway.  IDOT owned a large swath of land at the intersection of IL-53 and IL-56 to build a full interchange (since sold).

So, I-88 has had a tortured history and its route was mired in politics all the way from I-294 to US30 in Rock Falls.

The most "utility" I ever got from IL-5/I-88 was after I-39 opened and I used it as a reliever to avoid I-55 logjams and accidents, or if I was going west to Des Moines on the motorcycle and wanted to avoid the trucks on I-80.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mrose on August 31, 2017, 01:28:41 AM
Once I-39 popped up, IL-5/I-88 kind of became the de facto route for Wisconsin traffic to get to Iowa and points west... over time this road became notorious in our circle for being famously dilapidated as well as for Illinois' audacity to charge a 95 cent toll to use it... my dad routinely scoffed at this. And we also noted the irony that the road always seemed to improve greatly once you reached the free section west of Dixon.

Between 1985 and 2000 I would have made maybe two dozen trips to Nebraska and back and I personally dreaded that 60 mile stretch or so every single time.... especially on the way back because I'd already been in the car for 5-6 hours at that point.

I'd been to Chicago and on the other tollways in Illinois enough times to conclude that 5/88 was more or less the neglected bastard child of the Illinois toll system.



Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on September 01, 2017, 01:11:09 PM
Checking current ADT's I-88 averages around 10,000 a day west of Sterling/Rock Falls (the IDOT toll free section), 13,000 between Rock Falls and Rochelle, 16,000 in the "free ride" piece between IL 251 and I-39, 21,000 between I-39 and DeKalb, 25,000 between Annie Glidden and Peace Road in DeKalb, 33,000 between Peace Road and IL 47, 30,000 between IL 47 and the IL 56 interchange (which will probably jump up once the full-access IL 47 interchange is built in a year or 2), where it then jumps up progressively as it moves toward I-355 and I-294, reaching about 180,000 a day just before the I-294 cutoff. The western part of I-88 is very similar to the I-44 Will Rogers Turnpike, another Midwestern rural tollway, in traffic volume (8k-13k a day on WRT depending on section), so it is not necessarily under-performing in its category.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 01, 2017, 04:56:45 PM
Pretty much IL-56 to DeKalb is NIU traffic and to I-39 is Wisco/Central IL traffic. It is very empty west of Dixon from what I remember
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on September 01, 2017, 08:16:37 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 01, 2017, 04:56:45 PM
Pretty much IL-56 to DeKalb is NIU traffic and to I-39 is Wisco/Central IL traffic. It is very empty west of Dixon from what I remember

There is plenty of commuter traffic between IL-56 and Dekalb. In fact I'd say very little is NIU traffic - the traffic count doesn't seem to change much between summer and fall/winter.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on September 01, 2017, 09:56:29 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on September 01, 2017, 08:16:37 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 01, 2017, 04:56:45 PM
Pretty much IL-56 to DeKalb is NIU traffic and to I-39 is Wisco/Central IL traffic. It is very empty west of Dixon from what I remember

There is plenty of commuter traffic between IL-56 and Dekalb. In fact I'd say very little is NIU traffic - the traffic count doesn't seem to change much between summer and fall/winter.

Remember that Union Pacific's Global III intermodal yard is just off of I-88 at Rochelle, too.  The 'free' section is between that yard (IL 251) and I-39.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 01, 2017, 10:05:42 PM
Technically, the first Exit (from the West) of the Tollway, Dixon, is free as well. The ramp tolls were removed, and the toll booth is East of the exit.

So really, even tho ISTHA maintains east of the US 30 interchange/Exit 44, no tolls are collected at the IL 26/Dixon/Exit 54, so that is really the last "Free" exit before tolling begins, from the West
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on September 03, 2017, 09:33:24 AM
Wow! But that's pretty narrow if they were thinking of doing an expressway through that overpass.

Are there any other noticeable remenants today or even from using historic aerials?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on September 03, 2017, 12:17:31 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on September 03, 2017, 09:33:24 AM
Wow! But that's pretty narrow if they were thinking of doing an expressway through that overpass.

Are there any other noticeable remenants today or even from using historic aerials?

That almost looks to me to be pre-War.  When was that built?

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on September 03, 2017, 12:46:00 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on September 03, 2017, 12:17:31 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on September 03, 2017, 09:33:24 AM
Wow! But that's pretty narrow if they were thinking of doing an expressway through that overpass.

Are there any other noticeable remenants today or even from using historic aerials?

That almost looks to me to be pre-War.  When was that built?

Mike

It looks very similar to the EJ&E Bridge over US 12 which opened in 1939, so I would imagine some where in that time span.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on September 03, 2017, 09:14:10 PM
I thought it was always because the 88 exit was just so close. That I did not know.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 04, 2017, 12:24:42 AM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

and IL-38 from I-290 to IL-83 also part of it?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 04, 2017, 02:36:40 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)
I was a bit shocked that IL 56 wasn't 4 Laned under the Overpass here, when they did the project around the IL 59 area, on IL 56. Not like the overpass isn't already there and that ROW is lacking...

That being said, nothing quite compares to IDOT remnants like US 50 Downstate, across the state...just on scale and scope of the remnants, anyway
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on September 04, 2017, 04:12:10 PM
A viaduct over US 40 east of Martinsville has enough room to add 2 additional lanes for US 40.
My guess is this viaduct was built in the 1950s when Illinois originally intended to convert US 40 into a 4 lane expressway from the St Louis area to the Indiana state line.  Of course turning US 40 into an expressway fell by the wayside with the Interstate highway act in 1956 and funding to build I-70.
https://goo.gl/maps/8739NYv1TvJ2
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 04, 2017, 04:39:20 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on September 04, 2017, 04:12:10 PM
A viaduct over US 40 east of Martinsville has enough room to add 2 additional lanes for US 40.
My guess is this viaduct was built in the 1950s when Illinois originally intended to convert US 40 into a 4 lane expressway from the St Louis area to the Indiana state line.  Of course turning US 40 into an expressway fell by the wayside with the Interstate highway act in 1956 and funding to build I-70.
https://goo.gl/maps/8739NYv1TvJ2
Kinda a silly question, but why did IDOT (or its predecessor) build a new alignment I-70 instead up upgrading existing US 40, whereas I-55 was (mostly) an upgrade to existing US 66?

Is it because I-70 was done first?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 04:45:10 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on September 04, 2017, 04:12:10 PM
A viaduct over US 40 east of Martinsville has enough room to add 2 additional lanes for US 40.
My guess is this viaduct was built in the 1950s when Illinois originally intended to convert US 40 into a 4 lane expressway from the St Louis area to the Indiana state line.  Of course turning US 40 into an expressway fell by the wayside with the Interstate highway act in 1956 and funding to build I-70.
https://goo.gl/maps/8739NYv1TvJ2

Excellent example.  I remember being on US40 before and during the construction of I-70.  My dad used to rue going east as it took IDOT forever to get the road finished east of Montrose.

Here is the EJ&E bridge over US12 and it is of identical design and construction, but uses but sides.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36194194954_7df52d50b8_z.jpg)

According to bridge records, they were built in 1941.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 04:55:13 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on September 04, 2017, 04:39:20 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on September 04, 2017, 04:12:10 PM
A viaduct over US 40 east of Martinsville has enough room to add 2 additional lanes for US 40.
My guess is this viaduct was built in the 1950s when Illinois originally intended to convert US 40 into a 4 lane expressway from the St Louis area to the Indiana state line.  Of course turning US 40 into an expressway fell by the wayside with the Interstate highway act in 1956 and funding to build I-70.
https://goo.gl/maps/8739NYv1TvJ2
Kinda a silly question, but why did IDOT (or its predecessor) build a new alignment I-70 instead up upgrading existing US 40, whereas I-55 was (mostly) an upgrade to existing US 66?

Is it because I-70 was done first?

Before the Interstate Highway Act, IDOT had spent millions between 1926 and 1956 updating portions of US-66 to meet the growing traffic demand.  So in many cases on I-55, they could defer much of the work as many bypasses of small town centers had already been completed.

I have driven I-55 so much between STL and CHI that I could probably do it in my sleep now.

I remember the different sections being done and then in odd places getting hit with a stoplight now and then.

The original Pontiac Bypass built in 1929 was the last road to be "blessed" by an original Illini tribesman still alive. He came out sang a chant in his native tongue and in native clothing.  Today, anything like that would be banned! Ask anyone what an Illini was and no one knows.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:13:30 PM
This was the original planned route of the West Suburban Expressway by IDOT.

It was to start near the terminus of the Eisenhower/Tri-State/ Roosevelt Road (IL-38) ramps.  (IL-38 used to be ALT US30)

It roughly followed what became IL-56 and IDOT built some parts in prep of what would become a freeway.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4374/36859113212_a03eab1d96_z.jpg)

It was to bridge the Fox River just north of North Aurora, which in late 1940's didn't go farther than the CB&Q branch line at the time. That former ROW is now Oak Street in North Aurora.

West of the CB&Q branch line it was going turn SW towards where the current I-88/IL-56 ramps go down to US30.

I have no idea what it was going to be signed if it got built. Since it essentially aligned traffic east-west out of metro Chicago, I always assumed it was going to be the "new" US30. But that got pushed away as a south suburban Chicago bypass via Joliet instead.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

Butterfield and Highland was a fully signalled intersection that met at grade.  Believe it or not, before the Yorktown Mall was built, it was a 4 way stop!

The Highland Overpass was built due to local congestion causing backups on the nearby tollway.  So Butterfiled was lowered and Highland raised a little in the early 90's to give you what you have today.

Speaking of intersections that used to be 4 way stops.....IL-59 and New York Avenue (former US-33) was a 4 way stop right up to when the Fox Valley Mall opened in 1976.  It was about a year later before they finally installed a full signal set.

Today, locals can't imagine that being any other way.

I met an old farmer once who owned land along IL-59 south of the Fox Valley Mall between then Naperville and Aurora.  He said he remembers IDOT surveyors coming out and marking the land just after WW2 and 2 months later came to him with a ROW purchase agreement.  IDOT told him it was for a future expressway. That was in 1947!  He is long gone now and no expressway was built, but IL-59 is definitely a busy route between Plainfield and Aurora.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on September 04, 2017, 05:40:09 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

Butterfield and Highland was a fully signalled intersection that met at grade.  Believe it or not, before the Yorktown Mall was built, it was a 4 way stop!

The Highland Overpass was built due to local congestion causing backups on the nearby tollway.  So Butterfiled was lowered and Highland raised a little in the early 90's to give you what you have today.

Speaking of intersections that used to be 4 way stops.....IL-59 and New York Avenue (former US-33) was a 4 way stop right up to when the Fox Valley Mall opened in 1976.  It was about a year later before they finally installed a full signal set.

Today, locals can't imagine that being any other way.


US-33 was never in Illinois.  Do you mean something else?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 04, 2017, 05:48:43 PM
US 30 was along New York St (And Galena Blvd, as One Way pairs), but not as far East as IL 59, I didn't think. I was under the impression US 30 came up from the Joliet area via Hill Ave to reach New York St/Galena Blvd to downtown Aurora (there were a few US 30 signs still on Hill Ave, but I think they are gone now).

Unless US 30 continued along New York St, then Aurora Ave to reach Downtown Naperville, but I don't think that was its route. I guess it may have turned South along IL 59 at one point, as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 08:15:59 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on September 04, 2017, 05:40:09 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

Butterfield and Highland was a fully signalled intersection that met at grade.  Believe it or not, before the Yorktown Mall was built, it was a 4 way stop!

The Highland Overpass was built due to local congestion causing backups on the nearby tollway.  So Butterfiled was lowered and Highland raised a little in the early 90's to give you what you have today.

Speaking of intersections that used to be 4 way stops.....IL-59 and New York Avenue (former US-33) was a 4 way stop right up to when the Fox Valley Mall opened in 1976.  It was about a year later before they finally installed a full signal set.

Today, locals can't imagine that being any other way.


US-33 was never in Illinois.  Do you mean something else?

My error.

It wasn't US-33, it was IL-65.

1948

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4359/37032966085_db95b050f9_z.jpg)

1962

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4403/37032891555_bbd38358a0_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 04, 2017, 08:53:18 PM
Those are cool maps!

I like how Butterfield Rd/Present IL 56 used to be IL 55. Seems fitting it was changed, when I-55 became a thing

Any idea what the story is behind the US 54 shield, depicted on the 1948 map, around Alsip or so?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on September 04, 2017, 09:03:32 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on September 04, 2017, 08:53:18 PM
Those are cool maps!

I like how Butterfield Rd/Present IL 56 used to be IL 55. Seems fitting it was changed, when I-55 became a thing

Any idea what the story is behind the US 54 shield, depicted on the 1948 map, around Alsip or so?


US-54 used to run to downtown Chicago.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: brad on September 07, 2017, 10:03:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

Butterfield and Highland was a fully signalled intersection that met at grade.  Believe it or not, before the Yorktown Mall was built, it was a 4 way stop!

The Highland Overpass was built due to local congestion causing backups on the nearby tollway.  So Butterfiled was lowered and Highland raised a little in the early 90's to give you what you have today.

Historic aerials seem to indicate otherwise. The overpass was built sometime between 1970 and 1973. But Butterfield didn't go underneath until the late 80's. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on September 07, 2017, 10:21:04 PM
Quote from: brad on September 07, 2017, 10:03:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

Butterfield and Highland was a fully signalled intersection that met at grade.  Believe it or not, before the Yorktown Mall was built, it was a 4 way stop!

The Highland Overpass was built due to local congestion causing backups on the nearby tollway.  So Butterfiled was lowered and Highland raised a little in the early 90's to give you what you have today.

Historic aerials seem to indicate otherwise. The overpass was built sometime between 1970 and 1973. But Butterfield didn't go underneath until the late 80's.

Where do you get aerials that go that far back?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on September 07, 2017, 10:44:19 PM
Quote from: tribar on September 07, 2017, 10:21:04 PM
Quote from: brad on September 07, 2017, 10:03:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

Butterfield and Highland was a fully signalled intersection that met at grade.  Believe it or not, before the Yorktown Mall was built, it was a 4 way stop!

The Highland Overpass was built due to local congestion causing backups on the nearby tollway.  So Butterfiled was lowered and Highland raised a little in the early 90's to give you what you have today.

Historic aerials seem to indicate otherwise. The overpass was built sometime between 1970 and 1973. But Butterfield didn't go underneath until the late 80's.

Where do you get aerials that go that far back?

https://www.historicaerials.com/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 15, 2017, 10:09:13 PM
Kane County has posted an updated set of plans for Section D of Longmeadow Parkway, which includes the intersection with IL 62.  Per Sheet 96 of the plans (~74 MB pdf file), there will be a non-overhead doghouse signal for eastbound Longmeadow.

General Longmeadow Parkway website (http://www.co.kane.il.us/dot/foxBridges/longmeadowPkwy.aspx)
Direct link to plans for Section D (https://kdotftp.egnyte.com/dl/WSksFQYs0S)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 16, 2017, 01:14:49 AM
Quote from: brad on September 07, 2017, 10:03:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

Butterfield and Highland was a fully signalled intersection that met at grade.  Believe it or not, before the Yorktown Mall was built, it was a 4 way stop!

The Highland Overpass was built due to local congestion causing backups on the nearby tollway.  So Butterfiled was lowered and Highland raised a little in the early 90's to give you what you have today.

Historic aerials seem to indicate otherwise. The overpass was built sometime between 1970 and 1973. But Butterfield didn't go underneath until the late 80's.

I just looked at those aerials. The 1988 pix shows the Highland Road overpass under construction. There was no overpass in 1970 or 1973. They met at grade.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 03:15:11 PM
Sign replacement continues on the Kennedy, particularly outbound between I-290 and the I-90/94 split. It seems the new signs are not showing the Chicago street codes anymore (5200N, 4800 W, etc).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 24, 2017, 03:33:40 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 03:15:11 PM
Sign replacement continues on the Kennedy, particularly outbound between I-290 and the I-90/94 split. It seems the new signs are not showing the Chicago street codes anymore (5200N, 4800 W, etc).

Glad the signs are finally being replaced... way overdue. But that is incredibly shortsighted on IDOT's part. The street numbering is a big component of getting around Chicago, even on the expressways.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on September 24, 2017, 04:15:23 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 03:15:11 PM
Sign replacement continues on the Kennedy, particularly outbound between I-290 and the I-90/94 split. It seems the new signs are not showing the Chicago street codes anymore (5200N, 4800 W, etc).

The news signs look terrible. They don't fit properly on the existing BGS's.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 05:44:42 PM
Quote from: tribar on September 24, 2017, 04:15:23 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 03:15:11 PM
Sign replacement continues on the Kennedy, particularly outbound between I-290 and the I-90/94 split. It seems the new signs are not showing the Chicago street codes anymore (5200N, 4800 W, etc).

The news signs look terrible. They don't fit properly on the existing BGS's.

Especially the new Kennedy and Edens signs approaching the JCT. They look awful
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 24, 2017, 09:00:24 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 05:44:42 PM
Quote from: tribar on September 24, 2017, 04:15:23 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 03:15:11 PM
Sign replacement continues on the Kennedy, particularly outbound between I-290 and the I-90/94 split. It seems the new signs are not showing the Chicago street codes anymore (5200N, 4800 W, etc).

The news signs look terrible. They don't fit properly on the existing BGS's.

Especially the new Kennedy and Edens signs approaching the JCT. They look awful

It's the same issue on IL 53 North of I-90 when they replaced those a few years ago. This just seems to be IDOT practice.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on September 25, 2017, 05:40:02 PM
Many of the street signs in Springfield indicate the block number after the street name.  Example: 11th St 1300N.  However, the ones at Capitol and 11th say 11th 400S St.  Oops!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: brad on September 25, 2017, 09:35:26 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 16, 2017, 01:14:49 AM
Quote from: brad on September 07, 2017, 10:03:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

Butterfield and Highland was a fully signalled intersection that met at grade.  Believe it or not, before the Yorktown Mall was built, it was a 4 way stop!

The Highland Overpass was built due to local congestion causing backups on the nearby tollway.  So Butterfiled was lowered and Highland raised a little in the early 90's to give you what you have today.

Historic aerials seem to indicate otherwise. The overpass was built sometime between 1970 and 1973. But Butterfield didn't go underneath until the late 80's.

I just looked at those aerials. The 1988 pix shows the Highland Road overpass under construction. There was no overpass in 1970 or 1973. They met at grade.

Not sure what you're looking at, but that's not what is shown on the Historic Aerials site.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 27, 2017, 09:55:03 PM
Quote from: brad on September 25, 2017, 09:35:26 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 16, 2017, 01:14:49 AM
Quote from: brad on September 07, 2017, 10:03:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 04, 2017, 05:28:00 PM
Quote from: brad on September 03, 2017, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 02, 2017, 09:12:11 PM
One of the remnants of the planned West Suburban Expressway planned by IDOT.

This is IL-56 just west of IL-59.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_z.jpg)

Is the intersection of Butterfield and Highland also a remnant? It's so strange to see an overpass there. I vaguely recall when Butterfield Road went up the off ramps instead of going under Highland Ave.

Butterfield and Highland was a fully signalled intersection that met at grade.  Believe it or not, before the Yorktown Mall was built, it was a 4 way stop!

The Highland Overpass was built due to local congestion causing backups on the nearby tollway.  So Butterfiled was lowered and Highland raised a little in the early 90's to give you what you have today.

Historic aerials seem to indicate otherwise. The overpass was built sometime between 1970 and 1973. But Butterfield didn't go underneath until the late 80's.

I just looked at those aerials. The 1988 pix shows the Highland Road overpass under construction. There was no overpass in 1970 or 1973. They met at grade.

Not sure what you're looking at, but that's not what is shown on the Historic Aerials site.

Well, you asked...here it is from the coveted Historic Aerials site as you wish....

Before the underpass was built, Butterfield (IL-56) and Highland met at grade with a signaled intersection.

1974  (No underpass)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/37332428662_bda9f725a1_z.jpg)

1988 (Underpass under construction)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4476/37332428622_fa4cbe04e5.jpg)

1992 (Underpass Complete)

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4410/37332428532_4d126fbe59.jpg)

I saw Star Wars in 1977 at the Yorktown Cinema a mile east of this intersection when it was just 2 screens.  I drove through here every week for some 30 years.

Have a nice day!   :-|
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 28, 2017, 11:29:02 AM
So, does anybody know what's going on with the DDI project at I-55 and Weber Road?  A couple years ago they actually started on it, with some grading and roadbeds put in, but then the project stopped, and from what I understand, it had little to do with the state's budget.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on September 28, 2017, 09:37:43 PM
I found this article. http://www.wjol.com/weber-road-diamond-interchange-construction-expected-last-two-years/ (http://www.wjol.com/weber-road-diamond-interchange-construction-expected-last-two-years/)

Doesn't give much information but it's from July 2017.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 29, 2017, 09:45:20 AM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on September 28, 2017, 09:37:43 PM
I found this article. http://www.wjol.com/weber-road-diamond-interchange-construction-expected-last-two-years/ (http://www.wjol.com/weber-road-diamond-interchange-construction-expected-last-two-years/)

Doesn't give much information but it's from July 2017.

I think I noticed some subtle stuff going on.  There's an old car wash about a mile south of 55 that was torn down, and the plans I've seen show that as a staging area.  I noticed some utility flags around as well.

I'll be surprised if this gets started in earnest in the spring.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: machias on October 01, 2017, 11:34:47 AM
Quote from: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 05:44:42 PM
Quote from: tribar on September 24, 2017, 04:15:23 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 03:15:11 PM
Sign replacement continues on the Kennedy, particularly outbound between I-290 and the I-90/94 split. It seems the new signs are not showing the Chicago street codes anymore (5200N, 4800 W, etc).

The news signs look terrible. They don't fit properly on the existing BGS's.

Especially the new Kennedy and Edens signs approaching the JCT. They look awful

I haven't noticed any new awful looking signs. Which ones are you referring to?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on October 01, 2017, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: upstatenyroads on October 01, 2017, 11:34:47 AM
Quote from: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 05:44:42 PM
Quote from: tribar on September 24, 2017, 04:15:23 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 24, 2017, 03:15:11 PM
Sign replacement continues on the Kennedy, particularly outbound between I-290 and the I-90/94 split. It seems the new signs are not showing the Chicago street codes anymore (5200N, 4800 W, etc).

The news signs look terrible. They don't fit properly on the existing BGS's.

Especially the new Kennedy and Edens signs approaching the JCT. They look awful

I haven't noticed any new awful looking signs. Which ones are you referring to?

I-90/94 westbound approaching the split
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 06, 2017, 05:21:55 PM
I just got to thinking, and having not seen this addressed via a quick search of the forums, why hasn't IL-394 ever been numbered I-394?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on October 06, 2017, 05:26:55 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 06, 2017, 05:21:55 PM
I just got to thinking, and having not seen this addressed via a quick search of the forums, why hasn't IL-394 ever been numbered I-394?

I don't really see the purpose of it. The freeway section of 394 is 4-5 miles at most and the section south of that would probably still be IL 394.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 06, 2017, 09:22:06 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 06, 2017, 05:21:55 PM
I just got to thinking, and having not seen this addressed via a quick search of the forums, why hasn't IL-394 ever been numbered I-394?

A few guesses:

1) Illinois general prefers interstates to end at other interstates?  Wouldn't account for I-172, I-180, and I-190 though.

2) There's nothing important enough near the end of the freeway to warrant an interstate number?  Again I-172 and I-180 would not fit this pattern.

3) As noted by Tribar, the freeway is not that long, and an IL 394 would still be required for the expressway section.

4) IDOT did try once for I-394 and was denied?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tdindy88 on October 06, 2017, 09:27:50 PM
I suppose this may be dumb for asking, but why can't that stretch be Illinois 1? The control city already is Danville. I know Illinois 1 is nearby but is there any significance for running it up that way toward 95th Street rather than running it up into I-94?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 06, 2017, 09:49:59 PM
Quote from: tdindy88 on October 06, 2017, 09:27:50 PM
I suppose this may be dumb for asking, but why can't that stretch be Illinois 1? The control city already is Danville. I know Illinois 1 is nearby but is there any significance for running it up that way toward 95th Street rather than running it up into I-94?

It was IL-1 at one point.
http://www.n9jig.com/1-20.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_Route_1
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tdindy88 on October 06, 2017, 09:59:46 PM
They probably should have kept it there, which was why I was wondering what the reason is for putting it back on its original alignment, especially since they aren't routing it up to Downtown Chicago any more. It's not like Illinois is against single digit freeways with Illinois 6 around the Peoria area?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 06, 2017, 10:36:56 PM
IDOT has a long range plan to convert the expressway section from Sauk Trail to somewhere around Goodenow Road to a fully access controlled freeway. I am pretty sure there would need to be some upgrades on the existing freeway section north of Sauk Trail to meet modern Interstate standards. If the 3rd airport at Peotone or the new CSX intermodal yard at Crete go in, might give some momentum to do it, but right now it is fairly low on the priority list and not a fiscally constrained project in the current CMAP 2040 plan. They might try for an I-designation if that project is ever done.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 06, 2017, 11:57:27 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on October 06, 2017, 10:36:56 PM
IDOT has a long range plan to convert the expressway section from Sauk Trail to somewhere around Goodenow Road to a fully access controlled freeway. I am pretty sure there would need to be some upgrades on the existing freeway section north of Sauk Trail to meet modern Interstate standards. If the 3rd airport at Peotone or the new CSX intermodal yard at Crete go in, might give some momentum to do it, but right now it is fairly low on the priority list and not a fiscally constrained project in the current CMAP 2040 plan. They might try for an I-designation if that project is ever done.
the tollway can fill the funding gap if needed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 07, 2017, 09:39:53 AM
And now there's this...

Legislative leaders consider using road funds to build Obama library (https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/legislative-leaders-consider-using-state-tax-dollars-meant-for-roads/article_02e305a6-aabc-11e7-af18-e7363460b396.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on October 07, 2017, 12:00:09 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 07, 2017, 09:39:53 AM
And now there's this...

Legislative leaders consider using road funds to build Obama library (https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/legislative-leaders-consider-using-state-tax-dollars-meant-for-roads/article_02e305a6-aabc-11e7-af18-e7363460b396.html)

Um... that is a big no-no for me...  :pan: :pan: :pan:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on October 07, 2017, 12:46:44 PM
Just wondering, how is the Longmeadow Pkwy doing?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 07, 2017, 09:40:51 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 07, 2017, 09:39:53 AM
And now there's this...

Legislative leaders consider using road funds to build Obama library (https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/legislative-leaders-consider-using-state-tax-dollars-meant-for-roads/article_02e305a6-aabc-11e7-af18-e7363460b396.html)
just put a tollgate in to enter so only the people who use it pay for it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mvak36 on October 07, 2017, 11:31:19 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on October 07, 2017, 12:00:09 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 07, 2017, 09:39:53 AM
And now there's this...

Legislative leaders consider using road funds to build Obama library (https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/legislative-leaders-consider-using-state-tax-dollars-meant-for-roads/article_02e305a6-aabc-11e7-af18-e7363460b396.html)

Um... that is a big no-no for me...  :pan: :pan: :pan:

I say HELL NO!!! The state can't even maintain the roads it has and has a whole lot of other budget problems. I have nothing against Obama, but this is government waste at it's finest.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on October 08, 2017, 06:21:05 AM
Welcome to Illinois - where Chicago makes policy and everyone else shuts the fuck up.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 7/8 on October 08, 2017, 11:29:35 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 07, 2017, 09:39:53 AM
And now there's this...

Legislative leaders consider using road funds to build Obama library (https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/legislative-leaders-consider-using-state-tax-dollars-meant-for-roads/article_02e305a6-aabc-11e7-af18-e7363460b396.html)

The article mentions the idea of doing a fundraiser, and that seems like a much better idea to me. Obama was a popular president, so I don't think it would be hard to pay for it, or at least pay for a large chunk of it through donations.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on October 08, 2017, 04:50:36 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on October 07, 2017, 11:31:19 PM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on October 07, 2017, 12:00:09 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 07, 2017, 09:39:53 AM
And now there's this...

Legislative leaders consider using road funds to build Obama library (https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/legislative-leaders-consider-using-state-tax-dollars-meant-for-roads/article_02e305a6-aabc-11e7-af18-e7363460b396.html)

Um... that is a big no-no for me...  :pan: :pan: :pan:

I say HELL NO!!! The state can't even maintain the roads it has and has a whole lot of other budget problems. I have nothing against Obama, but this is government waste at it's finest.

Isn't this illegal now? Didn't Illinois pass a constitutional amendment banning the use of gas tax and vehicle registration money for anything other than roads?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on October 08, 2017, 06:49:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 07, 2017, 09:39:53 AM
And now there's this...

Legislative leaders consider using road funds to build Obama library (https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/legislative-leaders-consider-using-state-tax-dollars-meant-for-roads/article_02e305a6-aabc-11e7-af18-e7363460b396.html)

Why here and not Hawaii where he's from? He's not even from Illinois? He just came here as an adult already out of law school to work a job. He's no more "from Illinois" than Peyton Manning is from Denver.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on October 08, 2017, 10:05:21 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on October 08, 2017, 06:49:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 07, 2017, 09:39:53 AM
And now there's this...

Legislative leaders consider using road funds to build Obama library (https://www.ilnews.org/news/state_politics/legislative-leaders-consider-using-state-tax-dollars-meant-for-roads/article_02e305a6-aabc-11e7-af18-e7363460b396.html)

Why here and not Hawaii where he's from? He's not even from Illinois? He just came here as an adult already out of law school to work a job. He's no more "from Illinois" than Peyton Manning is from Denver.


Who says it has to be where they are from?  Reagan wasn't from California.  H.W. Bush wasn't from Texas. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 10, 2017, 07:22:24 AM
IDOT's lack of maintenance is showing.

Huge Hole On Bridge Deck Of I-80 And Rowell Avenue (http://www.wjol.com/huge-hole-bridge-deck-80-rowell-avenue/?_pjax=.site-main)

QuoteA huge pot hole along the bridge deck of eastbound I-80 over the Rowell Avenue. This massive hole was discovered yesterday afternoon.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 10, 2017, 08:52:46 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 10, 2017, 07:22:24 AM
IDOT's lack of maintenance is showing.

Huge Hole On Bridge Deck Of I-80 And Rowell Avenue (http://www.wjol.com/huge-hole-bridge-deck-80-rowell-avenue/?_pjax=.site-main)

QuoteA huge pot hole along the bridge deck of eastbound I-80 over the Rowell Avenue. This massive hole was discovered yesterday afternoon.

Did you comment on this on the "You know you're from Joliet if..." group on facebook?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 10, 2017, 10:10:07 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 10, 2017, 08:52:46 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 10, 2017, 07:22:24 AM
IDOT's lack of maintenance is showing.

Huge Hole On Bridge Deck Of I-80 And Rowell Avenue (http://www.wjol.com/huge-hole-bridge-deck-80-rowell-avenue/?_pjax=.site-main)

QuoteA huge pot hole along the bridge deck of eastbound I-80 over the Rowell Avenue. This massive hole was discovered yesterday afternoon.

Did you comment on this on the "You know you're from Joliet if..." group on facebook?

Why yes, I indeed did.  Same comment too.

A major east-west interstate, and IDOT can't manage to maintain it well enough to travel reliably on.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 10, 2017, 10:22:45 AM
Time for the I-80will project (http://i-80will.com/) to get started.

well.. it was time 15 years ago...

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 10, 2017, 10:32:46 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 10, 2017, 10:22:45 AM
Time for the I-80will project (http://i-80will.com/) to get started.

well.. it was time 15 years ago...

Wait 5 years.  IDOT is always at least 20 years behind.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 10, 2017, 10:45:28 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 10, 2017, 10:32:46 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 10, 2017, 10:22:45 AM
Time for the I-80will project (http://i-80will.com/) to get started.

well.. it was time 15 years ago...

Wait 5 years.  IDOT is always at least 20 years behind.
This state is so fudged up with it's finances it's not even funny.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on October 15, 2017, 08:03:59 PM
Is there a website where you can see what is being displayed on VMS throughout Chicagoland?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 15, 2017, 08:07:54 PM
Quote from: tribar on October 15, 2017, 08:03:59 PM
Is there a website where you can see what is being displayed on VMS throughout Chicagoland?

https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/home.jsp (https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/home.jsp)

Make sure the overhead signs layer is turned on.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on October 16, 2017, 01:55:02 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on October 15, 2017, 08:07:54 PM
Quote from: tribar on October 15, 2017, 08:03:59 PM
Is there a website where you can see what is being displayed on VMS throughout Chicagoland?

https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/home.jsp (https://www.travelmidwest.com/lmiga/home.jsp)

Make sure the overhead signs layer is turned on.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on October 17, 2017, 12:35:36 PM
Cicero Ave bridge over the Cal Sag River will be closed until The Last Jedi Day (December 15th) for emergency repairs. Cicero is closed between 127th and IL-83/Cal Sag Road. The ramp from southbound 294 to southbound Cicero is also closed.

They found cracks in the superstructure, but I'm surprised they didn't just do a complete sweep of the bridges crossing the Cal Sag for repairs. They redid Ridgeland and IL-171/83 bridges within the past couple of years
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 18, 2017, 10:05:45 AM
Quote from: ET21 on October 17, 2017, 12:35:36 PM
Cicero Ave bridge over the Cal Sag River will be closed until The Last Jedi Day (December 15th) for emergency repairs. Cicero is closed between 127th and IL-83/Cal Sag Road. The ramp from southbound 294 to southbound Cicero is also closed.

They found cracks in the superstructure, but I'm surprised they didn't just do a complete sweep of the bridges crossing the Cal Sag for repairs. They redid Ridgeland and IL-171/83 bridges within the past couple of years

Is it just me, but has there been a lot of emergency bridge repairs in the Chicago area over the last year?  I recall one south of Arsenal Rd. on 55, and just last week on I-80 on the east side of Joliet.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on October 18, 2017, 11:25:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 18, 2017, 10:05:45 AM
Quote from: ET21 on October 17, 2017, 12:35:36 PM
Cicero Ave bridge over the Cal Sag River will be closed until The Last Jedi Day (December 15th) for emergency repairs. Cicero is closed between 127th and IL-83/Cal Sag Road. The ramp from southbound 294 to southbound Cicero is also closed.

They found cracks in the superstructure, but I'm surprised they didn't just do a complete sweep of the bridges crossing the Cal Sag for repairs. They redid Ridgeland and IL-171/83 bridges within the past couple of years

Is it just me, but has there been a lot of emergency bridge repairs in the Chicago area over the last year?  I recall one south of Arsenal Rd. on 55, and just last week on I-80 on the east side of Joliet.

Torrence Ave bridge over the Cal Sag Channel also had an emergency repair over the past year
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 18, 2017, 04:11:42 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 18, 2017, 10:05:45 AM
Quote from: ET21 on October 17, 2017, 12:35:36 PM
Cicero Ave bridge over the Cal Sag River will be closed until The Last Jedi Day (December 15th) for emergency repairs. Cicero is closed between 127th and IL-83/Cal Sag Road. The ramp from southbound 294 to southbound Cicero is also closed.

They found cracks in the superstructure, but I'm surprised they didn't just do a complete sweep of the bridges crossing the Cal Sag for repairs. They redid Ridgeland and IL-171/83 bridges within the past couple of years

Is it just me, but has there been a lot of emergency bridge repairs in the Chicago area over the last year?  I recall one south of Arsenal Rd. on 55, and just last week on I-80 on the east side of Joliet.

IDOT is normally on a two year schedule for bridge inspections. As soon as an element gets below a threshold of good repair, they go to a one-year cycle. There are bridges in the past that were inspected on as often as a weekly basis because of fracture critical components. At any time during these inspections, and through routine drive-throughs by maintenance personnel or reports by the general public, something suspicious is sometimes found. Depending on the issue, some problems reveal themselves over time in a highly visible manner (like the exposed steel components of a truss bridge), others are hidden beneath the surface until they suddenly pop out in the open (often on bridge decks).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 11, 2017, 08:40:22 PM
Page 13 of 36 from this presentation (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Pamphlets-&-Brochures/Freight-Council/061917/June%2019,%202017%20Full%20Packet.pdf) has a truck flow map from 2014 for Illinois that might be of interest.  I have to wonder if it is missing some data given the categories given to some of the Chicagoland interstates.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on December 09, 2017, 07:06:09 PM
IDOT has narrowed down their plan for replacing the IL-106 Florence bridge across the Illinois River to 4 options.  I guess the build-no bridge option is to just simply tear down the existing bridge and upgrade the country road from IL-100 and IL-106 in Detroit to I-72 with a new interchange. I think most locals would prefer a brand new bridge, which would also provide a viable detour route for I-72.

http://wlds.com/news/idot-receives-public-feedback-on-florence-bridge-project/

IDOT receives public feedback on Florence Bridge project

By Blake Schnitker on December 8 at 7:59am

Residents of Scott and Pike counties had the opportunity to meet with IDOT representatives last night regarding future plans for the Florence Bridge.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is currently in the planning stages for replacing the bridge that runs across the Illinois River at Florence, near the border of Pike and Scott counties and Illinois Routes 100 and 106.

Last night, IDOT representatives laid out the various replacement options that they've developed and received feedback from members of the community. In terms of replacing the bridge, IDOT's Region Four Engineer Jeff South explains the alternative options.

"We started off with about ten or so, and we've narrowed it down to basically four with a no-build option. The four alternatives that we're looking at basically include a (potential) bridge about 100 feet north of the current structure, one about 100 feet south of the current structure, one about 300 feet south of the current structure, and a little bit more of a bypass concept about 4,500 feet south of the current structure, with attaching roadways,"  says South.

Back in early August, the Florence Bridge was shut down for a few days. South says that those repairs were made, but explains why IDOT is thinking about the long term condition of the structure.

"The bridge was originally shut down a little bit earlier this year based on some inspection results we had. We fixed those issues, so the bridge is back open and in service. We want to take a look at our options for replacing this structure because the bridge is basically old, it's structurally deficient, it's functionally obsolete, and we don't want to  continue to put a whole lot of money into a structure that isn't really looking forward into the 21st century,"  South explains.

The projected costs of the four replacement alternatives range from about $70 to $78 million dollars. The cheapest construction cost comes with alternative 4A and is estimated at $70.6 million, where a replacement would be placed approximately 100 feet north of the existing bridge. The most expensive option is alternative 4C, which would construct a replacement bridge 100 feet south of the current structure; that comes in at an estimated $77.6 million.

In terms of costs, South explains that IDOT would seek some federal funding for this particular project.

"In general, we would look to have federal participation for this structure. Generally, we would look for eighty-twenty, with the department matching twenty (percent) because it's our roadway, it's our bridge, we would intend for most of the money for the match to be ours and have federal participation in it. Some of the side roads, it's possible that we would need some local participation for improving those, but it depends on the alternative,"  says South.

IDOT is approximately two-thirds of the way through the planning phase of the project. The department plans to hold more public meetings similar to last night's event in the future, as they continue to seek community feedback. To provide online feedback, you can email IDOT at contact@www.florencebridgestudy.com.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 11, 2017, 11:56:24 AM
State expands plan to add toll lanes on I-55 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-i-55-toll-getting-around-20171210-story.html)

QuoteTo combat congestion on the Stevenson Expressway, Gov. Bruce Rauner and IDOT last year proposed adding one express toll lane in each direction for the 25-mile stretch between I-355 and I-90/94, to be built by private companies. The stretch starts at Bolingbrook and touches such southwest suburbs as Burr Ridge, Hodgkins and Summit, plus Chicago's Southwest Side.

IDOT has now upped the ante and proposes having two new toll lanes in each direction from I-90/94 in the city to I-294, with one toll lane in each direction from I-294 to I-355.

The new plan would be more attractive to developers, who could pay for all or part of the construction through a public-private partnership, which would have to be approved by the Illinois General Assembly, explained IDOT project manager Steve Schilke. The Assembly never voted on the initial, one-lane proposal. The Illinois Tollway would have the right of first refusal on the project.

The new lanes would go into the shoulder area to the left of traffic and into the center median. The additional lanes would not take up any more of the right-of-way for I-55, so it would not intrude on private property, Schilke said. Some widening would be needed at places where the roadway curves, to make sure sightlines are safe, but this would still be within the existing right-of-way, he said.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on December 11, 2017, 12:14:14 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 11, 2017, 11:56:24 AM
State expands plan to add toll lanes on I-55 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-i-55-toll-getting-around-20171210-story.html)

QuoteTo combat congestion on the Stevenson Expressway, Gov. Bruce Rauner and IDOT last year proposed adding one express toll lane in each direction for the 25-mile stretch between I-355 and I-90/94, to be built by private companies. The stretch starts at Bolingbrook and touches such southwest suburbs as Burr Ridge, Hodgkins and Summit, plus Chicago's Southwest Side.

IDOT has now upped the ante and proposes having two new toll lanes in each direction from I-90/94 in the city to I-294, with one toll lane in each direction from I-294 to I-355.

The new plan would be more attractive to developers, who could pay for all or part of the construction through a public-private partnership, which would have to be approved by the Illinois General Assembly, explained IDOT project manager Steve Schilke. The Assembly never voted on the initial, one-lane proposal. The Illinois Tollway would have the right of first refusal on the project.

The new lanes would go into the shoulder area to the left of traffic and into the center median. The additional lanes would not take up any more of the right-of-way for I-55, so it would not intrude on private property, Schilke said. Some widening would be needed at places where the roadway curves, to make sure sightlines are safe, but this would still be within the existing right-of-way, he said.

The tollway taking control of this project just makes sense. Not a bad idea at the end. I just hope the tollway lets pace use the express lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 11, 2017, 01:31:44 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on December 11, 2017, 12:14:14 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 11, 2017, 11:56:24 AM
State expands plan to add toll lanes on I-55 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-i-55-toll-getting-around-20171210-story.html)

QuoteTo combat congestion on the Stevenson Expressway, Gov. Bruce Rauner and IDOT last year proposed adding one express toll lane in each direction for the 25-mile stretch between I-355 and I-90/94, to be built by private companies. The stretch starts at Bolingbrook and touches such southwest suburbs as Burr Ridge, Hodgkins and Summit, plus Chicago's Southwest Side.

IDOT has now upped the ante and proposes having two new toll lanes in each direction from I-90/94 in the city to I-294, with one toll lane in each direction from I-294 to I-355.

The new plan would be more attractive to developers, who could pay for all or part of the construction through a public-private partnership, which would have to be approved by the Illinois General Assembly, explained IDOT project manager Steve Schilke. The Assembly never voted on the initial, one-lane proposal. The Illinois Tollway would have the right of first refusal on the project.

The new lanes would go into the shoulder area to the left of traffic and into the center median. The additional lanes would not take up any more of the right-of-way for I-55, so it would not intrude on private property, Schilke said. Some widening would be needed at places where the roadway curves, to make sure sightlines are safe, but this would still be within the existing right-of-way, he said.

The tollway taking control of this project just makes sense. Not a bad idea at the end. I just hope the tollway lets pace use the express lanes.

My guess is that the arrangement would be similar for Pace as it is on the Jane Addams/Northwest Tollway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on December 11, 2017, 03:15:13 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 11, 2017, 01:31:44 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on December 11, 2017, 12:14:14 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 11, 2017, 11:56:24 AM
State expands plan to add toll lanes on I-55 (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-i-55-toll-getting-around-20171210-story.html)

QuoteTo combat congestion on the Stevenson Expressway, Gov. Bruce Rauner and IDOT last year proposed adding one express toll lane in each direction for the 25-mile stretch between I-355 and I-90/94, to be built by private companies. The stretch starts at Bolingbrook and touches such southwest suburbs as Burr Ridge, Hodgkins and Summit, plus Chicago's Southwest Side.

IDOT has now upped the ante and proposes having two new toll lanes in each direction from I-90/94 in the city to I-294, with one toll lane in each direction from I-294 to I-355.

The new plan would be more attractive to developers, who could pay for all or part of the construction through a public-private partnership, which would have to be approved by the Illinois General Assembly, explained IDOT project manager Steve Schilke. The Assembly never voted on the initial, one-lane proposal. The Illinois Tollway would have the right of first refusal on the project.

The new lanes would go into the shoulder area to the left of traffic and into the center median. The additional lanes would not take up any more of the right-of-way for I-55, so it would not intrude on private property, Schilke said. Some widening would be needed at places where the roadway curves, to make sure sightlines are safe, but this would still be within the existing right-of-way, he said.

The tollway taking control of this project just makes sense. Not a bad idea at the end. I just hope the tollway lets pace use the express lanes.

My guess is that the arrangement would be similar for Pace as it is on the Jane Addams/Northwest Tollway.

Maybe we'd get a smaller version of the smart roadway with these, but not sure if IDOT would want that over the local lanes
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on December 12, 2017, 12:00:12 AM
Wasn't that wide grassy median put there as a routing for a potential future CTA Red Line extension?

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 12, 2017, 05:37:13 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 12, 2017, 12:00:12 AM
Wasn't that wide grassy median put there as a routing for a potential future CTA Red Line extension?

Mike
Orange Line.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on December 12, 2017, 09:19:32 AM
Whether the toll lanes on I-55 were a great idea remains to be seen. But if they help ease congestion a bit, then I'm all for it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on December 12, 2017, 10:27:46 AM
Quote from: Henry on December 12, 2017, 09:19:32 AM
Whether the toll lanes on I-55 were a great idea remains to be seen. But if they help ease congestion a bit, then I'm all for it.

Agreed.  I'm all for any kind of additional lanes along the Stevenson or Eisenhower.  If they were HOV/Toll lanes, that would be much better than straight-up toll lanes imo
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 7/8 on December 12, 2017, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 12, 2017, 10:27:46 AM
Quote from: Henry on December 12, 2017, 09:19:32 AM
Whether the toll lanes on I-55 were a great idea remains to be seen. But if they help ease congestion a bit, then I'm all for it.

Agreed.  I'm all for any kind of additional lanes along the Stevenson or Eisenhower.  If they were HOV/Toll lanes, that would be much better than straight-up toll lanes imo

So the toll lanes aren't HOV? I guess Illinois really is desperate for money :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on December 12, 2017, 04:55:07 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 12, 2017, 12:00:12 AM
Wasn't that wide grassy median put there as a routing for a potential future CTA Red Line extension?

Mike

You may be thinking of I-57, in which case, yes, it was.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 12, 2017, 04:56:08 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on December 12, 2017, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 12, 2017, 10:27:46 AM
Quote from: Henry on December 12, 2017, 09:19:32 AM
Whether the toll lanes on I-55 were a great idea remains to be seen. But if they help ease congestion a bit, then I'm all for it.

Agreed.  I'm all for any kind of additional lanes along the Stevenson or Eisenhower.  If they were HOV/Toll lanes, that would be much better than straight-up toll lanes imo

So the toll lanes aren't HOV? I guess Illinois really is desperate for money :-D

You have no idea.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 12, 2017, 04:58:03 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on December 12, 2017, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 12, 2017, 10:27:46 AM
Quote from: Henry on December 12, 2017, 09:19:32 AM
Whether the toll lanes on I-55 were a great idea remains to be seen. But if they help ease congestion a bit, then I'm all for it.

Agreed.  I'm all for any kind of additional lanes along the Stevenson or Eisenhower.  If they were HOV/Toll lanes, that would be much better than straight-up toll lanes imo

So the toll lanes aren't HOV? I guess Illinois really is desperate for money :-D
It's needs to be IL-tollway as for HOV toll transponder with hov switches are a mixed bag that will make having 1 common toll system hard
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on December 13, 2017, 10:23:36 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on December 12, 2017, 04:55:07 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 12, 2017, 12:00:12 AM
Wasn't that wide grassy median put there as a routing for a potential future CTA Red Line extension?

Mike

You may be thinking of I-57, in which case, yes, it was.

Yea, half-awake brainfart.

:-p

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on December 13, 2017, 11:33:38 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on December 12, 2017, 04:58:03 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on December 12, 2017, 12:02:16 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 12, 2017, 10:27:46 AM
Quote from: Henry on December 12, 2017, 09:19:32 AM
Whether the toll lanes on I-55 were a great idea remains to be seen. But if they help ease congestion a bit, then I'm all for it.

Agreed.  I'm all for any kind of additional lanes along the Stevenson or Eisenhower.  If they were HOV/Toll lanes, that would be much better than straight-up toll lanes imo

So the toll lanes aren't HOV? I guess Illinois really is desperate for money :-D
It's needs to be IL-tollway as for HOV toll transponder with hov switches are a mixed bag that will make having 1 common toll system hard

Price also has to be reasonable. I wouldn't mind paying 75 cents or a dollar and driving 50 mph and bypassing stop and go traffic. Last week or so, Virginia drivers had to pay $40 for a HOT lane.

I would really like ITHSA to take over this project. At least the funds they earn go right back into their system and they continually upgrade the highways and generally do a good job. If it's a for profit company, the funds will just go to shareholders. The difference between the tollway which is fairly priced and the Chicago skyway are huge. Additionally the skyway you pay more to use your ipass.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: DrMyEyes on December 16, 2017, 06:44:03 PM
Where did this map come from?  Is there going to be a new Joliet Road exit off 294?  The NB/SB County Line Road exits from SB 55 are dreadful, but it would be a shame to mess up that fancy Burr Ridge County Line overpass that took forever to build. 

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1mVYZ1GDcElZEZa-466VbqF_24GQ&hl=en_US&ll=41.76046424208385%2C-87.8941135&z=14
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 17, 2017, 08:40:48 PM
Will County to request study on possible tollway on I-80 (http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/15/will-county-to-request-study-on-possible-tollway-on-i-80/aepgcvt/)

QuoteThe Will County Executive Committee is exploring options to widen Interstate 80 as traffic congestion continues to plague the highway that runs through the county.

The committee is planning on requesting for the Illinois State Tollway Highway Authority to conduct a feasibility study for the purposes of widening I-80 through Will County by creating an additional new dedicated toll lane, according to a press release.

"The portion of I-80 that runs through Will County is often congested and many times greatly exceeds the capacity it was designed for," said Will County Board Speaker Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort, in the press release. "With the limited road construction resources that the state has, we need to look at all options including adding toll lanes."

Personally, I favor just selling it and I-55 outright to ISTHA.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: pianocello on December 17, 2017, 10:58:56 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 17, 2017, 08:40:48 PM
Will County to request study on possible tollway on I-80 (http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/15/will-county-to-request-study-on-possible-tollway-on-i-80/aepgcvt/)
Personally, I favor just selling it and I-55 outright to ISTHA.

I agree. If IDOT can't do anything, sell it to ISTHA and they can deal with it. In an ideal world, I-80 gets 6 lanes all the way out to I-55, with aux lanes between at least Larkin Ave and Richards St, as well as a complete redesign of the Center St and Chicago St interchanges. Of course, this is largely pipe dream. I don't know if even ISTHA can manage all of that.

Am I correct in saying that dedicated toll lanes (at least the ones that are proposed Illinois) have limited access points to the mainline, similar to the express lanes on the Kennedy and Dan Ryan?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 18, 2017, 08:57:27 AM
I wonder how this will affect the http://i-80will.com/ study.  They want it 6 lanes from 355 to the Grundy County line

I emailed them, and they said they're going to have a public meeting sometime after the first of the year.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on December 18, 2017, 09:17:52 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 17, 2017, 08:40:48 PM
Will County to request study on possible tollway on I-80 (http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/15/will-county-to-request-study-on-possible-tollway-on-i-80/aepgcvt/)

Hah, that ramp at the bottom left of the image is the ramp I use to take to work every day.

How about we build the frickin Illiana and get a bunch of trucks out of the way??

The frustrating thing is that the IDOT roads are the ones in disrepair, and the Tollway is sitting on a huge chunk of change that is never going to get used on them.  I hope the ISTHA can throw some of its money at the toll lanes on I-55, and depending on how that goes, maybe they can use a similar approach toward I-80.  I-80 was originally built to bypass the central urban core of Chicago to facilitate long-distance traffic, but since the area sprawled outward, you have commuters (like me) and short trips utilizing the road.  It would be a good road for splitting into express and local lanes, but that would take a ton of ROW and transportation dollars.  Some kind of miniature version of that, like the toll lanes, would work well here, I think.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 18, 2017, 09:58:12 AM
To help ease congestion both downtown Joliet and traffic across the region was to have the Caton Farm Rd. bridge built. That would have been a huge boon to the area.

I'm also thinking forcing all semi traffic to the Arsenal Rd. exit on 55 may not be a bad idea, at least until 80 can be widened.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 18, 2017, 10:03:36 AM
The I-80will.com project has a meeting scheduled for Wednesday January 31, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Joliet Junior College .  Of course I get off work at 4:30, but I may take half a day to go to this.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 18, 2017, 01:27:57 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 18, 2017, 09:17:52 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 17, 2017, 08:40:48 PM
Will County to request study on possible tollway on I-80 (http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/15/will-county-to-request-study-on-possible-tollway-on-i-80/aepgcvt/)

Hah, that ramp at the bottom left of the image is the ramp I use to take to work every day.

It's also the ramp I typically use when I want to leave home and use I-80 east.  Who knew there were so many of us in this area?  :-D

QuoteHow about we build the frickin Illiana and get a bunch of trucks out of the way??

Much agreed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 18, 2017, 01:50:02 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 18, 2017, 01:27:57 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 18, 2017, 09:17:52 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 17, 2017, 08:40:48 PM
Will County to request study on possible tollway on I-80 (http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/15/will-county-to-request-study-on-possible-tollway-on-i-80/aepgcvt/)

Hah, that ramp at the bottom left of the image is the ramp I use to take to work every day.

It's also the ramp I typically use when I want to leave home and use I-80 east.  Who knew there were so many of us in this area?  :-D

I used to get off at that interchange (eastbound) to take the Metra in to Chicago, and sometimes still do...but I-80 is such a dicey proposition for travel time, I usually allow for enough time to get to Hickory Creek station (13 miles east) instead, and if I miss the train there, the last resort is Blue Island station off of I-57 and 127th Street, or just giving up and driving in. I also remember the original cloverleaf at I-55 and 80 being an adventure with its tight quarters...when they rebuilt it, it improved things somewhat, but with all the traffic growth, the rebuilt one is just as congested and difficult to negotiate as the old one was. I remember a now-deceased IDOT engineer saying how he lobbied for flyover ramps during the original construction of I-80 but was rebuffed because of cost.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 18, 2017, 02:15:29 PM
They should also widen Laraway road and try to make it a higher speed route for the Semis.  Ugh
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on December 18, 2017, 03:23:33 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 18, 2017, 02:15:29 PM
They should also widen Laraway road and try to make it a higher speed route for the Semis.  Ugh

I'm only 36 years old, and I remember when Laraway Road was gravel...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 21, 2017, 10:18:54 AM
Quote from: kphoger on December 18, 2017, 03:23:33 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 18, 2017, 02:15:29 PM
They should also widen Laraway road and try to make it a higher speed route for the Semis.  Ugh

I'm only 36 years old, and I remember when Laraway Road was gravel...

I'm 49, and I remember when Essington Rd in Joliet was gravel.  The old bridge over the Rock Run creek is now just behind a bank at the NE corner of Black Rd. and Essington.

https://goo.gl/maps/FDnMpecMKg62
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on December 22, 2017, 08:39:42 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 18, 2017, 09:17:52 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 17, 2017, 08:40:48 PM
Will County to request study on possible tollway on I-80 (http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/12/15/will-county-to-request-study-on-possible-tollway-on-i-80/aepgcvt/)

Hah, that ramp at the bottom left of the image is the ramp I use to take to work every day.

How about we build the frickin Illiana and get a bunch of trucks out of the way??

The frustrating thing is that the IDOT roads are the ones in disrepair, and the Tollway is sitting on a huge chunk of change that is never going to get used on them.  I hope the ISTHA can throw some of its money at the toll lanes on I-55, and depending on how that goes, maybe they can use a similar approach toward I-80.  I-80 was originally built to bypass the central urban core of Chicago to facilitate long-distance traffic, but since the area sprawled outward, you have commuters (like me) and short trips utilizing the road.  It would be a good road for splitting into express and local lanes, but that would take a ton of ROW and transportation dollars.  Some kind of miniature version of that, like the toll lanes, would work well here, I think.

Well, we live in a country run by petty lawyers, great things like the Hoover Dam and Golden Gate Bridge can no longer get built so I know the logical I-480 Bypass south of Chicago land for EW traffic will never get built. I don't even bother with I80-90-94 south of the City and Lake during Weekdays coming up from downstate. Now I take US24 across to Fort Wayne and catch I69. It's four laned halfway across Indiana, but goes back to two lanes and although fairly low traffic, doesn't bypass county seats like Watseka and Monticello IN where you can expect to get hit by 5 or 6 lights. Still better than the stop and go crawl of I-80 from the Tri-State merger to about mile marker 22 in Indiana.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on December 22, 2017, 11:37:58 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on December 22, 2017, 08:39:42 AM

Well, we live in a country run by petty lawyers, great things like the Hoover Dam and Golden Gate Bridge


Garbage.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on December 22, 2017, 08:47:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 18, 2017, 02:15:29 PM
They should also widen Laraway road and try to make it a higher speed route for the Semis.  Ugh

A little birdy told me that this might happen within the next 5 years...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 26, 2017, 08:52:48 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 22, 2017, 08:47:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 18, 2017, 02:15:29 PM
They should also widen Laraway road and try to make it a higher speed route for the Semis.  Ugh

A little birdy told me that this might happen within the next 5 years...
I am intrigued.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 26, 2017, 06:58:51 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 26, 2017, 08:52:48 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 22, 2017, 08:47:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on December 18, 2017, 02:15:29 PM
They should also widen Laraway road and try to make it a higher speed route for the Semis.  Ugh

A little birdy told me that this might happen within the next 5 years...
I am intrigued.

No birdy needed, all you need is a link to the Will County 2015-2020 TIP.
http://willcountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=3127
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on December 27, 2017, 08:50:16 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 26, 2017, 06:58:51 PM


No birdy needed, all you need is a link to the Will County 2015-2020 TIP.
http://willcountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=4&ID=3127

I noticed that the Weber Rd. / I-55 interchange is listed. Is the project finally beginning in earnest?  I did note that the car wash about a mile south of the interchange, which is in the plans as a construction staging area, has been torn down.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 28, 2017, 06:40:29 PM
It appears Illinois has a new bannered state route:  A SPUR IL 3 in East St. Louis.  Streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6397346,-90.1573254,3a,20.9y,257.52h,87.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spqF41W8OvT3lgDYmkPQ-Lg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on December 28, 2017, 07:12:14 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on December 28, 2017, 06:40:29 PM
It appears Illinois has a new bannered state route:  A SPUR IL 3 in East St. Louis.  Streetview (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.6397346,-90.1573254,3a,20.9y,257.52h,87.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spqF41W8OvT3lgDYmkPQ-Lg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en)

Cool!

I found the press release here (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2016/D8-9/76850%20rel%2011-02-16.pdf) (.pdf warning), stating it opened just over a year ago.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on December 28, 2017, 07:56:22 PM
Does anyone at IDOT monitor buckling? I see IDOT attempted to repair some buckling on I-290, but did a terrible job. I notice that IDOT tends to just grind out the asphalt, but Michigan DOT tears up the asphalt and inserts 6" of concrete instead.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on December 28, 2017, 11:08:47 PM
I doubt this weather is conducive to laying any kind of asphalt or concrete.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on December 31, 2017, 02:51:35 PM
Quote from: JREwing78 on December 28, 2017, 11:08:47 PM
I doubt this weather is conducive to laying any kind of asphalt or concrete.

it's not.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on December 31, 2017, 03:46:55 PM
A friend of mine has been laying concrete here in Wichita for his job with the city.  He's laying it over a sewer main, though, so there's heat from underground.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on January 02, 2018, 09:53:02 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 13, 2017, 10:23:36 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on December 12, 2017, 04:55:07 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 12, 2017, 12:00:12 AM
Wasn't that wide grassy median put there as a routing for a potential future CTA Red Line extension?

Mike

You may be thinking of I-57, in which case, yes, it was.

Yea, half-awake brainfart.

:-p

Mike

Happens to the best of us.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 02, 2018, 10:09:03 AM
Interesting Tribune article...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-new-year-transportation-getting-around-20171231-story.html

Looks like the Weber Rd. / I-55 interchange construction will begin this year - Finally - and the first phase of the widening of I-80 through Joliet will begin, with the widening of the overpasses.  At least that's what I hope that blurb means...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on January 02, 2018, 12:26:33 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 02, 2018, 10:09:03 AM
Interesting Tribune article...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-new-year-transportation-getting-around-20171231-story.html

Looks like the Weber Rd. / I-55 interchange construction will begin this year - Finally - and the first phase of the widening of I-80 through Joliet will begin, with the widening of the overpasses.  At least that's what I hope that blurb means...

I-88 rehab work between IL-56 and IL-251. Asphalt was just done about 4-5 years ago, so maybe we'll see some early prep work on the IL-47 interchange along with the bridge rebuilds.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 02, 2018, 12:46:02 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 02, 2018, 10:09:03 AM
Interesting Tribune article...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-new-year-transportation-getting-around-20171231-story.html

Looks like the Weber Rd. / I-55 interchange construction will begin this year - Finally - and the first phase of the widening of I-80 through Joliet will begin, with the widening of the overpasses.  At least that's what I hope that blurb means...

Thoroughly enjoying the writer's allegory of the Jane Byrne Interchange as a "concrete soap opera."
Illinois is broke, so I totally understand the fare hikes on the entire Chicagoland transit trifecta.

What the heck are they going to do to the I-94/IL-132 interchange THIS time??  They just reworked that thing!

I take the I-80 bridges in Joliet every day...how come I haven't heard of them rebuilding those?  They desperately need a rebuild because those bridges are old as shit and need more capacity.  I'm happy to hear about it, but it's going to make my commute suck for a while.

And GOOD GOD O'Hare really needed a rework of its rental car system--hearing about a project to rework that mess is excellent news!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 02, 2018, 01:31:08 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 02, 2018, 12:46:02 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 02, 2018, 10:09:03 AM
Interesting Tribune article...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-new-year-transportation-getting-around-20171231-story.html

Looks like the Weber Rd. / I-55 interchange construction will begin this year - Finally - and the first phase of the widening of I-80 through Joliet will begin, with the widening of the overpasses.  At least that's what I hope that blurb means...

What the heck are they going to do to the I-94/IL-132 interchange THIS time??  They just reworked that thing!

The article said US-41/IL-132 interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 02, 2018, 03:03:13 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 02, 2018, 12:46:02 PM

I take the I-80 bridges in Joliet every day...how come I haven't heard of them rebuilding those?  They desperately need a rebuild because those bridges are old as shit and need more capacity.  I'm happy to hear about it, but it's going to make my commute suck for a while.


I think that's part of the I-80Will.com project, IIRC

EDIT:  Here it is...

http://i-80will.com/typography.html (http://i-80will.com/typography.html)

QuoteStage 2: Interim Rehabilitation Improvements

To extend the service life of the I-80 corridor until a long-term improvement can be completed, the Department has undertaken a Phase I Study targeted at a major rehabilitation of the corridor. The work required to extend the service life includes approximately 2.5 lane miles of reconstructed roadway east and west of the Des Plaines River, specifically between Chicago Street and the Rowell Avenue / Wisconsin Central Limited (WCL) Railroad bridge and just east of the Joliet Junction Trail bridge to just west of the Wheeler Avenue bridge. The reconstructed roadway will maintain the existing cross-section but will also build future lanes as shoulders in the near-term to maximize salvageability. The reconstructed roadway will tie into the existing interchanges with some slight modifications. In addition to the roadway work, 15 bridges will have deck replacement and widening with some concrete repairs to extend their service life and 10 bridges will have total structure replacement and widening. Overlays, concrete repairs, and maintenance work will also occur at bridges at seven other locations. Guardrail and drainage improvements with some in-line detention storage will also be incorporated into various areas throughout the study limits where deficiencies have been identified.

The staging of these improvements were broken into reasonable construction packages that could be implemented over several years. The Department is currently preparing construction plans for the Package A contract (between Chicago Street and the Rowell Avenue / WCL Railroad bridge). The anticipated letting for the eastbound package is March 2018 followed by the westbound package contingent upon plan readiness, land acquisition, obtaining all necessary environmental permitting and funding availability through the Departments Annual Legislative appropriations. Two other packages make up the Near-Term improvements. Package B work involves re-decking and repair to the Des Plaines River truss bridges. Package C work involves reconstruction/repair of select bridges and the roadway west of the Des Plaines River.

The packages were based on a priority for completion provided by the Department with respect to maintenance requirements and other advanced work prior to the future reconstruction of I-80. Packaging and advance work also incorporates necessary construction staging to maintain two lanes of traffic in each direction always during construction activities for all projects.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 03, 2018, 12:20:42 AM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-new-year-transportation-getting-around-20171231-story.html

Work also will continue on the eastbound Kennedy from Cumberland to Harlem Avenues; the U.S. Highway 41 and Illinois Highway 132 interchange; 159th Street reconstruction in Homer Glen and Orland Park; and Illinois Highway 120 bridges.

IDOT plans to begin rebuilding the Weber Road Interchange of I-55 in Romeoville and rehabilitating and widening I-80 bridges from Illinois Highway 53 to Rowell Avenue in Joliet.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on January 03, 2018, 09:39:28 AM
I can't wait to see the new Circle Interchange when it's completed in three years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on January 03, 2018, 10:52:02 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 02, 2018, 12:46:02 PMAnd GOOD GOD O'Hare really needed a rework of its rental car system--hearing about a project to rework that mess is excellent news!

As awful as the process of picking up a car is if you arrive at ORD by plane, it's ten times worse if you arrive at ORD on a Pace bus to pick up a car, since then you have to take the people mover from the Remote Parking stop to T3, walk down to Arrivals, and take a rental car shuttle to the agency you passed over on the people mover.

I hope the extension of the people mover includes additional trains, since I would expect ridership to increase dramatically once the rental car center/parking garage open.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 03, 2018, 11:04:03 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 03, 2018, 10:52:02 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 02, 2018, 12:46:02 PMAnd GOOD GOD O'Hare really needed a rework of its rental car system--hearing about a project to rework that mess is excellent news!

As awful as the process of picking up a car is if you arrive at ORD by plane, it's ten times worse if you arrive at ORD on a Pace bus to pick up a car, since then you have to take the people mover from the Remote Parking stop to T3, walk down to Arrivals, and take a rental car shuttle to the agency you passed over on the people mover.

I hope the extension of the people mover includes additional trains, since I would expect ridership to increase dramatically once the rental car center/parking garage open.


Wouldn't it be cheaper (and easier) to rent a car offsite of ORD if you are not flying in?  My son lives in Chicago and doesn't have a car.  When he needs one, he Ubers (or walks) to the nearest Enterprise location.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 03, 2018, 11:13:49 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 03, 2018, 11:04:03 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 03, 2018, 10:52:02 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 02, 2018, 12:46:02 PMAnd GOOD GOD O'Hare really needed a rework of its rental car system--hearing about a project to rework that mess is excellent news!

As awful as the process of picking up a car is if you arrive at ORD by plane, it's ten times worse if you arrive at ORD on a Pace bus to pick up a car, since then you have to take the people mover from the Remote Parking stop to T3, walk down to Arrivals, and take a rental car shuttle to the agency you passed over on the people mover.

I hope the extension of the people mover includes additional trains, since I would expect ridership to increase dramatically once the rental car center/parking garage open.


Wouldn't it be cheaper (and easier) to rent a car offsite of ORD if you are not flying in?  My son lives in Chicago and doesn't have a car.  When he needs one, he Ubers (or walks) to the nearest Enterprise location.

I guess it could depend on what type of vehicle you rent, but yeah, I'd tend to agree.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on January 03, 2018, 03:46:32 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 03, 2018, 11:04:03 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 03, 2018, 10:52:02 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 02, 2018, 12:46:02 PMAnd GOOD GOD O'Hare really needed a rework of its rental car system--hearing about a project to rework that mess is excellent news!

As awful as the process of picking up a car is if you arrive at ORD by plane, it's ten times worse if you arrive at ORD on a Pace bus to pick up a car, since then you have to take the people mover from the Remote Parking stop to T3, walk down to Arrivals, and take a rental car shuttle to the agency you passed over on the people mover.

I hope the extension of the people mover includes additional trains, since I would expect ridership to increase dramatically once the rental car center/parking garage open.


Wouldn't it be cheaper (and easier) to rent a car offsite of ORD if you are not flying in?  My son lives in Chicago and doesn't have a car.  When he needs one, he Ubers (or walks) to the nearest Enterprise location.

Not necessarily.  Cars rented from an offsite location usually have a higher base rate which offsets the lower amount of taxes and fees.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 03, 2018, 05:02:58 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 03, 2018, 03:46:32 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 03, 2018, 11:04:03 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 03, 2018, 10:52:02 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 02, 2018, 12:46:02 PMAnd GOOD GOD O'Hare really needed a rework of its rental car system--hearing about a project to rework that mess is excellent news!

As awful as the process of picking up a car is if you arrive at ORD by plane, it's ten times worse if you arrive at ORD on a Pace bus to pick up a car, since then you have to take the people mover from the Remote Parking stop to T3, walk down to Arrivals, and take a rental car shuttle to the agency you passed over on the people mover.

I hope the extension of the people mover includes additional trains, since I would expect ridership to increase dramatically once the rental car center/parking garage open.


Wouldn't it be cheaper (and easier) to rent a car offsite of ORD if you are not flying in?  My son lives in Chicago and doesn't have a car.  When he needs one, he Ubers (or walks) to the nearest Enterprise location.

Not necessarily.  Cars rented from an offsite location usually have a higher base rate which offsets the lower amount of taxes and fees.

Depends.  It's a long way to rent a vehicle at O'Hare from most places around the region.  You'd spend more in gas and tolls.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on January 03, 2018, 05:31:23 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 03, 2018, 05:02:58 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 03, 2018, 03:46:32 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 03, 2018, 11:04:03 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 03, 2018, 10:52:02 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 02, 2018, 12:46:02 PMAnd GOOD GOD O'Hare really needed a rework of its rental car system--hearing about a project to rework that mess is excellent news!

As awful as the process of picking up a car is if you arrive at ORD by plane, it's ten times worse if you arrive at ORD on a Pace bus to pick up a car, since then you have to take the people mover from the Remote Parking stop to T3, walk down to Arrivals, and take a rental car shuttle to the agency you passed over on the people mover.

I hope the extension of the people mover includes additional trains, since I would expect ridership to increase dramatically once the rental car center/parking garage open.


Wouldn't it be cheaper (and easier) to rent a car offsite of ORD if you are not flying in?  My son lives in Chicago and doesn't have a car.  When he needs one, he Ubers (or walks) to the nearest Enterprise location.

Not necessarily.  Cars rented from an offsite location usually have a higher base rate which offsets the lower amount of taxes and fees.

Depends.  It's a long way to rent a vehicle at O'Hare from most places around the region.  You'd spend more in gas and tolls.

Does not apply.  A transfer (Ventra card) is $2.55.  Of course, Pace bus to O'Hare isn't all that convenient to most people, so it's reasonable to add in the cost of a Metra ticket as well.

The only time I've used Pace bus either to or from O'Hare was upon arrival.  I took #330 down to Lake Street, grabbed a bite to eat at a greasy spoon that's no longer in business (Deluxe Grill), hoofed it across the Global II rail yard to the staircase (that's also no longer there) down to the Bellwood Metra station.  Then I got to wait for my train under the Mannheim overpass after dark, which is probably not the safest place to be.

The only other times I've taken transit to O'Hare, I took the L.  In fact, I once went from Wheaton to O'Hare by using two Pace buses to get me to the 54th/Cermak blue (now pink) line station, then transferred to the L and took it the entire way through downtown and back out to the airport.  That was more convenient than messing with Pace #330 up Mannheim easier than getting Metra and Pace schedules to line up on a weekend.  And, because it was only two transfers total, it was cheaper too.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 04, 2018, 09:35:12 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 03, 2018, 11:04:03 AM
Wouldn't it be cheaper (and easier) to rent a car offsite of ORD if you are not flying in?  My son lives in Chicago and doesn't have a car.  When he needs one, he Ubers (or walks) to the nearest Enterprise location.

That's just it.  If you need an uber from the airport to get to your rental car, that's a sign your in-place transit infrastructure is garbage.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 04, 2018, 11:42:59 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 04, 2018, 09:35:12 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 03, 2018, 11:04:03 AM
Wouldn't it be cheaper (and easier) to rent a car offsite of ORD if you are not flying in?  My son lives in Chicago and doesn't have a car.  When he needs one, he Ubers (or walks) to the nearest Enterprise location.

That's just it.  If you need an uber from the airport to get to your rental car, that's a sign your in-place transit infrastructure is garbage.


I think you should probably read the thread again.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 06, 2018, 03:56:14 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 04, 2018, 11:42:59 AM
I think you should probably read the thread again.

No.  What I stated is a personal opinion.

A bit parochial, but the new signal at Laraway and Spencer was activated this week, in New Lenox.  That's an update for all you Joliet-area folks.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: MNHighwayMan on January 07, 2018, 12:26:33 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 06, 2018, 03:56:14 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 04, 2018, 11:42:59 AM
I think you should probably read the thread again.
No.  What I stated is a personal opinion.

And one I think would be shared by most reasonable people. What use is an airport if you can't get to it except by expensive or rather difficult means?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 07, 2018, 08:11:40 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 07, 2018, 12:26:33 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 06, 2018, 03:56:14 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 04, 2018, 11:42:59 AM
I think you should probably read the thread again.
No.  What I stated is a personal opinion.

And one I think would be shared by most reasonable people. What use is an airport if you can't get to it except by expensive or rather difficult means?


It is neither difficult nor expensive to get to O'Hare.  I just question why someone would go to O'Hare to rent a car versus, you know, flying somewhere.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on January 08, 2018, 09:20:14 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 07, 2018, 08:11:40 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 07, 2018, 12:26:33 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 06, 2018, 03:56:14 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 04, 2018, 11:42:59 AM
I think you should probably read the thread again.
No.  What I stated is a personal opinion.

And one I think would be shared by most reasonable people. What use is an airport if you can't get to it except by expensive or rather difficult means?


It is neither difficult nor expensive to get to O'Hare.  I just question why someone would go to O'Hare to rent a car versus, you know, flying somewhere.

One may not own a car, or one may be married but living in a one-car household.  Most of the time, one finds the local public transit sufficient, but one may need a car on occasion, but not frequently enough to purchase a car or a second car.  One may also find it much cheaper to rent said car at ORD than from a local agency.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 08, 2018, 09:39:28 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 08, 2018, 09:20:14 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 07, 2018, 08:11:40 AM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 07, 2018, 12:26:33 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 06, 2018, 03:56:14 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 04, 2018, 11:42:59 AM
I think you should probably read the thread again.
No.  What I stated is a personal opinion.

And one I think would be shared by most reasonable people. What use is an airport if you can't get to it except by expensive or rather difficult means?


It is neither difficult nor expensive to get to O'Hare.  I just question why someone would go to O'Hare to rent a car versus, you know, flying somewhere.

One may not own a car, or one may be married but living in a one-car household.  Most of the time, one finds the local public transit sufficient, but one may need a car on occasion, but not frequently enough to purchase a car or a second car.  One may also find it much cheaper to rent said car at ORD than from a local agency.


That's fine.  But don't complain about it.  It's an airport whose rental car companies cater to people flying in, not to local people renting cars.  It's probably less than 1% of their customer base.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: MNHighwayMan on January 08, 2018, 11:56:37 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 08, 2018, 09:39:28 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 08, 2018, 09:20:14 AM
One may not own a car, or one may be married but living in a one-car household.  Most of the time, one finds the local public transit sufficient, but one may need a car on occasion, but not frequently enough to purchase a car or a second car.  One may also find it much cheaper to rent said car at ORD than from a local agency.
That's fine.  But don't complain about it.  It's an airport whose rental car companies cater to people flying in, not to local people renting cars.  It's probably less than 1% of their customer base.

Christ... do you know how entitled that makes you sound?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on January 08, 2018, 12:02:20 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on January 08, 2018, 11:56:37 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 08, 2018, 09:39:28 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 08, 2018, 09:20:14 AM
One may not own a car, or one may be married but living in a one-car household.  Most of the time, one finds the local public transit sufficient, but one may need a car on occasion, but not frequently enough to purchase a car or a second car.  One may also find it much cheaper to rent said car at ORD than from a local agency.
That's fine.  But don't complain about it.  It's an airport whose rental car companies cater to people flying in, not to local people renting cars.  It's probably less than 1% of their customer base.

Christ... do you know how entitled that makes you sound?


I am simply pointing out the fact that the rental car companies at O'Hare are primarily set up for the customers who are flying in.  Complaining about how hard it is to get there, when you represent a very small fraction of their customer base, is silly.

I would have no idea how that makes me sound "entitled."  So if it does, so be it and you'll just have to live with it.  I view that more of a "you problem" than a "me problem."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 18, 2018, 04:36:17 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 08, 2018, 12:02:20 PM
I am simply pointing out the fact that the rental car companies at O'Hare are primarily set up for the customers who are flying in.  Complaining about how hard it is to get there, when you represent a very small fraction of their customer base, is silly.



Are you so dense that you can't realize that a customer's review is a sample representing a larger statistic, since there's no way I'm the only one who feels the way I feel?  Do you really think that, if I state an opinion, I must be the only person in the entire WORLD with that opinion?  Or do you mistakenly think that my opinion is based solely on the airport's ability to serve only me, and not the massive number of customers that use it?  I don't complain solely on my behalf; I complain on behalf of all others who also have to endure the ergonomic failures.  I'm not complaining because I expect the world to bend to MY will; I complain because I want solutions that benefit everyone, who is trying to get through their lives without additional conflicts!  I have a right to demand a better world for others, not just for me-me-me-gimme-what-I-want kind of reasons  :-D :-D :-D :pan: :pan: :pan: :hyper: :hyper: :hyper:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on January 18, 2018, 07:33:04 PM
From a business perspective I setup a rental place at an airport because I know 90% of my traffic and volume through that place is going to be people from the airport. So his logic is sound. Making it easier for 10% of my volume by relocating outside the airport while putting 90% of the rest at a disadvantage doesn't make sense, especially if someone else moves in closer and then can provide better and quicker service than I can.

It's like saying that having a gas station right off the exit of an interstate instead in the small town 5 miles down the road doesn't make sense. Of course it makes sense. A majority of my business is going to be interstate traffic filling up on gas and other goodies, while a select few people from the town may be inconvenienced by the drive they aren't my primary customer base. Sure I could locate closer to the small town and make it easier for them, but as soon as someone else buys that property right off the interstate and opens a gas station I lose my advantage of location. Business is all about having the best plan in place.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on January 19, 2018, 10:29:30 AM
That was an unusually controversial post I made, so maybe I'll restate it.

When I lived in DC, I would frequently rent cars at DCA, because I didn't own one, but still needed one on occasion, but Zipcar isn't cost-effective when you're renting for longer than 2-3 hours, and rental cars at DCA are much cheaper than they are at offices in DC.  So I would take the Metro there and walk from DCA's Metro station to the rental car counters and cars. 

DCA is an example of an airport where it's very convenient for both arriving passengers and rental car customers arriving by other means to rent cars.

At ORD, getting to the rental car agencies is inconvenient for everyone.  It's inconvenient if you're flying in, it's inconvenient if you take the Blue Line to the airport to rent your car, it's inconvenient if you take a Pace bus to the airport to rent your car.  It is exponentially more inconvenient if you take a Pace bus, since it involves a lot of backtracking to get to the agency.  When the new CONRAC opens, it will be more convenient for everyone, but it will be A LOT more convenient for customers arriving by Pace bus.  I'd be surprised if they represented even 1% of all agencies' customers, but they'll be a happier 1% or less.

That is all.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 19, 2018, 10:44:52 AM
And I fail to see the point of renting a vehicle at O'Hare when there are many, many rental offices throughout the city and suburbs.  For some of us, renting a vehicle from O'Hare would involve a lot of money spent for Uber or a taxi, or a lot of public transit transfers, then additional tolls and gasoline usage afterward.  Any supposed savings just isn't worth it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on January 19, 2018, 11:28:12 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 19, 2018, 10:44:52 AM
And I fail to see the point of renting a vehicle at O'Hare when there are many, many rental offices throughout the city and suburbs.

It's.  Cheaper.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rothman on January 19, 2018, 11:53:49 AM
I have usually found that renting cars away from airports is cheaper, not the other way around.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 19, 2018, 12:21:24 PM
I imagine it depends on the local economy.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 19, 2018, 12:27:49 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 19, 2018, 11:28:12 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 19, 2018, 10:44:52 AM
And I fail to see the point of renting a vehicle at O'Hare when there are many, many rental offices throughout the city and suburbs.

It's.  Cheaper.

You failed to read the rest of my comment:

QuoteFor some of us, renting a vehicle from O'Hare would involve a lot of money spent for Uber or a taxi, or a lot of public transit transfers, then additional tolls and gasoline usage afterward.  Any supposed savings just isn't worth it.

Comprende?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on January 19, 2018, 04:24:04 PM
Quote from: Rothman on January 19, 2018, 11:53:49 AM
I have usually found that renting cars away from airports is cheaper, not the other way around.

Fascinating.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 19, 2018, 04:29:06 PM
So...  Any new illinois road news not about O'Hare car rentals?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on January 19, 2018, 04:48:37 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 19, 2018, 04:29:06 PM
So...  Any new illinois road news not about O'Hare car rentals?

No.  All road projects have been put on hold till we all sort this crap out.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on January 19, 2018, 04:52:39 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 19, 2018, 12:27:49 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 19, 2018, 11:28:12 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 19, 2018, 10:44:52 AM
And I fail to see the point of renting a vehicle at O'Hare when there are many, many rental offices throughout the city and suburbs.

It's.  Cheaper.

You failed to read the rest of my comment:

QuoteFor some of us, renting a vehicle from O'Hare would involve a lot of money spent for Uber or a taxi, or a lot of public transit transfers, then additional tolls and gasoline usage afterward.  Any supposed savings just isn't worth it.

Comprende?

Fine.  It's.  Cheaper.  For.  Me.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 19, 2018, 04:54:04 PM
Quote from: kphoger on January 19, 2018, 04:48:37 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 19, 2018, 04:29:06 PM
So...  Any new illinois road news not about O'Hare car rentals?

No.  All road projects have been put on hold till we all sort this crap out.

:-D :-D :-D :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on January 19, 2018, 08:25:57 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 19, 2018, 10:44:52 AM
And I fail to see the point of renting a vehicle at O'Hare when there are many, many rental offices throughout the city and suburbs.  For some of us, renting a vehicle from O'Hare would involve a lot of money spent for Uber or a taxi, or a lot of public transit transfers, then additional tolls and gasoline usage afterward.  Any supposed savings just isn't worth it.

Yes there are lots of car rental places scattered about as there is also quite the business of catering to insurance company loaners while auto accidents get repaired.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 20, 2018, 12:55:55 AM
Just for fun I did a search at rentalcars.com for cheapest "standard" car
Nissan Altima $29/day Chicago Heights IL (south suburbs)
Mitsubishi Galant $32/day Midway Airport
Chrysler 200 $26/day Naperville IL (western suburbs)
Nissan Altima $25/day Waukegan IL (north suburbs)
Chrysler 200 $24/day OHare

I dunno, there seem to be some deals at OHare, but if time is money, a few bucks to rent closer to home seems to be worth it, not seeing a huge price differential here.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 20, 2018, 04:42:38 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on January 20, 2018, 12:55:55 AM
Just for fun I did a search at rentalcars.com for cheapest "standard" car
Nissan Altima $29/day Chicago Heights IL (south suburbs)
Mitsubishi Galant $32/day Midway Airport
Chrysler 200 $26/day Naperville IL (western suburbs)
Nissan Altima $25/day Waukegan IL (north suburbs)
Chrysler 200 $24/day OHare

I dunno, there seem to be some deals at OHare, but if time is money, a few bucks to rent closer to home seems to be worth it, not seeing a huge price differential here.

Also the customary BS airport taxes you have to factor in as well
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 22, 2018, 11:10:48 AM
One man's quest – change Dan Ryan signs from '22nd Street' to 'Cermak Road' (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-sign-guy-getting-around-20180121-story.html)

QuoteSteven Bahnsen is a man with a passion – for road sign accuracy.

A retired Chicago postal worker, Bahnsen has spent years complaining about missing, inaccurate, poorly placed and misleading signs along Illinois roads.

He has written so many letters to government agencies that one exasperated Illinois Department of Transportation manager told staffers that they did not have to respond to him, according to a 2013 email Bahnsen obtained through a public records request.

Not all of Bahnsen's concerns are of equal interest – it is hard to get excited, for example, about his call for new signs on Illinois Route 49 that point the way to Arcola via Illinois Route 133.

IDOT and wrong signage, be still my heart - it's all too common.  Hell, they can't even eliminate the A-B exits that they've converted to single exits on their map.

QuoteHowever, one complaint poses a real head-scratcher. Why do IDOT exit signs on the northbound Dan Ryan Expressway name 22nd Street instead of Cermak Road?

As Bahnsen notes, 22nd Street was changed to "Cermak Road"  by the Chicago City Council in 1933, following the assassination of Mayor Anton Cermak. The shooter had been aiming at President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The road is "Cermak"  from 400 East to 4600 West, said Mike Claffey, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Transportation.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on January 26, 2018, 03:26:47 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?
do they need to?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 26, 2018, 07:15:39 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on January 26, 2018, 03:26:47 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?
do they need to?


Lasts about 15 years according to cdot and use half as much energy. And I prefer the cool white temperature. Yeah I don't see why not.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on January 26, 2018, 08:43:11 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 26, 2018, 07:15:39 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on January 26, 2018, 03:26:47 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?
do they need to?


Lasts about 15 years according to cdot and use half as much energy. And I prefer the cool white temperature. Yeah I don't see why not.

They look nice on I-90 and the sections of 294, so yes probably should
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 26, 2018, 09:09:35 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?

No idea, but I've seen a few IDOT maintained roads with them (IL-7 and IL-59 through Joliet), but I strongly suspect that these were installed by the municipality.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 26, 2018, 09:45:26 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 26, 2018, 09:09:35 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?

No idea, but I've seen a few IDOT maintained roads with them (IL-7 and IL-59 through Joliet), but I strongly suspect that these were installed by the municipality.

Haven't been on IL 59 through Joliet in a while but they dropped the ball not installing LED lights on the 6 laning IL 59 through Naperville/Aurora
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 26, 2018, 10:15:46 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 26, 2018, 09:45:26 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 26, 2018, 09:09:35 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?

No idea, but I've seen a few IDOT maintained roads with them (IL-7 and IL-59 through Joliet), but I strongly suspect that these were installed by the municipality.

Haven't been on IL 59 through Joliet in a while but they dropped the ball not installing LED lights on the 6 laning IL 59 through Naperville/Aurora

That's been par for the course for IDOT.  Behind the curve and behind the 8-ball.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on January 26, 2018, 10:35:28 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 13, 2017, 10:23:36 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on December 12, 2017, 04:55:07 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 12, 2017, 12:00:12 AM
Wasn't that wide grassy median put there as a routing for a potential future CTA Red Line extension?

Mike

You may be thinking of I-57, in which case, yes, it was.

Yea, half-awake brainfart.

:-p

Mike

And it looks like it finally will be used for a Red Line extension:

http://wgntv.com/2018/01/26/cta-to-unveil-proposed-red-line-extension-to-130th-street/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 26, 2018, 07:21:36 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?

From my understanding, IDOT will have a separate contract for retrofitting traffic signals.  By "separate" I mean, it's a program entirely separate from any construction contracts.  So if a construction project takes place on a state road, they will probably leave the signal alone, neglecting to improve the signal sections to LED's.  Of course, if the whole point of a project is to build a new signal, the new installs will have LED's.  I'd say 80% or more of the signals on IDOT's system use LED's now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on January 26, 2018, 09:38:06 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on January 26, 2018, 10:35:28 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 13, 2017, 10:23:36 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on December 12, 2017, 04:55:07 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 12, 2017, 12:00:12 AM
Wasn't that wide grassy median put there as a routing for a potential future CTA Red Line extension?

Mike

You may be thinking of I-57, in which case, yes, it was.

Yea, half-awake brainfart.

:-p

Mike

And it looks like it finally will be used for a Red Line extension:

http://wgntv.com/2018/01/26/cta-to-unveil-proposed-red-line-extension-to-130th-street/

Only a little bit of it, this routing then heads due southward and then southeastward towards I-94/130th St.  I have known about discussions of such a proposal for several years now.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 26, 2018, 09:56:02 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?

Maybe?  http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Highways/Design-&-Environment/BDE-Memos/Inactive/PM%2018-01%20BDE%20Manual%20Revision%20-%20Chapter%2056.pdf (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Highways/Design-&-Environment/BDE-Memos/Inactive/PM%2018-01%20BDE%20Manual%20Revision%20-%20Chapter%2056.pdf).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on January 27, 2018, 02:00:08 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 22, 2018, 11:10:48 AM
One man's quest – change Dan Ryan signs from '22nd Street' to 'Cermak Road' (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/wisniewski/ct-met-sign-guy-getting-around-20180121-story.html)

QuoteHowever, one complaint poses a real head-scratcher. Why do IDOT exit signs on the northbound Dan Ryan Expressway name 22nd Street instead of Cermak Road?

As Bahnsen notes, 22nd Street was changed to "Cermak Road"  by the Chicago City Council in 1933, following the assassination of Mayor Anton Cermak. The shooter had been aiming at President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The road is "Cermak"  from 400 East to 4600 West, said Mike Claffey, spokesman for the Chicago Department of Transportation.

The Tollway signage at least has 'Cermak Road (22nd Street)', but it bothers me how at the I-88 Exit, they consider that section Cermak when most assume the Cermak Road name is only within Cook County.

Another thing to point out is that on I-55, the Route 83 exit signs name it Kingery Road rather than Kingery Highway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 28, 2018, 01:17:41 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 26, 2018, 10:15:46 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 26, 2018, 09:45:26 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 26, 2018, 09:09:35 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?

No idea, but I've seen a few IDOT maintained roads with them (IL-7 and IL-59 through Joliet), but I strongly suspect that these were installed by the municipality.

Haven't been on IL 59 through Joliet in a while but they dropped the ball not installing LED lights on the 6 laning IL 59 through Naperville/Aurora

That's been par for the course for IDOT.  Behind the curve and behind the 8-ball.

Probably 95% of the "highway lighting" on IDOT maintained roadways is municipally funded and maintained, even if IDOT's contractor put them up. So if the municipality is paying 100% of the construction cost, they will spec their preferred lighting as long as it meets overall lighting specs and standards. I don't know why a city wouldn't want to use LEDs because of their long life and low maintenance, but not everyone changes immediately with the times.

The main exceptions where IDOT pays for and maintains the lights are interstate interchanges and continuous freeway lighting, lighting over river crossings in rural areas, and a few other isolated lights in rural areas, mainly at intersections. The most recent IDOT project I worked on (that had new IDOT maintained lighting) used LEDs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 28, 2018, 07:10:58 PM
Dunno how I missed this, but the Rock Run shopping / lifestyle development planned for the NE corner of I-55 and I-80 has some.. plans for access...

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/07/27/rock-run-crossings-plan-in-joliet-involves-interchange-roads-stores-and-more/ao53oze/

IDOT estimates the cost of the new infrastructure at $126 million...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 28, 2018, 07:43:36 PM
^^ Count me surprised if this development ever gets off the ground.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 28, 2018, 10:36:00 PM
It's been in the planning for at least 10 years now. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on January 29, 2018, 12:52:53 AM
oh no. I want to check out those abandoned houses before the get demolished if they haven't been already! They were supposed to be demolished for that project but then it didn't go through.

I've seen photos of them and everything was left behind inside them
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 28, 2018, 07:10:58 PM
Dunno how I missed this, but the Rock Run shopping / lifestyle development planned for the NE corner of I-55 and I-80 has some.. plans for access...

http://www.theherald-news.com/2017/07/27/rock-run-crossings-plan-in-joliet-involves-interchange-roads-stores-and-more/ao53oze/

IDOT estimates the cost of the new infrastructure at $126 million...

A large commercial development named after my favorite forest preserve that I bike through was, needless to say, concerning.  I had to laugh at the prospect of shaving off some money from the cost estimate because they think they can save money in the engineering department.  Hah.

IDOT never accomplishes anything in the outskirts of Region 1.  Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 29, 2018, 11:14:49 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 28, 2018, 10:36:00 PM
It's been in the planning for at least 10 years now. 

I know, it's been an on-again/off-again thing.

Quote from: ILRoad55 on January 29, 2018, 12:52:53 AM
oh no. I want to check out those abandoned houses before the get demolished if they haven't been already! They were supposed to be demolished for that project but then it didn't go through.

I've seen photos of them and everything was left behind inside them

There wasn't much left to the buildings on the property in June of 2015.  A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment was performed then, and the buildings were in an accelerated state of falling apart.  Needless to say, the assessor did not feel safe in entering most of the buildings at that time.

Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
IDOT never accomplishes anything in the outskirts of Region 1.  Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

Likewise.  I believe the Houbolt Road Bridge will come to fruition much faster as the City and the County are fronting a good portion of the cost.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 29, 2018, 11:17:46 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

Widening I-55 took pulling teeth at IDOT.  The politician involved was Brent Hassert (no relation to Dennis Hastert) of Romeoville.  He and Will County leaders (from the County and several municipalities) made it so IDOT had to widen I-55 or else.  IDOT was highly reluctant to do so, and it shows in the execution of the job.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:22:43 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 29, 2018, 11:17:46 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

Widening I-55 took pulling teeth at IDOT.  The politician involved was Brent Hassert (no relation to Dennis Hastert) of Romeoville.  He and Will County leaders (from the County and several municipalities) made it so IDOT had to widen I-55 or else.  IDOT was highly reluctant to do so, and it shows in the execution of the job.

The real bullshit is that they could see that it needed it.  55 was two laned through there for 15 years too long.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 29, 2018, 11:24:41 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:22:43 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 29, 2018, 11:17:46 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

Widening I-55 took pulling teeth at IDOT.  The politician involved was Brent Hassert (no relation to Dennis Hastert) of Romeoville.  He and Will County leaders (from the County and several municipalities) made it so IDOT had to widen I-55 or else.  IDOT was highly reluctant to do so, and it shows in the execution of the job.

The real bullshit is that they could see that it needed it.  55 was two laned through there for 15 years too long.

It ranks right up there with IDOT widening I-55 to one mile shy of the Weber Road interchange.  Didn't the fools in Schaumburg realize that would lead to traffic jams that would extend all the way back to the Ryan?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 12:07:40 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

The botched BGS signage along that stretch still bothers me to this day  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 29, 2018, 02:26:15 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

Didn't they just repave that segment last summer?

if so, what's so shitty about it?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 29, 2018, 02:30:08 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 12:07:40 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

The botched BGS signage along that stretch still bothers me to this day  :rolleyes:

Does it really matter when everyone and their mom's these days using GPS/Google maps?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 29, 2018, 02:31:20 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on January 28, 2018, 01:17:41 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 26, 2018, 10:15:46 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 26, 2018, 09:45:26 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 26, 2018, 09:09:35 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 25, 2018, 11:27:22 PM
So what's the progress of IDOT transitioning to LED lights? Are they doing it? Are they not?

No idea, but I've seen a few IDOT maintained roads with them (IL-7 and IL-59 through Joliet), but I strongly suspect that these were installed by the municipality.

Haven't been on IL 59 through Joliet in a while but they dropped the ball not installing LED lights on the 6 laning IL 59 through Naperville/Aurora

That's been par for the course for IDOT.  Behind the curve and behind the 8-ball.

Probably 95% of the "highway lighting" on IDOT maintained roadways is municipally funded and maintained, even if IDOT's contractor put them up. So if the municipality is paying 100% of the construction cost, they will spec their preferred lighting as long as it meets overall lighting specs and standards. I don't know why a city wouldn't want to use LEDs because of their long life and low maintenance, but not everyone changes immediately with the times.

The main exceptions where IDOT pays for and maintains the lights are interstate interchanges and continuous freeway lighting, lighting over river crossings in rural areas, and a few other isolated lights in rural areas, mainly at intersections. The most recent IDOT project I worked on (that had new IDOT maintained lighting) used LEDs.

I'm assuming it's IDOT lighting on the I-88 Interchange and IL-59 and they did not use LEDs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 02:33:04 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 29, 2018, 02:26:15 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

Didn't they just repave that segment last summer?

if so, what's so shitty about it?
They repaved from Weber Rd. north.  It's from Weber Rd. south that's the problem.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 29, 2018, 02:40:53 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 02:33:04 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 29, 2018, 02:26:15 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

Didn't they just repave that segment last summer?

if so, what's so shitty about it?
They repaved from Weber Rd. north.  It's from Weber Rd. south that's the problem.

I just used I-55 south going to I-80 west a few weeks ago. Pavement was in fair condition. If you want to take a look at shitty pavement, go ride on the kennedy from o'hare to the edens merge.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dcharlie on January 29, 2018, 02:43:26 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 29, 2018, 02:26:15 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

Didn't they just repave that segment last summer?

if so, what's so shitty about it?

Yes, they just repaved it.  I drive the stretch from 126 to Lemont Rd several times a month.  For me, I always feel boxed in, even on the rare occasion when there is light traffic.  The left shoulder is completely below standard and would not safely fit a car.  Forget about driving it during rush hours.  It's jammed mornings and afternoons.  I feel sorry for those who have to drive it every day.  When I am taking 55 south of 126, the road is not much better, but at least the traffic is not so jammed. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on January 30, 2018, 08:21:14 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 29, 2018, 02:40:53 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 02:33:04 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 29, 2018, 02:26:15 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..

Didn't they just repave that segment last summer?

if so, what's so shitty about it?
They repaved from Weber Rd. north.  It's from Weber Rd. south that's the problem.

I just used I-55 south going to I-80 west a few weeks ago. Pavement was in fair condition. If you want to take a look at shitty pavement, go ride on the kennedy from o'hare to the edens merge.

Don't you love the new potholes that formed in the middle lane right before Canfield?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 30, 2018, 09:25:48 AM
Here's something for all of you to enjoy.

IDOT is taking a survey on how its website operates or could be improved.  PLEASE be sure to add ONLY :rolleyes: your most CONSTRUCTIVE :rolleyes: CRITICISM by clicking on this link to take the survey (https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/Checkbox/Survey.aspx?s=63ba5feaabab4cc1b167c6cc3d17c863&u=624506ed-0474-49ec-aefa-29c90ff5ee6c&forceNew=true&test=true&Variable_1=OOC_TEST)  :rofl:

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 30, 2018, 10:08:36 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 30, 2018, 09:25:48 AM
Here's something for all of you to enjoy.

IDOT is taking a survey on how its website operates or could be improved.  PLEASE be sure to add ONLY :rolleyes: your most CONSTRUCTIVE :rolleyes: CRITICISM by clicking on this link to take the survey (https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/Checkbox/Survey.aspx?s=63ba5feaabab4cc1b167c6cc3d17c863&u=624506ed-0474-49ec-aefa-29c90ff5ee6c&forceNew=true&test=true&Variable_1=OOC_TEST)  :rofl:

What could make the Studies and Projects section better?

Make it easier to find projects, and list ALL the projects!

What did you like best about the Studies and Projects section?

Well..  That you have one, I guess.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on January 31, 2018, 06:54:15 PM
Anyone going to the meeting today about the I-80 6 laning from US 30 to ridge rd later today?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on January 31, 2018, 07:03:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..
They did becasue the 3rd lane should have gone down to Arsenal Road. But right now I think I-57 in southern Cook County should be a high priority.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 31, 2018, 08:56:20 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 31, 2018, 07:03:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..
They did becasue the 3rd lane should have gone down to Arsenal Road. But right now I think I-57 in southern Cook County should be a high priority.

I agree.  Upgrading 80 in the inner Joliet area desperately needs to be done.  6-laning from IL-7 to Minooka can wait a little bit, but I'd still really like to see it.  Then you have I-57, though.  6 lanes to Sauk Trail or so--yes please!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 31, 2018, 10:33:46 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on January 31, 2018, 06:54:15 PM
Anyone going to the meeting today about the I-80 6 laning from US 30 to ridge rd later today?

I wanted to poke my head in - I was at the colleget o pick my daughter up anyway - but had to head home.,
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on February 01, 2018, 01:16:38 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 31, 2018, 08:56:20 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 31, 2018, 07:03:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..
They did becasue the 3rd lane should have gone down to Arsenal Road. But right now I think I-57 in southern Cook County should be a high priority.

I agree.  Upgrading 80 in the inner Joliet area desperately needs to be done.  6-laning from IL-7 to Minooka can wait a little bit, but I'd still really like to see it.  Then you have I-57, though.  6 lanes to Sauk Trail or so--yes please!

I-57 needs to be 6-laned to at least Monee. I'm assuming the costs wouldn't be extraordinary high compared to I-80 as I-57 doesn't cross a river and you have plenty of ROW in the median.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 01, 2018, 09:34:44 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on February 01, 2018, 01:16:38 AM
I-57 needs to be 6-laned to at least Monee. I'm assuming the costs wouldn't be extraordinary high compared to I-80 as I-57 doesn't cross a river and you have plenty of ROW in the median.

That's what I was debating.  I'd either end it at Sauk Trail or Monee.  Trucks love to gas up at the Monee exit because it's the last exit before you face Cook County taxes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 01, 2018, 10:25:37 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 31, 2018, 07:03:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..
They did becasue the 3rd lane should have gone down to Arsenal Road. But right now I think I-57 in southern Cook County should be a high priority.

Which brings up a question.  Obviously replacing the bridge over the Des Plaines will have to be replaced at some point.  Given the topography of the area, do you think they'd do the same, where the highway dips down closer to river level starting at the Ridge Rd. exit, and back up over the bridge, or do you think they'll rebuild it at the elevation of Ridge Rd. so that it doesn't dip down?

And while we're at it, what the hell is going on right now at the Ridge Rd. exit? I can't find anything about it on IDOT's website.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 01, 2018, 01:19:11 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 01, 2018, 10:25:37 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 31, 2018, 07:03:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..
They did becasue the 3rd lane should have gone down to Arsenal Road. But right now I think I-57 in southern Cook County should be a high priority.

Which brings up a question.  Obviously replacing the bridge over the Des Plaines will have to be replaced at some point.  Given the topography of the area, do you think they'd do the same, where the highway dips down closer to river level starting at the Ridge Rd. exit, and back up over the bridge, or do you think they'll rebuild it at the elevation of Ridge Rd. so that it doesn't dip down?

And while we're at it, what the hell is going on right now at the Ridge Rd. exit? I can't find anything about it on IDOT's website.

There's no real way to do the bridge area much differently than it is currently.  I-80 needs to be lower between the river and the bluff just east of Richards Street for the interchanges with Richards Street and Chicago Street.  Then you have the height of the bluff on the west side that dictates how high the bridge must be when it meets Center Street.  The bridge also needs clearance for the barge traffic on the river.

Now, the Chicago Street exit should be reconfigured.  Up until 10-15 years ago, it was a six-ramp, six-direction interchange that disallowed access from I-80 west to Chicago Street north and Chicago Street north to I-80 east.  One had to use 4th and Richards for that.  The original 3/4 cloverleaf has had the two extra movements shoehorned into it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 01, 2018, 02:02:46 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 01, 2018, 01:19:11 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 01, 2018, 10:25:37 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 31, 2018, 07:03:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..
They did becasue the 3rd lane should have gone down to Arsenal Road. But right now I think I-57 in southern Cook County should be a high priority.

Which brings up a question.  Obviously replacing the bridge over the Des Plaines will have to be replaced at some point.  Given the topography of the area, do you think they'd do the same, where the highway dips down closer to river level starting at the Ridge Rd. exit, and back up over the bridge, or do you think they'll rebuild it at the elevation of Ridge Rd. so that it doesn't dip down?

And while we're at it, what the hell is going on right now at the Ridge Rd. exit? I can't find anything about it on IDOT's website.

There's no real way to do the bridge area much differently than it is currently.  I-80 needs to be lower between the river and the bluff just east of Richards Street for the interchanges with Richards Street and Chicago Street.  Then you have the height of the bluff on the west side that dictates how high the bridge must be when it meets Center Street.  The bridge also needs clearance for the barge traffic on the river.

Now, the Chicago Street exit should be reconfigured.  Up until 10-15 years ago, it was a six-ramp, six-direction interchange that disallowed access from I-80 west to Chicago Street north and Chicago Street north to I-80 east.  One had to use 4th and Richards for that.  The original 3/4 cloverleaf has had the two extra movements shoehorned into it.

I was meaning Bluff Road in Channahon on I-55

https://goo.gl/maps/RVs6quu7xnF2
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 01, 2018, 02:40:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 01, 2018, 02:02:46 PM
I was meaning Bluff Road in Channahon on I-55

https://goo.gl/maps/RVs6quu7xnF2

That one might be good to replace with a high-level viaduct like I-355 has.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 01, 2018, 10:52:03 PM
I went to the I-80 meeting at JJC. Big crowd. There is no basic lane addition, but auxiliary lanes added between 55 and Houbolt, Larkin and Center, and across the bridge, and I think between Richards and Briggs. They have a SB I-55 to EB I-80 flyover, otherwise the interchange stays as is. No or little change at Houbolt, Larkin or US 30 (WB lane drop stays at US 30). Flyover NB 53 to WB I-80 with some reconfiguration, although they had a DDI option too. Major reconfigure at Center, looks like they are going from 3 levels to 2. 3 Bridge alignments over the river, near south, near north and a little farther north. The close in options add one side of the bridge, remove one of the truss bridges, complete the bridge, and then remove the other truss bridge.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: pianocello on February 02, 2018, 12:27:57 AM
^^That's disappointing about the lane addition, they need it especially between Briggs and 30. It'll be nice to see them fix the bridge and the surrounding interchanges, though. Have they mentioned a timeline at all?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on February 02, 2018, 08:48:49 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on February 01, 2018, 01:16:38 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 31, 2018, 08:56:20 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on January 31, 2018, 07:03:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 29, 2018, 11:14:53 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 29, 2018, 11:07:15 AM
Will County is pretty much totally snubbed by them--same with the far N and NW suburbs.  No Illiana, no I-80 river bridge, no improved Plainfield access, no Houbolt-Laraway bridge, and this isn't going to happen either.  I'll believe it when I see it.

They did widen 55 about 6-7 years ago.

Granted they did a shitty job, but still..
They did becasue the 3rd lane should have gone down to Arsenal Road. But right now I think I-57 in southern Cook County should be a high priority.

I agree.  Upgrading 80 in the inner Joliet area desperately needs to be done.  6-laning from IL-7 to Minooka can wait a little bit, but I'd still really like to see it.  Then you have I-57, though.  6 lanes to Sauk Trail or so--yes please!

I-57 needs to be 6-laned to at least Monee. I'm assuming the costs wouldn't be extraordinary high compared to I-80 as I-57 doesn't cross a river and you have plenty of ROW in the median.

I was surprised how quickly it goes down to just two lanes less than a mile after turning onto 57 southbound from 80. But at least during the time I drove it traffic still moved fairly quickly, just much too close for my comfort with the distances between the cars. It's always a relief to see so many of these cars getting off at the next few exits and by Peotone the highway is fairly comfortable.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 02, 2018, 08:50:41 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on February 01, 2018, 10:52:03 PM
They have a SB I-55 to EB I-80 flyover, otherwise the interchange stays as is.

This is bullshit.  They need an EB I-80 to NB I-55 flyover more.  I drive that every morning, and every morning it's slow with all the damn semis on the ramp.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on February 02, 2018, 09:10:43 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 02, 2018, 08:50:41 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on February 01, 2018, 10:52:03 PM
They have a SB I-55 to EB I-80 flyover, otherwise the interchange stays as is.

This is bullshit.  They need an EB I-80 to NB I-55 flyover more.  I drive that every morning, and every morning it's slow with all the damn semis on the ramp.
This.
The one movement I thought they could get away with leaving a loop ramp is the one to get the upgrade? That's dumb.
This interchange is screaming for high-speed flyovers for EB -> NB and WB -> SB.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 02, 2018, 09:38:22 AM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on February 02, 2018, 09:10:43 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 02, 2018, 08:50:41 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on February 01, 2018, 10:52:03 PM
They have a SB I-55 to EB I-80 flyover, otherwise the interchange stays as is.

This is bullshit.  They need an EB I-80 to NB I-55 flyover more.  I drive that every morning, and every morning it's slow with all the damn semis on the ramp.
This.
The one movement I thought they could get away with leaving a loop ramp is the one to get the upgrade? That's dumb.
This interchange is screaming for high-speed flyovers for EB -> NB and WB -> SB.

NB-to-WB is the only "left turn" movement of the four, which isn't used a whole lot.  EB-to-NB is probably the most important.  Long-range trips will use the WB-to-SB movement, which will largely be overlooked by IDOT with their tunnel-vision focus on only local matters. 

In short, the left-turn movement that was granted a flyover by these plans is THIRD on the list of FOUR.  It's the second-worst choice they could have made.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 02, 2018, 01:54:37 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 02, 2018, 09:38:22 AM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on February 02, 2018, 09:10:43 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 02, 2018, 08:50:41 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on February 01, 2018, 10:52:03 PM
They have a SB I-55 to EB I-80 flyover, otherwise the interchange stays as is.

This is bullshit.  They need an EB I-80 to NB I-55 flyover more.  I drive that every morning, and every morning it's slow with all the damn semis on the ramp.
This.
The one movement I thought they could get away with leaving a loop ramp is the one to get the upgrade? That's dumb.
This interchange is screaming for high-speed flyovers for EB -> NB and WB -> SB.

NB-to-WB is the only "left turn" movement of the four, which isn't used a whole lot.  EB-to-NB is probably the most important.  Long-range trips will use the WB-to-SB movement, which will largely be overlooked by IDOT with their tunnel-vision focus on only local matters. 

In short, the left-turn movement that was granted a flyover by these plans is THIRD on the list of FOUR.  It's the second-worst choice they could have made.

THey should just look at a damn map! It should be plainly obvious to anyone with eyes the best directions for new flyovers.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 02, 2018, 03:25:06 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on February 02, 2018, 08:48:49 AM
I was surprised how quickly it goes down to just two lanes less than a mile after turning onto 57 southbound from 80. But at least during the time I drove it traffic still moved fairly quickly, just much too close for my comfort with the distances between the cars. It's always a relief to see so many of these cars getting off at the next few exits and by Peotone the highway is fairly comfortable.

If it's any comfort, the new/reconstructed interchanges at Stuenkel Road, 6000 North Road, and IL 50 were all designed with a future lane expansion in mind.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 02, 2018, 03:41:15 PM
Quote from: pianocello on February 02, 2018, 12:27:57 AM
^^That's disappointing about the lane addition, they need it especially between Briggs and 30. It'll be nice to see them fix the bridge and the surrounding interchanges, though. Have they mentioned a timeline at all?

The 5 mainline bridges directly east of the Des Plaines River (Chicago, Hickory Creek, Richards, Rowell/CN and BNSF/Gardner) are in design now, and they were saying might get on a construction letting this year depending on how things go, and they apparently will be 4 lanes in each direction between Chicago and Richards. There is currently no money in the budget for any of the other pieces. The revised IDOT budget for FY 2019-2024 should be out in the next few months and may or may not include additional work.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 02, 2018, 06:46:07 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 02, 2018, 01:54:37 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 02, 2018, 09:38:22 AM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on February 02, 2018, 09:10:43 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 02, 2018, 08:50:41 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on February 01, 2018, 10:52:03 PM
They have a SB I-55 to EB I-80 flyover, otherwise the interchange stays as is.

This is bullshit.  They need an EB I-80 to NB I-55 flyover more.  I drive that every morning, and every morning it's slow with all the damn semis on the ramp.
This.
The one movement I thought they could get away with leaving a loop ramp is the one to get the upgrade? That's dumb.
This interchange is screaming for high-speed flyovers for EB -> NB and WB -> SB.

NB-to-WB is the only "left turn" movement of the four, which isn't used a whole lot.  EB-to-NB is probably the most important.  Long-range trips will use the WB-to-SB movement, which will largely be overlooked by IDOT with their tunnel-vision focus on only local matters. 

In short, the left-turn movement that was granted a flyover by these plans is THIRD on the list of FOUR.  It's the second-worst choice they could have made.

THey should just look at a damn map! It should be plainly obvious to anyone with eyes the best directions for new flyovers.

IDOT, common sense?  You mistake them for an agency that knows its head from its ass.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on February 02, 2018, 07:09:48 PM
I know this is kind of non related but I was wondering what was the purpose of the Brisbin Rd interchange? There is nothing there why was it done?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 03, 2018, 11:12:50 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on February 02, 2018, 07:09:48 PM
I know this is kind of non related but I was wondering what was the purpose of the Brisbin Rd interchange? There is nothing there why was it done?

The interchange is where the limits of Channahon, Morris and Minooka meet. The interchange was planned when there was phenomenal growth in the area, before the "development bubble"  hit, so lots of commercial and industrial development planned near the exit was put on hold. Long range, the plan is to connect Brisbin Road going north with Grove Road in Kendall County with an improved route that can handle big trucks, providing another north-south traffic route. The interchange does provide some functionality today for the industries east of the interchange along US 6 to more easily access I-80 than before.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 04, 2018, 01:53:13 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on February 02, 2018, 07:09:48 PM
I know this is kind of non related but I was wondering what was the purpose of the Brisbin Rd interchange? There is nothing there why was it done?

Not unrelated, and a totally good question lol

Thanks user Rick Powell for the explanation above.  I suppose that was an impetus to straighten out Grove Road around IL-126?  I use that road all the time now, but only because of the realignment a couple years back.  I'm glad the region is planning strategic north-south corridors, like the Wikaduke (Ridge-Stewart-Eola) and Grove/Brisbin.  I think similar approaches led Weber Road to be as souped-up as it is today.  Chicagoland has plenty of advanced radial corridors, but circumferential routes need focused development to grant full suburban mobility.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on February 04, 2018, 02:45:21 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on February 03, 2018, 11:12:50 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on February 02, 2018, 07:09:48 PM
I know this is kind of non related but I was wondering what was the purpose of the Brisbin Rd interchange? There is nothing there why was it done?

The interchange is where the limits of Channahon, Morris and Minooka meet. The interchange was planned when there was phenomenal growth in the area, before the "development bubble"  hit, so lots of commercial and industrial development planned near the exit was put on hold. Long range, the plan is to connect Brisbin Road going north with Grove Road in Kendall County with an improved route that can handle big trucks, providing another north-south traffic route. The interchange does provide some functionality today for the industries east of the interchange along US 6 to more easily access I-80 than before.

Isn't there a whole bunch of industrial activity going on in that area currently?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mrsman on February 04, 2018, 04:29:08 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 02, 2018, 06:46:07 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 02, 2018, 01:54:37 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 02, 2018, 09:38:22 AM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on February 02, 2018, 09:10:43 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 02, 2018, 08:50:41 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on February 01, 2018, 10:52:03 PM
They have a SB I-55 to EB I-80 flyover, otherwise the interchange stays as is.

This is bullshit.  They need an EB I-80 to NB I-55 flyover more.  I drive that every morning, and every morning it's slow with all the damn semis on the ramp.
This.
The one movement I thought they could get away with leaving a loop ramp is the one to get the upgrade? That's dumb.
This interchange is screaming for high-speed flyovers for EB -> NB and WB -> SB.

NB-to-WB is the only "left turn" movement of the four, which isn't used a whole lot.  EB-to-NB is probably the most important.  Long-range trips will use the WB-to-SB movement, which will largely be overlooked by IDOT with their tunnel-vision focus on only local matters. 

In short, the left-turn movement that was granted a flyover by these plans is THIRD on the list of FOUR.  It's the second-worst choice they could have made.

THey should just look at a damn map! It should be plainly obvious to anyone with eyes the best directions for new flyovers.

IDOT, common sense?  You mistake them for an agency that knows its head from its ass.

As all have been saying this is really dumb.  Taking the long view, I-80 is basically E-W and I-55 is basically SW-NE.  The left turns that are acute angles will have less traffic than the turns that are obtuse angles, because taking the acute angle essentially means backtracking. 

The SB-EB movement is backtracking.  And furthermore, the long distance traffic that may make the movement has a freeway shortcut to make that movement in a relatively short distance, namely the toll I-355.  This is not the movement that needs help.

The EB-NB movement, as all have said, is the busiest of the loop movements.  And the busiest loop movement with regard to truck traffic.  All traffic from Iowa that follows BGS signs on I-80 that say Chicago will need to take this ramp to actually reach Chicago. 

Unless it is changed before construction, this is a serious oversight by IDOT.

That being said, if two opposing left movements are both turned into flyovers the weaving issues will be eliminated in all directions.  Currently, in every direction, you have: (1)exit, (2)entrance loop, (3)exit loop, (4)entrance with singnificant weaving between (2) and (3).  With flyovers, you will have (1) exit flyover, (2) exit, (3) entrance loop, (4) entrance  OR (1) exit, (2) exit loop, (3) entrance, (4) entrance flyover which will eliminate weaving and one of the two loops.  Of course, the best loops to eliminate are the busiest loops.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 04, 2018, 11:24:43 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on February 04, 2018, 02:45:21 PM
Isn't there a whole bunch of industrial activity going on in that area currently?

None right at the interchange yet. The Grundy County landfill is about 2 miles west along US 6, and several industries like Azko Nobel, Equistar, and Aux Sable Liquid Products are about 2 miles east along US 6. The industry to the east has been there for years, under different names (in the 80s the big plants were Northern Petrochemical and Alumax).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 04, 2018, 11:30:31 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 04, 2018, 01:53:13 PM
Thanks user Rick Powell for the explanation above.  I suppose that was an impetus to straighten out Grove Road around IL-126? 

Yes, Kendall County is trying to do their part in developing these multi-county routes, and the Grove realignment is part of it, as well as the recent realignment of Ridge Road at the south side of IL-126. Grundy County's plans for Brisbin Road north of the interchange are shown at
https://www.grundyco.org/highway/highway-public-meetings-for-brisbin-road-reconstruction-project/
The plan is for an initial 2 lane design,, an interim 4-lane design and an ultimate 6-lane design, from the Brisbin interchange to the north county line. However, the brochure at the site stated that the 2-lane improvements were projected to start in 2016, and I am not aware of any construction being done yet.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 05, 2018, 08:57:46 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on February 04, 2018, 11:24:43 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on February 04, 2018, 02:45:21 PM
Isn't there a whole bunch of industrial activity going on in that area currently?

None right at the interchange yet. The Grundy County landfill is about 2 miles west along US 6, and several industries like Azko Nobel, Equistar, and Aux Sable Liquid Products are about 2 miles east along US 6. The industry to the east has been there for years, under different names (in the 80s the big plants were Northern Petrochemical and Alumax).

My dad used to work at Northern Petrochemical.  Then it changed name several times.  Northern, INternorth, HNG Internorth, USI, Enron..  It changed so often I joked to my dad that they should just take all the signs down and replace them with chalkboards.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on February 06, 2018, 09:26:09 AM
On Saturday, traveling west on the Eisenhower between the ramp from southbound Wacker and the Old Post Office, I noticed temporary construction signs directing travelers to I-90/94 North.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 21, 2018, 07:37:35 PM
Does anybody know if there's been a higher than usual incidence of cracked or broken windshields reported on I-55 over the last couple years?

I recently had to have my windshield on my car repaired after driving I-55 from Weber Rd. to Lorenzo rd.  I've had other windshield incidents over the last couple years, and just the other night, my wife's van got hit by a rock.  55 from Weber to Channahon, but especially from IL-126 to US 52 has been notoriously bad lately. I know the extreme cold in December didn't help things, but the condition, as I keep harping on, has always been bad since the widening.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on February 21, 2018, 10:00:13 PM
I had a chip in my windshield on wise road one time after they salted the roads. I was not following a salt truck however
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 21, 2018, 10:29:33 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 21, 2018, 07:37:35 PM
Does anybody know if there's been a higher than usual incidence of cracked or broken windshields reported on I-55 over the last couple years?

I recently had to have my windshield on my car repaired after driving I-55 from Weber Rd. to Lorenzo rd.  I've had other windshield incidents over the last couple years, and just the other night, my wife's van got hit by a rock.  55 from Weber to Channahon, but especially from IL-126 to US 52 has been notoriously bad lately. I know the extreme cold in December didn't help things, but the condition, as I keep harping on, has always been bad since the widening.

Yes.

All of my windshield cracks have come from I-55 between 80 and 355.  Had one in January 2009 just before 126 southbound, another in early 2012 from near the same area.  Got one on a different car northbound between 126 and Weber in 2014, followed by a large rock chip (fixed) in summer 2016.  Just got one (on a car less than a year old), which I suspect is from a rock thrown up on I-55 southbound, again, near 126.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on February 22, 2018, 01:43:54 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 21, 2018, 10:29:33 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 21, 2018, 07:37:35 PM
Does anybody know if there's been a higher than usual incidence of cracked or broken windshields reported on I-55 over the last couple years?

I recently had to have my windshield on my car repaired after driving I-55 from Weber Rd. to Lorenzo rd.  I've had other windshield incidents over the last couple years, and just the other night, my wife's van got hit by a rock.  55 from Weber to Channahon, but especially from IL-126 to US 52 has been notoriously bad lately. I know the extreme cold in December didn't help things, but the condition, as I keep harping on, has always been bad since the widening.

Yes.

All of my windshield cracks have come from I-55 between 80 and 355.  Had one in January 2009 just before 126 southbound, another in early 2012 from near the same area.  Got one on a different car northbound between 126 and Weber in 2014, followed by a large rock chip (fixed) in summer 2016.  Just got one (on a car less than a year old), which I suspect is from a rock thrown up on I-55 southbound, again, near 126.

I had rocks puncture my lower bumper from trucks on I-55 heading towards 53. 2 clean holes and a scrape on the lower skirt
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on February 22, 2018, 04:53:51 PM
I think the solution is clear: Stay off of I-55.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 22, 2018, 06:05:05 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 21, 2018, 10:29:33 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 21, 2018, 07:37:35 PM
Does anybody know if there's been a higher than usual incidence of cracked or broken windshields reported on I-55 over the last couple years?

I recently had to have my windshield on my car repaired after driving I-55 from Weber Rd. to Lorenzo rd.  I've had other windshield incidents over the last couple years, and just the other night, my wife's van got hit by a rock.  55 from Weber to Channahon, but especially from IL-126 to US 52 has been notoriously bad lately. I know the extreme cold in December didn't help things, but the condition, as I keep harping on, has always been bad since the widening.

Yes.

All of my windshield cracks have come from I-55 between 80 and 355.  Had one in January 2009 just before 126 southbound, another in early 2012 from near the same area.  Got one on a different car northbound between 126 and Weber in 2014, followed by a large rock chip (fixed) in summer 2016.  Just got one (on a car less than a year old), which I suspect is from a rock thrown up on I-55 southbound, again, near 126.

Wow, I had no idea this was such an issue!  I think the consensus of people in this thread is that the widening of I-55 was a pretty poor-quality project, but I didn't realize it had consequences that were this dire and this destructive!  I just hate the various failures to meet the MUTCD that appear everywhere and the deterioration rate of the pavement!  Now I'm to understand the pavement also lacks the cohesion to keep pieces from flying around the roadway?  I'm lucky I don't have to drive this stretch since I live right next to it!  I'm on I-55 a whole lot north of US30 and south of IL59, but almost never in between.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 22, 2018, 08:50:34 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 02, 2018, 09:38:22 AM
NB-to-WB is the only "left turn" movement of the four, which isn't used a whole lot.  EB-to-NB is probably the most important.  Long-range trips will use the WB-to-SB movement, which will largely be overlooked by IDOT with their tunnel-vision focus on only local matters.

NB to WB does get a decent amount of traffic per IDOT's ADT map (https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/gai.htm?mt=aadt (https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/gai.htm?mt=aadt).  It is also a movement I would hope that would not be precluded from getting a flyover in the future given the industrial developments along I-55 south of the Des Plaines River or in a more optimal development the Illiana comes back to life.

Based on the meeting exhibit (http://www.i-80will.com/images/Documents/PM3_Alts/SMALL-COMBINED-EXHIBIT-002.pdf), the new ramp would be more of a turbine ramp that a semi-direct flyover.  Other meeting exhibits are available here. (http://www.i-80will.com/newsroom.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 23, 2018, 03:22:08 PM
Speaking of our shitty roads...

Chicago, rest of Illinois get a C- for state of roads, bridges from engineering trade group (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-illinois-infrastructure-grade-20180223-story.html)

QuoteIllinois' roads got a D, as they are ranked third worst nationally for travel delay, excess fuel consumed, truck congestion cost and total congestion cost, the engineers' report found. The report noted that despite the need for maintenance and repair, the state's 19-cent-per gallon fuel tax has remained the same since 1991. Other states have raised their gas taxes in recent years to fund road programs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on February 23, 2018, 04:38:47 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 23, 2018, 03:22:08 PM
Speaking of our shitty roads...

Chicago, rest of Illinois get a C- for state of roads, bridges from engineering trade group (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-illinois-infrastructure-grade-20180223-story.html)

QuoteIllinois' roads got a D, as they are ranked third worst nationally for travel delay, excess fuel consumed, truck congestion cost and total congestion cost, the engineers' report found. The report noted that despite the need for maintenance and repair, the state's 19-cent-per gallon fuel tax has remained the same since 1991. Other states have raised their gas taxes in recent years to fund road programs.

If you'd bothered to read the entire article, you would've also read this:

"As poor as it is, the Illinois grade is a little better than the 2017 national average grade of D+"
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 23, 2018, 05:05:13 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on February 23, 2018, 04:38:47 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 23, 2018, 03:22:08 PM
Speaking of our shitty roads...

Chicago, rest of Illinois get a C- for state of roads, bridges from engineering trade group (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-illinois-infrastructure-grade-20180223-story.html)

QuoteIllinois' roads got a D, as they are ranked third worst nationally for travel delay, excess fuel consumed, truck congestion cost and total congestion cost, the engineers' report found. The report noted that despite the need for maintenance and repair, the state's 19-cent-per gallon fuel tax has remained the same since 1991. Other states have raised their gas taxes in recent years to fund road programs.

If you'd bothered to read the entire article, you would've also read this:

"As poor as it is, the Illinois grade is a little better than the 2017 national average grade of D+"

And two paragraphs later...

QuoteIllinois' roads got a D, as they are ranked third worst nationally for travel delay, excess fuel consumed, truck congestion cost and total congestion cost, the engineers' report found.

EDIT: The headline is VERY misleading, as the grade incorporates waterways and public transit as well.  It's an infrastructure grade, not a highways grade.

EDIT 2:  Here's a link to the actual report...

https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/making-the-grade/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on February 24, 2018, 01:42:04 PM
On 20/39 around Rockford the message signs say avoid changing lanes due to potholes in between lanes.  Northbound 39 gets 2 mobile signs saying the same thing.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on February 24, 2018, 08:09:38 PM
Classic IDOT. Just put up signs saying how bad it is instead of actually fixing the problem.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on February 24, 2018, 08:23:59 PM
I-55 between Springfield and the Sangamon-Montgomery County line has been littered with potholes this past week.  I have never seen this many potholes in about a 15-mile stretch of road before.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on February 25, 2018, 11:14:58 AM
Quote from: cwm1276 on February 24, 2018, 01:42:04 PM
On 20/39 around Rockford the message signs say avoid changing lanes due to potholes in between lanes.  Northbound 39 gets 2 mobile signs saying the same thing.

Wouldn't be so bad if they actually cracksealed between the asphalt years ago instead of just throwing patch on it as they do now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on February 25, 2018, 05:36:43 PM
Doesn't help that the 50+ year old road needs is planned to be replaced, so they don't spend anything to patch it either.  Bridges that are scheduled to replaced are not being painted, Perryville rd which would need to be replaced when 20/39 is widened. Just west, 20th street, that bridge just needs to be replaced. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 01, 2018, 03:47:35 PM
Was googling for news on the I-55 / Weber road intersection, and came upon this article from the Chicago Tribune about adding toll lanes to I-55.
(https://chi.streetsblog.org/2017/12/18/lets-worry-less-about-40-tolls-and-more-about-idots-plan-to-widen-i-55/)
Then I read the comments...

Looks like someone we all "know and love"  commented, but I'm not sure what angle the commenter was going for.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on March 02, 2018, 11:18:57 AM
seems like he is very against Rapid Transit. From living in the city since August, my views have changed a lot on the expressways and railways. I'm all in for CTA expansion over expressway expansion.

But I totally understand the Eisenhower and 80 needing a widening. As for 55, I think it's fine, I've never had major problems on it. There's traffic on it and I get it, but it's not horrendous like the Kennedy or the Eisenhower. Hell, the Kennedy has more lanes than the Stevenson yet it's traffic is worse, adding lanes doesn't reduce traffic.

Reading their other comments on various articles, oof. If you really can't take it, if you really hate Chicago and Illinois, get the f*ck out.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 02, 2018, 12:41:59 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on March 02, 2018, 11:18:57 AM

Reading their other comments on various articles, oof. If you really can't take it, if you really hate Chicago and Illinois, get the f*ck out.

Would if I could, but that's an area we don't want to go into here.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on March 02, 2018, 01:42:00 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on March 02, 2018, 11:18:57 AM
If you really can't take it, if you really hate Chicago and Illinois, get the f*ck out.

This is excellent advice.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 02, 2018, 03:24:58 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on March 02, 2018, 11:18:57 AM
If you really can't take it, if you really hate Chicago and Illinois, get the f*ck out.

It is possible to hate Chicago's criminals..er..politicians and still like the state.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 02, 2018, 10:44:12 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 02, 2018, 03:24:58 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on March 02, 2018, 11:18:57 AM
If you really can't take it, if you really hate Chicago and Illinois, get the f*ck out.

It is possible to hate Chicago's criminals..er..politicians and still like the state.

Spend some time in Michigan. Been here for 3 months for a project. It has its own transportation idiocy issues.

At least idot cleans the snow off the roads and I'll leave it at that for now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on March 03, 2018, 12:23:22 AM
The problem is as always they are all out of touch with reality. Someone should stick them to be an Uber driver around Illinois for a week. Maybe that would get them to open their eyes to the problems people face here.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 03, 2018, 08:22:07 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on March 02, 2018, 10:44:12 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 02, 2018, 03:24:58 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on March 02, 2018, 11:18:57 AM
If you really can't take it, if you really hate Chicago and Illinois, get the f*ck out.

It is possible to hate Chicago's criminals..er..politicians and still like the state.

Spend some time in Michigan. Been here for 3 months for a project. It has its own transportation idiocy issues.

At least idot cleans the snow off the roads and I'll leave it at that for now.

MDOT lacks the corruption issues, actually builds roads to last (even if maintenance can lack at times), and has a clue about how to build roads to keep traffic moving.  Until IDiOT can figure that out, my comments all stand.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 03, 2018, 03:43:44 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 03, 2018, 08:22:07 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on March 02, 2018, 10:44:12 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 02, 2018, 03:24:58 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on March 02, 2018, 11:18:57 AM
If you really can't take it, if you really hate Chicago and Illinois, get the f*ck out.

It is possible to hate Chicago's criminals..er..politicians and still like the state.

Spend some time in Michigan. Been here for 3 months for a project. It has its own transportation idiocy issues.

At least idot cleans the snow off the roads and I'll leave it at that for now.

MDOT lacks the corruption issues, actually builds roads to last (even if maintenance can lack at times), and has a clue about how to build roads to keep traffic moving.  Until IDiOT can figure that out, my comments all stand.

The highways don't get as much truck traffic as it's not a centrally located state and the cities aren't as densely populated hence why the traffic is less. You been on 75 in Oakland county? It's a third world country out there.

Local roads are complete crap. Mdot does a decent job on the state highways i.e. telegraph rd
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on March 03, 2018, 04:19:14 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 02, 2018, 12:41:59 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on March 02, 2018, 11:18:57 AM

Reading their other comments on various articles, oof. If you really can't take it, if you really hate Chicago and Illinois, get the f*ck out.

Would if I could, but that's an area we don't want to go into here.

Everybody already is.  Our goverment practically doesn't exist.  It has no money, and it has no one willing to do their jobs.  You can despise the government and still love where you're from.  Demanding reform is a labor of love, not hate.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-illinois-population-decline-met-20161220-story.html
http://abc7chicago.com/realestate/illinois-most-moved-from-state-in-2017-study-finds/2851961/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 07, 2018, 10:51:28 PM
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/idot-gets-million-federal-grant-to-widen-i--in/article_e44979d6-7cee-5bdd-9e71-0d03c936c4e7.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

$7.6 million to repave and add another lane for 5 miles in either direction sounds about right for a rural road, no?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 07, 2018, 11:58:02 PM
Being down in my neck of the woods, since moving down to SoIL -- the 6 Laning of I-57 between I-24 and I-64 has been in the works for a while, and some parts of the corridor are done. I do not know if this is the full remaining 4 Lane section, or if this is just finishing within Williamson County - probably the latter.

Pretty high truck traffic corridor and there are a lot of wrecks on the stretch, often involving trucks and can involve fatalities, too

Some of the overpasses in that area have already been rebuilt for 6 lanes + shoulders, and I believe all ROW is existing. Unless the Johnston City Exit Interchange has to be rebuilt, this should be pretty straight forward.

Previous improvements in the area gave SoIL a SPUI and a DDI -- I-57 at IL 13 and at The Hill Ave, respectfully

Not to mention, the Underpass/Interchange to nowhere, between Marion and Carbondale on IL 13 (near Carterville and Crainville) @ Wolf Creek Rd https://goo.gl/maps/CgfYYEn6UKE2

SoIL truly believes their tax dollars subsidize the Chicago area, and not vice versa. I can't figure out where the natives get that idea, cause it doesn't make sense, and isn't supported by any tax collected vs expenditure reports
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 08, 2018, 10:41:12 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on March 07, 2018, 10:51:28 PM

$7.6 million to repave and add another lane for 5 miles in either direction sounds about right for a rural road, no?
Depends on the type of construction. It could be done if there is minimal grading and bridge work, and all you are doing is adding an adjacent lane and maybe 3" of asphalt resurfacing to the others. Federal funds for interstate rehabilitation on the "legacy" system (of which I-57 is a part) usually pay for 90%, requiring an additional 10% state match. In addition to this TIGER grant, IDOT could also use additional federal I-Maintenance funds or other sources if there was a funding gap.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on March 09, 2018, 12:09:10 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 07, 2018, 11:58:02 PM
Being down in my neck of the woods, since moving down to SoIL -- the 6 Laning of I-57 between I-24 and I-64 has been in the works for a while, and some parts of the corridor are done. I do not know if this is the full remaining 4 Lane section, or if this is just finishing within Williamson County - probably the latter.

Pretty high truck traffic corridor and there are a lot of wrecks on the stretch, often involving trucks and can involve fatalities, too

Some of the overpasses in that area have already been rebuilt for 6 lanes + shoulders, and I believe all ROW is existing. Unless the Johnston City Exit Interchange has to be rebuilt, this should be pretty straight forward.

Previous improvements in the area gave SoIL a SPUI and a DDI -- I-57 at IL 13 and at The Hill Ave, respectfully

Not to mention, the Underpass/Interchange to nowhere, between Marion and Carbondale on IL 13 (near Carterville and Crainville) @ Wolf Creek Rd https://goo.gl/maps/CgfYYEn6UKE2

SoIL truly believes their tax dollars subsidize the Chicago area, and not vice versa. I can't figure out where the natives get that idea, cause it doesn't make sense, and isn't supported by any tax collected vs expenditure reports

Dick Durbin is from southern Illinois, no? He does a pretty bad job representing it.

onto roads, southern illinois roads are in a lot better condition than its counterparts in the north and whether that may be due to wear and tear from road traffic or the heavier winters or whatever, roads were really smooth when I went to carbondale last november.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on March 10, 2018, 04:24:08 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on March 09, 2018, 12:09:10 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 07, 2018, 11:58:02 PM
Being down in my neck of the woods, since moving down to SoIL -- the 6 Laning of I-57 between I-24 and I-64 has been in the works for a while, and some parts of the corridor are done. I do not know if this is the full remaining 4 Lane section, or if this is just finishing within Williamson County - probably the latter.

Pretty high truck traffic corridor and there are a lot of wrecks on the stretch, often involving trucks and can involve fatalities, too

Some of the overpasses in that area have already been rebuilt for 6 lanes + shoulders, and I believe all ROW is existing. Unless the Johnston City Exit Interchange has to be rebuilt, this should be pretty straight forward.

Previous improvements in the area gave SoIL a SPUI and a DDI -- I-57 at IL 13 and at The Hill Ave, respectfully

Not to mention, the Underpass/Interchange to nowhere, between Marion and Carbondale on IL 13 (near Carterville and Crainville) @ Wolf Creek Rd https://goo.gl/maps/CgfYYEn6UKE2

SoIL truly believes their tax dollars subsidize the Chicago area, and not vice versa. I can't figure out where the natives get that idea, cause it doesn't make sense, and isn't supported by any tax collected vs expenditure reports

Dick Durbin is from southern Illinois, no? He does a pretty bad job representing it.

onto roads, southern illinois roads are in a lot better condition than its counterparts in the north and whether that may be due to wear and tear from road traffic or the heavier winters or whatever, roads were really smooth when I went to carbondale last november.

Durbin was born in East Saint Louis and lives in Springfield.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on March 10, 2018, 05:15:08 PM
US20/I39 around Rockford got permanent signs in both directions saying rough road.  Before the rough road signs were just on the sawhorse like barricades.

Nothing like exiting the Tollway and seeing double rough road signs, the signs are placed in both sides of each directions. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on March 10, 2018, 05:54:06 PM
Illinois: we can't/won't fix our roads but we can tell you exactly how bad they are.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 12, 2018, 12:29:53 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on March 10, 2018, 05:15:08 PM
US20/I39 around Rockford got permanent signs in both directions saying rough road.  Before the rough road signs were just on the sawhorse like barricades.

Nothing like exiting the Tollway and seeing double rough road signs, the signs are placed in both sides of each directions.
maybe they should toll us-20 all the way to IA.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 12, 2018, 02:31:14 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 12, 2018, 12:29:53 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on March 10, 2018, 05:15:08 PM
US20/I39 around Rockford got permanent signs in both directions saying rough road.  Before the rough road signs were just on the sawhorse like barricades.

Nothing like exiting the Tollway and seeing double rough road signs, the signs are placed in both sides of each directions.
maybe they should toll us-20 all the way to IA.

Toll from Rockford to Dubuque? Might actually get the much needed rebuild
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on March 13, 2018, 12:13:40 AM
The I-Pass/EZ-Pass only lanes on the Skyway have been closed for a while and there appears to be some road work going on over there. Any word on what they're doing? Hopefully they're adding ORT lanes or at least eliminating the gates for those lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 13, 2018, 12:41:30 AM
for $5.20 + Transponder Account Service Fee: $1/mo they can do better.

https://www.chicagoskyway.org/toll-information/#ez-pass-info
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 13, 2018, 07:18:20 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 13, 2018, 12:41:30 AM
for $5.20 + Transponder Account Service Fee: $1/mo they can do better.

https://www.chicagoskyway.org/toll-information/#ez-pass-info

I'm surprised they sell any at all with ISTHA giving them away at $10 refundable deposit and no fees (other then $2.90 to Jewel-Osco, if you get it at a Jewel-Osco).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 13, 2018, 08:47:35 AM
Quote from: Brandon on March 13, 2018, 07:18:20 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 13, 2018, 12:41:30 AM
for $5.20 + Transponder Account Service Fee: $1/mo they can do better.

https://www.chicagoskyway.org/toll-information/#ez-pass-info

I'm surprised they sell any at all with ISTHA giving them away at $10 refundable deposit and no fees (other then $2.90 to Jewel-Osco, if you get it at a Jewel-Osco).

Which reminds me, I need to get one.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on March 13, 2018, 08:55:30 AM
Quote from: tribar on March 10, 2018, 05:54:06 PM
Illinois: we can't/won't fix our roads but we can tell you exactly how bad they are.
As if I need a reminder of why I left the state...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on March 13, 2018, 09:41:14 AM
Quote from: Brandon on March 13, 2018, 07:18:20 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 13, 2018, 12:41:30 AM
for $5.20 + Transponder Account Service Fee: $1/mo they can do better.

https://www.chicagoskyway.org/toll-information/#ez-pass-info

I'm surprised they sell any at all with ISTHA giving them away at $10 refundable deposit and no fees (other then $2.90 to Jewel-Osco, if you get it at a Jewel-Osco).

Getting socked with a $5 toll is a pretty strong incentive to get one, and get one immediately.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on March 13, 2018, 03:31:20 PM
what's up with SR 160's bizarre routing in highland?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mvak36 on March 15, 2018, 10:35:39 AM
Which section of I-57 are they planning on doing with this grant? From what I could see on Google Earth, the section from just south of exit 53 to exit 59 are three lanes. Would they be going north from there?



Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 15, 2018, 10:57:53 AM
Quote from: mvak36 on March 15, 2018, 10:35:39 AM
Which section of I-57 are they planning on doing with this grant? From what I could see on Google Earth, the section from just south of exit 53 to exit 59 are three lanes. Would they be going north from there?
The news announcements were somewhat cryptic. They said it was for Williamson County, and mentioned potential benefits to the Benton area as well as Marion, so I'd guess it would be from south of the Johnston City/County Hwy 2 interchange (where the 3-lanes end on I-57 at the SE and SW ramps) up to the north Williamson County line or thereabouts, approximately 5 miles.


fix quote --sso
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 15, 2018, 11:11:08 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 13, 2018, 03:31:20 PM
what's up with SR 160's bizarre routing in highland?

I'm guessing they didn't want the route going through on a residential street, while still going downtown.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mvak36 on March 15, 2018, 12:07:47 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 15, 2018, 10:57:53 AM

The news announcements were somewhat cryptic. They said it was for Williamson County, and mentioned potential benefits to the Benton area as well as Marion, so I'd guess it would be from south of the Johnston City/County Hwy 2 interchange (where the 3-lanes end on I-57 at the SE and SW ramps) up to the north Williamson County line or thereabouts, approximately 5 miles.


I think you are right. This article (http://www.duquoin.com/news/20180309/widening-of-i-57-near-johnston-city-to-start-in-2019) said Pond Creek, but I am not sure where that is.

EDIT: I found it. It's about a mile or so south of Exit 65 in West Frankfort.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mvak36 on March 15, 2018, 12:39:33 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on March 07, 2018, 10:51:28 PM
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/idot-gets-million-federal-grant-to-widen-i--in/article_e44979d6-7cee-5bdd-9e71-0d03c936c4e7.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

$7.6 million to repave and add another lane for 5 miles in either direction sounds about right for a rural road, no?

It looks like it will be more than $7.6 million.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/37668970/infrastructure-improvements-coming-to-i-57-in-williamson-co-il
QuoteThe total cost of construction is $12.7 million.  IDOT says the state will match the rest.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on March 16, 2018, 09:49:27 AM
Quote from: mvak36 on March 15, 2018, 12:39:33 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on March 07, 2018, 10:51:28 PM
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/idot-gets-million-federal-grant-to-widen-i--in/article_e44979d6-7cee-5bdd-9e71-0d03c936c4e7.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

$7.6 million to repave and add another lane for 5 miles in either direction sounds about right for a rural road, no?

It looks like it will be more than $7.6 million.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/37668970/infrastructure-improvements-coming-to-i-57-in-williamson-co-il
QuoteThe total cost of construction is $12.7 million.  IDOT says the state will match the rest.
Well, at least they're getting their head out of their ass on this one. I wish they'd do the same for the crappy roads up in Chicago.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 16, 2018, 09:58:33 AM
Quote from: tribar on March 10, 2018, 05:54:06 PM
Illinois: we can't/won't fix our roads but we can tell you exactly how bad they are.


Actually, Illinois has better roads than neighboring states like Wisconsin and Indiana. Illinois has 18% of its roads in poor or mediocre condition while Indiana and Wisconsin are 23 and 42% respectively. You want crappy pavement go drive on US20 then SR2 in LaPorte County Indiana. I've yet to drive on a road in Illinois that's crappy for that long.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 16, 2018, 10:32:31 AM
Quote from: mvak36 on March 15, 2018, 12:39:33 PM
Quote from: johndoe780 on March 07, 2018, 10:51:28 PM
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/idot-gets-million-federal-grant-to-widen-i--in/article_e44979d6-7cee-5bdd-9e71-0d03c936c4e7.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

$7.6 million to repave and add another lane for 5 miles in either direction sounds about right for a rural road, no?

It looks like it will be more than $7.6 million.

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/37668970/infrastructure-improvements-coming-to-i-57-in-williamson-co-il
QuoteThe total cost of construction is $12.7 million.  IDOT says the state will match the rest.

They could also apply for additional federal interstate matching money which is apportioned to the states each year, and reduce the state's share even further.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on March 16, 2018, 11:10:48 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 15, 2018, 11:11:08 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 13, 2018, 03:31:20 PM
what's up with SR 160's bizarre routing in highland?

I'm guessing they didn't want the route going through on a residential street, while still going downtown.

I was literally in Highland yesterday.  The 160 routing is to take advantage of the grade-separated railroad crossing on Sycamore St.  That's a busy rail line and I figure the state is keen on sending traffic to where they won't be waiting for trains.
I've see this elsewhere around the country; funny little jogs in state/US highways through cities so they go over/under railroads instead of cross them at-grade.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 16, 2018, 11:22:14 AM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on March 16, 2018, 11:10:48 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 15, 2018, 11:11:08 AM
Quote from: silverback1065 on March 13, 2018, 03:31:20 PM
what's up with SR 160's bizarre routing in highland?

I'm guessing they didn't want the route going through on a residential street, while still going downtown.

I was literally in Highland yesterday.  The 160 routing is to take advantage of the grade-separated railroad crossing on Sycamore St.  That's a busy rail line and I figure the state is keen on sending traffic to where they won't be waiting for trains.
I've see this elsewhere around the country; funny little jogs in state/US highways through cities so they go over/under railroads instead of cross them at-grade.

Ahh.  I didn't even see that.  Makes perfect sense
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 16, 2018, 08:14:45 PM
It looks like IDOT is planning to accelerate the 159th St. rebuilt/widening project so that all four lanes would be finished by the end of this year, which just some more punch list items to complete next year. This project has been very much delayed (typical of many IDOT projects), so nice to see that residents and municipality seems have pushed enough to get something back on track. This is a very much needed project, and I don't blame Homer Glen residents for their frustration at IDOT.

https://patch.com/illinois/homerglen-lockport/idot-will-accelerate-159th-road-construction-project
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 02, 2018, 10:16:55 AM
I noticed confusing temporary signage on the inbound Eisenhower yesterday.  The left lane is closed for construction at the Jane Byrne Interchange, and the signage basically says "Dan Ryan, right lane; Kennedy, center lane; Congress Expressway/Parkway, left 2 lanes."  The trouble is, the center lane is also one of the 2 left lanes.  What they mean is that the center lane can exit onto the Kennedy or stay on Congress, but it's really confusing.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 03, 2018, 01:00:00 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 02, 2018, 10:16:55 AM
I noticed confusing temporary signage on the inbound Eisenhower yesterday.  The left lane is closed for construction at the Jane Byrne Interchange, and the signage basically says "Dan Ryan, right lane; Kennedy, center lane; Congress Expressway/Parkway, left 2 lanes."  The trouble is, the center lane is also one of the 2 left lanes.  What they mean is that the center lane can exit onto the Kennedy or stay on Congress, but it's really confusing.

Makes sense to me...but it would be much clearer if they had overhead signs with arrows pointing to lanes.  Then it would be very clear that the center lane is an option lane since two panels have arrows pointing at it.  It's difficult to justify the cost and time to erect temporary overhead signage though, during construction.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 03:24:18 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/

"Since the completion of I-39 in 1992, Illinois has seen only one new interstate: the 9/10ths of a mile I-41 in Lake County."

This is incorrect, I-355 from I-55 to I-80 definitely opened after 1992, and (I think) the original section, from Army-Trail Road to I-55, opened after I-39.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 04:08:26 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 03:24:18 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/

"Since the completion of I-39 in 1992, Illinois has seen only one new interstate: the 9/10ths of a mile I-41 in Lake County."

This is incorrect, I-355 from I-55 to I-80 definitely opened after 1992, and (I think) the original section, from Army-Trail Road to I-55, opened after I-39.

Maybe the article only meant 2 digit interstates? To be honest, I'm actually not sure if the information in the article is accurate or not because I don't know any of the history. Someone more familiar with the Illinois interstate history would probably know better than me.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: sparker on April 03, 2018, 04:11:32 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 03:24:18 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/

"Since the completion of I-39 in 1992, Illinois has seen only one new interstate: the 9/10ths of a mile I-41 in Lake County."

This is incorrect, I-355 from I-55 to I-80 definitely opened after 1992, and (I think) the original section, from Army-Trail Road to I-55, opened after I-39.

Also, wasn't the extension of I-72 from Springfield to MO, including the designation of I-172, done circa 1995?  Maybe the author's only taking into consideration new numerical designations rather than extensions of previously established routes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 04:14:36 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 04:08:26 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 03:24:18 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/

"Since the completion of I-39 in 1992, Illinois has seen only one new interstate: the 9/10ths of a mile I-41 in Lake County."

This is incorrect, I-355 from I-55 to I-80 definitely opened after 1992, and (I think) the original section, from Army-Trail Road to I-55, opened after I-39.

Maybe the article only meant 2 digit interstates? To be honest, I'm actually not sure if the information in the article is accurate or not because I don't know any of the history. Someone more familiar with the Illinois interstate history would probably know better than me.

Oh, maybe that's what they meant?

That's the only part that jumped out at me as being incorrect.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 03, 2018, 05:42:58 PM
Quote from: sparker on April 03, 2018, 04:11:32 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 03:24:18 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/

"Since the completion of I-39 in 1992, Illinois has seen only one new interstate: the 9/10ths of a mile I-41 in Lake County."

This is incorrect, I-355 from I-55 to I-80 definitely opened after 1992, and (I think) the original section, from Army-Trail Road to I-55, opened after I-39.

Also, wasn't the extension of I-72 from Springfield to MO, including the designation of I-172, done circa 1995?  Maybe the author's only taking into consideration new numerical designations rather than extensions of previously established routes.

Even I-172 was new, not an extension (like I-72).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 03, 2018, 07:18:31 PM
I-155, that awesome Morton to Lincoln Freeway, fully opened in 92. According to interstate-guide.com, AASHTO approved the designation in mid-1991

https://www.interstate-guide.com/i-155_il.html

One could also say the New Terrain Route I-70 now takes, departing from I-55 and "bumping"  I-64 in East St Louis to approach the Stan Musial Bridge, is also relatively New Interstate in IL
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on April 03, 2018, 07:31:51 PM
I really wouldn't count I-41 as a new interstate for Illinois. It just overlays I-94 for like 12 feet and it's not even signed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 03, 2018, 09:39:07 PM
Interesting article on a meeting addressing proposed improvements to North Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail.

https://chi.streetsblog.org/2018/03/13/idot-proposes-detailed-options-for-lakefront-trail-part-of-north-lake-shore-drive-project/

A few Highlights of the meeting:
- The emphasis of the meeting was the Lakefront Trail, and the continued separation of the pedestrian and bike paths.
- Bike lanes would be, in many places, built West of the Drive to connect to potential future bike only lanes in the neighborhoods.
- Underpasses similar to the one at the Museum campus are proposed every quarter mile for bikers/pedestrians/runners.
- Numerous bus terminals and turnarounds are proposed.
- There is a proposal being pushed to remove a lane North of Irving Park Rd due to the drop in traffic.
- Based on the maps shown, it looks like Diversey Parkway would be truncated to a cul de sac just West of the Drive.
- Obviously, based on previous articles, the major Drive re-alignment near Ohio St (project site linked to in the article has more about that).

This is a project that really needs to happen in Chicago, and as a frequent user of the Lakefront Trail, I am, overall, quite pleased with the proposed improvements.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on April 03, 2018, 10:38:25 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 03, 2018, 09:39:07 PM
Interesting article on a meeting addressing proposed improvements to North Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail.

https://chi.streetsblog.org/2018/03/13/idot-proposes-detailed-options-for-lakefront-trail-part-of-north-lake-shore-drive-project/

A few Highlights of the meeting:
- The emphasis of the meeting was the Lakefront Trail, and the continued separation of the pedestrian and bike paths.
- Bike lanes would be, in many places, built West of the Drive to connect to potential future bike only lanes in the neighborhoods.
- Underpasses similar to the one at the Museum campus are proposed every quarter mile for bikers/pedestrians/runners.
- Numerous bus terminals and turnarounds are proposed.
- There is a proposal being pushed to remove a lane North of Irving Park Rd due to the drop in traffic.
- Based on the maps shown, it looks like Diversey Parkway would be truncated to a cul de sac just West of the Drive.
- Obviously, based on previous articles, the major Drive re-alignment near Ohio St (project site linked to in the article has more about that).

This is a project that really needs to happen in Chicago, and as a frequent user of the Lakefront Trail, I am, overall, quite pleased with the proposed improvements.


Eh, removing a lane is never really a good idea. Seems like it would cause traffic to increase. However, a couple of those lanes are just barely wide enough for a car so if they do remove one they could widen the existing ones. So that might be the only benefit of it. What's also ridiculous is the plan on IL50 near midway to remove a lane.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on April 03, 2018, 10:46:44 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 03, 2018, 09:39:07 PM
Interesting article on a meeting addressing proposed improvements to North Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail.

https://chi.streetsblog.org/2018/03/13/idot-proposes-detailed-options-for-lakefront-trail-part-of-north-lake-shore-drive-project/

A few Highlights of the meeting:
- The emphasis of the meeting was the Lakefront Trail, and the continued separation of the pedestrian and bike paths.
- Bike lanes would be, in many places, built West of the Drive to connect to potential future bike only lanes in the neighborhoods.
- Underpasses similar to the one at the Museum campus are proposed every quarter mile for bikers/pedestrians/runners.
- Numerous bus terminals and turnarounds are proposed.
- There is a proposal being pushed to remove a lane North of Irving Park Rd due to the drop in traffic.
- Based on the maps shown, it looks like Diversey Parkway would be truncated to a cul de sac just West of the Drive.
- Obviously, based on previous articles, the major Drive re-alignment near Ohio St (project site linked to in the article has more about that).

This is a project that really needs to happen in Chicago, and as a frequent user of the Lakefront Trail, I am, overall, quite pleased with the proposed improvements.

There is definitely a drop off in traffic north of Irving Park but not enough to drop a lane. The rest of this sounds good though.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 03, 2018, 10:51:40 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on April 03, 2018, 10:38:25 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 03, 2018, 09:39:07 PM
Interesting article on a meeting addressing proposed improvements to North Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail.

https://chi.streetsblog.org/2018/03/13/idot-proposes-detailed-options-for-lakefront-trail-part-of-north-lake-shore-drive-project/

A few Highlights of the meeting:
- The emphasis of the meeting was the Lakefront Trail, and the continued separation of the pedestrian and bike paths.
- Bike lanes would be, in many places, built West of the Drive to connect to potential future bike only lanes in the neighborhoods.
- Underpasses similar to the one at the Museum campus are proposed every quarter mile for bikers/pedestrians/runners.
- Numerous bus terminals and turnarounds are proposed.
- There is a proposal being pushed to remove a lane North of Irving Park Rd due to the drop in traffic.
- Based on the maps shown, it looks like Diversey Parkway would be truncated to a cul de sac just West of the Drive.
- Obviously, based on previous articles, the major Drive re-alignment near Ohio St (project site linked to in the article has more about that).

This is a project that really needs to happen in Chicago, and as a frequent user of the Lakefront Trail, I am, overall, quite pleased with the proposed improvements.


Eh, removing a lane is never really a good idea. Seems like it would cause traffic to increase. However, a couple of those lanes are just barely wide enough for a car so if they do remove one they could widen the existing ones. So that might be the only benefit of it. What's also ridiculous is the plan on IL50 near midway to remove a lane.

I question the lane removal idea too, although widening the actual lanes may help with that somewhat. Also, if they were to add a full shoulder, then I could see it as a justification to avoid too much additional ROW.

What really needs to happen, and won't in this lifetime, is an extension North to Evanston, but I won't touch that any further.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on April 03, 2018, 11:26:09 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 03, 2018, 10:51:40 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on April 03, 2018, 10:38:25 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 03, 2018, 09:39:07 PM
Interesting article on a meeting addressing proposed improvements to North Lake Shore Drive and the Lakefront Trail.

https://chi.streetsblog.org/2018/03/13/idot-proposes-detailed-options-for-lakefront-trail-part-of-north-lake-shore-drive-project/

A few Highlights of the meeting:
- The emphasis of the meeting was the Lakefront Trail, and the continued separation of the pedestrian and bike paths.
- Bike lanes would be, in many places, built West of the Drive to connect to potential future bike only lanes in the neighborhoods.
- Underpasses similar to the one at the Museum campus are proposed every quarter mile for bikers/pedestrians/runners.
- Numerous bus terminals and turnarounds are proposed.
- There is a proposal being pushed to remove a lane North of Irving Park Rd due to the drop in traffic.
- Based on the maps shown, it looks like Diversey Parkway would be truncated to a cul de sac just West of the Drive.
- Obviously, based on previous articles, the major Drive re-alignment near Ohio St (project site linked to in the article has more about that).

This is a project that really needs to happen in Chicago, and as a frequent user of the Lakefront Trail, I am, overall, quite pleased with the proposed improvements.


Eh, removing a lane is never really a good idea. Seems like it would cause traffic to increase. However, a couple of those lanes are just barely wide enough for a car so if they do remove one they could widen the existing ones. So that might be the only benefit of it. What's also ridiculous is the plan on IL50 near midway to remove a lane.

I question the lane removal idea too, although widening the actual lanes may help with that somewhat. Also, if they were to add a full shoulder, then I could see it as a justification to avoid too much additional ROW.

What really needs to happen, and won't in this lifetime, is an extension North to Evanston, but I won't touch that any further.
Yup, takes way too long to get to LSD when following US41 via Lincoln Ave and Foster Ave. All those lights, plus drivers that lack the common sense to stay in the right lane if driving under the limit.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Super Mateo on April 04, 2018, 09:07:16 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on March 16, 2018, 08:14:45 PM
It looks like IDOT is planning to accelerate the 159th St. rebuilt/widening project so that all four lanes would be finished by the end of this year, which just some more punch list items to complete next year. This project has been very much delayed (typical of many IDOT projects), so nice to see that residents and municipality seems have pushed enough to get something back on track. This is a very much needed project, and I don't blame Homer Glen residents for their frustration at IDOT.

https://patch.com/illinois/homerglen-lockport/idot-will-accelerate-159th-road-construction-project

Meanwhile, they have a bridge (on something I never realized was a bridge) project going on 159th Street in Oak Forest.  The road is closed.  The closed segment is half a block long.  Naturally, the detour is five MILES long, telling people to use Cicero, 167th, and Harlem, which is three miles west of the construction zone.  From what I saw, eastbound drivers are ignoring it entirely until they have to cut through on a side street (Oak/160th); westbound is going to Central to get back to 159th.  It's a rare case of the drivers being wiser than whoever made the detour.

Lake Shore Drive:  Build the underpasses for bikes and pedestrians to cross and give bikes and pedestrians their own road separated from the cars.  Then raise the speed limit to at least 65.  Having a freeway segment signed at 40 is an absolute joke.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 04, 2018, 09:11:47 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 03, 2018, 10:51:40 PM
What really needs to happen, and won't in this lifetime, is an extension North to Evanston, but I won't touch that any further.

That would suit me just fine.  Unfortunately, the lakefront real estate north of Hollywood is pretty expensive, and I don't think Loyola and Northwestern are interested in giving up their respective campuses.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 04, 2018, 09:13:31 AM
Quote from: Super Mateo on April 04, 2018, 09:07:16 AM
Lake Shore Drive:  Build the underpasses for bikes and pedestrians to cross and give bikes and pedestrians their own road separated from the cars.  Then raise the speed limit to at least 65.  Having a freeway segment signed at 40 is an absolute joke.

I regularly do 60 between Hollywood and the Michigan Avenue exit.  If they ever realign the S curve (and I really hope they do), there'd be no excuse for not raising the speed limit.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on April 04, 2018, 09:58:22 PM
Quote from: Super Mateo on April 04, 2018, 09:07:16 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on March 16, 2018, 08:14:45 PM
It looks like IDOT is planning to accelerate the 159th St. rebuilt/widening project so that all four lanes would be finished by the end of this year, which just some more punch list items to complete next year. This project has been very much delayed (typical of many IDOT projects), so nice to see that residents and municipality seems have pushed enough to get something back on track. This is a very much needed project, and I don't blame Homer Glen residents for their frustration at IDOT.

https://patch.com/illinois/homerglen-lockport/idot-will-accelerate-159th-road-construction-project
raise the speed limit to at least 65.  Having a freeway segment signed at 40 is an absolute joke.

It's not a freeway at all, not even interstate standards by any measure. The lanes are too narrow, there are no shoulders,it's only a US highway designation (with a small segment a Chicago city street)  and there are no acceleration or deceleration lanes. Therefore I don't see it being posted any higher than 5mph more than what it's currently posted as.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 05, 2018, 01:30:40 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 04, 2018, 09:13:31 AM
Quote from: Super Mateo on April 04, 2018, 09:07:16 AM
Lake Shore Drive:  Build the underpasses for bikes and pedestrians to cross and give bikes and pedestrians their own road separated from the cars.  Then raise the speed limit to at least 65.  Having a freeway segment signed at 40 is an absolute joke.

I regularly do 60 between Hollywood and the Michigan Avenue exit.  If they ever realign the S curve (and I really hope they do), there'd be no excuse for not raising the speed limit.

Agreed that there needs to be more frequent underpasses for bikes and pedestrians. However, there is already the Lakefront trail, so bikes and pedestrians already do have their "own road". What the plans are, and needs to happen, is to fully separate each of these onto their own trail the entire distance. This is being done in some segments, but there are many areas where the trail gets too crowded and bikers and runners often are fighting for space. As for The Drive itself, the proposal does show plans to straighten out the S Curve (and relocate the Ohio St. Beach to accommodate this). The speed limit is simply not going to be raised to 60 or 65 mph. Even the interstate expressways are signed, at most, at 55 mph inside the city limits. The most I could foresee Lake Shore Drive being signed is 50, maybe 55 if they really were to upgrade the construction standards, but I think that might even be a stretch.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on April 05, 2018, 04:20:13 AM
LSD is the equivalent of a NYC parkway.  It's meant to be a more local'ish route.  Most of the traffic goes 50-60, when I drive it I normally stay in the middle lane(s).  I really hate lack of shoulders - one false move and it's curtains.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 05, 2018, 09:01:17 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 05, 2018, 04:20:13 AM
LSD is the equivalent of a NYC parkway.  It's meant to be a more local'ish route.  Most of the traffic goes 50-60, when I drive it I normally stay in the middle lane(s).  I really hate lack of shoulders - one false move and it's curtains.

That may be its intended use, but in the absence of the Crosstown Expressway, or any access-controlled north-south route east of the Edens, it's one of my most-used roads.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on April 05, 2018, 09:36:23 AM
You may remember the I-494 and I-694 proposals for LSD back in the 70s; thankfully, these were never done, because while LSD is a very substandard expressway, upgrading it would've forever destroyed its scenic urban character. It is such an iconic route that changing it dramatically would be a crime.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 05, 2018, 10:24:03 AM
Quote from: Henry on April 05, 2018, 09:36:23 AM
You may remember the I-494 and I-694 proposals for LSD back in the 70s; thankfully, these were never done, because while LSD is a very substandard expressway, upgrading it would've forever destroyed its scenic urban character. It is such an iconic route that changing it dramatically would be a crime.

Oh I wouldn't change a thing about it, and I'm glad it was never extended north of Hollywood.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 05, 2018, 05:17:13 PM
I think I have a Rand McNally atlas that shows the south section of LSD marked as 494
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 05, 2018, 06:57:37 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 05, 2018, 10:24:03 AM
Quote from: Henry on April 05, 2018, 09:36:23 AM
You may remember the I-494 and I-694 proposals for LSD back in the 70s; thankfully, these were never done, because while LSD is a very substandard expressway, upgrading it would've forever destroyed its scenic urban character. It is such an iconic route that changing it dramatically would be a crime.

Oh I wouldn't change a thing about it, and I'm glad it was never extended north of Hollywood.

It is in need of safety improvements, and I'm speaking from both a pedestrian and motorist perspective. However, I agree that anything done should be to not kill the character of the route as it is now. As far as extending it North, I feel it could have been very beneficial to at least extend it to Evanston. However, that is a pipe dream at best now, so likely the Northern Terminus will remain at Hollywood for the foreseeable future.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 05, 2018, 07:40:46 PM
The neighborhood wants more landfill but not the road. Only one agency has money so they should take an extension for more park .....
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 05, 2018, 08:53:30 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on April 03, 2018, 11:26:09 PM
Yup, takes way too long to get to LSD when following US41 via Lincoln Ave and Foster Ave. All those lights, plus drivers that lack the common sense to stay in the right lane if driving under the limit.

Up until the first transportation plan after the 1971 interim, there were plans for a freeway connecting the north end of Lake Shore Drive to the Kennedy at the curve east of Nagle Avenue.
Quote from: Henry on April 05, 2018, 09:36:23 AM
You may remember the I-494 and I-694 proposals for LSD back in the 70s; thankfully, these were never done, because while LSD is a very substandard expressway, upgrading it would've forever destroyed its scenic urban character. It is such an iconic route that changing it dramatically would be a crime.

Given the substandard nature of the early interstates compared to today, plus the horror stories I've heard for I-278 and I-676, I disagree that Lake Shore Drive could not have been turned into an interstate.

As for I-694 in Illinois, I am ready to call it an urban legend given the lack of information on it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 06, 2018, 09:57:27 AM
I've never been on I-676, but LSD is far, far below the BQE in terms of substandard freeways.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on April 10, 2018, 09:55:37 PM
Is Chicago going to have an expressway named after Obama? I would think it would be a given since they name their expressways after politicians.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 10, 2018, 11:06:39 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on April 10, 2018, 09:55:37 PM
Is Chicago going to have an expressway named after Obama? I would think it would be a given since they name their expressways after politicians.
Well Rod Blagojevich was removed from the tollway signs.

I-490 is open for Obama
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 11, 2018, 07:16:23 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on April 10, 2018, 11:06:39 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on April 10, 2018, 09:55:37 PM
Is Chicago going to have an expressway named after Obama? I would think it would be a given since they name their expressways after politicians.
Well Rod Blagojevich was removed from the tollway signs.

I-490 is open for Obama

They already put signs up for him on I-55 between Pontiac and the Tri-State.  Regardless of what you think of the man, I really don't like naming things after living people.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 11, 2018, 08:37:21 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 11, 2018, 07:16:23 AM

They already put signs up for him on I-55 between Pontiac and the Tri-State.  Regardless of what you think of the man, I really don't like naming things after living people.

Personally, I don't like naming things after politicians in general.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 11, 2018, 09:17:35 AM
Quote from: dvferyance on April 10, 2018, 09:55:37 PM
Is Chicago going to have an expressway named after Obama? I would think it would be a given since they name their expressways after politicians.
The I-57 "west leg of the Dan Ryan" has been mentioned as a candidate since it is the only one where a name wouldn't need to be removed. I suppose the I-80 "Moline Expressway" west of the Kingery could also be a candidate.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on April 11, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Until then:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi113.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn208%2Ftriplemultiplex%2FAround%2520Town%2FObeezy_zpsz6gtsxbu.png&hash=a22989315d261bb3a7b3dfc3f3c69047965cf70d)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on April 11, 2018, 12:08:50 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on April 10, 2018, 11:06:39 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on April 10, 2018, 09:55:37 PM
Is Chicago going to have an expressway named after Obama? I would think it would be a given since they name their expressways after politicians.
Well Rod Blagojevich was removed from the tollway signs.

I-490 is open for Obama
His name was removed becasue he was no longer Governor and I assumed Gov Quinn did not want his name to be on the signs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 11, 2018, 12:44:28 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on April 11, 2018, 12:08:50 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on April 10, 2018, 11:06:39 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on April 10, 2018, 09:55:37 PM
Is Chicago going to have an expressway named after Obama? I would think it would be a given since they name their expressways after politicians.
Well Rod Blagojevich was removed from the tollway signs.

I-490 is open for Obama
His name was removed becasue he was no longer Governor and I assumed Gov Quinn did not want his name to be on the signs.

I assumed the signs were Blago patting himself on the back because he was Governor while ORT was completed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 11, 2018, 12:50:33 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 11, 2018, 12:44:28 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on April 11, 2018, 12:08:50 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on April 10, 2018, 11:06:39 PM
Quote from: dvferyance on April 10, 2018, 09:55:37 PM
Is Chicago going to have an expressway named after Obama? I would think it would be a given since they name their expressways after politicians.
Well Rod Blagojevich was removed from the tollway signs.

I-490 is open for Obama
His name was removed becasue he was no longer Governor and I assumed Gov Quinn did not want his name to be on the signs.

I assumed the signs were Blago patting himself on the back because he was Governor while ORT was completed.
That and getting the I-355 South Extension built.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 16, 2018, 12:57:34 PM
Why was the Chinatown Feeder never connected to Wacker Drive? I saw it proposed on some maps, and it does seem like a no brainer, but it's always confused me why it was never built.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 16, 2018, 08:19:46 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 16, 2018, 12:57:34 PM
Why was the Chinatown Feeder never connected to Wacker Drive? I saw it proposed on some maps, and it does seem like a no brainer, but it's always confused me why it was never built.

I think it was a victim of the anti-freeway wave of the 1970's.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 16, 2018, 10:18:55 PM
The below link highlights some Chicago Area projects slated for this construction season. Among others, some notable highlights include:

- Continued Work on the Jane Burne (Circle) Interchange
- Completion of Cumberland Flyover and Additional Lane EB I-90 (Kennedy Expressway) between River Rd and Harlem Ave
- I-88 Rebuilding/Widening between York Rd and I-290
- Edens Spur (I-94) Reconstruction
- I-355 Repaving between Army Trail and I-55
- Milburn Bypass (US 45)
- Longmeadow Parkway Construction

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180416/construction-season-is-here-x2014-our-guide-to-surviving-it
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 17, 2018, 12:42:25 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 16, 2018, 10:18:55 PM
The below link highlights some Chicago Area projects slated for this construction season. Among others, some notable highlights include:

- Continued Work on the Jane Burne (Circle) Interchange
- Completion of Cumberland Flyover and Additional Lane EB I-90 (Kennedy Expressway) between River Rd and Harlem Ave
- I-88 Rebuilding/Widening between York Rd and I-290
- Edens Spur (I-94) Reconstruction
- I-355 Repaving between Army Trail and I-55
- Milburn Bypass (US 45)
- Longmeadow Parkway Construction

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180416/construction-season-is-here-x2014-our-guide-to-surviving-it
longmeadow parkway what are the toll rules I-pass one rate and pay on line higher? the same 7 days to pay?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 17, 2018, 12:45:01 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 16, 2018, 10:18:55 PM
The below link highlights some Chicago Area projects slated for this construction season. Among others, some notable highlights include:

- Continued Work on the Jane Burne (Circle) Interchange
- Completion of Cumberland Flyover and Additional Lane EB I-90 (Kennedy Expressway) between River Rd and Harlem Ave
- I-88 Rebuilding/Widening between York Rd and I-290
- Edens Spur (I-94) Reconstruction
- I-355 Repaving between Army Trail and I-55
- Milburn Bypass (US 45)
- Longmeadow Parkway Construction

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180416/construction-season-is-here-x2014-our-guide-to-surviving-it
missing from that list is the golf circle / suicide Circle / Cumberland Circle rebuild.
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180330/cumberland-circle-reconstruction-in-des-plaines-beginning-soon
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 17, 2018, 01:41:30 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 16, 2018, 12:57:34 PM
Why was the Chinatown Feeder never connected to Wacker Drive? I saw it proposed on some maps, and it does seem like a no brainer, but it's always confused me why it was never built.

There is this project, which first phase is going to construction. To alleviate congestion for vehicles exiting the Dan Ryan at Cermak, they can continue north to Roosevelt when the connector is built.

https://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/supp_info/WellsWentworthConnector.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on April 17, 2018, 08:46:00 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on April 17, 2018, 12:45:01 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 16, 2018, 10:18:55 PM
The below link highlights some Chicago Area projects slated for this construction season. Among others, some notable highlights include:

- Continued Work on the Jane Burne (Circle) Interchange
- Completion of Cumberland Flyover and Additional Lane EB I-90 (Kennedy Expressway) between River Rd and Harlem Ave
- I-88 Rebuilding/Widening between York Rd and I-290
- Edens Spur (I-94) Reconstruction
- I-355 Repaving between Army Trail and I-55
- Milburn Bypass (US 45)
- Longmeadow Parkway Construction

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180416/construction-season-is-here-x2014-our-guide-to-surviving-it
missing from that list is the golf circle / suicide Circle / Cumberland Circle rebuild.
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180330/cumberland-circle-reconstruction-in-des-plaines-beginning-soon

It's not too bad so far as long as you do your homework and know what routes to take. I still need to use it daily, but have shortened the commute to where I avoid the nasty backups during the AM/PM rushes
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 17, 2018, 09:45:22 AM
Quote from: ET21 on April 17, 2018, 08:46:00 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on April 17, 2018, 12:45:01 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 16, 2018, 10:18:55 PM
The below link highlights some Chicago Area projects slated for this construction season. Among others, some notable highlights include:

- Continued Work on the Jane Burne (Circle) Interchange
- Completion of Cumberland Flyover and Additional Lane EB I-90 (Kennedy Expressway) between River Rd and Harlem Ave
- I-88 Rebuilding/Widening between York Rd and I-290
- Edens Spur (I-94) Reconstruction
- I-355 Repaving between Army Trail and I-55
- Milburn Bypass (US 45)
- Longmeadow Parkway Construction

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180416/construction-season-is-here-x2014-our-guide-to-surviving-it
missing from that list is the golf circle / suicide Circle / Cumberland Circle rebuild.
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180330/cumberland-circle-reconstruction-in-des-plaines-beginning-soon

It's not too bad so far as long as you do your homework and know what routes to take. I still need to use it daily, but have shortened the commute to where I avoid the nasty backups during the AM/PM rushes

I was going to say that I-294 could be a good alternate for some of this...but isn't the central section of I-294 about to undergo some reconstruction too?  Perhaps it isn't slated for this year, but for other years in the near future.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on April 17, 2018, 02:47:57 PM
I-290 to I-355 can bypass that at the cost of time.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on April 17, 2018, 05:38:13 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 17, 2018, 02:47:57 PM
I-290 to I-355 can bypass that at the cost of time.
I-355 has road work and I-290 to I-90 sucks + I-290 to I-294 both ways is really BAD!!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 17, 2018, 10:16:06 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on April 17, 2018, 12:45:01 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 16, 2018, 10:18:55 PM
The below link highlights some Chicago Area projects slated for this construction season. Among others, some notable highlights include:

- Continued Work on the Jane Burne (Circle) Interchange
- Completion of Cumberland Flyover and Additional Lane EB I-90 (Kennedy Expressway) between River Rd and Harlem Ave
- I-88 Rebuilding/Widening between York Rd and I-290
- Edens Spur (I-94) Reconstruction
- I-355 Repaving between Army Trail and I-55
- Milburn Bypass (US 45)
- Longmeadow Parkway Construction

http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180416/construction-season-is-here-x2014-our-guide-to-surviving-it
missing from that list is the golf circle / suicide Circle / Cumberland Circle rebuild.
http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180330/cumberland-circle-reconstruction-in-des-plaines-beginning-soon

Yes, and that is a much needed one. I'm curious how that will flow when it's finished.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 18, 2018, 12:30:07 AM
355 again with resurfacing!?? Didn't they do that back in like 2009? They shouldn't have done asphalt.

checked the Tollway site, looks like they will replace lighting too. I'm guessing LED will replace the old lighting, ughhh.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 18, 2018, 07:41:23 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on April 18, 2018, 12:30:07 AM
355 again with resurfacing!?? Didn't they do that back in like 2009? They shouldn't have done asphalt.

checked the Tollway site, looks like they will replace lighting too. I'm guessing LED will replace the old lighting, ughhh.

The original concrete was only 20 years old at the time, so they wouldn't be doing a total reconstruction of the concrete at that time. Considering that the asphalt is almost 9 years old, it's actually about right, based on the lifespan in a Northern climate, for a repaving to occur. Hopefully, this might involve also repaving the entire ramps as the pavement on those is starting to really show its age.

I am quite sure that the lighting replacement will be LED as that is what the tollway is going with now. It actually saves a lot in energy and lights up the tollways better. I know some like the "warmth" of the traditional sodium vapor lighting, but that is the way the Tollway is going, which I personally am fine with. I'd rather they be more efficient and light the road better, especially if it's safer. I get the feeling that all lighting on the Tollway system will be LED within the next 5 or so years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on April 18, 2018, 11:12:52 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 18, 2018, 07:41:23 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on April 18, 2018, 12:30:07 AM
355 again with resurfacing!?? Didn't they do that back in like 2009? They shouldn't have done asphalt.

checked the Tollway site, looks like they will replace lighting too. I'm guessing LED will replace the old lighting, ughhh.

The original concrete was only 20 years old at the time, so they wouldn't be doing a total reconstruction of the concrete at that time. Considering that the asphalt is almost 9 years old, it's actually about right, based on the lifespan in a Northern climate, for a repaving to occur. Hopefully, this might involve also repaving the entire ramps as the pavement on those is starting to really show its age.

I am quite sure that the lighting replacement will be LED as that is what the tollway is going with now. It actually saves a lot in energy and lights up the tollways better. I know some like the "warmth" of the traditional sodium vapor lighting, but that is the way the Tollway is going, which I personally am fine with. I'd rather they be more efficient and light the road better, especially if it's safer. I get the feeling that all lighting on the Tollway system will be LED within the next 5 or so years.

I think they should have done concrete the last time they did the repaving.

As for the lights, I'm all for efficient lights but I do prefer the orange hue, it feels better on the eyes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 18, 2018, 11:43:09 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on April 18, 2018, 11:12:52 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 18, 2018, 07:41:23 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on April 18, 2018, 12:30:07 AM
355 again with resurfacing!?? Didn't they do that back in like 2009? They shouldn't have done asphalt.

checked the Tollway site, looks like they will replace lighting too. I'm guessing LED will replace the old lighting, ughhh.

The original concrete was only 20 years old at the time, so they wouldn't be doing a total reconstruction of the concrete at that time. Considering that the asphalt is almost 9 years old, it's actually about right, based on the lifespan in a Northern climate, for a repaving to occur. Hopefully, this might involve also repaving the entire ramps as the pavement on those is starting to really show its age.

I am quite sure that the lighting replacement will be LED as that is what the tollway is going with now. It actually saves a lot in energy and lights up the tollways better. I know some like the "warmth" of the traditional sodium vapor lighting, but that is the way the Tollway is going, which I personally am fine with. I'd rather they be more efficient and light the road better, especially if it's safer. I get the feeling that all lighting on the Tollway system will be LED within the next 5 or so years.

I think they should have done concrete the last time they did the repaving.

As for the lights, I'm all for efficient lights but I do prefer the orange hue, it feels better on the eyes.

While concrete is more ideal, it is also way more expensive. It also would have required tearing up the existing base pavement and been a much longer and more extensive project than I am sure was in the Tollway's budget and scope at the time. That's just generally not how the lifespan of expressway pavement goes, unless it is a really shoddy job that was done with the original pavement, they will overlay it with asphalt to extend the lifespan as much as possible, especially if it's 20 years old or less. I wouldn't be surprised if, a decade from now, they do consider a full pavement rebuild. By then, it would be the oldest original base pavement remaining in the system. However, I would argue that the Tollway in 2009 had and still has more pressing needs, such as rebuilding the Central Tri-State (I-294), which has some places where asphalt still overlays the original 60 year old pavement, as well as building/finishing I-490 for instance. I-355, generally, is serviceable with its current base pavement for now, and I imagine the Tollway is doing this repaving and improvment project now to minimize construction on I-355 during the I-294 rebuild. I would expect a jump in traffic on I-355 for people using it to avoid the mess that is going to be I-294 for the next 5 years or so. IMO, this is actually good planning when you think about it.

As for the debate on LED vs. traditional lighting, I guess that is a matter of personal preference. At this point, most of IDOT's installations remain traditional, so it certainly isn't a universal buy-in at this point for all Illinois agencies.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 19, 2018, 06:14:23 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 18, 2018, 11:43:09 PM
While concrete is more ideal, it is also way more expensive. It also would have required tearing up the existing base pavement and been a much longer and more extensive project than I am sure was in the Tollway's budget and scope at the time.

They would not necessarily have to go too far into the base pavement if they did a concrete overlay.  While it would take longer and be harder to stager, it would be nicer than having another round of repairs in the near future. 

I seem to recall some other repair project on I-355 north of I-55 in this decade - besides the widening around 75th Street - anyone remember what it was?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChimpOnTheWheel on April 19, 2018, 10:18:33 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on April 17, 2018, 05:38:13 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 17, 2018, 02:47:57 PM
I-290 to I-355 can bypass that at the cost of time.
I-355 has road work and I-290 to I-90 sucks + I-290 to I-294 both ways is really BAD!!

You could just take I-290 to IL-83 to US-45 to I-80 to I-294. More complicated and more stoplights, but saves you from construction.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on April 19, 2018, 10:19:57 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on April 19, 2018, 06:14:23 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on April 18, 2018, 11:43:09 PM
While concrete is more ideal, it is also way more expensive. It also would have required tearing up the existing base pavement and been a much longer and more extensive project than I am sure was in the Tollway's budget and scope at the time.

They would not necessarily have to go too far into the base pavement if they did a concrete overlay.  While it would take longer and be harder to stager, it would be nicer than having another round of repairs in the near future. 

I seem to recall some other repair project on I-355 north of I-55 in this decade - besides the widening around 75th Street - anyone remember what it was?

They did overlay some of the CD lanes near the I-88 interchange and near the Army Trail Toll Plaza a year or two after the main overlay of the Northern portion.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 19, 2018, 10:50:45 PM
Quote from: ChimpOnTheWheel on April 19, 2018, 10:18:33 PM
You could just take I-290 to IL-83 to US-45 to I-80 to I-294. More complicated and more stoplights, but saves you from construction.

Except I-290 has a bridge replacement west of IL 83 on the April 2018 Letting:  Link. (http://apps.dot.illinois.gov/eplan/desenv/042718/010-62C24/)  From a quick skim of the MOT plans it appears there will be an effort to keep three lanes open, but there will probably be a few times at least one lane is closed.  IIRC there is also a project that has been let for one of the IL 83/IL 171 intersections.

I think it might still be faster to put up with construction delays than all of the signals on IL 83 and US 45 down to I-80.

EDIT:  After driving IL 83 from IL 64 to 127th Street (and then getting on I-294 SB), and later travels up US 45 from I-80 to IL 171, I definitely do not recommend using US 45.  Either hope for a lack of slow drivers and take IL 83 over to I-294, or find another way south towards I-80 and only use a short stretch of US 45 near the I-80 interchange.  I think even taking I-55 and I-80 would be faster, but it should be more pleasant.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 20, 2018, 01:16:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 16, 2018, 12:57:34 PM
Why was the Chinatown Feeder never connected to Wacker Drive? I saw it proposed on some maps, and it does seem like a no brainer, but it's always confused me why it was never built.

It would have destroyed Chinatown, and taking the Stevenson to LSD works just fine, provided there isn't a Bears game.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 20, 2018, 09:26:54 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 20, 2018, 01:16:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 16, 2018, 12:57:34 PM
Why was the Chinatown Feeder never connected to Wacker Drive? I saw it proposed on some maps, and it does seem like a no brainer, but it's always confused me why it was never built.

It would have destroyed Chinatown, and taking the Stevenson to LSD works just fine, provided there isn't a Bears game.

Or the Stevie isn't under construction (like currently).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 20, 2018, 09:48:14 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 20, 2018, 01:16:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 16, 2018, 12:57:34 PM
Why was the Chinatown Feeder never connected to Wacker Drive? I saw it proposed on some maps, and it does seem like a no brainer, but it's always confused me why it was never built.

It would have destroyed Chinatown, and taking the Stevenson to LSD works just fine, provided there isn't a Bears game.

As built, it is already halfway through Chinatown, so I doubt it would have destroyed Chinatown had it been completed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on April 22, 2018, 10:44:42 AM
Resurfacing work seems to finally be underway on US Route 14 (Peterson Ave) from Kimball Ave to IL50 (Cicero Ave) in Chicago. This was long overdue and was some of the most deteriorated pavement in District 1. Encountering this was a surprise because I don't see any notification about it anywhere on the IDOT website.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on April 22, 2018, 12:16:00 PM
Quote from: Brandon on April 20, 2018, 09:26:54 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 20, 2018, 01:16:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 16, 2018, 12:57:34 PM
Why was the Chinatown Feeder never connected to Wacker Drive? I saw it proposed on some maps, and it does seem like a no brainer, but it's always confused me why it was never built.

It would have destroyed Chinatown, and taking the Stevenson to LSD works just fine, provided there isn't a Bears game.

Or the Stevie isn't under construction (like currently).

It's done though at the east end, this weekend was just punchlist items
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on April 22, 2018, 01:12:12 PM
Quote from: Brandon on April 20, 2018, 09:26:54 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 20, 2018, 01:16:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 16, 2018, 12:57:34 PM
Why was the Chinatown Feeder never connected to Wacker Drive? I saw it proposed on some maps, and it does seem like a no brainer, but it's always confused me why it was never built.

It would have destroyed Chinatown, and taking the Stevenson to LSD works just fine, provided there isn't a Bears game.

Or the Stevie isn't under construction (like currently).

Or during the 10 years or so it took to rebuild the Stevenson/LSD interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 25, 2018, 11:01:59 PM
I use the Weber Rd. I-55 exit every day, and it looks like construction on the interchange is finally beginning. I spotted construction equipment on the NW corner, and the "pad" they had constructed 2-3 years ago was graded and widened.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 07, 2018, 10:22:06 PM
The IDOT Multi-Year Plan 2018-2023 is available online.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs-/multi-modal-transportation-improvement-program/index (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs-/multi-modal-transportation-improvement-program/index)

Seems a lot of projects are going to be funded in FY2019.  I wonder how much of that was caused by the constitutional changes.

- Funding the new I-74 bridge over the Mississippi in the Quad Cities (Iowa is the lead state, Illinois reimburses them)
- I-57/I-74 Intersection replacement near Champaign
- Replacement of the I-64 bridge over the Wabash River (Illinois leads, Indiana splits cost)
- Replacement of the US51/US60/US62 Ohio River Bridge at Cairo (!) (split with Kentucky)

The breakout by districts are all there.  Lots of incremental patching, and replacement or repair of structurally deficient bridges lead the list by far.

But funding a replacement to that bridge in Cairo. That thing was built in 1937. It will be 90 years old when they open its replacement. Curious what the new design will look like. A cable stayed clone of the Clark Bridge in Alton, or something closer to the Musial/Veterans in St Louis?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 07, 2018, 11:31:45 PM
Is the US 60/62 Mississippi River Bridge @ Cairo newer? I would have guessed both the Ohio and Mississippi River bridges were roughly the same age

If/when that project gets rolling, sounds like a future Ohio Valley forum topic...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on May 08, 2018, 12:58:08 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 07, 2018, 10:22:06 PM
The IDOT Multi-Year Plan 2018-2023 is available online.

Published date Spring 2017. FY 2018 will end less than 2 months from now, and the new program (FY 2019-24) should appear soon. To answer your question about the transportation lockbox, along with funding being tightened up to represent only "transportation" funding from transportation-related taxes, other funding got moved from general funding to transportation (most notably state aid to the Chicago area's Regional Transportation Authority), the net effect being worse for county road programs' MFT money.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 08, 2018, 01:11:32 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 07, 2018, 11:31:45 PM
Is the US 60/62 Mississippi River Bridge @ Cairo newer? I would have guessed both the Ohio and Mississippi River bridges were roughly the same age

If/when that project gets rolling, sounds like a future Ohio Valley forum topic...

Yes, it is newer. The Mississippi bridge was built in 1929, 8 years earlier.

But it appears Kentucky DOT does not want to put any money into a rehab and prefers a replacement.

The Mississippi bridge was closed and reconstructed in 2011 and 2015.

I have driven both bridges.

The Mississippi one seems safer than the Ohio one. Just my 2 cents. The Ohio one appears narrower and the steel used a smaller gauge, though that is all subjective. Modjeski designed it and his bridges have all stood up well over the years.

The Ohio bridge has much more truck weight and size warnings than the Mississippi one. That is usually a clue to its condition overall.

I am all for anything that can help the town of Cairo. They are very close to ghost town status.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on May 08, 2018, 09:27:37 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 08, 2018, 01:11:32 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 07, 2018, 11:31:45 PM
Is the US 60/62 Mississippi River Bridge @ Cairo newer? I would have guessed both the Ohio and Mississippi River bridges were roughly the same age

If/when that project gets rolling, sounds like a future Ohio Valley forum topic...

Yes, it is newer. The Mississippi bridge was built in 1929, 8 years earlier.

But it appears Kentucky DOT does not want to put any money into a rehab and prefers a replacement.

The Mississippi bridge was closed and reconstructed in 2011 and 2015.

I have driven both bridges.

The Mississippi one seems safer than the Ohio one. Just my 2 cents. The Ohio one appears narrower and the steel used a smaller gauge, though that is all subjective. Modjeski designed it and his bridges have all stood up well over the years.

The Ohio bridge has much more truck weight and size warnings than the Mississippi one. That is usually a clue to its condition overall.

I am all for anything that can help the town of Cairo. They are very close to ghost town status.

I wonder if the replacement US 51/60/62 Ohio River bridge will be built north of Cairo so it can be close to I-57?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 08, 2018, 10:05:18 PM
If a new Ohio River Bridge were built near the I-57/US 51/IL 3 interchange, KY would need to build some New Terrain Highway, and also Cairo would lose 3 US Routes, including US 51 thru town, and US 60/62 on the Southern end (as, likely, they would be rerouted onto I-57 to reach a bridge that were placed close to I-57 and US 51 north of Cairo)

I guess US 60/62 could continue to use the current Mississippi River Bridge, and become the Thru Route in Cairo, but that seems out of the way a bit

Getting Road Geeky...IDOT should add a "far end"  mileage sign on the IL Arrival side of the Ohio River Bridge, with US 51 Mileage to South Beloit!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on May 08, 2018, 10:20:36 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 07, 2018, 10:22:06 PM
But funding a replacement to that bridge in Cairo. That thing was built in 1937. It will be 90 years old when they open its replacement. Curious what the new design will look like. A cable stayed clone of the Clark Bridge in Alton, or something closer to the Musial/Veterans in St Louis?

Unless the new bridge has to have a much longer main span the current bridge, it's more likely another tied arch, similar to the new US 52 bridge at Savannah or IL 104 at Meredosia.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 09, 2018, 01:15:23 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on May 08, 2018, 09:27:37 PM
I wonder if the replacement US 51/60/62 Ohio River bridge will be built north of Cairo so it can be close to I-57?

......This would make the bridge utterly useless because everyone would just take I-57 instead.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 09, 2018, 01:36:05 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 09, 2018, 01:15:23 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on May 08, 2018, 09:27:37 PM
I wonder if the replacement US 51/60/62 Ohio River bridge will be built north of Cairo so it can be close to I-57?

......This would make the bridge utterly useless because everyone would just take I-57 instead.
Except I-57 crosses the Mississippi into Missouri, whereas US 51 crosses the Ohio into Kentucky...

Cairo just happens to be the meet point of both rivers

Unless I-57 is getting rerouted into Kentucky...that would be a lot of new routing to get to Walnut Ridge in Arkansas, and also involving a new MS River Bridge, too (Expensive)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 09, 2018, 07:49:38 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 08, 2018, 10:20:36 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 07, 2018, 10:22:06 PM
But funding a replacement to that bridge in Cairo. That thing was built in 1937. It will be 90 years old when they open its replacement. Curious what the new design will look like. A cable stayed clone of the Clark Bridge in Alton, or something closer to the Musial/Veterans in St Louis?

Unless the new bridge has to have a much longer main span the current bridge, it's more likely another tied arch, similar to the new US 52 bridge at Savannah or IL 104 at Meredosia.

Like the Jefferson Barracks on I-255, like the Lincoln Bridge on I-39 at LaSalle-Peru.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 09, 2018, 08:14:41 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 08, 2018, 10:05:18 PM
If a new Ohio River Bridge were built near the I-57/US 51/IL 3 interchange, KY would need to build some New Terrain Highway, and also Cairo would lose 3 US Routes, including US 51 thru town, and US 60/62 on the Southern end (as, likely, they would be rerouted onto I-57 to reach a bridge that were placed close to I-57 and US 51 north of Cairo)

I guess US 60/62 could continue to use the current Mississippi River Bridge, and become the Thru Route in Cairo, but that seems out of the way a bit

Getting Road Geeky...IDOT should add a "far end"  mileage sign on the IL Arrival side of the Ohio River Bridge, with US 51 Mileage to South Beloit!

KYDOT has a 2014 study of the Ohio River Bridge and it scored 38 out of 100.

But the biggest issue of note is that it has no seismic resistant design features. A New Madrid quake would drop it in the water. This was the largest driver to replace it.

According to the document, the planning area covers a large part of Cairo, and most of northern Kentucky opposite Cairo.

The preferred alignment was just north of the current bridge.

I didnt see a preferred design, but knowing it has to pass muster so close to an active fault line will probably drive the materials used.

I wouldnt be shocked if they pulled a CALTRANS design off the shelf.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on May 09, 2018, 08:34:50 PM
KYDOT has a document https://bit.ly/2KQ8uXa (https://bit.ly/2KQ8uXa) outlining the US 51/60/62 Ohio River bridge replacement. 

Alternate 2 has the new bridge just immediately upstream of the existing bridge just south of Cairo and very much preserves the existing arrangement of US 51/60/62 while Alternatives 3, 3A, 4 and 5 would have the new bridge built north of Cairo and near I-57 and IMO, would be more expensive since a lot of new highway ROW on the KY side would have to be paved too while building the new bridge just adjacent of the existing span wouldn't require it. 

There's also an option to simply rebuild the existing bridge with a new superstructure, which I guess would be similar to what MODOT did with the I-70 Blanchette bridge in MO or the US 421 bridge between KY and IN several years ago. Of course this document is from 2014 and KYDOT may have refined their choices since them.

My guess is they'll eventually build the new bridge near the existing bridge since it's probably a lot cheaper than the other options and KY is no longer pushing I-66, which would be about the only advantage of the more expensive options north of Cairo near I-57 since the location at or near the existing bridge wouldn't be easy to upgrade to interstate standards.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 10, 2018, 12:41:48 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on May 09, 2018, 08:34:50 PM
My guess is they'll eventually build the new bridge near the existing bridge since it's probably a lot cheaper than the other options and KY is no longer pushing I-66, which would be about the only advantage of the more expensive options north of Cairo near I-57 since the location at or near the existing bridge wouldn't be easy to upgrade to interstate standards.

Quote from: ilpt4u on May 09, 2018, 01:36:05 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 09, 2018, 01:15:23 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on May 08, 2018, 09:27:37 PM
I wonder if the replacement US 51/60/62 Ohio River bridge will be built north of Cairo so it can be close to I-57?

......This would make the bridge utterly useless because everyone would just take I-57 instead.
Except I-57 crosses the Mississippi into Missouri, whereas US 51 crosses the Ohio into Kentucky...

Cairo just happens to be the meet point of both rivers

Unless I-57 is getting rerouted into Kentucky...that would be a lot of new routing to get to Walnut Ridge in Arkansas, and also involving a new MS River Bridge, too (Expensive)

Note that this bridge is half of the only route people can take via bridge from Kentucky to Missouri.  The bridge isn't just going to facilitate trips involving Illinoisans.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Flint1979 on May 10, 2018, 03:50:49 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 07, 2018, 11:31:45 PM
Is the US 60/62 Mississippi River Bridge @ Cairo newer? I would have guessed both the Ohio and Mississippi River bridges were roughly the same age

If/when that project gets rolling, sounds like a future Ohio Valley forum topic...
The Ohio River bridge is newer but only by about a decade.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on May 11, 2018, 01:15:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 10, 2018, 12:41:48 AM
Note that this bridge is half of the only route people can take via bridge from Kentucky to Missouri.  The bridge isn't just going to facilitate trips involving Illinoisans.

Indeed, it's part of my preferred route from Wichita to Nashville:  it's 70 miles shorter to go that way than to take the Interstates through KC and St Louis, and a lot better traffic.  Plenty of long-distance east-west traffic on that bridge, including trucks.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 13, 2018, 02:42:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 11, 2018, 01:15:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 10, 2018, 12:41:48 AM
Note that this bridge is half of the only route people can take via bridge from Kentucky to Missouri.  The bridge isn't just going to facilitate trips involving Illinoisans.

Indeed, it's part of my preferred route from Wichita to Nashville:  it's 70 miles shorter to go that way than to take the Interstates through KC and St Louis, and a lot better traffic.  Plenty of long-distance east-west traffic on that bridge, including trucks.

Yes. A few trucking firms get off at I-24 at Paducah and cut through Cairo to reach US-60 in Missouri.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on May 14, 2018, 04:32:55 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 13, 2018, 02:42:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 11, 2018, 01:15:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 10, 2018, 12:41:48 AM
Note that this bridge is half of the only route people can take via bridge from Kentucky to Missouri.  The bridge isn't just going to facilitate trips involving Illinoisans.

Indeed, it's part of my preferred route from Wichita to Nashville:  it's 70 miles shorter to go that way than to take the Interstates through KC and St Louis, and a lot better traffic.  Plenty of long-distance east-west traffic on that bridge, including trucks.

Yes. A few trucking firms get off at I-24 at Paducah and cut through Cairo to reach US-60 in Missouri.

You don't even actually go through Cairo to get there.  You're only in Illinois for about one mile on that route between the bridges.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 15, 2018, 12:54:47 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 14, 2018, 04:32:55 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 13, 2018, 02:42:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 11, 2018, 01:15:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 10, 2018, 12:41:48 AM
Note that this bridge is half of the only route people can take via bridge from Kentucky to Missouri.  The bridge isn't just going to facilitate trips involving Illinoisans.

Indeed, it's part of my preferred route from Wichita to Nashville:  it's 70 miles shorter to go that way than to take the Interstates through KC and St Louis, and a lot better traffic.  Plenty of long-distance east-west traffic on that bridge, including trucks.

Yes. A few trucking firms get off at I-24 at Paducah and cut through Cairo to reach US-60 in Missouri.

You don't even actually go through Cairo to get there.  You're only in Illinois for about one mile on that route between the bridges.

At least downtown Cairo that is. The actual city limits go from Fort Defiance all the way to I-57.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on May 15, 2018, 01:30:56 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 15, 2018, 12:54:47 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 14, 2018, 04:32:55 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 13, 2018, 02:42:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 11, 2018, 01:15:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 10, 2018, 12:41:48 AM
Note that this bridge is half of the only route people can take via bridge from Kentucky to Missouri.  The bridge isn't just going to facilitate trips involving Illinoisans.

Indeed, it's part of my preferred route from Wichita to Nashville:  it's 70 miles shorter to go that way than to take the Interstates through KC and St Louis, and a lot better traffic.  Plenty of long-distance east-west traffic on that bridge, including trucks.

Yes. A few trucking firms get off at I-24 at Paducah and cut through Cairo to reach US-60 in Missouri.

You don't even actually go through Cairo to get there.  You're only in Illinois for about one mile on that route between the bridges.

At least downtown Cairo that is. The actual city limits go from Fort Defiance all the way to I-57.

Far enough away that you can't actually see Cairo from the junction.  If you didn't already know Cairo was north of there, then you'd have no idea.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 04:57:41 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.

Drive the speed limit and you'll never have to worry about a speed trap.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 21, 2018, 08:01:54 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 04:57:41 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.

Drive the speed limit and you'll never have to worry about a speed trap.

Set speed limits for rational use, not revenue collection and bears arent required at all.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on May 21, 2018, 08:45:46 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 21, 2018, 08:01:54 AM

Set speed limits for rational use, not revenue collection and bears arent required at all.

Quoted for great truth
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on May 21, 2018, 09:17:41 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 21, 2018, 08:01:54 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 04:57:41 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.

Drive the speed limit and you'll never have to worry about a speed trap.

Set speed limits for rational use, not revenue collection and bears arent required at all.

Many speed traps are set up to ensnare even the most careful, law-abiding people.

:verymad:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on May 21, 2018, 11:57:19 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 04:57:41 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.

Drive the speed limit and you'll never have to worry about a speed trap.

You mean the low limits that are set that way to increase revenue?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 21, 2018, 12:56:13 PM
Quote from: tribar on May 21, 2018, 11:57:19 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 04:57:41 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.

Drive the speed limit and you'll never have to worry about a speed trap.

You mean the low limits that are set that way to increase revenue?

In this specific case, the I-57 Bridge over the Mississippi River is 70mph on both sides of the bridge.

The IL bears are taking advantage of the fact that the rate of decline (grade) is somewhat high and so they sit right where the shoulder starts catching people napping on their brake use as they come down off the bridge.

The question is, just how vigilant are they? 72mph, 75mph 78mph.

2nd question is there a history of wrecks on the IL side?

Are they more aggressive in winter when ice may be present?

Cairo resides in one of the poorest counties in IL, and historically in my travels, the poorer and cash strapped the local government is, the more aggressive law enforcement is.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on May 21, 2018, 03:35:24 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on May 21, 2018, 12:56:13 PM
Cairo resides in one of the poorest counties in IL, and historically in my travels, the poorer and cash strapped the local government is, the more aggressive law enforcement is.

And any rural area loves to write tickets to out-of-town (or out-of-state) drivers who will pay the ticket rather than going down there to fight it in court.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: tribar on May 21, 2018, 11:57:19 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 04:57:41 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.

Drive the speed limit and you'll never have to worry about a speed trap.

You mean the low limits that are set that way to increase revenue?

70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on May 22, 2018, 11:10:01 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: tribar on May 21, 2018, 11:57:19 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 04:57:41 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.

Drive the speed limit and you'll never have to worry about a speed trap.

You mean the low limits that are set that way to increase revenue?

70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.

No, it still is low for rural interstates, especially if ISP is ticketing for less than 5 over.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on May 22, 2018, 12:58:23 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: tribar on May 21, 2018, 11:57:19 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 04:57:41 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.

Drive the speed limit and you'll never have to worry about a speed trap.

You mean the low limits that are set that way to increase revenue?

70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.

A handful being 19?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 22, 2018, 01:43:17 PM
Quote from: tribar on May 22, 2018, 11:10:01 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: tribar on May 21, 2018, 11:57:19 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 04:57:41 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.

Drive the speed limit and you'll never have to worry about a speed trap.

You mean the low limits that are set that way to increase revenue?

70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.

No, it still is low for rural interstates, especially if ISP is ticketing for less than 5 over.

ISP lets you do 75+ in a 55 on the toll roads.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 22, 2018, 04:41:26 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.
70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.

What are you talking about?  There aren't any Interstates there lol.  This is US51, US60, and US62 we're talking about.  Debate is not related
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on May 22, 2018, 04:59:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 22, 2018, 04:41:26 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.
70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.

What are you talking about?  There aren't any Interstates there lol.  This is US51, US60, and US62 we're talking about.  Debate is not related

See the bolded part.  There's I-57.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on May 22, 2018, 05:18:17 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 22, 2018, 04:59:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 22, 2018, 04:41:26 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.
70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.

What are you talking about?  There aren't any Interstates there lol.  This is US51, US60, and US62 we're talking about.  Debate is not related

See the bolded part.  There's I-57.

Big Rig Steve drove SB I-57 through there about a week ago and made a comment about an ISP (or was it a Pulaski County Mountie or a local Cairo city cop?) running a radar trap in a construction zone on the part of that highway that is in the City of Cairo.  I have zero objections to doing heavy enforcement in a construction zone, BTW, but otherwise, just from watching that video, all of I-57 south of I-24 in Illinois just *screams* 'speedtrap!' to me.

:wow:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on May 22, 2018, 05:29:27 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on May 22, 2018, 05:18:17 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 22, 2018, 04:59:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 22, 2018, 04:41:26 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.
70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.

What are you talking about?  There aren't any Interstates there lol.  This is US51, US60, and US62 we're talking about.  Debate is not related

See the bolded part.  There's I-57.

Big Rig Steve drove SB I-57 through there about a week ago and made a comment about an ISP (or was it a Pulaski County Mountie or a local Cairo city cop?) running a radar trap in a construction zone on the part of that highway that is in the City of Cairo.  I have zero objections to doing heavy enforcement in a construction zone, BTW, but otherwise, just from watching that video, all of I-57 south of I-24 in Illinois just *screams* 'speedtrap!' to me.

:wow:

Mike

I'm not sure if the two are connected, or if they even could be, but I believe there's a police academy in that neck of the woods, too.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 06:09:35 PM
This might interest all of youse guys. 

QuoteIncluded in the plan is $148.4 million for I-80 in Will County, $26 million for reconstruction of the U.S. 20 bypass in Rockford and $12.7 in improvements to I-57 downstate.

http://wgntv.com/2018/05/29/gov-rauner-announces-11-billion-infrastructure-plan/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on May 29, 2018, 07:35:12 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 06:09:35 PM
This might interest all of youse guys. 

QuoteIncluded in the plan is $148.4 million for I-80 in Will County, $26 million for reconstruction of the U.S. 20 bypass in Rockford and $12.7 in improvements to I-57 downstate.

http://wgntv.com/2018/05/29/gov-rauner-announces-11-billion-infrastructure-plan/

It's about damn time I-80 got some attention.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Alex on May 29, 2018, 08:03:50 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 06:09:35 PM
This might interest all of youse guys. 

QuoteIncluded in the plan is $148.4 million for I-80 in Will County, $26 million for reconstruction of the U.S. 20 bypass in Rockford and $12.7 in improvements to I-57 downstate.

http://wgntv.com/2018/05/29/gov-rauner-announces-11-billion-infrastructure-plan/

Saw a story on WQAD about the infrastructure plan this evening as well.
http://wqad.com/2018/05/29/il-gov-rauner-announces-11-05-billion-infrastructure-plan/

QuoteThe governor announced the plan's release at Peoria's McClugage Bridge at eastbound U.S. 150, which will be replaced in 2019 at a cost of $205 million with the completion of the final design this year.

QuoteOther plan highlights include:

$26 million toward the reconstruction of U.S. 20/Rockford Bypass in Rockford
$36 million to replace and repair the Third Street exit and ramps to Martin Luther King Drive in East St. Louis
$12.7 million for additional lanes on 4.5 miles of Interstate 57 from Johnson City to West Frankfort
$148.4 million for bridge work and other improvements on Interstate 80 through Will County
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on May 29, 2018, 08:10:46 PM
any bets on when these get shelved before realization?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 29, 2018, 08:24:47 PM
Willow Road seems to be getting 3 lanes from the ramps to past sanders road. Will they need to rebuild the tail bridge to fit it in?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on May 29, 2018, 09:23:50 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on May 29, 2018, 08:10:46 PM
any bets on when these get shelved before realization?
After Rauner gets re-elected.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 29, 2018, 09:46:40 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 06:09:35 PM
This might interest all of youse guys. 

QuoteIncluded in the plan is $148.4 million for I-80 in Will County, $26 million for reconstruction of the U.S. 20 bypass in Rockford and $12.7 in improvements to I-57 downstate.

http://wgntv.com/2018/05/29/gov-rauner-announces-11-billion-infrastructure-plan/
The extra lane on I-57 from Johnston City to West Frankfort is a nice piece, but all the way between I-24/Marion and I-64/Mt Vernon needs to be the ultimate goal.

I believe all the over and underpasses on this stretch will already accomodate the 3rd lane, so this should mostly be drainage, grading, and pavement

Hopefully IDOT does a better job down here than that blunder of an add-a-lane they did on I-55 from Bolingbrook to Joliet...

I-80 should probably be at least 4 lanes a side, plus Aux lanes, across Will and Southern Cook counties
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on May 30, 2018, 08:21:39 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 29, 2018, 09:46:40 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 06:09:35 PM
This might interest all of youse guys. 

QuoteIncluded in the plan is $148.4 million for I-80 in Will County, $26 million for reconstruction of the U.S. 20 bypass in Rockford and $12.7 in improvements to I-57 downstate.

http://wgntv.com/2018/05/29/gov-rauner-announces-11-billion-infrastructure-plan/
The extra lane on I-57 from Johnston City to West Frankfort is a nice piece, but all the way between I-24/Marion and I-64/Mt Vernon needs to be the ultimate goal.

I believe all the over and underpasses on this stretch will already accomodate the 3rd lane, so this should mostly be drainage, grading, and pavement

Hopefully IDOT does a better job down here than that blunder of an add-a-lane they did on I-55 from Bolingbrook to Joliet...

I-80 should probably be at least 4 lanes a side, plus Aux lanes, across Will and Southern Cook counties

Wonder if it includes a redesign of I-80 through Joliet that causes chronic backups, including the bridge/Center St interchange
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on May 30, 2018, 11:28:15 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 29, 2018, 09:46:40 PM
Hopefully IDOT does a better job down here than that blunder of an add-a-lane they did on I-55 from Bolingbrook to Joliet...


:-D :-D :-D :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 30, 2018, 02:28:32 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 06:09:35 PM
This might interest all of youse guys. 

QuoteIncluded in the plan is $148.4 million for I-80 in Will County, $26 million for reconstruction of the U.S. 20 bypass in Rockford and $12.7 in improvements to I-57 downstate.

http://wgntv.com/2018/05/29/gov-rauner-announces-11-billion-infrastructure-plan/

As a follow-up to this story I posted, I read somewhere else that this project will mainly focus on the stretch between Rowell Avenue and the Des Plaines River.  I don't know if that includes any replacement or modification of the bridge itself.  I'm doubting it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on May 30, 2018, 06:46:02 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 30, 2018, 02:28:32 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 06:09:35 PM
This might interest all of youse guys. 

QuoteIncluded in the plan is $148.4 million for I-80 in Will County, $26 million for reconstruction of the U.S. 20 bypass in Rockford and $12.7 in improvements to I-57 downstate.

http://wgntv.com/2018/05/29/gov-rauner-announces-11-billion-infrastructure-plan/

As a follow-up to this story I posted, I read somewhere else that this project will mainly focus on the stretch between Rowell Avenue and the Des Plaines River.  I don't know if that includes any replacement or modification of the bridge itself.  I'm doubting it.

Looks like another half ass IDOT project. The whole thing between I-55 and I-355 needs to be 3 lanes in both directions.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on May 30, 2018, 07:08:18 PM
Quote from: tribar on May 30, 2018, 06:46:02 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 30, 2018, 02:28:32 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 06:09:35 PM
This might interest all of youse guys. 

QuoteIncluded in the plan is $148.4 million for I-80 in Will County, $26 million for reconstruction of the U.S. 20 bypass in Rockford and $12.7 in improvements to I-57 downstate.

http://wgntv.com/2018/05/29/gov-rauner-announces-11-billion-infrastructure-plan/

As a follow-up to this story I posted, I read somewhere else that this project will mainly focus on the stretch between Rowell Avenue and the Des Plaines River.  I don't know if that includes any replacement or modification of the bridge itself.  I'm doubting it.

Looks like another half ass IDOT project. The whole thing between I-55 and I-355 needs to be 3 lanes in both directions.

Is there any other type of IDOT project currently?  They never go full assed, always half assed at best.  Maybe only quarter assed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on May 30, 2018, 09:46:36 PM
Quote from: Brandon on May 30, 2018, 07:08:18 PM
Quote from: tribar on May 30, 2018, 06:46:02 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 30, 2018, 02:28:32 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 29, 2018, 06:09:35 PM
This might interest all of youse guys. 

QuoteIncluded in the plan is $148.4 million for I-80 in Will County, $26 million for reconstruction of the U.S. 20 bypass in Rockford and $12.7 in improvements to I-57 downstate.

http://wgntv.com/2018/05/29/gov-rauner-announces-11-billion-infrastructure-plan/

As a follow-up to this story I posted, I read somewhere else that this project will mainly focus on the stretch between Rowell Avenue and the Des Plaines River.  I don't know if that includes any replacement or modification of the bridge itself.  I'm doubting it.

Looks like another half ass IDOT project. The whole thing between I-55 and I-355 needs to be 3 lanes in both directions.

Is there any other type of IDOT project currently?  They never go full assed, always half assed at best.  Maybe only quarter assed.


Better than INDOT, why is there potholes forming on 80/94 when it was just resurfaced last fall? Also why are the lanes so uneven during construction and the rumble strips uncovered? This happens on the stretch of I 65 between Crown Point and past Lowell, driving through there is a PIA now because of it. When I DOT does work the rumble strips are covered up if the right lane shifts to the shoulder. Anyway, another interesting project is the impending widening of IL22 east of Lake County V63 (Quentin Rd). Didn't seem like it's possible given the terrain in the area, it's a welcomed widening but I just don't know how it will be pulled off.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on May 30, 2018, 09:48:58 PM
And why is the ramp to take I-80 west from I-90 to I-94 closed when they just rebuilt it a few years ago?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on May 30, 2018, 10:13:00 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 30, 2018, 09:48:58 PM
And why is the ramp to take I-80 west from I-90 to I-94 closed when they just rebuilt it a few years ago?

There was an accident there a few months back that supposedly caused structure damage.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 30, 2018, 10:45:02 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 30, 2018, 09:48:58 PM
And why is the ramp to take I-80 west from I-90 to I-94 closed when they just rebuilt it a few years ago?
Better question, why doesn't INDOT build a Westbound I-80/90 to Westbound I-80/94 Flyover?

But thats a bit off topic, as this is a thread on Illinois/IDOT issues
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 30, 2018, 11:18:01 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 30, 2018, 10:45:02 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 30, 2018, 09:48:58 PM
And why is the ramp to take I-80 west from I-90 to I-94 closed when they just rebuilt it a few years ago?
Better question, why doesn't INDOT build a Westbound I-80/90 to Westbound I-80/94 Flyover?

But thats a bit off topic, as this is a thread on Illinois/IDOT issues
there was an old plan on that some one had on there website with flyovers before the toll road was leased out.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 30, 2018, 11:42:36 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on May 30, 2018, 11:18:01 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 30, 2018, 10:45:02 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 30, 2018, 09:48:58 PM
And why is the ramp to take I-80 west from I-90 to I-94 closed when they just rebuilt it a few years ago?
Better question, why doesn't INDOT build a Westbound I-80/90 to Westbound I-80/94 Flyover?

But thats a bit off topic, as this is a thread on Illinois/IDOT issues
there was an old plan on that some one had on there website with flyovers before the toll road was leased out.
I thought someone posted an old planned Stack Interchange for the crossing/transitioning Interstates, but I doubt that is happening now

The big movements need to be for I-80 Thru Traffic, so build a Direct Westbound 80/90 to Westbound 80/94 Flyover, and a Direct Eastbound 89/94 to Eastbound 80/90 Ramp. The other movements, there are still the old Ramps

At least get the Thru I-80 East Direct Ramp built...no flyover needed there!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on May 31, 2018, 12:14:30 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 30, 2018, 10:45:02 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 30, 2018, 09:48:58 PM
And why is the ramp to take I-80 west from I-90 to I-94 closed when they just rebuilt it a few years ago?
Better question, why doesn't INDOT build a Westbound I-80/90 to Westbound I-80/94 Flyover?

But thats a bit off topic, as this is a thread on Illinois/IDOT issues

Good luck getting ITRCC to cooperate with that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on May 31, 2018, 12:23:22 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 30, 2018, 11:42:36 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on May 30, 2018, 11:18:01 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 30, 2018, 10:45:02 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 30, 2018, 09:48:58 PM
And why is the ramp to take I-80 west from I-90 to I-94 closed when they just rebuilt it a few years ago?
Better question, why doesn't INDOT build a Westbound I-80/90 to Westbound I-80/94 Flyover?

But thats a bit off topic, as this is a thread on Illinois/IDOT issues
there was an old plan on that some one had on there website with flyovers before the toll road was leased out.
I thought someone posted an old planned Stack Interchange for the crossing/transitioning Interstates, but I doubt that is happening now

The big movements need to be for I-80 Thru Traffic, so build a Direct Westbound 80/90 to Westbound 80/94 Flyover, and a Direct Eastbound 89/94 to Eastbound 80/90 Ramp. The other movements, there are still the old Ramps

At least get the Thru I-80 East Direct Ramp built...no flyover needed there!

the rest area is kind of in the way.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on June 01, 2018, 02:28:05 AM
US 67 bridge across the Illinois River at Beardstown is reduced to only 1 lane of traffic from June 1 until sometime in September.

http://wlds.com/news/one-lane-traffic-on-u-s-67-across-bridge-at-illinois-river-starting-tomorrow/ (http://wlds.com/news/one-lane-traffic-on-u-s-67-across-bridge-at-illinois-river-starting-tomorrow/)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 01, 2018, 11:42:49 AM
What's going on on I-55 southbound, south of Arsenal Road near Wilmington? I tried looking at IDOT's site, but it's hard to find timely, useful information there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 01, 2018, 12:15:50 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 01, 2018, 11:42:49 AM
What's going on on I-55 southbound, south of Arsenal Road near Wilmington? I tried looking at IDOT's site, but it's hard to find timely, useful information there.

Bridge repairs (again!) to the I-55 bridge over the BNSF Railway.  The same one that had a hole open up in the decking last year.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on June 01, 2018, 06:14:14 PM
IL-336 bypass around Macomb from US 136 to US 167 is now open to traffic.

The bypass is only a "super 2" since what's supposed to be southbound lanes haven't been paved yet.

http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic (http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 01, 2018, 10:28:25 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 01, 2018, 06:14:14 PM
IL-336 bypass around Macomb from US 136 to US 167 is now open to traffic.

The bypass is only a "super 2" since what's supposed to be southbound lanes haven't been paved yet.

http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic (http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic)

What a total cluster this has been. 2 is better than none but 4 is the way. A microsm of the banana state Illinois has become.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on June 02, 2018, 07:16:06 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on May 22, 2018, 05:18:17 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 22, 2018, 04:59:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 22, 2018, 04:41:26 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.
70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.

What are you talking about?  There aren't any Interstates there lol.  This is US51, US60, and US62 we're talking about.  Debate is not related

See the bolded part.  There's I-57.

Big Rig Steve drove SB I-57 through there about a week ago and made a comment about an ISP (or was it a Pulaski County Mountie or a local Cairo city cop?) running a radar trap in a construction zone on the part of that highway that is in the City of Cairo.  I have zero objections to doing heavy enforcement in a construction zone, BTW, but otherwise, just from watching that video, all of I-57 south of I-24 in Illinois just *screams* 'speedtrap!' to me.

:wow:

Mike

The few thousand feet in Illinois I was talking about was US51 between the two bridges, not 57. I heard a trucker on the CB say the rickety old bridges have 25mph limits. Still even on 57 you don't even want to do 71 72, set the cruise a few MPH under the limit. They are that aggressive in raising revenue. It isn't the State Troopers who do all the speed traps around Cairo, it's local and county. I work with a guy from Paduchah and he said Pulaski county is notorious for speed traps to get revenue. It is a broke area with little economic activity and in ruins like Flint.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 03, 2018, 11:10:00 AM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on June 02, 2018, 07:16:06 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on May 22, 2018, 05:18:17 PM
Quote from: kphoger on May 22, 2018, 04:59:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 22, 2018, 04:41:26 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on May 21, 2018, 11:31:01 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on May 20, 2018, 08:26:53 PM
I hear in that few thousand feet in Illinois they manage to run one hell of a revenue speed trap. I've seen how bad that county is on 57 with multiple cars always pulled over in that first 20 miles of Illinois that I can believe it. On google earth you can even see the bear sitting there at the base of the Ohio river bridge.
70 isn't low, it's what a majority of states have except for only a handful.

What are you talking about?  There aren't any Interstates there lol.  This is US51, US60, and US62 we're talking about.  Debate is not related

See the bolded part.  There's I-57.

Big Rig Steve drove SB I-57 through there about a week ago and made a comment about an ISP (or was it a Pulaski County Mountie or a local Cairo city cop?) running a radar trap in a construction zone on the part of that highway that is in the City of Cairo.  I have zero objections to doing heavy enforcement in a construction zone, BTW, but otherwise, just from watching that video, all of I-57 south of I-24 in Illinois just *screams* 'speedtrap!' to me.

:wow:

Mike

The few thousand feet in Illinois I was talking about was US51 between the two bridges, not 57. I heard a trucker on the CB say the rickety old bridges have 25mph limits. Still even on 57 you don't even want to do 71 72, set the cruise a few MPH under the limit. They are that aggressive in raising revenue. It isn't the State Troopers who do all the speed traps around Cairo, it's local and county. I work with a guy from Paduchah and he said Pulaski county is notorious for speed traps to get revenue. It is a broke area with little economic activity and in ruins like Flint.

I dont think I would want to drive faster than 25mph on those bridges with any rig as the lanes are just barely legal. I cant imagine how many mirrors have met their demise on those 2 relics.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Georgia on June 13, 2018, 12:56:26 AM
been on that stretch hundreds of times running between Paducah and Memphis and am still yet to see any cops between the bridges.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on June 13, 2018, 09:07:50 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 01, 2018, 10:28:25 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 01, 2018, 06:14:14 PM
IL-336 bypass around Macomb from US 136 to US 167 is now open to traffic.

The bypass is only a "super 2" since what's supposed to be southbound lanes haven't been paved yet.

http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic (http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic)

What a total cluster this has been. 2 is better than none but 4 is the way. A microsm of the banana state Illinois has become.


Just goes to show how messed up the state has been, because everything outside Chicago is complete and utter crap.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 13, 2018, 09:43:31 AM
Quote from: Henry on June 13, 2018, 09:07:50 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 01, 2018, 10:28:25 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 01, 2018, 06:14:14 PM
IL-336 bypass around Macomb from US 136 to US 167 is now open to traffic.

The bypass is only a "super 2" since what's supposed to be southbound lanes haven't been paved yet.

http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic (http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic)

What a total cluster this has been. 2 is better than none but 4 is the way. A microsm of the banana state Illinois has become.


Just goes to show how messed up the state has been, because everything outside Chicago is complete and utter crap.

I'd argue that things aren't much better in the CHicago metro
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on June 13, 2018, 05:34:02 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 13, 2018, 09:43:31 AM
Quote from: Henry on June 13, 2018, 09:07:50 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 01, 2018, 10:28:25 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 01, 2018, 06:14:14 PM
IL-336 bypass around Macomb from US 136 to US 167 is now open to traffic.

The bypass is only a "super 2" since what's supposed to be southbound lanes haven't been paved yet.

http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic (http://tspr.org/post/macomb-bypass-now-open-traffic)



What a total cluster this has been. 2 is better than none but 4 is the way. A microsm of the banana state Illinois has become.


Just goes to show how messed up the state has been, because everything outside Chicago is complete and utter crap.

I'd argue that things aren't much better in the CHicago metro

The tolls roads is where all the cool stuff is happening.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: slorydn1 on June 14, 2018, 01:53:55 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 03:24:18 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/ (http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/)

"Since the completion of I-39 in 1992, Illinois has seen only one new interstate: the 9/10ths of a mile I-41 in Lake County."

This is incorrect, I-355 from I-55 to I-80 definitely opened after 1992, and (I think) the original section, from Army-Trail Road to I-55, opened after I-39.


I am not sure exactly when I-39 opened, but the original I-355 segment from Army Trail to I-55 opened before I left the NW Suburbs to move to NC at the end of 1990. I drove it once in both directions not long after if first opened, just to say I "clinched" it. I want to say it was there for about a year or so before I moved, but that was so long ago that I can't really say for sure.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 14, 2018, 05:49:02 AM
Quote from: slorydn1 on June 14, 2018, 01:53:55 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 03:24:18 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/ (http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/)

"Since the completion of I-39 in 1992, Illinois has seen only one new interstate: the 9/10ths of a mile I-41 in Lake County."

This is incorrect, I-355 from I-55 to I-80 definitely opened after 1992, and (I think) the original section, from Army-Trail Road to I-55, opened after I-39.

I am not sure exactly when I-39 opened, but the original I-355 segment from Army Trail to I-55 opened before I left the NW Suburbs to move to NC at the end of 1990. I drove it once in both directions not long after if first opened, just to say I "clinched" it. I want to say it was there for about a year or so before I moved, but that was so long ago that I can't really say for sure.

The original segment of I-35, I-55 to Army Trail, opened December 24, 1989.  I-39 was completed afterward between Bloomington and LaSalle.  However, I-39 was designated in 1987-88 along with I-88.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: slorydn1 on June 15, 2018, 02:58:47 AM
Quote from: Brandon on June 14, 2018, 05:49:02 AM
Quote from: slorydn1 on June 14, 2018, 01:53:55 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 03:24:18 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/ (http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/)

"Since the completion of I-39 in 1992, Illinois has seen only one new interstate: the 9/10ths of a mile I-41 in Lake County."

This is incorrect, I-355 from I-55 to I-80 definitely opened after 1992, and (I think) the original section, from Army-Trail Road to I-55, opened after I-39.

I am not sure exactly when I-39 opened, but the original I-355 segment from Army Trail to I-55 opened before I left the NW Suburbs to move to NC at the end of 1990. I drove it once in both directions not long after if first opened, just to say I "clinched" it. I want to say it was there for about a year or so before I moved, but that was so long ago that I can't really say for sure.

The original segment of I-35, I-55 to Army Trail, opened December 24, 1989.  I-39 was completed afterward between Bloomington and LaSalle.  However, I-39 was designated in 1987-88 along with I-88.

I guess my recollection wasn't that far off then, I left Chicagoland on December 18th 1990.

It's funny, I actually remember IL-5 becoming I-88, but I didn't know anything of I-39 until I was perusing a Rand McNally atlas in my bathroom sometime in the mid 90's. I rarely looked at the full Illinois map, I usually stuck to the detailed Chicago area map page so yes I-39 was quite the shock pre-internet.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on June 15, 2018, 09:42:57 AM
Quote from: slorydn1 on June 15, 2018, 02:58:47 AM
Quote from: Brandon on June 14, 2018, 05:49:02 AM
Quote from: slorydn1 on June 14, 2018, 01:53:55 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on April 03, 2018, 03:24:18 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on April 03, 2018, 02:22:45 PM
Ran across this article that has historical facts about the interstate system in Illinois: http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/ (http://www.nwherald.com/2018/03/27/illinois-at-heart-of-the-u-s-interstate-system/akahmlo/)

"Since the completion of I-39 in 1992, Illinois has seen only one new interstate: the 9/10ths of a mile I-41 in Lake County."

This is incorrect, I-355 from I-55 to I-80 definitely opened after 1992, and (I think) the original section, from Army-Trail Road to I-55, opened after I-39.

I am not sure exactly when I-39 opened, but the original I-355 segment from Army Trail to I-55 opened before I left the NW Suburbs to move to NC at the end of 1990. I drove it once in both directions not long after if first opened, just to say I "clinched" it. I want to say it was there for about a year or so before I moved, but that was so long ago that I can't really say for sure.

The original segment of I-35, I-55 to Army Trail, opened December 24, 1989.  I-39 was completed afterward between Bloomington and LaSalle.  However, I-39 was designated in 1987-88 along with I-88.

I guess my recollection wasn't that far off then, I left Chicagoland on December 18th 1990.

It's funny, I actually remember IL-5 becoming I-88, but I didn't know anything of I-39 until I was perusing a Rand McNally atlas in my bathroom sometime in the mid 90's. I rarely looked at the full Illinois map, I usually stuck to the detailed Chicago area map page so yes I-39 was quite the shock pre-internet.


I had the same thought when I saw I-43 between Green Bay and Milwaukee for the first time.

Also in the late 1980s, a friend gave me a ride home to Madison from Central Wisconsin, and she used the new US-51 freeway between Stevens Point and Portage.  I had no idea they were even building a freeway there! 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on June 15, 2018, 09:50:53 AM
I-41 should not count, as it's basically grafted onto I-94 from the border to Milwaukee.

But sure, I was also surprised to see I-39, I-43 and I-88 in a new atlas that I just bought; at that time, I was already at UCLA. A few years later, I got an even bigger shock when I-73/I-74 in NC and I-99 in PA showed up, and I thought that this was just a cruel joke the publishers were playing on me, until I realized that they actually existed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on June 15, 2018, 10:11:56 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on June 15, 2018, 09:42:57 AM
I had the same thought when I saw I-43 between Green Bay and Milwaukee for the first time.

Also in the late 1980s, a friend gave me a ride home to Madison from Central Wisconsin, and she used the new US-51 freeway between Stevens Point and Portage.  I had no idea they were even building a freeway there! 

The shock for me was when they changed WI-15 to I-43. I was living in Waukesha and in High School, and one day WI-15 "became" an interstate. I had no idea it was coming!

I do remember a bit later when they raised the speed limit to 65. One of the radio stations in Milwaukee did a bit where they advertised that WisDOT was asking for people to make "6"'s to put on all the speed limit signs. :-D

I apologize for the thread derailment - this just triggered a memory...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 15, 2018, 10:27:31 AM
Quote from: Brandon on June 14, 2018, 05:49:02 AM
The original segment of I-35, I-55 to Army Trail, opened December 24, 1989.  I-39 was completed afterward between Bloomington and LaSalle.  However, I-39 was designated in 1987-88 along with I-88.

I-39 was opened in segments. Generally from Rockford to the south. I was at the IL River Bridge opening in 1987, all I remember was that it was a very cold day. Traffic was detoured onto US 51 at Oglesby, then what the locals called the "Missing 51" - it was US 51, and 51 miles of non-interstate to Bloomington-Normal.  Also was at the opening of I-39 from Mendota to the north, I think it was 1984 or so. Gov. Thompson was at both events. The section between Oglesby and B-N was first open to around Lostant in the early 1990s, and then the full length opened in 1992...right as I was ending grad school at U of I. I-39 shaved about 20 minutes off my trips from Ottawa to U of I even though it was back-tracking for me.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on June 15, 2018, 08:26:27 PM
I drove 80 and then Illinois 5 a lot in the 80s. The 80 to 90 sections of 39 were built as part of Big Jims big capital Bill of the early 80s where he tried to figure out what segments of the supplemental freeway system would be built. The 80 to 55 segment was in a second capital bill.I was really surprised how quickly it became 39. It was 1985 right after it opened and before the final segment was officially approved. It met interstate requirements then connecting 80 to 90. 55 and Wisconsin were added a little later and 88 was shortly thereafter because of the federal speed limit law. It took longer to get the 72 designation.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 17, 2018, 08:46:09 PM
Quote from: 3467 on June 15, 2018, 08:26:27 PM
I drove 80 and then Illinois 5 a lot in the 80s. The 80 to 90 sections of 39 were built as part of Big Jims big capital Bill of the early 80s where he tried to figure out what segments of the supplemental freeway system would be built. The 80 to 55 segment was in a second capital bill.I was really surprised how quickly it became 39. It was 1985 right after it opened and before the final segment was officially approved. It met interstate requirements then connecting 80 to 90. 55 and Wisconsin were added a little later and 88 was shortly thereafter because of the federal speed limit law. It took longer to get the 72 designation.

I remember after the Lincoln Bridge opened over the IL River to get I-39 down to Oglesby, cant tell you how many accidents I witnessed on US51 to Lostant. Always trucks hitting cars.

Also we got to experience the "Wenona Weave" where I-39 was co-located on US51. Construction had you shifting way over to go under the new bridges and then back over to old ROW.

But the real buster was how long it took the contractor to get the bridge done over the Mackinaw River at Kappa. I would drive by on the old bridge next to it and it was like snails pace in progress. In wintertime, even slower.

I-39 was preferred on the Sunday night return to Chicago. On holiday weekends, if there was an accident on I-55 between Bloomington and Joliet, forget about it. Even without an accident, return traffic up I-55 after 6pm would get bad.  So I would check traffic reports before I reached Bloomington and if they were as expected, I just went up I-39. Yep, it was more miles total but much less hassle reaching the west suburbs.

As for Big Jim and his capital projects, I can tell you that parts of I-39 were paid for with funds he looted from the US50 buildout to freeway standards from O'Fallon (I-64) to Carlyle.

That is why there are so many ghost bridges, ramps and pavement there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on June 17, 2018, 08:47:45 PM
New bridge across the Illinois River at Meredosia is supposed to open this Tuesday.

https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Meredosia-bridge-set-to-open-Tuesday-13001339.php (https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Meredosia-bridge-set-to-open-Tuesday-13001339.php)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 18, 2018, 06:26:16 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 17, 2018, 08:47:45 PM
New bridge across the Illinois River at Meredosia is supposed to open this Tuesday.

https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Meredosia-bridge-set-to-open-Tuesday-13001339.php (https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Meredosia-bridge-set-to-open-Tuesday-13001339.php)

  http://www.halversonconstruction.com/heavy-highway-meredosia.php  (http://www.halversonconstruction.com/heavy-highway-meredosia.php)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on July 09, 2018, 08:19:21 AM
News said US51 is buckling in Dewitt County, wonder what condition the road is in? Noticed it seemed pretty old and beat up in one of the stretches between Clinton and Decatur although the report says the buckling is between Clinton and Heyworth.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 09, 2018, 07:02:04 PM
US30 eastbound in Joliet will be closed crossing the river, until sometime in September.  You can still clinch it going westbound, though.
https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/joliet-bridge-now-closed-least-2-months
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 09, 2018, 07:30:18 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 09, 2018, 07:02:04 PM
US30 eastbound in Joliet will be closed crossing the river, until sometime in September.  You can still clinch it going westbound, though.
https://patch.com/illinois/joliet/joliet-bridge-now-closed-least-2-months

The detour from Center Street is posted to use Pleasant Street to get to McDonough and cross the river.  Saturday, some agency, I don't know which one, decided in its infinite wisdom to close off the Pleasant Street ramp from Center Street so one could not follow the detour.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 09, 2018, 10:01:44 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 09, 2018, 08:19:21 AM
News said US51 is buckling in Dewitt County, wonder what condition the road is in? Noticed it seemed pretty old and beat up in one of the stretches between Clinton and Decatur although the report says the buckling is between Clinton and Heyworth.
My guess is that it'll likely be resurfaced this year or next. Unusual for IL to have long stretches of decayed pavement. Now IN and WI, that's a whole 'nother story.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 10, 2018, 05:45:15 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 09, 2018, 10:01:44 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 09, 2018, 08:19:21 AM
News said US51 is buckling in Dewitt County, wonder what condition the road is in? Noticed it seemed pretty old and beat up in one of the stretches between Clinton and Decatur although the report says the buckling is between Clinton and Heyworth.
My guess is that it'll likely be resurfaced this year or next. Unusual for IL to have long stretches of decayed pavement. Now IN and WI, that's a whole 'nother story.

Unusual?  Try driving I-55 or I-80.  A very long stretch of decayed pavement is the norm on both.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 10, 2018, 08:43:05 AM
Quote from: Brandon on July 10, 2018, 05:45:15 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 09, 2018, 10:01:44 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 09, 2018, 08:19:21 AM
News said US51 is buckling in Dewitt County, wonder what condition the road is in? Noticed it seemed pretty old and beat up in one of the stretches between Clinton and Decatur although the report says the buckling is between Clinton and Heyworth.
My guess is that it'll likely be resurfaced this year or next. Unusual for IL to have long stretches of decayed pavement. Now IN and WI, that's a whole 'nother story.

Unusual?  Try driving I-55 or I-80.  A very long stretch of decayed pavement is the norm on both.

Quoted for great truth!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 11, 2018, 01:02:15 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 10, 2018, 05:45:15 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 09, 2018, 10:01:44 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 09, 2018, 08:19:21 AM
News said US51 is buckling in Dewitt County, wonder what condition the road is in? Noticed it seemed pretty old and beat up in one of the stretches between Clinton and Decatur although the report says the buckling is between Clinton and Heyworth.
My guess is that it'll likely be resurfaced this year or next. Unusual for IL to have long stretches of decayed pavement. Now IN and WI, that's a whole 'nother story.

Unusual?  Try driving I-55 or I-80.  A very long stretch of decayed pavement is the norm on both.

Agreed. Many of the US-66 stretches of I-55 that were conversions are falling apart. Much of I-55 built to standard after 1980 is still hanging in there.

US50 from the Red Skelton Bridge to Olney was in really bad shape a few years ago. Especially around Lawrenceville.

I-64 between O'Fallon east to the IL-127 exit was in bumpy shape but they are currently building a new section for ramps to Scott AFB.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2018, 11:20:29 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 10, 2018, 05:45:15 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 09, 2018, 10:01:44 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 09, 2018, 08:19:21 AM
News said US51 is buckling in Dewitt County, wonder what condition the road is in? Noticed it seemed pretty old and beat up in one of the stretches between Clinton and Decatur although the report says the buckling is between Clinton and Heyworth.
My guess is that it'll likely be resurfaced this year or next. Unusual for IL to have long stretches of decayed pavement. Now IN and WI, that's a whole 'nother story.

Unusual?  Try driving I-55 or I-80.  A very long stretch of decayed pavement is the norm on both.

Anything on the outer fringes of District 1 is doomed to extensive neglect.  Even at age 12, I was noticing that state roads in Will County were completely dismal.  District 1 is too busy paying attention to areas closer to the urban core to spend even a little bit of money out here.  Richards Street is a good example of a state route totally neglected...and when IDOT decided to pay attention to it, they provide a mere pittance toward an overlay when the road needs a complete reconstruction from the subgrade up.  US30 in Plainfield was widened 15 years too late, I-80 and I-55 are trash, etc.  I bet the northern fringes are largely neglected as well up in Lake and McHenry Counties.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 13, 2018, 08:44:54 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2018, 11:20:29 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 10, 2018, 05:45:15 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 09, 2018, 10:01:44 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 09, 2018, 08:19:21 AM
News said US51 is buckling in Dewitt County, wonder what condition the road is in? Noticed it seemed pretty old and beat up in one of the stretches between Clinton and Decatur although the report says the buckling is between Clinton and Heyworth.
My guess is that it'll likely be resurfaced this year or next. Unusual for IL to have long stretches of decayed pavement. Now IN and WI, that's a whole 'nother story.

Unusual?  Try driving I-55 or I-80.  A very long stretch of decayed pavement is the norm on both.

Anything on the outer fringes of District 1 is doomed to extensive neglect.  Even at age 12, I was noticing that state roads in Will County were completely dismal.  District 1 is too busy paying attention to areas closer to the urban core to spend even a little bit of money out here.  Richards Street is a good example of a state route totally neglected...and when IDOT decided to pay attention to it, they provide a mere pittance toward an overlay when the road needs a complete reconstruction from the subgrade up.  US30 in Plainfield was widened 15 years too late, I-80 and I-55 are trash, etc.  I bet the northern fringes are largely neglected as well up in Lake and McHenry Counties.

Richards street isn't a state route. Do you mean Chicago street which is IL-53?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 13, 2018, 09:52:08 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 13, 2018, 08:44:54 AM
Richards street isn't a state route. Do you mean Chicago street which is IL-53?

Surprise!  It actually is an unmarked state route.  Check out Will County's system map, which shows all state-maintained roads in green (click to download):  https://www.willcountyillinois.com/County-Offices/Economic-Development/Division-of-Transportation/Highway-System-Construction-Projects/FileId/4102

If you look at the signs along the road, they all have tiny IDOT logos too.  So now you know who to complain about regarding a whole bunch of other shoddy roads, too  :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 13, 2018, 10:43:29 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 13, 2018, 09:52:08 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 13, 2018, 08:44:54 AM
Richards street isn't a state route. Do you mean Chicago street which is IL-53?

Surprise!  It actually is an unmarked state route.  Check out Will County's system map, which shows all state-maintained roads in green (click to download):  https://www.willcountyillinois.com/County-Offices/Economic-Development/Division-of-Transportation/Highway-System-Construction-Projects/FileId/4102

If you look at the signs along the road, they all have tiny IDOT logos too.  So now you know who to complain about regarding a whole bunch of other shoddy roads, too  :-D

I did not realize Illinois had unmarked state routes.

I learned something today.

BTW, that's a great map.  Is there one like that for Grundy county?  where would I look for that?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 13, 2018, 01:01:06 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 13, 2018, 10:43:29 AM
I did not realize Illinois had unmarked state routes.

I learned something today.

BTW, that's a great map.  Is there one like that for Grundy county?  where would I look for that?

Check the individual county highway maps at the website for each county DOT or highway department.  The Chicagoland counties all have really helpful maps which help readers differentiate which roads are maintained by whom.  Some counties have great maps available to the public, but a lot of counties, especially in rural areas, do not.  It might be nice to put together a listing (in this thread or a separate one) of where on the internet to find all the good county maps in IL.  I know that Kane, Lake, Cook, and Grundy all have good ones.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 13, 2018, 05:30:48 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2018, 11:20:29 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 10, 2018, 05:45:15 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 09, 2018, 10:01:44 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 09, 2018, 08:19:21 AM
News said US51 is buckling in Dewitt County, wonder what condition the road is in? Noticed it seemed pretty old and beat up in one of the stretches between Clinton and Decatur although the report says the buckling is between Clinton and Heyworth.
My guess is that it'll likely be resurfaced this year or next. Unusual for IL to have long stretches of decayed pavement. Now IN and WI, that's a whole 'nother story.

Unusual?  Try driving I-55 or I-80.  A very long stretch of decayed pavement is the norm on both.

Anything on the outer fringes of District 1 is doomed to extensive neglect.  Even at age 12, I was noticing that state roads in Will County were completely dismal.  District 1 is too busy paying attention to areas closer to the urban core to spend even a little bit of money out here.  Richards Street is a good example of a state route totally neglected...and when IDOT decided to pay attention to it, they provide a mere pittance toward an overlay when the road needs a complete reconstruction from the subgrade up.  US30 in Plainfield was widened 15 years too late, I-80 and I-55 are trash, etc.  I bet the northern fringes are largely neglected as well up in Lake and McHenry Counties.

You pretty much nailed it! Also, add Western Kane County to that as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 13, 2018, 10:13:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 13, 2018, 09:52:08 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 13, 2018, 08:44:54 AM
Richards street isn't a state route. Do you mean Chicago street which is IL-53?

Surprise!  It actually is an unmarked state route.  Check out Will County's system map, which shows all state-maintained roads in green (click to download):  https://www.willcountyillinois.com/County-Offices/Economic-Development/Division-of-Transportation/Highway-System-Construction-Projects/FileId/4102

If you look at the signs along the road, they all have tiny IDOT logos too.  So now you know who to complain about regarding a whole bunch of other shoddy roads, too  :-D

Actually, the state routes here in Lake county are in good to excellent shape, and the ones that aren't are currently under construction or scheduled to be under construction within the next year or so. Unmarked state routes (learned this recently too) are of a lower priority as they usually only connect to a marked state route or an interstate and are often much shorter in length.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 14, 2018, 08:28:59 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 13, 2018, 10:13:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 13, 2018, 09:52:08 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 13, 2018, 08:44:54 AM
Richards street isn't a state route. Do you mean Chicago street which is IL-53?

Surprise!  It actually is an unmarked state route.  Check out Will County's system map, which shows all state-maintained roads in green (click to download):  https://www.willcountyillinois.com/County-Offices/Economic-Development/Division-of-Transportation/Highway-System-Construction-Projects/FileId/4102

If you look at the signs along the road, they all have tiny IDOT logos too.  So now you know who to complain about regarding a whole bunch of other shoddy roads, too  :-D

Actually, the state routes here in Lake county are in good to excellent shape, and the ones that aren't are currently under construction or scheduled to be under construction within the next year or so. Unmarked state routes (learned this recently too) are of a lower priority as they usually only connect to a marked state route or an interstate and are often much shorter in length.

That's interesting about the unmarked state routes, but not surprising. I imagine downstate that is a little more justified, but around Chicago (D1), they need more attention. Regarding the condition of the roads in Lake County, that can be very much debated at best in my opinion. The inadequacy of the routes is quite telling, not to mention that in some places, after just a couple of years, the pavement is already crumbling after a repave (IL 53 through Long Grove, for instance). Even if they go under construction, it doesn't seem to do anything about the capacity issues. Lake County maintained routes are a little better, though I am not too high on any of the roads in Lake County to be honest. All could use better lighting.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 14, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 14, 2018, 08:28:59 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 13, 2018, 10:13:19 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 13, 2018, 09:52:08 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 13, 2018, 08:44:54 AM
Richards street isn't a state route. Do you mean Chicago street which is IL-53?

Surprise!  It actually is an unmarked state route.  Check out Will County's system map, which shows all state-maintained roads in green (click to download):  https://www.willcountyillinois.com/County-Offices/Economic-Development/Division-of-Transportation/Highway-System-Construction-Projects/FileId/4102

If you look at the signs along the road, they all have tiny IDOT logos too.  So now you know who to complain about regarding a whole bunch of other shoddy roads, too  :-D

Actually, the state routes here in Lake county are in good to excellent shape, and the ones that aren't are currently under construction or scheduled to be under construction within the next year or so. Unmarked state routes (learned this recently too) are of a lower priority as they usually only connect to a marked state route or an interstate and are often much shorter in length.

That's interesting about the unmarked state routes, but not surprising. I imagine downstate that is a little more justified, but around Chicago (D1), they need more attention. Regarding the condition of the roads in Lake County, that can be very much debated at best in my opinion. The inadequacy of the routes is quite telling, not to mention that in some places, after just a couple of years, the pavement is already crumbling after a repave (IL 53 through Long Grove, for instance). Even if they go under construction, it doesn't seem to do anything about the capacity issues. Lake County maintained routes are a little better, though I am not too high on any of the roads in Lake County to be honest. All could use better lighting.


Here are some state roads that I regularly drive in Lake County on that are going to need a reconstruction (and scheduled as so) in the next couple years.

IL173 from IL137 to US41 (especially the portion through Zion, IDOT has it listed as accruing).
IL137 from the Amstutz Expy (possibly the worst stretch in D1, IDOT backlog) to just south of 14th St in North Chicago.
IL60 from east of the Tri state to IL43 (backlog)
IL22 from IL83 to just before Quentin Rd (backlog)
US41 from IL132 to IL60 (has potholes in between lanes, accruing to backlog) , then from Park Ave to Cook County line (backlog)
IL43 through Waukegan (accruing

The following will need an improvement within the next 4 years
IL137 from Zion to Amstutz expy then from MLK Dr to US41  (adequate to accruing)
IL60/83 (entire concurrency) (accruing)
IL131 from IL120 to IL176 (accruing)
IL176 from IL131 to US12 (adequate to accruing).


Under Construction
IL132 (US45 to I94)
IL120 (US45 to IL131)


As bad as our roads may appear to be, we are actually doing much better than some of our bordering states with 18.8% in mediocre to poor condition. Iowa, Indiana ,Missouri and Wisconsin are all doing worse with 20%, 22%, 24 and 42% respectively. At least Indiana from what I have seen recently is working at it while WI still has done nothing with WIS32 through Pleasant Prairie and Kenosha and US12 through Walworth County.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 15, 2018, 12:35:19 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 14, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
Here are some state roads that I regularly drive in Lake County on that are going to need a reconstruction (and scheduled as so) in the next couple years.

IL173 from IL137 to US41 (especially the portion through Zion, IDOT has it listed as accruing).
IL137 from the Amstutz Expy (possibly the worst stretch in D1, IDOT backlog) to just south of 14th St in North Chicago.
IL60 from east of the Tri state to IL43 (backlog)

I don't recall this stretch of IL 60 being in that bad of shape.  Plus the concrete on that stretch has a unique sound I'd hate to see go.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 02:04:05 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 15, 2018, 12:35:19 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 14, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
Here are some state roads that I regularly drive in Lake County on that are going to need a reconstruction (and scheduled as so) in the next couple years.

IL173 from IL137 to US41 (especially the portion through Zion, IDOT has it listed as accruing).
IL137 from the Amstutz Expy (possibly the worst stretch in D1, IDOT backlog) to just south of 14th St in North Chicago.
IL60 from east of the Tri state to IL43 (backlog)

I don't recall this stretch of IL 60 being in that bad of shape.  Plus the concrete on that stretch has a unique sound I'd hate to see go.

I don't consider it bad either but I guess IDOT does, I do see it cracking and vegetation growing in the cracks in a couple of spots though.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 15, 2018, 08:43:34 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 02:04:05 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 15, 2018, 12:35:19 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 14, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
Here are some state roads that I regularly drive in Lake County on that are going to need a reconstruction (and scheduled as so) in the next couple years.

IL173 from IL137 to US41 (especially the portion through Zion, IDOT has it listed as accruing).
IL137 from the Amstutz Expy (possibly the worst stretch in D1, IDOT backlog) to just south of 14th St in North Chicago.
IL60 from east of the Tri state to IL43 (backlog)

I don't recall this stretch of IL 60 being in that bad of shape.  Plus the concrete on that stretch has a unique sound I'd hate to see go.

I don't consider it bad either but I guess IDOT does, I do see it cracking and vegetation growing in the cracks in a couple of spots though.

I can easily think of much bigger priorities in Lake County alone, not to mention statewide. I sometimes wonder how IDOT determines some of these list items.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 09:05:36 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 15, 2018, 08:43:34 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 02:04:05 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 15, 2018, 12:35:19 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 14, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
Here are some state roads that I regularly drive in Lake County on that are going to need a reconstruction (and scheduled as so) in the next couple years.

IL173 from IL137 to US41 (especially the portion through Zion, IDOT has it listed as accruing).
IL137 from the Amstutz Expy (possibly the worst stretch in D1, IDOT backlog) to just south of 14th St in North Chicago.
IL60 from east of the Tri state to IL43 (backlog)

I don't recall this stretch of IL 60 being in that bad of shape.  Plus the concrete on that stretch has a unique sound I'd hate to see go.

I don't consider it bad either but I guess IDOT does, I do see it cracking and vegetation growing in the cracks in a couple of spots though.

I can easily think of much bigger priorities in Lake County alone, not to mention statewide. I sometimes wonder how IDOT determines some of these list items.

By the AADT and how long each have been backlogged (if such is the case).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 15, 2018, 10:42:43 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 09:05:36 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 15, 2018, 08:43:34 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 02:04:05 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 15, 2018, 12:35:19 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 14, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
Here are some state roads that I regularly drive in Lake County on that are going to need a reconstruction (and scheduled as so) in the next couple years.

IL173 from IL137 to US41 (especially the portion through Zion, IDOT has it listed as accruing).
IL137 from the Amstutz Expy (possibly the worst stretch in D1, IDOT backlog) to just south of 14th St in North Chicago.
IL60 from east of the Tri state to IL43 (backlog)

I don't recall this stretch of IL 60 being in that bad of shape.  Plus the concrete on that stretch has a unique sound I'd hate to see go.

I don't consider it bad either but I guess IDOT does, I do see it cracking and vegetation growing in the cracks in a couple of spots though.

I can easily think of much bigger priorities in Lake County alone, not to mention statewide. I sometimes wonder how IDOT determines some of these list items.

By the AADT and how long each have been backlogged (if such is the case).

Well, I could see that in theory, but I see some roads with seemingly less traffic get much more attention than others that are clogged. I am sure that there are numerous metrics behind it, but still, it does make me wonder.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 17, 2018, 12:49:50 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 15, 2018, 10:42:43 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 09:05:36 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 15, 2018, 08:43:34 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 02:04:05 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 15, 2018, 12:35:19 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 14, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
Here are some state roads that I regularly drive in Lake County on that are going to need a reconstruction (and scheduled as so) in the next couple years.

IL173 from IL137 to US41 (especially the portion through Zion, IDOT has it listed as accruing).
IL137 from the Amstutz Expy (possibly the worst stretch in D1, IDOT backlog) to just south of 14th St in North Chicago.
IL60 from east of the Tri state to IL43 (backlog)

I don't recall this stretch of IL 60 being in that bad of shape.  Plus the concrete on that stretch has a unique sound I'd hate to see go.

I don't consider it bad either but I guess IDOT does, I do see it cracking and vegetation growing in the cracks in a couple of spots though.

I can easily think of much bigger priorities in Lake County alone, not to mention statewide. I sometimes wonder how IDOT determines some of these list items.

By the AADT and how long each have been backlogged (if such is the case).

Well, I could see that in theory, but I see some roads with seemingly less traffic get much more attention than others that are clogged. I am sure that there are numerous metrics behind it, but still, it does make me wonder.

I have seen political priorities over rule metrics in many cases. Sometimes to the detriment of the drivers.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on July 17, 2018, 04:01:37 PM
It isn't much, but I have now clinched US 36 and I-72 in Illinois.

Other clinched routes in Illinois include, off the top of my head, US 40, I-24, I-39, I-55, I-70, I-74, I-80, IL 1, IL 16, IL 33, IL 35, IL 49, IL 130, IL 133, IL 142, and IL 185.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 17, 2018, 11:17:13 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on July 17, 2018, 12:49:50 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 15, 2018, 10:42:43 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 09:05:36 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 15, 2018, 08:43:34 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 15, 2018, 02:04:05 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 15, 2018, 12:35:19 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 14, 2018, 11:29:42 PM
Here are some state roads that I regularly drive in Lake County on that are going to need a reconstruction (and scheduled as so) in the next couple years.

IL173 from IL137 to US41 (especially the portion through Zion, IDOT has it listed as accruing).
IL137 from the Amstutz Expy (possibly the worst stretch in D1, IDOT backlog) to just south of 14th St in North Chicago.
IL60 from east of the Tri state to IL43 (backlog)

I don't recall this stretch of IL 60 being in that bad of shape.  Plus the concrete on that stretch has a unique sound I'd hate to see go.

I don't consider it bad either but I guess IDOT does, I do see it cracking and vegetation growing in the cracks in a couple of spots though.

I can easily think of much bigger priorities in Lake County alone, not to mention statewide. I sometimes wonder how IDOT determines some of these list items.

By the AADT and how long each have been backlogged (if such is the case).

Well, I could see that in theory, but I see some roads with seemingly less traffic get much more attention than others that are clogged. I am sure that there are numerous metrics behind it, but still, it does make me wonder.

I have seen political priorities over rule metrics in many cases. Sometimes to the detriment of the drivers.

I would say often to the detriment of the drivers. I-80, for instance, in most places (except the tollway portion) serves as exhibit A.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 20, 2018, 09:42:48 AM
Heavy equipment is just starting to be rolled out to the I-55 / Weber Rd. area.  Since I drive through and use that exit almost every weekday, I'm hoping to get pix of construction as it happens.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 20, 2018, 10:32:40 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 17, 2018, 04:01:37 PM
It isn't much, but I have now clinched US 36 and I-72 in Illinois.

Other clinched routes in Illinois include, off the top of my head, US 40, I-24, I-39, I-55, I-70, I-74, I-80, IL 1, IL 16, IL 33, IL 35, IL 49, IL 130, IL 133, IL 142, and IL 185.


IL1 spans nearly the whole length of the state, how long did it take you to do that?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on July 24, 2018, 11:00:55 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 20, 2018, 10:32:40 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 17, 2018, 04:01:37 PM
It isn't much, but I have now clinched US 36 and I-72 in Illinois.

Other clinched routes in Illinois include, off the top of my head, US 40, I-24, I-39, I-55, I-70, I-74, I-80, IL 1, IL 16, IL 33, IL 35, IL 49, IL 130, IL 133, IL 142, and IL 185.


IL1 spans nearly the whole length of the state, how long did it take you to do that?


It didn't take long.  I lived in Marshall, which is pretty close to the midpoint, for 24 years.  I've driven it Marshall to Chicago several times and to Cave-in-Rock and back a couple times.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 24, 2018, 07:21:46 PM
How is the Illinois 1 drive to Chicago. It was once a supplemental freeway corridor but early on the Feds punted out US 41 is so close.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on July 24, 2018, 08:02:04 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 24, 2018, 07:21:46 PM
How is the Illinois 1 drive to Chicago. It was once a supplemental freeway corridor but early on the Feds punted out US 41 is so close.

I haven't driven it in probably 13 years or so.  It's an easy, quiet drive without much traffic.  Danville is the only real issue outside of the south suburbs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 24, 2018, 09:39:09 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 24, 2018, 08:02:04 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 24, 2018, 07:21:46 PM
How is the Illinois 1 drive to Chicago. It was once a supplemental freeway corridor but early on the Feds punted out US 41 is so close.

I haven't driven it in probably 13 years or so.  It's an easy, quiet drive without much traffic.  Danville is the only real issue outside of the south suburbs.
I've driven it multiple times between Danville and IL 394 - very easy drive, usually fast and not too crowded. Also have taken it South out of Danville, down to Terre Haute (via the US 150 multiplex that ends in Paris, IL)

I've been on it in parts of SoIL too, but probably have about 1/3 of the route unclinched, from Paris to I-64, and from Norris City to the Cave-In-Rock Ferry

Historically speaking, IL 1 from Chicago to Danville was the Dixie Highway, correct?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 24, 2018, 10:12:32 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 24, 2018, 09:39:09 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 24, 2018, 08:02:04 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 24, 2018, 07:21:46 PM
How is the Illinois 1 drive to Chicago. It was once a supplemental freeway corridor but early on the Feds punted out US 41 is so close.

I haven't driven it in probably 13 years or so.  It's an easy, quiet drive without much traffic.  Danville is the only real issue outside of the south suburbs.
I've driven it multiple times between Danville and IL 394 - very easy drive, usually fast and not too crowded. Also have taken it South out of Danville, down to Terre Haute (via the US 150 multiplex that ends in Paris, IL)

I've been on it in parts of SoIL too, but probably have about 1/3 of the route unclinched, from Paris to I-64, and from Norris City to the Cave-In-Rock Ferry

Historically speaking, IL 1 from Chicago to Danville was the Dixie Highway, correct?

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Dixie_Highway_Map.png)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 24, 2018, 10:18:49 PM
Thats one way to confirm!

Nice map of the Old Dixie Highway, as well!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: csw on July 24, 2018, 11:05:48 PM
I've got IL 1 clinched from Danville to Cave-In-Rock. That section has pretty light traffic and isn't too slow for a 2-lane 55mph speed limit highway. Hopping on US 45 just south of Norris City was my preferred way to get to the Shawnee National Forest from Mt Carmel.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on July 25, 2018, 07:18:01 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 24, 2018, 09:39:09 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 24, 2018, 08:02:04 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 24, 2018, 07:21:46 PM
How is the Illinois 1 drive to Chicago. It was once a supplemental freeway corridor but early on the Feds punted out US 41 is so close.

I haven't driven it in probably 13 years or so.  It's an easy, quiet drive without much traffic.  Danville is the only real issue outside of the south suburbs.
I've driven it multiple times between Danville and IL 394 - very easy drive, usually fast and not too crowded. Also have taken it South out of Danville, down to Terre Haute (via the US 150 multiplex that ends in Paris, IL)

I've been on it in parts of SoIL too, but probably have about 1/3 of the route unclinched, from Paris to I-64, and from Norris City to the Cave-In-Rock Ferry

Historically speaking, IL 1 from Chicago to Danville was the Dixie Highway, correct?

Part of it.  Up nearer Chicago, in the south suburbs, Dixie Highway is completely separate from IL-1 which runs along Halsted.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on July 25, 2018, 09:24:52 AM
Funny that the Dixie Highway is actually a series of highways linking the Midwest to the Southeast, instead of one single route (I used to think US 25 was the only one, as I would remember it from road trips that took me through Cincinnati).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 25, 2018, 05:22:32 PM
Quote from: Henry on July 25, 2018, 09:24:52 AM
Funny that the Dixie Highway is actually a series of highways linking the Midwest to the Southeast, instead of one single route (I used to think US 25 was the only one, as I would remember it from road trips that took me through Cincinnati).


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_Highway  (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_Highway)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on July 29, 2018, 10:30:33 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on September 04, 2017, 04:12:10 PM
A viaduct over US 40 east of Martinsville has enough room to add 2 additional lanes for US 40.
My guess is this viaduct was built in the 1950s when Illinois originally intended to convert US 40 into a 4 lane expressway from the St Louis area to the Indiana state line.  Of course turning US 40 into an expressway fell by the wayside with the Interstate highway act in 1956 and funding to build I-70.
https://goo.gl/maps/8739NYv1TvJ2

The bypasses of Marshall, Martinsville, and Casey were built in 1953, so that does fit the timeline.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Georgia on July 30, 2018, 04:39:39 PM
The only times Route 1 south of Chicago are busy are in the spring/fall during planting/harvesting season.  I've been stuck behind more tractors than i care to remember going 20-25.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on July 31, 2018, 08:53:38 AM
Quote from: Georgia on July 30, 2018, 04:39:39 PM
The only times Route 1 south of Chicago are busy are in the spring/fall during planting/harvesting season.  I've been stuck behind more tractors than i care to remember going 20-25.

Oh yeah, I can remember midterms at NIU being the peak of tractors on local roadways. I've been stuck a couple times behind them on IL-38, IL-23, and IL-72 during the fall
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on August 02, 2018, 06:05:37 PM
Imploding the old IL-104 Meredosia bridge across the Illinois River has already begun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rORvJkFSpZg&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rORvJkFSpZg&feature=youtu.be)

https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Going-going-gone-Portion-of-old-Meredosia-13125593.php#item-85307-tbla-4 (https://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/article/Going-going-gone-Portion-of-old-Meredosia-13125593.php#item-85307-tbla-4)

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 06, 2018, 02:08:34 PM
Tomorrow at 6:30 at University of St. Francis in Joliet, there's another meeting about improving I-80 through Joliet.

Moser Performing Arts Center at the University of St. Francis, 500 Wilcox Street, Joliet, 60435. Doors open at 6 p.m. and seating is limited.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 07, 2018, 10:10:47 PM
At least one message board on I-90 near Schaumburg for the current construction on I-290 is referring to I-290 south instead of east.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 07, 2018, 10:36:20 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 07, 2018, 10:10:47 PM
At least one message board on I-90 near Schaumburg for the current construction on I-290 is referring to I-290 south instead of east.
North/South is the direction of travel, just not the signed directions of I-290

Just renumber to I-355 and North/South is all good
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 08, 2018, 08:51:16 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 07, 2018, 10:36:20 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 07, 2018, 10:10:47 PM
At least one message board on I-90 near Schaumburg for the current construction on I-290 is referring to I-290 south instead of east.
North/South is the direction of travel, just not the signed directions of I-290

Just renumber to I-355 and North/South is all good

That's my thinking.  290 should end at the 290 / 355 Jct, then 355 should continue north, up on the IL 53 extension, then any further 53 north of that that SHOULD get built should retain the 355 designation.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on August 08, 2018, 08:53:44 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 08, 2018, 08:51:16 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 07, 2018, 10:36:20 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 07, 2018, 10:10:47 PM
At least one message board on I-90 near Schaumburg for the current construction on I-290 is referring to I-290 south instead of east.
North/South is the direction of travel, just not the signed directions of I-290

Just renumber to I-355 and North/South is all good

That's my thinking.  290 should end at the 290 / 355 Jct, then 355 should continue north, up on the IL 53 extension, then any further 53 north of that that SHOULD get built should retain the 355 designation.


You could duplex them to I-90 as a short term solution.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 08, 2018, 10:33:27 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 08, 2018, 08:51:16 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 07, 2018, 10:36:20 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 07, 2018, 10:10:47 PM
At least one message board on I-90 near Schaumburg for the current construction on I-290 is referring to I-290 south instead of east.
North/South is the direction of travel, just not the signed directions of I-290

Just renumber to I-355 and North/South is all good

That's my thinking.  290 should end at the 290 / 355 Jct, then 355 should continue north, up on the IL 53 extension, then any further 53 north of that that SHOULD get built should retain the 355 designation.

I-290 should be eliminated and replaced with I-355 north of Itasca (to Lake-Cook Rd), I-88 east of Hillside (to the Circle), and I-188 between the two.  Given that the freeway between the two is a right exit both ways, this also works in that regard.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 08, 2018, 11:06:08 AM
Quote from: Brandon on August 08, 2018, 10:33:27 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 08, 2018, 08:51:16 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 07, 2018, 10:36:20 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 07, 2018, 10:10:47 PM
At least one message board on I-90 near Schaumburg for the current construction on I-290 is referring to I-290 south instead of east.
North/South is the direction of travel, just not the signed directions of I-290

Just renumber to I-355 and North/South is all good

That's my thinking.  290 should end at the 290 / 355 Jct, then 355 should continue north, up on the IL 53 extension, then any further 53 north of that that SHOULD get built should retain the 355 designation.

I-290 should be eliminated and replaced with I-355 north of Itasca (to Lake-Cook Rd), I-88 east of Hillside (to the Circle), and I-188 between the two.  Given that the freeway between the two is a right exit both ways, this also works in that regard.

I never understood why I-88 wasn't routed right to downtown.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 08, 2018, 12:20:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 08, 2018, 11:06:08 AM
Quote from: Brandon on August 08, 2018, 10:33:27 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 08, 2018, 08:51:16 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 07, 2018, 10:36:20 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 07, 2018, 10:10:47 PM
At least one message board on I-90 near Schaumburg for the current construction on I-290 is referring to I-290 south instead of east.
North/South is the direction of travel, just not the signed directions of I-290

Just renumber to I-355 and North/South is all good

That's my thinking.  290 should end at the 290 / 355 Jct, then 355 should continue north, up on the IL 53 extension, then any further 53 north of that that SHOULD get built should retain the 355 designation.

I-290 should be eliminated and replaced with I-355 north of Itasca (to Lake-Cook Rd), I-88 east of Hillside (to the Circle), and I-188 between the two.  Given that the freeway between the two is a right exit both ways, this also works in that regard.

I never understood why I-88 wasn't routed right to downtown.
Probably because what is now I-290 was I-90, and I-88 began as Toll US 30, then IL 5. The Interstate designation came later
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on August 08, 2018, 06:07:35 PM
I drove the new Meridosia  bridge yesterday. The West side of the old bridge and the deck are gone. I then headed north and took the Beardstown Bridge which is undergoing emergency repairs again. It is scheduled for replacement.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on August 08, 2018, 06:13:45 PM
Did anyone report the cancellation of the US 30 expressway? The postings on 188 made me think of it. Morrison did not want a bypass and IDOT  dropped it. It's one of the few times they just plain dropped one instead of just letting it linger. They dropped it from the projects page.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 08, 2018, 07:47:28 PM
Quote from: 3467 on August 08, 2018, 06:13:45 PM
Did anyone report the cancellation of the US 30 expressway? The postings on 188 made me think of it. Morrison did not want a bypass and IDOT  dropped it. It's one of the few times they just plain dropped one instead of just letting it linger. They dropped it from the projects page.
Is this the I-88 branch freeway that was proposed to go to Clinton, IA? I thought that had been dead for years...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 08, 2018, 08:01:55 PM
I-88 was Illinois' answer to 65 mph speed limits on Interstates only back in 1995 (along with I-155 and I-72)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on August 08, 2018, 08:38:19 PM
Yes. That is why the mention of 188 made me think of it. It was part of the supplementary freeway system.The tollway studied it too and a map of that was posted to AA  Roads.A study was started up about 10 years ago for an expressway. There were some floodplain issues that drug it out. When the public got a look at it it was pretty clear no one in Morrison wanted the bypass. The main support came from Iowa.Considering Iowa us only partially 4 laning and it was Iowa IDOT dropped it. IDOT also ran some traffic projections and said those no longer justified the project. They had said the same about 34 in Sandwich. They dropped that one too. Both had higher volumes than any of the other 4 lane projects that cling to life.  Those would be US 20 67 51 50 and IL 29 336 and 127.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 08, 2018, 10:40:53 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 08, 2018, 08:01:55 PM
I-88 was Illinois' answer to 65 mph speed limits on Interstates only back in 1995 (along with I-155 and I-72)

I-72 was always an interstate from Champaign to Quincy, IL and completed long before the NMSL changes.

I-155 was designed to interstate standards from the beginning and was never impacted by the speed limit changes. IDOT always knew they would apply for an interstate designation upon completion.

In fact IDOT applied for a I-37 designation and it was rejected .

The story of I-155 is a tortured one.  For years people wondered when the large flyover ramps on I-55 would be connected. It was the favorite hideout for IL state police running radar. All it took was 1 lawsuit which delayed the route by 10 years.

QuoteI-155 was built on the right-of-way of former IL 121. In the early 1960s, the department of transportation opened IL 98, an east—west, two-lane highway running west from downtown Morton to Pekin. Within a few years, the intersection of IL 98 and IL 121 would be known as the "Killer Corner," as traffic volumes increased between Springfield and Peoria on IL 121. Between when IL 98 was opened and when the corner was closed in 1989 for construction of a full interchange, 15 people were killed as a result of automobile accidents at the corner.[2] Led by key supporters–U.S. Representative Robert Michel, former Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) transportation engineer Jack Harland, and pro-freeway organization "Route 121 by '91" chairman Jim Unland–IDOT initiated plans to upgrade IL 121 to a four-lane freeway.[5] Near Hopedale, a short portion of IL 121 was reconstructed in the early 1970s to replace a bridge over the Mackinaw River. The interchange with I-55 was built, but barricaded to traffic.

In 1976, an injunction won by Peoria attorney Timothy Swain Sr. halted further construction on the highway for ten years.[1][5] The lawsuit was filed by Swain regarding the amount of right-of-way the freeway would consume on his 440-acre (178 ha) farm near Delavan. A U.S. District Court judge sided with IDOT on building the road, but the U.S. Seventh District Court of Appeals overturned the decision, forcing IDOT to rewrite its environmental impact statement regarding the Swain farm. In 1986 IDOT struck a deal with Swain, agreeing to reroute the road and take only 40 acres (16 ha) of land, ending the lawsuit and resuming construction activities.[5] A portion of the road from I-55 to Hartsburg opened on December 15, 1989, about seven miles (11 km) in length.[1] The freeway was opened in full on October 29, 1992, at a ceremony attended by Governor Jim Edgar.[2] The total cost of construction for I-155 was $130 million (equivalent to $205 million in 2016[6]).[1] Of this, $10 million was provided by federal funding (equivalent to $15.8 million in 2016[6]).[5]

Illinois initially applied for the new freeway to be designated Interstate 37, but on December 7, 1990, the request was deferred by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), pending approval by the Federal Highway Administration to add the freeway into the Interstate System. In addition, AASHTO suggested using a three-digit number when the application was resubmitted.[7] Later, the state submitted another application to AASHTO for the freeway to be named Interstate 155. On June 9, 1991, the AASHTO application was approved and granted when I-155 was completed.[8]
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 08, 2018, 10:45:31 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 08, 2018, 10:40:53 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 08, 2018, 08:01:55 PM
I-88 was Illinois' answer to 65 mph speed limits on Interstates only back in 1995 (along with I-155 and I-72)

I-72 was always an interstate from Champaign to Quincy, IL and completed long before the NMSL changes.

The freeway between Springfield and Quincy was signed as US 36 and IL 336 prior to having I-72 extended west and I-172 designated.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 15, 2018, 09:32:11 AM
The Toll Bridge over the Des Plaines river at Houbolt / Hollywood Rd. near Joliet is going to happen, as well asa DDI at Houbolt / Hollywood and I- 80, with an expected completion date of 2021.  Centerpoint properties is going to pick up the tab for the toll bridge.

https://www.wjol.com/two-projects-unveiled-to-relieve-truck-traffic-around-centerpoint-in-joliet/

Unless truck traffic is forced to use the toll bridge, I don't see it being heavily used.  25 years ago, the Illiana should have been built along the Laraway Rd. corridor.  This would have solved most of the area's traffic problems.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 15, 2018, 04:02:55 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 15, 2018, 09:32:11 AM
The Toll Bridge over the Des Plaines river at Houbolt / Hollywood Rd. near Joliet is going to happen, as well asa DDI at Houbolt / Hollywood and I- 80, with an expected completion date of 2021.  Centerpoint properties is going to pick up the tab for the toll bridge.

https://www.wjol.com/two-projects-unveiled-to-relieve-truck-traffic-around-centerpoint-in-joliet/

Unless truck traffic is forced to use the toll bridge, I don't see it being heavily used.  25 years ago, the Illiana should have been built along the Laraway Rd. corridor.  This would have solved most of the area's traffic problems.

will the IL tollway run it? or some 3rd party and if it's an 3rd party will they be forced to use I-pass?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 15, 2018, 04:19:40 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on August 15, 2018, 04:02:55 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 15, 2018, 09:32:11 AM
The Toll Bridge over the Des Plaines river at Houbolt / Hollywood Rd. near Joliet is going to happen, as well asa DDI at Houbolt / Hollywood and I- 80, with an expected completion date of 2021.  Centerpoint properties is going to pick up the tab for the toll bridge.

https://www.wjol.com/two-projects-unveiled-to-relieve-truck-traffic-around-centerpoint-in-joliet/

Unless truck traffic is forced to use the toll bridge, I don't see it being heavily used.  25 years ago, the Illiana should have been built along the Laraway Rd. corridor.  This would have solved most of the area's traffic problems.



will the IL tollway run it? or some 3rd party and if it's an 3rd party will they be forced to use I-pass?

Centerpoint Logistics is going to run it, from what I understand.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on August 15, 2018, 09:17:32 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 15, 2018, 09:32:11 AM
The Toll Bridge over the Des Plaines river at Houbolt / Hollywood Rd. near Joliet is going to happen, as well asa DDI at Houbolt / Hollywood and I- 80, with an expected completion date of 2021.  Centerpoint properties is going to pick up the tab for the toll bridge.

https://www.wjol.com/two-projects-unveiled-to-relieve-truck-traffic-around-centerpoint-in-joliet/

Unless truck traffic is forced to use the toll bridge, I don't see it being heavily used.  25 years ago, the Illiana should have been built along the Laraway Rd. corridor.  This would have solved most of the area's traffic problems.
I realize it's not the point, but I've read articles in high school newspapers that were written better than this one.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 16, 2018, 12:08:18 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on August 15, 2018, 09:17:32 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 15, 2018, 09:32:11 AM
The Toll Bridge over the Des Plaines river at Houbolt / Hollywood Rd. near Joliet is going to happen, as well asa DDI at Houbolt / Hollywood and I- 80, with an expected completion date of 2021.  Centerpoint properties is going to pick up the tab for the toll bridge.

https://www.wjol.com/two-projects-unveiled-to-relieve-truck-traffic-around-centerpoint-in-joliet/

Unless truck traffic is forced to use the toll bridge, I don't see it being heavily used.  25 years ago, the Illiana should have been built along the Laraway Rd. corridor.  This would have solved most of the area's traffic problems.
I realize it's not the point, but I've read articles in high school newspapers that were written better than this one.

Seconded.

IL-53 from I-80 to Laraway is a troubled nightmare because of the insufficient design and because of the trucks destroying the stretch of road.  Truckers are going to use it.  In fact, road agencies may force them to.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 22, 2018, 12:42:21 PM
Looks like hopefully we're getting a resurfacing after all. Parts of the shoulder from Harlem Ave to the I-190 ramps are being torn up along the Kennedy (I-90). Please let it be the whole road, it's in dire need of a resurface from the JCT to the 190 split
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 22, 2018, 03:04:08 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 22, 2018, 12:42:21 PM
Looks like hopefully we're getting a resurfacing after all. Parts of the shoulder from Harlem Ave to the I-190 ramps are being torn up along the Kennedy (I-90). Please let it be the whole road, it's in dire need of a resurface from the JCT to the 190 split
so they starting the widening work on other side now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 23, 2018, 09:03:47 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on August 22, 2018, 03:04:08 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 22, 2018, 12:42:21 PM
Looks like hopefully we're getting a resurfacing after all. Parts of the shoulder from Harlem Ave to the I-190 ramps are being torn up along the Kennedy (I-90). Please let it be the whole road, it's in dire need of a resurface from the JCT to the 190 split
so they starting the widening work on other side now.

Possibly, the website is outdated on the project (says it still needs funding). But found some of the bigger points for westbound I-90:

Westbound I-90

Addition of an auxiliary lane between Canfield Road and Harlem Avenue
Construction of a new westbound Collector-Distributer (CD) roadway just west of Canfield Road that provides access to and from Cumberland Avenue and access to westbound I-190.
Ramp modifications at Cumberland Avenue, Canfield Road, and Harlem Avenue interchanges to tie into the widened mainline pavement.
Construction of six new retaining walls and repairs to five existing retaining walls.
Reconstruction of the existing retaining wall at the westbound Canfield Road exit ramp due to a realignment of the ramp.
Resurfacing of westbound mainline I-90 from I-190 to Harlem Avenue

Noise Wall Contract

Construction of eight noise walls between Cumberland Avenue and Harlem Avenue on both sides of I-90.
Resurfacing of frontage roads (Higgins Road from east of Cumberland Avenue to N. Oriole Avenue, and W. Bryn Mawr Avenue from N. Oriole Avenue to N. Harlem Avenue.)

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 23, 2018, 09:44:23 AM
Quote from: ET21 on August 23, 2018, 09:03:47 AM


Possibly, the website is outdated on the project

Every Illinois state website is outdated.  There's a lot of projects not mentioned on IDOT's website, and don't get me started on the IDNR list of park closures website.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 23, 2018, 04:15:40 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 23, 2018, 09:03:47 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on August 22, 2018, 03:04:08 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 22, 2018, 12:42:21 PM
Looks like hopefully we're getting a resurfacing after all. Parts of the shoulder from Harlem Ave to the I-190 ramps are being torn up along the Kennedy (I-90). Please let it be the whole road, it's in dire need of a resurface from the JCT to the 190 split
so they starting the widening work on other side now.

Possibly, the website is outdated on the project (says it still needs funding). But found some of the bigger points for westbound I-90:

Westbound I-90

Addition of an auxiliary lane between Canfield Road and Harlem Avenue
Construction of a new westbound Collector-Distributer (CD) roadway just west of Canfield Road that provides access to and from Cumberland Avenue and access to westbound I-190.
Ramp modifications at Cumberland Avenue, Canfield Road, and Harlem Avenue interchanges to tie into the widened mainline pavement.
Construction of six new retaining walls and repairs to five existing retaining walls.
Reconstruction of the existing retaining wall at the westbound Canfield Road exit ramp due to a realignment of the ramp.
Resurfacing of westbound mainline I-90 from I-190 to Harlem Avenue

Noise Wall Contract

Construction of eight noise walls between Cumberland Avenue and Harlem Avenue on both sides of I-90.
Resurfacing of frontage roads (Higgins Road from east of Cumberland Avenue to N. Oriole Avenue, and W. Bryn Mawr Avenue from N. Oriole Avenue to N. Harlem Avenue.)

IDOT has the most poorly updated website of any highway department. With that, this is all badly needed. The backups Outbound in that area have gotten to be ridiculous. This needs to be a top priority! The design is so dumb right now there!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 23, 2018, 10:16:17 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 23, 2018, 04:15:40 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 23, 2018, 09:03:47 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on August 22, 2018, 03:04:08 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 22, 2018, 12:42:21 PM
Looks like hopefully we're getting a resurfacing after all. Parts of the shoulder from Harlem Ave to the I-190 ramps are being torn up along the Kennedy (I-90). Please let it be the whole road, it's in dire need of a resurface from the JCT to the 190 split
so they starting the widening work on other side now.

Possibly, the website is outdated on the project (says it still needs funding). But found some of the bigger points for westbound I-90:

Westbound I-90

Addition of an auxiliary lane between Canfield Road and Harlem Avenue
Construction of a new westbound Collector-Distributer (CD) roadway just west of Canfield Road that provides access to and from Cumberland Avenue and access to westbound I-190.
Ramp modifications at Cumberland Avenue, Canfield Road, and Harlem Avenue interchanges to tie into the widened mainline pavement.
Construction of six new retaining walls and repairs to five existing retaining walls.
Reconstruction of the existing retaining wall at the westbound Canfield Road exit ramp due to a realignment of the ramp.
Resurfacing of westbound mainline I-90 from I-190 to Harlem Avenue

Noise Wall Contract

Construction of eight noise walls between Cumberland Avenue and Harlem Avenue on both sides of I-90.
Resurfacing of frontage roads (Higgins Road from east of Cumberland Avenue to N. Oriole Avenue, and W. Bryn Mawr Avenue from N. Oriole Avenue to N. Harlem Avenue.)

IDOT has the most poorly updated website of any highway department. With that, this is all badly needed. The backups Outbound in that area have gotten to be ridiculous. This needs to be a top priority! The design is so dumb right now there!

The IDOT website has been rated "structurally obsolete"   :-/

Really, you have to look at contract lettings and capital plans when they are released. Beyond that is a big "good luck".
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 23, 2018, 10:45:37 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 23, 2018, 10:16:17 PM
The IDOT website has been rated "structurally obsolete"   :-/


This might be my favorite comment I've ever read about anything!!  :bigass: :bigass: :bigass: :hyper:  :clap: :clap: :clap: :hyper: :hyper: :hyper: :thumbsup: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 24, 2018, 11:56:08 AM
All illinois state websites are structurally deficient. I'd argue the IDNR site is worse than the IDOT site.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on August 28, 2018, 06:35:27 PM
The speed limit on a stretch of I-74 in the Champaign-Urbana area will be lowered from 70 to 60 effective Friday.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Aug/I-74%20speed%20limit%20083118.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 28, 2018, 08:01:43 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on August 28, 2018, 06:35:27 PM
The speed limit on a stretch of I-74 in the Champaign-Urbana area will be lowered from 70 to 60 effective Friday.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Aug/I-74%20speed%20limit%20083118.pdf

You know what?  I'm oddly okay with this.  There's a high density of on- and off-ramps.  And they chose not to take it all the way east to the IL-130 exit, when they could have done so.  And locals will jump on the freeway for 2 miles just to get off two exits away--not the intended purpose of a freeway, but what can you do.  And you know that if someone uses a road for a short time, they don't bother accelerating to the proper speed.  I encountered that a lot during the 4 years I lived there. 

So given the weave issues owing to the high ramp density, and the local yokels going 50 because they decided to use the freeway for a whole minute and a half, I get it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:29:49 AM
Quote from: adt1982 on August 28, 2018, 06:35:27 PM
The speed limit on a stretch of I-74 in the Champaign-Urbana area will be lowered from 70 to 60 effective Friday.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Aug/I-74%20speed%20limit%20083118.pdf

Yet other states (cough)Michigan(cough) have 70 through similar areas with no real issues.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on August 29, 2018, 12:11:35 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

Lack of maintenance? Drove down to Springfield for the state fair a couple weeks back and I 55 was in adequate shape. The sections that weren't are scheduled to be worked on. Go to WIS, IN or MI if you want to see lack of maintenance. All 3 states have a higher percentage of roads that need repairs than IL.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 12:18:13 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on August 29, 2018, 12:11:35 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

Lack of maintenance? Drove down to Springfield for the state fair a couple weeks back and I 55 was in adequate shape. The sections that weren't are scheduled to be worked on. Go to WIS, IN or MI if you want to see lack of maintenance. All 3 states have a higher percentage of roads that need repairs than IL.

Adequate shape!?!  Somehow you missed the completely deteriorating pavement between Weber Road and I-80.  The bridges with holes in them south of there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 02:38:25 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on August 29, 2018, 12:11:35 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

Lack of maintenance? Drove down to Springfield for the state fair a couple weeks back and I 55 was in adequate shape. The sections that weren't are scheduled to be worked on. Go to WIS, IN or MI if you want to see lack of maintenance. All 3 states have a higher percentage of roads that need repairs than IL.

I drive I-55 between I-80 and Weber Rd. every day.  When they widened 55 through here 6-7 years ago, the pavement started sliding off the road within months of completion!  Now it's a patchwork of patches, potholes and patches that didn't take.  I've had to have several windshields repaired because of rocks flying loose on this stretch!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on August 29, 2018, 10:32:49 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 02:38:25 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on August 29, 2018, 12:11:35 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

Lack of maintenance? Drove down to Springfield for the state fair a couple weeks back and I 55 was in adequate shape. The sections that weren't are scheduled to be worked on. Go to WIS, IN or MI if you want to see lack of maintenance. All 3 states have a higher percentage of roads that need repairs than IL.

I drive I-55 between I-80 and Weber Rd. every day.  When they widened 55 through here 6-7 years ago, the pavement started sliding off the road within months of completion!  Now it's a patchwork of patches, potholes and patches that didn't take.  I've had to have several windshields repaired because of rocks flying loose on this stretch!

I did notice the patches that need to be redone but overall still a smooth ride. Drive US12 in Walworth County WI then tell me what lack of maintenance is. That road hadn't been touched at least since the early 00s.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on August 30, 2018, 07:41:13 PM
if you want to see what real lack of maintenance is, come down to Potholeville (Indianapolis), IN and drive anywhere. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 30, 2018, 11:07:50 PM
Apparently only one place on Earth can have potholes at a given time.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on August 30, 2018, 11:33:22 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

That'd be fine with me. IDOT has really become more and more of a joke, and the gap in quality between the ISTHA and IDOT is quite apparent now. I say let the Tollway take over the entire portion from I-355 to at least Minooka, though one could make an argument to let them have the portion that goes to Morris or even out to I-39. Honestly, all of I-80 through IL would benefit from a widening, but I'll stop that pipe dream!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 31, 2018, 08:54:11 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 30, 2018, 11:33:22 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

That'd be fine with me. IDOT has really become more and more of a joke, and the gap in quality between the ISTHA and IDOT is quite apparent now. I say let the Tollway take over the entire portion from I-355 to at least Minooka, though one could make an argument to let them have the portion that goes to Morris or even out to I-39. Honestly, all of I-80 through IL would benefit from a widening, but I'll stop that pipe dream!

For me, I could easily bypass the tolls from where I live (I have a feeling Pine Bluff / Lorenzo Rd. south of the Illinois river would see a huge increase in traffic.)  As much as I hate the idea, I don't see any other way this project could be funded.

And I too support 3 laning 80 from Indiana to Iowa
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on August 31, 2018, 03:51:39 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 23, 2018, 10:16:17 PM
The IDOT website has been rated "structurally obsolete"   :-/

They're trying to have the Tollway Authority take it over. :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 31, 2018, 11:27:08 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on August 31, 2018, 03:51:39 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 23, 2018, 10:16:17 PM
The IDOT website has been rated "structurally obsolete"   :-/

They're trying to have the Tollway Authority take it over. :-D

Does this mean the IDOT website will go behind a paywall?

I gotta pay to see what IDOT does? LOL.

:pan:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 04, 2018, 08:41:06 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 30, 2018, 11:07:50 PM
Apparently only one place on Earth can have potholes at a given time.

This isn't just potholes on I-55.  It's about the complet sham of a construction job in the first place, followed by lack of maintenance.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on September 04, 2018, 11:59:44 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 31, 2018, 08:54:11 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 30, 2018, 11:33:22 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

That'd be fine with me. IDOT has really become more and more of a joke, and the gap in quality between the ISTHA and IDOT is quite apparent now. I say let the Tollway take over the entire portion from I-355 to at least Minooka, though one could make an argument to let them have the portion that goes to Morris or even out to I-39. Honestly, all of I-80 through IL would benefit from a widening, but I'll stop that pipe dream!

For me, I could easily bypass the tolls from where I live (I have a feeling Pine Bluff / Lorenzo Rd. south of the Illinois river would see a huge increase in traffic.)  As much as I hate the idea, I don't see any other way this project could be funded.

And I too support 3 laning 80 from Indiana to Iowa
What about 3 laneing I-88 (at least the tolled parts)?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 05, 2018, 12:12:07 AM
3 Laning I-88? Maybe Sugar Grove to DeKalb, if not to I-39. All the way to Dixon would be overkill, I think...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 05, 2018, 09:48:18 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on September 04, 2018, 11:59:44 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 31, 2018, 08:54:11 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 30, 2018, 11:33:22 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

That'd be fine with me. IDOT has really become more and more of a joke, and the gap in quality between the ISTHA and IDOT is quite apparent now. I say let the Tollway take over the entire portion from I-355 to at least Minooka, though one could make an argument to let them have the portion that goes to Morris or even out to I-39. Honestly, all of I-80 through IL would benefit from a widening, but I'll stop that pipe dream!

For me, I could easily bypass the tolls from where I live (I have a feeling Pine Bluff / Lorenzo Rd. south of the Illinois river would see a huge increase in traffic.)  As much as I hate the idea, I don't see any other way this project could be funded.

And I too support 3 laning 80 from Indiana to Iowa
What about 3 laneing I-88 (at least the tolled parts)?

I-88 doesn't really need 3 lanes past the Sugar Grove exit. Traffic runs pretty smoothly and since I-90 was completed the traffic has actually dropped a bit. Now maybe they can 3 lane it to IL-47 when that becomes a full interchange but otherwise keep as is
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 05, 2018, 03:40:54 PM
I saw a VMS this morning that said something like "stop staring at your lap, put it down and drive."  It was really clever.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 05, 2018, 03:41:32 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on September 05, 2018, 03:40:54 PM
I saw a VMS this morning that said something like "stop staring at your lap, put it down and drive."  It was really clever.

I figured it had a different innuendo.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 05, 2018, 03:57:28 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 05, 2018, 09:48:18 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on September 04, 2018, 11:59:44 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 31, 2018, 08:54:11 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 30, 2018, 11:33:22 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

That'd be fine with me. IDOT has really become more and more of a joke, and the gap in quality between the ISTHA and IDOT is quite apparent now. I say let the Tollway take over the entire portion from I-355 to at least Minooka, though one could make an argument to let them have the portion that goes to Morris or even out to I-39. Honestly, all of I-80 through IL would benefit from a widening, but I'll stop that pipe dream!

For me, I could easily bypass the tolls from where I live (I have a feeling Pine Bluff / Lorenzo Rd. south of the Illinois river would see a huge increase in traffic.)  As much as I hate the idea, I don't see any other way this project could be funded.

And I too support 3 laning 80 from Indiana to Iowa
What about 3 laneing I-88 (at least the tolled parts)?

I-88 doesn't really need 3 lanes past the Sugar Grove exit. Traffic runs pretty smoothly and since I-90 was completed the traffic has actually dropped a bit. Now maybe they can 3 lane it to IL-47 when that becomes a full interchange but otherwise keep as is

Honestly, past IL 47 would be overkill at this point, maybe to DeKalb or I-39 possibly, but West of I-39 has quite low traffic relatively speaking. Though the tollway has the resources to if they ever needed, I can think of much higher priorities on existing facilities, including 4 laning I-88 to Aurora and 4 laning I-355 North of Roosevelt once the portion South of there has been done (of course, this would require IDOT coordination North of Army Trail Road, so good luck!). Plus, cross country traffic and trucks looking to bypass Chicago would find it out of the way. Again, if the Tollway were to assume control of parts of I-80 ever, then you can rest assured they would immediately reconstruct and widen it, with it all being very justified.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 05, 2018, 04:19:54 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 05, 2018, 03:41:32 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on September 05, 2018, 03:40:54 PM
I saw a VMS this morning that said something like "stop staring at your lap, put it down and drive."  It was really clever.

I figured it had a different innuendo.
You're right, it was "stop smiling,"  not "staring."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 07, 2018, 12:37:53 AM
I saw it again and wrote it down.

QUIT SMILING
AT YOUR LAP
DROP IT AND DRIVE
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 07, 2018, 07:06:47 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on September 07, 2018, 12:37:53 AM
I saw it again and wrote it down.

QUIT SMILING
AT YOUR LAP
DROP IT AND DRIVE

It's begging for a hack that adds...

IT'S NOT AS BIG
AS YOU THINK IT IS
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 07, 2018, 10:48:54 AM
Quote from: Brandon on September 07, 2018, 07:06:47 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on September 07, 2018, 12:37:53 AM
I saw it again and wrote it down.

QUIT SMILING
AT YOUR LAP
DROP IT AND DRIVE

It's begging for a hack that adds...

IT'S NOT AS BIG
AS YOU THINK IT IS

^That is hilarious  :rofl:

And we really do need signs like this because last night I watched an oblivious woman almost run through a red light on US34 in Oswego.  Her car didn't come to a complete stop until she was right smack in the middle of the intersection.  PAY ATTENTION, PEOPLE
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 09, 2018, 06:38:35 PM
The Travel Midwest site added a lot of arterial with no explanation. Before it just had Chicago from Bus speeds.Anyone know about it?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 09, 2018, 07:41:42 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 05, 2018, 03:57:28 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 05, 2018, 09:48:18 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on September 04, 2018, 11:59:44 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 31, 2018, 08:54:11 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 30, 2018, 11:33:22 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 29, 2018, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on August 29, 2018, 08:50:07 AM
There's talk of turning I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox into a tollway to fund the Will-80 widening project.

http://www.wcsjnews.com/news/local/interstate-near-minooka-could-become-tollway/article_85244a9e-ab82-11e8-94a5-83104e0797b4.html

OK, if it needs to be done, then it should be done.  At least it'll be out of IDOT's hands and their lack of maintenance.

That'd be fine with me. IDOT has really become more and more of a joke, and the gap in quality between the ISTHA and IDOT is quite apparent now. I say let the Tollway take over the entire portion from I-355 to at least Minooka, though one could make an argument to let them have the portion that goes to Morris or even out to I-39. Honestly, all of I-80 through IL would benefit from a widening, but I'll stop that pipe dream!

For me, I could easily bypass the tolls from where I live (I have a feeling Pine Bluff / Lorenzo Rd. south of the Illinois river would see a huge increase in traffic.)  As much as I hate the idea, I don't see any other way this project could be funded.

And I too support 3 laning 80 from Indiana to Iowa
What about 3 laneing I-88 (at least the tolled parts)?

I-88 doesn't really need 3 lanes past the Sugar Grove exit. Traffic runs pretty smoothly and since I-90 was completed the traffic has actually dropped a bit. Now maybe they can 3 lane it to IL-47 when that becomes a full interchange but otherwise keep as is

Honestly, past IL 47 would be overkill at this point, maybe to DeKalb or I-39 possibly, but West of I-39 has quite low traffic relatively speaking. Though the tollway has the resources to if they ever needed, I can think of much higher priorities on existing facilities, including 4 laning I-88 to Aurora and 4 laning I-355 North of Roosevelt once the portion South of there has been done (of course, this would require IDOT coordination North of Army Trail Road, so good luck!). Plus, cross country traffic and trucks looking to bypass Chicago would find it out of the way. Again, if the Tollway were to assume control of parts of I-80 ever, then you can rest assured they would immediately reconstruct and widen it, with it all being very justified.

I-88 traffic volumes between Rochelle and Sterling are very low.  There are a few people who commute from Sterling to the Deere plant in Moline and a few Deere suppliers. The rest is pass through.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 12, 2018, 09:38:38 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on September 07, 2018, 12:37:53 AM
I saw it again and wrote it down.

QUIT SMILING
AT YOUR LAP
DROP IT AND DRIVE

Saw this in person yesterday on a VMS along I-55 northbound, between the Des Plaines River bridge and I-80.

Also, traffic on I-80 eastbound in Joliet is becoming jammed more and more commonly.  What gives?  I wish the Illiana was a thing.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 12, 2018, 04:54:13 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 12, 2018, 09:38:38 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on September 07, 2018, 12:37:53 AM
I saw it again and wrote it down.

QUIT SMILING
AT YOUR LAP
DROP IT AND DRIVE

Saw this in person yesterday on a VMS along I-55 northbound, between the Des Plaines River bridge and I-80.

Also, traffic on I-80 eastbound in Joliet is becoming jammed more and more commonly.  What gives?  I wish the Illiana was a thing.

Just curious, what kind of traffic do you think the Illiana would redirect from I-80?

If it is Quad Cities to Indy traffic, they already have I-74.

If is is transcon traffic, the Illiana would add time and miles to the trip and would relieve only if a accident on I-80 occurs.

Coming north and using the Illiana, will get you around to & from the west suburbs faster from NW Indiana.

I was for the Illiana, as I used to use the country roads west from Indiana to Peotone over to I-55, so I get that. But how do you think I-80 will benefit today?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 12, 2018, 05:50:59 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 12, 2018, 04:54:13 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 12, 2018, 09:38:38 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on September 07, 2018, 12:37:53 AM
I saw it again and wrote it down.

QUIT SMILING
AT YOUR LAP
DROP IT AND DRIVE

Saw this in person yesterday on a VMS along I-55 northbound, between the Des Plaines River bridge and I-80.

Also, traffic on I-80 eastbound in Joliet is becoming jammed more and more commonly.  What gives?  I wish the Illiana was a thing.

Just curious, what kind of traffic do you think the Illiana would redirect from I-80?

If it is Quad Cities to Indy traffic, they already have I-74.

If is is transcon traffic, the Illiana would add time and miles to the trip and would relieve only if a accident on I-80 occurs.

Coming north and using the Illiana, will get you around to & from the west suburbs faster from NW Indiana.

I was for the Illiana, as I used to use the country roads west from Indiana to Peotone over to I-55, so I get that. But how do you think I-80 will benefit today?

Given that the Illiana would be near the two very large intermodal yards, I suspect it would siphon off truck traffic headed to I-57, I-65, and even east on I-80/90 and I-94.  That truck traffic currently heads up I-55 and IL-53 to I-80.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 12, 2018, 09:56:41 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 12, 2018, 04:54:13 PM
If is is transcon traffic, the Illiana would add time and miles to the trip and would relieve only if a accident on I-80 occurs.

Considering EB I-80/I-94 was backing up onto I-294 a few weekends ago without any incidents . . .

The Illiana would also make it easier to access the US 41 corridor in Indiana, fixing either the slog up to I-80/I-94, or the maze of backroads to get over to I-57 or IL 394.

Quote from: edwaleni on September 12, 2018, 04:54:13 PMI was for the Illiana, as I used to use the country roads west from Indiana to Peotone over to I-55, so I get that. But how do you think I-80 will benefit today?

The Illiana really should be brought back to life to have as a backup in case I-80/I-294 or I-80/I-94 has a major incident (truck fire damages a bridge; a repeat of the Joliet Road quarry incident) that closes the corridor for days.  It would also be an alternative for any long-term lane closures when I-80 is eventually rebuilt.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 13, 2018, 12:36:45 AM
Quote from: Brandon on September 12, 2018, 05:50:59 PM
Given that the Illiana would be near the two very large intermodal yards, I suspect it would siphon off truck traffic headed to I-57, I-65, and even east on I-80/90 and I-94.  That truck traffic currently heads up I-55 and IL-53 to I-80.

You guys would be amazed at the volume of trucks that clog up I-80 and I-55 to reach the intermodal freight facilities.  Giving them a new way to go would make a big difference.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 13, 2018, 08:53:37 AM
The Illiana should have been built 30 years ago along the Laraway Rd. corridor.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mvak36 on September 13, 2018, 10:14:01 AM
IMO, they should just let ISTHA build and maintain that road.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 13, 2018, 10:39:45 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on September 13, 2018, 08:53:37 AM
The Illiana should have been built 30 years ago along the Laraway Rd. corridor.

Typical IDOT, always 20-30 behind the curve.

Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 13, 2018, 12:36:45 AM
Quote from: Brandon on September 12, 2018, 05:50:59 PM
Given that the Illiana would be near the two very large intermodal yards, I suspect it would siphon off truck traffic headed to I-57, I-65, and even east on I-80/90 and I-94.  That truck traffic currently heads up I-55 and IL-53 to I-80.

You guys would be amazed at the volume of trucks that clog up I-80 and I-55 to reach the intermodal freight facilities.  Giving them a new way to go would make a big difference.

IDOT was told, by the City of Joliet, the Village of Elwood, and Will County, back when these intermodal yards were in the planning stages, that I-80 and other routes in the region would need much more capacity.  IDOT, to their lack of credit, blew them off.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 18, 2018, 07:38:03 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 13, 2018, 10:39:45 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on September 13, 2018, 08:53:37 AM
The Illiana should have been built 30 years ago along the Laraway Rd. corridor.

Typical IDOT, always 20-30 behind the curve.

Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 13, 2018, 12:36:45 AM
Quote from: Brandon on September 12, 2018, 05:50:59 PM
Given that the Illiana would be near the two very large intermodal yards, I suspect it would siphon off truck traffic headed to I-57, I-65, and even east on I-80/90 and I-94.  That truck traffic currently heads up I-55 and IL-53 to I-80.

You guys would be amazed at the volume of trucks that clog up I-80 and I-55 to reach the intermodal freight facilities.  Giving them a new way to go would make a big difference.

IDOT was told, by the City of Joliet, the Village of Elwood, and Will County, back when these intermodal yards were in the planning stages, that I-80 and other routes in the region would need much more capacity.  IDOT, to their lack of credit, blew them off.

I think we need to see exactly who those intermodal yards are serving.  Is it truly distribution traffic going in all directions, or simply truck offload to a warehouse in Chicago or area?

If it merely servers greater Chicago, how would the Illiana help that, being mostly an east/west route? 

I would wholeheartedly agree if a majority of that intermodal to truck is going east into Indiana, Ohio or Michigan, then yes, an Illiana would make total sense.

That now defunct railroad proposal was to get intermodal transferred out of the Class 1's and into a more local provider where it could be switched to truck further away from the logistics center and closer to its destination regionally.  Unfortunately they had to admit they only $37 in the bank and it died.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: johndoe780 on September 19, 2018, 09:04:35 AM
Looks like IDOT added led lighting along 59 from 88 to Aurora Rd. Why couldn't they do that in the first place last year or so?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 19, 2018, 09:18:58 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on September 19, 2018, 09:04:35 AM
Looks like IDOT added led lighting along 59 from 88 to Aurora Rd. Why couldn't they do that in the first place last year or so?

IDOT or the City of Naperville?  Oftentimes, the municipality is the one that maintains the lighting along the state route.  It's why Larkin Avenue (IL-7) and IL-59 through Joliet have LEDs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 19, 2018, 09:18:58 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on September 19, 2018, 09:04:35 AM
Looks like IDOT added led lighting along 59 from 88 to Aurora Rd. Why couldn't they do that in the first place last year or so?

IDOT or the City of Naperville?  Oftentimes, the municipality is the one that maintains the lighting along the state route.  It's why Larkin Avenue (IL-7) and IL-59 through Joliet have LEDs.

I guarantee it's the City of Naperville. IDOT has this aversion to LED lighting for the most part. Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes. It's actually quite embarrassing for IDOT, truly. Also, don't even get me started at Tollway/IDOT interchanges such as I-290 and IL 390.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 20, 2018, 12:00:25 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 19, 2018, 09:18:58 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on September 19, 2018, 09:04:35 AM
Looks like IDOT added led lighting along 59 from 88 to Aurora Rd. Why couldn't they do that in the first place last year or so?

IDOT or the City of Naperville?  Oftentimes, the municipality is the one that maintains the lighting along the state route.  It's why Larkin Avenue (IL-7) and IL-59 through Joliet have LEDs.

I guarantee it's the City of Naperville. IDOT has this aversion to LED lighting for the most part. Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes. It's actually quite embarrassing for IDOT, truly. Also, don't even get me started at Tollway/IDOT interchanges such as I-290 and IL 390.
Down at the Southern end of the state, pretty sure City of Carbondale installed LED lighting along US 51 in downtown Carbondale...not IDOT, but not 100% sure. It really does look nicer and shines brighter
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 20, 2018, 09:15:43 PM
As far as road lighting, its all about the money.

IDOT does not have a program to replace the sodium vapor fixtures throughout the state, even though it is well documented that they are poor light sources and very inefficient compared to LED's.

It will not be cheap either. Those sodium vapor lamps all require an inductive ballast, which will have to be removed as part of any replacement program.

However, hope is around the corner.  Check the bids for the new 490 O'Hare bypass and I believe the fixtures are all slated to be LED, not sodium vapor.

The changeover is noticeable, even from space.  The ISS crews have noticed where large cities are changing out their legacy fixtures to LED's.

The cynical in me would like to think that the largest supplier of sodium vapor fixtures has someone in their hip pocket to maintain their lucrative replacement bulb business a little bit longer.

I can see that lobbyist in Springfield working that one.

With Illinois so broke right now and their politics completely broken, if someone came in and said they could spend $30 million to save $50 million on their $100 million power bill, they would probably vote it down because the lobbyist didn't pad the right pocket and then blame on it on the utilities because it threatened their lucrative power supply agreements. This is how Illinois "works".
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 20, 2018, 10:18:56 PM
^^ The reason I-490 will have LEDs is because it will be built by ISTHA, not IDOT.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on September 20, 2018, 10:47:23 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on September 20, 2018, 12:00:25 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 19, 2018, 09:18:58 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on September 19, 2018, 09:04:35 AM
Looks like IDOT added led lighting along 59 from 88 to Aurora Rd. Why couldn't they do that in the first place last year or so?

IDOT or the City of Naperville?  Oftentimes, the municipality is the one that maintains the lighting along the state route.  It's why Larkin Avenue (IL-7) and IL-59 through Joliet have LEDs.

I guarantee it's the City of Naperville. IDOT has this aversion to LED lighting for the most part. Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes. It's actually quite embarrassing for IDOT, truly. Also, don't even get me started at Tollway/IDOT interchanges such as I-290 and IL 390.
Down at the Southern end of the state, pretty sure City of Carbondale installed LED lighting along US 51 in downtown Carbondale...not IDOT, but not 100% sure. It really does look nicer and shines brighter

Or how about the lights along the I-90 Cumberland Project?? Did the city of Chicago or CDOT told them to add LED lighting along that stretch??
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 21, 2018, 08:50:51 AM
^ Speaking of the Cumberland flyover, it opened for Thursday's morning commute. Still have cleanup work to do and they've started on the westbound Kennedy lanes

Back to LED lighting talks
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 21, 2018, 09:18:21 AM
Quote from: ET21 on September 21, 2018, 08:50:51 AM
^ Speaking of the Cumberland flyover, it opened for Thursday's morning commute. Still have cleanup work to do and they've started on the westbound Kennedy lanes

Back to LED lighting talks
Awesome, I'm sure I'll get to experience it for myself when I'm driving for Uber this weekend, since all roads lead to (and from) O'Hare
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 21, 2018, 10:42:35 AM
https://patch.com/illinois/plainfield/20-million-grant-fund-plainfields-143rd-street-extension

I have long lamented that there is no crossing of I-55 between Weber Road and Airport Road.  A large chunk of funding has been allocated for a connection of 143rd and Taylor Roads across I-55, a link we have needed for a very long time.  My girlfriend has friends who live along Taylor Road just east of I-55, and they are basically trapped from accessing any points to the north and west in any kind of efficient manner.  And with the major construction mess starting at the Weber/I-55 interchange next month, there's really going to be no good transportation options for people in that area in the coming two years.  Expect a big increase in traffic across the Airport Rd, Veterans Pkwy, and Renwick Rd crossings over I-55 in the coming couple years.

According to sources like the link posted above, the plan is to reroute IL-126 east along the 143rd corridor to a new interchange at I-55 (I would have to assume this is a full interchange given the 8-digit price tag).  Hooray!  This area could really use the interchange, the crossing of I-55, and the upgrade to IL-126's access, up to a full set of ramps.

Something doesn't seem right, though--this money is derived from the IDOT Competitive Freight Program.  This money is being funneled toward the 143rd St/IL-126 interchange and the I-80/US30 interchange.  I'm going to need someone to explain the connection between these two projects and the need to enhance freight transportation in Will County?  Especially when we have much bigger fish to fry with respect to giving trucks easier access to the two intermodal freight facilities.  How can Will County tout the title of "largest inland port," then divert all their freight infrastructure enhancement funds toward projects that have nothing to do with the port, especially when the infrastructure around the port is in dire need of improvement?  I know the county itself is working on securing some grants of their own...Is IDOT reliant on Will County securing their own bundle of funds to throw at the intermodal situation?  And if so, is that right to rely on county-level officials to seek support for projects that would indubitably have a statewide and even nationwide impact?

Things that would make more sense for freight transportation funding:  Repairing IL-53 from Laraway to I-80, bridge over the Des Plaines at Houbolt, the snubbed Illiana Expy

Quote
$20 million is included in a total of $54 million in funding for Will County projects from the IDOT Competitive Freight Program. Another $34 million will go to the reconstruction of the Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 30 interchange, expected to cost a total of $43 million. In a press release, Walsh said the interchange "has been noted for its history of large bottlenecks and safety concerns."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 21, 2018, 11:35:11 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on September 21, 2018, 09:18:21 AM
Quote from: ET21 on September 21, 2018, 08:50:51 AM
^ Speaking of the Cumberland flyover, it opened for Thursday's morning commute. Still have cleanup work to do and they've started on the westbound Kennedy lanes

Back to LED lighting talks
Awesome, I'm sure I'll get to experience it for myself when I'm driving for Uber this weekend, since all roads lead to (and from) O'Hare

Welp... portions are opened, rest will open by Thursday 9/27
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180920/new-cumberland-avenue-flyover-ramp-set-to-open-thursday (https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180920/new-cumberland-avenue-flyover-ramp-set-to-open-thursday)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 23, 2018, 10:52:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes.

I think the lighting on IL 58 and IL 72 is actually Schaumburg's, and they haven't gotten around to changing it over to LED's yet.

And if IDOT was completely against LED lighting, they would not have updated one of their manuals to favor LED's over HPS (Memo regarding the BDE manual update). (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Highways/Design-&-Environment/BDE-Memos/Inactive/PM%2018-01%20BDE%20Manual%20Revision%20-%20Chapter%2056.pdf)

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 24, 2018, 09:26:16 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 23, 2018, 10:52:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes.

I think the lighting on IL 58 and IL 72 is actually Schaumburg's, and they haven't gotten around to changing it over to LED's yet.

And if IDOT was completely against LED lighting, they would not have updated one of their manuals to favor LED's over HPS (Memo regarding the BDE manual update). (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Highways/Design-&-Environment/BDE-Memos/Inactive/PM%2018-01%20BDE%20Manual%20Revision%20-%20Chapter%2056.pdf)

They probably aren't against it; they're just behind the times, like they are with anything.  The intent to transition is there; the actions to change the street lamps just have yet to take place.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 24, 2018, 12:54:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 24, 2018, 09:26:16 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 23, 2018, 10:52:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes.

I think the lighting on IL 58 and IL 72 is actually Schaumburg's, and they haven't gotten around to changing it over to LED's yet.

And if IDOT was completely against LED lighting, they would not have updated one of their manuals to favor LED's over HPS (Memo regarding the BDE manual update). (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Highways/Design-&-Environment/BDE-Memos/Inactive/PM%2018-01%20BDE%20Manual%20Revision%20-%20Chapter%2056.pdf)

They probably aren't against it; they're just behind the times, like they are with anything.  The intent to transition is there; the actions to change the street lamps just have yet to take place.

There is an incentive for IDOT to wait to replace the sodium vapor fixtures.

Several years ago many local municipalities were hearing about the annual savings of switching to LEDs.

But the cost was way more than any of them could afford and consultants were telling them to wait.

As expected LED replacement costs have come down nearly 40% making those who waited reap a bigger deal.

So while IDOT is behind the curve, it is to their benefit to wait as prices continue to decline.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 24, 2018, 01:25:34 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 24, 2018, 12:54:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 24, 2018, 09:26:16 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 23, 2018, 10:52:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes.

I think the lighting on IL 58 and IL 72 is actually Schaumburg's, and they haven't gotten around to changing it over to LED's yet.

And if IDOT was completely against LED lighting, they would not have updated one of their manuals to favor LED's over HPS (Memo regarding the BDE manual update). (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Highways/Design-&-Environment/BDE-Memos/Inactive/PM%2018-01%20BDE%20Manual%20Revision%20-%20Chapter%2056.pdf)

They probably aren't against it; they're just behind the times, like they are with anything.  The intent to transition is there; the actions to change the street lamps just have yet to take place.

There is an incentive for IDOT to wait to replace the sodium vapor fixtures.

Several years ago many local municipalities were hearing about the annual savings of switching to LEDs.

But the cost was way more than any of them could afford and consultants were telling them to wait.

As expected LED replacement costs have come down nearly 40% making those who waited reap a bigger deal.

So while IDOT is behind the curve, it is to their benefit to wait as prices continue to decline.

Given that it's IDOT, they'll wait 20-30 years before actually doing anything and buy equipment that's 10 years out of date.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 24, 2018, 02:04:44 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 24, 2018, 01:25:34 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 24, 2018, 12:54:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 24, 2018, 09:26:16 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 23, 2018, 10:52:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes.

I think the lighting on IL 58 and IL 72 is actually Schaumburg's, and they haven't gotten around to changing it over to LED's yet.

And if IDOT was completely against LED lighting, they would not have updated one of their manuals to favor LED's over HPS (Memo regarding the BDE manual update). (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Highways/Design-&-Environment/BDE-Memos/Inactive/PM%2018-01%20BDE%20Manual%20Revision%20-%20Chapter%2056.pdf)

They probably aren't against it; they're just behind the times, like they are with anything.  The intent to transition is there; the actions to change the street lamps just have yet to take place.

There is an incentive for IDOT to wait to replace the sodium vapor fixtures.

Several years ago many local municipalities were hearing about the annual savings of switching to LEDs.

But the cost was way more than any of them could afford and consultants were telling them to wait.

As expected LED replacement costs have come down nearly 40% making those who waited reap a bigger deal.

So while IDOT is behind the curve, it is to their benefit to wait as prices continue to decline.

Given that it's IDOT, they'll wait 20-30 years before actually doing anything and buy equipment that's 10 years out of date.

You are much too optimistic.

IDOT will let the contracts and then they will get sued by some group trying to save Bartletts Blind Bat because the LED's interfere with their mating rituals that occur 3 days out of the year.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 27, 2018, 09:26:33 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 21, 2018, 10:42:35 AM
https://patch.com/illinois/plainfield/20-million-grant-fund-plainfields-143rd-street-extension

I have long lamented that there is no crossing of I-55 between Weber Road and Airport Road.  A large chunk of funding has been allocated for a connection of 143rd and Taylor Roads across I-55, a link we have needed for a very long time.  My girlfriend has friends who live along Taylor Road just east of I-55, and they are basically trapped from accessing any points to the north and west in any kind of efficient manner.  And with the major construction mess starting at the Weber/I-55 interchange next month, there's really going to be no good transportation options for people in that area in the coming two years.  Expect a big increase in traffic across the Airport Rd, Veterans Pkwy, and Renwick Rd crossings over I-55 in the coming couple years.

According to sources like the link posted above, the plan is to reroute IL-126 east along the 143rd corridor to a new interchange at I-55 (I would have to assume this is a full interchange given the 8-digit price tag).  Hooray!  This area could really use the interchange, the crossing of I-55, and the upgrade to IL-126's access, up to a full set of ramps.

Something doesn't seem right, though--this money is derived from the IDOT Competitive Freight Program.  This money is being funneled toward the 143rd St/IL-126 interchange and the I-80/US30 interchange.  I'm going to need someone to explain the connection between these two projects and the need to enhance freight transportation in Will County?  Especially when we have much bigger fish to fry with respect to giving trucks easier access to the two intermodal freight facilities.  How can Will County tout the title of "largest inland port," then divert all their freight infrastructure enhancement funds toward projects that have nothing to do with the port, especially when the infrastructure around the port is in dire need of improvement?  I know the county itself is working on securing some grants of their own...Is IDOT reliant on Will County securing their own bundle of funds to throw at the intermodal situation?  And if so, is that right to rely on county-level officials to seek support for projects that would indubitably have a statewide and even nationwide impact?

Things that would make more sense for freight transportation funding:  Repairing IL-53 from Laraway to I-80, bridge over the Des Plaines at Houbolt, the snubbed Illiana Expy

Quote
$20 million is included in a total of $54 million in funding for Will County projects from the IDOT Competitive Freight Program. Another $34 million will go to the reconstruction of the Interstate 80 and U.S. Route 30 interchange, expected to cost a total of $43 million. In a press release, Walsh said the interchange "has been noted for its history of large bottlenecks and safety concerns."

Here's the project page.  the 143rd street option makes the most sense to me, then they could extend the route to Weber Rd.

http://www.airportand126study.org/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 28, 2018, 11:26:59 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 24, 2018, 02:04:44 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 24, 2018, 01:25:34 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 24, 2018, 12:54:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 24, 2018, 09:26:16 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 23, 2018, 10:52:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes.

I think the lighting on IL 58 and IL 72 is actually Schaumburg's, and they haven't gotten around to changing it over to LED's yet.

And if IDOT was completely against LED lighting, they would not have updated one of their manuals to favor LED's over HPS (Memo regarding the BDE manual update). (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Highways/Design-&-Environment/BDE-Memos/Inactive/PM%2018-01%20BDE%20Manual%20Revision%20-%20Chapter%2056.pdf)

They probably aren't against it; they're just behind the times, like they are with anything.  The intent to transition is there; the actions to change the street lamps just have yet to take place.

There is an incentive for IDOT to wait to replace the sodium vapor fixtures.

Several years ago many local municipalities were hearing about the annual savings of switching to LEDs.

But the cost was way more than any of them could afford and consultants were telling them to wait.

As expected LED replacement costs have come down nearly 40% making those who waited reap a bigger deal.

So while IDOT is behind the curve, it is to their benefit to wait as prices continue to decline.

Given that it's IDOT, they'll wait 20-30 years before actually doing anything and buy equipment that's 10 years out of date.

You are much too optimistic.

IDOT will let the contracts and then they will get sued by some group trying to save Bartletts Blind Bat because the LED's interfere with their mating rituals that occur 3 days out of the year.

I just would like someone to explain why IDOT continues to put in new installations with sodium vapor to this day then. If I saw that new installations were being put in with LEDs, then OK. Again, I go back to the example at the I-290 IL-390 interchange. The Tollway... All LED, IDOT... sodium vapor (not to mention IDOT can't even use light pole styles that at least somewhat match the tollway's anymore, but that's a whole other discussion). Another example of this, Elmhurst Road interchange at I-90. I just find it too much of a coincidence that it is only the IDOT roadways in Schaumburg (and elsewhere) that continue to have the sodium vapor. That's great its in a manual, but when it starkly contrasts with the tollway's installation at a reconstruction, then I just have to question... why not use LED lighting there. IDOT always claims a money shortage, but if it'll save them money in the long run with LED lights, then start putting them in on new installations at least!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 05, 2018, 02:27:27 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 28, 2018, 11:26:59 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 24, 2018, 02:04:44 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 24, 2018, 01:25:34 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on September 24, 2018, 12:54:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 24, 2018, 09:26:16 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 23, 2018, 10:52:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 19, 2018, 11:31:13 PM
Just look at IDOT highways through the City of Schaumburg now. Every other roadway has LED lighting except for IDOTs main routes.

I think the lighting on IL 58 and IL 72 is actually Schaumburg's, and they haven't gotten around to changing it over to LED's yet.

And if IDOT was completely against LED lighting, they would not have updated one of their manuals to favor LED's over HPS (Memo regarding the BDE manual update). (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Memorandums-&-Letters/Highways/Design-&-Environment/BDE-Memos/Inactive/PM%2018-01%20BDE%20Manual%20Revision%20-%20Chapter%2056.pdf)

They probably aren't against it; they're just behind the times, like they are with anything.  The intent to transition is there; the actions to change the street lamps just have yet to take place.

There is an incentive for IDOT to wait to replace the sodium vapor fixtures.

Several years ago many local municipalities were hearing about the annual savings of switching to LEDs.

But the cost was way more than any of them could afford and consultants were telling them to wait.

As expected LED replacement costs have come down nearly 40% making those who waited reap a bigger deal.

So while IDOT is behind the curve, it is to their benefit to wait as prices continue to decline.

Given that it's IDOT, they'll wait 20-30 years before actually doing anything and buy equipment that's 10 years out of date.

You are much too optimistic.

IDOT will let the contracts and then they will get sued by some group trying to save Bartletts Blind Bat because the LED's interfere with their mating rituals that occur 3 days out of the year.

I just would like someone to explain why IDOT continues to put in new installations with sodium vapor to this day then. If I saw that new installations were being put in with LEDs, then OK. Again, I go back to the example at the I-290 IL-390 interchange. The Tollway... All LED, IDOT... sodium vapor (not to mention IDOT can't even use light pole styles that at least somewhat match the tollway's anymore, but that's a whole other discussion). Another example of this, Elmhurst Road interchange at I-90. I just find it too much of a coincidence that it is only the IDOT roadways in Schaumburg (and elsewhere) that continue to have the sodium vapor. That's great its in a manual, but when it starkly contrasts with the tollway's installation at a reconstruction, then I just have to question... why not use LED lighting there. IDOT always claims a money shortage, but if it'll save them money in the long run with LED lights, then start putting them in on new installations at least!

As for IDOT and road LED's, I went to the source and here is the reply.

Dear Mr. -------

Thank you for your webmail concerning replacement of sodium vapor lights with LED modules.  IDOT is very interested in cost savings achievable with LED highway lighting.  Research with the manufacturers of these modules is currently in progress, as there are some technical hurdles to overcome before widespread implementation of LED technology for overhead lighting.  Technical problems include ensuring lighting meets standards for coverage and glare, longevity of the modules, total life cycle cost is an improvement over the old technology, and problems with the electronics that drive the LED modules.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact me at Marshall.Metcalf@Illinois.gov or 217-782-3450.

Marshall R. Metcalf, P.E.

Project Implementation Unit Chief

Bureau of Operations

2300 South Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL  62764
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 05, 2018, 02:37:25 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 05, 2018, 02:27:27 PM
As for IDOT and road LED's, I went to the source and here is the reply.

Dear Mr. -------

Thank you for your webmail concerning replacement of sodium vapor lights with LED modules.  IDOT is very interested in cost savings achievable with LED highway lighting.  Research with the manufacturers of these modules is currently in progress, as there are some technical hurdles to overcome before widespread implementation of LED technology for overhead lighting.  Technical problems include ensuring lighting meets standards for coverage and glare, longevity of the modules, total life cycle cost is an improvement over the old technology, and problems with the electronics that drive the LED modules.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact me at Marshall.Metcalf@Illinois.gov or 217-782-3450.

Marshall R. Metcalf, P.E.

Project Implementation Unit Chief

Bureau of Operations

2300 South Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL  62764

In other words, unlike ISTHA, the municipalities, and the counties, we'll get around to it when it finally bites us in the ass.  If they were really interested in the "technical problems", they could just ask ISTHA.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on October 05, 2018, 07:21:04 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 05, 2018, 02:37:25 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 05, 2018, 02:27:27 PM
As for IDOT and road LED's, I went to the source and here is the reply.

Dear Mr. -------

Thank you for your webmail concerning replacement of sodium vapor lights with LED modules.  IDOT is very interested in cost savings achievable with LED highway lighting.  Research with the manufacturers of these modules is currently in progress, as there are some technical hurdles to overcome before widespread implementation of LED technology for overhead lighting.  Technical problems include ensuring lighting meets standards for coverage and glare, longevity of the modules, total life cycle cost is an improvement over the old technology, and problems with the electronics that drive the LED modules.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact me at Marshall.Metcalf@Illinois.gov or 217-782-3450.

Marshall R. Metcalf, P.E.

Project Implementation Unit Chief

Bureau of Operations

2300 South Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL  62764

In other words, unlike ISTHA, the municipalities, and the counties, we'll get around to it when it finally bites us in the ass.  If they were really interested in the "technical problems", they could just ask ISTHA.
IDiOT doesn't like to share.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on October 05, 2018, 09:33:56 PM
I think the issue is that IDOT probably has a lot of sodium vapor or other old hardware sitting around in stock rooms, and that stock needs to be depleted before they install the new type of lighting.  I know that if the agency I work for switches to a new type of signage or traffic control, the stuff that's been lying around for years still needs to be used up before we switch to installing the new high-tech elements.

With that said, I did see some LED lamps installed on Weber Road the other day in Crest Hill.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on October 06, 2018, 10:47:46 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 05, 2018, 09:33:56 PM
I think the issue is that IDOT probably has a lot of sodium vapor or other old hardware sitting around in stock rooms, and that stock needs to be depleted before they install the new type of lighting.  I know that if the agency I work for switches to a new type of signage or traffic control, the stuff that's been lying around for years still needs to be used up before we switch to installing the new high-tech elements.

With that said, I did see some LED lamps installed on Weber Road the other day in Crest Hill.

Also, don't HPS lamps and fixtures tend to be highly reliable?

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 06, 2018, 11:39:11 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 05, 2018, 09:33:56 PM
I think the issue is that IDOT probably has a lot of sodium vapor or other old hardware sitting around in stock rooms, and that stock needs to be depleted before they install the new type of lighting.  I know that if the agency I work for switches to a new type of signage or traffic control, the stuff that's been lying around for years still needs to be used up before we switch to installing the new high-tech elements.

With that said, I did see some LED lamps installed on Weber Road the other day in Crest Hill.

I those may have been installed by the City of Crest Hill, or by Will County.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 06, 2018, 02:18:36 PM
The FHWA Guide to Lighting is an online guide and there is even a web based tutorial.

  https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib/lighting_handbook/  (https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/roadway_dept/night_visib/lighting_handbook/)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 06, 2018, 10:56:51 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 05, 2018, 02:37:25 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 05, 2018, 02:27:27 PM
As for IDOT and road LED's, I went to the source and here is the reply.

Dear Mr. -------

Thank you for your webmail concerning replacement of sodium vapor lights with LED modules.  IDOT is very interested in cost savings achievable with LED highway lighting.  Research with the manufacturers of these modules is currently in progress, as there are some technical hurdles to overcome before widespread implementation of LED technology for overhead lighting.  Technical problems include ensuring lighting meets standards for coverage and glare, longevity of the modules, total life cycle cost is an improvement over the old technology, and problems with the electronics that drive the LED modules.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact me at Marshall.Metcalf@Illinois.gov or 217-782-3450.

Marshall R. Metcalf, P.E.

Project Implementation Unit Chief

Bureau of Operations

2300 South Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL  62764

In other words, unlike ISTHA, the municipalities, and the counties, we'll get around to it when it finally bites us in the ass.  If they were really interested in the "technical problems", they could just ask ISTHA.

Interesting response, and yes, I am not buying it either. Just ask the other surrounding states, Tollway, local municipalities, City of Chicago, etc. Lame response, and and honestly, that would be my response back to them, although I may write this individual at IDOT with those questions to challenge them. Likely, they probably have a bunch stocked up or some antiquated contract.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 07, 2018, 12:20:21 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 06, 2018, 10:56:51 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 05, 2018, 02:37:25 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 05, 2018, 02:27:27 PM
As for IDOT and road LED's, I went to the source and here is the reply.

Dear Mr. -------

Thank you for your webmail concerning replacement of sodium vapor lights with LED modules.  IDOT is very interested in cost savings achievable with LED highway lighting.  Research with the manufacturers of these modules is currently in progress, as there are some technical hurdles to overcome before widespread implementation of LED technology for overhead lighting.  Technical problems include ensuring lighting meets standards for coverage and glare, longevity of the modules, total life cycle cost is an improvement over the old technology, and problems with the electronics that drive the LED modules.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact me at Marshall.Metcalf@Illinois.gov or 217-782-3450.

Marshall R. Metcalf, P.E.

Project Implementation Unit Chief

Bureau of Operations

2300 South Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL  62764

In other words, unlike ISTHA, the municipalities, and the counties, we'll get around to it when it finally bites us in the ass.  If they were really interested in the "technical problems", they could just ask ISTHA.

Interesting response, and yes, I am not buying it either. Just ask the other surrounding states, Tollway, local municipalities, City of Chicago, etc. Lame response, and and honestly, that would be my response back to them, although I may write this individual at IDOT with those questions to challenge them. Likely, they probably have a bunch stocked up or some antiquated contract.

My inquiry was apparently circulated up into IL Dept of Revenue, IDOT Administration and IDOT Technology.

I sent them a study on a HPS to LED migration done by the City of Phoenix in 2013 as context.

https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/silsby_msslc-phoenix2013.pdf (https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/silsby_msslc-phoenix2013.pdf)

I ran the numbers from the Phoenix study and they haven't changed much going into 2018.

8 year payback. $6 Million in net savings in 10 Years by updating 97,000 fixtures. 

Let's see what happens.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 07, 2018, 10:04:44 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 07, 2018, 12:20:21 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 06, 2018, 10:56:51 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 05, 2018, 02:37:25 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 05, 2018, 02:27:27 PM
As for IDOT and road LED's, I went to the source and here is the reply.

Dear Mr. -------

Thank you for your webmail concerning replacement of sodium vapor lights with LED modules.  IDOT is very interested in cost savings achievable with LED highway lighting.  Research with the manufacturers of these modules is currently in progress, as there are some technical hurdles to overcome before widespread implementation of LED technology for overhead lighting.  Technical problems include ensuring lighting meets standards for coverage and glare, longevity of the modules, total life cycle cost is an improvement over the old technology, and problems with the electronics that drive the LED modules.

If you have further questions, feel free to contact me at Marshall.Metcalf@Illinois.gov or 217-782-3450.

Marshall R. Metcalf, P.E.

Project Implementation Unit Chief

Bureau of Operations

2300 South Dirksen Parkway

Springfield, IL  62764

In other words, unlike ISTHA, the municipalities, and the counties, we'll get around to it when it finally bites us in the ass.  If they were really interested in the "technical problems", they could just ask ISTHA.

Interesting response, and yes, I am not buying it either. Just ask the other surrounding states, Tollway, local municipalities, City of Chicago, etc. Lame response, and and honestly, that would be my response back to them, although I may write this individual at IDOT with those questions to challenge them. Likely, they probably have a bunch stocked up or some antiquated contract.

My inquiry was apparently circulated up into IL Dept of Revenue, IDOT Administration and IDOT Technology.

I sent them a study on a HPS to LED migration done by the City of Phoenix in 2013 as context.

https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/silsby_msslc-phoenix2013.pdf (https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/publications/pdfs/ssl/silsby_msslc-phoenix2013.pdf)

I ran the numbers from the Phoenix study and they haven't changed much going into 2018.

8 year payback. $6 Million in net savings in 10 Years by updating 97,000 fixtures. 

Let's see what happens.

Very curious what they'll say to that. Also, I wonder if there is any data available from the Illinois Tollway, for example, on portions of the Tollways already converted. I-90 is a little unique as additional lighting was added with the LED installations, but I doubt that they would have lit it up as much had it been older sodium vapor lighting.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 07, 2018, 10:07:34 PM
Well, here is ISTHA's 2018 highway lighting manual.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/473059/GuidelinesForRoadwayIllumination_Mar2018/b2785ec3-6e2e-44ca-81e9-84216c4c8a87?version=1.3 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/473059/GuidelinesForRoadwayIllumination_Mar2018/b2785ec3-6e2e-44ca-81e9-84216c4c8a87?version=1.3)

It can't get more explicit than this in section 8.5

QuoteRoadway, ramp and toll plaza approach/departure lighting systems shall utilize light emitting diode
(LED) luminaires or 400 watt flat-lens high pressure sodium (HPS) cobra head luminaires as
directed by the Illinois Tollway.

Underpass lighting systems shall utilize LED luminaires or 150 watt HPS luminaires as directed
by the Illinois Tollway.

Overhead sign structure lighting systems shall utilize LED luminaires.

QuoteOn any improvement where the new lighting system utilizes LED luminaires, all existing HPS
luminaires within the project limits (begin milepost to end milepost) must be replaced with new
LED luminaires even if there is no adjacent pavement work occurring. For example, if an
interchange or toll plaza is located within the project limits where the work only extends for a
portion of the ramp or plaza approach/departures, the existing lighting systems beyond the limits
of the work should be replaced. If complete replacement of the existing lighting system beyond
the limits of the project work is not feasible, the existing lighting system beyond these limits should
be rehabilitated including new LED luminaires and wiring utilizing the existing poles, mast arms,
foundations and conduit. Designer shall verify that the existing light standard layout will provide
adequate illumination levels for the luminaire specified.

It goes on and explicitly lays out the ground rules for LED installs for "any" roadway enhancement, including a resurfacing.

Sounds pretty straightforward to me. HPS should be the exception, LED should be the rule according to ISTHA.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 07, 2018, 10:20:47 PM
The latest IDOT Highway Lightning Manual does relate to LED's, but mostly in electrical terms.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/assets/uploads/files/doing-business/manuals-split/design-and-environment/bde-manual/chapter%2056%20highway%20lighting.pdf (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/assets/uploads/files/doing-business/manuals-split/design-and-environment/bde-manual/chapter%2056%20highway%20lighting.pdf)

Section 56.1 speaks to electric standards and 56.3 speaks to optics.

The rest only speaks to "if" LED's are used.

I would gather by the language of this guide is that they are leaving it up to each district and if they get a quote for the use of LED's, here are the rules.

There is no language that mandates one lighting type over the other like ISTHA does in their manual.

IDOT ratified this guide in January 2018. ISTHA ratified theirs in March 2018.  ISTHA specifically states that if not specified they must follow all IDOT illumination requirements.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 07, 2018, 10:58:59 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 07, 2018, 10:07:34 PM
Well, here is ISTHA's 2018 highway lighting manual.

https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/473059/GuidelinesForRoadwayIllumination_Mar2018/b2785ec3-6e2e-44ca-81e9-84216c4c8a87?version=1.3 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/473059/GuidelinesForRoadwayIllumination_Mar2018/b2785ec3-6e2e-44ca-81e9-84216c4c8a87?version=1.3)

It can't get more explicit than this in section 8.5

QuoteRoadway, ramp and toll plaza approach/departure lighting systems shall utilize light emitting diode
(LED) luminaires or 400 watt flat-lens high pressure sodium (HPS) cobra head luminaires as
directed by the Illinois Tollway.

Underpass lighting systems shall utilize LED luminaires or 150 watt HPS luminaires as directed
by the Illinois Tollway.

Overhead sign structure lighting systems shall utilize LED luminaires.

QuoteOn any improvement where the new lighting system utilizes LED luminaires, all existing HPS
luminaires within the project limits (begin milepost to end milepost) must be replaced with new
LED luminaires even if there is no adjacent pavement work occurring. For example, if an
interchange or toll plaza is located within the project limits where the work only extends for a
portion of the ramp or plaza approach/departures, the existing lighting systems beyond the limits
of the work should be replaced. If complete replacement of the existing lighting system beyond
the limits of the project work is not feasible, the existing lighting system beyond these limits should
be rehabilitated including new LED luminaires and wiring utilizing the existing poles, mast arms,
foundations and conduit. Designer shall verify that the existing light standard layout will provide
adequate illumination levels for the luminaire specified.

It goes on and explicitly lays out the ground rules for LED installs for "any" roadway enhancement, including a resurfacing.

Sounds pretty straightforward to me. HPS should be the exception, LED should be the rule according to ISTHA.

Let's make this simple, IDOT just needs to completely adopt the Tollways lighting standards and design, right down to the exact light poles and luminaries used. The lighting on the Tollway is just better, and this exemplifies why. The Tollway also is going about it smart. They replace with LEDs on reconstruction or where designated, but doing it bits at a time. In some states, I see random LEDs thrown in with HPS, so it makes sense to just to it all as LED if replacing any lights.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on October 08, 2018, 12:55:41 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 07, 2018, 10:58:59 PM
Let's make this simple, IDOT just needs to completely adopt the Tollways lighting standards and design, right down to the exact light poles and luminaries used. The lighting on the Tollway is just better, and this exemplifies why. The Tollway also is going about it smart. They replace with LEDs on reconstruction or where designated, but doing it bits at a time. In some states, I see random LEDs thrown in with HPS, so it makes sense to just to it all as LED if replacing any lights.

I think you'll find that the difference in quality between ISTHA and IDOT roads is largely because of the difference in funding, rather than the difference in standards.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 08, 2018, 12:20:59 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 08, 2018, 12:55:41 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 07, 2018, 10:58:59 PM
Let's make this simple, IDOT just needs to completely adopt the Tollways lighting standards and design, right down to the exact light poles and luminaries used. The lighting on the Tollway is just better, and this exemplifies why. The Tollway also is going about it smart. They replace with LEDs on reconstruction or where designated, but doing it bits at a time. In some states, I see random LEDs thrown in with HPS, so it makes sense to just to it all as LED if replacing any lights.

I think you'll find that the difference in quality between ISTHA and IDOT roads is largely because of the difference in funding, rather than the difference in standards.

Highway construction is usually awarded by bid. lowest bid typically wins.

If a contractor bids LED's which can show a higher amount, the chances of winning decline.

So they go HPS.

In IDOT's case they should be more explicit like the tollway for bids going forward. LED over HPS.

For IDOT to tackle a HPS to LED project it would require a significant defined allocation in a TEA legislation. This would have the cost covered 80% by the Feds.

To get that kind of funding, you would need cooperation between FHWA, Illinois Congressional Delegation, DOT, IDOT and the utilities to amass the needed momentum and lobbying power.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 08, 2018, 12:44:21 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 08, 2018, 12:20:59 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 08, 2018, 12:55:41 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 07, 2018, 10:58:59 PM
Let's make this simple, IDOT just needs to completely adopt the Tollways lighting standards and design, right down to the exact light poles and luminaries used. The lighting on the Tollway is just better, and this exemplifies why. The Tollway also is going about it smart. They replace with LEDs on reconstruction or where designated, but doing it bits at a time. In some states, I see random LEDs thrown in with HPS, so it makes sense to just to it all as LED if replacing any lights.

I think you'll find that the difference in quality between ISTHA and IDOT roads is largely because of the difference in funding, rather than the difference in standards.

Highway construction is usually awarded by bid. lowest bid typically wins.

It's also in what and how you specify.  If you leave the specifications open, like IDOT does, then you get crap.  If you specify LEDs and other like items, you will get properly comparable bids with the specifications you want, and then choose the lowest bid with those specifications.  I know, I write specifications for jobs quite commonly.  I get the feeling that ISTHA's specifications are much tighter than IDOT's specifications.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on October 08, 2018, 08:03:07 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on September 07, 2018, 12:37:53 AM
I saw it again and wrote it down.

QUIT SMILING
AT YOUR LAP
DROP IT AND DRIVE
And now it's

WHAT ARE YOU
LOOKING AT?
DROP IT AND DRIVE

Unsure if some prude or prudes complained about the double entendre, or if they just decided to go with something new.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 15, 2018, 01:56:09 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 08, 2018, 12:44:21 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 08, 2018, 12:20:59 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 08, 2018, 12:55:41 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 07, 2018, 10:58:59 PM
Let's make this simple, IDOT just needs to completely adopt the Tollways lighting standards and design, right down to the exact light poles and luminaries used. The lighting on the Tollway is just better, and this exemplifies why. The Tollway also is going about it smart. They replace with LEDs on reconstruction or where designated, but doing it bits at a time. In some states, I see random LEDs thrown in with HPS, so it makes sense to just to it all as LED if replacing any lights.

I think you'll find that the difference in quality between ISTHA and IDOT roads is largely because of the difference in funding, rather than the difference in standards.

Highway construction is usually awarded by bid. lowest bid typically wins.

It's also in what and how you specify.  If you leave the specifications open, like IDOT does, then you get crap.  If you specify LEDs and other like items, you will get properly comparable bids with the specifications you want, and then choose the lowest bid with those specifications.  I know, I write specifications for jobs quite commonly.  I get the feeling that ISTHA's specifications are much tighter than IDOT's specifications.

While I didnt expect anymore responses on the LED/HPS question with IDOT, this is to say I havent gotten any more feedback.

I think the research and only response speaks for itself at this point.

With Illinois generally broke, unless the Feds come up with some major dollars, or IDOT makes them mandatory going forward on bids, it will be awhile before anything comes of it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on October 23, 2018, 08:03:12 PM
US 67 Illinois River bridge at Beardstown reduced to one lane of traffic for the next one to two weeks.

http://wlds.com/news/lane-closures-at-beardstown-bridge/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on October 24, 2018, 01:39:01 PM
Today's clever VMS:

OMG
ARE YOU TEXTING?
I CAN'T EVEN
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 24, 2018, 02:05:31 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 24, 2018, 01:39:01 PM
Today's clever VMS:

OMG
ARE YOU TEXTING?
I CAN'T EVEN

Saw that over the weekend. THe kids and I rolled our eyes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 24, 2018, 02:05:31 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 24, 2018, 01:39:01 PM
Today's clever VMS:

OMG
ARE YOU TEXTING?
I CAN'T EVEN

Saw that over the weekend. THe kids and I rolled our eyes.

I bet half of those people are frustrated drivers checking Waze because IDOT can't build an expressway that can handle the traffic it gets. That was me at least... maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on October 25, 2018, 12:24:05 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 24, 2018, 01:39:01 PM
Today's clever VMS:

OMG
ARE YOU TEXTING?
I CAN'T EVEN

Almost as bad as the bae one.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on October 25, 2018, 09:28:52 AM
Quote from: tribar on October 25, 2018, 12:24:05 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 24, 2018, 01:39:01 PM
Today's clever VMS:

OMG
ARE YOU TEXTING?
I CAN'T EVEN

Almost as bad as the bae one.

I'm just glad someone is having fun making these.
Just don't endanger yourself by taking your hand off the steering wheel to facepalm.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 25, 2018, 11:25:41 AM
IDOT
OUT OF TOUCH
OUT OF MONEY

Not a real one, but should be.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 25, 2018, 06:37:38 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 25, 2018, 11:25:41 AM
IDOT
OUT OF TOUCH
OUT OF MONEY

Not a real one, but should be.

What about

OUT OF MONEY
TOLLS COMING
GET IPASS AND SAVE
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!

It's still not a BGS.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!

It's still not a BGS.

OK, I meant the Traffic Info System. I think I made my point and won't let this get off topic any longer. Either way, if IDOT wants to impress me and other drivers around here, do something about the actual highways.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on October 27, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!

It's still not a BGS.

OK, I meant the Traffic Info System. I think I made my point and won't let this get off topic any longer. Either way, if IDOT wants to impress me and other drivers around here, do something about the actual highways.

They are, isn't this why they are widening the Kennedy, Eisenhower and redoing the circle interchange? This is partially the reason why things are so congested right now. Once these projects are complete, there will be some relief. Traffic congestion is in every metro area, Milwaukee can get just as bad, if not worse. The Borman expressway and portions of the Indiana Toll Road also get congested, so it's not an IDOT problem.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on October 28, 2018, 01:31:07 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 27, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!

It's still not a BGS.

OK, I meant the Traffic Info System. I think I made my point and won't let this get off topic any longer. Either way, if IDOT wants to impress me and other drivers around here, do something about the actual highways.

They are, isn't this why they are widening the Kennedy, Eisenhower and redoing the circle interchange? This is partially the reason why things are so congested right now. Once these projects are complete, there will be some relief. Traffic congestion is in every metro area, Milwaukee can get just as bad, if not worse. The Borman expressway and portions of the Indiana Toll Road also get congested, so it's not an IDOT problem.

In what way is Milwaukee as bad if not worse than Chicago. Congestion is a scarcity outside of rush hour or Brewers games and even then it's manageable. You make a good point on it not just being a Chicago thing but Milwaukee isn't really a good example.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 09:12:11 AM
Quote from: tribar on October 28, 2018, 01:31:07 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 27, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!

It's still not a BGS.

OK, I meant the Traffic Info System. I think I made my point and won't let this get off topic any longer. Either way, if IDOT wants to impress me and other drivers around here, do something about the actual highways.

They are, isn't this why they are widening the Kennedy, Eisenhower and redoing the circle interchange? This is partially the reason why things are so congested right now. Once these projects are complete, there will be some relief. Traffic congestion is in every metro area, Milwaukee can get just as bad, if not worse. The Borman expressway and portions of the Indiana Toll Road also get congested, so it's not an IDOT problem.

In what way is Milwaukee as bad if not worse than Chicago. Congestion is a scarcity outside of rush hour or Brewers games and even then it's manageable. You make a good point on it not just being a Chicago thing but Milwaukee isn't really a good example.

How about when I am heading OUTBOUND on I-94 past the Junction at 6am and it is already jamming up (mind you, in a spot where there is NO construction occurring)? I get that the Circle Interchange Downtown is causing some of the issues, but there are other spots, too, where traffic is just a mess because of simply a poor or inadequate design. They are adding one extra lane each way on the Kennedy/Dan Ryan (90-94) through the Circle, but no additional lanes on the Ike. That will help 90-94 a bit, but I see little potential benefit on The Ike. I'm curious what the construction on the Kennedy on the far NW Side will do once it is all finished both ways, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's another hillside situation where the construction merely pushes the inbound congestion just a bit further East (to Harlem in this case). Just from what I've seen, I find it hard to trust anything IDOT is doing to be done properly.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on October 28, 2018, 03:56:37 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 09:12:11 AM
Quote from: tribar on October 28, 2018, 01:31:07 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 27, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!

It's still not a BGS.

OK, I meant the Traffic Info System. I think I made my point and won't let this get off topic any longer. Either way, if IDOT wants to impress me and other drivers around here, do something about the actual highways.

They are, isn't this why they are widening the Kennedy, Eisenhower and redoing the circle interchange? This is partially the reason why things are so congested right now. Once these projects are complete, there will be some relief. Traffic congestion is in every metro area, Milwaukee can get just as bad, if not worse. The Borman expressway and portions of the Indiana Toll Road also get congested, so it's not an IDOT problem.

In what way is Milwaukee as bad if not worse than Chicago. Congestion is a scarcity outside of rush hour or Brewers games and even then it's manageable. You make a good point on it not just being a Chicago thing but Milwaukee isn't really a good example.

How about when I am heading OUTBOUND on I-94 past the Junction at 6am and it is already jamming up (mind you, in a spot where there is NO construction occurring)? I get that the Circle Interchange Downtown is causing some of the issues, but there are other spots, too, where traffic is just a mess because of simply a poor or inadequate design. They are adding one extra lane each way on the Kennedy/Dan Ryan (90-94) through the Circle, but no additional lanes on the Ike. That will help 90-94 a bit, but I see little potential benefit on The Ike. I'm curious what the construction on the Kennedy on the far NW Side will do once it is all finished both ways, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's another hillside situation where the construction merely pushes the inbound congestion just a bit further East (to Harlem in this case). Just from what I've seen, I find it hard to trust anything IDOT is doing to be done properly.

There must either be an accident somewhere or the line of people waiting to get on 90 towards O'hare, I've noticed that times when I've driven the NB Kennedy it was only congested until the split from the Edens. The Edens is usually only congested in that direction if there's an accident. Again, your logic with blaming IDOT for the congestion issues is flawed and all you have to do is visit even larger metro areas to see it. There are ways to avoid the congestion.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 07:50:27 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 28, 2018, 03:56:37 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 09:12:11 AM
Quote from: tribar on October 28, 2018, 01:31:07 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 27, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!

It's still not a BGS.

OK, I meant the Traffic Info System. I think I made my point and won't let this get off topic any longer. Either way, if IDOT wants to impress me and other drivers around here, do something about the actual highways.

They are, isn't this why they are widening the Kennedy, Eisenhower and redoing the circle interchange? This is partially the reason why things are so congested right now. Once these projects are complete, there will be some relief. Traffic congestion is in every metro area, Milwaukee can get just as bad, if not worse. The Borman expressway and portions of the Indiana Toll Road also get congested, so it's not an IDOT problem.

In what way is Milwaukee as bad if not worse than Chicago. Congestion is a scarcity outside of rush hour or Brewers games and even then it's manageable. You make a good point on it not just being a Chicago thing but Milwaukee isn't really a good example.

How about when I am heading OUTBOUND on I-94 past the Junction at 6am and it is already jamming up (mind you, in a spot where there is NO construction occurring)? I get that the Circle Interchange Downtown is causing some of the issues, but there are other spots, too, where traffic is just a mess because of simply a poor or inadequate design. They are adding one extra lane each way on the Kennedy/Dan Ryan (90-94) through the Circle, but no additional lanes on the Ike. That will help 90-94 a bit, but I see little potential benefit on The Ike. I'm curious what the construction on the Kennedy on the far NW Side will do once it is all finished both ways, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's another hillside situation where the construction merely pushes the inbound congestion just a bit further East (to Harlem in this case). Just from what I've seen, I find it hard to trust anything IDOT is doing to be done properly.

There must either be an accident somewhere or the line of people waiting to get on 90 towards O'hare, I've noticed that times when I've driven the NB Kennedy it was only congested until the split from the Edens. The Edens is usually only congested in that direction if there's an accident. Again, your logic with blaming IDOT for the congestion issues is flawed and all you have to do is visit even larger metro areas to see it. There are ways to avoid the congestion.

I don't wish to get into a debate here. However, there was no accident on the outbound Edens that morning, and the congestion continued well after the split. This has become more and more commonplace it seems. Other people where I was at also had the same observation. I am more expressing my annoyance that IDOT has done virtually nothing to address the congestion causes on this and other expressways (aside from accidents). I know that CMAP also has a role in the planning, and there are other agencies involved, so I get that IDOT is merely one party in the blame for what goes on. However, the old saying is, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. However, it feels that a lot of what IDOT is in charge of maintaining is in notoriously worse shape than some of the other roads maintained by other agencies in the area. I have visited NYC and LA and other metro areas, so I know that they have congestion issues as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 28, 2018, 11:28:23 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 07:50:27 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 28, 2018, 03:56:37 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 09:12:11 AM
Quote from: tribar on October 28, 2018, 01:31:07 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 27, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!

It's still not a BGS.

OK, I meant the Traffic Info System. I think I made my point and won't let this get off topic any longer. Either way, if IDOT wants to impress me and other drivers around here, do something about the actual highways.

They are, isn't this why they are widening the Kennedy, Eisenhower and redoing the circle interchange? This is partially the reason why things are so congested right now. Once these projects are complete, there will be some relief. Traffic congestion is in every metro area, Milwaukee can get just as bad, if not worse. The Borman expressway and portions of the Indiana Toll Road also get congested, so it's not an IDOT problem.

In what way is Milwaukee as bad if not worse than Chicago. Congestion is a scarcity outside of rush hour or Brewers games and even then it's manageable. You make a good point on it not just being a Chicago thing but Milwaukee isn't really a good example.

How about when I am heading OUTBOUND on I-94 past the Junction at 6am and it is already jamming up (mind you, in a spot where there is NO construction occurring)? I get that the Circle Interchange Downtown is causing some of the issues, but there are other spots, too, where traffic is just a mess because of simply a poor or inadequate design. They are adding one extra lane each way on the Kennedy/Dan Ryan (90-94) through the Circle, but no additional lanes on the Ike. That will help 90-94 a bit, but I see little potential benefit on The Ike. I'm curious what the construction on the Kennedy on the far NW Side will do once it is all finished both ways, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's another hillside situation where the construction merely pushes the inbound congestion just a bit further East (to Harlem in this case). Just from what I've seen, I find it hard to trust anything IDOT is doing to be done properly.

There must either be an accident somewhere or the line of people waiting to get on 90 towards O'hare, I've noticed that times when I've driven the NB Kennedy it was only congested until the split from the Edens. The Edens is usually only congested in that direction if there's an accident. Again, your logic with blaming IDOT for the congestion issues is flawed and all you have to do is visit even larger metro areas to see it. There are ways to avoid the congestion.

I don't wish to get into a debate here. However, there was no accident on the outbound Edens that morning, and the congestion continued well after the split. This has become more and more commonplace it seems. Other people where I was at also had the same observation. I am more expressing my annoyance that IDOT has done virtually nothing to address the congestion causes on this and other expressways (aside from accidents). I know that CMAP also has a role in the planning, and there are other agencies involved, so I get that IDOT is merely one party in the blame for what goes on. However, the old saying is, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. However, it feels that a lot of what IDOT is in charge of maintaining is in notoriously worse shape than some of the other roads maintained by other agencies in the area. I have visited NYC and LA and other metro areas, so I know that they have congestion issues as well.

IDOT told the world back in the late 1990's that they did not foresee a great deal of highway funding in the federal pipeline and that there would be no upgrades or expansions planned for any Chicago freeway for at least 25-30 years.

There was a remark that more fed funding was going to transit uses and with the recent updates to equipment in the RTA (CTA, Metra, PACE, etc) people should be focusing on their uses going forward.  It worked for a little while until gas prices dropped and ridership on the RTA has been flat to 1% in growth ever since.

In fact Metra is considering reducing services because there isn't enough dough to keep all the trains going on the same schedule anymore.

Now, IDOT is currently examining an Ike (I-290) capacity improvement from Manheim to Austin, and the costs are not looking so good. It will take an extreme level of fed funding to support this effort to squeeze yet more lanes in that limited amount of space, including a cemetery relocation, 2 railroad relocations and the replacement of several 70 year old railroad bridges. The fact they have been able to use the current ROW between Manheim and the Des Plaines River as long as they have is nothing short of a miracle since it was bought from the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin in the late 1940's.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 29, 2018, 12:55:09 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 28, 2018, 11:28:23 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 07:50:27 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 28, 2018, 03:56:37 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 09:12:11 AM
Quote from: tribar on October 28, 2018, 01:31:07 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 27, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM
maybe IDOT outta spend more time, money, and resources fixing their lousy expressways than trying to get cute on the BGS.

I'm pretty sure they do spend more time, money, and resources on fixing roads than they do trying to get cute on the BGS.  For two reasons:

#1  The cute messages take hardly any time, money, or resources.
#2  It's not a BGS at all.  Haven't seen a single case of "getting cute" on a BGS.

I obviously was being quite sarcastic with both. I am just venting the frustration many drivers around Chicago feel is all... try driving on I-90 or I-94 in the North or NW Suburbs and North Side anytime after 2pm on a weekday and you'll get know exactly what I mean. By the way, I was checking Waze when I saw that exact BGS!

It's still not a BGS.

OK, I meant the Traffic Info System. I think I made my point and won't let this get off topic any longer. Either way, if IDOT wants to impress me and other drivers around here, do something about the actual highways.

They are, isn't this why they are widening the Kennedy, Eisenhower and redoing the circle interchange? This is partially the reason why things are so congested right now. Once these projects are complete, there will be some relief. Traffic congestion is in every metro area, Milwaukee can get just as bad, if not worse. The Borman expressway and portions of the Indiana Toll Road also get congested, so it's not an IDOT problem.

In what way is Milwaukee as bad if not worse than Chicago. Congestion is a scarcity outside of rush hour or Brewers games and even then it's manageable. You make a good point on it not just being a Chicago thing but Milwaukee isn't really a good example.

How about when I am heading OUTBOUND on I-94 past the Junction at 6am and it is already jamming up (mind you, in a spot where there is NO construction occurring)? I get that the Circle Interchange Downtown is causing some of the issues, but there are other spots, too, where traffic is just a mess because of simply a poor or inadequate design. They are adding one extra lane each way on the Kennedy/Dan Ryan (90-94) through the Circle, but no additional lanes on the Ike. That will help 90-94 a bit, but I see little potential benefit on The Ike. I'm curious what the construction on the Kennedy on the far NW Side will do once it is all finished both ways, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's another hillside situation where the construction merely pushes the inbound congestion just a bit further East (to Harlem in this case). Just from what I've seen, I find it hard to trust anything IDOT is doing to be done properly.

There must either be an accident somewhere or the line of people waiting to get on 90 towards O'hare, I've noticed that times when I've driven the NB Kennedy it was only congested until the split from the Edens. The Edens is usually only congested in that direction if there's an accident. Again, your logic with blaming IDOT for the congestion issues is flawed and all you have to do is visit even larger metro areas to see it. There are ways to avoid the congestion.

I don't wish to get into a debate here. However, there was no accident on the outbound Edens that morning, and the congestion continued well after the split. This has become more and more commonplace it seems. Other people where I was at also had the same observation. I am more expressing my annoyance that IDOT has done virtually nothing to address the congestion causes on this and other expressways (aside from accidents). I know that CMAP also has a role in the planning, and there are other agencies involved, so I get that IDOT is merely one party in the blame for what goes on. However, the old saying is, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. However, it feels that a lot of what IDOT is in charge of maintaining is in notoriously worse shape than some of the other roads maintained by other agencies in the area. I have visited NYC and LA and other metro areas, so I know that they have congestion issues as well.

IDOT told the world back in the late 1990's that they did not foresee a great deal of highway funding in the federal pipeline and that there would be no upgrades or expansions planned for any Chicago freeway for at least 25-30 years.

There was a remark that more fed funding was going to transit uses and with the recent updates to equipment in the RTA (CTA, Metra, PACE, etc) people should be focusing on their uses going forward.  It worked for a little while until gas prices dropped and ridership on the RTA has been flat to 1% in growth ever since.

In fact Metra is considering reducing services because there isn't enough dough to keep all the trains going on the same schedule anymore.

Now, IDOT is currently examining an Ike (I-290) capacity improvement from Manheim to Austin, and the costs are not looking so good. It will take an extreme level of fed funding to support this effort to squeeze yet more lanes in that limited amount of space, including a cemetery relocation, 2 railroad relocations and the replacement of several 70 year old railroad bridges. The fact they have been able to use the current ROW between Manheim and the Des Plaines River as long as they have is nothing short of a miracle since it was bought from the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin in the late 1940's.

Well, that has almost been true except for the Dan Ryan Reconstruction and partial expansion. I'd still like to know how that got expanded while The Ike, Kennedy, and Edens got just absolutely nothing since then, and the Stevenson got what should have been an expansion, but instead an "incomplete" reconstruction. Sadly, the lack of gas tax has been a major issue. I'd like to say that a gas tax increase and capital plan would help, but I highly doubt it.

I have heard about the potential service cuts on Metra, and I'll spare my rant about that whole mess. The only thing I will say is that issue with the RTA and ridership is that they keep increasing the prices on all of the systems, especially on the Metra, so what did they expect?

As for the Ike, it definitely shows with the super limited ROW that is available. At the very least, if I recall, they did a bit of a rehabilitation of the Ike back in the 80s or within that timeframe. At that time, why didn't they at least do away with the idiotic left hand exit/entrances? That alone would have helped somewhat. I personally support tolls on the Ike at this point, as long as the ISTHA is doing it... it at least would likely be done correctly.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on October 29, 2018, 01:42:40 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 29, 2018, 12:55:09 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 28, 2018, 11:28:23 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 07:50:27 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 28, 2018, 03:56:37 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 09:12:11 AM
Quote from: tribar on October 28, 2018, 01:31:07 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 27, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM













Just couldn't help myself.
No need to quote the entire conversation every time you reply, guys...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on October 29, 2018, 04:10:31 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 29, 2018, 01:42:40 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 29, 2018, 12:55:09 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 28, 2018, 11:28:23 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 07:50:27 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 28, 2018, 03:56:37 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 28, 2018, 09:12:11 AM
Quote from: tribar on October 28, 2018, 01:31:07 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on October 27, 2018, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 26, 2018, 05:51:57 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 26, 2018, 01:37:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 06:06:16 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2018, 03:18:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 25, 2018, 12:23:03 AM













Just couldn't help myself.
No need to quote the entire conversation every time you reply, guys...

That is a neat looking stack, though.

:-D

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 29, 2018, 04:33:11 PM

Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote















Quote from: mgk920 on October 29, 2018, 04:10:31 PM
That is a neat looking stack, though.

:-D

Mike

Take the names out and it looks 3-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on October 29, 2018, 04:52:05 PM
Hey, I know I started this, but we really should stop with the nested quotes.
Don't want this thread to get locked like this one (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=20122.msg2229947#msg2229947).

(To answer freebrickproduction's question:  That's both impossible and unavoidable.)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 29, 2018, 05:44:20 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 29, 2018, 12:55:09 AM

As for the Ike, it definitely shows with the super limited ROW that is available. At the very least, if I recall, they did a bit of a rehabilitation of the Ike back in the 80s or within that timeframe. At that time, why didn't they at least do away with the idiotic left hand exit/entrances? That alone would have helped somewhat. I personally support tolls on the Ike at this point, as long as the ISTHA is doing it... it at least would likely be done correctly.

The Ike was partially reconstructed in the 80s, east of Cicero. They didn't do the area near the Harlem and Austin left hand ramps, which are still original construction plus resurfacing and patching.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 29, 2018, 08:57:05 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on October 29, 2018, 05:44:20 PM
The Ike was partially reconstructed in the 80s, east of Cicero. They didn't do the area near the Harlem and Austin left hand ramps, which are still original construction plus resurfacing and patching.

That's a bummer, because they probably missed a golden opportunity then to correct that mistake. Sadly, it's become a pretty dire situation there during rush hour and basically anytime that isn't between 11pm and 10am on the weekends it seems.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 30, 2018, 08:21:15 AM
For those into history, there is a retelling of the building of the Ike at this website, and describes how those "center left" exit/entry ramps came to be.

https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/ (https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/)

QuoteThe city's portion of the expressway was complete in 1956, but Cook County and the state continued building the road through the suburbs. Unlike Chicago neighborhoods, the village of Oak Park actually fought to change the highway plans.

Oak Parkers opposed building exit and entrance ramps from the expressway's right lanes – where they normally go. They were against the standard clover-leaf-style ramps because those take up more land along the side of the expressway. And that would have meant tearing down more buildings. As a result of these protests, the highway builders put the ramps on the left side – in the middle of the expressway – at Austin Avenue and Harlem Boulevard. That unusual configuration is something that "a lot of people still complain about today,"  says Frank Lipo, executive director of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

(https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/media/opening-mr_kkuwpg5.jpg)
A crowd gathers near Oak Park on the opening day of the expressway. In the background, you can see the exit ramp the suburb fought for. (Photo courtesy CERA Archive)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 30, 2018, 08:31:58 AM
While the Ike reconstruction awaits final funding, here is a link to the last presentation done on the planning in 2016.

http://www.eisenhowerexpressway.com/pdfs/i290_cag22_2016-dec-15_final.pdf (http://www.eisenhowerexpressway.com/pdfs/i290_cag22_2016-dec-15_final.pdf)

Because it involves not only total road reconstruction, but also includes major changes to the CTA Forest Park line and the CSX-T/CN Forest Park Branch line, this will not be a trivial project.

This will probably warrant a thread of its own when it gets started.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 30, 2018, 10:05:02 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 30, 2018, 08:21:15 AM
For those into history, there is a retelling of the building of the Ike at this website, and describes how those "center left" exit/entry ramps came to be.

https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/ (https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/)

QuoteThe city's portion of the expressway was complete in 1956, but Cook County and the state continued building the road through the suburbs. Unlike Chicago neighborhoods, the village of Oak Park actually fought to change the highway plans.

Oak Parkers opposed building exit and entrance ramps from the expressway's right lanes – where they normally go. They were against the standard clover-leaf-style ramps because those take up more land along the side of the expressway. And that would have meant tearing down more buildings. As a result of these protests, the highway builders put the ramps on the left side – in the middle of the expressway – at Austin Avenue and Harlem Boulevard. That unusual configuration is something that "a lot of people still complain about today,"  says Frank Lipo, executive director of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

The entire length of the Ike should have had continuous service drives from Racine west to Mannheim with exit and entry ramps that take up little space.  There is no reason for the cloverleaves at Mannheim and 25th.  In essence, it should've looked more like the Lodge Freeway (M-10) in Detroit.  If Oak Park didn't want proper right-side entries and exits, then the state and county should've played hardball and told Oak Park that there will be no exits at Harlem or Austin what-so-ever.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 30, 2018, 11:35:05 AM
Quote from: Brandon on October 30, 2018, 10:05:02 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 30, 2018, 08:21:15 AM
For those into history, there is a retelling of the building of the Ike at this website, and describes how those "center left" exit/entry ramps came to be.

https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/ (https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/)

QuoteThe city's portion of the expressway was complete in 1956, but Cook County and the state continued building the road through the suburbs. Unlike Chicago neighborhoods, the village of Oak Park actually fought to change the highway plans.

Oak Parkers opposed building exit and entrance ramps from the expressway's right lanes – where they normally go. They were against the standard clover-leaf-style ramps because those take up more land along the side of the expressway. And that would have meant tearing down more buildings. As a result of these protests, the highway builders put the ramps on the left side – in the middle of the expressway – at Austin Avenue and Harlem Boulevard. That unusual configuration is something that "a lot of people still complain about today,"  says Frank Lipo, executive director of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

The entire length of the Ike should have had continuous service drives from Racine west to Mannheim with exit and entry ramps that take up little space.  There is no reason for the cloverleaves at Mannheim and 25th.  In essence, it should've looked more like the Lodge Freeway (M-10) in Detroit.  If Oak Park didn't want proper right-side entries and exits, then the state and county should've played hardball and told Oak Park that there will be no exits at Harlem or Austin what-so-ever.

Agreed that Illinois and Cook County should have done the "this is the choice, take it or leave it" stance. Had they known then what we know now, but hindsight is always 20/20. I agree that Illinois had a big thing for cloverleafs back in the day. Take a look at IL 53 North of I-90 as another, but not as congested example.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 30, 2018, 12:15:57 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 30, 2018, 10:05:02 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 30, 2018, 08:21:15 AM
For those into history, there is a retelling of the building of the Ike at this website, and describes how those "center left" exit/entry ramps came to be.

https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/ (https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/)

QuoteThe city's portion of the expressway was complete in 1956, but Cook County and the state continued building the road through the suburbs. Unlike Chicago neighborhoods, the village of Oak Park actually fought to change the highway plans.

Oak Parkers opposed building exit and entrance ramps from the expressway's right lanes – where they normally go. They were against the standard clover-leaf-style ramps because those take up more land along the side of the expressway. And that would have meant tearing down more buildings. As a result of these protests, the highway builders put the ramps on the left side – in the middle of the expressway – at Austin Avenue and Harlem Boulevard. That unusual configuration is something that "a lot of people still complain about today,"  says Frank Lipo, executive director of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

The entire length of the Ike should have had continuous service drives from Racine west to Mannheim with exit and entry ramps that take up little space.  There is no reason for the cloverleaves at Mannheim and 25th.  In essence, it should've looked more like the Lodge Freeway (M-10) in Detroit.  If Oak Park didn't want proper right-side entries and exits, then the state and county should've played hardball and told Oak Park that there will be no exits at Harlem or Austin what-so-ever.
25th maybe the railroad got in the way of the  service drives and they are linked to 2way locals.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 30, 2018, 01:16:24 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on October 30, 2018, 12:15:57 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 30, 2018, 10:05:02 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 30, 2018, 08:21:15 AM
For those into history, there is a retelling of the building of the Ike at this website, and describes how those "center left" exit/entry ramps came to be.

https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/ (https://interactive.wbez.org/curiouscity/eisenhower/)

QuoteThe city's portion of the expressway was complete in 1956, but Cook County and the state continued building the road through the suburbs. Unlike Chicago neighborhoods, the village of Oak Park actually fought to change the highway plans.

Oak Parkers opposed building exit and entrance ramps from the expressway's right lanes – where they normally go. They were against the standard clover-leaf-style ramps because those take up more land along the side of the expressway. And that would have meant tearing down more buildings. As a result of these protests, the highway builders put the ramps on the left side – in the middle of the expressway – at Austin Avenue and Harlem Boulevard. That unusual configuration is something that "a lot of people still complain about today,"  says Frank Lipo, executive director of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest.

The entire length of the Ike should have had continuous service drives from Racine west to Mannheim with exit and entry ramps that take up little space.  There is no reason for the cloverleaves at Mannheim and 25th.  In essence, it should've looked more like the Lodge Freeway (M-10) in Detroit.  If Oak Park didn't want proper right-side entries and exits, then the state and county should've played hardball and told Oak Park that there will be no exits at Harlem or Austin what-so-ever.
25th maybe the railroad got in the way of the  service drives and they are linked to 2way locals.

Harrison Street serves as a service drive on the north side for several miles.  The Indiana Harbor Belt overpass to the west actually had room on both sides for service roads (Wedgewood is on the south at 25th).

This area of the Chicago suburbs were not as dense in the 1950's as they are today.  Plus this ROW of the Ike from the Des Plaines River to Manheim was originally owned by a railroad and so extra land had to be acquired to support the exit.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on October 30, 2018, 01:49:53 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 29, 2018, 08:57:05 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on October 29, 2018, 05:44:20 PM
The Ike was partially reconstructed in the 80s, east of Cicero. They didn't do the area near the Harlem and Austin left hand ramps, which are still original construction plus resurfacing and patching.

That's a bummer, because they probably missed a golden opportunity then to correct that mistake. Sadly, it's become a pretty dire situation there during rush hour and basically anytime that isn't between 11pm and 10am on the weekends it seems.

Imagine what the interchanges at Harlem and Austin would be like if simultaneous opposing left and right turns (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17829.msg2139947#msg2139947) weren't allowed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on October 30, 2018, 03:19:24 PM
Here's a VMS from ISTHA, to contrast with the avant garde messages of IDOT.  I wonder why the photo is picking up all these rectangles?  This is on I-355 towards its southern end.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1949/30696117527_37d72b0eb1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD)
20181030_110128 (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(Posting this here and not the ISTHA thread because I want to show the contrast to IDOT, relevant to the context of discussion in this particular thread)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 30, 2018, 03:38:04 PM
That ISTHA is direct, concise, and to the point, whereas IDOT tries too hard at a bit of humor, to convey the same messaage?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on October 30, 2018, 08:34:23 PM
^^
Those odd rectangles in the message board's background is just the nature of the interaction between the 'flicker' of the LED array in the sign and the photosensors in your digital camera.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on October 30, 2018, 11:28:56 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 30, 2018, 03:19:24 PM
Here's a VMS from ISTHA, to contrast with the avant garde messages of IDOT.  I wonder why the photo is picking up all these rectangles?  This is on I-355 towards its southern end.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1949/30696117527_37d72b0eb1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD)
20181030_110128 (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(Posting this here and not the ISTHA thread because I want to show the contrast to IDOT, relevant to the context of discussion in this particular thread)
ISTHA has full color ones IDOT has old Dot-matrix ones
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 31, 2018, 08:02:45 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on October 30, 2018, 11:28:56 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 30, 2018, 03:19:24 PM
Here's a VMS from ISTHA, to contrast with the avant garde messages of IDOT.  I wonder why the photo is picking up all these rectangles?  This is on I-355 towards its southern end.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1949/30696117527_37d72b0eb1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD)
20181030_110128 (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(Posting this here and not the ISTHA thread because I want to show the contrast to IDOT, relevant to the context of discussion in this particular thread)
ISTHA has full color ones IDOT has old Dot-matrix ones

IDOT... trying too hard to be clever in the wrong areas with old technology. ISHTA... to the point with current technology. This pretty much states it all there. Too bad someone it IDOT isn't on here (at least that I'm aware of)!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on October 31, 2018, 09:03:18 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 31, 2018, 08:02:45 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on October 30, 2018, 11:28:56 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 30, 2018, 03:19:24 PM
Here's a VMS from ISTHA, to contrast with the avant garde messages of IDOT.  I wonder why the photo is picking up all these rectangles?  This is on I-355 towards its southern end.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1949/30696117527_37d72b0eb1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD)
20181030_110128 (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(Posting this here and not the ISTHA thread because I want to show the contrast to IDOT, relevant to the context of discussion in this particular thread)
ISTHA has full color ones IDOT has old Dot-matrix ones

IDOT... trying too hard to be clever in the wrong areas with old technology. ISHTA... to the point with current technology. This pretty much states it all there. Too bad someone it IDOT isn't on here (at least that I'm aware of)!
Again, pretty full-color VMSes don't cost the same as it costs to pay someone to come up with fifth-rate Burma-Shave ads.  And say what you will about the latter, people are noticing them, and maybe they're even thinking about the message they're conveying.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on October 31, 2018, 09:17:29 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 31, 2018, 09:03:18 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 30, 2018, 03:19:24 PM
Here's a VMS from ISTHA, to contrast with the avant garde messages of IDOT.  I wonder why the photo is picking up all these rectangles?  This is on I-355 towards its southern end.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1949/30696117527_37d72b0eb1_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD)
20181030_110128 (https://flic.kr/p/NLvCiD) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
Again, pretty full-color VMSes don't cost the same as it costs to pay someone to come up with fifth-rate Burma-Shave ads.  And say what you will about the latter, people are noticing them, and maybe they're even thinking about the message they're conveying.

This.  I'd like to think that the IDOT employee programming their humorous VMS's is bored in a room, looking for something to do until some money comes in through the door.  And that employee waits along with his/her coworkers for years...and years...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 31, 2018, 05:57:54 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 31, 2018, 08:02:45 AM
Too bad someone it IDOT isn't on here (at least that I'm aware of)!

I'm nearly 10 years gone from IDOT District 3, but we were just beginning to put up message boards then. When McLean County was still part of our District, we put up the first message sign trusses in the Bloomington/Normal area and I was the project lead. At the time they were put up, there was no real coordination between boards statewide, and they were operated via a cell phone connection between the Bloomington maintenance yard office and a receiver on each of 5 sign trusses approaching the B-N area on I-55, I-39 SB and I-74. For the longest time, they were usually turned off except for an Amber alert or construction ahead messaging.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on October 31, 2018, 07:45:47 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on October 31, 2018, 05:57:54 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 31, 2018, 08:02:45 AM
Too bad someone it IDOT isn't on here (at least that I'm aware of)!

I'm nearly 10 years gone from IDOT District 3, but we were just beginning to put up message boards then. When McLean County was still part of our District, we put up the first message sign trusses in the Bloomington/Normal area and I was the project lead. At the time they were put up, there was no real coordination between boards statewide, and they were operated via a cell phone connection between the Bloomington maintenance yard office and a receiver on each of 5 sign trusses approaching the B-N area on I-55, I-39 SB and I-74. For the longest time, they were usually turned off except for an Amber alert or construction ahead messaging.

I actually do remember that when driving through Bloomington-Normal that those message signs were there, but never really had anything on them. Rather amazing that they were just operated via a cell phone. I wonder how that works now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on November 01, 2018, 10:21:14 AM
Happened upon the installation of new signals at IL-53 and Joliet Road in Romeoville/Woodridge.

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1958/30696144757_1bc1a10d0f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/NLvLp8)
IL-053-JolietSF (https://flic.kr/p/NLvLp8) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1965/45637015081_701577a727_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2cwMCBB)
IL-053-JolietWV (https://flic.kr/p/2cwMCBB) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 01, 2018, 10:50:38 AM
^^ Sigh.  More left on green arrow only bullshit.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on November 03, 2018, 12:06:41 AM
Quote from: Brandon on November 01, 2018, 10:50:38 AM
^^ Sigh.  More left on green arrow only bullshit.

Too many drivers turning in front of oncoming traffic
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on November 05, 2018, 01:55:54 PM
Bourbonnais Parkway Interchange at I-57 Finally Opens (https://www.daily-journal.com/news/local/i--interchange-at-bourbonnais-parkway-finally-opens/article_fdfec552-dec2-11e8-9dfa-e39acd157c28.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 05, 2018, 02:50:18 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on November 05, 2018, 01:55:54 PM
Bourbonnais Parkway Interchange at I-57 Finally Opens (https://www.daily-journal.com/news/local/i--interchange-at-bourbonnais-parkway-finally-opens/article_fdfec552-dec2-11e8-9dfa-e39acd157c28.html)

"The LED lights you are seeing here are one of the first times we have tried this in our system,"  said Randall Blankenhorn, secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. "It's going to be more energy-efficient. It's going to look better. It's going to be brighter. I think you are really going to notice a difference at this interchange while driving down Interstate 57."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on November 05, 2018, 02:54:57 PM
It looked completely done back in May. I wonder what took so long to open it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 05, 2018, 03:17:26 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 05, 2018, 02:50:18 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on November 05, 2018, 01:55:54 PM
Bourbonnais Parkway Interchange at I-57 Finally Opens (https://www.daily-journal.com/news/local/i--interchange-at-bourbonnais-parkway-finally-opens/article_fdfec552-dec2-11e8-9dfa-e39acd157c28.html)

"The LED lights you are seeing here are one of the first times we have tried this in our system,"  said Randall Blankenhorn, secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation. "It's going to be more energy-efficient. It's going to look better. It's going to be brighter. I think you are really going to notice a difference at this interchange while driving down Interstate 57."

That makes them what, three years behind ISTHA?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 07, 2018, 10:15:01 PM
Can anyone tell me when an EIS goes stale and needs updating? I ask because Illinois has a bunch of old ones that have never been acted on and it looks like there will be a capital bill funded by pot and gambling.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 07, 2018, 11:57:40 PM
Quote from: 3467 on November 07, 2018, 10:15:01 PM
Can anyone tell me when an EIS goes stale and needs updating? I ask because Illinois has a bunch of old ones that have never been acted on and it looks like there will be a capital bill funded by pot and gambling.

How stale depends on how many years it's been and what changes have occurred since the last Record of Decision. 3 years is usually enough to trigger a re-evaluation of impacts, including new environmental surveys to confirm the boundaries of wetlands, presence of endangered species, buildings that are newly eligible for historic status, and so on. If enough time has lapsed where the wisdom of the original decision is in question, a supplemental EIS may be required. Some studies are so far out of date that a completely new study may as well be started from scratch. The IL-53 extension in Lake County, which made it to the EIS stage in the 1990s but was never completed, is one such project, where the Tollway is starting a brand new study.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 08, 2018, 12:04:10 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 07, 2018, 11:57:40 PM
Quote from: 3467 on November 07, 2018, 10:15:01 PM
Can anyone tell me when an EIS goes stale and needs updating? I ask because Illinois has a bunch of old ones that have never been acted on and it looks like there will be a capital bill funded by pot and gambling.

How stale depends on how many years it's been and what changes have occurred since the last Record of Decision. 3 years is usually enough to trigger a re-evaluation of impacts, including new environmental surveys to confirm the boundaries of wetlands, presence of endangered species, buildings that are newly eligible for historic status, and so on. If enough time has lapsed where the wisdom of the original decision is in question, a supplemental EIS may be required. Some studies are so far out of date that a completely new study may as well be started from scratch. The IL-53 extension in Lake County, which made it to the EIS stage in the 1990s but was never completed, is one such project, where the Tollway is starting a brand new study.

The EIS for the US50 Freeway from O'Fallon to Lake Carlyle was completed in 1973 and updated in 1977. When discussions on funding its completion were held last fall, it was noted that it was expired and funding would have to be secured to replace it, even though 20-30% of the freeway and bridges were built on ROW acquired at the time but never used.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 09:12:06 AM
Thanks because after years of no news Illinois is going to have some. What is not clear but the politics is radically changed.All but 67 are stale then because nothing has been done in a decade on most.US 50 does have an EA going on from Olney to Indiana another 4 lane ROW at each since 2012.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on November 08, 2018, 09:42:38 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 07, 2018, 10:15:01 PM
a capital bill funded by pot and gambling
First they have to legalize pot in Illinois.  And I really hope they're not thinking of building more casinos.  The one in Elgin has been hurting ever since Rivers opened, and Rivers is gonna be hurting if the Native American casino they're thinking of building near Kenosha ever gets built.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 10:02:11 AM
That is what I keep hearing . For capital and higher ed. WIU is broke. Chair of trustees resigned for violating open meetings act for covering it up. Downstate complaints but it has to use Illinois terminology has no clout. Why I mention that old road wish list.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 10:05:26 AM
Also I bring up EISs . A recent ruling by a judge in MT gave agencies a lot of NEPA flexability. While not national it's very interesting. You can find the ruling at wildearthguardians.org. they lost on NEPA but won big on ESA. Its interesting ruling if you deal with NEPA worth a read.Maybe it should go under general highway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 10:09:11 AM
Back to IL. I was at a Pritzger event. He wants progressive tax on ballot. That delays any big plans . But he wants to allow people to buy into Medicaid as public option which he thinks will bring in money. Pot and gambling for roads and higher ed. And some sort of interim school and ptasx relief. The first are clear the last one looks like magic.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 08, 2018, 10:32:39 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 10:09:11 AM
Back to IL. I was at a Pritzger event. He wants progressive tax on ballot. That delays any big plans . But he wants to allow people to buy into Medicaid as public option which he thinks will bring in money. Pot and gambling for roads and higher ed. And some sort of interim school and ptasx relief. The first are clear the last one looks like magic.

Slightly off-topic, but relevant to the discussion: If Pritzker wants a progressive income tax, it mandates a change in the state constitution, not something taken lightly, and very difficult to pass.  The 1970 state constitution (for better or worse) crystallizes the current flat tax (regardless of rate).

Personally, I just don't see much funding for roads in Illinois at the state level (except for ISTHA) due to the pension situation (which has been a couple decades in the making).  Aside from a few interchanges here and there, I just don't see much happening.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on November 08, 2018, 01:37:32 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on November 08, 2018, 09:42:38 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 07, 2018, 10:15:01 PM
a capital bill funded by pot and gambling
First they have to legalize pot in Illinois.  And I really hope they're not thinking of building more casinos.  The one in Elgin has been hurting ever since Rivers opened, and Rivers is gonna be hurting if the Native American casino they're thinking of building near Kenosha ever gets built.
A couple of the Downstate casino proposals:

Danville would be a good one downstate. Closest in state are Joliet and Peoria, both a 1-2 hour drive. Nearest in Indiana is Hoosier Park NE of Indy, probably an hour+ away. And Danville could use anything it can get

Walker's Bluff in Carterville (between Marion and Carbondale) is an interesting one. They want one. Metropolis on the Ohio and Cape Girardeau across the Mississippi both have casinos, and are about 1 hour away each. St Louis and East St Louis have multiple casinos, about 1:30 away or so. That one has more in range competition. However Walkers Bluff has aspirations of being a Convention and Resort Center, and wants the casino to be a part of it

Any Gambling expansion, whether new or existing Casinos, should add Sports Betting. Now that the Federal prohibition on Sports Betting is gone, IL needs to join the Legalized states. AFAIK no bordering Gambling state has legalized it yet. Mississippi has, which is driveable from Southern IL, but not exactly close. There are new revenue possibilities, statewide, on Sports Betting
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 06:45:13 PM
Politically every downstate 4 lane project on the projects list is in a GOP district.  I expect Madigan blackmails a few to get the progressive tax on the ballot. It needs 60. But I do expect some money and I think like 4u it will be casinos and pot for a capital bill with token ptas relief until the progressive tax.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 06:46:55 PM
Thy he Ontario TRS owns the skyway.  I have long suggested making TRS the Tollway owner and there goes half the debt.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 06:50:46 PM
Tony Evers in WI suggested working with the GOP legislature on transportation. They responded by demanding he give up powers. Even Walkers staff slapped them down. So looks like no solution to Wisconsins road woes and as mentioned in central states..MO voters voted the gas tax down. Any other election effects in Midwest?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on November 09, 2018, 02:47:12 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 06:50:46 PM
Tony Evers in WI suggested working with the GOP legislature on transportation. They responded by demanding he give up powers. Even Walkers staff slapped them down. So looks like no solution to Wisconsins road woes and as mentioned in central states..MO voters voted the gas tax down. Any other election effects in Midwest?

Part of that, too, is that despite Democrat Evers narrowly winning the governor election, the Republicans *gained* seats in the legislature, increasing their majority.  The next few years will be interesting here.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 09, 2018, 11:38:40 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 09:12:06 AM
Thanks because after years of no news Illinois is going to have some. What is not clear but the politics is radically changed.All but 67 are stale then because nothing has been done in a decade on most.US 50 does have an EA going on from Olney to Indiana another 4 lane ROW at each since 2012.

Yes, there is a US50 Coalition pushing for a 4 lane from O'Fallon to Vincennes.

The 4 lane in Illinois west of the Wabash ends north of Lawrenceville today, is a Super 2 briefly, before heading down an alignment to Olney.  In the original Interstate Plan, this route was supposed to be the St Louis-Louisville route but was moved south (now I-64).  The EA is to raise the road from the Wabash River to the Walmart Distro Center west of Olney to interstate standards. That distro center supports SE Illinois and parts of western Indiana so truck traffic has been increasing.

That US50 section around Vincennes and Lawrenceville was bulit in 1961-1962, but the road is in decrepit condition.  Also the economics in the region have changed dramatically since that road was built.  That part of the state used to be a large oil producer (Lawrenceville used to have a large refinery) and the road also served a former USAAF base, which for awhile was an international airport. There are no more commercial flights into that airport either.

Essentially, US50 would have a full interchange with IL-130 and a simple on/off ramps at IL-250 north of Bridgeport and at Red Hill State Park.  They would convert the Super-2 west of Lawrenceville and reconstruct the full interchange and bridges at IL-1.  I doubt any ramps will exist for the airport which is general aviation now since the runways were truncated back in the 1980's.  The ramps for IL-33 and the US50 BUSN Loop for Lawrenceville will remain.

Unfortunately IDOT has allowed a large amount of property creep along the ROW east of Olney since the current route was built in 1961.  Olney has plans for a large industrial park where US50, IL-250 and the CSX railroad meet at Holly Road, but CSX wanted Olney to pay for the switch and new rail spur. With CSX having closed that line between O'Fallon and Flora, Olney only is served from the east now by rail, making a large industrial park a challenge.  Olney let a federal grant lapse to reimburse them for CSX because they found they couldn't afford to extend city water and sewer. Since Illinois was broke, they couldn't help either.

So now they are hoping a US50 4 lane extension will help them attract new industrial clients.

The area was a target for oil fracking, but when Illinois passed the most onerous fracking rules in the world, many of the frackers have moved on.  If oil prices ever go back up, I can see this highway getting used heavily for oil support.  Until then, it will mostly be used for regional purposes, like agricultural, small industrial, and local A to B traffic.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on November 09, 2018, 02:49:01 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on November 09, 2018, 11:38:40 AM
Yes, there is a US50 Coalition pushing for a 4 lane from O'Fallon to Vincennes.

...

AADTs:

8150   Vincennes - Lawrenceville
6600   Lawrenceville - Olney
4350   Olney - Clay City
7050   Clay City - Flora
6550   Flora - Salem
10500   Salem - Odin
6400   Odin - Sandoval
6700   Sandoval - Carlyle
7550   Aviston - Carlyle
9450   Carlyle - Lebanon
15300   Lebanon - O'Fallon

It's right on the line of needing it, if you ask me.  For comparison, I-64 east of Mount Vernon runs about 10000 to 12000 AADT.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 09, 2018, 05:07:34 PM
^ I think the Carlyle - Lebanon stretch gets some large fluctuations with weekend traffic.  I've seen EB fairly crowded while at the same time WB wasn't bad.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 09, 2018, 05:42:25 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 09, 2018, 05:07:34 PM
^ I think the Carlyle - Lebanon stretch gets some large fluctuations with weekend traffic.  I've seen EB fairly crowded while at the same time WB wasn't bad.

The 1973 and 1977 EIS covered the O'Fallon to Carlyle section. The upgrade to interstate standards was started and contracts were issued, then IDOT cancelled them due to a shift in priorities.

That is why you see so many stretches of Super 2 or unused bridges along the ROW east of O'Fallon.

Contracts were also issued in 1973 for the section between Xenia to Clay City. Much of it involving upgrades around US45, but not interstate standards.  However, only 2 or 3 miles and 2 bridges were built before the contract was cancelled and only the 2 lane alignment was left.

The 4 lane segment was used for maybe 4 to 5 years and when it became obvious no more money was coming, IDOT closed the south side of the ROW and it became a 2 lane.

For years people complained about the sudden Xenia termination. Go south a mile and then return to the 1928 alignment to continue to Salem.

Finally IDOT fixed that in the 1990's where they completed the Xenia alignment to turn south and merge with the old alignment which allowed 2 stoplights to be taken out.

Below is the unfinished Xenia segment. It ended abruptly at Co Road 3000 and turned you south to "old" US 50.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4890/45077672364_dfd6dfc20e_z.jpg)

This one is the unfinished US45 North intersection north of Flora.

(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4894/45077685704_13420ea588_z.jpg)

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 09, 2018, 07:00:24 PM
There is a study for an 2 lane Lebanon bypass that would connect to the segment to Carlyle. Then there is some 4 lane at Salem and the past Salem its 4 lane ROW to Indiana as edwalini describes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 09, 2018, 07:07:01 PM
There are a lot of discussions on how to deal with a ton of issues but Pritzgers team wants a big Spring as of today pot and gambling may be general revs and a gas tax for capital.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 09, 2018, 08:01:02 PM
Quote from: kphoger on November 09, 2018, 02:49:01 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on November 09, 2018, 11:38:40 AM
Yes, there is a US50 Coalition pushing for a 4 lane from O'Fallon to Vincennes.

...

AADTs:

8150   Vincennes - Lawrenceville
6600   Lawrenceville - Olney
4350   Olney - Clay City
7050   Clay City - Flora
6550   Flora - Salem
10500   Salem - Odin
6400   Odin - Sandoval
6700   Sandoval - Carlyle
7550   Aviston - Carlyle
9450   Carlyle - Lebanon
15300   Lebanon - O'Fallon

It's right on the line of needing it, if you ask me.  For comparison, I-64 east of Mount Vernon runs about 10000 to 12000 AADT.

These are interesting metrics.

Most traffic goes east from Olney but not west.

Most traffic goes west from Flora, but not east.

Also that Odin/Salem number is very high and kind of baffled me until I noticed that Con-Way has a logistics center on US50 next to WalMart and NAL west of I-57 between Odin and Salem.



Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on November 11, 2018, 02:17:15 PM
On Roosevelt around 290 and 294, there are some gates that look like the ones used on the express lanes of the Kennedy. It's pretty obvious they are used to close the ramp, but why? Have they ever been used?

Streetview reference, https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8617658,-87.9240695,3a,29.6y,70.56h,87.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suQOuAmDpST3dfjdyU9dRQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8617658,-87.9240695,3a,29.6y,70.56h,87.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suQOuAmDpST3dfjdyU9dRQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on November 11, 2018, 08:26:26 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on November 11, 2018, 02:17:15 PM
On Roosevelt around 290 and 294, there are some gates that look like the ones used on the express lanes of the Kennedy. It's pretty obvious they are used to close the ramp, but why? Have they ever been used?

Streetview reference, https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8617658,-87.9240695,3a,29.6y,70.56h,87.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suQOuAmDpST3dfjdyU9dRQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8617658,-87.9240695,3a,29.6y,70.56h,87.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suQOuAmDpST3dfjdyU9dRQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)

I know that they are closed inbound in the afternoon rush hour, or at least I have encountered that. I guess it is a traffic control measure... although I question the usefulness of this feature as all it does is funnel the traffic to the surface roads in the area.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 11, 2018, 08:50:10 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on November 11, 2018, 08:26:26 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on November 11, 2018, 02:17:15 PM
On Roosevelt around 290 and 294, there are some gates that look like the ones used on the express lanes of the Kennedy. It's pretty obvious they are used to close the ramp, but why? Have they ever been used?

Streetview reference, https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8617658,-87.9240695,3a,29.6y,70.56h,87.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suQOuAmDpST3dfjdyU9dRQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8617658,-87.9240695,3a,29.6y,70.56h,87.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suQOuAmDpST3dfjdyU9dRQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)

I know that they are closed inbound in the afternoon rush hour, or at least I have encountered that. I guess it is a traffic control measure... although I question the usefulness of this feature as all it does is funnel the traffic to the surface roads in the area.

Installed as part of the Hillside Strangler remediation under Gov. George Ryan.  Intended to push traffic eastbound on Roosevelt to Mannheim when the traffic sensor at Wolf Road detects stopped or slow moving traffic.

While it might help with an acute issue, but when it closes, it pushes the traffic down to the left turn lane at Mannheim, as people have to turn left off Roosevelt to get back to the Ike.

IDOT has tried several times to bridge Mannheim over IL-38 (Roosevelt) but the towns of Hillside and Westchester won't have it. IDOT wanted to eliminate all or most of the retail for land acquisition around the intersection north to the CN (Illinois Central) tracks. Due to the cemetery just south of IL-38, all of the ramps would have to be situated north.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ILRoad55 on November 13, 2018, 12:47:34 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on November 11, 2018, 08:50:10 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on November 11, 2018, 08:26:26 PM
Quote from: ILRoad55 on November 11, 2018, 02:17:15 PM
On Roosevelt around 290 and 294, there are some gates that look like the ones used on the express lanes of the Kennedy. It's pretty obvious they are used to close the ramp, but why? Have they ever been used?

Streetview reference, https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8617658,-87.9240695,3a,29.6y,70.56h,87.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suQOuAmDpST3dfjdyU9dRQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8617658,-87.9240695,3a,29.6y,70.56h,87.22t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suQOuAmDpST3dfjdyU9dRQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)

I know that they are closed inbound in the afternoon rush hour, or at least I have encountered that. I guess it is a traffic control measure... although I question the usefulness of this feature as all it does is funnel the traffic to the surface roads in the area.

Installed as part of the Hillside Strangler remediation under Gov. George Ryan.  Intended to push traffic eastbound on Roosevelt to Mannheim when the traffic sensor at Wolf Road detects stopped or slow moving traffic.

While it might help with an acute issue, but when it closes, it pushes the traffic down to the left turn lane at Mannheim, as people have to turn left off Roosevelt to get back to the Ike.

IDOT has tried several times to bridge Mannheim over IL-38 (Roosevelt) but the towns of Hillside and Westchester won't have it. IDOT wanted to eliminate all or most of the retail for land acquisition around the intersection north to the CN (Illinois Central) tracks. Due to the cemetery just south of IL-38, all of the ramps would have to be situated north.
Wow! Didn't know about that. But yea, it does seem to push all the traffic further east on Roosevelt and onto Mannheim. There is also the entrance at Wolf Road and Harrison but not many drivers know of it. But you eventually get dumped into that merge after Westchester Blvd.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on November 13, 2018, 01:28:29 PM
I always used to wonder about those gates.  That used to be along a regular bus route of mine:  it was part of the former routing of what was then Pace #747 and is now Pace #301.  I can confirm that the gates were usually closed whenever I would see them, and my trips were inbound on Friday evenings–which is exactly the timeframe ChiMilNet mentioned.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 15, 2018, 08:15:38 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 10:02:11 AM
That is what I keep hearing . For capital and higher ed. WIU is broke. Chair of trustees resigned for violating open meetings act for covering it up. Downstate complaints but it has to use Illinois terminology has no clout. Why I mention that old road wish list.

SIU-Edwardsville is propping up SIU-Carbondale right now. It used to be the other way around.

So many rural school districts in Illinois are either in arrears or barely treading water, several have merged or are co-op on extracurricular activities.  With football playoffs going on right now, many schools that were eligible have been asking for donations to cover the transportation costs.

One rural district finally threw in the towel when they reached $1 million in arrears, all of it due to delayed reimbursements from the state coffers. 

Not sure about you, but when someone collects your taxes and gives little or nothing back, that has the hallmarks of tyranny.

A few lawmakers say that this is a good thing as they think Illinois has too many taxing entities the state has to work with and that by starving them, it is forcing them to consolidate.

One thing the legislature wants to get rid of is township highway departments in the Illinois counties.  They believe that they duplicate county highway departments now and are obsolete.

I have read about various townships saying they are going to defer their usual tar and chip road work due to lack of funds. Most of these township departments employ 3 maybe 4 people each, but the overhead to process their functions are becoming cumbersome.

Township government structure made sense in the horse and buggy days, but it is being questioned in the here and now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 10:55:13 AM
You are right. It's amazing how the townships keep surviving.  Downstaters particularly the rural ones have been fed over and over again that Chicago is somehow taking from them when it is the total reverse. The political shifts look titanic and permanent so rural Illinois may be in for a rude awakening.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on November 15, 2018, 11:03:22 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on November 15, 2018, 08:15:38 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 10:02:11 AM
That is what I keep hearing . For capital and higher ed. WIU is broke. Chair of trustees resigned for violating open meetings act for covering it up. Downstate complaints but it has to use Illinois terminology has no clout. Why I mention that old road wish list.

SIU-Edwardsville is propping up SIU-Carbondale right now. It used to be the other way around.

So many rural school districts in Illinois are either in arrears or barely treading water, several have merged or are co-op on extracurricular activities.  With football playoffs going on right now, many schools that were eligible have been asking for donations to cover the transportation costs.

One rural district finally threw in the towel when they reached $1 million in arrears, all of it due to delayed reimbursements from the state coffers. 

Not sure about you, but when someone collects your taxes and gives little or nothing back, that has the hallmarks of tyranny.

A few lawmakers say that this is a good thing as they think Illinois has too many taxing entities the state has to work with and that by starving them, it is forcing them to consolidate.

One thing the legislature wants to get rid of is township highway departments in the Illinois counties.  They believe that they duplicate county highway departments now and are obsolete.

I have read about various townships saying they are going to defer their usual tar and chip road work due to lack of funds. Most of these township departments employ 3 maybe 4 people each, but the overhead to process their functions are becoming cumbersome.

Township government structure made sense in the horse and buggy days, but it is being questioned in the here and now.

The schools districts need some serious consolidation in this state.  I'll use my area as an example.

The Joliet area has seven, yes, seven school districts.  Six K-8 districts and one high school district that all six feed into.  You have the following:
Joliet Public Schools, #86
4 Junior High Schools
16 Elementary Schools (2 of which are elite academies)
And 2 other schools (early childhood & alternate)

Troy Community Consolidated #30C
1 Middle School
1 Intermediate School
5 Elementary Schools

Rockdale #84
1 School, K-8

Union #81
1 School, K-8

Laraway Community Consolidated #70C
1 School, K-8

Elwood Community Consolidated #203
1 School, K-8

Joliet Township High Schools #204
2 High Schools

Why do we, in a relatively urban area, have four flipping one-school school districts!?!

As for the townships, all unincorporated land should be forced into a municipality instead of being allowed to be an unincorporated island.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:07:14 AM
I could name pages of downstate districts but the rural folks have blocked it for ages because they fear dangerous urban areas like Galesburg or Jacksonville or Macomb or Monmouth. This should be snark but it isnt.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:10:32 AM
The rural areas need to bring their kids the few there are to central pickup spots like the urban areas. The waste there is just stunning thought I would bring in another transport issue.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on November 15, 2018, 11:15:46 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:07:14 AM
I could name pages of downstate districts but the rural folks have blocked it for ages because they fear dangerous urban areas like Galesburg or Jacksonville or Macomb or Monmouth. This should be snark but it isnt.

Maybe the most egregious one I'm aware of is Akin USD.  Why it hasn't merged with Thompsonville USD is beyond me.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:17:02 AM
Have we ever debated the downstate boarder? Believe it not we had that discussion back in college. We agreed Rockford and Ottawa and DeKalb were. Now I am not as sure. I did find one sharp line take US 34 and cross between Sandwich and Plano.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on November 15, 2018, 11:21:01 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:17:02 AM
Have we ever debated the downstate boarder? Believe it not we had that discussion back in college. We agreed Rockford and Ottawa and DeKalb were. Now I am not as sure. I did find one sharp line take US 34 and cross between Sandwich and Plano.

We did in the What Do Locals Call Your Part Of The State??? (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21006.msg2337022#msg2337022) thread.  Pertinent portion highlighted below.

Quote from: Super Mateo on June 23, 2018, 03:57:15 PM

Quote from: inkyatari on October 31, 2017, 12:55:43 PM

Quote from: kphoger on October 31, 2017, 09:48:42 AM
Similarly, people in Chicago seem to think Champaign is in southern Illinois.

The term is "downstate," which also roughly applies to areas west of the Fox river, as well as south of I-80.

The area I live in is being marketed as the Chicago Southland, which includes the suburbs from Burbank south and from Homer Glen east, and complete excludes anything in Indiana.  However, I've lived here my entire life, and I've never heard anyone call this area the Chicago Southland.

Really, though, people from Chicagoland only recognize two areas in Illinois:  Chicagoland and Downstate.  ANYTHING that isn't Chicagoland is considered Downstate and vice versa.

My brother lives in a region of North Carolina that includes Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, etc.  From what little I've seen, they seem to refer to the area as the Sand Hills.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on November 15, 2018, 12:08:07 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 15, 2018, 11:03:22 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on November 15, 2018, 08:15:38 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 10:02:11 AM
That is what I keep hearing . For capital and higher ed. WIU is broke. Chair of trustees resigned for violating open meetings act for covering it up. Downstate complaints but it has to use Illinois terminology has no clout. Why I mention that old road wish list.

SIU-Edwardsville is propping up SIU-Carbondale right now. It used to be the other way around.

So many rural school districts in Illinois are either in arrears or barely treading water, several have merged or are co-op on extracurricular activities.  With football playoffs going on right now, many schools that were eligible have been asking for donations to cover the transportation costs.

One rural district finally threw in the towel when they reached $1 million in arrears, all of it due to delayed reimbursements from the state coffers. 

Not sure about you, but when someone collects your taxes and gives little or nothing back, that has the hallmarks of tyranny.

A few lawmakers say that this is a good thing as they think Illinois has too many taxing entities the state has to work with and that by starving them, it is forcing them to consolidate.

One thing the legislature wants to get rid of is township highway departments in the Illinois counties.  They believe that they duplicate county highway departments now and are obsolete.

I have read about various townships saying they are going to defer their usual tar and chip road work due to lack of funds. Most of these township departments employ 3 maybe 4 people each, but the overhead to process their functions are becoming cumbersome.

Township government structure made sense in the horse and buggy days, but it is being questioned in the here and now.

The schools districts need some serious consolidation in this state.  I'll use my area as an example.

The Joliet area has seven, yes, seven school districts.  Six K-8 districts and one high school district that all six feed into.  You have the following:
Joliet Public Schools, #86
4 Junior High Schools
16 Elementary Schools (2 of which are elite academies)
And 2 other schools (early childhood & alternate)

Troy Community Consolidated #30C
1 Middle School
1 Intermediate School
5 Elementary Schools

Rockdale #84
1 School, K-8

Union #81
1 School, K-8

Laraway Community Consolidated #70C
1 School, K-8

Elwood Community Consolidated #203
1 School, K-8

Joliet Township High Schools #204
2 High Schools

Why do we, in a relatively urban area, have four flipping one-school school districts!?!

As for the townships, all unincorporated land should be forced into a municipality instead of being allowed to be an unincorporated island.

They had a special on the news the other night about this Union #81. The superintendent makes $200,000 a year and believes he has earned every penny of it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 15, 2018, 01:23:08 PM
Quote from: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:17:02 AM
Have we ever debated the downstate boarder? Believe it not we had that discussion back in college. We agreed Rockford and Ottawa and DeKalb were. Now I am not as sure. I did find one sharp line take US 34 and cross between Sandwich and Plano.

I do think the line between Sandwich and Plano is accurate, although CMAP has started to get into Sandwich's affairs even though it is mostly located in rural DeKalb County.
When I was at IDOT, Plano was all for encouraging additional development and helped propel an add-lanes project on US 34 that will soon be part of a continuous multi-lane route between there and the city. Many large residential developments such as Lakewood Springs have popped up and thrived there. On the other hand, Sandwich had a similar expansion study done on US 34, and after a few years of study, the townspeople and city government decided they didn't want it and wanted Sandwich to remain the small-town rural outpost that it remains today. Two towns adjacent to each other, but so different.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on November 15, 2018, 01:26:14 PM
Quote from: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:17:02 AM
Have we ever debated the downstate boarder? Believe it not we had that discussion back in college. We agreed Rockford and Ottawa and DeKalb were. Now I am not as sure. I did find one sharp line take US 34 and cross between Sandwich and Plano.
It's my personal belief that the border is I-80 and that Rockford and DeKalb are not "downstate."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on November 15, 2018, 01:30:50 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 15, 2018, 01:23:08 PM

Quote from: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:17:02 AM
Have we ever debated the downstate boarder? Believe it not we had that discussion back in college. We agreed Rockford and Ottawa and DeKalb were. Now I am not as sure. I did find one sharp line take US 34 and cross between Sandwich and Plano.

I do think the line between Sandwich and Plano is accurate

Having been in a relationship with someone who grew up in Sandwich and spent half her time in Plano, I think it's silly to draw the line between them.  Besides which, I don't see how Joliet could be called "downstate".
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 15, 2018, 02:50:27 PM
Quote from: tribar on November 15, 2018, 12:08:07 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 15, 2018, 11:03:22 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on November 15, 2018, 08:15:38 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 10:02:11 AM
That is what I keep hearing . For capital and higher ed. WIU is broke. Chair of trustees resigned for violating open meetings act for covering it up. Downstate complaints but it has to use Illinois terminology has no clout. Why I mention that old road wish list.

SIU-Edwardsville is propping up SIU-Carbondale right now. It used to be the other way around.

So many rural school districts in Illinois are either in arrears or barely treading water, several have merged or are co-op on extracurricular activities.  With football playoffs going on right now, many schools that were eligible have been asking for donations to cover the transportation costs.

One rural district finally threw in the towel when they reached $1 million in arrears, all of it due to delayed reimbursements from the state coffers. 

Not sure about you, but when someone collects your taxes and gives little or nothing back, that has the hallmarks of tyranny.

A few lawmakers say that this is a good thing as they think Illinois has too many taxing entities the state has to work with and that by starving them, it is forcing them to consolidate.

One thing the legislature wants to get rid of is township highway departments in the Illinois counties.  They believe that they duplicate county highway departments now and are obsolete.

I have read about various townships saying they are going to defer their usual tar and chip road work due to lack of funds. Most of these township departments employ 3 maybe 4 people each, but the overhead to process their functions are becoming cumbersome.

Township government structure made sense in the horse and buggy days, but it is being questioned in the here and now.

The schools districts need some serious consolidation in this state.  I'll use my area as an example.

The Joliet area has seven, yes, seven school districts.  Six K-8 districts and one high school district that all six feed into.  You have the following:
Joliet Public Schools, #86
4 Junior High Schools
16 Elementary Schools (2 of which are elite academies)
And 2 other schools (early childhood & alternate)

Troy Community Consolidated #30C
1 Middle School
1 Intermediate School
5 Elementary Schools

Rockdale #84
1 School, K-8

Union #81
1 School, K-8

Laraway Community Consolidated #70C
1 School, K-8

Elwood Community Consolidated #203
1 School, K-8

Joliet Township High Schools #204
2 High Schools

Why do we, in a relatively urban area, have four flipping one-school school districts!?!

As for the townships, all unincorporated land should be forced into a municipality instead of being allowed to be an unincorporated island.

They had a special on the news the other night about this Union #81. The superintendent makes $200,000 a year and believes he has earned every penny of it.

Perfect example of rural school districts hanging around into the modern era.  Illinois wants many of these to consolidate into more comprehensive regional districts that encompass K-12.

Since the 1970's, the Chicago Tribune has covered tons of stories of "micro" 1 house school districts holding up larger actions.

Most politicos and media are hung up on reporting contracts and teacher salaries.  They need to focus on district duplication.

This could free up a lot of dough for other state needs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on November 15, 2018, 02:52:33 PM
Quote from: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:17:02 AM
Have we ever debated the downstate boarder? Believe it not we had that discussion back in college. We agreed Rockford and Ottawa and DeKalb were. Now I am not as sure. I did find one sharp line take US 34 and cross between Sandwich and Plano.

Mine was anything south of I-80 before I took my met courses and had to be specific with discussing regions. I switched to using central and southern Illinois as general areas when discussing forecasts for the state.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on November 15, 2018, 06:24:47 PM
Quote from: Brandon on November 15, 2018, 11:03:22 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on November 15, 2018, 08:15:38 AM
Quote from: 3467 on November 08, 2018, 10:02:11 AM
That is what I keep hearing . For capital and higher ed. WIU is broke. Chair of trustees resigned for violating open meetings act for covering it up. Downstate complaints but it has to use Illinois terminology has no clout. Why I mention that old road wish list.

SIU-Edwardsville is propping up SIU-Carbondale right now. It used to be the other way around.

So many rural school districts in Illinois are either in arrears or barely treading water, several have merged or are co-op on extracurricular activities.  With football playoffs going on right now, many schools that were eligible have been asking for donations to cover the transportation costs.

One rural district finally threw in the towel when they reached $1 million in arrears, all of it due to delayed reimbursements from the state coffers. 

Not sure about you, but when someone collects your taxes and gives little or nothing back, that has the hallmarks of tyranny.

A few lawmakers say that this is a good thing as they think Illinois has too many taxing entities the state has to work with and that by starving them, it is forcing them to consolidate.

One thing the legislature wants to get rid of is township highway departments in the Illinois counties.  They believe that they duplicate county highway departments now and are obsolete.

I have read about various townships saying they are going to defer their usual tar and chip road work due to lack of funds. Most of these township departments employ 3 maybe 4 people each, but the overhead to process their functions are becoming cumbersome.

Township government structure made sense in the horse and buggy days, but it is being questioned in the here and now.

The schools districts need some serious consolidation in this state.  I'll use my area as an example.

The Joliet area has seven, yes, seven school districts.  Six K-8 districts and one high school district that all six feed into.  You have the following:
Joliet Public Schools, #86
4 Junior High Schools
16 Elementary Schools (2 of which are elite academies)
And 2 other schools (early childhood & alternate)

Troy Community Consolidated #30C
1 Middle School
1 Intermediate School
5 Elementary Schools

Rockdale #84
1 School, K-8

Union #81
1 School, K-8

Laraway Community Consolidated #70C
1 School, K-8

Elwood Community Consolidated #203
1 School, K-8

Joliet Township High Schools #204
2 High Schools

Why do we, in a relatively urban area, have four flipping one-school school districts!?!

As for the townships, all unincorporated land should be forced into a municipality instead of being allowed to be an unincorporated island.

Just like is badly needed here in Wisconsin, I would force-merge ALL of the state's townships with their respective county boards and rationalize all of the state's metro areas, including Chicagoland, seriously cutting down on the number of units of local government with taxing authority.  Bourbonnais/Bradley/Kankakee?  One city.  Quad Cities area?  One city.  Bloomington/Normal?  One city.  Cook/Du Page/Will County suburbs?  City of Chicago.  Rockford area?  One city.  Champaign/Urbana?  One city.  Saint Louis suburbs?  One city.  Eastern Lake County?  One city.  Etc.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 06:52:43 PM
It's really an opinion. I didn't know about the broader discussion . I am really pleased to see Rick Powells always informative comments. He was giving some data to my feel. I had not taken highway 34 in more than a decade and back then my feel was more Yorkville.  My feel used to be right around Ottawa on 80 and DeKalb of even Dixon on the tollway. The Tollway just has a Chicago feel to it. Objectively the satellite maps like thy he NYT and EU building maps can really dileneate an area along with nighttime lights. Also the term Chicagoland was created by the Tribune to cover is Midwest circulation area. If we used that Chicagoland is shrinking.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 06:59:32 PM
I agree with Mike. We also need regional economic development. Illinois will in some way he involved in Foxconn.  These efforts need to be coordinated. Maybe it will be easier with some of the new Governors. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 15, 2018, 10:19:19 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on November 15, 2018, 06:24:47 PM
Cook/Du Page/Will County suburbs?  City of Chicago.

Absolutely not.  I do not want to put up with the wonderful Chicago policies - such as all of the speed cameras and leased parking meters - in more of the region.  If anything the county lines ought to be redrawn so either Chicago is in a county by itself, or more of the suburbs near the county lines are moved to the neighboring counties.

Quote from: mgk920 on November 15, 2018, 06:24:47 PMSaint Louis suburbs?  One city.  Eastern Lake County?  One city.

Strongly disagree on this one.  While many of the inner suburbs need to be consolidate (particularly on that part of I-170 where it seems there is a new city limit sign every hundred feet), St. Louis County is big enough it warrants more than one city.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: silverback1065 on November 15, 2018, 10:33:49 PM
i'm not a fan of consolidation, it's the worst thing indianapolis ever did. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on November 15, 2018, 11:47:14 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 15, 2018, 10:19:19 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on November 15, 2018, 06:24:47 PM
Cook/Du Page/Will County suburbs?  City of Chicago.

Absolutely not.  I do not want to put up with the wonderful Chicago policies - such as all of the speed cameras and leased parking meters - in more of the region.  If anything the county lines ought to be redrawn so either Chicago is in a county by itself, or more of the suburbs near the county lines are moved to the neighboring counties.

The former suburbs would control the mayor's office and city council.

Quote
Quote from: mgk920 on November 15, 2018, 06:24:47 PMSaint Louis suburbs?  One city.  Eastern Lake County?  One city.

Strongly disagree on this one.  While many of the inner suburbs need to be consolidate (particularly on that part of I-170 where it seems there is a new city limit sign every hundred feet), St. Louis County is big enough it warrants more than one city.

I was referring to the Illinois suburbs.  OTOH, in Missouri, I would merge the City of Saint Louis with all of Saint Louis County.  Especially get rid of all of those micro-suburbs.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on November 16, 2018, 03:33:22 AM
Hey, St Louis is a crap city crime-wise, why make it worse?🙃
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on November 16, 2018, 09:25:39 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on November 15, 2018, 11:47:14 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 15, 2018, 10:19:19 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on November 15, 2018, 06:24:47 PM
Cook/Du Page/Will County suburbs?  City of Chicago.

Absolutely not.  I do not want to put up with the wonderful Chicago policies - such as all of the speed cameras and leased parking meters - in more of the region.  If anything the county lines ought to be redrawn so either Chicago is in a county by itself, or more of the suburbs near the county lines are moved to the neighboring counties.

The former suburbs would control the mayor's office and city council.


No :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 16, 2018, 10:20:11 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on November 15, 2018, 01:26:14 PM
Quote from: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:17:02 AM
Have we ever debated the downstate boarder? Believe it not we had that discussion back in college. We agreed Rockford and Ottawa and DeKalb were. Now I am not as sure. I did find one sharp line take US 34 and cross between Sandwich and Plano.
It's my personal belief that the border is I-80 and that Rockford and DeKalb are not "downstate."

There are several parts of IL just south of I-80 that are definitely in Chicagoland. All of south Cook County, some of Will County (Frankfort, University Park, New Lenox, Mokena, south Joliet), and I'd argue Minooka and Morris in Grundy.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on November 16, 2018, 12:34:14 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on November 16, 2018, 10:20:11 AM
Quote from: abefroman329 on November 15, 2018, 01:26:14 PM
Quote from: 3467 on November 15, 2018, 11:17:02 AM
Have we ever debated the downstate boarder? Believe it not we had that discussion back in college. We agreed Rockford and Ottawa and DeKalb were. Now I am not as sure. I did find one sharp line take US 34 and cross between Sandwich and Plano.
It's my personal belief that the border is I-80 and that Rockford and DeKalb are not "downstate."

There are several parts of IL just south of I-80 that are definitely in Chicagoland. All of south Cook County, some of Will County (Frankfort, University Park, New Lenox, Mokena, south Joliet), and I'd argue Minooka and Morris in Grundy.


And there are definitely parts of Illinois north of I-80 that feel much more "downstate" even if they aren't geographically downstate.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on November 16, 2018, 12:38:30 PM
I'll quote it again for reinforcement:

Quote from: Super Mateo on June 23, 2018, 03:57:15 PM
Really, though, people from Chicagoland only recognize two areas in Illinois:  Chicagoland and Downstate.  ANYTHING that isn't Chicagoland is considered Downstate and vice versa.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 16, 2018, 05:28:49 PM
One interesting development in the 2050 plan was that McHenry county wanted the extension of 53 to US 12. They never had before. I wondered if like the Sandwich Plano wall Mc Henry felt that western part will remain rural and development is done and the road would be a huge benefit.In the NYT map Chicago looks well defined though despite its downstate nature it is continually built up to Soumonauk.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on December 04, 2018, 03:27:36 PM
The 4th lane is open on the Kennedy eastbound as work now moves to the westbound lanes. Overnight closures will still be needed for final tasks.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 04, 2018, 04:10:02 PM
Quote from: ET21 on December 04, 2018, 03:27:36 PM
The 4th lane is open on the Kennedy eastbound as work now moves to the westbound lanes. Overnight closures will still be needed for final tasks.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY)

I'll be driving through there this weekend, so we'll see how much it actually ends up helping. With how much IDOT spent, hopefully it wasn't a waste of time and dollars. Anyone driven through there so far and have any feedback?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on December 05, 2018, 08:17:47 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on December 04, 2018, 04:10:02 PM
Quote from: ET21 on December 04, 2018, 03:27:36 PM
The 4th lane is open on the Kennedy eastbound as work now moves to the westbound lanes. Overnight closures will still be needed for final tasks.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY)

I'll be driving through there this weekend, so we'll see how much it actually ends up helping. With how much IDOT spent, hopefully it wasn't a waste of time and dollars. Anyone driven through there so far and have any feedback?

Just did this morning, and I think this might have been due to AM rush hour. The bottleneck shifted to just before Canfield and continued through to about Austin before opening up. That might honestly be because of usual traffic and a snow burst we had. Otherwise it was wide open through Cumberland. 190 still needs some work done with final striping.

Would need to do that route for a week to see if it stays consistent, but at least through Cumberland, it was way better than before.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 05, 2018, 12:14:30 PM
Quote from: ET21 on December 05, 2018, 08:17:47 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on December 04, 2018, 04:10:02 PM
Quote from: ET21 on December 04, 2018, 03:27:36 PM
The 4th lane is open on the Kennedy eastbound as work now moves to the westbound lanes. Overnight closures will still be needed for final tasks.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY)

I'll be driving through there this weekend, so we'll see how much it actually ends up helping. With how much IDOT spent, hopefully it wasn't a waste of time and dollars. Anyone driven through there so far and have any feedback?

Just did this morning, and I think this might have been due to AM rush hour. The bottleneck shifted to just before Canfield and continued through to about Austin before opening up. That might honestly be because of usual traffic and a snow burst we had. Otherwise it was wide open through Cumberland. 190 still needs some work done with final striping.

Would need to do that route for a week to see if it stays consistent, but at least through Cumberland, it was way better than before.

That's good news to hear. I figured that there might be a bottleneck a bit further East, but I don't know that it's possible to completely eliminate traffic issues. Glad to at least hear that it's an improvement.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on December 05, 2018, 03:11:25 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on December 05, 2018, 12:14:30 PM
Quote from: ET21 on December 05, 2018, 08:17:47 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on December 04, 2018, 04:10:02 PM
Quote from: ET21 on December 04, 2018, 03:27:36 PM
The 4th lane is open on the Kennedy eastbound as work now moves to the westbound lanes. Overnight closures will still be needed for final tasks.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/About-IDOT/News/Construction-Releases/2018/Dec/12.4.18%20Inbound%20Kennedy%20lane.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0GuDKD6pt-YuQMgU-8VfBJtmAvAo37VjXBrvWHnz_2hL9ybJDiQ1ArsSY)

I'll be driving through there this weekend, so we'll see how much it actually ends up helping. With how much IDOT spent, hopefully it wasn't a waste of time and dollars. Anyone driven through there so far and have any feedback?

Just did this morning, and I think this might have been due to AM rush hour. The bottleneck shifted to just before Canfield and continued through to about Austin before opening up. That might honestly be because of usual traffic and a snow burst we had. Otherwise it was wide open through Cumberland. 190 still needs some work done with final striping.

Would need to do that route for a week to see if it stays consistent, but at least through Cumberland, it was way better than before.

That's good news to hear. I figured that there might be a bottleneck a bit further East, but I don't know that it's possible to completely eliminate traffic issues. Glad to at least hear that it's an improvement.

I've been watching Google Maps all day, and after that initial jam, it's been green since 9am from 190 to about Lawrence. Just maybe....  :hmmm: :bigass:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 05, 2018, 07:10:28 PM
Pritzger infrastructure transition team headed by QC Cong. Cheri Bustos. named today.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 14, 2018, 02:25:38 PM
For those who haven't heard, the Circle... err... Jane Burne Interchange is now expected to take 3 more years than originally planned (to now be complete in 2022). Frankly, as a Chicago resident, this is ridiculous, and just shows the very poor lack of collaboration and planning on the part of IDOT with this one. The link to the entire article is below, but I thought I would post a few tidbits that really stood out.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-jane-byrne-interchange-construction-delay-20181213-story.html

Quote
If the Illinois Department of Transportation meets that new deadline, the interchange will have been under reconstruction for eight years with at least a year of planning and designing before that. (Cranky motorists will argue that finishing in 2022 actually would make this a 10-construction-seasons project; IDOT itself has cited the Morgan Street bridge rebuild begun in September 2013 as "part of the overall Circle Interchange project."  But that's piling on.)

Two world wars were fought and won in less time. Rows of skyscrapers went up in less time. The transformation of Navy Pier, less time. New Comiskey Park, less time. Dan Ryan reconstruction, less time. Millennium Park, less time. The Deep Tunnel Project – oh, wait. That engineering feat began in the mid-1970s and isn't expected to be completed until 2029. Somebody, go pick on them.

I mean, 8-9 years?! That's insane and inexcusable!

Quote
We realize the Jane Byrne project – the Circle Interchange, aka "The Spaghetti Bowl,"  was renamed for the late mayor in 2014 – is about as complicated as they come. IDOT officials made a decision early on to keep lanes of traffic moving. That means the construction gets done more slowly and, so far, mostly on the bridges stretching across the expressways. That might explain why motorists don't often see work crews on the ground – often a ghost town of disheveled cement and barricades. Even the bridge work has been undertaken mostly at night to ameliorate traffic jams. IDOT also pleads that, to deal with deteriorating infrastructure, the agency unexpectedly had to reroute workers to Lake Shore Drive and Interstate 55 ramp projects.

They couldn't allocate a few more workers? It sounds like a cop out to me here at least!

However, I'm curious to hear other thoughts, and I am somewhat surprised this hasn't made it to the forum yet.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 14, 2018, 08:56:10 PM
IDiOTs
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: eje657west on December 16, 2018, 08:47:09 PM
When I was checking out the new I-57 interchange at Bourbonnais, Exit 318, located in IDOT's Region 2, District 3, I was checking out the sign panels installed at the intersection.  When I was looking at the back of the signs, I noticed 2 stickers on the backs of the signs.  One of them shows me the specifications of the signs, while another sticker says:

"1-17"
"IHS"
"IDOT"

I live in the area of IDOT Region 1, District 1.  The prime contractors of a major road project in my district use subcontractors to furnish and install the sign panels on the road.  Could the new sign panels for the I-57 Bourbonnais Parkway interchange be made and installed in-house by IDOT from Springfield??? I doubt they were, but according to the stickers on the back of the signs they probably were, which is very unusual.

NOTE: I don't know how to insert pictures on the blog post, so I'll probably post links from my DropBox of the back of these signs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on December 17, 2018, 08:57:50 AM
I'm blessed I rarely need to use the Circle
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on December 17, 2018, 09:35:13 AM
Quote from: ET21 on December 17, 2018, 08:57:50 AM
I'm blessed I rarely need to use the Circle
The reconstruction of the I-55/LSD interchange was a much, much bigger thorn in my side, since the route between our home and almost any point east or south is LSD south to I-55 south.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 17, 2018, 06:14:06 PM
Downstate Corridor Protection.  I saw there was a meeting about corridor protection for US 20 Freeway. I wondered if it was coming back to life. Instead I found out it was the opposite.  Should they drop it. They will decide early 2019. I know there was corridor protection on IL 13 127 and now they ate planning a roundabout instead if a bypass. Anyone know? Also there was one for IL 336. I know land has actually been purchased for US 67 and US 50 has mostly 4 lane ROW. Anyone know?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 17, 2018, 06:27:33 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on December 17, 2018, 09:35:13 AM
Quote from: ET21 on December 17, 2018, 08:57:50 AM
I'm blessed I rarely need to use the Circle
The reconstruction of the I-55/LSD interchange was a much, much bigger thorn in my side, since the route between our home and almost any point east or south is LSD south to I-55 south.

Both are/were a pain in their own right. I am not discounting the need for the 55/LSD interchange reconstruction, and it has been a much needed improvement that needed to get done. However, taking away resources from the Circle is just not smart, considering how that interchange is one of the most congested in the nation. Overall, I reiterate, poor planning on IDOT's part, and the issue extends beyond the interchange as there are backups that end up being several miles in some instances (Kennedy Expressway inbound is just one prime example).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on December 17, 2018, 06:36:34 PM
Quote from: 3467 on December 17, 2018, 06:14:06 PM
Downstate Corridor Protection.  I saw there was a meeting about corridor protection for US 20 Freeway. I wondered if it was coming back to life. Instead I found out it was the opposite.  Should they drop it. They will decide early 2019. I know there was corridor protection on IL 13 127 and now they ate planning a roundabout instead if a bypass. Anyone know? Also there was one for IL 336. I know land has actually been purchased for US 67 and US 50 has mostly 4 lane ROW. Anyone know?

For US 20, there probably is little to no chance that ever gets converted to a full freeway in our lifetimes. I figure the only hope for that might be if the Tollway ever considered the project, and they honestly have much bigger and potential higher traffic priorities for the foreseeable future (IL 53 Extension, for instance). That said, if they already have the corridor (or even parts of it protected), then keep it that way. The Galena bypass would still be helpful, and they should also bypass some of the towns along the route such as Elizabeth, even with 2 lane facilities would help. I can't comment as much on those other corridors, but I would say that IDOT really needs to focus on fixing what exists now (I-80 across the entire state, and gradually widening/modernizing I-55 throughout the state, for instance).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 17, 2018, 10:02:46 PM
^ I would hope they would at least keep a corridor for an interim upgraded two lane facility. 

Even in this one Streetview shot, the amount of traffic on the two lane section of US 20 is noticeable, along with the substandard cross section. (https://goo.gl/maps/q7hHzQYfV5N2)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on December 18, 2018, 08:59:26 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on December 17, 2018, 10:02:46 PM
^ I would hope they would at least keep a corridor for an interim upgraded two lane facility. 

Even in this one Streetview shot, the amount of traffic on the two lane section of US 20 is noticeable, along with the substandard cross section. (https://goo.gl/maps/q7hHzQYfV5N2)

Ahh the mounds between Stockton and Woodbine... Fun section when it's very foggy and you can't see the dips of the road
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on December 18, 2018, 10:01:21 AM
Even as a native of Chicago who currently lives in Seattle, I like to keep up with the latest roads projects going on back home. That being said, the Circle Interchange reconstruction is already one big pain in the ass, with this latest delay. I hope ID(I)OT gets their act together, but I doubt that they ever will.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 23, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on December 17, 2018, 06:36:34 PM
Quote from: 3467 on December 17, 2018, 06:14:06 PM
Downstate Corridor Protection.  I saw there was a meeting about corridor protection for US 20 Freeway. I wondered if it was coming back to life. Instead I found out it was the opposite.  Should they drop it. They will decide early 2019. I know there was corridor protection on IL 13 127 and now they ate planning a roundabout instead if a bypass. Anyone know? Also there was one for IL 336. I know land has actually been purchased for US 67 and US 50 has mostly 4 lane ROW. Anyone know?

For US 20, there probably is little to no chance that ever gets converted to a full freeway in our lifetimes. I figure the only hope for that might be if the Tollway ever considered the project, and they honestly have much bigger and potential higher traffic priorities for the foreseeable future (IL 53 Extension, for instance). That said, if they already have the corridor (or even parts of it protected), then keep it that way. The Galena bypass would still be helpful, and they should also bypass some of the towns along the route such as Elizabeth, even with 2 lane facilities would help. I can't comment as much on those other corridors, but I would say that IDOT really needs to focus on fixing what exists now (I-80 across the entire state, and gradually widening/modernizing I-55 throughout the state, for instance).

That protection s/b maintained.

US-20 is a solid E/W regional arterial.  I have driven it from Sioux City all the way to Elgin many times.

I remember when MINDOT had I-90 down to a creep to for a resurface project from Luverne to Albert Lea.  US-30/I-88 was too far south, so I gave US 20 in Iowa to Illinois a shot way back when. Great road, especially after they got the I-35 to Waterloo section done.

All that is left is Galena to Freeport and a new bridge at Dubuque. And that bridge at Dubuque is an oldie.

I use this route to bypass the busy/congested I-90/94 Minnesota and Wisconsin route to from Chicago area by taking I-29 at Sioux Falls and taking US-20 across. Can't tell you how many times I have been caught in major backups around Madison or Rockford

IDOT should not abandon this route.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 25, 2018, 11:17:03 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 23, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
That protection s/b maintained.

US-20 is a solid E/W regional arterial.  I have driven it from Sioux City all the way to Elgin many times.

I remember when MINDOT had I-90 down to a creep to for a resurface project from Luverne to Albert Lea.  US-30/I-88 was too far south, so I gave US 20 in Iowa to Illinois a shot way back when. Great road, especially after they got the I-35 to Waterloo section done.

All that is left is Galena to Freeport and a new bridge at Dubuque. And that bridge at Dubuque is an oldie.

I use this route to bypass the busy/congested I-90/94 Minnesota and Wisconsin route to from Chicago area by taking I-29 at Sioux Falls and taking US-20 across. Can't tell you how many times I have been caught in major backups around Madison or Rockford

IDOT should not abandon this route.

There is some push for an interim safety improvement of US 20 between Freeport and Galena, but outside of a massive infusion of infrastructure funds, a 4 lane freeway is probably still off in the future. There has been some talk of twinning the Julien Dubuque bridge (which was built during WW II) with a new structure and then rehabbing the old one; it would be an Iowa DOT project since the bridge is their responsibility although IDOT would also contribute to the cost. There have been a few recent fatal crashes on the bridge, prompting local concern for action, but with the I-74 and I-80 bridges now on IowaDOT and IDOT's plate, not looking like a rehab is coming for several years.

https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/A-keystone-in-the-Key-City-reviewing-safety-on-the-Julien-Dubuque-Bridge-502035281.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 26, 2018, 04:50:21 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 25, 2018, 11:17:03 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 23, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
That protection s/b maintained.

US-20 is a solid E/W regional arterial.  I have driven it from Sioux City all the way to Elgin many times.

I remember when MINDOT had I-90 down to a creep to for a resurface project from Luverne to Albert Lea.  US-30/I-88 was too far south, so I gave US 20 in Iowa to Illinois a shot way back when. Great road, especially after they got the I-35 to Waterloo section done.

All that is left is Galena to Freeport and a new bridge at Dubuque. And that bridge at Dubuque is an oldie.

I use this route to bypass the busy/congested I-90/94 Minnesota and Wisconsin route to from Chicago area by taking I-29 at Sioux Falls and taking US-20 across. Can't tell you how many times I have been caught in major backups around Madison or Rockford

IDOT should not abandon this route.

There is some push for an interim safety improvement of US 20 between Freeport and Galena, but outside of a massive infusion of infrastructure funds, a 4 lane freeway is probably still off in the future. There has been some talk of twinning the Julien Dubuque bridge (which was built during WW II) with a new structure and then rehabbing the old one; it would be an Iowa DOT project since the bridge is their responsibility although IDOT would also contribute to the cost. There have been a few recent fatal crashes on the bridge, prompting local concern for action, but with the I-74 and I-80 bridges now on IowaDOT and IDOT's plate, not looking like a rehab is coming for several years.

https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/A-keystone-in-the-Key-City-reviewing-safety-on-the-Julien-Dubuque-Bridge-502035281.html

I did some research and it appears IDOT owns some land off US-20 along the Mississippi River to support a crossing just above Nine Mile Island.

I checked on the Iowa side and there were some proposals to connect US-20 east of Peosta with US-151 at the Dubuque Regional Airport. 

While I haven't seen anything official, logic would assume that any US-20 crossing at Nine Mile Island would also connect with the US-151/Future US-20 junction at the airport. 

Iowa has been focused on the NE/SE Arterial in Dubuque which eventually will bypass the town from the north and south and will probably become US-52 when finished to Key West.

But I have seen backups at the Julien Dubuque on the Iowa side, mostly trucks trying to reach Illinois.

If they ever decide to create a new river crossing, I assume it will cost as much or more than the Musial-Veterans in St Louis, or the Lewis & Clark Bridge in Louisville as they used the same design template.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on December 27, 2018, 11:22:30 AM
Would such a proposal also eliminate those &%@#$! stop and go lights on US 151 in downtown Dubuque?

:hmmm:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 27, 2018, 03:56:30 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on December 27, 2018, 11:22:30 AM
Would such a proposal also eliminate those &%@#$! stop and go lights on US 151 in downtown Dubuque?

:hmmm:

Mike
Probably not.  'sides.  Those are nothing compared to the string of lights along Dodge St (US 20) west of downtown.  Their poor synchronization makes parking lots at their points quite often.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 27, 2018, 10:42:30 PM
Quote from: eje657west on December 16, 2018, 08:47:09 PM
When I was checking out the new I-57 interchange at Bourbonnais, Exit 318, located in IDOT's Region 2, District 3, I was checking out the sign panels installed at the intersection.  When I was looking at the back of the signs, I noticed 2 stickers on the backs of the signs.  One of them shows me the specifications of the signs, while another sticker says:

"1-17"
"IHS"
"IDOT"

I live in the area of IDOT Region 1, District 1.  The prime contractors of a major road project in my district use subcontractors to furnish and install the sign panels on the road.  Could the new sign panels for the I-57 Bourbonnais Parkway interchange be made and installed in-house by IDOT from Springfield??? I doubt they were, but according to the stickers on the back of the signs they probably were, which is very unusual.

NOTE: I don't know how to insert pictures on the blog post, so I'll probably post links from my DropBox of the back of these signs.

There is a sign shop in back of the Ottawa District 3 maintenance yard, and they are capable of making interstate-style BGS's but the practice for new construction projects has usually been for contractors to get supplier-made signs and install them. IDOT usually uses their sign shop to replace worn or damaged signs as part of routine maintenance.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on December 28, 2018, 05:02:55 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 25, 2018, 11:17:03 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 23, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
That protection s/b maintained.

US-20 is a solid E/W regional arterial.  I have driven it from Sioux City all the way to Elgin many times.

I remember when MINDOT had I-90 down to a creep to for a resurface project from Luverne to Albert Lea.  US-30/I-88 was too far south, so I gave US 20 in Iowa to Illinois a shot way back when. Great road, especially after they got the I-35 to Waterloo section done.

All that is left is Galena to Freeport and a new bridge at Dubuque. And that bridge at Dubuque is an oldie.

I use this route to bypass the busy/congested I-90/94 Minnesota and Wisconsin route to from Chicago area by taking I-29 at Sioux Falls and taking US-20 across. Can't tell you how many times I have been caught in major backups around Madison or Rockford

IDOT should not abandon this route.

There is some push for an interim safety improvement of US 20 between Freeport and Galena, but outside of a massive infusion of infrastructure funds, a 4 lane freeway is probably still off in the future. There has been some talk of twinning the Julien Dubuque bridge (which was built during WW II) with a new structure and then rehabbing the old one; it would be an Iowa DOT project since the bridge is their responsibility although IDOT would also contribute to the cost. There have been a few recent fatal crashes on the bridge, prompting local concern for action, but with the I-74 and I-80 bridges now on IowaDOT and IDOT's plate, not looking like a rehab is coming for several years.

https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/A-keystone-in-the-Key-City-reviewing-safety-on-the-Julien-Dubuque-Bridge-502035281.html

What about building the four lane expressway between Freeport and Galena now with the option to convert it to freeway later if traffic warrants it? Would cutting out the interchanges and overpasses cut down on the cost?

I'm not convinced US 20 needs to be fully access controlled.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 28, 2018, 06:27:59 PM
We stuck with a DOT as you all may know that is either some over the top freeway expressway or a crappy 2 lane.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on December 28, 2018, 08:01:27 PM
Quote from: I-39 on December 28, 2018, 05:02:55 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 25, 2018, 11:17:03 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 23, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
That protection s/b maintained.

US-20 is a solid E/W regional arterial.  I have driven it from Sioux City all the way to Elgin many times.

I remember when MINDOT had I-90 down to a creep to for a resurface project from Luverne to Albert Lea.  US-30/I-88 was too far south, so I gave US 20 in Iowa to Illinois a shot way back when. Great road, especially after they got the I-35 to Waterloo section done.

All that is left is Galena to Freeport and a new bridge at Dubuque. And that bridge at Dubuque is an oldie.

I use this route to bypass the busy/congested I-90/94 Minnesota and Wisconsin route to from Chicago area by taking I-29 at Sioux Falls and taking US-20 across. Can't tell you how many times I have been caught in major backups around Madison or Rockford

IDOT should not abandon this route.

There is some push for an interim safety improvement of US 20 between Freeport and Galena, but outside of a massive infusion of infrastructure funds, a 4 lane freeway is probably still off in the future. There has been some talk of twinning the Julien Dubuque bridge (which was built during WW II) with a new structure and then rehabbing the old one; it would be an Iowa DOT project since the bridge is their responsibility although IDOT would also contribute to the cost. There have been a few recent fatal crashes on the bridge, prompting local concern for action, but with the I-74 and I-80 bridges now on IowaDOT and IDOT's plate, not looking like a rehab is coming for several years.

https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/A-keystone-in-the-Key-City-reviewing-safety-on-the-Julien-Dubuque-Bridge-502035281.html

What about building the four lane expressway between Freeport and Galena now with the option to convert it to freeway later if traffic warrants it? Would cutting out the interchanges and overpasses cut down on the cost?

I'm not convinced US 20 needs to be fully access controlled.

I think the problem with cost is the all new route the freeway plan has, removing the interchanges don't save much.  Plus the Galena Bypass has some major bridges over the valley, which would be needed either way. 

To save costs I would suggest going further and build only 2 lanes on the new right-away.  Maybe every few miles do passing lanes either normal passing lanes one side at a time or build out small sections of 4 lanes for passing.  Maybe include a 4 lane section at interchanges to accomplish both short to medium term issues. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 30, 2018, 06:54:39 PM
A possible contributor to the cause on US 20 maybe the fact that Amazon and UPS have announced major expansions to their Rockford Logistics Centers.

In case anyone is curious, here is the record of decision on the Galena Bypass that is awaiting funding.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.idot.illinois.gov%2FAssets%2Fuploads%2FIDOT-Projects%2FDistrict-2%2FUS-20-Galena-Bypass%2Fimages%2FmapNew.jpg&hash=4c100c514741c3a17071a892f7dac24711ed967f)

Here is the alignment for the Galena to Freeport Route, a.k.a "Glacier Shadow Pass".

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.idot.illinois.gov%2FAssets%2Fuploads%2FIDOT-Projects%2FDistrict-2%2FUS-20-Freeport-to-Galena%2Fimages%2Foverallproject.gif&hash=fbfc38feaa9dc52566d7c0ea8be3fcac803c88ea)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.idot.illinois.gov%2FAssets%2Fuploads%2FIDOT-Projects%2FDistrict-2%2FUS-20-Freeport-to-Galena%2Fimages%2Fus20.jpg&hash=6bac8192fd2413a60e40bbf577b89e055e6a5a75)

Here is feedback from the region on the future of US20.

https://www.rrstar.com/news/20180203/safety-upgrades-sought-for-us-20-west-of-freeport (https://www.rrstar.com/news/20180203/safety-upgrades-sought-for-us-20-west-of-freeport)

QuoteAn eight-county coalition in Iowa and Illinois seeks to make the 47-mile stretch of U.S. 20 that's still two lanes a safer road

Planning for a four-lane, limited access highway across northern Illinois began in the late 1930s, but World War II ended that and when the war was over in 1945, the nation's priorities changed.

The Interstate Highway System initiated by President Dwight Eisenhower in the mid-1950s featured a highway from Chicago to Rockford; that road, Interstate 90, stretched from Boston to Seattle, with Chicago in the middle.

At Rockford, it veered north to Wisconsin.

That left everything west of Rockford to Iowa off the system. Advocates for making U.S. 20 a modern, four-lane road have had a tough time ever since getting funding for a modern, four-lane highway.

Progress has been made, though, with bypasses around Rockford and Freeport, and a four-lane from Rockford to Freeport.

But there's that nagging, 47-mile, two-lane stretch from Freeport's west edge to just past downtown Galena, which causes too many accidents and stifles economic growth in northwestern Illinois.

Fifteen or so years ago, it seemed as if the road's fortunes were about to pick up. Advocates for a freeway gathered up some political clout and succeeded in getting the Illinois Department of Transportation to do an engineering study from 1993 to 2005. IDOT called the unbuilt freeway segment "Glacier Shadow Pass."

Today, it remains a shadow on which IDOT has taken a pass. The agency moves at a glacial pace.

A plan for a 6.5 mile bypass around Galena has advanced to the second phase of IDOT's three-phase highway planning process, but there's little if any construction money available for new projects. As IDOT says about the bypass: "Additional funding is also needed before construction of the proposed bypass can begin. As such, a construction timeline is not available at this time."

So what, if anything, can be done to improve U.S. 20 from Freeport to Galena in our lifetimes?

It's not a lost cause, but given the reality that there aren't many new road dollars, either from the federal or state government, it makes more sense to try to improve the existing road by making it safer.

The high volume of accidents west of Freeport shows the need for improvement, not only to save lives, but also to help companies get northwest Illinois' and northeast Iowa's goods to Chicagoland markets and to the Global III Union Pacific intermodal freight hub in Rochelle faster and cheaper.

An eight-county study by Blackhawk Hills Regional Council, headquartered in Rock Falls, is examining how freight moves through northwest Illinois and eastern Iowa. Illinois counties in the study are Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Carroll and Whiteside. Iowa counties are Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson.

Preliminary figures show that from 2010 to 2015, there were 175 crashes involving trucks, costing $8.7 million on U.S. 20 between Freeport and Dubuque.

Making safety improvements that reduce truck-involved crashes by 30 percent would save $2.6 million a year, the study found.

During the same period, there were 1,575 non-truck crashes on U.S. 20 from Freeport to Dubuque.

The analysis indicates that a 30 percent reduction in non-truck crashes would save $11.5 million a year.

The danger involved in moving goods along U.S. 20 on the two-lane, hilly and curving segment, causes companies to send their trucks over longer routes to avoid U.S. 20, adding costs that businesses would like to avoid. The study talked to 96 businesses and determined that while U.S. 20 is the shortest route to Chicagoland and Rochelle, companies routinely have their trucks avoid the road, taking longer, indirect routes instead.

Not using U.S. 20 adds 59 minutes and 83 miles to a trip to the Rochelle intermodal hub; not using U.S. 20 to Chicago adds 26 minutes and 57 miles to a trip.

Making U.S. 20 just 30 percent safer than it is today would double truck traffic and save businesses $55.2 million a year, the study says.

Area leaders made their case last week to Illinois Secretary of Transportation Randy Blankenhorn.

"We went to Springfield to convince the secretary of the need for a road safety audit,"  said Bill Hadley, Stephenson County Board chairman. "I was very pleased he took an hour to meet with us on U.S. 20 safety improvements. I was also happy to see three state representatives, Brian Stewart, R-Freeport; Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford; and John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, join us.

"I'm happy Rockford representatives are taking an interest in this issue. They represent businesses in the Rockford area that use U.S. 20 west."

After the meeting with Blankenhorn, Hadley said, he thinks there's a 50-50 chance the state will come up with the money for a road safety audit, "but in the meantime they said they would do an in-house safety audit. They do have some money to do some small projects."

Dan Payette, executive director of Blackhawk Hills Planning Council, agreed that "safety is an issue, so let's figure out what improvements can be made to reduce accidents and travel times and move forward from there."


Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: csw on December 31, 2018, 10:38:26 AM
"Glacier Shadow Pass" is a badass name.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 31, 2018, 03:10:21 PM
Quote from: csw on December 31, 2018, 10:38:26 AM
"Glacier Shadow Pass" is a badass name.
Glacier Shadow Toll Pass
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on December 31, 2018, 08:08:34 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on December 31, 2018, 03:10:21 PM
Quote from: csw on December 31, 2018, 10:38:26 AM
"Glacier Shadow Pass" is a badass name.
Glacier Shadow Toll Pass
As opposed to I-PASS??? That is bad.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on January 01, 2019, 06:59:49 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on December 31, 2018, 03:10:21 PM
Quote from: csw on December 31, 2018, 10:38:26 AM
"Glacier Shadow Pass" is a badass name.
Glacier Shadow Toll Pass

Except that US Routes can't be tolled.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 01, 2019, 07:37:19 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2019, 06:59:49 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on December 31, 2018, 03:10:21 PM
Quote from: csw on December 31, 2018, 10:38:26 AM
"Glacier Shadow Pass" is a badass name.
Glacier Shadow Toll Pass

Except that US Routes can't be tolled.

US-51 and US-412 say otherwise.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on January 01, 2019, 08:20:46 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2019, 06:59:49 PM
Except that US Routes can't be tolled.

Incorrect.  A toll road can be a US Route, as long as it is bannered 'TOLL' and there exists an alternative path along another US Route.  Plus, there is a provision specifically written for breaking the rules.

Quote from: AASHTO Transportation Policy Book, January 2000
Establishment and Development of United States Numbered Highways
(Retained from October 13, 1991, Revised October 6, 1996)




ESTABLISHED POLICIES

15. Any toll highway facility may be included in the U.S. Numbered System when it meets all the criteria for inclusion, and when the request for the marking originates with the official authority having jurisdiction over the toll facility and the request is directed to AASHTO and supported by the appropriate Member Department. The word "Toll" shall appear over the official U.S. Route Marker and a toll-free routing between the same termini shall continue to be retained and marked as a part of the U.S. Numbered System.

16. Notwithstanding established policies, AASHTO recognizes that Congress on occasion will establish highway routes, specifying the location of the route as well as designating the route number(s) to be used. In those instances when Congress designates a route, the state(s) affected will follow the established procedures relative to route numbering.



These purposes and policies, having been amended and approved by the State Highway Departments after individual State consideration, the Standing Committee on Highways of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials hereby promulgates and makes effective these policies upon the authority of the State Highway Departments beginning September 15, 1970.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 01, 2019, 09:43:32 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 26, 2018, 04:50:21 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 25, 2018, 11:17:03 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 23, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
That protection s/b maintained.

US-20 is a solid E/W regional arterial.  I have driven it from Sioux City all the way to Elgin many times.

I remember when MINDOT had I-90 down to a creep to for a resurface project from Luverne to Albert Lea.  US-30/I-88 was too far south, so I gave US 20 in Iowa to Illinois a shot way back when. Great road, especially after they got the I-35 to Waterloo section done.

All that is left is Galena to Freeport and a new bridge at Dubuque. And that bridge at Dubuque is an oldie.

I use this route to bypass the busy/congested I-90/94 Minnesota and Wisconsin route to from Chicago area by taking I-29 at Sioux Falls and taking US-20 across. Can't tell you how many times I have been caught in major backups around Madison or Rockford

IDOT should not abandon this route.

There is some push for an interim safety improvement of US 20 between Freeport and Galena, but outside of a massive infusion of infrastructure funds, a 4 lane freeway is probably still off in the future. There has been some talk of twinning the Julien Dubuque bridge (which was built during WW II) with a new structure and then rehabbing the old one; it would be an Iowa DOT project since the bridge is their responsibility although IDOT would also contribute to the cost. There have been a few recent fatal crashes on the bridge, prompting local concern for action, but with the I-74 and I-80 bridges now on IowaDOT and IDOT's plate, not looking like a rehab is coming for several years.

https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/A-keystone-in-the-Key-City-reviewing-safety-on-the-Julien-Dubuque-Bridge-502035281.html

I did some research and it appears IDOT owns some land off US-20 along the Mississippi River to support a crossing just above Nine Mile Island.

I checked on the Iowa side and there were some proposals to connect US-20 east of Peosta with US-151 at the Dubuque Regional Airport. 

While I haven't seen anything official, logic would assume that any US-20 crossing at Nine Mile Island would also connect with the US-151/Future US-20 junction at the airport. 

Iowa has been focused on the NE/SE Arterial in Dubuque which eventually will bypass the town from the north and south and will probably become US-52 when finished to Key West.

But I have seen backups at the Julien Dubuque on the Iowa side, mostly trucks trying to reach Illinois.

If they ever decide to create a new river crossing, I assume it will cost as much or more than the Musial-Veterans in St Louis, or the Lewis & Clark Bridge in Louisville as they used the same design template.

After some more research...

US-52 in Dubuque will be rerouted around town using the just completed SW Arterial which runs from US20 west of Dubuque down to US-151 near Key West.  The new road will end at Old Davenport Road (old US 61) for now and US 52 is going to take a bit of round about way by being co-signed with US-61 & US-151 down to SW Arterial, then up to US-20.

If when IDOT and Iowa DOT have the dough, the US-20 bridge will run east south of Spanish Mills, and cross the river just north of Nine Mile Island and connect with US-20 on the Illinois side. US-52 will then be routed with the SW Arterial Extension (US-20 Bypass) so as to get rid of the round about route.  US-52 will be cosigned with US 20 out to Dyersburg and the run north to Luxemburg to co-sign with IA-136. The old US-52 north of Dubuque will be retired and revert to its state route number (IA-3).

When done, this will provide a full N-S Dubuque bypass in Iowa with a US-20 bypass connection to the Illinois side south of town.  US-61 and US-151 will remain co-signed through town as it serves the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge into SW Wisconsin.

When done, anyone traveling west on US-20 out of Illinois will be able to reach NE Iowa or Waterloo without ever seeing downtown Dubuque.

With the recent opening of the US20 freeway east of Sioux City, all that is left of 2 lane between Rockford and Sioux City is the Dubuque to Freeport section.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on January 02, 2019, 08:48:51 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on January 01, 2019, 09:43:32 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 26, 2018, 04:50:21 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 25, 2018, 11:17:03 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 23, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
That protection s/b maintained.

US-20 is a solid E/W regional arterial.  I have driven it from Sioux City all the way to Elgin many times.

I remember when MINDOT had I-90 down to a creep to for a resurface project from Luverne to Albert Lea.  US-30/I-88 was too far south, so I gave US 20 in Iowa to Illinois a shot way back when. Great road, especially after they got the I-35 to Waterloo section done.

All that is left is Galena to Freeport and a new bridge at Dubuque. And that bridge at Dubuque is an oldie.

I use this route to bypass the busy/congested I-90/94 Minnesota and Wisconsin route to from Chicago area by taking I-29 at Sioux Falls and taking US-20 across. Can't tell you how many times I have been caught in major backups around Madison or Rockford

IDOT should not abandon this route.

There is some push for an interim safety improvement of US 20 between Freeport and Galena, but outside of a massive infusion of infrastructure funds, a 4 lane freeway is probably still off in the future. There has been some talk of twinning the Julien Dubuque bridge (which was built during WW II) with a new structure and then rehabbing the old one; it would be an Iowa DOT project since the bridge is their responsibility although IDOT would also contribute to the cost. There have been a few recent fatal crashes on the bridge, prompting local concern for action, but with the I-74 and I-80 bridges now on IowaDOT and IDOT's plate, not looking like a rehab is coming for several years.

https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/A-keystone-in-the-Key-City-reviewing-safety-on-the-Julien-Dubuque-Bridge-502035281.html

I did some research and it appears IDOT owns some land off US-20 along the Mississippi River to support a crossing just above Nine Mile Island.

I checked on the Iowa side and there were some proposals to connect US-20 east of Peosta with US-151 at the Dubuque Regional Airport. 

While I haven't seen anything official, logic would assume that any US-20 crossing at Nine Mile Island would also connect with the US-151/Future US-20 junction at the airport. 

Iowa has been focused on the NE/SE Arterial in Dubuque which eventually will bypass the town from the north and south and will probably become US-52 when finished to Key West.

But I have seen backups at the Julien Dubuque on the Iowa side, mostly trucks trying to reach Illinois.

If they ever decide to create a new river crossing, I assume it will cost as much or more than the Musial-Veterans in St Louis, or the Lewis & Clark Bridge in Louisville as they used the same design template.

After some more research...

US-52 in Dubuque will be rerouted around town using the just completed SW Arterial which runs from US20 west of Dubuque down to US-151 near Key West.  The new road will end at Old Davenport Road (old US 61) for now and US 52 is going to take a bit of round about way by being co-signed with US-61 & US-151 down to SW Arterial, then up to US-20.

If when IDOT and Iowa DOT have the dough, the US-20 bridge will run east south of Spanish Mills, and cross the river just north of Nine Mile Island and connect with US-20 on the Illinois side. US-52 will then be routed with the SW Arterial Extension (US-20 Bypass) so as to get rid of the round about route.  US-52 will be cosigned with US 20 out to Dyersburg and the run north to Luxemburg to co-sign with IA-136. The old US-52 north of Dubuque will be retired and revert to its state route number (IA-3).

When done, this will provide a full N-S Dubuque bypass in Iowa with a US-20 bypass connection to the Illinois side south of town.  US-61 and US-151 will remain co-signed through town as it serves the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge into SW Wisconsin.

When done, anyone traveling west on US-20 out of Illinois will be able to reach NE Iowa or Waterloo without ever seeing downtown Dubuque.

With the recent opening of the US20 freeway east of Sioux City, all that is left of 2 lane between Rockford and Sioux City is the Dubuque to Freeport section.

Looking at some maps, it seems this bridge south of DuBuque will go very close to the Mines of Spain State Park (Really unique park, by the way). Expect there to be a lot of environmental fights and lawsuits over this route.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 03, 2019, 01:35:21 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 02, 2019, 08:48:51 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on January 01, 2019, 09:43:32 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 26, 2018, 04:50:21 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 25, 2018, 11:17:03 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 23, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
That protection s/b maintained.

US-20 is a solid E/W regional arterial.  I have driven it from Sioux City all the way to Elgin many times.

I remember when MINDOT had I-90 down to a creep to for a resurface project from Luverne to Albert Lea.  US-30/I-88 was too far south, so I gave US 20 in Iowa to Illinois a shot way back when. Great road, especially after they got the I-35 to Waterloo section done.

All that is left is Galena to Freeport and a new bridge at Dubuque. And that bridge at Dubuque is an oldie.

I use this route to bypass the busy/congested I-90/94 Minnesota and Wisconsin route to from Chicago area by taking I-29 at Sioux Falls and taking US-20 across. Can't tell you how many times I have been caught in major backups around Madison or Rockford

IDOT should not abandon this route.

There is some push for an interim safety improvement of US 20 between Freeport and Galena, but outside of a massive infusion of infrastructure funds, a 4 lane freeway is probably still off in the future. There has been some talk of twinning the Julien Dubuque bridge (which was built during WW II) with a new structure and then rehabbing the old one; it would be an Iowa DOT project since the bridge is their responsibility although IDOT would also contribute to the cost. There have been a few recent fatal crashes on the bridge, prompting local concern for action, but with the I-74 and I-80 bridges now on IowaDOT and IDOT's plate, not looking like a rehab is coming for several years.

https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/A-keystone-in-the-Key-City-reviewing-safety-on-the-Julien-Dubuque-Bridge-502035281.html

I did some research and it appears IDOT owns some land off US-20 along the Mississippi River to support a crossing just above Nine Mile Island.

I checked on the Iowa side and there were some proposals to connect US-20 east of Peosta with US-151 at the Dubuque Regional Airport. 

While I haven't seen anything official, logic would assume that any US-20 crossing at Nine Mile Island would also connect with the US-151/Future US-20 junction at the airport. 

Iowa has been focused on the NE/SE Arterial in Dubuque which eventually will bypass the town from the north and south and will probably become US-52 when finished to Key West.

But I have seen backups at the Julien Dubuque on the Iowa side, mostly trucks trying to reach Illinois.

If they ever decide to create a new river crossing, I assume it will cost as much or more than the Musial-Veterans in St Louis, or the Lewis & Clark Bridge in Louisville as they used the same design template.

After some more research...

US-52 in Dubuque will be rerouted around town using the just completed SW Arterial which runs from US20 west of Dubuque down to US-151 near Key West.  The new road will end at Old Davenport Road (old US 61) for now and US 52 is going to take a bit of round about way by being co-signed with US-61 & US-151 down to SW Arterial, then up to US-20.

If when IDOT and Iowa DOT have the dough, the US-20 bridge will run east south of Spanish Mills, and cross the river just north of Nine Mile Island and connect with US-20 on the Illinois side. US-52 will then be routed with the SW Arterial Extension (US-20 Bypass) so as to get rid of the round about route.  US-52 will be cosigned with US 20 out to Dyersburg and the run north to Luxemburg to co-sign with IA-136. The old US-52 north of Dubuque will be retired and revert to its state route number (IA-3).

When done, this will provide a full N-S Dubuque bypass in Iowa with a US-20 bypass connection to the Illinois side south of town.  US-61 and US-151 will remain co-signed through town as it serves the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge into SW Wisconsin.

When done, anyone traveling west on US-20 out of Illinois will be able to reach NE Iowa or Waterloo without ever seeing downtown Dubuque.

With the recent opening of the US20 freeway east of Sioux City, all that is left of 2 lane between Rockford and Sioux City is the Dubuque to Freeport section.

Looking at some maps, it seems this bridge south of DuBuque will go very close to the Mines of Spain State Park (Really unique park, by the way). Expect there to be a lot of environmental fights and lawsuits over this route.

I said "Spanish Mills" earlier, I actually meant "Spanish Mines" or "Mines of Spain". That was my error when typing.

The ROW is projected to acquire private property south of the park.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on January 03, 2019, 06:39:18 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on January 03, 2019, 01:35:21 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on January 02, 2019, 08:48:51 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on January 01, 2019, 09:43:32 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 26, 2018, 04:50:21 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 25, 2018, 11:17:03 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 23, 2018, 06:09:26 PM
That protection s/b maintained.

US-20 is a solid E/W regional arterial.  I have driven it from Sioux City all the way to Elgin many times.

I remember when MINDOT had I-90 down to a creep to for a resurface project from Luverne to Albert Lea.  US-30/I-88 was too far south, so I gave US 20 in Iowa to Illinois a shot way back when. Great road, especially after they got the I-35 to Waterloo section done.

All that is left is Galena to Freeport and a new bridge at Dubuque. And that bridge at Dubuque is an oldie.

I use this route to bypass the busy/congested I-90/94 Minnesota and Wisconsin route to from Chicago area by taking I-29 at Sioux Falls and taking US-20 across. Can't tell you how many times I have been caught in major backups around Madison or Rockford

IDOT should not abandon this route.

There is some push for an interim safety improvement of US 20 between Freeport and Galena, but outside of a massive infusion of infrastructure funds, a 4 lane freeway is probably still off in the future. There has been some talk of twinning the Julien Dubuque bridge (which was built during WW II) with a new structure and then rehabbing the old one; it would be an Iowa DOT project since the bridge is their responsibility although IDOT would also contribute to the cost. There have been a few recent fatal crashes on the bridge, prompting local concern for action, but with the I-74 and I-80 bridges now on IowaDOT and IDOT's plate, not looking like a rehab is coming for several years.

https://www.kcrg.com/content/news/A-keystone-in-the-Key-City-reviewing-safety-on-the-Julien-Dubuque-Bridge-502035281.html

I did some research and it appears IDOT owns some land off US-20 along the Mississippi River to support a crossing just above Nine Mile Island.

I checked on the Iowa side and there were some proposals to connect US-20 east of Peosta with US-151 at the Dubuque Regional Airport. 

While I haven't seen anything official, logic would assume that any US-20 crossing at Nine Mile Island would also connect with the US-151/Future US-20 junction at the airport. 

Iowa has been focused on the NE/SE Arterial in Dubuque which eventually will bypass the town from the north and south and will probably become US-52 when finished to Key West.

But I have seen backups at the Julien Dubuque on the Iowa side, mostly trucks trying to reach Illinois.

If they ever decide to create a new river crossing, I assume it will cost as much or more than the Musial-Veterans in St Louis, or the Lewis & Clark Bridge in Louisville as they used the same design template.

After some more research...

US-52 in Dubuque will be rerouted around town using the just completed SW Arterial which runs from US20 west of Dubuque down to US-151 near Key West.  The new road will end at Old Davenport Road (old US 61) for now and US 52 is going to take a bit of round about way by being co-signed with US-61 & US-151 down to SW Arterial, then up to US-20.

If when IDOT and Iowa DOT have the dough, the US-20 bridge will run east south of Spanish Mills, and cross the river just north of Nine Mile Island and connect with US-20 on the Illinois side. US-52 will then be routed with the SW Arterial Extension (US-20 Bypass) so as to get rid of the round about route.  US-52 will be cosigned with US 20 out to Dyersburg and the run north to Luxemburg to co-sign with IA-136. The old US-52 north of Dubuque will be retired and revert to its state route number (IA-3).

When done, this will provide a full N-S Dubuque bypass in Iowa with a US-20 bypass connection to the Illinois side south of town.  US-61 and US-151 will remain co-signed through town as it serves the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge into SW Wisconsin.

When done, anyone traveling west on US-20 out of Illinois will be able to reach NE Iowa or Waterloo without ever seeing downtown Dubuque.

With the recent opening of the US20 freeway east of Sioux City, all that is left of 2 lane between Rockford and Sioux City is the Dubuque to Freeport section.

Looking at some maps, it seems this bridge south of DuBuque will go very close to the Mines of Spain State Park (Really unique park, by the way). Expect there to be a lot of environmental fights and lawsuits over this route.

I said "Spanish Mills" earlier, I actually meant "Spanish Mines" or "Mines of Spain". That was my error when typing.

The ROW is projected to acquire private property south of the park.

Where is the long range plan for the SW Arterial in Dubuque to become a full bypass for US 20? I cannot find anything supporting that. If that is the case, why didn't they IowaDOT build a new US 20 alignment straight east from Swiss Valley Road to US 61/151? Seems kind of a waste IMO. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 20, 2019, 11:53:43 AM
Has District 5 always snubbed I-55 or McLean County in general? The wind has been blowing a little bit of snow back onto the roadways, and it's making for a somewhat treacherous drive along I-55 today. So far, Districts 3 and 7 have done a much better job at clearing off I-55. I get the impression that McLean county hass been passed off by multiple districts as the county nobody wants. Anybody get the impression that McLean County gets a lower amount of care?

SM-G930P

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 20, 2019, 11:57:15 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 20, 2019, 11:53:43 AM
Has District 5 always snubbed I-55 or McLean County in general? The wind has been blowing a little bit of snow back onto the roadways, and it's making for a somewhat treacherous drive along I-55 today. So far, Districts 3 and 7 have done a much better job at clearing off I-55. I get the impression that McLean county hass been passed off by multiple districts as the county nobody wants. Anybody get the impression that McLean County gets a lower amount of care?

D-5, I've found, couldn't figure out how to plow snow or salt a road to save their collective asses.  It's the same on I-74 and I-57 in the winter.  BTW, I-55 passes through D-6 and D-8, not D-7.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 20, 2019, 12:13:26 PM
Which District is the one with Springfield? Is that 6? I thought it was 7 but yeah 7 is Effingham, isn't it? My bad.

SM-G930P

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 20, 2019, 12:26:37 PM
^ Springfield is 6 - the District headquarters is there.

I've been wondering if IDOT ever redid the districts if they should move the headquarters for the current District 5 (Paris) to either Blormal or Chambana.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 20, 2019, 01:58:02 PM
Maybe Bloomington-Normal would get more attention if its district wasn't headquartered in the complete opposite corner of the district haha. That was scary though on I-55. Saw 9 vehicles in the ditch, including an overturned tractor trailer in the median and a gray sedan flipped on its side. 8 of those 9 vehicles were in McLean County.

SM-G930P

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 21, 2019, 03:02:36 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 20, 2019, 12:26:37 PM
^ Springfield is 6 - the District headquarters is there.

I've been wondering if IDOT ever redid the districts if they should move the headquarters for the current District 5 (Paris) to either Blormal or Chambana.


IDOT reorganized the Districts into 5 regions around 2007 (while retaining all the District headquarters), and many counties were swapped at the time. McLean County was transferred from District 3 (Ottawa) to District 5 (Paris). McLean County was an important and well-tended county while I was at District 3 and before the transfer; we widened and improved I-55 BL Veterans Parkway and re-did the I-55/Veterans NE interchange as well as completely reconstructed and added lanes to most of the I-55/74 multiplex before District 5 got it. District 5 completed the add lanes/reconstruction between I-39 and the I-55/Veterans NE interchange after the transfer.

I am not aware of any initiatives to move any of the District headquarters in decades. The last move was moving District 1 from Elgin to Schaumburg, where it then moved across town to its present headquarters.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: seicer on February 11, 2019, 09:41:32 PM
You can see the closed road at https://goo.gl/maps/8mLztLQUi442

At what point can we declare the road unsalvageable and just let the quarry have the roadway and limestone underneath it?

--

The Death of Joliet Road (https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-01-26-0101260197-story.html)
January 26, 2001

Three years ago, workers for the Illinois Department of Transportation spotted strange cracks in one stretch of Joliet Road, a major spoke through Chicago's southwestern suburbs. For reasons that are (or aren't) a mystery, the cracks grew into dangerous dips and buckles. By May of 1998, IDOT had no choice but to close that mile-long stretch and push almost 20,000 drivers a day onto side streets that remain choked by all the traffic.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: MNHighwayMan on February 11, 2019, 09:54:58 PM
For one thing, the mining company shouldn't just get to "have it." Their mining shouldn't have affected the road in the way it did, so there should be some sort of compensation to IDOT for the land the road sits on.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Kniwt on February 11, 2019, 11:13:55 PM
The Chicago Tribune reports:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-lake-shore-drive-river-bridge-closure-20190211-story.html

QuoteNorthbound Lake Shore Drive near the Chicago River is expected to stay closed until at least Tuesday evening due to two cracked steel beams that support the roadway, authorities said. The damage was caused in part by the extreme swings in weather, said Rebekah Scheinfeld, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation.

... The city also found some damage on eastbound Wacker Drive to southbound Lake Shore Drive, so that ramp is also closed.

... The damaged section, built in 1986, is located just south of the steel bascule double-decker bridge over the Chicago River, which was built in 1937. It is one of the most heavily traveled structurally deficient bridges in the state, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, a Washington-based trade group that uses Federal Highway Administration figures. The association said that the bridge is “functionally obsolete.”

(https://c-8oqtgrjgwu46x24yyyx2evtdkoix2eeqo.g00.chicagotribune.com/g00/3_c-8yyy.ejkeciqvtkdwpg.eqo_/c-8OQTGRJGWU46x24jvvrx3ax2fx2fyyy.vtdkoi.eqox2fkoi-7e843633x2fvwtdkpgx2fev-3761153755-5yzrlfzp9n-upcr-kocigx2f972x2f972z644x3fk32e.octmx3dkocig_$/$/$/$/$/$)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on February 12, 2019, 09:00:22 AM
So I assume we could see a reconstruction coming in a few years? I mean you can see steel rebar poking out of the piers..... 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: seicer on February 12, 2019, 09:14:45 AM
Steel rebar showing doesn't indicate structural deficiencies. It's a normal part of everyday wear and tear and salt corrosion. It looks like the concrete was chipped off - pretty commonplace, in preparation for a patch. The bridge is only 33 years old.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 12, 2019, 12:43:17 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on February 11, 2019, 09:54:58 PM
For one thing, the mining company shouldn't just get to "have it." Their mining shouldn't have affected the road in the way it did, so there should be some sort of compensation to IDOT for the land the road sits on.

Just hope we never see anything similar happen to the similar stretch of I-80/I-294.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 12, 2019, 06:04:16 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 12, 2019, 12:43:17 PM

Just hope we never see anything similar happen to the similar stretch of I-80/I-294.

It's held up ever since I was a kid, and I'm an old man now, so there's that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 12, 2019, 07:23:13 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 12, 2019, 12:43:17 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on February 11, 2019, 09:54:58 PM
For one thing, the mining company shouldn't just get to "have it." Their mining shouldn't have affected the road in the way it did, so there should be some sort of compensation to IDOT for the land the road sits on.

Just hope we never see anything similar happen to the similar stretch of I-80/I-294.
They have the funds to keep it up.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 13, 2019, 10:16:07 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 12, 2019, 12:43:17 PM
Quote from: MNHighwayMan on February 11, 2019, 09:54:58 PM
For one thing, the mining company shouldn't just get to "have it." Their mining shouldn't have affected the road in the way it did, so there should be some sort of compensation to IDOT for the land the road sits on.

Just hope we never see anything similar happen to the similar stretch of I-80/I-294.

Makes me wonder if the ISTHA has a contingency plan in case something does happen.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: rte66man on February 13, 2019, 06:57:35 PM
Quote from: seicer on February 12, 2019, 09:14:45 AM
Steel rebar showing doesn't indicate structural deficiencies. It's a normal part of everyday wear and tear and salt corrosion. It looks like the concrete was chipped off - pretty commonplace, in preparation for a patch. The bridge is only 33 years old.

Definitely prep work. Spalling doesn't generally happen in such a linear manner. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 14, 2019, 02:00:55 PM
Quote from: seicer on February 11, 2019, 09:41:32 PM
You can see the closed road at https://goo.gl/maps/8mLztLQUi442

At what point can we declare the road unsalvageable and just let the quarry have the roadway and limestone underneath it?

--

The Death of Joliet Road (https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2001-01-26-0101260197-story.html)
January 26, 2001

Three years ago, workers for the Illinois Department of Transportation spotted strange cracks in one stretch of Joliet Road, a major spoke through Chicago's southwestern suburbs. For reasons that are (or aren't) a mystery, the cracks grew into dangerous dips and buckles. By May of 1998, IDOT had no choice but to close that mile-long stretch and push almost 20,000 drivers a day onto side streets that remain choked by all the traffic.

It will eventually collapse.  It's clear that rain water has breached the base under the road, regardless of depth. Vulcan will get the materials. Mix the slightly acidic rain with subterranean limestone and it causes it to dissolve and settle.

There are many quarries in and around Chicago where the owner was allowed to scrape too closely to an adjoining ROW.  Several railroads are also at risk.  ISTHA doesn't allow material companies to scrape so close.

I don't know how much Vulcan donates to political parties in Illinois (many road contractors and suppliers do) but if IDOT plays their cards right, they could make Vulcan supply the aggregate for a replacement span for free to compensate for the limestone they took underneath.

Just to show you how non-plussed IDOT is about the issue, they had the traffic signals removed at Joliet and 55th Street going NE and you will notice that all the sodium vapor lights have had their fixtures removed for recycling. 

This won't resolve until it finally comes down. That could be next year, it could be in 20 years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 15, 2019, 09:47:41 AM
Well, now there's this...

Des Plaines River Bridge On I-80 Found Structurally "˜Intolerable' (https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02/13/des-plaines-river-bridge-structurally-intolerable/)

QuoteCHICAGO (CBS)— A day after a cracked beam was discovered in a Lake Shore Drive bridge, CBS 2 investigated another bridge in desperate need of repair.

Last spring, inspectors found the Des Plaines River bridge on I-80 in Joliet in such bad shape, it may need to close.

Several months later, nothing has been done to repair the issues.


More than 42,000 drivers drive across Des Plaines River bridge everyday, and the most recent inspection reports reveal serious safety concerns.

Will Pruitt, a resident who lives near the I-80 bridge, is concerned. After years of noticing cracks and other deterioration, he stopped using the bridge.

"With all the trucks and stuff up there, it could be any minute,"  Pruitt said.

He is not the only one who feels this way.

Miguel works near the bridge. He said between the pot holes and slick conditions, he takes alternative routes.

An inspection in April confirmed their fears.

The westbound bridge was found structurally "intolerable"  and the bridge's span was listed in "critical condition and may require closure."  The bridge earned a sufficiency rating of 6 out of 100.

Anything below 80 is considered "deficient."

"It's very threatening,"  John Greuling, president and CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development, said.

Greuling said state and local entities have been aware of the structural problems for years as the county has experienced unprecedented growth in the freight industry.

IDOT has proposed rebuilding the Des Plaines River Bridge, but Grueling says they've been told actual funding and construction of that project could take decades.

"What we don't want is a bridge failure,"  Greuling he said. "What we don't want is loss of life."

Greuling is part of the I-80 Coalition Committee, which includes dozens of state and local stakeholders who are trying to expedite the process of funding a rebuild. The committee is pushing for federal funding and even asking the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to take over.

"If it takes an incident like the Lake Shore Drive bridge failure so be it,"  he said. "Thank god nobody was hurt or killed but that clearly our clarion call right now."

IDOT told CBS 2 they are still in the study phase for the project that will involve rebuilding the bridge. In the meantime, IDOT started performing inspections every 6 months and a maintenance project is tentatively scheduled to start this spring. That would include structural steel repairs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on February 15, 2019, 10:19:13 AM
SMH...another reason I'm glad I moved out of Chicagoland.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: csw on February 15, 2019, 10:50:16 AM
Notice how they wait until the END of the article to mention that IDOT is on a 6-month inspection cycle and will be doing repairs shortly....it's not an excuse for not replacing the bridge, but the way the article is written, you'd think IDOT is ignoring the problem completely.

And the quote from the local resident..."it could be any minute." As an engineering student, I absolutely hate it when engineers think they're higher and mightier than everyone else...but this guy is by no means an authority to be ruling on the state of the bridge. Sure, cracks are never good, but I would trust IDOT's engineers to have it under control. And if they don't, then it's a shame and the whole profession is harmed. I guess my point is, the article could have been written better.

Here come the "IDiOT" comments.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 15, 2019, 11:10:44 AM
The condition of the I-80 bridge is a big topic of conversation here at Will County.  For context, we act urgently to replace a bridge on our system if it falls below a sufficiency rating of 30.  The rating of the I-80 bridge is SIX.

Also, for context, the city of Joliet created an emergency task force to plan how to best respond to a collapse of the bridge.

Unfortunately for those of us involved with Joliet or Will County agencies, we can't fix the bridge.  We have no power over it.  It's the state's property and we can't touch it.

This article also dropped recently: IDOT insists I-80 bridge is safe (https://www.mywebtimes.com/2019/02/15/idot-insists-i-80-bridge-in-joliet-is-safe/a16sw16/).  If IDOT is going to stand by this claim, they had better be able to back it up.  A repair project is scheduled for the spring--will it be enough?  Has anyone seen any plans for this, seen in bid lettings or elsewhere?

Also--this is a big point of contention for me, as I take this bridge to work every day.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 15, 2019, 02:02:34 PM
Quote from: csw on February 15, 2019, 10:50:16 AM
Notice how they wait until the END of the article to mention that IDOT is on a 6-month inspection cycle and will be doing repairs shortly....it's not an excuse for not replacing the bridge, but the way the article is written, you'd think IDOT is ignoring the problem completely.

Problem is, this is a bandage for a problem that IDOT has been told about for decades.  So yes, IDOT has been ignoring the problem.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on February 15, 2019, 03:26:41 PM
*just waiting for the first one to collapse*  X-(
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 15, 2019, 10:30:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 15, 2019, 11:10:44 AM
Unfortunately for those of us involved with Joliet or Will County agencies, we can't fix the bridge.  We have no power over it.  It's the state's property and we can't touch it.

Not quite in agreement with this assessment.  IL 19 in Streamwood is IDOT property, yet Streamwood has a project to widening it on the March 2019 Letting. (https://webapps.dot.illinois.gov/WCTB/LbContractDetail/Index/37c3cd7b-72f4-47f6-81b9-d5d56ea7dfb3?page=2&contractId=854d07df-7e98-4b0d-a1d7-c14c292e4530)  Previously Kane County widened IL 25 between the two Stearns Road intersections, and the City of McHenry upgraded the eastern IL 31/IL 120 intersection along with widening IL 31 north of that intersection.  There's a precedent for other agencies touching IDOT's roadways.

Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 15, 2019, 11:10:44 AMA repair project is scheduled for the spring--will it be enough?  Has anyone seen any plans for this, seen in bid lettings or elsewhere?

There are two separate contracts mentioning the Des Plaines River bridges on IDOT's March 2019 Letting, Item 33, Contract 62H35 (https://webapps.dot.illinois.gov/WCTB/LbContractDetail/Index/37c3cd7b-72f4-47f6-81b9-d5d56ea7dfb3?page=2&contractId=ad15d32b-4208-4fe4-92f3-086f871bd9f5) and Item 125, Contract 62H68. (https://webapps.dot.illinois.gov/WCTB/LbContractDetail/Index/37c3cd7b-72f4-47f6-81b9-d5d56ea7dfb3?page=2&contractId=d0786108-04d9-44c4-8b41-7b5dfaee067e)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 16, 2019, 07:08:13 PM
Honestly, the I-80 bridges need to be taken down and completely redone with 4 lanes (3 thru lanes and 1 exit/entrance lane) each way including a standard shoulder. Yes it will be a nightmare for the next 2 years but with the amount of traffic that those bridges carry, it is needed now. And I-80 should get 3 lanes each way between US 30 and I-55 thru Joliet at a minimum.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 16, 2019, 10:47:35 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 16, 2019, 07:08:13 PM
Honestly, the I-80 bridges need to be taken down and completely redone with 4 lanes (3 thru lanes and 1 exit/entrance lane) each way including a standard shoulder. Yes it will be a nightmare for the next 2 years but with the amount of traffic that those bridges carry, it is needed now. And I-80 should get 3 lanes each way between US 30 and I-55 thru Joliet at a minimum.

A minimum.  I'd extend the six lane section out to IL-47 in Morris.  As for the bridge, I'd personally like something distinctive, not a boring beam POS.  An arch, a cable-stayed, a new truss, anything but a beam bridge.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 16, 2019, 11:55:48 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 16, 2019, 10:47:35 PM
I'd extend the six lane section out to IL-47 in Morris.  As for the bridge, I'd personally like something distinctive, not a boring beam POS.  An arch, a cable-stayed, a new truss, anything but a beam bridge.
Everything from MP 115 to MP 123 is set up for six-laning, all they need to do is add a shoulder. The 2002 pavement had continuous reinforcing steel installed in what is now the shoulder so that it could be converted later. I disagree with a truss as a replacement bridge - they are notoriously more difficult to inspect and maintain than other types, and that's what we are trying to get away from with the current bridge. Whatever the Coast Guard allows as a horizontal navigation clearance will determine what IDOT replaces it with. Over 500' will likely not be a plate girder, and would probably be a cable stayed or maybe a tied arch.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on February 17, 2019, 12:56:47 PM
How close, would anyone say, are IDOT engineers to ordering that bridge to be closed?

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 17, 2019, 02:47:41 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 16, 2019, 07:08:13 PM
Honestly, the I-80 bridges need to be taken down and completely redone with 4 lanes (3 thru lanes and 1 exit/entrance lane) each way including a standard shoulder. Yes it will be a nightmare for the next 2 years but with the amount of traffic that those bridges carry, it is needed now. And I-80 should get 3 lanes each way between US 30 and I-55 thru Joliet at a minimum.

I took a look superficially at the I-80/Des Plaines River Bridge from the underneath.

While rusty girder beams are mostly a cosmetic item and not structural, I can't tell from here if the joints on the approaches are fatigued.

However, rebar expansion damage on many of the support pylons are everywhere. It looks like IDOT did a major rebar damage effort about 5 years ago, but all of the refacing is cracking again.  There is also rebar expansion damage on the undersides of some of the pavement segments.  According to the bridge directory it was built in 1965 and was redecked in 1998.

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7901/47126470021_506a4345a8_z.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7881/32184405937_56d244f9f9_z.jpg)

(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7852/46402884504_6f0e03ec7d_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 18, 2019, 09:31:28 AM
Another couple accidents on I-80 in the Joliet area today.

When the HELL is this stretch of road going to be taken seriously?

Widen Laraway to a six lane limited access facility, widen the HELL out of 80, and rebuild the SHIT out of the Des Plaines bridge!

EDIT: Widening 80 to six lanes is no longer adequate. Gotta be 8 lanes now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 18, 2019, 10:07:31 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 16, 2019, 07:08:13 PM
Honestly, the I-80 bridges need to be taken down and completely redone with 4 lanes (3 thru lanes and 1 exit/entrance lane) each way including a standard shoulder. Yes it will be a nightmare for the next 2 years but with the amount of traffic that those bridges carry, it is needed now. And I-80 should get 3 lanes each way between US 30 and I-55 thru Joliet at a minimum.

This is a great take.  I totally agree with this assessment.

Quote from: inkyatari on February 18, 2019, 09:31:28 AM
Another couple accidents on I-80 in the Joliet area today.

When the HELL is this stretch of road going to be taken seriously?

Widen Laraway to a six lane limited access facility, widen the HELL out of 80, and rebuild the SHIT out of the Des Plaines bridge!

EDIT: Widening 80 to six lanes is no longer adequate. Gotta be 8 lanes now.

Laraway is never going to be a freeway lol.  But plans are already in motion to widen the entire thing to 4 or 5 lines from US52 all the way east to Harlem.

I'd classify I-80 as "destroyed" from Briggs St. west to the Minooka exit.  I'd urge caution to anyone driving that stretch.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 18, 2019, 10:46:46 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 18, 2019, 10:07:31 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on February 16, 2019, 07:08:13 PM
Honestly, the I-80 bridges need to be taken down and completely redone with 4 lanes (3 thru lanes and 1 exit/entrance lane) each way including a standard shoulder. Yes it will be a nightmare for the next 2 years but with the amount of traffic that those bridges carry, it is needed now. And I-80 should get 3 lanes each way between US 30 and I-55 thru Joliet at a minimum.

This is a great take.  I totally agree with this assessment.

Quote from: inkyatari on February 18, 2019, 09:31:28 AM
Another couple accidents on I-80 in the Joliet area today.

When the HELL is this stretch of road going to be taken seriously?

Widen Laraway to a six lane limited access facility, widen the HELL out of 80, and rebuild the SHIT out of the Des Plaines bridge!

EDIT: Widening 80 to six lanes is no longer adequate. Gotta be 8 lanes now.

Laraway is never going to be a freeway lol.  But plans are already in motion to widen the entire thing to 4 or 5 lines from US52 all the way east to Harlem.

I'd classify I-80 as "destroyed" from Briggs St. west to the Minooka exit.  I'd urge caution to anyone driving that stretch.

Laraway should have been upgraded 20 years ago.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 18, 2019, 11:34:10 AM
Maybe you're thinking of the Illiana? That could have and should have happened. And that would have occurred along the Wilmington-Peotone corridor. Idk how one gets the idea to take a 2-lane country road parallel with a nearby freeway corridor and upgrade it to its own separate freeway. In that situation, the obvious solution is to add lanes to the existing freeway, barring some colossal obstacles to that option.

SM-G930P

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 18, 2019, 12:57:44 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 18, 2019, 11:34:10 AM
Maybe you're thinking of the Illiana? That could have and should have happened. And that would have occurred along the Wilmington-Peotone corridor. Idk how one gets the idea to take a 2-lane country road parallel with a nearby freeway corridor and upgrade it to its own separate freeway. In that situation, the obvious solution is to add lanes to the existing freeway, barring some colossal obstacles to that option.

1) I-80 is an important enough corridor it needs a backup/redundant route in case of an incident that requires a long term closure.  As of now the only all freeway alternatives involve going inward/north on I-55 or going down to I-74.  At the very least there should be an expressway route somewhere to the south of I-80 that could be used in the event of a major incident.

2) Will County had been growing decently enough that a new freeway would not be in the country for too long.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on February 18, 2019, 02:11:25 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 18, 2019, 12:57:44 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 18, 2019, 11:34:10 AM
Maybe you're thinking of the Illiana? That could have and should have happened. And that would have occurred along the Wilmington-Peotone corridor. Idk how one gets the idea to take a 2-lane country road parallel with a nearby freeway corridor and upgrade it to its own separate freeway. In that situation, the obvious solution is to add lanes to the existing freeway, barring some colossal obstacles to that option.

1) I-80 is an important enough corridor it needs a backup/redundant route in case of an incident that requires a long term closure.  As of now the only all freeway alternatives involve going inward/north on I-55 or going down to I-74.  At the very least there should be an expressway route somewhere to the south of I-80 that could be used in the event of a major incident.

2) Will County had been growing decently enough that a new freeway would not be in the country for too long.
Would not the official detour be 355 to 55? Or even 294 to 55?

Heck, depending on destination, 355 or 294 to 88 to the Quad Cities works too

If the Illiana were ever to be a thing, it would either already be constructed or at least being constructed. Does IDOT and/or ISTHA even have a protected corridor for a potential Illiana?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 18, 2019, 10:18:43 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 18, 2019, 02:11:25 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 18, 2019, 12:57:44 PM
2) Will County had been growing decently enough that a new freeway would not be in the country for too long.
Would not the official detour be 355 to 55? Or even 294 to 55?

That would be fine, if I-55 was not starting to have capacity issues outside of peak hour, particularly the stretch between I-355 and IL 53.

Quote from: ilpt4u on February 18, 2019, 02:11:25 PMIf the Illiana were ever to be a thing, it would either already be constructed or at least being constructed.

Disagree - just because a highway is not currently being built does not mean it couldn't be built someday.  How many years was there talk about taking the Elgin O'Hare east of I-290 before it was finally started?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on February 19, 2019, 02:23:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 18, 2019, 10:46:46 AM
Laraway should have been upgraded 20 years ago.

Funny, , , I remember Laraway being a gravel farm road when I was a little kid in New Lenox in the 1980s.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 19, 2019, 03:19:29 PM
Quote from: kphoger on February 19, 2019, 02:23:27 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on February 18, 2019, 10:46:46 AM
Laraway should have been upgraded 20 years ago.

Funny, , , I remember Laraway being a gravel farm road when I was a little kid in New Lenox in the 1980s.

I was a teenager then, and I remember that.  The Laraway corridor would have been a perfect I-80 bypass, and it should have been preserved as such, but you know what they say about hindsight and all.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on February 24, 2019, 04:24:36 PM
Revive 755 Said: "That would be fine, if I-55 was not starting to have capacity issues outside of peak hour, particularly the stretch between I-355 and IL 53."

What they should have done when the redid the I-55 & I-355 interchange was to extend the entrance and exit lanes to the Route 53 entrance and exit lanes.  55 is fine usually west of Route 53 in peak hours.  Although, the nightmare this year is going to be when they redo the Weber Rd interchange as a DDI. I will be avoiding Weber like the plague.


Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 04, 2019, 08:59:28 AM
I had an "opportunity" to be in Decatur yesterday, and I have to ask, is it legal to blatantly run red lights in the town? I witnessed three separate incidences of where the light had been red for 5 seconds, and a vehicle whizzed through.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on March 04, 2019, 12:45:21 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 04, 2019, 08:59:28 AM
I had an "opportunity" to be in Decatur yesterday, and I have to ask, is it legal to blatantly run red lights in the town? I witnessed three separate incidences of where the light had been red for 5 seconds, and a vehicle whizzed through.
No cop, no stop.

I was walking my son home on Saturday and couldn't figure out why several cars were running a red light, so I stepped in front of one.  Then the car honked at me and I realized I'd stepped in front of a car that was part of a funeral procession.  Oops.  Unfortunately me stepping in front of the car meant that a bunch of cars traveling in the same direction as me cut in front of the funeral procession, which fucked the whole thing up. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 07, 2019, 11:00:08 AM
Now this is interesting:

Why is the Jane Byrne project taking so long? IDOT records offer clues. So could a public hearing. (https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-jane-byrne-delays-20190306-story.html)

IDOT pumps up the excuses.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 07, 2019, 12:58:39 PM
Lmao a falling building, how was this not seen when they did the initial studies??
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on March 08, 2019, 08:09:49 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 07, 2019, 12:58:39 PM
Lmao a falling building, how was this not seen when they did the initial studies??

The engineering companies "failed" to recognize the poor soil in those areas and properly spec out what kind of retaining wall was needed. Which to me means the company failed to do its job and the contract should be voided, no further money should be offered to the firm and they should have to pay IDOT and the construction companies how ever much it will cost to fix the issue. But in IDOTs eyes they are going to keep the firms on, let them finish with the project and then determine what kind of action is best.

To me its one thing to miss a minor detail or something that is easily correctable and only would cost a few thousand to fix, and while that would be disappointing it happens. But to completely miss poor soil means either you had no clue what you were doing or didn't run the right tests and didn't double check the samples to make sure the data was correct, and when you are spending millions of dollars to build something you would think that would be most important,

As my dad always told me, measure twice, cut once.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 22, 2019, 08:43:45 PM
Noticed new signs today  on I-55 southbound near the IL-126 exit - "ROUGH ROAD - NEXT 8 MILES"
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 22, 2019, 09:08:43 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 22, 2019, 08:43:45 PM
Noticed new signs today  on I-55 southbound near the IL-126 exit - "ROUGH ROAD - NEXT 8 MILES"

Typical IDOT, use a sign instead of fixing the actual problem.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tribar on March 22, 2019, 09:46:56 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 22, 2019, 09:08:43 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 22, 2019, 08:43:45 PM
Noticed new signs today  on I-55 southbound near the IL-126 exit - "ROUGH ROAD - NEXT 8 MILES"

Typical IDOT, use a sign instead of fixing the actual problem.

"We won't fix the problem but we can tell you how long it's going to be rough" .
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: tdindy88 on March 22, 2019, 09:49:57 PM
In fairness I believe Indiana had one of these kinds of signs along I-65 last year.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: machias on March 23, 2019, 11:25:27 PM
Quote from: tribar on March 22, 2019, 09:46:56 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 22, 2019, 09:08:43 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 22, 2019, 08:43:45 PM
Noticed new signs today  on I-55 southbound near the IL-126 exit - "ROUGH ROAD - NEXT 8 MILES"

Typical IDOT, use a sign instead of fixing the actual problem.

"We won't fix the problem but we can tell you how long it's going to be rough" .

I've seen these signs all over the country, they're hardly a novelty in Illinois. I'm sure IDOT will fix the issue as soon as they have the budget and the weather has settled down.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: amroad17 on March 24, 2019, 02:13:43 AM
^ Sorry to go a bit off-topic, but I see you are living in Chicago instead of Rome, NY now.  Better job?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 24, 2019, 06:40:19 AM
Quote from: upstatenyroads on March 23, 2019, 11:25:27 PM
Quote from: tribar on March 22, 2019, 09:46:56 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 22, 2019, 09:08:43 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 22, 2019, 08:43:45 PM
Noticed new signs today  on I-55 southbound near the IL-126 exit - "ROUGH ROAD - NEXT 8 MILES"

Typical IDOT, use a sign instead of fixing the actual problem.

"We won't fix the problem but we can tell you how long it's going to be rough" .

I've seen these signs all over the country, they're hardly a novelty in Illinois. I'm sure IDOT will fix the issue as soon as they have the budget and the weather has settled down.

What budget?  :rofl:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: machias on March 24, 2019, 05:49:02 PM
Quote from: amroad17 on March 24, 2019, 02:13:43 AM
^ Sorry to go a bit off-topic, but I see you are living in Chicago instead of Rome, NY now.  Better job?

Better life. I just wish I could change my username here.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: amroad17 on March 26, 2019, 02:36:54 AM
I'm glad to hear that.  I have followed your website for quite a while, although there hasn't been too much new the last few years, more than likely because of your job.  I am originally from the Camillus, NY area myself (1 mile south of the hamlet of Memphis on top of the hill on Bennett Corners Road, if you are semi-familiar with that area).  As you can see by my avatar, I am still partial to the Syracuse area.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on April 06, 2019, 06:55:00 PM
Whatever happened to the proposed I-39/US 20 project in Rockford between Harrison Ave and the I-39 SB interchange? I don't see any information anywhere about it. Is it still under consideration?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 08, 2019, 04:07:58 PM
My commute is about to get more interesting...

Weber Road And I-55 Construction Heats Up (https://www.wjol.com/weber-road-and-i-55-construction-heats-up/)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on April 09, 2019, 09:59:16 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 08, 2019, 04:07:58 PM
My commute is about to get more interesting...

Weber Road And I-55 Construction Heats Up (https://www.wjol.com/weber-road-and-i-55-construction-heats-up/)

I wish before they started this that they made 126 a full interchange and access to the area southeast of the interchange. It would elevate the mess that Weber is going to be for 3 years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on April 09, 2019, 11:15:43 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on April 09, 2019, 09:59:16 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 08, 2019, 04:07:58 PM
My commute is about to get more interesting...

Weber Road And I-55 Construction Heats Up (https://www.wjol.com/weber-road-and-i-55-construction-heats-up/)

I wish before they started this that they made 126 a full interchange and access to the area southeast of the interchange. It would elevate the mess that Weber is going to be for 3 years.

This is a really good point.  The next crossing of I-55 to the south is all the way down at Airport Road.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 09, 2019, 01:11:33 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on April 09, 2019, 11:15:43 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on April 09, 2019, 09:59:16 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on April 08, 2019, 04:07:58 PM
My commute is about to get more interesting...

Weber Road And I-55 Construction Heats Up (https://www.wjol.com/weber-road-and-i-55-construction-heats-up/)

I wish before they started this that they made 126 a full interchange and access to the area southeast of the interchange. It would elevate the mess that Weber is going to be for 3 years.

This is a really good point.  The next crossing of I-55 to the south is all the way down at Airport Road.

IDOT has some plans here..  I like the closing the 126 exit altogether, and rerouting 126 along taylor Rd (diamond interchange at 55) so that the road connects to Weber

</$$$$$>

http://www.airportand126study.org/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on April 12, 2019, 04:06:25 AM
Found this to be interesting... 30 years of IDOT changes in the Chicagoland area...

https://abc7chicago.com/traffic/30-years-of-idot-changes/5235138/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Badger39 on April 12, 2019, 10:11:49 PM
I-39 from Rockford to Bloomington is by far the WORST maintained road I have ever traveled.  The past 3 weeks I took a road trip through 9 states and never encountered anything like this anywhere else.  There were potholes from the entrance ramp south of Rockford to the merge with I-55 by Bloomington.  I just kept praying my tires would survive.  It looked just as bad on the other side of the road going north. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 12, 2019, 10:15:36 PM
^^ That's typical for IDOT.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 12, 2019, 11:17:38 PM
Quote from: Badger39 on April 12, 2019, 10:11:49 PM
I-39 from Rockford to Bloomington is by far the WORST maintained road I have ever traveled.  The past 3 weeks I took a road trip through 9 states and never encountered anything like this anywhere else.  There were potholes from the entrance ramp south of Rockford to the merge with I-55 by Bloomington.  I just kept praying my tires would survive.  It looked just as bad on the other side of the road going north.

The section from Rockford to I-88 at Rochelle is the oldest.(1984)  Then the section from Rochelle to I-80 was built. (1986) After the Lincoln bridge opened over the Illinois River at LaSalle-Peru, it ended at IL-251 (former US-51) (1987)

When the bridge at the Illinois River was being done, the exit ramps at I-55 (Bloomington) were being done (1989) as well. But that section ended at Ziebarth Road (BUS US-51) and you used the existing 2 lane US-51.

Then construction went into this off again, on again phase where funding & planning ran into issues.  It took several more years for IDOT to complete the route.

The northbound route got extended from Ziebarth Road to south of Kappa.  It took an incredibly long, long time for the contractor to get the Mackinaw River bridge done. I remember driving by there how many times and saw very little progress. They would route you over to the 2 lane bridge (IL-251) so you could see up close what they were doing. It's an urban style design today with no median. 

Just before the bridge over the Mackinaw was finished, they got the contracts issued for the rest from Kappa up to IL-251 at Oglesby.

So the last section completed was the one between Minonk and El Paso. Everyone all remembers the "Wenona Weave" where they would re-route US-51 over to the freshly poured ROW, then back over to the old ROW. It was the longest part built right on top of the old US-51.

It took 5 solid years to get the section between Oglesby and Normal finished.

Why?

QuoteThe highway from Oglesby south to Decatur was recommended to be a four-lane divided expressway, utilizing the existing road where possible. After a decade of lobbying and back and forth debate, Governor James R. Thompson announced in 1986 that US 51 would be rebuilt to Interstate standards from Oglesby to Bloomington—Normal.[11]

However, due to funding concerns and intense local opposition, it was decided that US 51 would not built to Interstate standards between Bloomington and Decatur.[12] The Bloomington-Decatur segment was instead upgraded to a four-lane divided expressway, with mostly at-grade intersections, just as the transportation committee proposed. To this day, there remains ramp stubs northwest of the city along I-72, where the highways were to connect.[13]

So based on the years of construction, I can understand why any part of I-39 between Rockford and I-88 would be in the worse shape. It is the oldest built in 1984. (34 years)  But bad road from Oglesby to Kappa is a surprise as it is 8 years younger (1992)

If IDOT followed its usual pattern, they paved asphalt over the original concrete to extend its life. But the base underneath is breaking up and causing the asphalt to fracture and breakup, hence the potholes.

If memory serves IDOT was only specifying an 8 inch concrete layer back then. For reference the Tollway specified a then record 12 inch pour depth on I-355 at the same time. (I think they are up to 16 now).

I remember bringing up the 12 inch pour the tollway used with an engineer from Kansas DOT. The first thing he said was "what are you doing, landing planes?....that is an airport depth!"

So all things considered the route is past or about to reach the end of its design life.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on April 13, 2019, 12:00:24 AM
So what is up with the invisible ramps to and from I-72/US 51 WB/SB near Decatur?
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.906617,-88.9903911,1146m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0

(If this has been explained earlier in this thread, just direct me to the post and I'll be quiet)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 13, 2019, 12:21:12 AM
I'm pretty sure it has been discussed previously, but basically, those are Ghost Ramps to the extended US 51 Freeway/I-39 should the Freeway extend to Decatur, which was/is? the plan eventually. The Freeway alignment breaks off US 51 north of the developed area approaching I-72, and bypasses it to the west to meet I-72, in what looks to have been a Y Interchange...Which is interesting anyway, because IL likes Trumpets, but does have some Freeway Ys as well

Heck, extending the Expressway/Freeway all the way to I-57 at Salem is kinda a plan, but not seriously.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 13, 2019, 10:41:02 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on April 13, 2019, 12:21:12 AM
I'm pretty sure it has been discussed previously, but basically, those are Ghost Ramps to the extended US 51 Freeway/I-39 should the Freeway extend to Decatur, which was/is? the plan eventually.

Quote from: ilpt4u...Which is interesting anyway, because IL likes Trumpets, but does have some Freeway Ys as well

I was going to speculate the Y design fell out of favor due to the left side entrance/exits, but then the northern I-55/I-74 interchange is a trumpet instead of a Y.

Anyone remember whether the southern/eastern US 67/US 136 interchange for the Macomb Bypass was going to be a trumpet or a Y?

Given the number of other corridors awaiting funding just to get four lanes, I'm gonna go with "was the plan," barring some major Foxconn type development for Decatur.

Quote from: ilpt4u on April 13, 2019, 12:21:12 AM
Heck, extending the Expressway/Freeway all the way to I-57 at Salem is kinda a plan, but not seriously.

More recent versions had the expressway following US 51 down to I-64.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 13, 2019, 10:51:26 AM
If it ever built it would be a diamond. 67 that is
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on April 13, 2019, 11:07:27 AM
I-39 received a resurfacing in Ogle county a couple years ago, which was badly needed.  Between Baxter Rd and Rockford now has rough road signs, at least southbound. 
I assume north of Baxter was going to be included in the US 20/I39 expansion plan that disappeared for around Rockford as the new I39 lanes moved the alignment for a couple of miles south of 20.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 13, 2019, 10:16:56 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on April 13, 2019, 12:21:12 AM
Heck, extending the Expressway/Freeway all the way to I-57 at Salem is kinda a plan, but not seriously.

The 1969 Supplemental Freeway map showed a Salem I-57 connection, and I remember seeing a graphic of it on the news as a kid when we were on a visit in southern IL. The current US 51 EIS study from south of Pana to Centralia shows it tying in to the existing one-way couple at the north end of Centralia. It's only 7 miles or so from Sandoval to I-57 at Salem, so not too far out of the way, although a direct 57 connection would make more sense from a regional travel perspective. I have a feeling this section of US 51 will be a long time coming, it has been inching its way south from Decatur for the last 30 years, and the next logical section is the Pana bypass.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 13, 2019, 11:12:35 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on April 13, 2019, 11:07:27 AM
I-39 received a resurfacing in Ogle county a couple years ago, which was badly needed.  Between Baxter Rd and Rockford now has rough road signs, at least southbound.

There's also another sign assembly with a diamond shaped 'Stay in your lane' with a supplemental 'Avoid Lane Changes' plaque SB IIRC.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on April 13, 2019, 11:37:40 PM
Quote from: Brandon on April 12, 2019, 10:15:36 PM
^^ That's typical for IDOT.

No its not, only 18% of roads in IDOT jurisdiction are in mediocre or poor condition. I predict that stretch of I39 will be resurfaced this construction season. They're resurfacing an almost similar deteriorated stretch of US41 this season as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 14, 2019, 02:37:16 AM
 Bullshit, Crash, and you know it.  IDOT's idea of "good"  is most states' "shitty" .
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on April 14, 2019, 08:38:17 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 14, 2019, 02:37:16 AM
Bullshit, Crash, and you know it.  IDOT's idea of "good"  is most states' "shitty" .

https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/state-item/illinois/

Do your research next time. We're better than all surrounding states.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on April 14, 2019, 10:07:14 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on April 14, 2019, 08:38:17 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 14, 2019, 02:37:16 AM
Bullshit, Crash, and you know it.  IDOT's idea of "good"  is most states' "shitty" .

https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/state-item/illinois/ (https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/state-item/illinois/)

Do your research next time. We're better than all surrounding states.

OK, I'll bite:

According to that site:

All infrastructure:

Illinois: C-
Michigan: D+  (Ok, that's 1)
Iowa: C-
Missouri: C-
Kentucky: C-
Minnesota: C

(Indiana, Ohio, & Wisconsin - these states were not graded)

Roads:
Illinois: D
Michigan: D- (Well earned, BTW)
Iowa: C-
Missouri: D+
Kentucky: D+
Minnesota: D+

Bridges:
Illinois: C
Michigan: C-
Iowa: D+
Missouri: C
Kentucky: C-
Minnesota: C

This is hardly the basis for claiming Illinois is "better than all surrounding states". At best, it can be characterized as "We're not the worst!"

Anecdotally, if you take out the ISTHA (Illinois Tollway) highways out of the picture (which in my experience are head-and-shoulders above IDOT-maintained roads), Illinois has some serious problems with road maintenance. Just in the Rockford area, US-20 around Rockford, large stretches of IL-251, and parts of I-39 are in deplorable condition. US-20 west of Freeport is long overdue for replacement by a modern roadway on new alignment.

My chief complaint with Illinois (and with Michigan) is how horrible they let things get before they respond with patching or repairs. Even with recent funding setbacks, I don't have to fear for my rims or suspension in Wisconsin anywhere near as much as in Illinois or Michigan.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 14, 2019, 12:51:02 PM
Quote from: JREwing78 on April 14, 2019, 10:07:14 AM
Roads:
Illinois: D
Michigan: D- (Well earned, BTW)
Iowa: C-
Missouri: D+
Kentucky: D+
Minnesota: D+

Hmm, I must manage to miss all the bad roads in the other states except Michigan, or ISTHA's facilities are really skewing this.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 14, 2019, 01:38:45 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on April 14, 2019, 12:51:02 PM
Quote from: JREwing78 on April 14, 2019, 10:07:14 AM
Roads:
Illinois: D
Michigan: D- (Well earned, BTW)
Iowa: C-
Missouri: D+
Kentucky: D+
Minnesota: D+

Hmm, I must manage to miss all the bad roads in the other states except Michigan, or ISTHA's facilities are really skewing this.


ISTHA really skews this.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 14, 2019, 03:46:24 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on April 13, 2019, 10:16:56 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on April 13, 2019, 12:21:12 AM
Heck, extending the Expressway/Freeway all the way to I-57 at Salem is kinda a plan, but not seriously.

The 1969 Supplemental Freeway map showed a Salem I-57 connection, and I remember seeing a graphic of it on the news as a kid when we were on a visit in southern IL. The current US 51 EIS study from south of Pana to Centralia shows it tying in to the existing one-way couple at the north end of Centralia. It's only 7 miles or so from Sandoval to I-57 at Salem, so not too far out of the way, although a direct 57 connection would make more sense from a regional travel perspective. I have a feeling this section of US 51 will be a long time coming, it has been inching its way south from Decatur for the last 30 years, and the next logical section is the Pana bypass.

There are 2 studies to extend the US-51 spine line. One is the Pana Bypass down to Ramsey and the other is the Vandalia Bypass. (Ramsey to CR-1325)

IDOT's 2008 EIS for US-51 shows the 4 lane activity ultimately reaching I-64 west of Mt. Vernon.  The I-64 to Centralia 4-lane upgrade was prioritized based on a new economic impact model and completed.

As for the Vandalia Bypass, the first proposal by IDOT in 2010 was outright rejected by the local residents as it required the demolition of over 150 homes.

They came back with 4 alternatives in 2014, all west of Vandalia with varying levels of divergence from the original route. The most "efficient" route mileage wise  (but not an alternative) is to bypass to the east of town, but it is in Kaskaskia River floodlands and IDOT would have to raise the road levels significantly based on 100 year rains.

As for the ghost ramps for I-39 north of Decatur, IDOT owns the land betwen I-72 and Illiniwick Road W (County Road 20) and would require funding to finish the section where it would diverge from the original route for land acquisition.

In 2014, IDOT moved to a new economic impact model for determination of need for 4 lane or supplemental highways.

In the report they commented that IDOT got "burned" by 2 specific projects that had dubious economic models in retrospect. 

One was the I-180 Spur to Hennepin. The other was I-72 from Springfield to Quincy. These 2 routes are the lightest used in the IDOT 4-lane system.

I-180 was built to support a large steel plant near Hennepin which subsquently closed after the highway was done. It reopened and closed several time before biting the dust in 2004.

The I-72 Quincy route had support from all of the communities and politicians along the ROW, but as of today is nowhere close to its projected utility.

Under the new model, towns, and municipalities have to provide written proof directly from local businesses that they will actually use the road if updated and that it will improve business with jobs. (what a concept)

So when it came to the updating of US-51, the reports stated:

QuoteU.S. Route 51: Decatur to I-64 Planning Study (1987)

In 1986, state legislators, local elected officials, and community leaders met with IDOT to request that the US 51 Decatur to I-64 corridor be upgraded to a four-lane facility.  A 1980 IDOT study determined that four-lane construction was not warranted based on traffic volumes and existing capacity; however, the delegation argued that traveler safety and the area's economic potential could be enhanced by this upgrading.  IDOT agreed to conduct a planning study to determine the appropriate nature of a four-lane highway facility to connect the US 51 bypass south of Decatur to the US 51/I-64 interchange south of Centralia. 

The study identified engineering and environmental issues along the corridor, established priorities for implementing segments of the corridor based on economic development potential, and determined appropriate interim actions to be pursued by IDOT.  The report was conducted internally by IDOT, led by the Division of Highways (engineering) and supported by OP&P (economic analysis and planning coordination).

From a strategic economic development perspective, the construction of a four-lane US 51 facility in this corridor intended to provide a direct north-south connection to facilitate improved commercial traffic flow between northern Illinois and markets in southern states.  The US 51 upgrade would be the final four-lane link for I-55/I-39 to I-57 south via US 51/I-64. For local economic development, the enhanced access to developable land would improve land values and potentially lead to industrial jobs along the corridor. The potential for economic development was assessed based on:
1.   Strengths of organized economic development programs
2.   Existing water and sewer infrastructure capacity to support economic development
3.   Availability of registered industrial sites and buildings
4.   History of business retention and jobs
5.   Potential of the corridor to attract growth industries identified by Governor James R. Thompson's Office.

At the time of the study, the four largest communities along the corridor included Decatur, Pana, Vandalia and Centralia.  These cities were considered to have the greatest economic development potential.   Major employers along the corridor included Caterpillar, ADM, and Staley (now Tate & Lyle) in Decatur; Essex Wire in Pana; Brockway Plastics in Vandalia; and Rockwell International and Swan in Centralia.  Other towns along the corridor were primarily agri-business centers.  Grain Systems Inc. in Assumption, Illinois, was the largest employer among these communities.

The study was to determine which segments provided the best opportunity for economic development and should be prioritized for construction if a four-lane facility was constructed along the corridor.  Economic priority was to be assigned even though traffic volumes did not justify construction. Four segments — Decatur to Pana, Pana to Vandalia, Vandalia to Centralia and Centralia to I-64 — were identified with criteria used to assess which segment would contribute the greatest benefit, including existing four-lane access, economic retention, and highway usage by existing industry. Although not cited as a priority criterion, utility preparedness was also a factor in evaluating the potential for each segment.

The study concluded that the Centralia to I-64 segment should proceed first due to the location of an industrial park along US 51 on the south side of Centralia, the clustering of plastics manufacturers in this industrial park, and the heavy existing use of the segment by plastic-related chemical trucking.  In addition, the plastics industries needed quick access to Lambert Airport in St. Louis for some "just-in-time"  deliveries.  Recommendations from the study also included:
-   Construction of a new four-lane facility through and around Pana,
-   Construction of a four-lane facility from the south end of the Decatur bypass at Elwin to north of Pana,
-   Construction of a four-lane facility from I-70 to north of the Vandalia Correction Center,
-   Construction of a four-lane facility from the south end of the existing four-lanes in Vandalia south to the abandoned railroad, then southeasterly to the existing alignment.

Subsequently, the Centralia to I-64 segment was constructed to four-lanes. The benefit of this facility was reported to IDOT by the Centralia Economic Development Office, which noted a significant increase in jobs in the community and the industrial park. Other segments have also been upgraded to four-lane improvements including:  a segment from Elwin south to Assumption, segments in the Pana area and a Vandalia segment from I-70 north to an uncertain point. The section of US 51 between Elwin and Assumption has been programmed and is being constructed as funding allows.  An Environmental Impact Study (EIS) has been completed for the section from Assumption to south of Pana, and an on-going EIS for the section from south of Pana to Centralia is underway.  The recommended bypass of Vandalia is significantly different than envisioned in the feasibility study.  The gap between Assumption and Centralia currently is not funded for construction.


Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on April 14, 2019, 10:21:03 PM
Still baffled why US 51 between Bloomington to Decatur section wasn't built to Interstate standards. The expressway they ended up putting there was inadequate and poorly built IMO. Decatur really missed out big time on a N/S Interstate connection.

Had they bit the bullet and done that, there may have been more pressure to finish the freeway to Salam. The I-39/FAP 412 corridor was probably the one supplemental freeway that needed to be constructed in its entirety as a freeway, but short sightedness in the 70s/80s doomed it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 14, 2019, 11:11:33 PM
Quote from: I-39 on April 14, 2019, 10:21:03 PM
Still baffled why US 51 between Bloomington to Decatur section wasn't built to Interstate standards. The expressway they ended up putting there was inadequate and poorly built IMO. Decatur really missed out big time on a N/S Interstate connection.

Had they bit the bullet and done that, there may have been more pressure to finish the freeway to Salam. The I-39/FAP 412 corridor was probably the one supplemental freeway that needed to be constructed in its entirety as a freeway, but short sightedness in the 70s/80s doomed it.

The 1980 study said:

QuoteA 1980 IDOT study determined that four-lane construction was not warranted based on traffic volumes and existing capacity;

But they settled on a non-interstate plan as a compromise because the business and road safety studies warranted it. (just not the volumes)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on April 14, 2019, 11:20:00 PM
Quote from: JREwing78 on April 14, 2019, 10:07:14 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on April 14, 2019, 08:38:17 AM
Quote from: Brandon on April 14, 2019, 02:37:16 AM
Bullshit, Crash, and you know it.  IDOT's idea of "good"  is most states' "shitty" .

https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/state-item/illinois/ (https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/state-item/illinois/)

Do your research next time. We're better than all surrounding states.

OK, I'll bite:

According to that site:

All infrastructure:

Illinois: C-
Michigan: D+  (Ok, that's 1)
Iowa: C-
Missouri: C-
Kentucky: C-
Minnesota: C

(Indiana, Ohio, & Wisconsin - these states were not graded)

Roads:
Illinois: D
Michigan: D- (Well earned, BTW)
Iowa: C-
Missouri: D+
Kentucky: D+
Minnesota: D+

Bridges:
Illinois: C
Michigan: C-
Iowa: D+
Missouri: C
Kentucky: C-
Minnesota: C

This is hardly the basis for claiming Illinois is "better than all surrounding states". At best, it can be characterized as "We're not the worst!"

Anecdotally, if you take out the ISTHA (Illinois Tollway) highways out of the picture (which in my experience are head-and-shoulders above IDOT-maintained roads), Illinois has some serious problems with road maintenance. Just in the Rockford area, US-20 around Rockford, large stretches of IL-251, and parts of I-39 are in deplorable condition. US-20 west of Freeport is long overdue for replacement by a modern roadway on new alignment.

My chief complaint with Illinois (and with Michigan) is how horrible they let things get before they respond with patching or repairs. Even with recent funding setbacks, I don't have to fear for my rims or suspension in Wisconsin anywhere near as much as in Illinois or Michigan.

You missed the percentages of poor condition roads the states have. ISTHA is included but isn't significant enough to skew it. Wisconsin roads are worse, large portions of US12 and I43 through Walworth County are pothole ridden or otherwise not smooth. I41 between Milwaukee and Fon Du Lac is also in unsatisfactory condition, can't find a similar stretch of deterioration in IL. Such may even be resurfaced this year.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on April 15, 2019, 03:17:39 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on April 14, 2019, 11:20:00 PM
You missed the percentages of poor condition roads the states have. ISTHA is included but isn't significant enough to skew it. Wisconsin roads are worse, large portions of US12 and I43 through Walworth County are pothole ridden or otherwise not smooth. I41 between Milwaukee and Fon Du Lac is also in unsatisfactory condition, can't find a similar stretch of deterioration in IL. Such may even be resurfaced this year.

Then post the percentages.  And you obviously haven't driven I-55 or I-80 through Joliet much.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 04:23:45 PM
https://www.reviewatlas.com/news/20190411/us-34-advocates-lobby-for-long-overdue-expansion-of-two-lane-highway

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 15, 2019, 04:37:13 PM
Quote from: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 04:23:45 PM
https://www.reviewatlas.com/news/20190411/us-34-advocates-lobby-for-long-overdue-expansion-of-two-lane-highway
Senate Committees meeting in Peoria, at Bradley

Are the Committee minutes made available? I am curious if other Road/Transportation projects came up for Western IL, n addition to the US 34 concerns highlighted in this report
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 06:21:29 PM
I looked on the Senate committee site and could not find any . There are the Peoria area projects 29 and 336 .as well as 67.
They had another meeting in Southern Illinois and no mention of 50or 51just the 127 project.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 15, 2019, 07:49:37 PM
Quote from: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 06:21:29 PM
I looked on the Senate committee site and could not find any . There are the Peoria area projects 29 and 336 .as well as 67.
They had another meeting in Southern Illinois and no mention of 50or 51just the 127 project.
Would like to see those minutes also.

Only the 127 upgrade aka Murphysboro-Columbia possible Expressway upgrade? Or another 127 project? Tho its really only 127 from Murphy to Pinckneyville. From there it makes its way NW over to Columbia. One of the routings may be straight up 127 to I-64 @ Nashville, IL

Other Southern IL projects possibly coming include the I-57 continued 6 Lane expansion, north of Marion towards Mt Vernon; I believe a new Ohio River Bridge in Cairo for US 51/60/62 is also eventually coming, maybe; The Shawnee Expressway/Parkway to build a 4 Lane Highway from IL 146/IL 3 Southern Junction near East Cape Girardeau east to at least I-57, and possibly even I-24

And while not road, Water Infrastructure would be nice, as it was quite disruptive last year when the main water pipe leaving Rend Lake was damaged - it is the fresh water source for a decent portion of Southern IL
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 10:41:06 PM
There is a Senate task for open to the public looking at all options Pickneyville  no longer wants a bypass though. I think Shawnee was cancelled along with Gateway and Alton Godfrey. I was wondering if 50 and 34 met a similar fate. The article indicated 34 has not solved its Army corps cost problem. Also Sandavol made clear that if you don't vote for a gas tax or other revenue increase your projects are getting canceled.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 15, 2019, 10:41:52 PM
Quote from: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 04:23:45 PM
https://www.reviewatlas.com/news/20190411/us-34-advocates-lobby-for-long-overdue-expansion-of-two-lane-highway

This is interesting. They already have built a 4 lane bypass around Biggsville. But the rest is 2 lane, some on original ROW.

I struggle a little with this request because Illinois can't even get the Macomb Bypass finished to spec, and it is in the "priority" CKC Corridor.

But at least they are bringing up the right issues like safety, business use and not political platitudes.

Honestly, its getting a little nuts in Illinois now.  The coalitions to get better roads in their areas are starting to line up and Illinois is big time broke.

Even though the GA has been raiding the IDOT budget for several years, the revenue base for IDOT is ancient and based on very outdated expectations.  The new constitutional separation will help, but it won't be enough to make up for much of the increased costs IDOT will be facing. Not just constructions costs, but bonding costs. Illinois credit rating is junk status. Any infrastructure bill will require a new set of taxes to get a better financing rate on the bonds.

They doubled the income tax just to get their debt refinanced, but they still are months to many years behind in their bills and reimbursements.

Property taxes are getting so high in Illinois, that its starting to impact home values. The GA essentially wrote a massive home equity loan on the back of Illinois property owners and people are starting to leave because of it. As people leave and home values decline, this puts Illinois in a negative net worth.

Illinois is one of the few states that can pay a PE teacher with 30 years experience three times the median income of the district they work in.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 10:53:56 PM
Biggsville bypass was due to pressure from now Ag Secretary John Sullivan. IDOT has been trying to cancel it since the Corps too them they could not build a dam in the floodplain . That is what a 4 lane 34 would become. The cost to elevate it and allow the water to flow would cost 200 million.
The CKC exists because the owner of a bunch of newspapers and tv stations wanted it.
I traveled both 34 and Macomb bypass recently . Neither is all that busy especially the bypass.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 15, 2019, 10:57:57 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on April 15, 2019, 07:49:37 PM
Quote from: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 06:21:29 PM
I looked on the Senate committee site and could not find any . There are the Peoria area projects 29 and 336 .as well as 67.
They had another meeting in Southern Illinois and no mention of 50or 51just the 127 project.
Would like to see those minutes also.

Only the 127 upgrade aka Murphysboro-Columbia possible Expressway upgrade? Or another 127 project? Tho its really only 127 from Murphy to Pinckneyville. From there it makes its way NW over to Columbia. One of the routings may be straight up 127 to I-64 @ Nashville, IL

Other Southern IL projects possibly coming include the I-57 continued 6 Lane expansion, north of Marion towards Mt Vernon; I believe a new Ohio River Bridge in Cairo for US 51/60/62 is also eventually coming, maybe; The Shawnee Expressway/Parkway to build a 4 Lane Highway from IL 146/IL 3 Southern Junction near East Cape Girardeau east to at least I-57, and possibly even I-24

And while not road, Water Infrastructure would be nice, as it was quite disruptive last year when the main water pipe leaving Rend Lake was damaged - it is the fresh water source for a decent portion of Southern IL

Kentucky DOT is the lead agency for the Cairo Bridge project and last I checked Illinois has met the funding requirement for their share.  Since Kentucky insists on maintaining a state line right on the Illinois shore line, this means they have to pay the most for the bridges.

I doubt Illinois will do any further improvements east of Cape Girardeau. I kid you not, there are no gas stations on the Illinois side of the river unless you drive all the way down to Olive Branch to the south or over to Anna-Jonesboro in the north. And going farther north, there is one station in Grand Tower and then you have to go to Murphysboro.  So if IDOT improves the road, it will simply facilitate more people to drive to Missouri to get gas and what ever.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on April 15, 2019, 11:00:09 PM
http://www.idot.illinois.gov/projects/shawnee-parkway
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 11:01:22 PM
I just wondered if anyone heard anything recently on any of the surviving projects in the list. That would be US routes 20 67 and 51 and Illinois 29 and 336 and 127. Covered 127 and I submitted a comment to keep corridor protection along 67 to preserve the 4  lane option. That has to be reviewed every ten years. If lost it really would be the end of a 4 lane option.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 15, 2019, 11:13:06 PM
I see that too . I found stories on the end of 66 but not the parkway. The link is dead to the parkway page link. That is why I was wondering what if anything is going on with other projects. I am sure Gateway is dead as is Alton Godfrey and US 30 in Whiteside county. And of course Prairie Parkway. Route 53 Illiana and the mid city translates exist  on life support in On to 2050.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on April 16, 2019, 09:20:43 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on April 14, 2019, 11:11:33 PM
Quote from: I-39 on April 14, 2019, 10:21:03 PM
Still baffled why US 51 between Bloomington to Decatur section wasn't built to Interstate standards. The expressway they ended up putting there was inadequate and poorly built IMO. Decatur really missed out big time on a N/S Interstate connection.

Had they bit the bullet and done that, there may have been more pressure to finish the freeway to Salam. The I-39/FAP 412 corridor was probably the one supplemental freeway that needed to be constructed in its entirety as a freeway, but short sightedness in the 70s/80s doomed it.

The 1980 study said:

QuoteA 1980 IDOT study determined that four-lane construction was not warranted based on traffic volumes and existing capacity;

But they settled on a non-interstate plan as a compromise because the business and road safety studies warranted it. (just not the volumes)

That was for US 51 south of Decatur. I am talking about US 51 between Bloomington and Decatur, which was originally suppose to be built to interstate standards on an alignment west of the existing one just how US 51 (later I-39) was between Rockford and Bloomington. In the late 1970's, early 1980's, funding woes and opposition (i.e, short-sighted leadership) led to them abandoning an Interstate on this segment and going with upgrading the existing US 51 to a four lane expressway.

Had they gone Interstate between Bloomington and Decatur, there might have been pressure to continue the interstate to Salem later on (in the 2000s), instead of the expressway alternative they went with.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on April 16, 2019, 10:38:11 PM
Quote from: Brandon on April 15, 2019, 03:17:39 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on April 14, 2019, 11:20:00 PM
You missed the percentages of poor condition roads the states have. ISTHA is included but isn't significant enough to skew it. Wisconsin roads are worse, large portions of US12 and I43 through Walworth County are pothole ridden or otherwise not smooth. I41 between Milwaukee and Fon Du Lac is also in unsatisfactory condition, can't find a similar stretch of deterioration in IL. Such may even be resurfaced this year.

Then post the percentages.  And you obviously haven't driven I-55 or I-80 through Joliet much.
It's right there on the site


Percentage in poor condition

Illinois - 19% (up from 18.8)
Indiana - 12% (down from 24%, this was a shocker)
Michigan and Missouri - 23%
Wisconsin - 28% (down from 47%)

I've driven I55 down to Springfield last summer and didn't see any large scale deterioration. I also drove it this past February and did see a few potholes in between the middle and left lanes here and there but nothing as bad as US12 in Walworth County WI or I41 from Tosa to the Lac.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 16, 2019, 10:41:58 PM
Yes you are right. I have a copy of the report for US 51 south of Decatur. It mentioned the continuity . But someone wrote that was not occurring no through traffic around Decatur. The traffic pattern for trucks was forming them and it was a 74 39 and even 57 . The report recommended 4 lane to Pana  and Centralia to 64. It said the rest could go through town and be 4 lanes in the rural area as needed. The current EIS  is trying to argue the through route argument sort of to justify a big expense on a low volume road.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 16, 2019, 10:49:36 PM
Quote from: I-39 on April 16, 2019, 09:20:43 PM
That was for US 51 south of Decatur. I am talking about US 51 between Bloomington and Decatur, which was originally suppose to be built to interstate standards on an alignment west of the existing one just how US 51 (later I-39) was between Rockford and Bloomington. In the late 1970's, early 1980's, funding woes and opposition (i.e, short-sighted leadership) led to them abandoning an Interstate on this segment and going with upgrading the existing US 51 to a four lane expressway.

Well, there is a little "freeway" feel at the US 136 interchange in Heyworth! And when I was at IDOT District 3, I had a few conversations with my compatriots in District 5 where they wish they'd been allowed to put interchanges rather than stoplights around Clinton. The traffic is a pretty steady 10k to 12k/day along the whole corridor from Decatur to Bloomington; it drops off a little at the Clinton bypass from "old" US 51 picking up a lot of the local traffic.

South of Decatur, the traffic is modestly heavy for a rural section but it drops off at Macon and again at Moweaqua, and is probably in the 3-4k/day range through most of the route south to Centralia.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 17, 2019, 08:49:00 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on April 16, 2019, 10:38:11 PM

I've driven I55 down to Springfield last summer and didn't see any large scale deterioration. I also drove it this past February and did see a few potholes in between the middle and left lanes here and there but nothing as bad as US12 in Walworth County WI or I41 from Tosa to the Lac.

Then you didn't drive I-55 between Bolingbrook and the Des Plaines river.  I drive this every single day, and the deterioration is off the charts. It started deteriorating within months of the road being expanded from 4 lanes to six.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 17, 2019, 10:12:42 AM
Quote from: I-39 on April 16, 2019, 09:20:43 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on April 14, 2019, 11:11:33 PM
Quote from: I-39 on April 14, 2019, 10:21:03 PM
Still baffled why US 51 between Bloomington to Decatur section wasn't built to Interstate standards. The expressway they ended up putting there was inadequate and poorly built IMO. Decatur really missed out big time on a N/S Interstate connection.

Had they bit the bullet and done that, there may have been more pressure to finish the freeway to Salam. The I-39/FAP 412 corridor was probably the one supplemental freeway that needed to be constructed in its entirety as a freeway, but short sightedness in the 70s/80s doomed it.

The 1980 study said:

QuoteA 1980 IDOT study determined that four-lane construction was not warranted based on traffic volumes and existing capacity;

But they settled on a non-interstate plan as a compromise because the business and road safety studies warranted it. (just not the volumes)

That was for US 51 south of Decatur. I am talking about US 51 between Bloomington and Decatur, which was originally suppose to be built to interstate standards on an alignment west of the existing one just how US 51 (later I-39) was between Rockford and Bloomington. In the late 1970's, early 1980's, funding woes and opposition (i.e, short-sighted leadership) led to them abandoning an Interstate on this segment and going with upgrading the existing US 51 to a four lane expressway.

Had they gone Interstate between Bloomington and Decatur, there might have been pressure to continue the interstate to Salem later on (in the 2000s), instead of the expressway alternative they went with.

Remember the 3 point criteria IDOT uses:

- Volumes
- Business Need
- Safety

The Bloomington-Decatur route is what the 1980 study referenced.

- Inadequate traffic to justify full interstate standards
- Adequate business and safety needs to justify a 4 lane application

So the compromise was a 4 lane full access highway. (not a limited access interstate)

In the subsequent studies south of Decatur to Pana, Vandalia and on to I-64 south of Centralia, only Centralia to I-64 passed the volume sniff test. Vandalia to Sandoval didn't pass the volume or business need test, only safety for farm equipment.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 17, 2019, 11:58:25 AM
I have the 1987 Planning Study US 51 Decatur to 64 .It said 51 should ultimately be 4 lanes but to Pana and Centralia should be done first. It also said 4 lanes for volume is 7200. They projected Pana Vandalia might be 6000 by 2010 and South it would be under 5000. Sure is. Parts are only 2400. None of the remaining corridors understudy have any long Stevens above that and many are declining.
That is why the draft EIS focuses only on an economic development aspect. That is why the Vandalia meetings were  so contentious. The locals did not want another bypass but the consultants said they needed one to justify it. I have one seen a Draft not a Final so maybe a stealth cancellation.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 17, 2019, 02:44:52 PM
Quote from: 3467 on April 17, 2019, 11:58:25 AM
I have the 1987 Planning Study US 51 Decatur to 64 .It said 51 should ultimately be 4 lanes but to Pana and Centralia should be done first. It also said 4 lanes for volume is 7200. They projected Pana Vandalia might be 6000 by 2010 and South it would be under 5000. Sure is. Parts are only 2400. None of the remaining corridors understudy have any long Stevens above that and many are declining.
That is why the draft EIS focuses only on an economic development aspect. That is why the Vandalia meetings were  so contentious. The locals did not want another bypass but the consultants said they needed one to justify it. I have one seen a Draft not a Final so maybe a stealth cancellation.

In the post 2010 hearing I saw the 4 options presented by IDOT.

The analysis says the work has to include the Vandalia Correctional Facility on the north end and terminates near the abandoned Illinois Central railroad ROW on the south end.

The current EIS shows a proposed route west of Vandalia which crosses the Kaskaskia River south of town, and intersects I-70. Then to reach US-51 North, you have two choices, go through town the old way, or hit a ramp west of town to get on I-70 East to reach the existing US-51 exit ramps.  This seems incredibly wasteful to me.

I found this proposal to the east:

http://www.us51eis-idot.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20101026_EB-Shift_36x48.pdf (http://www.us51eis-idot.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20101026_EB-Shift_36x48.pdf)

Which takes the least amount of farmland, takes no existing homes. The city sewage ponds would have to be shifted.  Still allows access to all businesses in town either by an exit on US40, by I-70 or by old-51 on the north side.  The only demerit of the EB route is that it will have to be elevated, either by pylon or by aggregate to meet 100 year rains since it essentially resides right on top of the Kaskaskia River.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 17, 2019, 07:53:08 PM
On I agree with you. I just can't see it ever built. The CAG  notes indicated that most opposed any bypass and the news articles indicated hostility. The consultants said a bypass was needed to justify the contrived Purpose and Need.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 17, 2019, 08:17:49 PM
Does anyone remember a plan for tollways statewide in Illinois from the fifties? I also recall a map posted here that showed the Folks at building a road showing a route near US 30 in Whiteside county. I went through all the posts and could not find these.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on April 17, 2019, 09:34:35 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on April 17, 2019, 02:44:52 PM
I found this proposal to the east:

http://www.us51eis-idot.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20101026_EB-Shift_36x48.pdf (http://www.us51eis-idot.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/20101026_EB-Shift_36x48.pdf)

I think the design shown for the interchange with I-70 is a giveaway this design was not that serious - too many flyovers.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on April 17, 2019, 10:38:33 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on April 17, 2019, 10:12:42 AM
Quote from: I-39 on April 16, 2019, 09:20:43 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on April 14, 2019, 11:11:33 PM
Quote from: I-39 on April 14, 2019, 10:21:03 PM
Still baffled why US 51 between Bloomington to Decatur section wasn't built to Interstate standards. The expressway they ended up putting there was inadequate and poorly built IMO. Decatur really missed out big time on a N/S Interstate connection.

Had they bit the bullet and done that, there may have been more pressure to finish the freeway to Salam. The I-39/FAP 412 corridor was probably the one supplemental freeway that needed to be constructed in its entirety as a freeway, but short sightedness in the 70s/80s doomed it.

The 1980 study said:

QuoteA 1980 IDOT study determined that four-lane construction was not warranted based on traffic volumes and existing capacity;

But they settled on a non-interstate plan as a compromise because the business and road safety studies warranted it. (just not the volumes)

That was for US 51 south of Decatur. I am talking about US 51 between Bloomington and Decatur, which was originally suppose to be built to interstate standards on an alignment west of the existing one just how US 51 (later I-39) was between Rockford and Bloomington. In the late 1970's, early 1980's, funding woes and opposition (i.e, short-sighted leadership) led to them abandoning an Interstate on this segment and going with upgrading the existing US 51 to a four lane expressway.

Had they gone Interstate between Bloomington and Decatur, there might have been pressure to continue the interstate to Salem later on (in the 2000s), instead of the expressway alternative they went with.

Remember the 3 point criteria IDOT uses:

- Volumes
- Business Need
- Safety

The Bloomington-Decatur route is what the 1980 study referenced.

- Inadequate traffic to justify full interstate standards
- Adequate business and safety needs to justify a 4 lane application

So the compromise was a 4 lane full access highway. (not a limited access interstate)

In the subsequent studies south of Decatur to Pana, Vandalia and on to I-64 south of Centralia, only Centralia to I-64 passed the volume sniff test. Vandalia to Sandoval didn't pass the volume or business need test, only safety for farm equipment.

Where do you see this? The 1980 study was looking at US 51 south of Decatur. North of Decatur was already in the latter planning stages/construction.

The Bloomington to Decatur segment was planned in the 1970s along with the Rockford to Normal segment. It was scaled back by 1978 or so to an expressway using the existing ROW due to concerns about farmland being taken out of production (Rick Powell, do you remember anything about this?). If they had waited a decade and used the design standards that were used between Oglesby and Normal, I wonder if they would've gone interstate on the Bloomington to Decatur segment?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 17, 2019, 10:48:52 PM
That is right the planning study was South and 1987. Construction started Bloomington Decatur right about the time the supplementary freeway were being reviewed. I have never seen a study of EIS of Bloomington Decatur. The EIS for  80 to Bloomington was 1985. Some of these show up digitized when you Google them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on April 17, 2019, 10:56:33 PM
Quote from: 3467 on April 17, 2019, 10:48:52 PM
That is right the planning study was South and 1987. Construction started Bloomington Decatur right about the time the supplementary freeway were being reviewed. I have never seen a study of EIS of Bloomington Decatur. The EIS for  80 to Bloomington was 1985. Some of these show up digitized when you Google them.

https://books.google.com/books?id=Z5c1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA198&lpg=PA198&dq=US+51+bloomington+to+decatur+EIS&source=bl&ots=swpNXLVehP&sig=ACfU3U1b-s9o1C5YbTGWrN0Ma9P6V-RDOg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiokYKG0tjhAhVmdt8KHW1MC14Q6AEwA3oECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false (https://books.google.com/books?id=Z5c1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA198&lpg=PA198&dq=US+51+bloomington+to+decatur+EIS&source=bl&ots=swpNXLVehP&sig=ACfU3U1b-s9o1C5YbTGWrN0Ma9P6V-RDOg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiokYKG0tjhAhVmdt8KHW1MC14Q6AEwA3oECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false)

Here's some stuff
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 17, 2019, 11:30:58 PM
Quote from: I-39 on April 17, 2019, 10:38:33 PM
The Bloomington to Decatur segment was planned in the 1970s along with the Rockford to Normal segment. It was scaled back by 1978 or so to an expressway using the existing ROW due to concerns about farmland being taken out of production (Rick Powell, do you remember anything about this?). If they had waited a decade and used the design standards that were used between Oglesby and Normal, I wonder if they would've gone interstate on the Bloomington to Decatur segment?

I am not sure about farmland preservation being an issue on the Bloomington to Decatur segment (although I read USEPA's comments on the "bypass" alternatives vs. the "in town" alignments and they seemed to acknowledge the trade off in farm impacts vs. noise impacts depending on which alignment was chosen). But I do know that the Oglesby to Normal freeway section was designed with a 54 foot median and bridges with no center pier, in part to reduce the required farm acreage. The Bloomington - Decatur expressway was mostly a cost-saving move to get it done within the remaining statewide highway budget, from what I have gathered, although we did sneak in that US 136 interchange. A full access control probably wouldn't have taken that much more land, except for overhead structures every mile or two.

I worked on the in-house design plans for the first 4-lane segment going south of I-74; it must have been 1978 or 79; and was at the opening ceremony at Heyworth in the late 80s. I suspect that the segment I worked on pre-dated the EIS referenced above, since we were already doing final design well before 1981, and it was built well before the remaining sections to the south. Or maybe we were working on it so that it could be let shortly after the EIS was approved, since this segment had no alternatives.

The section through Clinton was considered for an in-town "one way couple" similar to Business 51 through Bloomington-Normal, but ultimately the west bypass was built with at-grade intersections.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on April 17, 2019, 11:55:46 PM
Love hearing the real story.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on April 18, 2019, 01:40:40 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on April 17, 2019, 11:30:58 PM
I do know that the Oglesby to Normal freeway section was designed with a 54 foot median and bridges with no center pier, in part to reduce the required farm acreage.

Thank you for this info.  It sheds some light on a discussion we had a year ago (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21903.msg2289169#msg2289169).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 18, 2019, 02:12:27 PM
Quote from: kphoger on April 18, 2019, 01:40:40 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on April 17, 2019, 11:30:58 PM
I do know that the Oglesby to Normal freeway section was designed with a 54 foot median and bridges with no center pier, in part to reduce the required farm acreage.

Thank you for this info.  It sheds some light on a discussion we had a year ago (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21903.msg2289169#msg2289169).

Here's some trivia that will appeal to a few armchair structural engineers. The no-pier bridges on I-39 were designed by the late Wei Hsiong, and have a series of counterweights and rods in the vaulted abutments on either side to counterbalance the span. No one knows "what" will happen when the concrete bridge decks will eventually be replaced, but it will probably not be easy to do them half-at-a-time given their unusual method of support. Other than I-39, there is one other specimen of this type of bridge, at River Road over I-57 in Kankakee.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0919426,-87.8347348,3a,75y,172.51h,97.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZJSVP8IN7p35jlSgLU_vgg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on April 18, 2019, 02:48:43 PM
That will no doubt be of interest to my friend who designs bridges for a living.  What is your source material?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on April 18, 2019, 02:54:48 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on April 18, 2019, 02:12:27 PM
Quote from: kphoger on April 18, 2019, 01:40:40 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on April 17, 2019, 11:30:58 PM
I do know that the Oglesby to Normal freeway section was designed with a 54 foot median and bridges with no center pier, in part to reduce the required farm acreage.

Thank you for this info.  It sheds some light on a discussion we had a year ago (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21903.msg2289169#msg2289169).

Here's some trivia that will appeal to a few armchair structural engineers. The no-pier bridges on I-39 were designed by the late Wei Hsiong, and have a series of counterweights and rods in the vaulted abutments on either side to counterbalance the span. No one knows "what" will happen when the concrete bridge decks will eventually be replaced, but it will probably not be easy to do them half-at-a-time given their unusual method of support. Other than I-39, there is one other specimen of this type of bridge, at River Road over I-57 in Kankakee.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0919426,-87.8347348,3a,75y,172.51h,97.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sZJSVP8IN7p35jlSgLU_vgg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

I lived in K3 for a while, and whenever I passed that bridge, I always thought something was wrong, but could never place my finger on it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on April 18, 2019, 03:00:41 PM
Quote from: kphoger on April 18, 2019, 02:48:43 PM
That will no doubt be of interest to my friend who designs bridges for a living.  What is your source material?
In a previous life, I was a bridge/hydraulics engineer at IDOT District 3. I was in college when many of these were built but saw the plans and had several conversations with the people who worked on them, including Mr. Hsiong.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on April 18, 2019, 04:42:53 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on April 18, 2019, 03:00:41 PM
Quote from: kphoger on April 18, 2019, 02:48:43 PM
That will no doubt be of interest to my friend who designs bridges for a living.  What is your source material?
In a previous life, I was a bridge/hydraulics engineer at IDOT District 3. I was in college when many of these were built but saw the plans and had several conversations with the people who worked on them, including Mr. Hsiong.

I am a bridge design nut and at one time thought I was going to go into engineering just to do bridges. (University of Illinois I presumed at the time)

I love those bridges with no center pylon.  When I drove the Wenona Weave during I-39 construction, they would push us over and I would drive under those and thought it was the most practical and elegant design for a bridge, especially for a low duty bridge that most of these were.

Today I am surprised how far material sciences has come as I see pre-stressed concrete versions of this pylon less design supporting a 3 lane half of an interstate.

I even drove out and showed someone visiting from KDOT and he was surprised and we got into a long debate on just how pre-stressed it really was.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on April 20, 2019, 12:11:08 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on April 17, 2019, 11:30:58 PM
Quote from: I-39 on April 17, 2019, 10:38:33 PM
The Bloomington to Decatur segment was planned in the 1970s along with the Rockford to Normal segment. It was scaled back by 1978 or so to an expressway using the existing ROW due to concerns about farmland being taken out of production (Rick Powell, do you remember anything about this?). If they had waited a decade and used the design standards that were used between Oglesby and Normal, I wonder if they would've gone interstate on the Bloomington to Decatur segment?

I am not sure about farmland preservation being an issue on the Bloomington to Decatur segment (although I read USEPA's comments on the "bypass" alternatives vs. the "in town" alignments and they seemed to acknowledge the trade off in farm impacts vs. noise impacts depending on which alignment was chosen). But I do know that the Oglesby to Normal freeway section was designed with a 54 foot median and bridges with no center pier, in part to reduce the required farm acreage. The Bloomington - Decatur expressway was mostly a cost-saving move to get it done within the remaining statewide highway budget, from what I have gathered, although we did sneak in that US 136 interchange. A full access control probably wouldn't have taken that much more land, except for overhead structures every mile or two.

I worked on the in-house design plans for the first 4-lane segment going south of I-74; it must have been 1978 or 79; and was at the opening ceremony at Heyworth in the late 80s. I suspect that the segment I worked on pre-dated the EIS referenced above, since we were already doing final design well before 1981, and it was built well before the remaining sections to the south. Or maybe we were working on it so that it could be let shortly after the EIS was approved, since this segment had no alternatives.

The section through Clinton was considered for an in-town "one way couple" similar to Business 51 through Bloomington-Normal, but ultimately the west bypass was built with at-grade intersections.

Interesting to hear that an Interstate/freeway south of Bloomington wouldn't have taken up much more land. I figured that was the case. I guess it was politics that really derailed it.

It's really sad that the I-39 wasn't finished all the way to I-57 like supplemental freeway plan proposed. I maintain that FAP 412 was probably the only proposed downstate supplemental freeway that should have been constructed in its entirety as an Interstate. As someone who has made the drive from Tennessee to central/northern Illinois and Wisconsin via I-57 to I-74 to I-39 many times, I'm absolutely convinced an extended I-39 to I-57 at Salem would cut an hour off the drive.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: csw on May 27, 2019, 07:41:15 PM
There have been lots of posts in this thread about the poor condition of I-55, especially in Will County, followed by "IDiOT" comments blaming them for their inaction. The following comment/question isn't about I-55 but I think it's still valid.

Driving down I-57 from Chicago today, it was easy to see that some sections of the pavement are in good condition while others are in disrepair. The border between these sections was always at a county line - Ford, Champaign, and Kankakee counties are in pretty good shape, while Will and Iroquois are in some real need of work. In Cook County, it's crappy from I-94 to I-80, but good from I-80 to the county line. Is the pavement maintenance for interstates left to counties in Illinois, or at least this part of Illinois? Or is it just convenient for IDOT to start and end their pavement sections at county lines? If it's the former, maybe IDOT doesn't deserve the blame for deteriorating pavement. Someone familiar with what goes on in this region, please advise.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 28, 2019, 01:36:03 AM
IDOT Districts are Groups of Counties, but not individual Counties

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.idot.illinois.gov%2FAssets%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2FTravel-Information%2Ftrails-paths-streets%2FIDOTcountymap.jpg&hash=d845ecf53ac41bafb47ea3cd6f66b5c8b5766f88)

I believe many projects are bid out by the County within a District, tho, at least the way I have read IDOT Bid Announcements
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on June 03, 2019, 09:38:41 AM
I-80 getting a third lane added with the redo of the US-30 interchange:

"The overall project involves extending a third lane in each direction on I-80 from approximately Interstate 355 through the U.S. 30 interchange. The bridges carrying I-80 over U.S. 30, Metra's Rock Island District Line and Hickory Creek will be rebuilt.  Other components of the project include modernized traffic signals, drainage improvements and the extension of a bicycle and pedestrian path along U.S. 30. An earlier project replaced the Old Plank Road Trail bridge over I-80.

The new interchange is expected to be complete in late 2021."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 03, 2019, 03:32:03 PM
Quote from: ET21 on June 03, 2019, 09:38:41 AM
I-80 getting a third lane added with the redo of the US-30 interchange:

"The overall project involves extending a third lane in each direction on I-80 from approximately Interstate 355 through the U.S. 30 interchange. The bridges carrying I-80 over U.S. 30, Metra’s Rock Island District Line and Hickory Creek will be rebuilt.  Other components of the project include modernized traffic signals, drainage improvements and the extension of a bicycle and pedestrian path along U.S. 30. An earlier project replaced the Old Plank Road Trail bridge over I-80.

The new interchange is expected to be complete in late 2021."

Work has already started to grade the median to widen the lanes to the inside, and to close the gap between the current EB and WB I-80 structures over US 30. Traffic is being shifted away from the median to allow more work space.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 09, 2019, 11:04:26 PM
Construction is slated to begin on I-55 on the BNSF / Grant Creek bridges on June 17th. Initially, both bridges will be reduced to a single lane, to accommodate shoulder widening. When that's done, the southbound bridge will be closed, and traffic will be moved to a single lane in each direction on the northbound bridge. When that's done, the closing will be reversed. Construction is scheduled to be finished by fall of 2020.

Use I-80 and IL - 47 as an alternative.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 11, 2019, 12:41:25 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2019, 11:04:26 PM
Construction is slated to begin on I-55 on the BNSF / Grant Creek bridges on June 17th. Initially, both bridges will be reduced to a single lane, to accommodate shoulder widening. When that's done, the southbound bridge will be closed, and traffic will be moved to a single lane in each direction on the northbound bridge. When that's done, the closing will be reversed. Construction is scheduled to be finished by fall of 2020.

Use I-80 and IL - 47 as an alternative.

That method might work somewhere between Pontiac and Springfield, but not there.

Just the dumbest, cheapest way to fix things.  Trucks will be backed up on the northbound side for miles because there is an incline in the highway to reach the bridge from the south.

I wouldn't be surprised if trucks get backed up all the way back to I-80 on the southbound side as they line up to get across with only 1 lane.

I will say it again, build a urban style bridge with 4 lanes (2 each way) in between the existing spans. Demolish the old spans and add 1 more lane and outer shoulder to each side of the new center span and be done.

No backups, no delays, no safety problems, just a clean bridge replacement approach.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 11, 2019, 08:42:12 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 11, 2019, 12:41:25 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2019, 11:04:26 PM
Construction is slated to begin on I-55 on the BNSF / Grant Creek bridges on June 17th. Initially, both bridges will be reduced to a single lane, to accommodate shoulder widening. When that's done, the southbound bridge will be closed, and traffic will be moved to a single lane in each direction on the northbound bridge. When that's done, the closing will be reversed. Construction is scheduled to be finished by fall of 2020.

Use I-80 and IL - 47 as an alternative.

That method might work somewhere between Pontiac and Springfield, but not there.

Just the dumbest, cheapest way to fix things.  Trucks will be backed up on the northbound side for miles because there is an incline in the highway to reach the bridge from the south.

I wouldn't be surprised if trucks get backed up all the way back to I-80 on the southbound side as they line up to get across with only 1 lane.

I will say it again, build a urban style bridge with 4 lanes (2 each way) in between the existing spans. Demolish the old spans and add 1 more lane and outer shoulder to each side of the new center span and be done.

No backups, no delays, no safety problems, just a clean bridge replacement approach.

I would agree to that.  But, you know, $$$

I drive that way home every day.  I know what I'm avoiding now.  ONly drawback is that now the wife is going to ask me to pick things up from the store as I drive through Morris.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 11, 2019, 02:35:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 11, 2019, 08:42:12 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 11, 2019, 12:41:25 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2019, 11:04:26 PM
Construction is slated to begin on I-55 on the BNSF / Grant Creek bridges on June 17th. Initially, both bridges will be reduced to a single lane, to accommodate shoulder widening. When that's done, the southbound bridge will be closed, and traffic will be moved to a single lane in each direction on the northbound bridge. When that's done, the closing will be reversed. Construction is scheduled to be finished by fall of 2020.

Use I-80 and IL - 47 as an alternative.

That method might work somewhere between Pontiac and Springfield, but not there.

Just the dumbest, cheapest way to fix things.  Trucks will be backed up on the northbound side for miles because there is an incline in the highway to reach the bridge from the south.

I wouldn't be surprised if trucks get backed up all the way back to I-80 on the southbound side as they line up to get across with only 1 lane.

I will say it again, build a urban style bridge with 4 lanes (2 each way) in between the existing spans. Demolish the old spans and add 1 more lane and outer shoulder to each side of the new center span and be done.

No backups, no delays, no safety problems, just a clean bridge replacement approach.

I would agree to that.  But, you know, $$$

I drive that way home every day.  I know what I'm avoiding now.  ONly drawback is that now the wife is going to ask me to pick things up from the store as I drive through Morris.

Here is hoping IDOT places key "time to delay" signs with alternate routing.  Yes, I know Google Traffic does the same thing., but not everyone looks at their phone while traveling.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 11, 2019, 05:19:31 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 11, 2019, 08:42:12 AM
I would agree to that.  But, you know, $$$

There should also be safety concerns, given the number of fatal wrecks the last time I-55 in that region was down to one lane for construction.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 12, 2019, 08:48:03 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 11, 2019, 02:35:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 11, 2019, 08:42:12 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 11, 2019, 12:41:25 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2019, 11:04:26 PM
Construction is slated to begin on I-55 on the BNSF / Grant Creek bridges on June 17th. Initially, both bridges will be reduced to a single lane, to accommodate shoulder widening. When that's done, the southbound bridge will be closed, and traffic will be moved to a single lane in each direction on the northbound bridge. When that's done, the closing will be reversed. Construction is scheduled to be finished by fall of 2020.

Use I-80 and IL - 47 as an alternative.

That method might work somewhere between Pontiac and Springfield, but not there.

Just the dumbest, cheapest way to fix things.  Trucks will be backed up on the northbound side for miles because there is an incline in the highway to reach the bridge from the south.

I wouldn't be surprised if trucks get backed up all the way back to I-80 on the southbound side as they line up to get across with only 1 lane.

I will say it again, build a urban style bridge with 4 lanes (2 each way) in between the existing spans. Demolish the old spans and add 1 more lane and outer shoulder to each side of the new center span and be done.

No backups, no delays, no safety problems, just a clean bridge replacement approach.

I would agree to that.  But, you know, $$$

I drive that way home every day.  I know what I'm avoiding now.  ONly drawback is that now the wife is going to ask me to pick things up from the store as I drive through Morris.

Here is hoping IDOT places key "time to delay" signs with alternate routing.  Yes, I know Google Traffic does the same thing., but not everyone looks at their phone while traveling.

What I've noticed so far, coming home from work, is that the first VMU is just before I-80
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 12, 2019, 07:19:57 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2019, 11:04:26 PM
Construction is slated to begin on I-55 on the BNSF / Grant Creek bridges on June 17th. Initially, both bridges will be reduced to a single lane, to accommodate shoulder widening. When that's done, the southbound bridge will be closed, and traffic will be moved to a single lane in each direction on the northbound bridge. When that's done, the closing will be reversed. Construction is scheduled to be finished by fall of 2020.

Use I-80 and IL - 47 as an alternative.

I wonder if they were waiting for the Will/Grundy county line bridge to get done before they started that project.  Another detour idea may be to take that bridge instead, even if the Arsenal Rd. interchange will send you 2 miles in the wrong direction no matter which way you're going.  In other words, take Blodgett Road, Will Road, and Lorenzo Road (cars only- no big rigs).  You can also do Blodgett to River Road, but that takes you through the Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area with its low speed limits and frequent stop signs (I don't recommend this).

Situations like this comprise one big reason why I wish there was a bridge across the Illinois River near Minooka.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 13, 2019, 09:31:30 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 12, 2019, 07:19:57 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2019, 11:04:26 PM
Construction is slated to begin on I-55 on the BNSF / Grant Creek bridges on June 17th. Initially, both bridges will be reduced to a single lane, to accommodate shoulder widening. When that's done, the southbound bridge will be closed, and traffic will be moved to a single lane in each direction on the northbound bridge. When that's done, the closing will be reversed. Construction is scheduled to be finished by fall of 2020.

Use I-80 and IL - 47 as an alternative.

I wonder if they were waiting for the Will/Grundy county line bridge to get done before they started that project.  Another detour idea may be to take that bridge instead, even if the Arsenal Rd. interchange will send you 2 miles in the wrong direction no matter which way you're going.  In other words, take Blodgett Road, Will Road, and Lorenzo Road (cars only- no big rigs).  You can also do Blodgett to River Road, but that takes you through the Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area with its low speed limits and frequent stop signs (I don't recommend this).

Situations like this comprise one big reason why I wish there was a bridge across the Illinois River near Minooka.

I'm actually shocked that the IL 47 bridge over 55 in Dwight wasn't done first. That bridge is in far worse shaper, and if you're going to use that as a detour, I'd think you'd want that in good shape first.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on June 13, 2019, 05:44:09 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 13, 2019, 09:31:30 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 12, 2019, 07:19:57 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 09, 2019, 11:04:26 PM
Construction is slated to begin on I-55 on the BNSF / Grant Creek bridges on June 17th. Initially, both bridges will be reduced to a single lane, to accommodate shoulder widening. When that's done, the southbound bridge will be closed, and traffic will be moved to a single lane in each direction on the northbound bridge. When that's done, the closing will be reversed. Construction is scheduled to be finished by fall of 2020.

Use I-80 and IL - 47 as an alternative.

I wonder if they were waiting for the Will/Grundy county line bridge to get done before they started that project.  Another detour idea may be to take that bridge instead, even if the Arsenal Rd. interchange will send you 2 miles in the wrong direction no matter which way you're going.  In other words, take Blodgett Road, Will Road, and Lorenzo Road (cars only- no big rigs).  You can also do Blodgett to River Road, but that takes you through the Des Plaines Fish and Wildlife Area with its low speed limits and frequent stop signs (I don't recommend this).

Situations like this comprise one big reason why I wish there was a bridge across the Illinois River near Minooka.

I'm actually shocked that the IL 47 bridge over 55 in Dwight wasn't done first. That bridge is in far worse shape, and if you're going to use that as a detour, I'd think you'd want that in good shape first.

District 1, meet District 3.  District 3, meet District 1.  Now, let's coordinate.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on June 20, 2019, 11:49:19 PM
The IL-106 Illinois River bridge at Florence has been hit yet again by a barge and is now closed indefinitely.  This isn't the first time a barge has hit this bridge since there have been more than one barge collision with this bridge in the last decade.  IIRC the last barge collision before this one was in 2016.

http://wlds.com/news/florence-bridge-closed-due-to-a-barge-hit/ (http://wlds.com/news/florence-bridge-closed-due-to-a-barge-hit/)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 21, 2019, 03:33:43 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 20, 2019, 11:49:19 PM
The IL-106 Illinois River bridge at Florence has been hit yet again by a barge and is now closed indefinitely.  This isn't the first time a barge has hit this bridge since there have been more than one barge collision with this bridge in the last decade.  IIRC the last barge collision before this one was in 2016.

http://wlds.com/news/florence-bridge-closed-due-to-a-barge-hit/ (http://wlds.com/news/florence-bridge-closed-due-to-a-barge-hit/)

And it was closed before that due to some record flooding of the lower Illinois River. The people of Scott and Pike counties are used to taking the long way around through Meredosia, or across I-72, after years of bridge outages for one reason or another. The new one can't come fast enough.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 11:50:47 AM
It's official: Utica's new bridge is behind schedule (http://www.newstrib.com/news/it-s-official-utica-s-new-bridge-is-behind-schedule/article_3f46f31e-8ddb-11e9-8541-973b147ab336.html)

Granted, only two weeks, but that's going to affect installation of the superstructure.  Damn rain!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on June 26, 2019, 07:32:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 11:50:47 AM
It's official: Utica's new bridge is behind schedule (http://www.newstrib.com/news/it-s-official-utica-s-new-bridge-is-behind-schedule/article_3f46f31e-8ddb-11e9-8541-973b147ab336.html)

Granted, only two weeks, but that's going to affect installation of the superstructure.  Damn rain!

Is the new IL-178 bridge going to be 4 lanes wide since I've heard that traffic to and from Starved Rock State Park is quite high for such a rural route?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on June 26, 2019, 08:49:39 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 26, 2019, 07:32:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 11:50:47 AM
It's official: Utica's new bridge is behind schedule (http://www.newstrib.com/news/it-s-official-utica-s-new-bridge-is-behind-schedule/article_3f46f31e-8ddb-11e9-8541-973b147ab336.html)

Granted, only two weeks, but that's going to affect installation of the superstructure.  Damn rain!

Is the new IL-178 bridge going to be 4 lanes wide since I've heard that traffic to and from Starved Rock State Park is quite high for such a rural route?

Unfortunately, no.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 27, 2019, 12:25:32 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 26, 2019, 08:49:39 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 26, 2019, 07:32:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 11:50:47 AM
It's official: Utica's new bridge is behind schedule (http://www.newstrib.com/news/it-s-official-utica-s-new-bridge-is-behind-schedule/article_3f46f31e-8ddb-11e9-8541-973b147ab336.html)

Granted, only two weeks, but that's going to affect installation of the superstructure.  Damn rain!

Is the new IL-178 bridge going to be 4 lanes wide since I've heard that traffic to and from Starved Rock State Park is quite high for such a rural route?

Unfortunately, no.

IDOTs interactive AADT map shows 1,525 vehicles a day (305 trucks). A rural highway needs a traffic count 5 times higher than that before IDOT starts looking at 4 lanes. I worked on the project and live in the area, and other than a few heavy weekends, traffic is usually pretty light, nothing close to congested conditions warranting 4 lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on June 27, 2019, 06:39:18 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 26, 2019, 07:32:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 11:50:47 AM
It's official: Utica's new bridge is behind schedule (http://www.newstrib.com/news/it-s-official-utica-s-new-bridge-is-behind-schedule/article_3f46f31e-8ddb-11e9-8541-973b147ab336.html)

Granted, only two weeks, but that's going to affect installation of the superstructure.  Damn rain!

Is the new IL-178 bridge going to be 4 lanes wide since I've heard that traffic to and from Starved Rock State Park is quite high for such a rural route?


It's only congested because people go 25mph over it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on June 27, 2019, 08:47:25 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on June 27, 2019, 06:39:18 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 26, 2019, 07:32:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 11:50:47 AM
It's official: Utica's new bridge is behind schedule (http://www.newstrib.com/news/it-s-official-utica-s-new-bridge-is-behind-schedule/article_3f46f31e-8ddb-11e9-8541-973b147ab336.html)

Granted, only two weeks, but that's going to affect installation of the superstructure.  Damn rain!

Is the new IL-178 bridge going to be 4 lanes wide since I've heard that traffic to and from Starved Rock State Park is quite high for such a rural route?


It's only congested because people go 25mph over it.

^This, and it's annoying as hell
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 27, 2019, 08:56:41 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 27, 2019, 12:25:32 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 26, 2019, 08:49:39 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on June 26, 2019, 07:32:20 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 25, 2019, 11:50:47 AM
It's official: Utica's new bridge is behind schedule (http://www.newstrib.com/news/it-s-official-utica-s-new-bridge-is-behind-schedule/article_3f46f31e-8ddb-11e9-8541-973b147ab336.html)

Granted, only two weeks, but that's going to affect installation of the superstructure.  Damn rain!

Is the new IL-178 bridge going to be 4 lanes wide since I've heard that traffic to and from Starved Rock State Park is quite high for such a rural route?

Unfortunately, no.

IDOTs interactive AADT map shows 1,525 vehicles a day (305 trucks). A rural highway needs a traffic count 5 times higher than that before IDOT starts looking at 4 lanes. I worked on the project and live in the area, and other than a few heavy weekends, traffic is usually pretty light, nothing close to congested conditions warranting 4 lanes.

I'm excited because it's going to have a separated bike lane (if what I read about the bridge is true)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 30, 2019, 06:56:26 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 27, 2019, 08:56:41 AM
I'm excited because it's going to have a separated bike lane (if what I read about the bridge is true)

Yep, extending from Donaldson Street in Utica all the way to the west park entrance off of IL 178. The path will be lighted on the north side of the river and on the bridge itself.

IDOT's contractor has started setting the steel girders in place as of a few days ago.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 01, 2019, 08:48:16 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 30, 2019, 06:56:26 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on June 27, 2019, 08:56:41 AM
I'm excited because it's going to have a separated bike lane (if what I read about the bridge is true)

Yep, extending from Donaldson Street in Utica all the way to the west park entrance off of IL 178. The path will be lighted on the north side of the river and on the bridge itself.

IDOT's contractor has started setting the steel girders in place as of a few days ago.

I've been doing volunteer work at Starved Rock this summer, and I assisted on a guided hike at the park, and I usually notice progress on the new bridge.  I hope after the horrible storms we got yesterday that all is still on track.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 01, 2019, 10:27:43 PM
^ I thought I saw a news article indicating the weather had put the IL 178 bridge behind schedule.

I thought I heard a brief segment on WBBM  today where the acting Secretary of Transportation mentioned a rebuild of the Kennedy.  I can't find any related article online to confirm this or if I misheard and this was in regards to I-80 instead.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 02, 2019, 09:04:03 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 01, 2019, 10:27:43 PM
^ I thought I saw a news article indicating the weather had put the IL 178 bridge behind schedule.


Yep.  I shared a link to an article a few posts up about the two week delay.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 11, 2019, 03:30:20 PM
There is still no multi year plan out but the Gov has dropped a few hints. 67 is still alive based on a metro east event.No mention of 50.
Springfield Illinois 97 will have lanes added for 5 miles.
No mention of 51
Peoria event has 24 being made 4 lanes between Banner and Kingston mines. Basically Peoria to Canton. No mention of 336 or 29. Those are stale EISs  and I assume gone.

Maybe Rick Powell has heard more. I am just tea leaf reading.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 11, 2019, 03:50:25 PM
The Southern Illinoisan (newspaper) Editors met with the Governor (or maybe his Staffers?) while he came to Carterville and Marion on his Statewide "Victory"  tour after signing the bills...Nothing printed about Road projects in Southern IL nor in their weekly Radio show where they talked about Regional impacts (the biggest being the Walkers Bluff casino in Carterville authorization in the Gaming expansion bill; next being Capital Bill money for some projects on SIU-Carbondale's campus).

Funding for studies to develop a Port @ Cairo were mentioned in the overall budget, separate from the Capital bill

Nothing on the Shawnee Expressway/Parkway, Murphysboro-Columbia Expressway (roughly IL 127 upgrade), heck not even I-57 widening from Johnston City north to Mt Vernon, tho I believe it is currently being expanded to 6 lanes from Johnston City to about West Frankfort or so.

Selfishly I was hoping for funding to "finish"  6 laning IL 13 between Carbondale and Marion - probably the hardest/most expensive part is left - wider bridges where the roadway crosses Crab Orchard Lake. The section leaving Carbondale to the east, approaching the Williamson County Line and Crab Orchard Lake is under construction now for 6 lane upgrade

I would assume IDOT would be releasing a Project List, eventually. Is the Bill available to read on the Legislature's website?

Quote from: 3467 on July 11, 2019, 03:30:20 PM
Peoria event has 24 being made 4 lanes between Banner and Kingston mines. Basically Peoria to Canton. No mention of 336 or 29. Those are stale EISs  and I assume gone.
If 336 between Macomb and Peoria is not built, it should be Decommissioned, since the current signed route is a 100% duplexed with IL 110. Of course, there is the unsigned part of IL 336 - its exit off of I-474 that is signed as a long exit ramp for IL 116

And if US 24 is getting a 4 lane upgrade, Peoria to Banner, I don't see much IL 336 activity coming. To get 4 lanes to Canton, would need to upgrade IL 9 from Banner to Canton, too
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 11, 2019, 04:32:52 PM
The bill just have totals. The part with buildings had some detail but not road. I was just looking at New releases.
I did Google Southwest Connector. It was mentioned at the Murphysboro council meeting . It did not say it was in it just that the land and engineering are done from the existing 4 lane to Virgennes and everyone locally agreed IDOT should at least do that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on July 11, 2019, 05:15:13 PM
Quote
If 336 between Macomb and Peoria is not built, it should be Decommissioned, since the current signed route is a 100% duplexed with IL 110. Of course, there is the unsigned part of IL 336 - its exit off of I-474 that is signed as a long exit ramp for IL 116

And if US 24 is getting a 4 lane upgrade, Peoria to Banner, I don’t see much IL 336 activity coming. To get 4 lanes to Canton, would need to upgrade IL 9 from Banner to Canton, too

I think that US 24 should be rerouted onto  IL-336 from I-172 to US 67 just north of Macomb and onto IL-9 from US 67 to Banner.  The existing US 24 from I-172 to Banner can be renumbered as IL-224.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 11, 2019, 06:21:23 PM
I thought about that renumber idea too.

There are about 6 major downstate expressway projects under study but almost all have stale EIS except 67 and the 127 project I mentioned.
There is 67 which seems alive

There are the Peoria ones which do not.
Then there is 20 50 and 51
Hopefully IDOT will decide something.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 11, 2019, 06:44:56 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 11, 2019, 04:32:52 PM
I did Google Southwest Connector. It was mentioned at the Murphysboro council meeting . It did not say it was in it just that the land and engineering are done from the existing 4 lane to Virgennes and everyone locally agreed IDOT should at least do that.
The bridge over Beaucoup Creek on IL 127 between Murphysboro and IL 4 was completely replaced a couple years ago...so IDOT built a new bridge and approaches on the RoW that is reserved for the 2nd Roadway, paralleling the old bridge, then tore down the old bridge, and enough of the old non-bridge pavement that it does not look like a "fork"  in the road, leading to the (now gone) old bridge and new bridge

https://goo.gl/maps/tZwv1ARgXsXu2Vs8A
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 11, 2019, 10:32:33 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 11, 2019, 03:30:20 PM
There is still no multi year plan out but the Gov has dropped a few hints. 67 is still alive based on a metro east event.No mention of 50.
Springfield Illinois 97 will have lanes added for 5 miles.
No mention of 51
Peoria event has 24 being made 4 lanes between Banner and Kingston mines. Basically Peoria to Canton. No mention of 336 or 29. Those are stale EISs  and I assume gone.

Maybe Rick Powell has heard more. I am just tea leaf reading.

Besides I-80 thru Joliet and IL 47 thru Woodstock, there were not many highway projects specifically named in the capital bill, but word is trickling out about the projects that were intended to be funded. Local media in Kendall County have announced the forthcoming funding for completion of IL 47 between Kennedy and Galena and IL 71 between Orchard and IL 126, which will fill in the 4-lane gaps in both (when added to existing pavement and ongoing projects). IDOT is obviously swamped getting out the new FY 2020-2025 program in light of recent developments, but it hopefully shouldn't be too much longer.

Oh, and another funding bill (not Rebuild Illinois) provided a few hundred million to provide a new I-57 interchange and access road to the proposed South Suburban Airport.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 11, 2019, 10:39:32 PM
Thanks. Makes sense. Also with the gas tax COLA they have a longer time horizon and they have to decide what to do with moribund EISs
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 12, 2019, 08:55:38 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 11, 2019, 10:32:33 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 11, 2019, 03:30:20 PM
There is still no multi year plan out but the Gov has dropped a few hints. 67 is still alive based on a metro east event.No mention of 50.
Springfield Illinois 97 will have lanes added for 5 miles.
No mention of 51
Peoria event has 24 being made 4 lanes between Banner and Kingston mines. Basically Peoria to Canton. No mention of 336 or 29. Those are stale EISs  and I assume gone.

Maybe Rick Powell has heard more. I am just tea leaf reading.

Besides I-80 thru Joliet and IL 47 thru Woodstock, there were not many highway projects specifically named in the capital bill, but word is trickling out about the projects that were intended to be funded. Local media in Kendall County have announced the forthcoming funding for completion of IL 47 between Kennedy and Galena and IL 71 between Orchard and IL 126, which will fill in the 4-lane gaps in both (when added to existing pavement and ongoing projects). IDOT is obviously swamped getting out the new FY 2020-2025 program in light of recent developments, but it hopefully shouldn't be too much longer.

Oh, and another funding bill (not Rebuild Illinois) provided a few hundred million to provide a new I-57 interchange and access road to the proposed South Suburban Airport.

Nothing about 4 laning IL-47 between Caton Farm and 71?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2019, 09:47:57 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 11, 2019, 10:32:33 PM
Oh, and another funding bill (not Rebuild Illinois) provided a few hundred million to provide a new I-57 interchange and access road to the proposed South Suburban Airport.

Do you have any details on that?  I have been working in the area of that proposed airport quite often.  I just recently heard from some locals that plans regarding that airport have started to move forward again.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on July 12, 2019, 12:44:22 PM
Any funding for the proposed I-39/US 20 reconstruction in Rockford? That is a long overdue project.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 12, 2019, 11:33:32 PM
Kane County is going to try different signal phasing options for part of Randall Road.  http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Planning%20Documents/Watch%20Your%20Signal.pdf (http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Planning%20Documents/Watch%20Your%20Signal.pdf)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 13, 2019, 12:11:51 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 12, 2019, 11:33:32 PM
Kane County is going to try different signal phasing options for part of Randall Road.  http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Planning%20Documents/Watch%20Your%20Signal.pdf (http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Planning%20Documents/Watch%20Your%20Signal.pdf)
Will Lead-Lag only be in Protected Left Phase? That appears so from the illustrations. That said, since Kane County has embraced, or at least deployed, the FYA, perhaps they will experiment with "Dallas"/Permissive Phase Lefts with Lead-Lag
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 13, 2019, 10:53:49 AM
^ Fargo Boulevard, (https://goo.gl/maps/HCoLH5Dvcn6gpWQeA) Christina Lane, and  (https://goo.gl/maps/xEBkxWj1wAmWgC5k9) Gleneagle Drive (https://goo.gl/maps/hjAT9sjvyTiwNdbM8) use flashing yellow arrows.  The Fabyan Parkway (https://goo.gl/maps/fpECRQgM8cmtQKiv5) intersection has protected-only dual lefts.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on July 14, 2019, 11:47:36 AM
They need to make 67 4-lanes to Jerseyville.  I drove it from Jerseyville to Alton Saturday morning and traffic was decently heavy in both directions.  That 2-lane stretch south of Jerseyville has limited passing opportunities, and getting stuck behind someone putting along at 5-under is frustrating.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 14, 2019, 02:25:21 PM
Quote from: adt1982 on July 14, 2019, 11:47:36 AM
They need to make 67 4-lanes to Jerseyville.  I drove it from Jerseyville to Alton Saturday morning and traffic was decently heavy in both directions.  That 2-lane stretch south of Jerseyville has limited passing opportunities, and getting stuck behind someone putting along at 5-under is frustrating.

I think that stretch also has a horrendous safety record as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 14, 2019, 03:40:52 PM
Yes that is in the plan . It's the Jerseyville bypass that has exploded in price. Could the road be improved through town?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on July 14, 2019, 04:46:19 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 14, 2019, 03:40:52 PM
Yes that is in the plan . It's the Jerseyville bypass that has exploded in price. Could the road be improved through town?

I've heard the next 4 lane construction of US 67 is bypassing New Delhi.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: adt1982 on July 14, 2019, 05:17:14 PM
There's no way to 4-lane 67 through Jerseyville without a significant loss of buildings, especially in the downtown section.  They'd be better off bypassing Delhi and Jerseyville in one fell swoop.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on July 14, 2019, 06:09:36 PM
Are the Delhi/Jerseyville bypasses going to be freeway or expressway?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 14, 2019, 07:40:09 PM
Delhi is I think expressway and Jerseyville is freeway. That is why it's so expensive. Those plus the 4 lane to South of Carrolton are ready to go engineering and land done. That plus about 10 miles from the 4 lane North of Jacksonville.The Beardstown Bridge is funded as a 2 lane on  4 ROW.
Also 2 lane reconstruction North of Monmouth.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 14, 2019, 07:42:41 PM
The cost I last saw were 20 million Delhi
150 million Jerseyville
70 million Beardstown
15 Million Monmouth.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 14, 2019, 08:33:43 PM
https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/Maps/us-67-corridor-map (https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/Maps/us-67-corridor-map)

US 67 Corridor
Jerseyville Bypass to Godfrey
This 11-mile section begins near Crystal Lake Road and concludes just north of Illinois 111. During Phase II engineering, the contract plans will be broken into smaller, constructible sections. Engineering for contract plans, land acquisition, utility adjustments, demolition, construction of bridges and roadway are under way at a cost of $80.9 million. Continuation of utility adjustments, land acquisition and contract plans from Crystal Lake Road to south of the Delhi Bypass are programmed during FY  2015 - 2019 at a cost of  $47.1 million. Construction of two new bridges, a bridge widening and 1.5 miles of 4 lane expressway from south of the Delhi Bypass to Madison/Jersey County line are underway at a cost of $26.3 million. The Illinois Jobs Now! program is funding the continuation of contract plans, land acquisition, utility adjustments, and construction work from south of the Delhi Bypass to Illinois 111 in Godfrey. TEA-21 included $12.2 million in High Priority Project funds for this segment.

It is anticipated that the section from south of the Delhi Bypass to Madison/Jersey County line will open Summer 2013.

Interstate 72 (US 36) in Morgan Co. to the Alton Bypass (IL 255) at Godfrey
Phase I engineering on this 57-mile section of US 67 is complete and design approval was received in January 1999 at a cost of $3 million. Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) included $2.4 million of federal demonstration funds for Phase I engineering. The FY 1995 US DOT Appropriations Act also provided an additional $800,000 in federal demonstration funds. The route markings on US 67 and Illinois 267 have been switched so that US 67 is west of Illinois 267.

****

https://www.oatesassociates.com/project/us-67-jerseyville-bypass/ (https://www.oatesassociates.com/project/us-67-jerseyville-bypass/)


CONSTRUCTION COST
$65,000,000

US Route 67 is a major corridor extending over 220 miles from southwestern to northwestern Illinois. Wanting to provide motorists with improved roadway, intersections and bridges has led the Illinois Department of Transportation to reconstruct the corridor.  The entire project is broken into multiple stages to minimize disruption to traffic.

Oates Associates provided engineering services for the design of the US 67 Jerseyville Bypass. The project encompasses over 5.5 miles of new expressway on new alignment, which will carry US 67 around the City of Jerseyville.  The Bypass will be a four lane divided expressway with full access control.

Work included design of an interchange at IL 16 east of Jerseyville and one flyover structure north of Jerseyville. Also included are frontage roads, two connector roads and realignment of three cross roads.  Within the project limits are twelve bridge structures.  These include four sets of mainline dual structures (1 set of curved girder structures) and three grade separation structures on three cross roads.  Work also included a drainage report for the design of 40 cross road culverts and the design of the roadside ditches and median storm structures.

******

Rail developers want to know what the holdup is on Jerseyville Bypass

https://www.ibjonline.com/past-issues/2018-issues/september-2018/8396-rail-developers-join-push-to-complete-u-s-67 (https://www.ibjonline.com/past-issues/2018-issues/september-2018/8396-rail-developers-join-push-to-complete-u-s-67)

Developers of a half-billion-dollar railroad complex in Jerseyville are squarely behind a regional push to find the last funding to complete a four-lane U.S. 67 from Godfrey to the Quad Cities.
    Both the highway and the rail hub are moving ahead independently, but officials leave no doubt about the mutual benefits of getting both done.
    A large crowd gathered in Jerseyville in August for the annual meeting of Corridor 67 Inc., a civic organization formed years ago to follow the highway to completion. The last, unfinished portion of the road, more than 40 miles from just north of Godfrey to nearly Scott County, would pass through the heart of Jersey County and run alongside the planned Mid-American International Gateway Business Park. The park is to be located along the Kansas City Southern Rail on 1,400 acres south of Crystal Lake Road in Jersey. The goal is to build a rail and truck shipping hub that would help move cargo between Mexico and Jerseyville and points all around the Midwest.
    Developer of the park is Stonemont Financial Group, of Atlanta, Ga. The company CEO and Managing Principal Zach Markwell said the land due diligence phase is complete and the project is moving forward in design. However, potential customers have questions.
    "As we're out talking to the users that are going to be coming to this region, their first question is about understanding the region,"  he said. "Their second question is, "˜Can we get our trucks in and out of there?'"
    Markwell and others spoke at the annual meeting about the critical need for infrastructure.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 12:28:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 12, 2019, 08:55:38 AM
Nothing about 4 laning IL-47 between Caton Farm and 71?
Not in the capital bill or public discussions about potential projects afterward. At the public hearings for the Caton Farm/IL 71 section, there were several comments that the state should put its efforts into Yorkville-Sugar Grove instead. I am sure that when this is the last remaining section of 2-lane between I-80 and I-88, there will be some pressure to complete it. There was once a huge residential and commercial development planned for the Caton Farm/IL 47 area that folded in the Great Recession, and unless something on that scale reappears, the Caton Farm-IL 71 section upgrade will probably lag for several years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 12:37:20 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 12, 2019, 09:47:57 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 11, 2019, 10:32:33 PM
Oh, and another funding bill (not Rebuild Illinois) provided a few hundred million to provide a new I-57 interchange and access road to the proposed South Suburban Airport.

Do you have any details on that?  I have been working in the area of that proposed airport quite often.  I just recently heard from some locals that plans regarding that airport have started to move forward again.

Here is some recent news.
https://patch.com/illinois/chicagoheights/pritzkers-budget-funds-roadwork-south-suburban-airport
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on July 15, 2019, 06:16:35 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 12:28:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 12, 2019, 08:55:38 AM
Nothing about 4 laning IL-47 between Caton Farm and 71?
Not in the capital bill or public discussions about potential projects afterward. At the public hearings for the Caton Farm/IL 71 section, there were several comments that the state should put its efforts into Yorkville-Sugar Grove instead. I am sure that when this is the last remaining section of 2-lane between I-80 and I-88, there will be some pressure to complete it. There was once a huge residential and commercial development planned for the Caton Farm/IL 47 area that folded in the Great Recession, and unless something on that scale reappears, the Caton Farm-IL 71 section upgrade will probably lag for several years.

Will the entire section of IL-47 between Sugar Grove and Yorkville be constructed now that the capital bill has passed?

Also, what happened to the Sugar Grove parkway widening projects? Weren't they suppose to widen the two lane sections of IL-47 between I-88 and the Waubonsee north entrance as well as between I-88 and Green Road/Main Street?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 07:57:37 AM
Quote from: I-39 on July 15, 2019, 06:16:35 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 12:28:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 12, 2019, 08:55:38 AM
Nothing about 4 laning IL-47 between Caton Farm and 71?
Not in the capital bill or public discussions about potential projects afterward. At the public hearings for the Caton Farm/IL 71 section, there were several comments that the state should put its efforts into Yorkville-Sugar Grove instead. I am sure that when this is the last remaining section of 2-lane between I-80 and I-88, there will be some pressure to complete it. There was once a huge residential and commercial development planned for the Caton Farm/IL 47 area that folded in the Great Recession, and unless something on that scale reappears, the Caton Farm-IL 71 section upgrade will probably lag for several years.

Will the entire section of IL-47 between Sugar Grove and Yorkville be constructed now that the capital bill has passed?

Also, what happened to the Sugar Grove parkway widening projects? Weren't they suppose to widen the two lane sections of IL-47 between I-88 and the Waubonsee north entrance as well as between I-88 and Green Road/Main Street?

The section between Sugar Grove and Galena Road was already funded for construction by IDOT District 1. Rebuild Illinois funding will apparently add the section between Galena Road and Kennedy Road in District 3. The sections north and south of I-88 in Sugar Grove were covered by the I-88 ISTHA project study, but not sure if IDOT or ISTHA will build the parts away from the interchange itself. The project limits end at Seavey Road, short of Main Street.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on July 15, 2019, 08:48:04 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 07:57:37 AM
Quote from: I-39 on July 15, 2019, 06:16:35 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 12:28:29 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 12, 2019, 08:55:38 AM
Nothing about 4 laning IL-47 between Caton Farm and 71?
Not in the capital bill or public discussions about potential projects afterward. At the public hearings for the Caton Farm/IL 71 section, there were several comments that the state should put its efforts into Yorkville-Sugar Grove instead. I am sure that when this is the last remaining section of 2-lane between I-80 and I-88, there will be some pressure to complete it. There was once a huge residential and commercial development planned for the Caton Farm/IL 47 area that folded in the Great Recession, and unless something on that scale reappears, the Caton Farm-IL 71 section upgrade will probably lag for several years.

Will the entire section of IL-47 between Sugar Grove and Yorkville be constructed now that the capital bill has passed?

Also, what happened to the Sugar Grove parkway widening projects? Weren't they suppose to widen the two lane sections of IL-47 between I-88 and the Waubonsee north entrance as well as between I-88 and Green Road/Main Street?

The section between Sugar Grove and Galena Road was already funded for construction by IDOT District 1. Rebuild Illinois funding will apparently add the section between Galena Road and Kennedy Road in District 3. The sections north and south of I-88 in Sugar Grove were covered by the I-88 ISTHA project study, but not sure if IDOT or ISTHA will build the parts away from the interchange itself. The project limits end at Seavey Road, short of Main Street.

So now the whole of IL-47 between Sugar Grove and Yorkville will be done at once. Good.

I was wondering about the sections north and south of I-88 because I heard IDOT bought the Blackberry Creek Pub at IL-47/Main Street for an intersection improvement. Does anyone have info on that and/or when IL-47 will be widened north and south of I-88? I cannot find anything.

I'll bet now that a more study stream of funding is coming in from the gas tax being raised and indexed, we'll see the Canton Farm Road to IL-71 section done shortly after the Sugar Grove to Yorkville.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on July 15, 2019, 09:20:39 AM
This is all the Tollway is doing for the interchange, can't find anything from IDOT about it through a quick search at work
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/750148/2019_88_IL47_Interchange_Project_MAP_012319.pdf/bdf61261-b41a-4a51-b72e-19d2e800a1d0 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/750148/2019_88_IL47_Interchange_Project_MAP_012319.pdf/bdf61261-b41a-4a51-b72e-19d2e800a1d0)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 09:42:24 AM
I-39: I have seen the bridge plans for BlackBerry Creek, it will definitely be a wider bridge, but not specifically set up for 4-lanes. I will miss the Blackberry Inn, we used to meet my wife's stepmom there for lunch when she lived in McHenry and we'd meet her halfway.

ET21: The Phase I environmental study definitely extended past the construction limits that ISTHA is showing. The good news is that it is cleared for final design, the bad news is that apparently there will be a small 2 lane bottleneck, less than a mile, between the 4-lane to the south and I-88 until IDOT builds it. ISTHA's contractor is already working at the interchange.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 15, 2019, 10:07:20 AM
Edwaleni  has a post from the engineer that has the Jerseyville Bypass at 65 million. Then he has the news article where IDOT  puts the price at 150. That was my source. The others were the recent MYP .

Inflation that bad?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 12:56:37 PM
Quote from: ET21 on July 15, 2019, 09:20:39 AM
This is all the Tollway is doing for the interchange, can't find anything from IDOT about it through a quick search at work
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/750148/2019_88_IL47_Interchange_Project_MAP_012319.pdf/bdf61261-b41a-4a51-b72e-19d2e800a1d0 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/750148/2019_88_IL47_Interchange_Project_MAP_012319.pdf/bdf61261-b41a-4a51-b72e-19d2e800a1d0)

This is the strip map showing the full project limits from College Drive to north of Seavey Road.

http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Strip-Map-1-Entire-Study-Limits-200scale.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on July 15, 2019, 12:59:08 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 12:56:37 PM
Quote from: ET21 on July 15, 2019, 09:20:39 AM
This is all the Tollway is doing for the interchange, can't find anything from IDOT about it through a quick search at work
https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/750148/2019_88_IL47_Interchange_Project_MAP_012319.pdf/bdf61261-b41a-4a51-b72e-19d2e800a1d0 (https://www.illinoistollway.com/documents/20184/750148/2019_88_IL47_Interchange_Project_MAP_012319.pdf/bdf61261-b41a-4a51-b72e-19d2e800a1d0)

This is the strip map showing the full project limits from College Drive to north of Seavey Road.

http://www.sugargroveinterchange.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Strip-Map-1-Entire-Study-Limits-200scale.pdf

Perfect that's what I was trying to find.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 15, 2019, 05:32:10 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 15, 2019, 10:07:20 AM
Edwaleni  has a post from the engineer that has the Jerseyville Bypass at 65 million. Then he has the news article where IDOT  puts the price at 150. That was my source. The others were the recent MYP .

Inflation that bad?

I noticed the same thing.

Oates Engineering did that cost assessment for IDOT back in 2007 (I believe) to get into TEA-21.

Also, it isn't clear how the scope of the project changed between then and now. (more bridges, more drainage, higher property values, materials costs)

I was trying to find what changed between the Oates assessment and the current one and so that is why I went digging for a scope document then and now.

At this point, someone at the IDOT district office would have to explain. I will email them and see what changed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on July 15, 2019, 07:45:42 PM
Where can we see a list of the capital projects funded by the capital plan?

Is the previously proposed I-39/US 20 work in Rockford included? That desperately needs to be done.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 15, 2019, 07:48:13 PM
Please do. All construction inflation has been bad but not this bad. Can you find out if they kept corridor protection both there and North of Jacksonville? I commented on it earlier this year.
I am a fuss paying member of Corridor 67 but have gotten nothing from them through this whole Capital Bill process.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 15, 2019, 07:50:03 PM
It's not out 39. Edwaleni is trying to find out about 67. I have asked on Capital Fax all he had was a sheet for district 7. It was only interesting because no US 50.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on July 15, 2019, 09:27:17 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 09:42:24 AM
I-39: I have seen the bridge plans for BlackBerry Creek, it will definitely be a wider bridge, but not specifically set up for 4-lanes. I will miss the Blackberry Inn, we used to meet my wife's stepmom there for lunch when she lived in McHenry and we'd meet her halfway.

Is there a pdf showing the proposed improvements? I can't seem to find anything. It's interesting they won't extend the four lane section north to Main Street rather than end it at Green Road.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 16, 2019, 12:55:40 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 15, 2019, 07:50:03 PM
It's not out 39. Edwaleni is trying to find out about 67. I have asked on Capital Fax all he had was a sheet for district 7. It was only interesting because no US 50.

That IDOT district doesn't have a published email address only a phone number.

So I emailed the IDOT Projects office in Springfield. I will let you know if I hear anything.

They have usually responded to my emails, but it can take up to 5 days.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 16, 2019, 11:56:17 PM
Quote from: I-39 on July 15, 2019, 09:27:17 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 15, 2019, 09:42:24 AM
I-39: I have seen the bridge plans for BlackBerry Creek, it will definitely be a wider bridge, but not specifically set up for 4-lanes. I will miss the Blackberry Inn, we used to meet my wife's stepmom there for lunch when she lived in McHenry and we'd meet her halfway.

Is there a pdf showing the proposed improvements? I can't seem to find anything. It's interesting they won't extend the four lane section north to Main Street rather than end it at Green Road.

Here is the TSL plan (Type Size and Location) for the proposed IL 47 bridge over Blackberry Creek. Three 12' lanes (one presumably a turn lane for Main Street) and two 10' shoulders. I suppose five 11' lanes could be squeezed onto the new bridge at some point in the future, or more likely, it would be widened further if an add lanes project came through. The plan shows a projected 2040 traffic volume of 15,000 on IL 47, and if traffic does approach that volume, an add-lanes project might be considered. Today's traffic of around 8,000 probably doesn't set off too many alarms, considering there are 2-lane roads carrying far more traffic that need attention in NE Illinois.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Standards/Bridge-TSL-Drawings/0452050TSL-20171120.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 20, 2019, 10:10:12 PM
I do not known how up to date this is, but since I recall seeing the South Suburban Airport access being funded in the capital bill, the following may be of interest:  https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/MasterPlan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf (https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/MasterPlan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 21, 2019, 01:51:52 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 20, 2019, 10:10:12 PM
I do not known how up to date this is, but since I recall seeing the South Suburban Airport access being funded in the capital bill, the following may be of interest:  https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/MasterPlan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf (https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/MasterPlan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf)

The Chicago delegation will be fighting any and all efforts to maintain or provide more funding for this airport or any connecting roads.

While they project it will serve primarily cargo, I can only see one maybe two commercial passenger airlines who would want to use it. 

Allegiant - whose closest service to Chicago is Rockford and would do *anything* to get a better Chicago storefront.

Chicago Department of Aviation fiercely protects Southwest to keep them viable at Midway.

Allegiant has essentially "rescued" St Louis-Mid America in Belleville and the state of Illinois would like to continue that.

Allegiant now serves more cities in Illinois than any of the Big 4 (UA, AA, DL and SW).

Odd that IL-53 Extension is dead followed by the SSA is active.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 27, 2019, 10:29:57 PM
There may be movement on finishing IL 336 to Peoria with the new capital bill, based on some of the new Type, Size, And Location bridge plans posted on IDOT's website. (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/doing-business/procurements/engineering-architectural-professional-services/Consultants-Resources/type-size-and-location-drawings)  There are a few new ones for IL 336 in Peoria County.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 27, 2019, 10:43:57 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 27, 2019, 10:29:57 PM
There may be movement on finishing IL 336 to Peoria with the new capital bill, based on some of the new Type, Size, And Location bridge plans posted on IDOT's website. (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/doing-business/procurements/engineering-architectural-professional-services/Consultants-Resources/type-size-and-location-drawings)  There are a few new ones for IL 336 in Peoria County.
So these IL 336 bridges have locations on the drawings...does IDOT have an actual corridor and the ROW already purchased for Macomb-Peoria 336?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 28, 2019, 03:04:34 PM
There was some Phase 2 engineering funded years ago and there is Corridor Protection between 474 and Canton. It seems strange that they would move forward in this and US 24 but anything is possible.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 28, 2019, 10:56:28 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on July 16, 2019, 12:55:40 PM
Quote from: 3467 on July 15, 2019, 07:50:03 PM
It's not out 39. Edwaleni is trying to find out about 67. I have asked on Capital Fax all he had was a sheet for district 7. It was only interesting because no US 50.

That IDOT district doesn't have a published email address only a phone number.

So I emailed the IDOT Projects office in Springfield. I will let you know if I hear anything.

They have usually responded to my emails, but it can take up to 5 days.

I have yet to hear from the IDOT Projects Office on anything I emailed on.

Usually if not in 10 days, then I probably will not hear back.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 28, 2019, 11:30:24 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 27, 2019, 10:43:57 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 27, 2019, 10:29:57 PM
There may be movement on finishing IL 336 to Peoria with the new capital bill, based on some of the new Type, Size, And Location bridge plans posted on IDOT's website. (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/doing-business/procurements/engineering-architectural-professional-services/Consultants-Resources/type-size-and-location-drawings)  There are a few new ones for IL 336 in Peoria County.
So these IL 336 bridges have locations on the drawings...does IDOT have an actual corridor and the ROW already purchased for Macomb-Peoria 336?

The original EIS was done in 2004.

https://books.google.com/books?id=apU1AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false (https://books.google.com/books?id=apU1AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false)

It mostly focused on the details of the US-67 East Bypass of Macomb up to IL-110 and where IL-336 would come in and intersect with it.

Of those planning diagrams is a reference to an abandoned UP railroad ROW where IDOT will build a tunnel to allow a future bike trail to pass through. This is the former Chicago & Northwestern Keithsburg Subdivision. It was formerly part of the Minneapolis & St Louis RR.

It has sat growing weeds for years because the City of Farmington was trying to block its abandonment.  The rail was pulled back to Limestone in 2007 and ended at the ROHN Plant and finally pulled up for good in 2009/2010.

The IDOT design says that "in the event the railroad service is restored"  the culverts will need to be redesigned. This means the STB allowed the UP to pull the tracks but not formally abandon it. That means the land is rail banked until someone comes along and decides to use it again.

This is permitted under Rails to Trails law that railroads can reassert a ROW that was turned to a trail.  This was probably to please the folks in Farmington.

If you want to see the planned ROW you can go to the project site at:

http://www.peoriatomacomb.com/ (http://www.peoriatomacomb.com/)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoriatomacomb.com%2Fmaps%2Fmaplevel_1.jpg&hash=baad91e8a1fe69106f8a50bdec9e25f257f5d15e)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 29, 2019, 04:12:59 AM
Illinois has very strict FOIA law. You can contact FOIA office and ask for documents relating to say corridor protect on a specific project. That would tell you if it's really alive or dead. Based on what Rick Powell has said they need to update tons of environmental documents maybe most of them. He also said they have a lot to catch up with on MYP.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on July 29, 2019, 04:15:35 AM
Example of a FOIA. For District 6 Any documents from 2019  final decision to keep or end corridor protection for US 67.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 29, 2019, 02:28:20 PM
On a bit of a specific/parochial note, I noticed that Kendall County has started signing its county highways with pentagon markers!  Coverage isn't complete as of yet, but they have been installing the markers over the course of this summer.  I noticed the first few in June, but they're appearing at most locations where you'd expect to see one.  Hope to get some photos to demonstrate examples of this soon.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 29, 2019, 09:02:37 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 29, 2019, 02:28:20 PM
On a bit of a specific/parochial note, I noticed that Kendall County has started signing its county highways with pentagon markers!  Coverage isn't complete as of yet, but they have been installing the markers over the course of this summer.  I noticed the first few in June, but they're appearing at most locations where you'd expect to see one.  Hope to get some photos to demonstrate examples of this soon.


Will county needs to do this next and cook county needs to do it more consistently, there are so many unmarked cook county highways in Chicago.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 29, 2019, 11:25:29 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 29, 2019, 09:02:37 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 29, 2019, 02:28:20 PM
On a bit of a specific/parochial note, I noticed that Kendall County has started signing its county highways with pentagon markers!  Coverage isn't complete as of yet, but they have been installing the markers over the course of this summer.  I noticed the first few in June, but they're appearing at most locations where you'd expect to see one.  Hope to get some photos to demonstrate examples of this soon.


Will county needs to do this next and cook county needs to do it more consistently, there are so many unmarked cook county highways in Chicago.

Cook County had a big push to do this about 12 years ago, and then they suddenly stopped. There was a big outcry over the amount that they were spending on it, so it was halted. Little to nothing has been done since then to finish. That said, it'll never happen in the City of Chicago. They are all maintained by CDOT in the city, and they have no interest in spending the money where no one in the city would even notice nor find it useful.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 29, 2019, 11:30:16 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 29, 2019, 09:02:37 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 29, 2019, 02:28:20 PM
On a bit of a specific/parochial note, I noticed that Kendall County has started signing its county highways with pentagon markers!  Coverage isn't complete as of yet, but they have been installing the markers over the course of this summer.  I noticed the first few in June, but they're appearing at most locations where you'd expect to see one.  Hope to get some photos to demonstrate examples of this soon.


Will county needs to do this next and cook county needs to do it more consistently, there are so many unmarked cook county highways in Chicago.

There are reasons at Will County why this will probably never happen that I shouldn't disclose.  But maybe I'll ask about it anyway...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 30, 2019, 09:19:14 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 29, 2019, 11:30:16 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 29, 2019, 09:02:37 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 29, 2019, 02:28:20 PM
On a bit of a specific/parochial note, I noticed that Kendall County has started signing its county highways with pentagon markers!  Coverage isn't complete as of yet, but they have been installing the markers over the course of this summer.  I noticed the first few in June, but they're appearing at most locations where you'd expect to see one.  Hope to get some photos to demonstrate examples of this soon.


Will county needs to do this next and cook county needs to do it more consistently, there are so many unmarked cook county highways in Chicago.

There are reasons at Will County why this will probably never happen that I shouldn't disclose.  But maybe I'll ask about it anyway...
Several years ago, I did spot one county highway pentagon sign on Bronk Rd. just north of Black Rd.  It's long since disappeared, but I was shocked to see it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 30, 2019, 04:39:05 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 30, 2019, 09:19:14 AM
Several years ago, I did spot one county highway pentagon sign on Bronk Rd. just north of Black Rd.  It's long since disappeared, but I was shocked to see it.

It's amazing that you noticed that!  I've seen that exact sign panel you're speaking of.  It's been taken down since 2013 at the latest.  As of March 2017, it was still hanging up in Will County's sign shop.  I'm pretty sure it's still sitting there.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/3875/32647682453_08a5bebea5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RJXUyM)
2017-03-15_03-56-14 (https://flic.kr/p/RJXUyM) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on July 31, 2019, 08:51:47 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on July 30, 2019, 04:39:05 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 30, 2019, 09:19:14 AM
Several years ago, I did spot one county highway pentagon sign on Bronk Rd. just north of Black Rd.  It's long since disappeared, but I was shocked to see it.

It's amazing that you noticed that!  I've seen that exact sign panel you're speaking of.  It's been taken down since 2013 at the latest.  As of March 2017, it was still hanging up in Will County's sign shop.  I'm pretty sure it's still sitting there.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/3875/32647682453_08a5bebea5_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RJXUyM)
2017-03-15_03-56-14 (https://flic.kr/p/RJXUyM) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

Which begs the question, why was this one sign for this one county route put up in the first place?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 31, 2019, 09:20:56 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on July 31, 2019, 08:51:47 AM
Which begs the question, why was this one sign for this one county route put up in the first place?

The sign was probably put up by a contractor, following plans created by an engineering consultant unfamiliar with Will County's guidelines.  Two layers of playing 'telephone.'
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on August 05, 2019, 08:11:58 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 29, 2019, 11:25:29 PM
Cook County had a big push to do this about 12 years ago, and then they suddenly stopped. There was a big outcry over the amount that they were spending on it, so it was halted. Little to nothing has been done since then to finish. That said, it'll never happen in the City of Chicago. They are all maintained by CDOT in the city, and they have no interest in spending the money where no one in the city would even notice nor find it useful.

I'm actually lucky enough to have a Cook County pentagon shield. And sure enough, it's about a decade old. Though I can't figure out which road it was supposed to be used on (it was an unused shield, but is absolutely CCHD spec.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 06, 2019, 09:15:45 AM
Drove around the southern half of Kendall County yesterday, looking for new pentagon signs.  I found most of what I was looking for.  I'll probably tour around the northern half sometime fairly soon.  For more photos like this, check out my county highway album (https://flic.kr/s/aHsmgkedCQ).

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48468060216_4d03622ace_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gQXtGC)(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48468316412_a1a4fc8a7c_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gQYMRN)
IL-CKE17 (https://flic.kr/p/2gQXtGC) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr                          IL-CKE03 (https://flic.kr/p/2gQYMRN) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48468216686_f85104afef_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gQYhdo)(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48468279927_a1c28755d5_n.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2gQYB1K)
IL-CKE19 (https://flic.kr/p/2gQYhdo) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr                         IL-CKE24WTER (https://flic.kr/p/2gQYB1K) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 06, 2019, 09:35:54 AM
Update article on the I-80 upgrade by US-30
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk (https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 06, 2019, 01:09:10 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 06, 2019, 09:35:54 AM
Update article on the I-80 upgrade by US-30
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk (https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk)

About 20 years late (as usual for IDOT), and with a speed limit much lower than comparable construction zones in Wisconsin and Michigan.  Illinois needs to leave the 1980s.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 06, 2019, 05:17:47 PM
Montana is just as nasty when it comes to speed limits - they don't just post advisory speeds for crossovers of traffic to a head-to-head, but instead, lower the fucking limit at that crossover.  Arizona often did staged speed reductions down to and including 25 MPH.  Still this does not make IDOT's philosophy of 24/7 45 in a work zone justifiable.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 06, 2019, 08:43:36 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 06, 2019, 05:17:47 PM
Montana is just as nasty when it comes to speed limits - they don't just post advisory speeds for crossovers of traffic to a head-to-head, but instead, lower the fucking limit at that crossover.  Arizona often did staged speed reductions down to and including 25 MPH.  Still this does not make IDOT's philosophy of 24/7 45 in a work zone justifiable.

I could understand a minor lower limit due to construction equipment or narrow lanes (55 mph), but the 24/7 work zone with no workers present is archaic. Why go 45 or under at 2am when you have no workers on site and you're perfectly safe to go the normal speed?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on August 07, 2019, 08:55:06 PM
The 2019-2020 Illinois official highway map has been released.  http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/highway-system/maps (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/highway-system/maps)

direct download http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on August 07, 2019, 09:33:47 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 06, 2019, 01:09:10 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 06, 2019, 09:35:54 AM
Update article on the I-80 upgrade by US-30
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk (https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk)

About 20 years late (as usual for IDOT), and with a speed limit much lower than comparable construction zones in Wisconsin and Michigan.  Illinois needs to leave the 1980s.


Construction zones in both those states aren't as numerous for one. Another is that Indiana is guilty of this too but just go the speed limit and it won't be a problem.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on August 08, 2019, 01:17:36 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 07, 2019, 08:55:06 PM
The 2019-2020 Illinois official highway map has been released. 

Hmm...two sections of US 34 divided multi-lane in Kendall County are about ready to be opened for traffic, as well as the IL 47 divided multi-lane between Kendall/Grundy line and Caton Farm Road, and the map update will need to wait another two years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on August 08, 2019, 07:06:43 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on August 07, 2019, 09:33:47 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 06, 2019, 01:09:10 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 06, 2019, 09:35:54 AM
Update article on the I-80 upgrade by US-30
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk (https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk)

About 20 years late (as usual for IDOT), and with a speed limit much lower than comparable construction zones in Wisconsin and Michigan.  Illinois needs to leave the 1980s.

Construction zones in both those states aren't as numerous for one. Another is that Indiana is guilty of this too but just go the speed limit and it won't be a problem.

Bullshit.  There are quite a few construction zones in both states.  Maybe you need to go past Racine and St Joe.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on August 08, 2019, 08:59:00 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 07, 2019, 08:55:06 PM
The 2019-2020 Illinois official highway map has been released.  http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/highway-system/maps (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/highway-system/maps)

direct download http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf)

Wow. I hope the paper version doesn't look like this. It's way too crowded,and in my area, I notice a lot of inaccuracies, as opposed to previous year's maps.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 08, 2019, 10:12:09 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 07, 2019, 08:55:06 PM
The 2019-2020 Illinois official highway map has been released.  http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/highway-system/maps (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/highway-system/maps)

direct download http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf)

Looks pretty similar to past years' maps, but with a couple changes to the symbology used.  The "rest area" symbol is now a red box containing the letters "RA," which I think is a larger symbol than it was, but I hope the letters "RA" aren't too small to read.  Second, the county highway symbol is a faded lighter gray but with a larger number.  The map would seem really cluttered if that shade of gray didn't fade into the background, so that choice makes sense.  You don't need to see those county highways unless you're looking hard for them.  I hope the numbers for state and US highways appear larger in the paper version.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on August 08, 2019, 11:14:29 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 08, 2019, 10:12:09 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 07, 2019, 08:55:06 PM
The 2019-2020 Illinois official highway map has been released.  http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/highway-system/maps (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/Network-Overview/highway-system/maps)

direct download http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf)

Looks pretty similar to past years' maps, but with a couple changes to the symbology used.  The "rest area" symbol is now a red box containing the letters "RA," which I think is a larger symbol than it was, but I hope the letters "RA" aren't too small to read.  Second, the county highway symbol is a faded lighter gray but with a larger number.  The map would seem really cluttered if that shade of gray didn't fade into the background, so that choice makes sense.  You don't need to see those county highways unless you're looking hard for them.  I hope the numbers for state and US highways appear larger in the paper version.

I noticed how much Cherry Valley has spread out (Rockford inset).  What other such changes are there in it?

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on August 08, 2019, 09:50:14 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 08, 2019, 07:06:43 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on August 07, 2019, 09:33:47 PM
Quote from: Brandon on August 06, 2019, 01:09:10 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 06, 2019, 09:35:54 AM
Update article on the I-80 upgrade by US-30
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk (https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-new-lenox-interchange-construction-st-0728-20190726-k4xqdrwanjch7blkxe62wjod5e-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2pCfkpGuuKePUdgPGZW2C6iDf3v-ob0bX1zBl1cfLwz8IQoihaPM2fBUk)

About 20 years late (as usual for IDOT), and with a speed limit much lower than comparable construction zones in Wisconsin and Michigan.  Illinois needs to leave the 1980s.

Construction zones in both those states aren't as numerous for one. Another is that Indiana is guilty of this too but just go the speed limit and it won't be a problem.

Bullshit.  There are quite a few construction zones in both states.  Maybe you need to go past Racine and St Joe.

I don't need to.. look at the construction projects list on both IDOT and WisDOT sites. IL has more which means IDOT is fixing the roads while WisDOT is neglecting them. Aside from that, there are 55,60 and 65mph work Zone speed limits in IL. You just have to go outside the Chicago area to see them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on August 09, 2019, 03:17:12 PM
parts of I-90 and I-294 have / had 55 or some times higher work zones.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 10, 2019, 11:15:59 AM
The 2019-2020 Illinois Highway Map is available online.  http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Travel-Information/Maps-&-Charts/2019ILMap.pdf)

Not sure why it is inconsistent with marking non-interstate freeways.  IL 255 may be the best example with part shown as freeway and part shown as just a divided highway.  There's also US 34 around Galesburg - it is shown as only a divided highway on the front, but as a freeway on the Galesburg insert.  Then's there IL 394 shown as a freeway for its whole length.

It is also not having interchange detail anymore on the city inserts and uses a white square instead  There does not appear to be any difference between the symbol for a whole interchange versus a half interchange - very displeasing when it comes to the number of half interchanges in Chicagoland.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 10, 2019, 12:16:45 PM
US 51 immediately south of I-72 @ Decatur is also shown as merely a Divided Highway. It is Freeway for the first few miles south of 72

US 20 west of I-39 south of Rockford is also not shown as a Freeway, merely Divided Highway

No part of Lake Shore Drive is marked as Freeway either

And where US 50 enters IL from IN (and across the Wabash in Vincennes) is only market Divided Highway, not the Freeway it is

In the Plus side, Old US 66 is marked on the map, tho if Decommissioned US Routes are designated, why not US 54 and US 460, while we are at it?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 10, 2019, 03:27:10 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 10, 2019, 12:16:45 PM
US 51 immediately south of I-72 @ Decatur is also shown as merely a Divided Highway. It is Freeway for the first few miles south of 72

US 20 west of I-39 south of Rockford is also not shown as a Freeway, merely Divided Highway

No part of Lake Shore Drive is marked as Freeway either

And where US 50 enters IL from IN (and across the Wabash in Vincennes) is only market Divided Highway, not the Freeway it is

In the Plus side, Old US 66 is marked on the map, tho if Decommissioned US Routes are designated, why not US 54 and US 460, while we are at it?

Using Rand McNally as a baseline:

US20 and US50 are shown as freeways where you designate.

However US41 Lake Shore Drive is not a freeway, it is a Chicago boulevard.  No semi-trucks.  School buses, CTA buses are allowed.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48505375596_dd91b27068_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 10, 2019, 04:27:55 PM
LSD is a Freeway, and trucks are allowed south of I-55/Stevenson Expy, per the BGS at the north end of I-55 @ LSD

There is an Urban Boulevard section with stoplights between Soldier Field and Chicago Ave, but North and South of those, Freeway. It is not Interstate Standard, but is Freeway
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on August 10, 2019, 06:46:27 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 10, 2019, 04:27:55 PM
LSD is a Freeway, and trucks are allowed south of I-55/Stevenson Expy, per the BGS at the north end of I-55 @ LSD

There is an Urban Boulevard section with stoplights between Soldier Field and Chicago Ave, but North and South of those, Freeway. It is not Interstate Standard, but is Freeway

I wonder if DOT used a different cartographer or map publishing company since Illinois official highway maps have looked very much the same since the 1981 edition up to the 2017 edition?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 10, 2019, 11:28:47 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on August 09, 2019, 03:17:12 PM
parts of I-90 and I-294 have / had 55 or some times higher work zones.

The 55 mph or high work zones on the tollways seem to be the exception.  The Tri-State has several 45 mph work zones today, including some where the work area is behind a concrete barrier.  Some of the downstate IDOT districts seem better at not going below 55 unless warranted.  The overuse of the 45 mph work zones elsewhere is degrading the effectiveness of the zones where 45 mph may be warranted (such as some of the bridge projects with extremely narrow lanes). 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on August 11, 2019, 11:40:05 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 10, 2019, 04:27:55 PM
LSD is a Freeway, and trucks are allowed south of I-55/Stevenson Expy, per the BGS at the north end of I-55 @ LSD

There is an Urban Boulevard section with stoplights between Soldier Field and Chicago Ave, but North and South of those, Freeway. It is not Interstate Standard, but is Freeway

It's not a freeway, there are no shoulders, the speed limit is only 45 at the highest and the lanes are narrow and uneven in a couple of spots. It is a parkway at the most. Trucks are only allowed up to 31st
St then they must exit
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on August 11, 2019, 01:40:46 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on August 11, 2019, 11:40:05 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 10, 2019, 04:27:55 PM
LSD is a Freeway, and trucks are allowed south of I-55/Stevenson Expy, per the BGS at the north end of I-55 @ LSD

There is an Urban Boulevard section with stoplights between Soldier Field and Chicago Ave, but North and South of those, Freeway. It is not Interstate Standard, but is Freeway

It's not a freeway, there are no shoulders, the speed limit is only 45 at the highest and the lanes are narrow and uneven in a couple of spots. It is a parkway at the most. Trucks are only allowed up to 31st
St then they must exit

Whether a road is a freeway or not depends on the type of access control, not the speed limit (which goes down to 45 on I-90/I-94 through the loop and I-290 approaching the Circle), the presence of shoulders (something lacking on interstates in a few areas), and/or any truck restrictions.  As parts of Lake Shore Drive have access only via interchanges, they are a freeway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on August 11, 2019, 01:51:42 PM
I did forget to mention there is a stoplight at MSI, so between I-55 and 57th St it's a Freeway on the South Side
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on August 11, 2019, 02:29:50 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on August 11, 2019, 11:40:05 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 10, 2019, 04:27:55 PM
LSD is a Freeway, and trucks are allowed south of I-55/Stevenson Expy, per the BGS at the north end of I-55 @ LSD

There is an Urban Boulevard section with stoplights between Soldier Field and Chicago Ave, but North and South of those, Freeway. It is not Interstate Standard, but is Freeway

It's not a freeway, there are no shoulders, the speed limit is only 45 at the highest and the lanes are narrow and uneven in a couple of spots. It is a parkway at the most. Trucks are only allowed up to 31st
St then they must exit

If not for that, I-55/Stevenson would have to be cars-only east of King Dr.  With that ability to use LSD between I-55 and 31st St, big-rigs can service McCormick Place and Soldier Field as needed.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 11, 2019, 03:21:06 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on August 11, 2019, 11:40:05 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 10, 2019, 04:27:55 PM
LSD is a Freeway, and trucks are allowed south of I-55/Stevenson Expy, per the BGS at the north end of I-55 @ LSD

There is an Urban Boulevard section with stoplights between Soldier Field and Chicago Ave, but North and South of those, Freeway. It is not Interstate Standard, but is Freeway

It's not a freeway, there are no shoulders, the speed limit is only 45 at the highest and the lanes are narrow and uneven in a couple of spots. It is a parkway at the most. Trucks are only allowed up to 31st
St then they must exit

All freeways are highways, but not every highway is a freeway. A freeway is a "controlled-access" highway – also known as an express highway – that's designed exclusively for high-speed vehicular traffic. Traffic flow on a freeway is unhindered because there are no traffic signals, intersections, or at-grade crossings with other roads, railways, or pedestrian paths.

The main difference between freeways and multilane highways is that in the case of freeways, these roads are separated from the rest of the traffic and can only be accessed by ramps. These ramps (slip roads) allow for speed changes between the freeway and arterial thoroughfares and collector roads. Opposing directions of traffic on a freeway are physically separated by a central reservation (median), such as a strip of grass or boulders, or by a traffic barrier. Traffic across a freeway is carried by overpasses and underpasses.


In Chicago, the boulevard system is a network of wide, planted-median boulevards that winds through the south, west, and north sides of the city and includes a ring of parks. Most of the boulevards and parks are 3—6 miles from The Loop. Trucks are not allowed on boulevards in Chicago.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on August 11, 2019, 09:47:06 PM
Yep LSD  is a freeway between MSI  and Roosevelt? And then Chicago and it's end at Sheridan. It's also a parkway . The New York parkway system are freeways that don't allow trucks and are not up to interstate standards.
When did the start allowing trucks to 31st.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on August 12, 2019, 12:07:41 AM
Quote from: 3467 on August 11, 2019, 09:47:06 PM
Yep LSD  is a freeway between MSI  and Roosevelt? And then Chicago and it's end at Sheridan. It's also a parkway . The New York parkway system are freeways that don't allow trucks and are not up to interstate standards.
When did the start allowing trucks to 31st.

I'm thinking that big-rigs were first allowed on the part of LSD between I-55 and 31st St in about 1964, when I-55 was completed.  As I mentioned in another reply, it allows them to easily get to McCormick Place and Soldier Field.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on August 12, 2019, 05:41:45 AM
Let me settle it once and for all!

It's a road!!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 12, 2019, 09:05:33 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 12, 2019, 05:41:45 AM
Let me settle it once and for all!

It's a road!!

It's a scenic road  :awesomeface:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 12, 2019, 10:05:22 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on August 12, 2019, 05:41:45 AM
Let me settle it once and for all!

It's a road!!

Thank you good sir.
*spams 500 preach emojis*
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on August 13, 2019, 11:27:35 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 11, 2019, 03:21:06 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on August 11, 2019, 11:40:05 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 10, 2019, 04:27:55 PM
LSD is a Freeway, and trucks are allowed south of I-55/Stevenson Expy, per the BGS at the north end of I-55 @ LSD

There is an Urban Boulevard section with stoplights between Soldier Field and Chicago Ave, but North and South of those, Freeway. It is not Interstate Standard, but is Freeway

It's not a freeway, there are no shoulders, the speed limit is only 45 at the highest and the lanes are narrow and uneven in a couple of spots. It is a parkway at the most. Trucks are only allowed up to 31st
St then they must exit

All freeways are highways, but not every highway is a freeway. A freeway is a "controlled-access" highway – also known as an express highway – that's designed exclusively for high-speed vehicular traffic. Traffic flow on a freeway is unhindered because there are no traffic signals, intersections, or at-grade crossings with other roads, railways, or pedestrian paths.

The main difference between freeways and multilane highways is that in the case of freeways, these roads are separated from the rest of the traffic and can only be accessed by ramps. These ramps (slip roads) allow for speed changes between the freeway and arterial thoroughfares and collector roads. Opposing directions of traffic on a freeway are physically separated by a central reservation (median), such as a strip of grass or boulders, or by a traffic barrier. Traffic across a freeway is carried by overpasses and underpasses.


In Chicago, the boulevard system is a network of wide, planted-median boulevards that winds through the south, west, and north sides of the city and includes a ring of parks. Most of the boulevards and parks are 3—6 miles from The Loop. Trucks are not allowed on boulevards in Chicago.
Remember what you're dealing with here. In Chicago, we call them expressways...well, except for the Bishop Ford.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on August 18, 2019, 11:20:19 PM
Here's a time lapse that I made on the current progress of the construction of the Millburn US45 Bypass that is still underway in Lake County.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 02, 2019, 09:39:04 PM
I found a little I-41 southern end marker posted along the Illinois-Wisconsin border.  I'm assuming it's an IDOT installation because it's a cutout shield rather than a unisign.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48662544223_699117a5da_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a)
IL-I-94X01ASA (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 03, 2019, 06:45:49 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 02, 2019, 09:39:04 PM
I found a little I-41 southern end marker posted along the Illinois-Wisconsin border.  I'm assuming it's an IDOT installation because it's a cutout shield rather than a unisign.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48662544223_699117a5da_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a)
IL-I-94X01ASA (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr


Definitely WisDOT, IDOT usually signs interstate endings as "Route Ro ends" inside a BGS.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 03, 2019, 07:09:53 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 03, 2019, 06:45:49 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 02, 2019, 09:39:04 PM
I found a little I-41 southern end marker posted along the Illinois-Wisconsin border.  I'm assuming it's an IDOT installation because it's a cutout shield rather than a unisign.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48662544223_699117a5da_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a)
IL-I-94X01ASA (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr


Definitely WisDOT, IDOT usually signs interstate endings as "Route Ro ends" inside a BGS.

Right. https://goo.gl/maps/t2R54bHNRjZLMwxG6
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 03, 2019, 09:19:45 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 03, 2019, 06:45:49 AM
Definitely WisDOT, IDOT usually signs interstate endings as "Route Ro ends" inside a BGS.

Another example of an IDOT cutout end marker:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48656560691_db1e1c4aee_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h8BAjP)
IL-I-290NT (https://flic.kr/p/2h8BAjP) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

The "end I-xx" written inside a BGS is more typical of ISTHA installations.  Examples I've found:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/1966/44723117375_a5ced5f20c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2b92EEB)
IL-I-355ST (https://flic.kr/p/2b92EEB) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48656484511_eeb5c491f9.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h8BcFn)
IL-I-355NT (https://flic.kr/p/2h8BcFn) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/291/31902036030_bd445066ae.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QB5gRY)
IL-I-294NTS (https://flic.kr/p/QB5gRY) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(The last one isn't really an end marker, but it's typical of how ISTHA signs actual Interstate termini along their system.)

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on September 03, 2019, 09:06:28 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 02, 2019, 09:39:04 PM
I found a little I-41 southern end marker posted along the Illinois-Wisconsin border.  I'm assuming it's an IDOT installation because it's a cutout shield rather than a unisign.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48662544223_699117a5da_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a)
IL-I-94X01ASA (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

Note that that sign is in Wisconsin.  The state line is about where the pavement changes beyond it.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 03, 2019, 09:16:26 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on September 03, 2019, 09:06:28 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 02, 2019, 09:39:04 PM
I found a little I-41 southern end marker posted along the Illinois-Wisconsin border.  I'm assuming it's an IDOT installation because it's a cutout shield rather than a unisign.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48662544223_699117a5da_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a)
IL-I-94X01ASA (https://flic.kr/p/2h99g2a) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

Note that that sign is in Wisconsin.  The state line is about where the pavement changes beyond it.

Mike
There's no way WisDOT would do that. That'd be self-deprecation at best. 😮😲
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 03, 2019, 10:44:11 PM
I'm willing to bet both the I-41 and I-290 end signs are contractor work by WisDOT and IDOT respectively. Standalone IDOT Interstate shields don't tend to have the numerals that large.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 03, 2019, 11:41:22 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 03, 2019, 09:19:45 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 03, 2019, 06:45:49 AM
Definitely WisDOT, IDOT usually signs interstate endings as "Route Ro ends" inside a BGS.

Another example of an IDOT cutout end marker:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48656560691_db1e1c4aee_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h8BAjP)
IL-I-290NT (https://flic.kr/p/2h8BAjP) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

The "end I-xx" written inside a BGS is more typical of ISTHA installations.  Examples I've found:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/1966/44723117375_a5ced5f20c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2b92EEB)
IL-I-355ST (https://flic.kr/p/2b92EEB) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48656484511_eeb5c491f9.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2h8BcFn)
IL-I-355NT (https://flic.kr/p/2h8BcFn) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/291/31902036030_bd445066ae.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QB5gRY)
IL-I-294NTS (https://flic.kr/p/QB5gRY) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

(The last one isn't really an end marker, but it's typical of how ISTHA signs actual Interstate termini along their system.)


IDOT does it too, here's one on I57

I-57
https://maps.app.goo.gl/r437yaPxmwJPbtSv5
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on September 04, 2019, 01:13:56 AM
More IDOT

I-55: https://goo.gl/maps/qmTEbho5UFEj3zUm7 Cutout Shield above the Gore Point sign

I-290 East end: https://goo.gl/maps/JrbKCdDDmszC1hoSA LGS/"Little"  Green Sign (possibly temp construction zone end sign?)

I-474 NW end: https://goo.gl/maps/Qhd95PjPBXow2A2e6 BGS - Sometimes I wonder if the ISTHA sign shop made this for the Peoria District...very Tollway-like End/Begin BGS

I-88 Quad Cities end: https://goo.gl/maps/DkRPfJqw5K15VYR56 BGS

I-280: https://goo.gl/maps/WcafMmumRAMgS2Rq7 Stand-alone Cutout Shield

I-24: https://goo.gl/maps/ZutNTGcAeyvPBPsx9 Stand-alone Cutout Shield

I-180 North end: https://goo.gl/maps/MKSgBxSaTrz5ncfe8 Stand-alone Cutout Shield

I-39: https://goo.gl/maps/GM5Pu7b2u6RRAgr6A Stand-alone Cutout Shield

I-172 North end: https://goo.gl/maps/JCnrAdmSCwyivVjt6 Cutout Shield mounted below a BGS

I-172 South end: https://goo.gl/maps/j5KrLWZhETCcWmME8 Cutout Shield mounted under the Pike County sign and next to IL 110

No luck finding end signs for I-255, I-270, I-72, I-155 either end, I-474 SE end, I-180 SE end, I-190

That said, I think a Cutout Interstate Shield is the typical IDOT marker for an Interstate terminus. A BGS/LGS is not rare, but fewer of those versus Cutouts
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 04, 2019, 10:08:47 AM
On 172 the end sign comes before the end because just down the road is milepost 19.It's right by the bridge over 24.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 04, 2019, 10:26:16 PM
I don't remember seeing signs on some of those roads.
The 55 sign has always been there at LSD. But I don't recall seeing 290 at the circle.
Wikipedia puts the end of 110 beyond the circle.
Also the North sign on 255 seems to emphasize continuity on Illinois 255 to Alton.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 06, 2019, 09:42:45 AM
A few ramps are scheduled to fully open at the Circle/Jane Byrne interchange.  You mean to tell me the ramp from NB-to-EB was closed for 5 whole years??  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

https://wgntv.com/2019/09/06/relief-on-the-way-for-drivers-at-the-jane-byrne-interchange/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Henry on September 06, 2019, 09:51:01 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 06, 2019, 09:42:45 AM
A few ramps are scheduled to fully open at the Circle/Jane Byrne interchange.  You mean to tell me the ramp from NB-to-EB was closed for 5 whole years??  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

https://wgntv.com/2019/09/06/relief-on-the-way-for-drivers-at-the-jane-byrne-interchange/
Well, that's a start! But 2022 is a long way off.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 06, 2019, 10:35:49 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 06, 2019, 09:42:45 AM
A few ramps are scheduled to fully open at the Circle/Jane Byrne interchange.  You mean to tell me the ramp from NB-to-EB was closed for 5 whole years??  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

https://wgntv.com/2019/09/06/relief-on-the-way-for-drivers-at-the-jane-byrne-interchange/

Yes.  That's been an annoying detour for quite some time.
Gotta love IDiOT.  :banghead:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on September 06, 2019, 05:15:14 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 06, 2019, 09:42:45 AM
A few ramps are scheduled to fully open at the Circle/Jane Byrne interchange.  You mean to tell me the ramp from NB-to-EB was closed for 5 whole years??  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Fun fact: That ramp is completely missing from Google Maps.

(https://i.imgur.com/7ThhJc7.png)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 08, 2019, 06:05:38 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 06, 2019, 10:35:49 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 06, 2019, 09:42:45 AM
A few ramps are scheduled to fully open at the Circle/Jane Byrne interchange.  You mean to tell me the ramp from NB-to-EB was closed for 5 whole years??  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

https://wgntv.com/2019/09/06/relief-on-the-way-for-drivers-at-the-jane-byrne-interchange/

Yes.  That's been an annoying detour for quite some time.
Gotta love IDiOT.  :banghead:

I barely remember a time when the Circle wasn't under construction.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on September 18, 2019, 06:05:39 PM
I'm sure you've been on pins and needles, but the ramp has been added. There's a mistake though, in that the ramp goes over the eastbound to northbound ramp and not under it. Similarly for Harrison.

(https://i.imgur.com/Vqn3TUA.png)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 18, 2019, 08:21:18 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on September 18, 2019, 06:05:39 PM
I'm sure you've been on pins and needles, but the ramp has been added. There's a mistake though, in that the ramp goes over the eastbound to northbound ramp and not under it. Similarly for Harrison.

(https://i.imgur.com/Vqn3TUA.png)
They're using the old waypoints
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 19, 2019, 07:29:48 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 06, 2019, 10:35:49 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 06, 2019, 09:42:45 AM
A few ramps are scheduled to fully open at the Circle/Jane Byrne interchange.  You mean to tell me the ramp from NB-to-EB was closed for 5 whole years??  :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

https://wgntv.com/2019/09/06/relief-on-the-way-for-drivers-at-the-jane-byrne-interchange/

Yes.  That's been an annoying detour for quite some time.
Gotta love IDiOT.  :banghead:

Not IDOTs fault, there were issues that came up which weren't allocated for originally. Would you rather them do it right the first time or do it and then redo it a couple years later like other DOTs (WisDOT)?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 20, 2019, 08:44:56 AM
Anyone notice the loose gravel all over I-55 between US 52 and US 30 the last couple days?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 20, 2019, 09:44:23 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on September 20, 2019, 08:44:56 AM
Anyone notice the loose gravel all over I-55 between US 52 and US 30 the last couple days?

You sure that's not the road deteriorating with every car that passes over it? :-D
That section is complete trash for road quality
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 20, 2019, 01:00:30 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on September 20, 2019, 08:44:56 AM
Anyone notice the loose gravel all over I-55 between US 52 and US 30 the last couple days?

Fortunately no as I get on/off at each of those interchanges.  Wouldn't shock me if it were a) the road falling apart yet again, or b) gravel trucks running with their loads uncovered, illegally, as usual.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on September 20, 2019, 03:37:51 PM
Quote from: Brandon on September 20, 2019, 01:00:30 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on September 20, 2019, 08:44:56 AM
Anyone notice the loose gravel all over I-55 between US 52 and US 30 the last couple days?

Fortunately no as I get on/off at each of those interchanges.  Wouldn't shock me if it were a) the road falling apart yet again, or b) gravel trucks running with their loads uncovered, illegally, as usual.

Most certainly B
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 24, 2019, 11:16:01 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on September 04, 2019, 01:13:56 AM
More IDOT

I-55: https://goo.gl/maps/qmTEbho5UFEj3zUm7 Cutout Shield above the Gore Point sign

I-290 East end: https://goo.gl/maps/JrbKCdDDmszC1hoSA LGS/"Little"  Green Sign (possibly temp construction zone end sign?)

I-474 NW end: https://goo.gl/maps/Qhd95PjPBXow2A2e6 BGS - Sometimes I wonder if the ISTHA sign shop made this for the Peoria District...very Tollway-like End/Begin BGS

I-88 Quad Cities end: https://goo.gl/maps/DkRPfJqw5K15VYR56 BGS

I-280: https://goo.gl/maps/WcafMmumRAMgS2Rq7 Stand-alone Cutout Shield

I-24: https://goo.gl/maps/ZutNTGcAeyvPBPsx9 Stand-alone Cutout Shield

I-180 North end: https://goo.gl/maps/MKSgBxSaTrz5ncfe8 Stand-alone Cutout Shield

I-39: https://goo.gl/maps/GM5Pu7b2u6RRAgr6A Stand-alone Cutout Shield

I-172 North end: https://goo.gl/maps/JCnrAdmSCwyivVjt6 Cutout Shield mounted below a BGS

I-172 South end: https://goo.gl/maps/j5KrLWZhETCcWmME8 Cutout Shield mounted under the Pike County sign and next to IL 110

No luck finding end signs for I-255, I-270, I-72, I-155 either end, I-474 SE end, I-180 SE end, I-190

That said, I think a Cutout Interstate Shield is the typical IDOT marker for an Interstate terminus. A BGS/LGS is not rare, but fewer of those versus Cutouts

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48791309266_277487be2b_z.jpg)

Looking at 255 on the Missouri side, that is as good as it gets.  270 starts the same way with Milepost 0 mile .2.  If you measure it out, 255 ends right on top of a bridge, so I would guess that is why the sign is absent.

As for I-72 on the Missouri side, honestly, you would barely know the route is an Interstate. Only 2 markers identify as such and you can tell they were add ons to the original US 36 marker.

I can't blame Missouri however, if a blue moon appears and they decide to send I-72 farther west, they are covered.  However, Illinois didn't have any incrementals, just the per mile posts. And I think we all know where I-72 ends going east and it's not going anywhere further ever.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 25, 2019, 11:52:28 PM
I got the hard copy of the new map . Even stranger. The full access control sections of some of the US routes have a black line around them. But state routes like the North part of Illinois 255 do not.
Also the Senate Transportation chair just had his offices raided by feds. That would be Martin  Sandovol. Also Senate district includes Madigans district.

Also found one new article that said MYP out next month maybe otherwise crickets on projects.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 26, 2019, 08:17:59 PM
Quote from: 3467 on September 25, 2019, 11:52:28 PM
I got the hard copy of the new map . Even stranger. The full access control sections of some of the US routes have a black line around them. But state routes like the North part of Illinois 255 do not.
Also the Senate Transportation chair just had his offices raided by feds. That would be Martin  Sandovol. Also Senate district includes Madigans district.

Also found one new article that said MYP out next month maybe otherwise crickets on projects.

I have watched some of the hearings with IDOT and the Transportation Committee Mr. Sandoval chairs.  Honestly he came off as a little "large and in charge" but seemingly uninformed on certain highway concepts.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 27, 2019, 09:20:03 AM
Road geeks Watch whatever happens with Sandovol because it may very well expose a lot of legislative and contracting sausage making.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 27, 2019, 04:48:10 PM
I was going through the original EIS for US-67 and the US-36 FAP's and saw this planned freeway map for Illinois from 1971.

You I-24 to St Louis fans will like that route in the SW quadrant of the state. I knew about the IL-1 plan but thought it was for Danville to Chicago.  Didn't know it was supposed to go all the way to Marion from the east. Wow!

The planned West Suburban Expressway/US-30 Expressway was of course replaced by ISTHA IL-5 (later I-88) East-West Tollway. (now called the Reagan Tollway)

The rest as they say is history.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48805463222_79f9d2da91_z.jpg)


https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=ien.35556030129167&view=1up&seq=3 (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=ien.35556030129167&view=1up&seq=3)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 27, 2019, 09:39:54 PM
There is a thread on Illinois Freeway history. The 1966 version was different and the current 88 route was the official. It would be official from 1972 to 79. When it became principal arterial under Thompson's Build Illinois.
NEPA process pretty much killed off Illinois 1 and 67 north of Monmouth. Either the EPA or FHWA questioned IDOTs sanity in the environmental documents. They never advanced beyond corridor studies. Rick Powell replied to a question I had about 1. He said it never moved beyond that map in D 3.
The other projects have lingered in some form until now.You can see them in Featured projects at IDOT.
US 30 was officially cancelled after public opposition. One of the few to get an outright cancel downstate. Even 67 and 1 were just quietly out aside rather than an outright cancel. But they were never advanced because of NEPA concerns.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 27, 2019, 10:05:04 PM
Late breaking major contractor raided. Stories on WBEZ and background at Capitol Fax.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 27, 2019, 10:57:46 PM
Quote from: 3467 on September 27, 2019, 10:05:04 PM
Late breaking major contractor raided. Stories on WBEZ and background at Capitol Fax.

Bluff City Materials: https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/sources-feds-also-raided-contractor-with-close-ties-to-sen-sandoval/31eb056a-f983-42b3-9a11-9401de86f4fa
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 28, 2019, 09:14:37 AM
He has connections both parties.....IDOT  plus local governments. This could get really interesting.
Went through IDOTs featured projects. US 34 is vanished so is 50. 34 is because of Army corps demand to prevent flooding. 50 near Olney I have no idea. But it's typical of IDOTs passive aggressive cancellation methods. 30 was really unique for them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 28, 2019, 10:25:04 AM
Quote from: 3467 on September 27, 2019, 09:39:54 PM
There is a thread on Illinois Freeway history. The 1966 version was different and the current 88 route was the official. It would be official from 1972 to 79. When it became principal arterial under Thompson's Build Illinois.
NEPA process pretty much killed off Illinois 1 and 67 north of Monmouth. Either the EPA or FHWA questioned IDOTs sanity in the environmental documents. They never advanced beyond corridor studies. Rick Powell replied to a question I had about 1. He said it never moved beyond that map in D 3.
The other projects have lingered in some form until now.You can see them in Featured projects at IDOT.
US 30 was officially cancelled after public opposition. One of the few to get an outright cancel downstate. Even 67 and 1 were just quietly out aside rather than an outright cancel. But they were never advanced because of NEPA concerns.

Interesting. FAP 408 (Springfield to Quincy) today is considered the poorest decision made in IDOT. Use per mile is the lowest along with I-180 over to Hennepin.  That is why I was looking at the EIS to see how it was justified.

Basically the Quincy political delegation wanted it and they got it, it seems.

I was also trying to see why IDOT moved US-67 back west.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 28, 2019, 02:38:24 PM
It has to do with the owner of Quincy Newspapers . He owns TV stations too and he wanted the roads to Quincy. It's why we have a Macomb bypass. Corridor 67 was happy with the thru town. In general most of these roads have similar volume ranges of 3 to 5000.
Also Missouri had kept telling Illinois it really wanted those connections and of course it couldn't pay.

The fight with Missouri and Iowa over Avenue of Saints really ticked some people in the IDOT. Deep state. I was told that some felt Iowa wants 30 and 34 so bad it can pay for them. All of 30s supporters at the meetings were from Iowa. 34 has support in Monmouth and Galesburg. But no way is Illinois ever going to spend  150 million for 6 miles in Henderson County.



Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 28, 2019, 02:46:45 PM
20 was different. It was originally planned as an expressway then upgraded to freeway because it became a pet project for the district engineer. When he left it got downgraded to a Galena bypass then it just withered. That corridor needs improvement and would be ideal for a continuous passing lane.
IDOT  was the innovator in that idea as it was of the supplementary freeway . Illinois 29 and 67 north of Monmouth were both supposed to be in Build Illinois but I think 39 as freeway pretty much became the focus and IDOT  being IDOT . The idea just faded.

Though with the current funding the could easily afford to complete the whole remaining system that way for about a billion dollars. It's about 600 miles. I would finish 67 as expressway though. The rest as 3 .
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on September 28, 2019, 09:42:14 PM
On Thursday night, I took the Kennedy towards Indiana, and I noticed that the reversible express lanes were closed. Why is it shut down and what are they doing?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 28, 2019, 10:57:56 PM
Quote from: 3467 on September 28, 2019, 02:38:24 PM
It has to do with the owner of Quincy Newspapers . He owns TV stations too and he wanted the roads to Quincy. It's why we have a Macomb bypass. Corridor 67 was happy with the thru town. In general most of these roads have similar volume ranges of 3 to 5000.
Also Missouri had kept telling Illinois it really wanted those connections and of course it couldn't pay.

The fight with Missouri and Iowa over Avenue of Saints really ticked some people in the IDOT. Deep state. I was told that some felt Iowa wants 30 and 34 so bad it can pay for them. All of 30s supporters at the meetings were from Iowa. 34 has support in Monmouth and Galesburg. But no way is Illinois ever going to spend  150 million for 6 miles in Henderson County.

I know some people who live on the Iowa side of the Mississppi north of Keokuk,

I asked them straight up, if you had to go to Florida, which way would you go? Would you cross over at Quincy and work your way SE?

No, they said they would not go into Illinois, but take US-61 on the Missouri side all the way to I-64 and then take that to get to I-24.

The only hangup they said is that there is no west bypass of Hannibal, which is still a work in progress with US-24. So I always wonder who IDOT thinks is going to actually use any upgrades in western Illinois?

There was this battle in the 1980's to get fed funding to build a Twin Cities-St Louis route and the Wisconsin delegation was holding it up because they said any route should pass through them. (which of course is total bunk)

Illinois said they should get the funding for the route to take truck traffic off I-74 and I-155. But who would route to St Louis by crossing over at Quincy? To US-67? You would have to go as far as Jacksonville to get the US-67 south route.

That would only be good if your destination is on the Illinois side of the river and don't want to drive through metro St Louis.

As it stands today, you can drive all freeway from St Paul to St Louis with just one interruption at Hannibal. No one will consider traversing Illinois.









Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 28, 2019, 11:50:46 PM
Missouri has no money for the Hannibal bypass or any new construction and may never.
The 336 project was part of Chicago KC  concept. 67 was to be the avenue of Saints matched to 61 in Wisconsin. Minnesota swung to Iowa Missouri plan not the Illinois Wisconsin finalist. I have a copy of the study that narrowed the finalists.
And then the final decision political and designated in the ISTEA act that created the dud National Highway System
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 30, 2019, 05:14:48 PM
https://capitolfax.com/2019/09/30/here-we-go-again-with-more-idot-excuses/
More on IDOT and more on road corruption

https://capitolfax.com/2019/09/30/sandovals-the-one-under-the-gun-now/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 01, 2019, 08:19:05 PM
Quote from: 3467 on September 27, 2019, 09:39:54 PM
Rick Powell replied to a question I had about 1. He said it never moved beyond that map in D 3.

True...D 3 never carried any freeway or expressway planning forward for Route 1 in Kankakee or Iroquois counties. In D 1 there is a long range concept to convert IL 394 from expressway to limited access freeway from IL 1 south of Crete to US 30 in Ford Heights/Lansing, and an IL 1 Beecher bypass has been considered in local planning using Ashland Avenue. The main catalyst for both projects would likely be the long-planned South Suburban Airport, if/when it is built. The state is concentrating its SSA roadway efforts with a connection to I-57 for now. The planned CSX intermodal yard south of Crete could also create more need, but haven't heard much progress on it lately.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 02, 2019, 10:04:59 AM
The planning document I was thinking of was D7 and it was for a corridor. EPA response was to say the least negative and cited proximity to 41 in Indiana similar to what FHWA did in the planning document on 67  north of Monmouth.
D 5 also did a planning document for a Danville bypass. There was a thread here on Danville doing a local bypass. They did an O and D  study that found no thru traffic on 1.

Of course D 9 actually completed its section under much later studies that only briefly mention the old 1 corridor.
I will try to find these documents.

There was also a Route1  Association but it seems long gone.
I don't know why this corridor fascinated me so much.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 02, 2019, 10:54:46 AM
From the Chicago Sun-Times, this morning:

Feds focus on politically connected red-light camera company in suburban investigation (https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2019/10/1/20894348/feds-focus-politically-connected-red-light-camera-company-suburban-investigation-safespeed)

QuoteFederal agents who blitzed several southwest suburban towns last week were asking questions about a politically connected red-light camera company, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

The Chicago-based company, SafeSpeed, LLC, says on its website that it's a "proud partner of over 30 Illinois municipalities."

QuoteSafeSpeed has been generous to Illinois politicians over the years.

Illinois politicians have reported receiving $144,200 in campaign contributions from SafeSpeed since 2011. The company's largest single donation of $10,000 was given to state Sen. Martin Sandoval in 2016, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Agents last week raided Sandoval's political offices in Springfield and Cicero and hit his home on the Southwest Side. A heavily redacted warrant released Tuesday for the Springfield search indicated the feds were seeking evidence of kickbacks for official actions as well as information about five unnamed IDOT employees, among other matters.

QuoteSandoval was part of a 2017 Chicago Tribune investigation that found he and state Sen. Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park Democrat, wrote to the Illinois Department of Transportation, encouraging the agency to allow red-light cameras in Oakbrook Terrace where SafeSpeed was hoping to operate.

Both men had accepted campaign donations from SafeSpeed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 02, 2019, 12:22:06 PM
The Senate Dems released a partially redacted search warrant under Illinois FOIA.
At the end of mentions IDOT  official A B and D but not a C .....
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 02, 2019, 01:17:40 PM
This goes back a bit, but is some very interesting reading for current fed-related events with IDOT.

$26.5 million in red-light camera tickets issued along Harlem Avenue since 2014 (https://www.forestparkreview.com/News/Articles/1-10-2017/$26.5-million-in-red_light-camera-tickets-issued--along-Harlem-Avenue-since-2014/)
Easy money: Area red-light camera tickets boon for clouted company (https://www.forestparkreview.com/News/Articles/1-17-2017/Easy-money:-Area-red_light-camera-tickets-boon-for-clouted-company-/?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fcapitolfax.com%2F2019%2F10%2F01%2Fsun-times-feds-also-probing-red-light-cam-company%2F)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on October 02, 2019, 02:23:50 PM
Red light cameras are a joke. Pretty sure if I dig deep enough in this thread there's the one article where it showed it actually increased accidents at certain intersections
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 02, 2019, 07:20:46 PM
And the article from the Trib.

Recent federal raids connected to probe of red light camera company, source says (https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/criminal-justice/ct-red-light-camera-company-federal-probe-20191002-getlhugppvhghkw4znn33xsnny-story.html)

Interesting tidbit:
Quote

A heavily blacked-out copy of the search warrant served on Sandoval's Capitol office showed the FBI was looking for a wide range of evidence, including "items related to any official action taken in exchange for a benefit."

The search warrant referred to 19 individuals, including five IDOT officials.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 02, 2019, 10:10:28 PM
Quote from: ET21 on October 02, 2019, 02:23:50 PM
Red light cameras are a joke. Pretty sure if I dig deep enough in this thread there's the one article where it showed it actually increased accidents at certain intersections

Schaumburg ripped them out when it was found that at the intersection of Meacham and Higgins, rear end accidents doubled (due to panic braking), waits to turn right caused backups and after months of complaints found out the company was ticketing drivers for rolling right on red, ignoring the "yield" sign that actually allowed it.

Also a local citizen started auditing the lights with the cameras and found in his community, the municipality tampered with the timing of the yellow lights in order for the cameras to trigger sooner.

When the municipality finally relented and had the yellow lights retimed back to spec, ticket revenue plunged and eventually were removed as not useful.

So its not just the state representatives who get the campaign cash, its the mayoral and city council members too. In one case they bribed the local highway commissioner to get him to retime the yellow down to trigger more tickets.

In basic terms, red light cameras are not a revenue source and never will be, They should only be used where the accident rate is already high with normal light timing.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: MNHighwayMan on October 03, 2019, 12:42:05 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 02, 2019, 10:10:28 PM
In basic terms, red light cameras are not a revenue source and never will be, They should only be used where the accident rate is already high with normal light timing never be used.

Fixed that for you.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 03, 2019, 12:25:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 02, 2019, 10:10:28 PM


Also a local citizen started auditing the lights with the cameras and found in his community, the municipality tampered with the timing of the yellow lights in order for the cameras to trigger sooner.


Years ago, the Tribune audited Chicago's red light cameras, and found that 70% of them had less time on the yellow lights, than non-camera locations.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 03, 2019, 12:44:37 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 03, 2019, 12:25:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 02, 2019, 10:10:28 PM
Also a local citizen started auditing the lights with the cameras and found in his community, the municipality tampered with the timing of the yellow lights in order for the cameras to trigger sooner.

Years ago, the Tribune audited Chicago's red light cameras, and found that 70% of them had less time on the yellow lights, than non-camera locations.

Previous threads on cameras:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=21155.0
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=19118.0
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=19267.0
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=15035.0
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14616.0
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14534.0
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14543.0
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14270.0
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=12949.0

And on IDOT hiring:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=13279.0
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 03, 2019, 05:48:35 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 02, 2019, 10:10:28 PM
Schaumburg ripped them out when it was found that at the intersection of Meacham and Higgins, rear end accidents doubled (due to panic braking), waits to turn right caused backups and after months of complaints found out the company was ticketing drivers for rolling right on red, ignoring the "yield" sign that actually allowed it.

"Yield sign"?  The green arrow for right turns currently at this intersection is much greater than a yield sign.

Quote from: edwaleni on October 02, 2019, 10:10:28 PM
Also a local citizen started auditing the lights with the cameras and found in his community, the municipality tampered with the timing of the yellow lights in order for the cameras to trigger sooner.

When the municipality finally relented and had the yellow lights retimed back to spec, ticket revenue plunged and eventually were removed as not useful.

Are you referring to another municipality besides Schaumburg here, or is this for a different Schaumburg intersection?  Higgins is an IDOT roadway (IL 72), and at least these days IDOT D-1 rarely lets the locals handle signal times (Kane County's Randall Road being, possible was a partial exception).

I had heard Schaumburg dumped the red light cameras to avoid negative publicity dampening revenue at Woodfield.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 03, 2019, 08:11:47 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on October 03, 2019, 05:48:35 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 02, 2019, 10:10:28 PM
Schaumburg ripped them out when it was found that at the intersection of Meacham and Higgins, rear end accidents doubled (due to panic braking), waits to turn right caused backups and after months of complaints found out the company was ticketing drivers for rolling right on red, ignoring the "yield" sign that actually allowed it.

"Yield sign"?  The green arrow for right turns currently at this intersection is much greater than a yield sign.

Quote from: edwaleni on October 02, 2019, 10:10:28 PM
Also a local citizen started auditing the lights with the cameras and found in his community, the municipality tampered with the timing of the yellow lights in order for the cameras to trigger sooner.

When the municipality finally relented and had the yellow lights retimed back to spec, ticket revenue plunged and eventually were removed as not useful.

Are you referring to another municipality besides Schaumburg here, or is this for a different Schaumburg intersection?  Higgins is an IDOT roadway (IL 72), and at least these days IDOT D-1 rarely lets the locals handle signal times (Kane County's Randall Road being, possible was a partial exception).

I had heard Schaumburg dumped the red light cameras to avoid negative publicity dampening revenue at Woodfield.

Municipality is not Schaumburg, but I couldn't remember the specific town, but wanted to make sure it was noted as different.

I was under the impression that it was one of those right turn bays with a yield sign. This allowed red light turns to be safer.  I don't remember reading that they were ticketing right turns on green.

Seems cameras are a well worn topic.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 03, 2019, 08:29:42 PM
I found this blurb from Lebanon, Illinois where the mayor was pushing for the US 50 Bypass to get finished.

March 2016. As expected nothing happened.

https://www.ibjonline.com/2016/03/05/lebanon-mayor-pushing-u-s-50-bypass-around-community/ (https://www.ibjonline.com/2016/03/05/lebanon-mayor-pushing-u-s-50-bypass-around-community/)

QuoteLEBANON – Mayor Richard Wilken is stepping up efforts on a project that he believes will cement his town's spot on the map.
    Wilken is wanting to build the economic base of his city by taking a lot of the traffic out of it. He's pushing hard for the completion of a state-supported bypass of U.S. Route 50. That effort may take convincing some locals, since the road cuts through the heart of their community.
    Lebanon is a quaint, historic town of 4,400 people in the northeast corner of St. Clair County. Its main business streets are Illinois Route 4 and U.S. Route 50. For the most part, it's a pass-through town, with commuters needing to get from one point to another – but not to Lebanon itself.
    Route 4 is important from a traffic standpoint. It is the north-south connection between three interstates – 55, 70 and 64. And Lebanon is the only city located on Route 4 in that 27-mile stretch.
    But U.S. 50 is the bugaboo. It's an east-west highway that doesn't run east-west in Lebanon. Coming from O'Fallon on the west, the highway stops at Route 4 and turns to the north (running concurrent with Route 4) for a few blocks. It  then comes to a traffic-light intersection before turning again, heading east toward Breese and Clinton County.
    All that turning creates a bottleneck that has long been a bane for commuters and truckers.
    Wilken wants to take the north-south leg of 50 out of the equation and build a bypass that would make Route 50 run entirely through the city's southern flank, continuing east until it hooks up to the current Illinois 50 about a mile east of Lebanon, near Summerfield Road.
p01 lebanon    The change would solve two basic concerns. It would alleviate much of the traffic that now maneuvers the intersection of Route 4 and U.S. 50. And it would satisfy a larger effort of the U.S. Route 50 Coalition Group, a group of mayors who are dedicated to making Route 50 a four-lane highway across Southern Illinois.
    U.S. 50 runs "ocean to ocean,"  Wilken said, and one of its biggest bottlenecks is his city.
    "For years, (others) have tried to get Lebanon to be a part of the bypass idea, but the former administration didn't want anything to do with a bypass,"  he said. "Many businesses also didn't want a bypass implemented because it would take traffic away from existing businesses."
    But Wilken, who owns an insurance agency office located within feet of the Route 4 and U.S. 50 intersection, said it would be better for business to get the big trucks away from the heart of town.

    "I've been on that intersection the entire 35 years I've been in town, and (drivers) simply want to get through town,"  he said. "They could care less about shopping uptown. We're a destination point, and you have to sell it like that. You can't just hope that drivers commuting back and forth will just stop."
    The traffic is not necessary for business, he said. If that theory was true, there would not presently be the seven empty business buildings located on Route 50, east of where it connects at Route 4.
    The mayor said he took it upon himself to contact the U.S. 50 Coalition and begin working with them.
    The mayor of Breese, Charles Hilmes, and state Rep. Charlie Meier, R-Okawville, have been working hard on the coalition's efforts, Wilken said, as has the city of Salem, Ill.
    "They want a four-lane highway from Lebanon all the way to the Indiana border,"  he said. "The idea is it's another economic corridor that you've created in Illinois to access Indiana."
    Despite years of conversations on the subject, the relocation of Route 50 is likely years more away, but getting Lebanon more involved is the important thing now, the mayor says.
    "It isn't going to get done in three or four years. It may be 10, 15, who knows, 20. Maybe not in my lifetime,"  the 71-year-old mayor said. "But (coalition members) have got a good solid plan, and the reasoning, for what they want to accomplish,"  he said.
    The state owns the land needed for the project and most of it is vacant.
    From Route 4, the eastbound entranceway onto the bypass would begin south of where Route 4 crosses the CSX railroad tracks. The state owns some ground on the west side of 4 that would allow for a realignment of 50 so that it runs into 4 further south than it presently does.
    As the bypass heads east, then tails to the north it will have to cross over the railroad tracks as well as some wetlands, meaning an overpass will be needed. IDOT is in the process of studying it all, Wilken said. The state has set aside around $3 million for preliminary engineering, he said.
    The bypass would run parallel to and south of East McAllister Street, which is just south of a large industrial park dominated by Christ Brothers Asphalt.
    As Wilken sees it, McAllister Street, which is a depressed area, could be redone with curb and gutter and be made more attractive to various commercial enterprises that could be drawn to the new corridor.
    He also would like to see an enterprise zone in that area to help attract similar businesses to those in the business park.
    Along the bypass he envisions future businesses having to do with transportation, RVs parks among them, he said.
    The U.S. 50 project is not the only bypass that Wilken has pitched. In 2013, right after he was elected to his first term, Wilken met with U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and then-Congressman William Enyart to talk about the potential of a bypass for Illinois Route 4, coming in somewhere north of its present connection to 50. Everyone he spoke with in an official capacity liked the idea, but it's gone nowhere in light of Illinois' fiscal woes.
    "In my presentation to the feds I said we could alleviate some of the trucks coming through Lebanon. There are ton of trucks that come through Lebanon. Nobody nixed the idea other than for the fact that we don't have any money,"  he said.
    Wilken was a political novice when he took office in 2013 after decades in the insurance business. He ran on a progressive campaign that aims to build through a series of improvements. The town has benefitted recently from a new widened intersection and stoplight placed at Route 4 and 50. It now has a new Lebanon Elementary School and is putting the wraps on a new volunteer fire department station run by the local fire district.
    A couple of main roads, Alton and Monroe streets, have been improved as well. Alton Street passes through McKendree University, and the university helped fund that project.
    "This spring we will start on the Schuetz Street project,"  he said. "It is important as it passes in front of Lebanon  High School and also accesses the new grade school."
    And the city is preparing to build a new sewer plant on the east end of town. As part of that it acquired 26 neighboring acres for the expansion of the plant as well as future site for public works and for a potential business development area coming off McAllister Street.
    The plant is estimated at $8 million to 10 million and would be paid in part by an Environmental Protection Agency loan.
    The sewer plant is operating at full capacity. Final engineering is being done on the project and construction could start as early as late 2016.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48839624341_da2d12a064_z.jpg")
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 03, 2019, 08:58:14 PM
The fiscal problems as far as Capital are over for now. IDOT  was doing a study of it and was doing a study from Olney to Illinois 1 but it vanished from featured projects. I started a thread dealing with these projects in limbo.I was going to start one for the southern part of the state too. US 50 and 51 and Illinois 13 127.
Any information rumors would be welcome.
I suspect we have delays now because of the corruption crisis. Pritzger needs to get people from outside the state and fast.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 04, 2019, 08:20:58 AM
Quote from: 3467 on October 03, 2019, 08:58:14 PM
The fiscal problems as far as Capital are over for now. IDOT  was doing a study of it and was doing a study from Olney to Illinois 1 but it vanished from featured projects. I started a thread dealing with these projects in limbo.I was going to start one for the southern part of the state too. US 50 and 51 and Illinois 13 127.
Any information rumors would be welcome.
I suspect we have delays now because of the corruption crisis. Pritzger needs to get people from outside the state and fast.

I think what many people find suspect is that there no effort to do anything incrementally.

It took Iowa DOT over 40 years to get US-20 to freeway status across the state. Just the section between I-35 and Waterloo took many years and many detours back in the late 80's and early 90's (I know.....I used to take that circuitous route through Aplington and Parkersburg once upon a time) but every 5 years they would build more in small sections. They didn't try to build it all at once.

Then I look at the Macomb Bypass and think, geez, they don't even have the money to do one section, just half of it. There is no way in this earth they could build anything, even something small.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 04, 2019, 10:27:24 AM
Yep yep Edwaleni. Look at that Texas plan with 77 billion and based on population and size of state our 45 billion is about the same and look how much reconstruction and new construction they are doing. It's in the mid south.
Of course we know a lot is being stolen.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 04, 2019, 04:04:22 PM
Quote from: 3467 on October 04, 2019, 10:27:24 AM
our 45 billion

According to the people I have spoken to, IDOT's "state highway" share of the capital plan is nowhere near 45 billion. After subtracting the money for vertical construction, local roads, transit, and a host of other things, it's about 20% of that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 04, 2019, 06:15:06 PM
Ok to say the least it has not been clear well nothing has.....
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 11, 2019, 01:49:34 PM
Well, now, this became more interesting:

Unredacted search warrant for Sen. Martin Sandoval's office shows feds sought material related to ComEd, red light camera and gambling operators, tollway official (https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-martin-sandoval-federal-subpoena-20191011-eywhlsmxf5ebtfkjacefmpocai-story.html)

QuoteFederal agents were seeking materials related to ComEd and Exelon, Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski, businessman Michael Vondra and red light camera company SafeSpeed, when they raided Sen. Martin Sandoval's Springfield office last month, according to an unredacted search warrant the Illinois Senate released Friday morning.

Sandoval, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing, resigned as chairman of the Senate Transportation committee on Friday.

And here's search warrant:

Read the unredacted federal search warrant for state Sen. Martin Sandoval's Springfield office (https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-martin-sandoval-fbi-search-warrant-20191011-hp3r6eep3fb7naxlxqhxedtswq-htmlstory.html)

In it are mentions of SafeSpeed, Arq Design Build, Inc., Technicraft Collision Repair, businesses owned/controlled by Martin Sandoval, a Countryside cigar lounge (Casa de Montecristo), "Concrete Company A", IDOT, and ComEd.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 12, 2019, 08:30:26 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 11, 2019, 01:49:34 PM
Well, now, this became more interesting:

Unredacted search warrant for Sen. Martin Sandoval's office shows feds sought material related to ComEd, red light camera and gambling operators, tollway official (https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-martin-sandoval-federal-subpoena-20191011-eywhlsmxf5ebtfkjacefmpocai-story.html)

QuoteFederal agents were seeking materials related to ComEd and Exelon, Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski, businessman Michael Vondra and red light camera company SafeSpeed, when they raided Sen. Martin Sandoval's Springfield office last month, according to an unredacted search warrant the Illinois Senate released Friday morning.

Sandoval, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing, resigned as chairman of the Senate Transportation committee on Friday.

And here's search warrant:

Read the unredacted federal search warrant for state Sen. Martin Sandoval's Springfield office (https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-martin-sandoval-fbi-search-warrant-20191011-hp3r6eep3fb7naxlxqhxedtswq-htmlstory.html)

In it are mentions of SafeSpeed, Arq Design Build, Inc., Technicraft Collision Repair, businesses owned/controlled by Martin Sandoval, a Countryside cigar lounge (Casa de Montecristo), "Concrete Company A", IDOT, and ComEd.

Too funny. Once again Illinois and corruption strike again.

As I mentioned earlier, he seemed way too "large and in charge" in his transportation committee meetings.

He spoke like everything was a forgone conclusion which rankled a few of his peers who wanted to ask questions.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 13, 2019, 02:27:22 PM
He resigned as Transportation chair Friday and Pritzger dumped a tollway  nominee.
He overlaps into the Exelon scandal as well
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on October 16, 2019, 10:06:50 AM
Any money in the capital bill to hire someone to maintain and update the IDOT website?

My gosh, there is a ton of outdated info on there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on October 16, 2019, 11:25:44 AM
Quote from: I-39 on October 16, 2019, 10:06:50 AM
Any money in the capital bill to hire someone to maintain and update the IDOT website?

My gosh, there is a ton of outdated info on there.

All of Illinois' state websites are like that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on October 17, 2019, 10:40:53 AM
Quote from: inkyatari on October 16, 2019, 11:25:44 AM
All of Illinois' state websites are like that.

FTFY.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 19, 2019, 01:48:39 PM
The Tribune put the $45 Billion into a database.

Review at will.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-viz-illinois-infrastructure-plan-database-20191018-dti3anpgqng7bg6oh4f4yafosq-htmlstory.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on October 20, 2019, 06:22:03 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 19, 2019, 01:48:39 PM
The Tribune put the $45 Billion into a database.

Review at will.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-viz-illinois-infrastructure-plan-database-20191018-dti3anpgqng7bg6oh4f4yafosq-htmlstory.html
Won't do much much good in a database, use it properly :P
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 20, 2019, 08:55:46 PM
Ha ha.
They don't have many road projects in yet. Not only doesn't Illinois update it's web pages they aren't updating the road plans. Perhaps to busy with the feds.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 21, 2019, 01:54:14 PM
IDOT New MYP is out with Capital Plan projects included.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2020-2025/2020%20MYP%20Internet%20Version.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mvak36 on October 21, 2019, 06:33:56 PM
One project that caught my eye was the I-57 widening. They definitely need it.
QuoteI-57 from the Middle Fork of Big Muddy River in Franklin County to the I-64 south Tri-Level interchange  in  District  9  -  $174.6  million  for  additional  lanes  for  25  miles  and  bridge  replacements along this critical freight corridor.

Does this complete all of the widening between I-24 and I-64? I can't remember which parts have been widened already. I know they also got a BUILD grant last year for widening a section as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 21, 2019, 08:50:09 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on October 21, 2019, 06:33:56 PM
One project that caught my eye was the I-57 widening. They definitely need it.
QuoteI-57 from the Middle Fork of Big Muddy River in Franklin County to the I-64 south Tri-Level interchange  in  District  9  -  $174.6  million  for  additional  lanes  for  25  miles  and  bridge  replacements along this critical freight corridor.

Does this complete all of the widening between I-24 and I-64? I can't remember which parts have been widened already. I know they also got a BUILD grant last year for widening a section as well.
I believe just south of the Marion Main St Exit to the I-24 Split still needs lane 3 on each side...then again, that is the stretch I never drive, so maybe not

I know its only 4 lane between the I-24 Split and the IL 148 Exit

Johnston City to West Frankfort is in progress now

There are a decent number of bridges that need expanded near Rend Lake...I'm a little surprised the cost is that low (relatively speaking)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 21, 2019, 11:35:24 PM
Kendall County gets all
its major routes 4-laned. All of IL 47s remaining gaps are filled (Caton Farm to IL 71 and Kennedy Road to Cross Street), into the 4-Lane section in Kane County. IL 71 from IL 47 to Orchard Road. And US 34 is in final construction from Plano to Oswego.
The I-55 add-Lane project around Springfield doesn't appear to get full funding.
I-80 in District 1 gets major attention, as was expected.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 22, 2019, 08:45:45 AM
Very few 4 lanes downstate. But 34 gets some. They were applicants to Sandovol not a good look.We shall see what the post arrest nationhood like.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mvak36 on October 22, 2019, 08:47:11 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on October 21, 2019, 08:50:09 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on October 21, 2019, 06:33:56 PM
One project that caught my eye was the I-57 widening. They definitely need it.
QuoteI-57 from the Middle Fork of Big Muddy River in Franklin County to the I-64 south Tri-Level interchange  in  District  9  -  $174.6  million  for  additional  lanes  for  25  miles  and  bridge  replacements along this critical freight corridor.

Does this complete all of the widening between I-24 and I-64? I can't remember which parts have been widened already. I know they also got a BUILD grant last year for widening a section as well.
I believe just south of the Marion Main St Exit to the I-24 Split still needs lane 3 on each side...then again, that is the stretch I never drive, so maybe not

I know its only 4 lane between the I-24 Split and the IL 148 Exit

Johnston City to West Frankfort is in progress now

There are a decent number of bridges that need expanded near Rend Lake...I’m a little surprised the cost is that low (relatively speaking)

So I looked on Google Maps. It is 3 lanes from just a little south of Exit 53 in Marion up to about exit 59 in Johnston City. I believe they're currently constructing the section from Johnston City to Pond Creek, which is a mile south of Exit 65 in West Frankfort. The project listed in the MYP is from 2 miles north of Exit 65 up to Exit 92 (I-64) in Mt. Vernon.

So unless I'm missing something, it looks like what they still have left is:
~3 miles in West Frankfurt (Pond Creek to the Middle Fork of Big Muddy River (approx Mile Markers 64 to 67)
~8 miles from the I-24/I-57 interchange up to just south of Exit 53 in Marion (Mile marker 44 to approx mile marker 52)

EDIT: It looks like they will start work on the part between Mile Markers 64 and 67 in this next Fiscal Year.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/gallery/12408_22_10_19_9_00_50.jpeg)

So only the part south of Marion to I-24 will be left after the construction up to I-64 is finished.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 22, 2019, 08:57:31 AM
Pritzger mentioned the scandal and claimed this used an objective standard. Yet then one sees among the projects the one the bowed before Sandovol. That said I will take it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on October 22, 2019, 04:44:11 PM
https://capitolfax.com/2019/10/22/we-have-neglected-the-roads-and-bridges-for-so-many-years-something-like-this-had-to-be-done/#comments

https://capitolfax.com/2019/10/22/question-of-the-day-2967/

https://capitolfax.com/2019/10/22/idot-ups-the-ante-on-peotone-airport/

Just another day in Illinois Transportation corruption.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on December 01, 2019, 12:32:17 PM
The Illinois 88 sign is still showing proudly inside Tanners Orchard, where Illinois 17 meets old Illinois 88 (now Illinois 40), after their massive renovation.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191201/97b68e8b87be7154b16fb689ebcd0006.jpg)

LM-V405

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 07, 2019, 07:25:00 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 01, 2019, 12:32:17 PM
The Illinois 88 sign is still showing proudly inside Tanners Orchard, where Illinois 17 meets old Illinois 88 (now Illinois 40), after their massive renovation

Tanners! Went there a few weeks ago on a Sunday, what a crowd in the middle of nowhere.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on December 08, 2019, 12:00:18 AM
I know I could Google it...but that takes the fun away

Where is this Tanners? And is it a location Road Geeks should aim to clench?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 09, 2019, 12:33:35 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 08, 2019, 12:00:18 AM
Where is this Tanners?

Paul the Map Guy December 01, 2019, 12:32:17 PM gave a pretty good clue.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 09, 2019, 12:56:11 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 09, 2019, 12:33:35 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 08, 2019, 12:00:18 AM
Where is this Tanners?

Paul the Map Guy December 01, 2019, 12:32:17 PM gave a pretty good clue.

The big question is the NW junction (Stark County) or the SE junction (Marshall County)?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 11, 2019, 01:28:40 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 09, 2019, 12:56:11 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 09, 2019, 12:33:35 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 08, 2019, 12:00:18 AM
Where is this Tanners?

Paul the Map Guy December 01, 2019, 12:32:17 PM gave a pretty good clue.

The big question is the NW junction (Stark County) or the SE junction (Marshall County)?

If you go northwest past Camp Grove, your orchard-finding adventures will be Stark.

If you Marshall your resources, you will have good fortune.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on December 24, 2019, 12:51:45 PM
IDOT totally failed at designing this traffic signal. (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.6810949,-89.5903334,3a,90y,141.79h,96.38t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sO29A8lBMn9vCHxMe3EbFWQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656)  Could someone tell district 4 that they don't have to put a signal head on the mast every time?  Put a second head on the mast arm, like in every other IDOT district!  This isn't even a FYA signal.  Note that I'm judging based on IDOT standards and not just MUTCD standards.  See if you can find the 5-section tower that's missing!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 27, 2019, 07:28:32 PM
Column: How billboards warning motorists of I-80 bridge safety concerns created one of 2019′s biggest local political stories (https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-billboard-message-influence-st-1229-20191227-uz5pqtthgre6zhhnbrgbv7g3ou-story.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 28, 2019, 05:25:02 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 27, 2019, 07:28:32 PM
Column: How billboards warning motorists of I-80 bridge safety concerns created one of 2019′s biggest local political stories (https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-billboard-message-influence-st-1229-20191227-uz5pqtthgre6zhhnbrgbv7g3ou-story.html)

I wish it was that easy. This wasn't a ruse to get IDOT to move, it was a ruse to get a new tax passed.

IDOT can only do what they are allotted.  If taxpayers or legislature aren't prepared to dole more up, then this is what you get.

A bunch of union promoted billboards to scare people into doing something, and by golly it worked.

Was the bridge deficient? Of course it was! Was it unsafe, of course not.

But it got the attention of the "bleed, lets lead" media in Chicago and the rest is history.

There are several bridges just like this one that are structurally deficient but safe across the state.

Yes, I get it, it's I-80, but go stick a bunch of billboards in various towns along the Illinois River, the Wabash River and on the Mississippi in a couple of places and see if you get the same reaction. I doubt it.

Maybe the US-50 Coalition should start a billboard attack by placing billboards in 3 key areas.

- Springfield along I-55 north and south of town
- On I-70 and I-64 east of St Louis
- On US-50 after you cross the Red Skelton Bridge from Indiana.

Be blunt.  Say "Illinois has promised to upgrade this road for almost 50 years, but always seems to forget or change their minds.  Call your rep, ask them why?

Same thing up on US-20.  Have one of those billboards that show a large bright number, "7,256 accidents have occurred on this road since 1976, killing over 12,235 drivers. How many more have to die before Illinois takes action?"  Put one west of Rockford, one west of Freeport and another after crossing the Mississippi in Dubuque.

Hey if works great....but don't take the billboards down until the ground breaks, in case they change their minds at the last second.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 28, 2019, 10:12:34 PM
Great points Edwaleni.
First they have to get it out of their heads that the is just a choice between freeway or very close or nothing
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 20, 2020, 09:12:33 PM
Apparently, Illinois 9 was just rerouted onto a bypass around the south side of Pekin!  Does anyone know about this or when this change took place?  I just clinched Illinois 9 today and found that Google Maps doesn't match signage in the field!  From east to west, Illinois 9 now follows the VFW Road (shown on this map (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.5423142,-89.6468509,13.25z)) from Court Street southwest to Illinois 29.  IL-9 then duplexes with IL-29 north to its former alignment in downtown Pekin, to turn onto the bridge across the Illinois River.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on January 20, 2020, 10:01:05 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 20, 2020, 09:12:33 PM
Apparently, Illinois 9 was just rerouted onto a bypass around the south side of Pekin!  Does anyone know about this or when this change took place?  I just clinched Illinois 9 today and found that Google Maps doesn't match signage in the field!  From east to west, Illinois 9 now follows the VFW Road (shown on this map (https://www.google.com/maps/@40.5423142,-89.6468509,13.25z)) from Court Street southwest to Illinois 29.  IL-9 then duplexes with IL-29 north to its former alignment in downtown Pekin, to turn onto the bridge across the Illinois River.
IDOT pulling an InDOT? Turning over the Main Drag in Pekin to the Locals? Or is IDOT maintaining control of the old alignment also?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 20, 2020, 10:53:24 PM
Turning over the main drag to the locals; see http://www.ci.pekin.il.us/departments/public_works/court_street_improvements.php (http://www.ci.pekin.il.us/departments/public_works/court_street_improvements.php).

I see a lot of through traffic staying on the old alignment since the bypass alignment will take longer.  Unless Pekin really makes the through route miserable to drive.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 21, 2020, 12:57:54 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 20, 2020, 10:53:24 PM
Turning over the main drag to the locals; see http://www.ci.pekin.il.us/departments/public_works/court_street_improvements.php (http://www.ci.pekin.il.us/departments/public_works/court_street_improvements.php).

I see a lot of through traffic staying on the old alignment since the bypass alignment will take longer.  Unless Pekin really makes the through route miserable to drive.

They probably did this so truck traffic would bypass downtown.  There are some turns you would have to make to get through downtown that would be uneasy for truckers.  Passenger cars would likely continue on the old route; I agree.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on January 28, 2020, 11:06:54 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO5Po0xbopc

IDOT is shutting down I-255 between I-55/70 and I-64 starting on February 1.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 31, 2020, 07:39:59 AM
This just gets even better:

Disgraced state Sen. Martin Sandoval aided a political donor by pressuring IDOT to use asphalt material suspected of causing new roads to crack (https://www.chicagotribune.com/investigations/ct-paving-roof-shingles-investigation-sandoval-idot-20200131-dtr5vcwsprcghegshcpuozrhhi-story.html)

QuoteThe debate about the quality of pavement produced with shingles continues in Illinois.

IDOT and U. of I.'s Center for Transportation came up with a way to measure the likelihood of pavement cracking, and that test was used in a 2017 joint federal-state transportation study of roads that were less than three years old. The study found the projects that used the highest concentration of recycled shingles scored half as well as those using less or none at all.

Part of the study looked at nine stretches of road a year after they were repaved. The two with the most cracks were the only ones that had used recycled shingles: a stretch of 79th Street between Justice and Burbank, and a stretch of 159th Street from Cicero to Western avenues. They had more than triple the number of cracks as their closest competitor.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on January 31, 2020, 09:45:45 AM
Can the state due him and the company for damages?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on January 31, 2020, 10:43:39 AM
79th Street sucks with pavement quality as bad as I-55 in its notorious stretch from Weber to I-80. Poor quality, always has been.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on February 10, 2020, 12:28:36 PM
Somebody's been spending too much time in New Jersey and Oregon - is this some kind of stupid "job creation" idea? That's what the bill's name reads like.  :pan:

https://kbjr6.com/2020/02/10/legislation-filed-to-ban-pumping-your-own-gas-in-illinois/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KBJR_6&fbclid=IwAR23dmEOMq6sNQpMylCKCkf4KeE3UZugnyu-VGWvmExGgvBJ9aGQ57oiWe4
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 10, 2020, 01:12:41 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on February 10, 2020, 12:28:36 PM
Somebody's been spending too much time in New Jersey and Oregon - is this some kind of stupid "job creation" idea? That's what the bill's name reads like.  :pan:

https://kbjr6.com/2020/02/10/legislation-filed-to-ban-pumping-your-own-gas-in-illinois/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KBJR_6&fbclid=IwAR23dmEOMq6sNQpMylCKCkf4KeE3UZugnyu-VGWvmExGgvBJ9aGQ57oiWe4

Lady's from Oak Park.  'Nough said.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on February 10, 2020, 04:11:52 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on February 10, 2020, 12:28:36 PM
Somebody's been spending too much time in New Jersey and Oregon - is this some kind of stupid "job creation" idea? That's what the bill's name reads like.  :pan:

https://kbjr6.com/2020/02/10/legislation-filed-to-ban-pumping-your-own-gas-in-illinois/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KBJR_6&fbclid=IwAR23dmEOMq6sNQpMylCKCkf4KeE3UZugnyu-VGWvmExGgvBJ9aGQ57oiWe4

I cannot stress how much of people's time this would waste.  We have plenty of actual problems we need to solve.  This bill endeavors to solve a problem that doesn't exist.  I absolutely loathe this idea.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 10, 2020, 10:44:19 PM
Sounds like someone is trying to add further incentive to buy gas in neighboring states.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on February 11, 2020, 08:23:19 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 10, 2020, 10:44:19 PM
Sounds like someone is trying to add further incentive to buy gas in neighboring states.

No kidding.  Let me know if this has any chance at passing.  I'll bulldoze my house and build a gas station and retire a millionaire in a couple years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on February 11, 2020, 09:26:48 AM
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/editorials/ct-edit-jane-byrne-interchange-idot-illinois-museum-chicago-20200210-sii7hqkpnbbm3ieev273e7n7gi-story.html

A somewhat humorous, but also sadly very true, article about the Burn/Circle Interchange reconstruction. I think the most telling part is what is below. Being in the city, this construction has caused an already bad spot to really become a nightmare, and the traffic backups that are caused cannot be stated enough.

QuoteLong ago – September 2013 – the Illinois Department of Transportation started rebuilding what's now called the Jane Byrne Interchange. IDOT officials called the then-Circle Interchange the most congested crossroads in the nation, serving 400,000 motorists a day. The project, begun with reconstruction of the Morgan Street bridge, would take 4½ years – until June 2018 – and cost $535.5 million.

That was then. The schedule at the museum site has slow-w-wed to a crawl, and everything is much more expensive. The Tribune's Mary Wisniewski and Joe Mahr now report that the estimated cost keeps rising, currently to $796.5 million, according to an IDOT report. And springtime will bring Construction Season Eight: Wisniewski and Mahr say the state expects to finish the project by Nov. 1, 2022.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on February 12, 2020, 08:12:09 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 10, 2020, 10:44:19 PM
Sounds like someone is trying to add further incentive to buy gas in neighboring states.

I used to live in St Louis. Gasoline is significantly cheaper in Missouri. My coworkers would all buy gas on South Broadway (I worked near the brewery) before heading back to Illinois.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 13, 2020, 10:19:03 AM
Quote from: skluth on February 12, 2020, 08:12:09 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 10, 2020, 10:44:19 PM
Sounds like someone is trying to add further incentive to buy gas in neighboring states.

I used to live in St Louis. Gasoline is significantly cheaper in Missouri. My coworkers would all buy gas on South Broadway (I worked near the brewery) before heading back to Illinois.

Gas in Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky are all cheaper generally speaking than Illinois.

But also consider Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky don't have populations, industry and GDP the size of Illinois either.  That is why they collectively have fewer interstate miles to support. But these states aren't nearly as broke as Illinois either.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 13, 2020, 12:12:36 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on February 13, 2020, 10:19:03 AM
Quote from: skluth on February 12, 2020, 08:12:09 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 10, 2020, 10:44:19 PM
Sounds like someone is trying to add further incentive to buy gas in neighboring states.

I used to live in St Louis. Gasoline is significantly cheaper in Missouri. My coworkers would all buy gas on South Broadway (I worked near the brewery) before heading back to Illinois.

Gas in Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky are all cheaper generally speaking than Illinois.

But also consider Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky don't have populations, industry and GDP the size of Illinois either.  That is why they collectively have fewer interstate miles to support. But these states aren't nearly as broke as Illinois either.

They also don't see the need to soak residents or travelers as much as Illinois either.  Hell, fuel is cheaper in Wisconsin and Iowa as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on February 13, 2020, 01:14:14 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on February 13, 2020, 10:19:03 AM
Gas in Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky are all cheaper generally speaking than Illinois.

I once hitched a ride from a guy on I-57 in Tuscola who was headed home to Michigan.  He told me his goal is always to make it from Kentucky to NW Indiana without filling up with gas, so as to avoid the higher price of gas.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on February 13, 2020, 01:27:59 PM
Call me crazy, but I find gas cheaper in Effingham or at the IL 1 exit on I-64 than over in Terre Haute on I-70 or Evansville on I-64

Gas ain't always cheaper in Indiana
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on February 14, 2020, 05:37:09 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

Overdue, should've been done years ago.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: machias on February 14, 2020, 08:05:15 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways

Being a fairly new resident of Illinois, when I'm out driving on the prairie I'm always wondering why the two-lane rural roads are posted at 55 MPH. They could easily be 70 MPH without any issues.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on February 14, 2020, 09:07:39 AM
Quote from: machias on February 14, 2020, 08:05:15 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways

Being a fairly new resident of Illinois, when I'm out driving on the prairie I'm always wondering why the two-lane rural roads are posted at 55 MPH. They could easily be 70 MPH without any issues.

No brainer to me, raise it to 75 MPH, and it should be 60-65 on two lane rural roads!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Life in Paradise on February 14, 2020, 01:25:18 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on February 14, 2020, 09:07:39 AM
Quote from: machias on February 14, 2020, 08:05:15 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways

Being a fairly new resident of Illinois, when I'm out driving on the prairie I'm always wondering why the two-lane rural roads are posted at 55 MPH. They could easily be 70 MPH without any issues.

No brainer to me, raise it to 75 MPH, and it should be 60-65 on two lane rural roads!
Prior to the gas crisis of the early 70s, a lot of rural two lane roads were 65.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 14, 2020, 01:38:51 PM
Quote from: Life in Paradise on February 14, 2020, 01:25:18 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on February 14, 2020, 09:07:39 AM
Quote from: machias on February 14, 2020, 08:05:15 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways

Being a fairly new resident of Illinois, when I'm out driving on the prairie I'm always wondering why the two-lane rural roads are posted at 55 MPH. They could easily be 70 MPH without any issues.

No brainer to me, raise it to 75 MPH, and it should be 60-65 on two lane rural roads!
Prior to the gas crisis of the early 70s, a lot of rural two lane roads were 65.

Interesting because for the first time in a long time, there is a small trend upward in death by crashes.  While the speed zealots say its rising speed limits, real research is showing causes around driver distraction, namely cell phones.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on February 14, 2020, 02:52:22 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
From the article:

Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.

What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

65 mph is currently only allowed on highways "that are designated by the Department, have at least 4 lanes of traffic, and have a separation between the roadways moving in opposite directions" [625 ILCS 5/11-601 (d) (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-601)].  Failing any of those criteria, the highest allowable speed limit is 55 mph.  That, for example, is why the four-lane section of US-45 between Harrisburg and Muddy cannot presently be 65 mph:  there is no "separation between the roadways".

The text of SB-2564 (https://legiscan.com/IL/text/SB2564/2019) would change the 55 to 60.  Therefore, not only would regular two-lane highways be allowed to bump up to 60 mph, but so would single-roadway four-lane highways like the section of US-45 I mentioned.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 19, 2020, 11:00:23 PM
Couple items in IDOT's current Professional Transportation Bulletin (http://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Bulletins-&-Circulars/Highways/Design-and-Environment/PTB-195/PTB%20195r.pdf) stand out:

* Item 4:  Westbound I-190 from Bessie Coleman Drive to I-90 & I-190 Design Corridor Management, Phase II Engineering Services

* Item 13:   IL 120 from west of IL 83 to east of US 45, Phase I Engineering Project, Lake County

* Item 20:  US Route 20 at Shales Parkway, Phase I Engineering.
QuotePhase  I  engineering  services  are  required  for  all  work  associated  with  the  completion  of  preliminary  engineering  and environmental  studies  for  the  installation  of  an  interchange  of  US  Route 20 (US 20) at Shales Parkway.   US 20 at Shales is currently an intersection controlled by a traffic signal.   The study area is expected to encompass US 20 from west of Villa Street and to east of Illinois Route 59.

* Item 28:  I-80/I-74 Interchange Structure Replacement with Ramp Modifications South of Colona, Phase I/II Engineering.  The note on Value Engineering (required for projects over a certain size - $25 million currently?) makes this sound like more than simply replacing the bridge.

* Item 38 - FAP  653  (IL  18)  over  the  Illinois  River,  Phase  I  and  II  Engineering Services

* Item 63: I-57/64  Interchange  at  IL  15,   Phase  I/II  Engineering  Services
QuotePhase   I   and   II   Engineering   Services   are   required   to   perform   work   associated   for   the   reconstruction  of  the  I-57/64  Interchange at  IL  15  in  Mt.  Vernon,  Jefferson  County.    The interchange type has yet to be determined.




There's also a listing of possible upcoming proposals. (http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Bulletins-&-Circulars/Highways/Design-and-Environment/FY%2020%20and%2021%20Estimated%20PTB%20Project%20Advertisements%2020200207.pdf)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on February 24, 2020, 09:42:07 PM
Just drove IL-47 from Morris en route to West Dundee recently, for the first time in a long time, and imagine my displeasure in seeing that a SECOND unnecessary roundabout was placed on the route.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on February 25, 2020, 12:09:34 AM
Slowly trying to get US-20 converted into the actual Elgin-O'Hare
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on February 25, 2020, 12:11:09 AM
Quote from: ET21 on February 25, 2020, 12:09:34 AM
Slowly trying to get US-20 converted into the actual Elgin-O'Hare
the website is down
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on February 25, 2020, 12:14:45 AM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on February 25, 2020, 12:11:09 AM
Quote from: ET21 on February 25, 2020, 12:09:34 AM
Slowly trying to get US-20 converted into the actual Elgin-O'Hare
the website is down

Not sure what you mean by website is down? I'm just noting the fact that between the Tollway and these studies, we're closing that gap between the Elgin bypass and the west end of IL-390
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 25, 2020, 12:15:42 PM
Quote from: ET21 on February 25, 2020, 12:09:34 AM
Slowly trying to get US-20 converted into the actual Elgin-O'Hare

It's not just Shales Parkway, its Sayer Road, Lambert Road,  frontage road access to Monarch and Horizon Drive, a cemetery, and a public works garage (Streamwood).

Lambert Road will be required to have a frontage road access for fire safety purposes if no ramps are made.

This will probably force a new bridge over the CN to accommodate the planned widening.

Shales Parkway south, actually Bluff City Boulevard, is connected to several major industrial activities with large trucks. Copart Auto recycle, a quarry, and others all the way to Bartlett Road, which has weight restrictions, forcing most heavy trucks up to US 20. If this gets approved to move forward, it will make a great update to the EOH thread.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on February 29, 2020, 11:14:16 PM
Early work (temp signals and temp lighting) has started for the widening of Lake Cook Road through the Buffalo Grove - IL 83 - Weiland Road cluster.

(posted in the correct thread this time).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 01, 2020, 06:15:20 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 29, 2020, 11:14:16 PM
Early work (temp signals and temp lighting) has started for the widening of Lake Cook Road through the Buffalo Grove - IL 83 - Weiland Road cluster.

(posted in the correct thread this time).

Wasn't that supposed to have started last year? Either way, it's sorely needed, though that will be a mess until that is done. I used to drive through there daily, and traffic was always a mess.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 02, 2020, 08:41:01 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways


What 2 lane roads are truly flat in IL? Because I haven't yet driven on any.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Georgia on March 02, 2020, 09:00:51 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 02, 2020, 08:41:01 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways


What 2 lane roads are truly flat in IL? Because I haven't yet driven on any.

IL-1 from Paris north is pretty flat. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on March 02, 2020, 01:55:10 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 02, 2020, 08:41:01 AM
What 2 lane roads are truly flat in IL? Because I haven't yet driven on any.

Take a look at US136 in central Illinois.  From just west of Rantoul, west to Mason County, there isn't a single noticeable curve.  I'm talking horizontal curves, of course, but a lack of topography is generally allows roads to continue so straight for so long.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 02, 2020, 10:34:08 PM
Plenty of flat roads in Illinois.  Not that being flat should always be a qualification for posted above 55, as it doesn't stop other states.  Nor does it stop a lot of traffic from routinely driving two lane roads in Illinois at 65 or more today.

Two lane state highways in Illinois used to be 65 before everything got messed up in the 1970's.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 03, 2020, 12:03:56 AM
Quote from: Georgia on March 02, 2020, 09:00:51 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 02, 2020, 08:41:01 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways


What 2 lane roads are truly flat in IL? Because I haven't yet driven on any.

IL-1 from Paris north is pretty flat.
IL 1 actually was the road I had in mind, thinking a 70 MPH speed limit would be fine for a good chunk of its mileage. I have made the Danville-Kankakee run multiple times. Heck, even Norris City to I-64/Grayville is pretty flat and straight for Southern IL standards...but thats a little looser than Central IL standards on straight and flat
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 04, 2020, 08:33:51 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 03, 2020, 12:03:56 AM
Quote from: Georgia on March 02, 2020, 09:00:51 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 02, 2020, 08:41:01 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways


What 2 lane roads are truly flat in IL? Because I haven't yet driven on any.

IL-1 from Paris north is pretty flat.
Heck, even Norris City to I-64/Grayville is pretty flat and straight for Southern IL standards...but thats a little looser than Central IL standards on straight and flat


Interstates are flat intentionally as they are usually routed along the flattest terrain in any given area. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 04, 2020, 10:04:59 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 04, 2020, 08:33:51 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 03, 2020, 12:03:56 AM
Quote from: Georgia on March 02, 2020, 09:00:51 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 02, 2020, 08:41:01 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways


What 2 lane roads are truly flat in IL? Because I haven't yet driven on any.

IL-1 from Paris north is pretty flat.
Heck, even Norris City to I-64/Grayville is pretty flat and straight for Southern IL standards...but thats a little looser than Central IL standards on straight and flat


Interstates are flat intentionally as they are usually routed along the flattest terrain in any given area.

This is somewhat incorrect.

Some DOT's in order to save money in urban based interstate builds would not elevate the entire highway. So within a distance of 5-10 miles you could have a very up and down highway that is most definitely not flat even though the surrounding ground level is.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US71 on March 04, 2020, 10:34:02 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 04, 2020, 10:04:59 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 04, 2020, 08:33:51 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 03, 2020, 12:03:56 AM
Quote from: Georgia on March 02, 2020, 09:00:51 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 02, 2020, 08:41:01 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on February 14, 2020, 07:26:41 AM
Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on February 14, 2020, 01:41:01 AM
http://newschannel20.com/news/local/proposed-bill-would-increase-interstate-speed-limit

What do you guys think about raising the speed limit to 75 mph on Illinois's interstates?

From the article:
Quote from: NewsChannelABC20
Senate Bill 2564 would raise the speed limits from 55 mph to 60 mph on non-interstate highways and Senate Bill 2565 which would raise the speed limits from 70 mph to 75 mph on interstates outside urban areas.
What the crap is SB2564 saying? Is that for 2 Lane State Highways? Illinois already has 65 MPH Speed Limits on 4 Lane Rural Divided Highways - IL 13 and US 45 4-Lane sections in Southeastern IL immediately come to mind

Heck, I would be fine with 65-70 MPH speed limits on rural 2-lane state highways. Having driven plenty of straight, flat asphalt 2-lane highways in IL, 55 MPH is severely under-posted. Obviously, lower speed limits should apply when approaching and entering towns on said rural highways


What 2 lane roads are truly flat in IL? Because I haven't yet driven on any.

IL-1 from Paris north is pretty flat.
Heck, even Norris City to I-64/Grayville is pretty flat and straight for Southern IL standards...but thats a little looser than Central IL standards on straight and flat


Interstates are flat intentionally as they are usually routed along the flattest terrain in any given area.

This is somewhat incorrect.

Some DOT's in order to save money in urban based interstate builds would not elevate the entire highway. So within a distance of 5-10 miles you could have a very up and down highway that is most definitely not flat even though the surrounding ground level is.

If memory serves correct, they are limited to a certain percentage of grade.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 04, 2020, 06:23:03 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 04, 2020, 08:33:51 AM
Interstates are flat intentionally as they are usually routed along the flattest terrain in any given area. 

Probably not true, otherwise there would be more interstates in floodplains.  The reroute of I-44 west of Rolla, MO may be the best example.  The new route has more hills than the previously flatter alignment with 55 mph curves,  which was next to what Google Maps calls 'Arlington Outer Road'. (https://goo.gl/maps/K7wTmTcRo6dEMn6r5)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ozarkman417 on March 04, 2020, 08:01:03 PM
Can't be too hard to have a flat interstate there, given Illinois is the second flattest state, behind Florida.

In other news, a plane crash closed I-55 around MM 126 due to a plane crash that killed three. They have been identified. Much of 55 is flat and straight in IL, so it makes for a good emergency runway, if you don't take in to account the cars. STL Post-Dispatch story (https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-identify-men-killed-in-plane-crash-on-interstate-in/article_bac3fb87-acc1-58e8-88ac-8f35427883d0.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 04, 2020, 08:42:08 PM
Quote from: ozarkman417 on March 04, 2020, 08:01:03 PM
Can't be too hard to have a flat interstate there, given Illinois is the second flattest state, behind Florida.

This is false, Louisiana and Mississippi are definitely flatter, both those states have maximum elevations that are lower than the mean elevation here in IL. They also probably have no steep grades like what is here in IL.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: GeekJedi on March 04, 2020, 08:55:42 PM
I was in Rockford yesterday, and it looks like they may be changing the IL-2 interchange with US-20 to a diamond configuration. Going WB, the SB loop ramp to IL-2 is closed in place of a single ramp with new directional arrows for Dixon and Rockford.

The on-ramp from IL-2 NB/SB to US-20 EB is now a single EB ramp as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on March 04, 2020, 10:31:07 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on March 01, 2020, 06:15:20 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on February 29, 2020, 11:14:16 PM
Early work (temp signals and temp lighting) has started for the widening of Lake Cook Road through the Buffalo Grove - IL 83 - Weiland Road cluster.

(posted in the correct thread this time).

Wasn't that supposed to have started last year? Either way, it's sorely needed, though that will be a mess until that is done. I used to drive through there daily, and traffic was always a mess.

Any information on when that construction is supposed to last?

Also, ditto on it being needed. The road condition where it narrows is also quite terrible.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: StogieGuy7 on March 05, 2020, 01:09:01 PM
Quote from: ozarkman417 on March 04, 2020, 08:01:03 PM
Can't be too hard to have a flat interstate there, given Illinois is the second flattest state, behind Florida.

Delaware is flatter than Illinois too. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on March 05, 2020, 07:59:27 PM
Quote from: GeekJedi on March 04, 2020, 08:55:42 PM
I was in Rockford yesterday, and it looks like they may be changing the IL-2 interchange with US-20 to a diamond configuration. Going WB, the SB loop ramp to IL-2 is closed in place of a single ramp with new directional arrows for Dixon and Rockford.

The on-ramp from IL-2 NB/SB to US-20 EB is now a single EB ramp as well.

https://www.rrstar.com/news/20190414/rockford-area-motorists-can-expect-delays-throughout-us-20-il-2-construction (https://www.rrstar.com/news/20190414/rockford-area-motorists-can-expect-delays-throughout-us-20-il-2-construction)

Correct, this was a long-overdue project that is finally getting done.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on March 06, 2020, 08:31:52 AM
Another arrest. It cost a 5000 bribe to get your project. Sandoval is singing.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 07, 2020, 12:11:22 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 04, 2020, 08:42:08 PM
Quote from: ozarkman417 on March 04, 2020, 08:01:03 PM
Can't be too hard to have a flat interstate there, given Illinois is the second flattest state, behind Florida.

This is false, Louisiana and Mississippi are definitely flatter, both those states have maximum elevations that are lower than the mean elevation here in IL. They also probably have no steep grades like what is here in IL.
Actually...

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/03/science-several-us-states-led-by-florida-are-flatter-than-a-pancake/284348/

https://www.disruptivegeo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/FlatMap_GeographicalReview_DobsonCampbell_2013Nov.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Stephane Dumas on March 07, 2020, 01:50:56 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 07, 2020, 12:11:22 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 04, 2020, 08:42:08 PM
Quote from: ozarkman417 on March 04, 2020, 08:01:03 PM
Can't be too hard to have a flat interstate there, given Illinois is the second flattest state, behind Florida.


This is false, Louisiana and Mississippi are definitely flatter, both those states have maximum elevations that are lower than the mean elevation here in IL. They also probably have no steep grades like what is here in IL.
Actually...

https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/03/science-several-us-states-led-by-florida-are-flatter-than-a-pancake/284348/

https://www.disruptivegeo.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/FlatMap_GeographicalReview_DobsonCampbell_2013Nov.pdf

If I could add my pinch of salt, there's some tropes about the mountains of Illinois.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheMountainsOfIllinois
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US71 on March 07, 2020, 03:55:41 PM
They have hills in Illinois: they're called grade separations or off-ramps ;)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 07, 2020, 11:00:28 PM
Parts (https://goo.gl/maps/yZFDZfsMdp28KWsg7) of (https://goo.gl/maps/ZTz6Z5rAR4hU17nz7) Illinois (https://goo.gl/maps/M3rKNe8jKj6RQWqW9) are (https://goo.gl/maps/h2iQXjB95GaWt2YQ6) far (https://goo.gl/maps/w2xBN26cpB4YBxpZ8) from (https://goo.gl/maps/FntCavfQ9SLpTp6D7) being (https://goo.gl/maps/J225B6q9NZeUo9cx6) flat (https://goo.gl/maps/fSHoVS5jQ2X43ef19).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 08, 2020, 01:11:53 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 07, 2020, 11:00:28 PM
Parts (https://goo.gl/maps/yZFDZfsMdp28KWsg7) of (https://goo.gl/maps/ZTz6Z5rAR4hU17nz7) Illinois (https://goo.gl/maps/M3rKNe8jKj6RQWqW9) are (https://goo.gl/maps/h2iQXjB95GaWt2YQ6) far (https://goo.gl/maps/w2xBN26cpB4YBxpZ8) from (https://goo.gl/maps/FntCavfQ9SLpTp6D7) being (https://goo.gl/maps/J225B6q9NZeUo9cx6) flat (https://goo.gl/maps/fSHoVS5jQ2X43ef19).

Most of those are the river valleys.
Another example (urban): https://goo.gl/maps/vtCMLSFo5gmKnCxk9
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 08, 2020, 08:18:01 AM
doesn't get any flatter than this (https://goo.gl/maps/rDnxkxL52zJLRuUU8)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on March 08, 2020, 12:14:50 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 08, 2020, 08:18:01 AM
doesn't get any flatter than this (https://goo.gl/maps/rDnxkxL52zJLRuUU8)

It's also very rugged in the south end of the state, south of about I-64.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 08, 2020, 05:01:42 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on March 08, 2020, 12:14:50 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 08, 2020, 08:18:01 AM
doesn't get any flatter than this (https://goo.gl/maps/rDnxkxL52zJLRuUU8)

It's also very rugged in the south end of the state, south of about I-64.

Mike

That, like the NW corner of the state, was never glaciated.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 09, 2020, 06:45:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on March 08, 2020, 01:11:53 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 07, 2020, 11:00:28 PM
Parts (https://goo.gl/maps/yZFDZfsMdp28KWsg7) of (https://goo.gl/maps/ZTz6Z5rAR4hU17nz7) Illinois (https://goo.gl/maps/M3rKNe8jKj6RQWqW9) are (https://goo.gl/maps/h2iQXjB95GaWt2YQ6) far (https://goo.gl/maps/w2xBN26cpB4YBxpZ8) from (https://goo.gl/maps/FntCavfQ9SLpTp6D7) being (https://goo.gl/maps/J225B6q9NZeUo9cx6) flat (https://goo.gl/maps/fSHoVS5jQ2X43ef19).

Most of those are the river valleys.
Another example (urban): https://goo.gl/maps/vtCMLSFo5gmKnCxk9


Doesn't matter if it's a river valley, still isn't flat. You can even see this when driving down I55.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on March 09, 2020, 09:26:28 AM
Most of Illinois is remarkably devoid of noticeable changes in elevation.  Attempts to refute this fact are denials of reality, or failures to understand how Illinois compares to other places around the world.  There will be a few exceptions to this rule, but they do not disprove the overall trend.  Do we need all of an entire state to be the exact same elevation to call it "flat"?  No, because when we say "Illinois is flat," we say "flat" as a relative, not an absolute, term.  We don't even say "flattest," because it isn't even the flattest state.  But Illinois is flat.  It isn't debatable.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 09, 2020, 10:13:12 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.
The 3 Laning of I-57 near Johnston City in Southern Illinois is still ongoing, and will be in the area until 57 is 3 Lanes per side between Mount Vernon/I-64 and Marion/I-24

Also, depending on time of day and weekday vs weekend travel, that section between Mount Vernon and Marion can be a "fun"  drive. Lots of trucks on the weekdays, since this stretch is both the NE/SW (I-57) route AND the SE/NW (I-24/64) route

Kankakee to Mount Vernon is a pretty sleep inducing drive, tho. Not quite as bad as I-80 in Nebraska, but not a whole lot going on either, except that giant Effingham Cross

Taking I-57 (and its Future segments) for the whole trip, to Little Rock and onto Hot Springs?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 11:09:57 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 09, 2020, 10:13:12 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.
The 3 Laning of I-57 near Johnston City in Southern Illinois is still ongoing, and will be in the area until 57 is 3 Lanes per side between Mount Vernon/I-64 and Marion/I-24

Also, depending on time of day and weekday vs weekend travel, that section between Mount Vernon and Marion can be a "fun"  drive. Lots of trucks on the weekdays, since this stretch is both the NE/SW (I-57) route AND the SE/NW (I-24/64) route

Kankakee to Mount Vernon is a pretty sleep inducing drive, tho. Not quite as bad as I-80 in Nebraska, but not a whole lot going on either, except that giant Effingham Cross

Taking I-57 (and its Future segments) for the whole trip, to Little Rock and onto Hot Springs?

In my years of riding with my dad to and from Tennessee, I've seen how much I-57 has to offer (which we both agree isn't much). I didn't know they were widening I-57 outside of the concurrencies with I-70 and I-64, which will come in handy because of what you said. It shouldn't be too much of a problem going to HS (leaving early Sunday), but we'll hedge our bets when we return on Thursday.

If I were going it alone, I would definitely drive the portions of what will someday be the extension of I-57, but my wife won't have any of that. So I-57>I-55>I-40 will have to be the way to go. One day though...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 10, 2020, 05:50:01 AM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 11:09:57 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 09, 2020, 10:13:12 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.
The 3 Laning of I-57 near Johnston City in Southern Illinois is still ongoing, and will be in the area until 57 is 3 Lanes per side between Mount Vernon/I-64 and Marion/I-24

Also, depending on time of day and weekday vs weekend travel, that section between Mount Vernon and Marion can be a "fun"  drive. Lots of trucks on the weekdays, since this stretch is both the NE/SW (I-57) route AND the SE/NW (I-24/64) route

Kankakee to Mount Vernon is a pretty sleep inducing drive, tho. Not quite as bad as I-80 in Nebraska, but not a whole lot going on either, except that giant Effingham Cross

Taking I-57 (and its Future segments) for the whole trip, to Little Rock and onto Hot Springs?

In my years of riding with my dad to and from Tennessee, I've seen how much I-57 has to offer (which we both agree isn't much). I didn't know they were widening I-57 outside of the concurrencies with I-70 and I-64, which will come in handy because of what you said. It shouldn't be too much of a problem going to HS (leaving early Sunday), but we'll hedge our bets when we return on Thursday.

If I were going it alone, I would definitely drive the portions of what will someday be the extension of I-57, but my wife won't have any of that. So I-57>I-55>I-40 will have to be the way to go. One day though...

Having driven it, I'd recommend US-60 to US-67 instead.  It's mostly divided highway (and freeway at that in Arkansas), and cuts off the I-55/I-40 corner near Memphis.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 10, 2020, 07:34:55 AM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 11:09:57 PM
In my years of riding with my dad to and from Tennessee, I've seen how much I-57 has to offer (which we both agree isn't much). I didn't know they were widening I-57 outside of the concurrencies with I-70 and I-64, which will come in handy because of what you said. It shouldn't be too much of a problem going to HS (leaving early Sunday), but we'll hedge our bets when we return on Thursday.
Having lived down in Carbondale for 4 years now, and seeing the number of times I-57 gets closed on the Mt Vernon/Marion segment due to wrecks w/ fatalities, and even driving it weekdays, trucks doing 65-70 and passenger cars doing 75-85 weaving among the heavy truck traffic, can and does get ugly.

Once traffic hits the forks in Mt Vernon with 64 and Marion with 24 (where the NW/SE route traffic exits), more "normal"  rural interstate traffic levels resume and 57 is easy driving

I try to avoid it Locally, using 127 to 64 to go to North to St Louis and points west, 51 up to 50 to reach I-57 up to Chicago, and IL 13->US 45->IL 1 up to 64 near the IN state line to go points east. IMHO all are much easier and less stressful drives

Coming all the way from NW Indiana, I'd have a hard time recommending IL 1 or US 41 over I-57, tho

AFA the overall I-57 widening process in the area...I believe Johnston City to West Frankfort is the current construction zone. North to Benton is after that. From Johnston City to Marion is already done. IDOT is doing it in pieces. I assume the segment between Benton and Ina will be the most challenging and expensive, with Rend Lake being right there...I'm sure there are extra environmental concerns there, especially since Rend Lake is the water supply for much of Southern Illinois, in addition to the extra engineering concerns of where 57 crosses the lake
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 10, 2020, 10:51:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on March 04, 2020, 08:55:42 PM
I was in Rockford yesterday, and it looks like they may be changing the IL-2 interchange with US-20 to a diamond configuration. Going WB, the SB loop ramp to IL-2 is closed in place of a single ramp with new directional arrows for Dixon and Rockford.

The on-ramp from IL-2 NB/SB to US-20 EB is now a single EB ramp as well.

I saw that this past weekend. I wonder if they'll do the same for the IL-251/US-20 interchange. I think the IL-2 was prioritized due to heavier volumes of traffic.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChimpOnTheWheel on March 10, 2020, 12:57:58 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 10, 2020, 07:34:55 AM
Coming all the way from NW Indiana, I'd have a hard time recommending IL 1 or US 41 over I-57, tho
I can recommend US 41. When I went to Atlanta a few years ago from Chicago, I took US 41 from St. Johns (Indiana) to Evansville, then I-69 to I-24. Smooth sailing pretty much the whole way, 60 mph throughout. (We drove at 70 pretty much)

If I were going from NW Indiana, I'd take US 41 over I-57 or I-65 anyday. Then to get to I-57 I'd probably cut over from I-64 or something.

Off topic though.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on March 10, 2020, 01:47:02 PM
Quote from: ChimpOnTheWheel on March 10, 2020, 12:57:58 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 10, 2020, 07:34:55 AM
Coming all the way from NW Indiana, I'd have a hard time recommending IL 1 or US 41 over I-57, tho
I can recommend US 41. When I went to Atlanta a few years ago from Chicago, I took US 41 from St. Johns (Indiana) to Evansville, then I-69 to I-24. Smooth sailing pretty much the whole way, 60 mph throughout. (We drove at 70 pretty much)

If I were going from NW Indiana, I'd take US 41 over I-57 or I-65 anyday. Then to get to I-57 I'd probably cut over from I-64 or something.

Off topic though.


I have taken both routes multiple times.  US-41 is a breeze, but you are going to slow down through Terre Haute and Henderson, as well as the remaining stop lights along the way.

I-65 is a pain in the ass, but it will get you there quicker.  Google says 10h 30m, which is about 20 minutes faster than US-41.  Intuitively this makes sense.  When I have had time to kill, I would take US-41.

I-57 isn't even worth discussing.  It takes an additional 20 minutes than the US-41 routing, and will be more crowded as well.

From Chicago, I-65 is still the best option speed wise, but I-57 becomes more viable.

From Rockford, I-57 is by far the best option.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Paulinator66 on March 10, 2020, 01:55:56 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.

https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/RoadConstruction/index.html (https://www.gettingaroundillinois.com/RoadConstruction/index.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Paulinator66 on March 10, 2020, 02:18:43 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.

Google maps says taking I-55 down through St. Louis and then picking up US 67 at Festus, MO into Little Rock only adds 8 miles and 18 minutes. You'd be traveling on the future I-57 corridor AND you'd be trading the boring I-57 drive for the equally boring I-55 drive.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 10, 2020, 03:32:19 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 08, 2020, 08:18:01 AM
doesn't get any flatter than this (https://goo.gl/maps/rDnxkxL52zJLRuUU8)

I'm still pissed that IDOT tore down the observation tower that used to be there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 10, 2020, 09:50:31 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on March 10, 2020, 02:18:43 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.

Google maps says taking I-55 down through St. Louis and then picking up US 67 at Festus, MO into Little Rock only adds 8 miles and 18 minutes. You'd be traveling on the future I-57 corridor AND you'd be trading the boring I-57 drive for the equally boring I-55 drive.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0)

I55 isn't that bad, there are parts in sections of Montgomery, McLean and Livingston Counties that are a bit boring but not a snooze fest.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 10, 2020, 10:13:00 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 10, 2020, 09:50:31 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on March 10, 2020, 02:18:43 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.

Google maps says taking I-55 down through St. Louis and then picking up US 67 at Festus, MO into Little Rock only adds 8 miles and 18 minutes. You'd be traveling on the future I-57 corridor AND you'd be trading the boring I-57 drive for the equally boring I-55 drive.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0)

I55 isn't that bad, there are parts in sections of Montgomery, McLean and Livingston Counties that are a bit boring but not a snooze fest.
I agree...I-55 isn't nearly the snooze fest I-57 is thru Central Illinois
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 10, 2020, 10:18:18 PM
^ I probably wouldn't take I-55 north of Bloomington right now, given that construction is starting up again south of Arsenal Road (losing half an hour here is not out of the question), sometime this year it appears there will be a head to head section between IL 113 and IL 47, and there will be another head to head section resuming sometime around Pontiac.  Then there's the full I-255 closure around St. Louis, wiping out the main alternative if something goes wrong with the PSB.  If you reach St. Louis during the afternoon rush, I-55 used to get fairly heavy north of the interchange with US 67 at Festus.

I think I-57 has construction as well, particularly south of I-64, but I'm not as familiar with any other projects that might still be going on elsewhere.  At least last fall there was a fairly heavy work zone or two near Kankakee.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 10, 2020, 10:21:02 PM
According to the IDOT map, IDOT is working on I-57 between Marion and Cairo also, but I haven't had a reason to drive down to Cairo or on over to Sikeston lately, so no first hand knowledge of that segment of 57

Nothing crazy enough to make the morning traffic reports on the radio, anyway
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 11, 2020, 03:17:25 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 10, 2020, 10:13:00 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 10, 2020, 09:50:31 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on March 10, 2020, 02:18:43 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.

Google maps says taking I-55 down through St. Louis and then picking up US 67 at Festus, MO into Little Rock only adds 8 miles and 18 minutes. You'd be traveling on the future I-57 corridor AND you'd be trading the boring I-57 drive for the equally boring I-55 drive.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0)

I55 isn't that bad, there are parts in sections of Montgomery, McLean and Livingston Counties that are a bit boring but not a snooze fest.
I agree...I-55 isn't nearly the snooze fest I-57 is thru Central Illinois

At least you're not on I-39 from Lasalle / Peru to Bloomington.  Zzzzzz
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 11, 2020, 07:18:03 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 11, 2020, 03:17:25 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 10, 2020, 10:13:00 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 10, 2020, 09:50:31 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on March 10, 2020, 02:18:43 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.

Google maps says taking I-55 down through St. Louis and then picking up US 67 at Festus, MO into Little Rock only adds 8 miles and 18 minutes. You'd be traveling on the future I-57 corridor AND you'd be trading the boring I-57 drive for the equally boring I-55 drive.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0)

I55 isn't that bad, there are parts in sections of Montgomery, McLean and Livingston Counties that are a bit boring but not a snooze fest.
I agree...I-55 isn't nearly the snooze fest I-57 is thru Central Illinois

At least you're not on I-39 from Lasalle / PeruRockford to Bloomington.  Zzzzzz
FIXED!!! :awesomeface: :bigass:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on March 11, 2020, 07:42:19 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 11, 2020, 07:18:03 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 11, 2020, 03:17:25 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 10, 2020, 10:13:00 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 10, 2020, 09:50:31 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on March 10, 2020, 02:18:43 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.

Google maps says taking I-55 down through St. Louis and then picking up US 67 at Festus, MO into Little Rock only adds 8 miles and 18 minutes. You'd be traveling on the future I-57 corridor AND you'd be trading the boring I-57 drive for the equally boring I-55 drive.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0)

I55 isn't that bad, there are parts in sections of Montgomery, McLean and Livingston Counties that are a bit boring but not a snooze fest.
I agree...I-55 isn't nearly the snooze fest I-57 is thru Central Illinois

At least you're not on I-39 from Lasalle / PeruRockford to Bloomington.  Zzzzzz
FIXED!!! :awesomeface: :bigass:


The Northern IL portion (Winnebago, Ogle, Lee, LaSalle Co) of it has hills and Rock formations to look at so it's not a snooze fest by any means.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 13, 2020, 10:27:02 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 11, 2020, 07:18:03 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 11, 2020, 03:17:25 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 10, 2020, 10:13:00 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on March 10, 2020, 09:50:31 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on March 10, 2020, 02:18:43 PM
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on March 09, 2020, 09:49:03 PM
I'm on my way to Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a road trip, and the majority of the trip involves almost all of I-57 in the state. Any construction projects I should be aware of as I traverse the state? Thank you in advance.

Google maps says taking I-55 down through St. Louis and then picking up US 67 at Festus, MO into Little Rock only adds 8 miles and 18 minutes. You'd be traveling on the future I-57 corridor AND you'd be trading the boring I-57 drive for the equally boring I-55 drive.

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0 (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hot+Springs,+Arkansas/Chicago,+IL/@37.0302596,-90.0149677,7z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x87cd2a9388325047:0xbaa8bef944021e0d!2m2!1d-93.0551795!2d34.5037004!1m5!1m1!1s0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000!2m2!1d-87.6297982!2d41.8781136!3e0)

I55 isn't that bad, there are parts in sections of Montgomery, McLean and Livingston Counties that are a bit boring but not a snooze fest.
I agree...I-55 isn't nearly the snooze fest I-57 is thru Central Illinois

At least you're not on I-39 from Lasalle / Peru to Bloomington.  Zzzzzz
FIXED!!! :awesomeface: :bigass:

RETURNED TO PERFECTION

The southern portion of 39 is WAY worse than the northern portion.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Badger39 on March 14, 2020, 11:10:46 AM
BigRig Trucks posted a live Youtube video this week of driving from Rockford to Bloomington on I-39.  The road still appears to be in atrocious shape (although they did fix the lane-wide pothole on the southbound US 20 ramp south of Rockford).  There were several chat comments on the deplorable condition of the road.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 14, 2020, 03:57:31 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 13, 2020, 10:27:02 PM
The southern portion of 39 is WAY worse than the northern portion.
I guess it would be to the lay traveler. Being involved in the whole corridor prior to construction, I know all those little details, like the peat bog at Exit 48 that had to be dug out 30 feet and backfilled, the surveyors who were shot at along Six Turns Road near Wenona, the million dollar inspection well we needed to install for NICOR near Exit 8, the ATSF railroad wanting to raise the new highway overpass to 26 feet to allow their main line to be electrified (never happened) and several other intricate things that I am reminded of every time I drive it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 14, 2020, 06:11:33 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 14, 2020, 03:57:31 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 13, 2020, 10:27:02 PM
The southern portion of 39 is WAY worse than the northern portion.
I guess it would be to the lay traveler. Being involved in the whole corridor prior to construction, I know all those little details, like the peat bog at Exit 48 that had to be dug out 30 feet and backfilled, the surveyors who were shot at along Six Turns Road near Wenona, the million dollar inspection well we needed to install for NICOR near Exit 8, the ATSF railroad wanting to raise the new highway overpass to 26 feet to allow their main line to be electrified (never happened) and several other intricate things that I am reminded of every time I drive it.

Were you involved in the I-155 ROW dispute south of Morton? (it was somewhere between Morton and Hartsburg)

Maybe you could write a book, "IDOT's Greatest Hits & Other Road Building Mysteries"
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on March 14, 2020, 08:15:47 PM
Reminds me of Santa 've South of Monmouth. They complained and complained and got a beautiful new overpass. Seems to be common for the rails.

The original supplemental freeway plan ran what would be 39 along IL 2 26 89 then 121 to Decatur. That would have been a fun corridor to build.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 15, 2020, 11:29:00 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 14, 2020, 06:11:33 PM
Were you involved in the I-155 ROW dispute south of Morton? (it was somewhere between Morton and Hartsburg)

Maybe you could write a book, "IDOT's Greatest Hits & Other Road Building Mysteries"
I-155 was in Districts 4 and 5 at the time, and I worked in District 3. I did have a few conversations with people who were involved in the land acquisition for I-155. From what I understand, a lot of the corridor was owned by a few families, probably through trusts.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 12:00:06 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 15, 2020, 11:29:00 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 14, 2020, 06:11:33 PM
Were you involved in the I-155 ROW dispute south of Morton? (it was somewhere between Morton and Hartsburg)

Maybe you could write a book, "IDOT's Greatest Hits & Other Road Building Mysteries"
I-155 was in Districts 4 and 5 at the time, and I worked in District 3. I did have a few conversations with people who were involved in the land acquisition for I-155. From what I understand, a lot of the corridor was owned by a few families, probably through trusts.

I found your prior comment 5 years ago (!) on this subject.

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14485.msg2037024#msg2037024
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 12:11:22 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 14, 2020, 03:57:31 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 13, 2020, 10:27:02 PM
The southern portion of 39 is WAY worse than the northern portion.
the ATSF railroad wanting to raise the new highway overpass to 26 feet to allow their main line to be electrified (never happened) and several other intricate things that I am reminded of every time I drive it.

I am trying to reach a retired Santa Fe dispatcher on why they were considering electrification.  In Illinois, that is really odd.

As for odd design requirements, I noticed in the engineering diagrams for the probably defunct IL-336 west of Peoria, they included notes that the proposed bridge over the now removed Union Pacific tracks to Farmington had to maintain proper railroad clearances in the event the rails were put back in!

That is different because so far IDOT has not wasted much time removing interstate bridges over defunct railroad ROW's. With Illinois having so many fallen flags since the interstate system was built, it makes for a lot of bridges to maintain.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 16, 2020, 01:35:48 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 12:11:22 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 14, 2020, 03:57:31 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 13, 2020, 10:27:02 PM
The southern portion of 39 is WAY worse than the northern portion.
the ATSF railroad wanting to raise the new highway overpass to 26 feet to allow their main line to be electrified (never happened) and several other intricate things that I am reminded of every time I drive it.
That is different because so far IDOT has not wasted much time removing interstate bridges over defunct railroad ROW's. With Illinois having so many fallen flags since the interstate system was built, it makes for a lot of bridges to maintain.
A year or two ago IDOT removed a Railroad Under/Highway Overpass from IL 13 between Carbondale and Murphysboro...I believe it was an old branch line to Murphy off the Illinois Central (now Canadian National) Mainline. Trackage has been gone for awhile

IDOT D9 built a new single support pier under IL 13 where the overpasses were (one for each direction) and then filled in dirt/rock/whatever around it, then layed a new asphalt road where the overpasses used to be
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 01:57:47 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 16, 2020, 01:35:48 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 12:11:22 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 14, 2020, 03:57:31 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 13, 2020, 10:27:02 PM
The southern portion of 39 is WAY worse than the northern portion.
the ATSF railroad wanting to raise the new highway overpass to 26 feet to allow their main line to be electrified (never happened) and several other intricate things that I am reminded of every time I drive it.
That is different because so far IDOT has not wasted much time removing interstate bridges over defunct railroad ROW's. With Illinois having so many fallen flags since the interstate system was built, it makes for a lot of bridges to maintain.
A year or two ago IDOT removed a Railroad Under/Highway Overpass from IL 13 between Carbondale and Murphysboro...I believe it was an old branch line to Murphy off the Illinois Central (now Canadian National) Mainline. Trackage has been gone for awhile

IDOT D9 built a new single support pier under IL 13 where the overpasses were (one for each direction) and then filled in dirt/rock/whatever around it, then layed a new asphalt road where the overpasses used to be

I could probably have a separate thread on just bridge removals in Illinois alone.  My thoughts are just think how much truck diesel can be saved by removing all these bridges.

However IDOT doesn't always remove the grade (as you noted), simply removes the bridge and then fills them in.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 16, 2020, 02:12:36 PM
^^^^Exactly. The grade was left at the bridge removal I mentioned on IL 13. But at least bridge maintenance costs should lower, I would think
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 03:08:20 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 16, 2020, 01:35:48 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 12:11:22 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 14, 2020, 03:57:31 PM
Quote from: inkyatari on March 13, 2020, 10:27:02 PM
The southern portion of 39 is WAY worse than the northern portion.
the ATSF railroad wanting to raise the new highway overpass to 26 feet to allow their main line to be electrified (never happened) and several other intricate things that I am reminded of every time I drive it.
That is different because so far IDOT has not wasted much time removing interstate bridges over defunct railroad ROW's. With Illinois having so many fallen flags since the interstate system was built, it makes for a lot of bridges to maintain.
A year or two ago IDOT removed a Railroad Under/Highway Overpass from IL 13 between Carbondale and Murphysboro...I believe it was an old branch line to Murphy off the Illinois Central (now Canadian National) Mainline. Trackage has been gone for awhile

IDOT D9 built a new single support pier under IL 13 where the overpasses were (one for each direction) and then filled in dirt/rock/whatever around it, then layed a new asphalt road where the overpasses used to be

I think you may be confusing the new Wolf Creek Road exit ramps. The railroad was pulled out way, way before that and crossed a half mile to the east.

Yes, it was one of the many IC branch lines that serviced the various strip mines in the area and connected the Cairo Line with the Edgewood Cutoff.

Its now the Crab Orchard & Egyptian RR, owned by Progressive Rail. IDOT took out that crossing some 20+ years ago. When the Cambria Mine closed many moons ago the line was ripped out back to Ordill just south of IL-13.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 16, 2020, 06:53:38 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 12:11:22 PM

I am trying to reach a retired Santa Fe dispatcher on why they were considering electrification.  In Illinois, that is really odd.

As for odd design requirements, I noticed in the engineering diagrams for the probably defunct IL-336 west of Peoria, they included notes that the proposed bridge over the now removed Union Pacific tracks to Farmington had to maintain proper railroad clearances in the event the rails were put back in!

That is different because so far IDOT has not wasted much time removing interstate bridges over defunct railroad ROW's. With Illinois having so many fallen flags since the interstate system was built, it makes for a lot of bridges to maintain.

My dad was the railroad and utilities engineer for IDOT District 3 at the time. He isn't around anymore to ask for details, but he thought they were trying to get a few feet of extra clearance and using "future electrification" as a negotiating tool. I think it got run up the fed's flagpole, and when ATSF couldn't produce solid documentation of a plan to electrify, or at least start the design and procurement process within the next 10 years, IDOT dug its heels in and wouldn't give them any more than the standard 23 feet.

As far as providing for the future, if a rail line is abandoned during planning or construction, the approach has usually been to not build the bridge. On I-55 at the south end of Dwight, the old GM&O branch to Lacon and Washington was removed before I-55 went in and the highway remained at level. However, at Pontiac the old N&W between Fairbury and Streator wasn't quite abandoned and a bridge was designed, but the state was already moving dirt to accommodate the bridge. The abandonment came, and the embankment was already there, so they just filled in the space at the abandoned tracks where the bridge would have gone. One of my former co-workers named it "Mt. Livingston" in honor of Livingston County, and it stands today as a big hump in the road.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 08:48:26 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 16, 2020, 06:53:38 PM

As far as providing for the future, if a rail line is abandoned during planning or construction, the approach has usually been to not build the bridge. On I-55 at the south end of Dwight, the old GM&O branch to Lacon and Washington was removed before I-55 went in and the highway remained at level. However, at Pontiac the old N&W between Fairbury and Streator wasn't quite abandoned and a bridge was designed, but the state was already moving dirt to accommodate the bridge. The abandonment came, and the embankment was already there, so they just filled in the space at the abandoned tracks where the bridge would have gone. One of my former co-workers named it "Mt. Livingston" in honor of Livingston County, and it stands today as a big hump in the road.

Man, I can't tell you how many times I have driven over "Mt. Livingston" wondering how it got that way.  I knew there used to be a rail ROW (the powerlines give it away) but no bridge. I just figured you filled it in after they bolted.

An oddity is that IDOT is still maintaining a bridge over the former Illinois Terminal north of Lincoln on I-55. That line was taken out in the 1960's when they leased the Penn Central line from Morton to Decatur. There is the I-57 bridge over the long gone CM&G (later MILW) north of Kankakee. I could go on.

I think I could drive I-55 in my sleep.  Used to drive it during the days when IDOT was still weaving us on and off of US-66. I think the route between Gardner and Dwight was the final section we were waiting on them to finish. My dad and I used to play a game "where does US-66 stop and where does it start?" He always won and when they finished he told me his secret. It was the interstate mandated reflectors. US-66 didn't have them but I-55 did.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 17, 2020, 02:25:01 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 08:48:26 PM
An oddity is that IDOT is still maintaining a bridge over the former Illinois Terminal north of Lincoln on I-55. That line was taken out in the 1960's when they leased the Penn Central line from Morton to Decatur. There is the I-57 bridge over the long gone CM&G (later MILW) north of Kankakee. I could go on.
Sometimes a community will want to keep the bridge intact so that they could replace the old railroad bed with a road or trail. I-55 over the old Illinois Terminal in Atlanta, IL was not closed when the rail was abandoned, and a street was built underneath. The one you are referring to on I-57 in Peotone has a long range plan by the county Forest Preserve to re-make into a trail. Not sure why the bridge in Lincoln has remained intact, I think they have done some work on it after the rail line was abandoned.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on March 17, 2020, 02:59:18 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 16, 2020, 06:53:38 PM

As far as providing for the future, if a rail line is abandoned during planning or construction, the approach has usually been to not build the bridge. On I-55 at the south end of Dwight, the old GM&O branch to Lacon and Washington was removed before I-55 went in and the highway remained at level. However, at Pontiac the old N&W between Fairbury and Streator wasn't quite abandoned and a bridge was designed, but the state was already moving dirt to accommodate the bridge. The abandonment came, and the embankment was already there, so they just filled in the space at the abandoned tracks where the bridge would have gone. One of my former co-workers named it "Mt. Livingston" in honor of Livingston County, and it stands today as a big hump in the road.

Lol, you're right.  There's nothing down there. (https://goo.gl/maps/uNST3Zbc6ppW9PhC9)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 17, 2020, 04:58:01 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 17, 2020, 02:25:01 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 16, 2020, 08:48:26 PM
An oddity is that IDOT is still maintaining a bridge over the former Illinois Terminal north of Lincoln on I-55. That line was taken out in the 1960's when they leased the Penn Central line from Morton to Decatur. There is the I-57 bridge over the long gone CM&G (later MILW) north of Kankakee. I could go on.
Sometimes a community will want to keep the bridge intact so that they could replace the old railroad bed with a road or trail. I-55 over the old Illinois Terminal in Atlanta, IL was not closed when the rail was abandoned, and a street was built underneath. The one you are referring to on I-57 in Peotone has a long range plan by the county Forest Preserve to re-make into a trail. Not sure why the bridge in Lincoln has remained intact, I think they have done some work on it after the rail line was abandoned.

I just looked the Lincoln bridge up on Google Maps. For years the north side was just a bunch of trees and south side was homeowners.  It appears a development has sprouted up on the north side and the new street dead ends right under the bridge. So I will take that to mean the county or City of Lincoln plans to use the ROW as a future through street and want the bridge to stay up.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 17, 2020, 05:00:20 PM
^
Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 17, 2020, 02:59:18 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 16, 2020, 06:53:38 PM

As far as providing for the future, if a rail line is abandoned during planning or construction, the approach has usually been to not build the bridge. On I-55 at the south end of Dwight, the old GM&O branch to Lacon and Washington was removed before I-55 went in and the highway remained at level. However, at Pontiac the old N&W between Fairbury and Streator wasn't quite abandoned and a bridge was designed, but the state was already moving dirt to accommodate the bridge. The abandonment came, and the embankment was already there, so they just filled in the space at the abandoned tracks where the bridge would have gone. One of my former co-workers named it "Mt. Livingston" in honor of Livingston County, and it stands today as a big hump in the road.

Lol, you're right.  There's nothing down there. (https://goo.gl/maps/uNST3Zbc6ppW9PhC9)

I think the mound in question is the one closer to the IL 23 interchange. (https://goo.gl/maps/kjQPoKzZ7io92TccA)

The SB I-55 bridge over the old railroad grade north of IL 116 was removed last year - and is already captured by Google Streetview (https://goo.gl/maps/nPHtPPftnQnwBmym9).  The northbound one will likely disappear this year.

EDIT:  As to the bridge on I-55 in Lincoln:  While I could see Lincoln wanting to put a road under there, unless Lincoln really starts booming, I would question whether another cross interstate route would be warranted given the proximity of the 1250th Avenue overpass 1350 feet to the east.  Given the old railroad ROW appears relatively intact, maybe Lincoln is planning on a future bike trail?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 17, 2020, 05:07:25 PM
I present Mt Livingston.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49670132138_443f595445_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 17, 2020, 05:26:33 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 17, 2020, 05:00:20 PM
^
Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 17, 2020, 02:59:18 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 16, 2020, 06:53:38 PM

As far as providing for the future, if a rail line is abandoned during planning or construction, the approach has usually been to not build the bridge. On I-55 at the south end of Dwight, the old GM&O branch to Lacon and Washington was removed before I-55 went in and the highway remained at level. However, at Pontiac the old N&W between Fairbury and Streator wasn't quite abandoned and a bridge was designed, but the state was already moving dirt to accommodate the bridge. The abandonment came, and the embankment was already there, so they just filled in the space at the abandoned tracks where the bridge would have gone. One of my former co-workers named it "Mt. Livingston" in honor of Livingston County, and it stands today as a big hump in the road.

Lol, you're right.  There's nothing down there. (https://goo.gl/maps/uNST3Zbc6ppW9PhC9)

I think the mound in question is the one closer to the IL 23 interchange. (https://goo.gl/maps/kjQPoKzZ7io92TccA)

The SB I-55 bridge over the old railroad grade north of IL 116 was removed last year - and is already captured by Google Streetview (https://goo.gl/maps/nPHtPPftnQnwBmym9).  The northbound one will likely disappear this year.

EDIT:  As to the bridge on I-55 in Lincoln:  While I could see Lincoln wanting to put a road under there, unless Lincoln really starts booming, I would question whether another cross interstate route would be warranted given the proximity of the 1250th Avenue overpass 1350 feet to the east.  Given the old railroad ROW appears relatively intact, maybe Lincoln is planning on a future bike trail?

Here is today.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49670144433_a48577e312_z.jpg)

And it appears in the strategic plan for Lincoln, it will be a bike trail. So the bridge will stay.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49671018362_b8b53e8a15_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 18, 2020, 02:58:12 PM
Not gonna lie, IDOT should take advantage of less people on the road and do some repairs along the network, pending of course people are healthy
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 19, 2020, 07:57:58 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 18, 2020, 02:58:12 PM
Not gonna lie, IDOT should take advantage of less people on the road and do some repairs along the network, pending of course people are healthy

I have very mixed feelings on this. Part of me thinks that the state should be setting an example and keeping the workers home to be sure. With that, if they ever wanted to a time to pick up some ground on the Circle/Burne Interchange, this would be the time they could do it. Again, I am for safety first, and that should continue to be the priority whatever would be decided.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 19, 2020, 10:23:58 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 17, 2020, 05:00:20 PM
The SB I-55 bridge over the old railroad grade north of IL 116 was removed last year - and is already captured by Google Streetview (https://goo.gl/maps/nPHtPPftnQnwBmym9).  The northbound one will likely disappear this year.

That was the old Illinois Central branch from Pontiac to Minonk Junction, removed in the late 70s, where it joined the old IC "Gruber Line" from Centralia to Freeport, removed in the mid 80s. And if you go out of Street View to the aerial, you will see two end sections (one on the east side and one on the west) and a grate in the median (for ventilation?), for a tunnel to carry a future trail underneath when both bridges are filled in. For a trail crossing underneath, that's a long way to go in dark conditions, if it's not lighted.  Pontiac's trail plan shows a look through the barrel of the new trail crossing on p. 5.

https://www.pontiac.org/DocumentCenter/View/2116/Trails-Master-Plan-
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on March 21, 2020, 09:16:11 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on March 19, 2020, 07:57:58 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 18, 2020, 02:58:12 PM
Not gonna lie, IDOT should take advantage of less people on the road and do some repairs along the network, pending of course people are healthy

I have very mixed feelings on this. Part of me thinks that the state should be setting an example and keeping the workers home to be sure. With that, if they ever wanted to a time to pick up some ground on the Circle/Burne Interchange, this would be the time they could do it. Again, I am for safety first, and that should continue to be the priority whatever would be decided.

They probably won't... but they probably should. They'll never get a chance like this again. Also, if more people still get paid, it helps keep the economy from completely collapsing.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 22, 2020, 11:12:09 AM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on March 21, 2020, 09:16:11 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on March 19, 2020, 07:57:58 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 18, 2020, 02:58:12 PM
Not gonna lie, IDOT should take advantage of less people on the road and do some repairs along the network, pending of course people are healthy

I have very mixed feelings on this. Part of me thinks that the state should be setting an example and keeping the workers home to be sure. With that, if they ever wanted to a time to pick up some ground on the Circle/Burne Interchange, this would be the time they could do it. Again, I am for safety first, and that should continue to be the priority whatever would be decided.

They probably won't... but they probably should. They'll never get a chance like this again. Also, if more people still get paid, it helps keep the economy from completely collapsing.

This would be quite the opportunity, for instance, to completely shut down the Burne/Circle and get as much done as they can. They could easily move the schedule back forward by maybe even a year if they really got to it. Also, finish the work on the Kennedy on the NW Side. Again, I say this with the consideration of worker safety first, but doing something like this could easily add some temporary and much needed jobs to infrastructure, something that I would consider essential, especially to keep the supply lines running.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on March 22, 2020, 01:06:50 PM
^ There may be issues with the Illinois Procurement Code and the Standard Specs which limit opportunities for such changes.  Plus going through other bureaucracy such as the IDOT Detour Committee.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: rte66man on March 25, 2020, 11:04:44 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 19, 2020, 10:23:58 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 17, 2020, 05:00:20 PM
The SB I-55 bridge over the old railroad grade north of IL 116 was removed last year - and is already captured by Google Streetview (https://goo.gl/maps/nPHtPPftnQnwBmym9).  The northbound one will likely disappear this year.

That was the old Illinois Central branch from Pontiac to Minonk Junction, removed in the late 70s, where it joined the old IC "Gruber Line" from Centralia to Freeport, removed in the mid 80s. And if you go out of Street View to the aerial, you will see two end sections (one on the east side and one on the west) and a grate in the median (for ventilation?), for a tunnel to carry a future trail underneath when both bridges are filled in. For a trail crossing underneath, that's a long way to go in dark conditions, if it's not lighted.  Pontiac's trail plan shows a look through the barrel of the new trail crossing on p. 5.

https://www.pontiac.org/DocumentCenter/View/2116/Trails-Master-Plan-

Man, when I first saw that, I thought of the start of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" where Harry and Dudley were attacked by dementors.  If it isn't well-lit, no one will use it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 25, 2020, 08:17:06 PM
Quote from: rte66man on March 25, 2020, 11:04:44 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 19, 2020, 10:23:58 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on March 17, 2020, 05:00:20 PM
The SB I-55 bridge over the old railroad grade north of IL 116 was removed last year - and is already captured by Google Streetview (https://goo.gl/maps/nPHtPPftnQnwBmym9).  The northbound one will likely disappear this year.

That was the old Illinois Central branch from Pontiac to Minonk Junction, removed in the late 70s, where it joined the old IC "Gruber Line" from Centralia to Freeport, removed in the mid 80s. And if you go out of Street View to the aerial, you will see two end sections (one on the east side and one on the west) and a grate in the median (for ventilation?), for a tunnel to carry a future trail underneath when both bridges are filled in. For a trail crossing underneath, that's a long way to go in dark conditions, if it's not lighted.  Pontiac's trail plan shows a look through the barrel of the new trail crossing on p. 5.

https://www.pontiac.org/DocumentCenter/View/2116/Trails-Master-Plan-

Man, when I first saw that, I thought of the start of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" where Harry and Dudley were attacked by dementors.  If it isn't well-lit, no one will use it.
I've never done this, but from what I've read and heard, the Abandoned PA Turnpike Tunnels are not lit, and people use them for biking and walking/jogging
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Verlanka on March 26, 2020, 05:32:12 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 25, 2020, 08:17:06 PM
I've never done this, but from what I've read and heard, the Abandoned PA Turnpike Tunnels are not lit, and people use them for biking and walking/jogging
They probably carry a special flashlight for that purpose.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on March 26, 2020, 05:13:12 PM
Quote from: Verlanka on March 26, 2020, 05:32:12 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 25, 2020, 08:17:06 PM
I've never done this, but from what I've read and heard, the Abandoned PA Turnpike Tunnels are not lit, and people use them for biking and walking/jogging
They probably carry a special flashlight for that purpose.

They're supposed to make that section of the turnpike a bike trail at some point.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: roadman65 on June 26, 2020, 09:01:14 AM
Didn't IDOT used to have East St. Louis on all I-70 W Bound mileage signs west of I-57?  I know I-64 did, but never been on this road until 2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35755511105/in/album-72157671241766041/
The sign just references two points along I-70 West.  This is also odd considering IDOT always uses three points on post interchange mileage signs as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on June 26, 2020, 07:11:08 PM
Quote from: Verlanka on March 26, 2020, 05:32:12 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on March 25, 2020, 08:17:06 PM
I've never done this, but from what I've read and heard, the Abandoned PA Turnpike Tunnels are not lit, and people use them for biking and walking/jogging
They probably carry a special flashlight for that purpose.

The Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail in Wisconsin doesn't have lights in its tunnels and the longest tunnel is about 3/4 mile long. The tunnels are part of the trail's attraction. It's requested that riders walk their bicycles through the tunnels, but I don't know if any riders do that. Flashlights and jackets are both recommended for the trail.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 27, 2020, 10:49:00 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 26, 2020, 09:01:14 AM
Didn't IDOT used to have East St. Louis on all I-70 W Bound mileage signs west of I-57?  I know I-64 did, but never been on this road until 2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35755511105/in/album-72157671241766041/
The sign just references two points along I-70 West.  This is also odd considering IDOT always uses three points on post interchange mileage signs as well.

I though they did, but I think a couple of the two line destination signs omitting East St. Louis have been on westbound I-70 for over a decade now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on June 27, 2020, 05:17:16 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 27, 2020, 10:49:00 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 26, 2020, 09:01:14 AM
Didn't IDOT used to have East St. Louis on all I-70 W Bound mileage signs west of I-57?  I know I-64 did, but never been on this road until 2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35755511105/in/album-72157671241766041/
The sign just references two points along I-70 West.  This is also odd considering IDOT always uses three points on post interchange mileage signs as well.

I though they did, but I think a couple of the two line destination signs omitting East St. Louis have been on westbound I-70 for over a decade now.

I-70 really doesn't serve East St. Louis directly much anymore as it goes off the I-55 multiplex just barely into East St. Louis to use the new Musial Bridge. I guess it kind of makes sense with that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 30, 2020, 05:24:23 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on June 27, 2020, 05:17:16 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on June 27, 2020, 10:49:00 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 26, 2020, 09:01:14 AM
Didn't IDOT used to have East St. Louis on all I-70 W Bound mileage signs west of I-57?  I know I-64 did, but never been on this road until 2015.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480415@N08/35755511105/in/album-72157671241766041/
The sign just references two points along I-70 West.  This is also odd considering IDOT always uses three points on post interchange mileage signs as well.

I though they did, but I think a couple of the two line destination signs omitting East St. Louis have been on westbound I-70 for over a decade now.

I-70 really doesn't serve East St. Louis directly much anymore as it goes off the I-55 multiplex just barely into East St. Louis to use the new Musial Bridge. I guess it kind of makes sense with that.

This is correct. There are a total of 6 residences in the city limits north of where I-70 now traverses. To reach it you have to take Exchange Ave under the 55/70 combo.

It then goes back under 70 on 1st Avenue to IL-3 (St Clair Ave.) to Packers Ave. before going out to the river.

What most people don't realize is the EStL city limits goes east all the way along the METRO line to IL-161 which is rural.  Looking at it it makes you wonder if they wanted as much of the METRO East line in their city limits as they could get.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: roadman65 on June 30, 2020, 05:49:46 PM
Yes now I do remember as in 1993 or 1992 (cannot remember the exact year) but I drove I-57 up to Chicago to clinch that, and when I stopped for gas now I realized that the I-57 & 70 combo had Mount Vernon and East St. Louis at the US 45 interchange going south and west and used Champaine and Terre Haute as north and east from US 45 N Bound.  So I assume it must of been in cities like Vandalia and Greenville as well at the time. Though over 28 years have gone by so a lot can easily happen since, but IDOT always used two control cities on mileage signs with the next exit route or town name above them.  The first control was the same as on the freeway ramps and the second was only used at interstate to interstate interchanges.  However, IDOT in Chicago does not practice it as state names are used and going west on I-90 its Rockford even from the I-94 split (or it was in 1987) where the two part ways until Madison for one more time.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on June 30, 2020, 10:39:50 PM
Were these IL-3 signs made by Indiana? https://goo.gl/maps/n5bnDnEzNpaqHEkL9
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on June 30, 2020, 10:52:28 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 30, 2020, 10:39:50 PM
Were these IL-3 signs made by Indiana? https://goo.gl/maps/n5bnDnEzNpaqHEkL9
Right up there with the Indiana-style Span Wire Signal on US 51 in DuQuoin https://goo.gl/maps/N6fszHjsfzKe94tm8
Contractors must have been from the other side of the Wabash

If only Doghouses would have been used instead of Towers, it would truly be a lost Indiana signal
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: MrManlet on July 01, 2020, 12:09:42 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on June 30, 2020, 10:52:28 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 30, 2020, 10:39:50 PM
Were these IL-3 signs made by Indiana? https://goo.gl/maps/n5bnDnEzNpaqHEkL9
Right up there with the Indiana-style Span Wire Signal on US 51 in DuQuoin https://goo.gl/maps/N6fszHjsfzKe94tm8
Contractors must have been from the other side of the Wabash

If only Doghouses would have been used instead of Towers, it would truly be a lost Indiana signal
Speaking of span wires in Illinois:

Rockford IL
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2822854,-88.9702986,3a,75y,6.14h,91.2t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFQKYameJ4GihbuofDC1nlQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

On US-20 near Hampshire IL
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1229293,-88.4818669,3a,41.3y,156.19h,93.8t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sk-I-Dy93NpZC-4r6fgDLHw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dk-I-Dy93NpZC-4r6fgDLHw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D222.31357%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 12:36:29 AM
^^^^ Those 2 examples both appear like a standard "temp" /construction zone span wire installation in Illinois, using a wooden pole and a single span wire for support. Even if they have been there for awhile and now are de facto permanent installations

There are a few in the Peoria area that are similar to the ones you posted. Here is one, just off the US 24 West exit from I-474 https://goo.gl/maps/86T7Grq3t6CSYstr8

They differ from the one I posted in Southern IL/D9 quite a bit, as that particular one really does look like a pretty standard Indiana-style installation, with the metal poles and 3 span wires for support. Only thing Illinois about that intersection is the use of Towers instead of Doghouses
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 01, 2020, 09:26:22 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on June 30, 2020, 05:49:46 PM
Yes now I do remember as in 1993 or 1992 (cannot remember the exact year) but I drove I-57 up to Chicago to clinch that, and when I stopped for gas now I realized that the I-57 & 70 combo had Mount Vernon and East St. Louis at the US 45 interchange going south and west and used Champaine and Terre Haute as north and east from US 45 N Bound.  So I assume it must of been in cities like Vandalia and Greenville as well at the time. Though over 28 years have gone by so a lot can easily happen since, but IDOT always used two control cities on mileage signs with the next exit route or town name above them.  The first control was the same as on the freeway ramps and the second was only used at interstate to interstate interchanges.  However, IDOT in Chicago does not practice it as state names are used and going west on I-90 its Rockford even from the I-94 split (or it was in 1987) where the two part ways until Madison for one more time.

In Greenville & Vandalia, the control cities are Effingham and St Louis.

In Effingham, it has been (for many years) Memphis, St Louis & Chicago. But since it is just finished its umpteenth widening and reconstruction, I wouldn't be shocked if someone got a burr in their saddle and decided to change one of them.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 04:23:57 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 12:36:29 AM
^^^^ Those 2 examples both appear like a standard "temp" /construction zone span wire installation in Illinois, using a wooden pole and a single span wire for support. Even if they have been there for awhile and now are de facto permanent installations

There are a few in the Peoria area that are similar to the ones you posted. Here is one, just off the US 24 West exit from I-474 https://goo.gl/maps/86T7Grq3t6CSYstr8

They differ from the one I posted in Southern IL/D9 quite a bit, as that particular one really does look like a pretty standard Indiana-style installation, with the metal poles and 3 span wires for support. Only thing Illinois about that intersection is the use of Towers instead of Doghouses
Of course there is also this one that has been in my hometown of Bolingbrook for at least 8 years now.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6669524,-88.1652061,3a,75y,258.2h,85.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s68skvjbCDPkf6aDAYQdIVA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: MrManlet on July 01, 2020, 06:03:00 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 04:23:57 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 12:36:29 AM
^^^^ Those 2 examples both appear like a standard "temp" /construction zone span wire installation in Illinois, using a wooden pole and a single span wire for support. Even if they have been there for awhile and now are de facto permanent installations

There are a few in the Peoria area that are similar to the ones you posted. Here is one, just off the US 24 West exit from I-474 https://goo.gl/maps/86T7Grq3t6CSYstr8

They differ from the one I posted in Southern IL/D9 quite a bit, as that particular one really does look like a pretty standard Indiana-style installation, with the metal poles and 3 span wires for support. Only thing Illinois about that intersection is the use of Towers instead of Doghouses
Of course there is also this one that has been in my hometown of Bolingbrook for at least 8 years now.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6669524,-88.1652061,3a,75y,258.2h,85.47t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s68skvjbCDPkf6aDAYQdIVA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en

Since when did Illinois become Michigan? Except for the 5 piece with the turn arrows, looks somewhat like a Michigan install.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 06:04:37 PM
Quote from: MrManlet on July 01, 2020, 06:03:00 PMSince when did Illinois become Michigan? Except for the 5 piece with the turn arrows, looks somewhat like a Michigan install.
https://goo.gl/maps/mwfhkmKEvteCuu4y6

On a side note, I have no idea why the link the Google Maps app generates on my iPad always points to the sky, and not the object I'm looking at when I ask for the link
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 06:34:24 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 06:04:37 PM
Quote from: MrManlet on July 01, 2020, 06:03:00 PMSince when did Illinois become Michigan? Except for the 5 piece with the turn arrows, looks somewhat like a Michigan install.
https://goo.gl/maps/mwfhkmKEvteCuu4y6

On a side note, I have no idea why the link the Google Maps app generates on my iPad always points to the sky, and not the object I'm looking at when I ask for the link
Fixed it.
https://www.google.com/maps/@37.734689,-88.8928388,3a,78.7y,253.59h,92t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8pvuA5lc4wHl0q11r62f3w!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 06:45:54 PM
^^^^ Thank you. Much better!

I thought that setup, which is only a couple years old now, is very Michigan. Especially for Southern Illinois. Granted, not a signal. Just a Michigan Left or J-Turn or whatever they are called now. Signage is very Michigan Left
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 07:26:50 PM
They are doing all kinds of goody things around Marion. For example, was The Hill Ave interchange needing to be separate from IL 13?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 07:39:16 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 07:26:50 PM
They are doing all kinds of goody things around Marion. For example, was The Hill Ave interchange needing to be separate from IL 13?
I think so, just because how commercialized that area is right off I-57. It really helps when there are concerts or minor league baseball games at the ballpark there

Now, did The Hill Ave need to be made a DDI and the IL 13 interchange a SPUI? The SPUI, maybe. The DDI is a nice experiment, but probably unnecessary

Further west on IL 13, the completely unnecessary (imho) upgrade of Wolf Creek Rd meeting IL 13 to an Overpass and Diamond Interchange near Carterville is a bit crazy, but it happened
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on July 02, 2020, 09:23:29 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 06:04:37 PM

Quote from: MrManlet on July 01, 2020, 06:03:00 PM
Since when did Illinois become Michigan? Except for the 5 piece with the turn arrows, looks somewhat like a Michigan install.

https://goo.gl/maps/mwfhkmKEvteCuu4y6

On a side note, I have no idea why the link the Google Maps app generates on my iPad always points to the sky, and not the object I'm looking at when I ask for the link

For me they don't.  They point straight down at the pavement.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on July 02, 2020, 09:39:11 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 07:39:16 PM

Quote from: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 07:26:50 PM
They are doing all kinds of goody things around Marion. For example, was The Hill Ave interchange needing to be separate from IL 13?

I think so, just because how commercialized that area is right off I-57. It really helps when there are concerts or minor league baseball games at the ballpark there

Now, did The Hill Ave need to be made a DDI and the IL 13 interchange a SPUI? The SPUI, maybe. The DDI is a nice experiment, but probably unnecessary

Further west on IL 13, the completely unnecessary (imho) upgrade of Wolf Creek Rd meeting IL 13 to an Overpass and Diamond Interchange near Carterville is a bit crazy, but it happened

I lived there before, during, and after the ballpark was built–but before the construction of the the the The Hill Ave interchange was completed.  Leaving the ballpark after a game, with ALL traffic funneling out to Halfway Road, was brutal!  My personal opinion is that they should have left 57/13 as a cloverleaf, possibly with a C/D road added, and put the second interchange farther north so as not to conflict with 13.  For example, other than taking a sliver of the golf course, it would have required little work to send ballpark traffic north up a newly-built frontage road to Cedar Grove Road to a newly-built interchange there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 10:08:43 AM
I figured The Hill Ave interchange was placed where it was due to the ballpark and the businesses all right there between the ballpark and the (old) mall. Make it easier for people to spend more money in Marion

Had the interchange been further north up at Cedar Grove Rd, that would be funnelling more traffic into a more residential area. I doubt Marion/Williamson County would prefer that over keeping the traffic on the commercialized IL 13 corridor. Would it be better if the 3 main Marion Exits (not counting the IL 148 and I-24 interchanges) were a bit more spaced out? Yes it would. Cedar Grove Rd I don't think would be a better spot to funnel the traffic to, tho

Putting The Hill Ave interchange not at The Hill Ave but instead of north of the ballpark and Menards would probably have been slighly better, as it would give a bit more separation between IL 13 and the "overflow"  interchange, if you will

I don't think IDOT will be redesigning those interchanges any time soon
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on July 02, 2020, 10:33:06 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 10:08:43 AM
I figured The Hill Ave interchange was placed where it was due to the ballpark and the businesses all right there between the ballpark and the (old) mall. Make it easier for people to spend more money in Marion

It was because of the ballpark.  I don't remember any talk of anything but the ballpark being a reason for the added interchange.  To be fair, of course, Menards opened just shortly before the ballpark.  But, before the ballpark was built, the intersection of Route 13 and Halfway Road wasn't all that bad, and the interchange with I-57 was a free-flowing cloverleaf.  Basically, pre-ballpark traffic wasn't much of a problem there.  Busy? yes.  A problem? no.

(I drove through that area on a near-daily basis for about 1½ years in 2006-2008.  I drove a delivery route for a company based just west of Herrin, and a lot of my usual route's customers were on the west side of Marion–including the mall, what used to be Hucks but is now Pilot, Pepsi, the VA–and even the ballpark itself, from the time it was an empty dirt lot with a mobile office to the time it was completed.)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 02, 2020, 01:36:37 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 02, 2020, 10:33:06 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 10:08:43 AM
I figured The Hill Ave interchange was placed where it was due to the ballpark and the businesses all right there between the ballpark and the (old) mall. Make it easier for people to spend more money in Marion

It was because of the ballpark.  I don't remember any talk of anything but the ballpark being a reason for the added interchange.  To be fair, of course, Menards opened just shortly before the ballpark.  But, before the ballpark was built, the intersection of Route 13 and Halfway Road wasn't all that bad, and the interchange with I-57 was a free-flowing cloverleaf.  Basically, pre-ballpark traffic wasn't much of a problem there.  Busy? yes.  A problem? no.

(I drove through that area on a near-daily basis for about 1½ years in 2006-2008.  I drove a delivery route for a company based just west of Herrin, and a lot of my usual route's customers were on the west side of Marion–including the mall, what used to be Hucks but is now Pilot, Pepsi, the VA–and even the ballpark itself, from the time it was an empty dirt lot with a mobile office to the time it was completed.)
I am looking at the sat map. Where is the ballpark in Marion? I don't see it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 01:41:41 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 02, 2020, 01:36:37 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 02, 2020, 10:33:06 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 10:08:43 AM
I figured The Hill Ave interchange was placed where it was due to the ballpark and the businesses all right there between the ballpark and the (old) mall. Make it easier for people to spend more money in Marion

It was because of the ballpark.  I don't remember any talk of anything but the ballpark being a reason for the added interchange.  To be fair, of course, Menards opened just shortly before the ballpark.  But, before the ballpark was built, the intersection of Route 13 and Halfway Road wasn't all that bad, and the interchange with I-57 was a free-flowing cloverleaf.  Basically, pre-ballpark traffic wasn't much of a problem there.  Busy? yes.  A problem? no.

(I drove through that area on a near-daily basis for about 1½ years in 2006-2008.  I drove a delivery route for a company based just west of Herrin, and a lot of my usual route's customers were on the west side of Marion–including the mall, what used to be Hucks but is now Pilot, Pepsi, the VA–and even the ballpark itself, from the time it was an empty dirt lot with a mobile office to the time it was completed.)
I am looking at the sat map. Where is the ballpark in Marion? I don't see it.
Rent One Park, home of the Southern Illinois Miners
1000 Miners Dr, Marion, IL
37.7479042, -88.9621910
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 02, 2020, 01:47:29 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 01:41:41 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 02, 2020, 01:36:37 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 02, 2020, 10:33:06 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 10:08:43 AM
I figured The Hill Ave interchange was placed where it was due to the ballpark and the businesses all right there between the ballpark and the (old) mall. Make it easier for people to spend more money in Marion

It was because of the ballpark.  I don't remember any talk of anything but the ballpark being a reason for the added interchange.  To be fair, of course, Menards opened just shortly before the ballpark.  But, before the ballpark was built, the intersection of Route 13 and Halfway Road wasn't all that bad, and the interchange with I-57 was a free-flowing cloverleaf.  Basically, pre-ballpark traffic wasn't much of a problem there.  Busy? yes.  A problem? no.

(I drove through that area on a near-daily basis for about 1½ years in 2006-2008.  I drove a delivery route for a company based just west of Herrin, and a lot of my usual route's customers were on the west side of Marion–including the mall, what used to be Hucks but is now Pilot, Pepsi, the VA–and even the ballpark itself, from the time it was an empty dirt lot with a mobile office to the time it was completed.)
I am looking at the sat map. Where is the ballpark in Marion? I don't see it.
Rent One Park, home of the Southern Illinois Miners
1000 Miners Dr, Marion, IL
37.7479042, -88.9621910
Oh wow. That snuck up on me. I thought that was part of the shopping center. lol

Also interesting to note when I looked up what league they are in, Frontier League, that there is another team in NJ called the Miners.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 01:53:46 PM
Pretty sure the Miners are in the same league as the Joliet Slammers and Schaumburg Boomers

https://frontierleague.com/teams/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 02, 2020, 02:01:05 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 01:53:46 PM
Pretty sure the Miners are in the same league as the Joliet Slammers and Schaumburg Boomers

https://frontierleague.com/teams/
Yes and the Windy City Thunderbolts too. The Gary Railcats are in the Northern League.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: MrManlet on July 02, 2020, 09:08:40 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 02, 2020, 10:08:43 AM
I figured The Hill Ave interchange was placed where it was due to the ballpark and the businesses all right there between the ballpark and the (old) mall. Make it easier for people to spend more money in Marion

Had the interchange been further north up at Cedar Grove Rd, that would be funnelling more traffic into a more residential area. I doubt Marion/Williamson County would prefer that over keeping the traffic on the commercialized IL 13 corridor. Would it be better if the 3 main Marion Exits (not counting the IL 148 and I-24 interchanges) were a bit more spaced out? Yes it would. Cedar Grove Rd I don't think would be a better spot to funnel the traffic to, tho

Putting The Hill Ave interchange not at The Hill Ave but instead of north of the ballpark and Menards would probably have been slighly better, as it would give a bit more separation between IL 13 and the "overflow"  interchange, if you will

I don't think IDOT will be redesigning those interchanges any time soon
Honestly I think a good solution for that whole Marion mess of interchanges (getting into fictional territory here) would be to remove the The Hill Ave interchange and put slip ramps in on Blue Heron Drive north of the Menards. A new overpass is built over 57 right by the Gander RV so as to access NB I-57 traffic. Traffic heading NB on I-57 exiting for the ballpark would use a C/D road from IL-13 to the new overpass. The only problem with this is the dang water tower right across I-57.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on July 05, 2020, 04:36:57 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 07:39:16 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 07:26:50 PM
They are doing all kinds of goody things around Marion. For example, was The Hill Ave interchange needing to be separate from IL 13?
I think so, just because how commercialized that area is right off I-57. It really helps when there are concerts or minor league baseball games at the ballpark there

Now, did The Hill Ave need to be made a DDI and the IL 13 interchange a SPUI? The SPUI, maybe. The DDI is a nice experiment, but probably unnecessary

Had this been Wisconsin, it would have been (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.157519,-88.4870265,860m/data=!3m1!1e3) a cluster (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.5386958,-88.0810676,1389m/data=!3m1!1e3) of roundabouts (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4295587,-88.1037166,1406m/data=!3m1!1e3). Consider Marion lucky.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on July 06, 2020, 09:52:03 AM
Quote from: skluth on July 05, 2020, 04:36:57 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 07:39:16 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 07:26:50 PM
They are doing all kinds of goody things around Marion. For example, was The Hill Ave interchange needing to be separate from IL 13?
I think so, just because how commercialized that area is right off I-57. It really helps when there are concerts or minor league baseball games at the ballpark there

Now, did The Hill Ave need to be made a DDI and the IL 13 interchange a SPUI? The SPUI, maybe. The DDI is a nice experiment, but probably unnecessary

Had this been Wisconsin, it would have been (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.157519,-88.4870265,860m/data=!3m1!1e3) a cluster (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.5386958,-88.0810676,1389m/data=!3m1!1e3) of roundabouts (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4295587,-88.1037166,1406m/data=!3m1!1e3). Consider Marion lucky.




I drive through that last one regularly.  It's actually very easy and flows nicely.  It bogs down afterwards when you start hitting the traffic lights though.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on July 06, 2020, 11:21:23 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on July 06, 2020, 09:52:03 AM
Quote from: skluth on July 05, 2020, 04:36:57 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 07:39:16 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 07:26:50 PM
They are doing all kinds of goody things around Marion. For example, was The Hill Ave interchange needing to be separate from IL 13?
I think so, just because how commercialized that area is right off I-57. It really helps when there are concerts or minor league baseball games at the ballpark there

Now, did The Hill Ave need to be made a DDI and the IL 13 interchange a SPUI? The SPUI, maybe. The DDI is a nice experiment, but probably unnecessary

Had this been Wisconsin, it would have been (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.157519,-88.4870265,860m/data=!3m1!1e3) a cluster (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.5386958,-88.0810676,1389m/data=!3m1!1e3) of roundabouts (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4295587,-88.1037166,1406m/data=!3m1!1e3). Consider Marion lucky.




I drive through that last one regularly.  It's actually very easy and flows nicely.  It bogs down afterwards when you start hitting the traffic lights though.

In that first one (I-41/Breezewood Ln/Bell St/Harrison St in Neenah, WI), the roundabouts were the ideal solution to that area.  Before its rebuild in the early 2010s, that interchange was LEGENDARY for traffic delays.  Those roundabouts were signalized intersections and when going from SB 41 to NB Harrison St (which I often did then) usually involved waiting at two or three red lights and weeding through major traffic backups.  After its rebuild, the volume of traffic is still there and has likely gone up some, but the delays are GONE.  I can usually make all of those turns without stopping.

:clap:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on July 06, 2020, 02:13:18 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on July 06, 2020, 11:21:23 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on July 06, 2020, 09:52:03 AM
Quote from: skluth on July 05, 2020, 04:36:57 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 01, 2020, 07:39:16 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 01, 2020, 07:26:50 PM
They are doing all kinds of goody things around Marion. For example, was The Hill Ave interchange needing to be separate from IL 13?
I think so, just because how commercialized that area is right off I-57. It really helps when there are concerts or minor league baseball games at the ballpark there

Now, did The Hill Ave need to be made a DDI and the IL 13 interchange a SPUI? The SPUI, maybe. The DDI is a nice experiment, but probably unnecessary

Had this been Wisconsin, it would have been (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.157519,-88.4870265,860m/data=!3m1!1e3) a cluster (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.5386958,-88.0810676,1389m/data=!3m1!1e3) of roundabouts (https://www.google.com/maps/@44.4295587,-88.1037166,1406m/data=!3m1!1e3). Consider Marion lucky.




I drive through that last one regularly.  It's actually very easy and flows nicely.  It bogs down afterwards when you start hitting the traffic lights though.

In that first one (I-41/Breezewood Ln/Bell St/Harrison St in Neenah, WI), the roundabouts were the ideal solution to that area.  Before its rebuild in the early 2010s, that interchange was LEGENDARY for traffic delays.  Those roundabouts were signalized intersections and when going from SB 41 to NB Harrison St (which I often did then) usually involved waiting at two or three red lights and weeding through major traffic backups.  After its rebuild, the volume of traffic is still there and has likely gone up some, but the delays are GONE.  I can usually make all of those turns without stopping.

:clap:

Mike
I mostly like roundabouts, especially along mostly residential streets where it seems to slow traffic better than even a series of stop signs. One brother used to live on Tullar Road, but that was 20 years ago before the roundabouts. Those are probably the best solution, much like the roundabouts going west from Green Bay's airport on WI 172. Scheuring Road built up after I left GB in 1987, so I don't know how that works. Another brother lives just west of Pamprin Park and I've gone through the roundabouts on Shawano and Packerland Drive. They're fine when it's nice and sunny, but when you've driven all day and exit at Shawano Av on a cold, rainy night it is very easy to get confused when you're not familiar with the new configuration.

I think roundabouts along The Hill Av would be a bad idea, especially when a bunch of people are leaving that ballpark and some aren't familiar with multilane roundabouts.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on July 06, 2020, 03:23:35 PM
After attending the Sauk Valley road meet and looking at the routes in the Dixon/Sterling/ Rock falls area I was thinking would it not make more sense to end IL-2 in Dixon instead of IL-38? Then extend IL-38 to Sterling. IL-2 is a north south route while IL-38 is east and west. As Brandon pointed out you have a wrong way concurrency this would fix that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 06, 2020, 10:11:54 PM
^ Considering IL 2 used to make it out to Quad Cities (https://goo.gl/maps/A5MYJsgtwiAbKVme7) and once acted more as a diagonal, I'm going with no.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on July 07, 2020, 09:38:26 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 06, 2020, 10:11:54 PM
^ Considering IL 2 used to make it out to Quad Cities (https://goo.gl/maps/A5MYJsgtwiAbKVme7) and once acted more as a diagonal, I'm going with no.
But it no longer does. That is the whole point.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 07, 2020, 10:36:27 PM
It would be cheaper to change the directional banners on IL 2 west US 52 to be east/west instead of north/south, and omit the directional banners from IL 2 near the wrong-way multiplex in lieu of control cities.


Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 08, 2020, 09:19:08 AM
Plus, locals who know the current road as "Old IL-2" would have an easier time adjusting to a restored IL-2 than having to adjust to a new number.  (I'm a little biased, though, because my fictional Illinois plans restore IL-2 to the Quad Cities and extend it all the way south to Kampsville.)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on July 16, 2020, 09:49:04 AM
I received this IDOT bulletin in an email today.  Basically, bridge deck work on the I-80 "bridge from hell" (as I call it) in Joliet will take place on weekends for the rest of the warm season.  AND take note of the last part-- reconstruction of I-80 from Minooka to New Lenox, including the bridge, is tentatively slated to begin in three years (I assume that's 2023).

QuoteThe Illinois Department of Transportation announces that bridge deck patching with joint repairs on Interstate 80 in Joliet will require weekend lane and ramp closures beginning Friday, July 17.

The work is expected to take place, weather permitting, from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday over eight consecutive weekends, excluding Labor Day weekend. The first stage of the project will require lane closures on both sides of I-80 from Center Street to Rowell Avenue. At least one lane in both directions will remain open at all times.

In addition, work will get underway in August on the following ramps; Chicago Street (U.S. 52/Illinois 53) to eastbound I-80, Richards Street to westbound I-80, and westbound I-80 to Chicago Street. During that time, ramps will be closed, and detours will be posted.

The entire project is expected to be completed in early October.

The eventual replacement of the Des Plaines River bridges and larger improvements to I-80 in Will County are a cornerstone project in Gov. JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital program, which will invest $33.2 billion in transportation infrastructure across all modes throughout the state. The estimated $1.2 billion project is included in IDOT's current multi-year plan, with construction tentative to begin in three years.

The project will reconstruct 16 miles of I-80, from Ridge Road in Minooka to U.S. 30 in Joliet and New Lenox, while adding or extending auxiliary lanes to improve safety and reduce congestion, as well as improving interchanges at I-55, Illinois 7, Center Street, U.S. 52/Illinois 53, Richards Street and Briggs Street.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on July 19, 2020, 01:47:11 PM
Looks like they're taking the Tollways plan with the Mile Long bridge. Repairing as needed until the full reconstruction can begin.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 20, 2020, 09:44:32 AM
Quote from: ET21 on July 19, 2020, 01:47:11 PM
Looks like they're taking the Tollways plan with the Mile Long bridge. Repairing as needed until the full reconstruction can begin.

Since the urgency was somewhat accelerated by the media, IDOT has a large degree of engineering, environmental reviews, public hearings etc. that need to be completed before *any* replacement can even begin.

The bridges aren't on the verge of collapse, just rated poorly. The interim work is to address items that caused the poor rating.

It's been well documented that the bridges has several issues:

- rebar bulging in the support pylons which is causing the outer layers to fall away
- severe corrosion of the underspan which is impacting some of the girder plating

If IDOT has what other DOT's have, they are using IoT "health" sensors on the spans to measure the vibration frequency, span movements, etc. One bridge I am aware of uses a laser based system. It even detected a building demolition 1.5 miles away when it caused the bridge to vibrate.

The technology used to measure bridge health has come a long way since the Twin Cities bridge fail. Especially these steel cantilever's built after WW2.


-
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on July 21, 2020, 08:44:03 AM
It looks like the project to replace the I-74 I-57 dangerous obsolete slow speed cloverleaf interchange with a new high speed flyover and wide loop design is finally starting over a year behind schedule. The buldozers are starting to plow out the southernmost profile of the exchange and a wall has been build to hold back the foundation as half of the bride on Bloomington Rd is being dismantled to be rebuilt much longer and wider allowing the new exits to pass under. Mattis Rd now has some earthwork to widen it and the project on that bridge is supposed to begin in August. Is supposed to take a year for the bridges of the auxiliary streets to be redone to accept the larger lane flow designs before the main part of the construction begins. 5 years ago according to the plan this was already supposed to be underway by summer of 2019. It is needed, out of town traffic just flies into that intersection at 75mph when large numbers of cars are trying to pick up speed or exit in that too short cloverleaf section. A similarly outdated design is at the I-57 I-72 interchange but there is much less traffic there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 21, 2020, 12:20:49 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 21, 2020, 08:44:03 AM
It looks like the project to replace the I-74 I-57 dangerous obsolete slow speed cloverleaf interchange with a new high speed flyover and wide loop design is finally starting over a year behind schedule. The buldozers are starting to plow out the southernmost profile of the exchange and a wall has been build to hold back the foundation as half of the bride on Bloomington Rd is being dismantled to be rebuilt much longer and wider allowing the new exits to pass under. Mattis Rd now has some earthwork to widen it and the project on that bridge is supposed to begin in August. Is supposed to take a year for the bridges of the auxiliary streets to be redone to accept the larger lane flow designs before the main part of the construction begins. 5 years ago according to the plan this was already supposed to be underway by summer of 2019. It is needed, out of town traffic just flies into that intersection at 75mph when large numbers of cars are trying to pick up speed or exit in that too short cloverleaf section. A similarly outdated design is at the I-57 I-72 interchange but there is much less traffic there.
IDOT has horrible cloverleaves all across the state. Many need upgrades and flyovers
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 21, 2020, 01:45:27 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 21, 2020, 12:20:49 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on July 21, 2020, 08:44:03 AM
It looks like the project to replace the I-74 I-57 dangerous obsolete slow speed cloverleaf interchange with a new high speed flyover and wide loop design is finally starting over a year behind schedule. The buldozers are starting to plow out the southernmost profile of the exchange and a wall has been build to hold back the foundation as half of the bride on Bloomington Rd is being dismantled to be rebuilt much longer and wider allowing the new exits to pass under. Mattis Rd now has some earthwork to widen it and the project on that bridge is supposed to begin in August. Is supposed to take a year for the bridges of the auxiliary streets to be redone to accept the larger lane flow designs before the main part of the construction begins. 5 years ago according to the plan this was already supposed to be underway by summer of 2019. It is needed, out of town traffic just flies into that intersection at 75mph when large numbers of cars are trying to pick up speed or exit in that too short cloverleaf section. A similarly outdated design is at the I-57 I-72 interchange but there is much less traffic there.
IDOT has horrible cloverleaves all across the state. Many need upgrades and flyovers

I've lost count of how many alone are just on either I-80 or I-55.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 21, 2020, 02:31:02 PM
I get that there are some cloverleafs that need major overhauls. 55/80, 57/74, 55/72, 74/80, 80/88 stick out to me. But some of the other cloverleafs would be improved by just adding C-D lanes to look like 55/83. For instance, 39/80, 39/88. I don't get this phobia some people have with cloverleafs, roundabouts and left exits/entrances. There are some instances where they work well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on July 21, 2020, 02:44:06 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 21, 2020, 02:31:02 PM
I don't get this phobia some people have with cloverleafs, roundabouts and left exits/entrances. There are some instances where they work well.

I've never experienced any problems with the left exit from I-64 EB to I-57 SB, for example.  Nor with the left exit from I-64 WB to I-57 NB.

Granted, I'm not super familiar with it, but I don't recall ever experiencing issues at the cloverleaf between I-270 and IL-111.

Roundabouts.......  ummmmm......  Illinois has so many not-really-roundabouts, that I'm struggling to think of one I've used that actually counts.  Zeigler?  Hmm, that's still a stretch.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 21, 2020, 02:48:55 PM
39/80 is probably fine as a cloverleaf; 39/88 will probably need a flyover in the future. The amount of intermodal traffic thru Rochelle is only going to increase, due to the UP Intermodal Yard there. Population continuing to grow west along the I-80 and I-88 corridors will also lead to increasing traffic

But, since this is IL, and there are yet any flyovers on the others you mentioned, which should be higher priorities, I won't hold my breath

Illinois has been adding roundabouts. One I was surprised to find is where IL 13 and IL 154 meet west of Pinckneyville. Not sure if that is on your "actually counts" list
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 21, 2020, 02:51:44 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 21, 2020, 02:44:06 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 21, 2020, 02:31:02 PM
I don't get this phobia some people have with cloverleafs, roundabouts and left exits/entrances. There are some instances where they work well.

I've never experienced any problems with the left exit from I-64 EB to I-57 SB, for example.  Nor with the left exit from I-64 WB to I-57 NB.

Granted, I'm not super familiar with it, but I don't recall ever experiencing issues at the cloverleaf between I-270 and IL-111.

Roundabouts.......  ummmmm......  Illinois has so many not-really-roundabouts, that I'm struggling to think of one I've used that actually counts.  Zeigler?  Hmm, that's still a stretch.
The roundabouts that come to mind KP are on Route 47 at Burlington Rd, Route 23 at I-90 Ramps (brand new as of December), and Sullivan Rd at Highland Ave in Aurora. All 3 junctions function well. The last one was a 4 way stop sign that had a high amount of accidents from people flying down Sullivan toward 31. People were ignoring that stop sign too often.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on July 21, 2020, 03:09:06 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 21, 2020, 02:51:44 PM
The roundabouts that come to mind KP are on Route 47 at Burlington Rd, Route 23 at I-90 Ramps (brand new as of December), and Sullivan Rd at Highland Ave in Aurora. All 3 junctions function well. The last one was a 4 way stop sign that had a high amount of accidents from people flying down Sullivan toward 31. People were ignoring that stop sign too often.

3 way stop, right?  Not 4 way stop.

But yeah, those are after my time.  By the way, when did the old "big cowboy hat Arby's" on Route 31 close down (809 N Lake)?  That's a shame.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on July 21, 2020, 03:47:10 PM
Quote from: kphoger on July 21, 2020, 03:09:06 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 21, 2020, 02:51:44 PM
The roundabouts that come to mind KP are on Route 47 at Burlington Rd, Route 23 at I-90 Ramps (brand new as of December), and Sullivan Rd at Highland Ave in Aurora. All 3 junctions function well. The last one was a 4 way stop sign that had a high amount of accidents from people flying down Sullivan toward 31. People were ignoring that stop sign too often.

3 way stop, right?  Not 4 way stop.

But yeah, those are after my time.  By the way, when did the old "big cowboy hat Arby's" on Route 31 close down (809 N Lake)?  That's a shame.
No. It was a 4 way. There was a business on the northside of the intersection. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7887124,-88.3289954,215m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

That Arby's has been gone for at least 7 years. Probably longer now.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on July 21, 2020, 03:51:34 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on July 21, 2020, 03:47:10 PM
No. It was a 4 way. There was a business on the northside of the intersection.

Ah.  I saw the business entrance doesn't have a Yield sign at the roundabout, so I just assumed it didn't have a Stop sign before that either.  But I see now that was a bad assumption (https://goo.gl/maps/Pxq6MyJRSmR2n8wd9).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on July 21, 2020, 05:18:18 PM
New IDOT FY 2021-2026 program posted.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2021-2026/2021-2026%20MYP%20Internet%20Version.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 21, 2020, 07:03:21 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on July 21, 2020, 05:18:18 PM
New IDOT FY 2021-2026 program posted.

http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2021-2026/2021-2026%20MYP%20Internet%20Version.pdf

Since I prefer to look outside of Chicago metro......

A lot of replacements for rural 1966-1973 era interstate bridges.
US-50 finally gets some love, Lebanon Bypass survived. Finally will resurface from Flora to Vincennes and update the Red Skeleton Bridge (finally) with Indiana DOT. That bridge was built in 1962 anticipating a future interstate.
Dehli Bypass (US-67) finally gets going
One of the state highways that doesn't have a number, the "Dieterich Blacktop" gets a redo

And the one thing that was a predictable as the sun rising (I posted it on elsewhere), US-45 will be redone between Louisville and Flora.

Louisville is where they had that trial and forced all of the state government attorneys and Gov. Pritzker to come down from Springfield to defend themselves.  Boom, just like that the road gets added to the list. Welcome to Illinois politics.

But the one that has me really baffled, Lawrence County put in for $7 million to rehab the Wabash Cannonball Road bridge over the Wabash River.

At last check, this is a privately owned toll road/bridge that uses the former CCC&StL (Penn Central/Southern) railroad bridge over the Wabash River.  It's primary use is for people from St Francisville to drive up to Vincennes and back.

This bridge even has a turn span in the middle for steamers (though the last time it turned was around 1912).

When the railroad was formally abandoned, local farmers purchased the ROW, put down planks on the railroad ties and set up a toll booth.

Since there is no other bridge for St Francisville, if this didn't exist, residents would have to jog several miles west to IL-1 to go to Lawrenceville or Mt Carmel. The town sits directly in between with no other way to get across.

It makes me wonder if IDOT is outright purchasing the bridge from the local farmers and install directional traffic lighting.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 21, 2020, 07:08:43 PM
Wonder why the old New Harmony bridge hasn't found a way to get the same treatment? Or is that one simply too close to the I-64 bridge which replaced the need for the New Harmony bridge/former US 460's path across the Wabash?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 21, 2020, 07:34:58 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 21, 2020, 07:08:43 PM
Wonder why the old New Harmony bridge hasn't found a way to get the same treatment? Or is that one simply too close to the I-64 bridge which replaced the need for the New Harmony bridge/former US 460's path across the Wabash?

I found out why IDOT is funding the bridge.

The Wabash Cannonball Bridge was purchased from the farmers by the City of St Francisville in 1997. They then turned around and sold the bridge to IDOT in 2009 and the State of Illinois is the official maintainer of record. The City of St Francisville is listed as the operator.

The bridge was closed for a week last fall for a detailed inspection and then reopened.

The tolls were raised from .50 to $1 to cover the new minimum wage law in Illinois for public employees.

The last inspection showed it as "critical" with scour damage on the stone pylons and no embankment protection.

From what I can tell the bridge was originally built in 1884 and had gone through a series of updates by the various railroad owners until it was abandoned.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on July 21, 2020, 07:40:13 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 21, 2020, 02:48:55 PM
39/80 is probably fine as a cloverleaf; 39/88 will probably need a flyover in the future. The amount of intermodal traffic thru Rochelle is only going to increase, due to the UP Intermodal Yard there. Population continuing to grow west along the I-80 and I-88 corridors will also lead to increasing traffic

But, since this is IL, and there are yet any flyovers on the others you mentioned, which should be higher priorities, I won't hold my breath

Illinois has been adding roundabouts. One I was surprised to find is where IL 13 and IL 154 meet west of Pinckneyville. Not sure if that is on your "actually counts" list
The UP intermodal yard in Rochelle closed.  C+D lanes would do wonders at 39/88 for 39, I don't know that 88 needs them.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on July 21, 2020, 07:47:51 PM
^^^^ Wow, really? That intermodal yard wasn't even that old!

Thats what I get, posting something without googling it first...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 21, 2020, 08:00:50 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 21, 2020, 07:08:43 PM
Wonder why the old New Harmony bridge hasn't found a way to get the same treatment? Or is that one simply too close to the I-64 bridge which replaced the need for the New Harmony bridge/former US 460's path across the Wabash?

The good news is that the bridge has a new owner.

The New Harmony and Wabash River Bridge Authority was formed in 2018 to get the bridge in useful condition again.

The State of Indiana provided $350,000 to get it reopened, but a liability issue came up. Also the bridge's operating commission was established by Congress in 1941 and was was still considered a "federal bridge". The title to the bridge had to be transferred to the new state authority.

This is all recent news as of February 2020.

What is also interesting is that many local farmers, residents and families in the area all gave money to the new authority to help get it opened again.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 21, 2020, 08:04:20 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 21, 2020, 07:47:51 PM
^^^^ Wow, really? That intermodal yard wasn't even that old!

Thats what I get, posting something without googling it first...

No worries as this was a recent decision by UP as part of their "Precision Scheduled Railroading" cost cutting deal.

They are running longer trains with more engines with the consist more pre-sorted @ North Platte to expedite switching in Chicago.

Because of this they closed a ton of yards.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on July 22, 2020, 10:00:26 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on July 21, 2020, 07:03:21 PM
And the one thing that was a predictable as the sun rising (I posted it on elsewhere), US-45 will be redone between Louisville and Flora.

Louisville is where they had that trial and forced all of the state government attorneys and Gov. Pritzker to come down from Springfield to defend themselves.  Boom, just like that the road gets added to the list. Welcome to Illinois politics.

It's just a resurfacing, isn't it?  Hardly huge pork.

Quote from: edwaleni on July 21, 2020, 07:03:21 PM
But the one that has me really baffled, Lawrence County put in for $7 million to rehab the Wabash Cannonball Road bridge over the Wabash River.

At last check, this is a privately owned toll road/bridge that uses the former CCC&StL (Penn Central/Southern) railroad bridge over the Wabash River.  It's primary use is for people from St Francisville to drive up to Vincennes and back.

This bridge even has a turn span in the middle for steamers (though the last time it turned was around 1912).

When the railroad was formally abandoned, local farmers purchased the ROW, put down planks on the railroad ties and set up a toll booth.

Since there is no other bridge for St Francisville, if this didn't exist, residents would have to jog several miles west to IL-1 to go to Lawrenceville or Mt Carmel. The town sits directly in between with no other way to get across.

It makes me wonder if IDOT is outright purchasing the bridge from the local farmers and install directional traffic lighting.

Dang, how did I not know about that bridge!  Added to my bucket list...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on July 22, 2020, 10:24:11 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on July 21, 2020, 07:03:21 PM
At last check, this is a privately owned toll road/bridge ... It makes me wonder if IDOT is outright purchasing the bridge from the local farmers ...

I can find multiple references to the bridge having been transferred to the state of Illinois in 2009, yet I cannot find any newspaper article describing that transfer of ownership.  What's up with that?  IDOT's bridge info (http://apps.dot.illinois.gov/bridgesinfosystem/details.aspx?sn=0516009) lists maintenance as being the municipality's responsibility, with the last inspection having been done in July 2019.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on July 22, 2020, 11:53:24 AM
Quote from: kphoger on July 22, 2020, 10:24:11 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on July 21, 2020, 07:03:21 PM
At last check, this is a privately owned toll road/bridge ... It makes me wonder if IDOT is outright purchasing the bridge from the local farmers ...

I can find multiple references to the bridge having been transferred to the state of Illinois in 2009, yet I cannot find any newspaper article describing that transfer of ownership.  What's up with that?  IDOT's bridge info (http://apps.dot.illinois.gov/bridgesinfosystem/details.aspx?sn=0516009) lists maintenance as being the municipality's responsibility, with the last inspection having been done in July 2019.
is the toll signed posted under the MUTCD rules? If not then some maybe be able to blow past the toll and be able to win in court.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 22, 2020, 12:51:57 PM
It looks like IDOT is on the hook until 2030. Many of the articles in 2009 were in the Lawrence Daily Record in Lawrenceville and are no longer available.

From Boomer Magazine:

https://boomermagonline.com/?p=2544 (https://boomermagonline.com/?p=2544)


QuoteAfter going unused for a few decades, the wooden bridge found new life, apparently some time between 1960 and 1970, when it was purchased by a farmer, Frank Stangle, and his family. The family made minimal changes, before opening the "Stangle Bridge"  as a toll bridge. As is still the case today, farm trucks were frequent to utilize the structure, and it also provided a shortcut for those from St. Francisville who worked in the Vincennes area and vise versa.

Stangle and his family left original railroad ties in place and running planks for cars were installed. The rails were removed from the deck, but were used for a different purpose – as the guard rail that was added to each side.

The toll bridge served its purpose for many years, but the Stangle family eventually reached an agreement to sell the historic structure to the Village of St. Francisville.

The only problem was, St. Francisville didn't have the necessary $60,000 to complete the purchase. That didn't stop a group of good citizens of the village from banding together, holding frequent fish frys, festivals and other fund-raisers to scrape together the money. Eventually, the village was able to make the purchase in 1995.

It was only a matter of time before the state of Illinois became interested in owning the bridge, and in 2009 the Illinois Department of Transportation took the structure over. The IDOT promised funding for the bridge for 20 years, according to published reports. Much of the revenue the bridge produces is used for expensive inspections, which reportedly occur on a bi-annual basis.

While at one time there was a ferry boat to take travelers from one side of the Wabash to the other, the bridge has always been a popular option. In 2011, it was estimated that 800 vehicles crossed the bridge on a daily basis. Today, it's said that 600 vehicles make the trip each day.

The toll booth, located on the Illinois side of the Wabash, opens each day at 4 a.m. The booth closes at 9 p.m. throughout the week, and at 11 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night. So, depending upon the day, travelers have a few hours during which they can cross back and forth free of charge.

It should be noted that because Indiana is in the Eastern time zone and Illinois is in the Central, bridge crossers will invariably either gain or lose an hour on their trip. If someone crosses from Indiana at 2 p.m., for example, he'll arrive in St. Francisville at just a few minutes after 1.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 22, 2020, 01:01:16 PM
For anyone who wants to virtually experience the Wabash Cannonball Bridge, here you go.



Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on July 22, 2020, 01:14:16 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on July 22, 2020, 12:51:57 PM
It looks like IDOT is on the hook until 2030. Many of the articles in 2009 were in the Lawrence Daily Record in Lawrenceville and are no longer available.

From Boomer Magazine:

https://boomermagonline.com/?p=2544 (https://boomermagonline.com/?p=2544)

QuoteAfter going unused for a few decades, the wooden bridge found new life, apparently some time between 1960 and 1970, when it was purchased by a farmer, Frank Stangle, and his family. The family made minimal changes, before opening the "Stangle Bridge"  as a toll bridge. As is still the case today, farm trucks were frequent to utilize the structure, and it also provided a shortcut for those from St. Francisville who worked in the Vincennes area and vise versa.

Stangle and his family left original railroad ties in place and running planks for cars were installed. The rails were removed from the deck, but were used for a different purpose – as the guard rail that was added to each side.

The toll bridge served its purpose for many years, but the Stangle family eventually reached an agreement to sell the historic structure to the Village of St. Francisville.

The only problem was, St. Francisville didn't have the necessary $60,000 to complete the purchase. That didn't stop a group of good citizens of the village from banding together, holding frequent fish frys, festivals and other fund-raisers to scrape together the money. Eventually, the village was able to make the purchase in 1995.

It was only a matter of time before the state of Illinois became interested in owning the bridge, and in 2009 the Illinois Department of Transportation took the structure over. The IDOT promised funding for the bridge for 20 years, according to published reports. Much of the revenue the bridge produces is used for expensive inspections, which reportedly occur on a bi-annual basis.

While at one time there was a ferry boat to take travelers from one side of the Wabash to the other, the bridge has always been a popular option. In 2011, it was estimated that 800 vehicles crossed the bridge on a daily basis. Today, it's said that 600 vehicles make the trip each day.

The toll booth, located on the Illinois side of the Wabash, opens each day at 4 a.m. The booth closes at 9 p.m. throughout the week, and at 11 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night. So, depending upon the day, travelers have a few hours during which they can cross back and forth free of charge.

It should be noted that because Indiana is in the Eastern time zone and Illinois is in the Central, bridge crossers will invariably either gain or lose an hour on their trip. If someone crosses from Indiana at 2 p.m., for example, he'll arrive in St. Francisville at just a few minutes after 1.


Yeah, Boomer Magazine was as close as I could come to a "real article" about the sale.  Bridgehunter.com (https://bridgehunter.com/il/lawrence/st-francisville/) also made reference to the 2009 sale.  For those interested, the comments there include one by the daughter of the man who actually purchased the r/o/w and converted it from rails to road, as well as one by the grandson of the ferry operator who was put out of business.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 07:42:15 PM
Whatever happened to the plan to rebuild/expand I-39/US 20 in the Rockford area between Harrison Ave and the I-39 split off? Is that still an active project? I only see this from 3 years ago online.

https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan (https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 09, 2020, 12:14:24 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 07:42:15 PM
Whatever happened to the plan to rebuild/expand I-39/US 20 in the Rockford area between Harrison Ave and the I-39 split off? Is that still an active project? I only see this from 3 years ago online.

https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan (https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan)

I believe this was included in the new IDOT spending plan that just came out.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on August 09, 2020, 04:48:11 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 09, 2020, 12:14:24 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 07:42:15 PM
Whatever happened to the plan to rebuild/expand I-39/US 20 in the Rockford area between Harrison Ave and the I-39 split off? Is that still an active project? I only see this from 3 years ago online.

https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan (https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan)

I believe this was included in the new IDOT spending plan that just came out.

But will it actually happen this time? They've been talking about it forever, but I can't seem to find the project info online anymore.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on August 10, 2020, 06:57:52 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 09, 2020, 04:48:11 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 09, 2020, 12:14:24 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 07:42:15 PM
Whatever happened to the plan to rebuild/expand I-39/US 20 in the Rockford area between Harrison Ave and the I-39 split off? Is that still an active project? I only see this from 3 years ago online.

https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan (https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan)

I believe this was included in the new IDOT spending plan that just came out.

But will it actually happen this time? They've been talking about it forever, but I can't seem to find the project info online anymore.
It is in the multi year plan and the Perryville Rd bridge is scheduled sooner and was being planned to accommodate the expansion.  That news was a year ago, I thought they might replace that bridge this year.
I figure the rest is at least a few years out, as the current re-surfacing project will make the road smoother for a couple of years.  In few places they are replacing the entire pavement, like under  Perryville Rd.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 11, 2020, 05:06:29 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on August 10, 2020, 06:57:52 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 09, 2020, 04:48:11 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 09, 2020, 12:14:24 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 07:42:15 PM
Whatever happened to the plan to rebuild/expand I-39/US 20 in the Rockford area between Harrison Ave and the I-39 split off? Is that still an active project? I only see this from 3 years ago online.

https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan (https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan)

I believe this was included in the new IDOT spending plan that just came out.

But will it actually happen this time? They've been talking about it forever, but I can't seem to find the project info online anymore.
It is in the multi year plan and the Perryville Rd bridge is scheduled sooner and was being planned to accommodate the expansion.  That news was a year ago, I thought they might replace that bridge this year.
I figure the rest is at least a few years out, as the current re-surfacing project will make the road smoother for a couple of years.  In few places they are replacing the entire pavement, like under  Perryville Rd.

I think they are also waiting for the interchange improvements on 20 to be completed to the west
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on August 11, 2020, 06:37:59 PM
Quote from: ET21 on August 11, 2020, 05:06:29 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on August 10, 2020, 06:57:52 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 09, 2020, 04:48:11 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 09, 2020, 12:14:24 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 07:42:15 PM
Whatever happened to the plan to rebuild/expand I-39/US 20 in the Rockford area between Harrison Ave and the I-39 split off? Is that still an active project? I only see this from 3 years ago online.

https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan (https://www.rrstar.com/news/20170407/cherry-valley-subdivision-residents-concerned-about-i-39us-20-expansion-plan)

I believe this was included in the new IDOT spending plan that just came out.

But will it actually happen this time? They've been talking about it forever, but I can't seem to find the project info online anymore.
It is in the multi year plan and the Perryville Rd bridge is scheduled sooner and was being planned to accommodate the expansion.  That news was a year ago, I thought they might replace that bridge this year.
I figure the rest is at least a few years out, as the current re-surfacing project will make the road smoother for a couple of years.  In few places they are replacing the entire pavement, like under  Perryville Rd.

I think they are also waiting for the interchange improvements on 20 to be completed to the west
They already have 20/39 on a single side with 1 lane each direction for the resurfacing and repairs.  So i don't see the difference and reason to wait.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on September 01, 2020, 04:50:31 PM
IDOT has completed a 3 year environmental impact study on replacing the IL-106 Florence bridge on the Illinois River and IDOT says the new bridge will be a UCEB that's 300 feet south of the existing bridge and will be similar to the new US 54 Champ Clark bridge that opened last year.

https://wlds.com/hearing-for-new-florence-bridge-set-for-sept-10/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 05, 2020, 12:00:06 PM
The outbound Kennedy expansion (Harlem to I-190 on I-90 westbound) delayed its completion until next summer due to some utility relocation mishaps
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 06, 2020, 12:16:58 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 05, 2020, 12:00:06 PM
The outbound Kennedy expansion (Harlem to I-190 on I-90 westbound) delayed its completion until next summer due to some utility relocation mishaps

Well, same issues happened at the Circle/Burn Interchange, so only manages to continue to same pattern of this! Sadly, I still see some critical items just East of there going outbound that are not being addressed, so I wonder how effectively this will actually help the traffic issues outbound.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on September 06, 2020, 07:19:16 PM
Only in "$#!7icago"...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 11, 2020, 09:17:53 AM
IDOT will finally resurface the section of the Kennedy (I-90) from Harlem to the Edens (I-94) junction. Probably the second worst section of pavement behind everyone's favorite I-55 section
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 11, 2020, 09:39:50 AM
Quote from: ET21 on September 11, 2020, 09:17:53 AM
IDOT will finally resurface the section of the Kennedy (I-90) from Harlem to the Edens (I-94) junction. Probably the second worst section of pavement behind everyone's favorite I-55 section

I don't even want to think how much that section of pavement contributed to the premature deterioration of my previous set of tires (city streets also played a significant role in that) while I was still living in the city. Glad to see that this is being addressed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on September 11, 2020, 10:03:49 PM
Quote from: ET21 on September 11, 2020, 09:17:53 AM
IDOT will finally resurface the section of the Kennedy (I-90) from Harlem to the Edens (I-94) junction. Probably the second worst section of pavement behind everyone's favorite I-55 section

Which is being repaved piecemeal every night right now.  Before long, I-55 will be more patches than original pavement.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 12, 2020, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?

Between I-80 and Weber Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5547791,-88.1806159,3a,75y,186.24h,84.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYnbHgkIXZ-u8Fw2KoxdU9A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6238457,-88.1636653,3a,75y,181.59h,70.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOk0oF02riICmpHh7ocajtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 07:12:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 12, 2020, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?

Between I-80 and Weber Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5547791,-88.1806159,3a,75y,186.24h,84.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYnbHgkIXZ-u8Fw2KoxdU9A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6238457,-88.1636653,3a,75y,181.59h,70.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOk0oF02riICmpHh7ocajtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I swear, the pavement on 55 is a shade of orangish-red from STL to Springfield. Parts are bumpy as all hell. That reddish pavement is common in Mississippi and TN and such (due to iron) but not in the midwest.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 20, 2020, 07:54:06 PM
The original concrete pavement on 88 was orange collared or at rusty looking streaks.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: CapeCodder on September 27, 2020, 11:18:32 AM
Quote from: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 07:12:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 12, 2020, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?

Between I-80 and Weber Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5547791,-88.1806159,3a,75y,186.24h,84.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYnbHgkIXZ-u8Fw2KoxdU9A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6238457,-88.1636653,3a,75y,181.59h,70.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOk0oF02riICmpHh7ocajtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I swear, the pavement on 55 is a shade of orangish-red from STL to Springfield. Parts are bumpy as all hell. That reddish pavement is common in Mississippi and TN and such (due to iron) but not in the midwest.

I've noticed this too. They ought to six lane 55 from 270/70 to Springfield. Lots of trucks use 55.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Paulinator66 on September 29, 2020, 02:14:32 PM
Quote from: CapeCodder on September 27, 2020, 11:18:32 AM
Quote from: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 07:12:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 12, 2020, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?

Between I-80 and Weber Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5547791,-88.1806159,3a,75y,186.24h,84.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYnbHgkIXZ-u8Fw2KoxdU9A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6238457,-88.1636653,3a,75y,181.59h,70.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOk0oF02riICmpHh7ocajtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I swear, the pavement on 55 is a shade of orangish-red from STL to Springfield. Parts are bumpy as all hell. That reddish pavement is common in Mississippi and TN and such (due to iron) but not in the midwest.

I've noticed this too. They ought to six lane 55 from 270/70 to Springfield. Lots of trucks use 55.

I live in the area and used to drive that stretch (I-55 from I-270 to Spfld) a couple times a week.  It had terrible traffic from I-270 to at least Livingston, IL (exit #37, I think) and justification could be made for widening to 3 lanes without even considering future growth.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on September 29, 2020, 07:47:52 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on September 29, 2020, 02:14:32 PM
Quote from: CapeCodder on September 27, 2020, 11:18:32 AM
Quote from: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 07:12:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 12, 2020, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?

Between I-80 and Weber Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5547791,-88.1806159,3a,75y,186.24h,84.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYnbHgkIXZ-u8Fw2KoxdU9A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6238457,-88.1636653,3a,75y,181.59h,70.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOk0oF02riICmpHh7ocajtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I swear, the pavement on 55 is a shade of orangish-red from STL to Springfield. Parts are bumpy as all hell. That reddish pavement is common in Mississippi and TN and such (due to iron) but not in the midwest.

I've noticed this too. They ought to six lane 55 from 270/70 to Springfield. Lots of trucks use 55.

I live in the area and used to drive that stretch (I-55 from I-270 to Spfld) a couple times a week.  It had terrible traffic from I-270 to at least Livingston, IL (exit #37, I think) and justification could be made for widening to 3 lanes without even considering future growth.

It's been a while, but I remember I-55 only being six lanes from Lincoln to the south end of Sangamon County. Except, of course, where you need it as you go around Springfield on the I-55/72 concurrency!!! The whole of I-55 in Illinois should be six lanes considering the traffic. I was so grateful when they widened it around Bloomington/ Normal, which is where I normally exited to head up I-39 to Wisconsin.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on September 30, 2020, 08:29:08 AM
Quote from: skluth on September 29, 2020, 07:47:52 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on September 29, 2020, 02:14:32 PM
Quote from: CapeCodder on September 27, 2020, 11:18:32 AM
Quote from: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 07:12:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 12, 2020, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?

Between I-80 and Weber Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5547791,-88.1806159,3a,75y,186.24h,84.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYnbHgkIXZ-u8Fw2KoxdU9A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6238457,-88.1636653,3a,75y,181.59h,70.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOk0oF02riICmpHh7ocajtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I swear, the pavement on 55 is a shade of orangish-red from STL to Springfield. Parts are bumpy as all hell. That reddish pavement is common in Mississippi and TN and such (due to iron) but not in the midwest.

I've noticed this too. They ought to six lane 55 from 270/70 to Springfield. Lots of trucks use 55.

I live in the area and used to drive that stretch (I-55 from I-270 to Spfld) a couple times a week.  It had terrible traffic from I-270 to at least Livingston, IL (exit #37, I think) and justification could be made for widening to 3 lanes without even considering future growth.

It's been a while, but I remember I-55 only being six lanes from Lincoln to the south end of Sangamon County. Except, of course, where you need it as you go around Springfield on the I-55/72 concurrency!!! The whole of I-55 in Illinois should be six lanes considering the traffic. I was so grateful when they widened it around Bloomington/ Normal, which is where I normally exited to head up I-39 to Wisconsin.

The backups on I-55 south of Joliet on Sunday evenings are notorious. 

Illinois is highway rich but cash poor. Because of the politics they have spread their dollars out too far and built more highways than they can reasonably maintain. They have to double the gas taxes just to get some roads back into reasonable condition.

Illinois also suffers from a huge loss of political clout in Washington DC in the last 50 years. When Dan Rostenkowski ran Ways and Means in the US House,(and before him the famous Everett McKinley Dirksen) Illinois could count on certain things being funded.

But the best Illinois got during the Obama years was funding for Amtrak and HSR.

As the population continues to shift to the south and southwest, Illinois will continue to struggle to maintain funding of the road network they built in the 60's and 70's.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 30, 2020, 09:35:58 AM
Quote from: skluth on September 29, 2020, 07:47:52 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on September 29, 2020, 02:14:32 PM
Quote from: CapeCodder on September 27, 2020, 11:18:32 AM
Quote from: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 07:12:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 12, 2020, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?

Between I-80 and Weber Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5547791,-88.1806159,3a,75y,186.24h,84.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYnbHgkIXZ-u8Fw2KoxdU9A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6238457,-88.1636653,3a,75y,181.59h,70.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOk0oF02riICmpHh7ocajtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I swear, the pavement on 55 is a shade of orangish-red from STL to Springfield. Parts are bumpy as all hell. That reddish pavement is common in Mississippi and TN and such (due to iron) but not in the midwest.

I've noticed this too. They ought to six lane 55 from 270/70 to Springfield. Lots of trucks use 55.

I live in the area and used to drive that stretch (I-55 from I-270 to Spfld) a couple times a week.  It had terrible traffic from I-270 to at least Livingston, IL (exit #37, I think) and justification could be made for widening to 3 lanes without even considering future growth.

It's been a while, but I remember I-55 only being six lanes from Lincoln to the south end of Sangamon County. Except, of course, where you need it as you go around Springfield on the I-55/72 concurrency!!! The whole of I-55 in Illinois should be six lanes considering the traffic. I was so grateful when they widened it around Bloomington/ Normal, which is where I normally exited to head up I-39 to Wisconsin.

It's still that way. I guess the latest 5 year plan has rebuilding of the Southern I-55/I-72 Interchange in Springfield programmed (it's the Northern one that needs it much more urgently). Also, I think they also added an extension of the 3 lane section to past the Sangamon River now, but of course, this still leaves the section actually within Springfield still in need of a major widening/upgrade.

They do need to widen the entire thing to six lanes, but other than Springfield, the next sections that need to be the top priority are South of I-80 to at least Braidwood, and probably even Dwight. Then the section in the Metro East North of I-255 to at least I-270 and probably through the whole of Madison County. Those also would be the most challenging sections with lesser ROW. Once you get out of those sections, the rest would be relatively easy and just require slapping an extra lane inside (and of course rebuilding any overpasses to accommodate where needed). Don't hold your breath, though. Illinois, on the I-80 rebuild plans through Joliet seems like they might not even have six through lanes on the entire thing, although I am hoping that common sense will prevail before they start building that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 30, 2020, 12:48:04 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 11, 2020, 09:39:50 AM
Quote from: ET21 on September 11, 2020, 09:17:53 AM
IDOT will finally resurface the section of the Kennedy (I-90) from Harlem to the Edens (I-94) junction. Probably the second worst section of pavement behind everyone's favorite I-55 section

I don't even want to think how much that section of pavement contributed to the premature deterioration of my previous set of tires (city streets also played a significant role in that) while I was still living in the city. Glad to see that this is being addressed.

Follow up on this section, apparently IDOT did not sign their construction zone correctly and it led to 10-15 cars getting flat tires with the ripped up base  :pan:
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Paulinator66 on September 30, 2020, 01:54:33 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 30, 2020, 09:35:58 AM
Quote from: skluth on September 29, 2020, 07:47:52 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on September 29, 2020, 02:14:32 PM
Quote from: CapeCodder on September 27, 2020, 11:18:32 AM
Quote from: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 07:12:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 12, 2020, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?

Between I-80 and Weber Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5547791,-88.1806159,3a,75y,186.24h,84.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYnbHgkIXZ-u8Fw2KoxdU9A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6238457,-88.1636653,3a,75y,181.59h,70.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOk0oF02riICmpHh7ocajtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I swear, the pavement on 55 is a shade of orangish-red from STL to Springfield. Parts are bumpy as all hell. That reddish pavement is common in Mississippi and TN and such (due to iron) but not in the midwest.

I've noticed this too. They ought to six lane 55 from 270/70 to Springfield. Lots of trucks use 55.

I live in the area and used to drive that stretch (I-55 from I-270 to Spfld) a couple times a week.  It had terrible traffic from I-270 to at least Livingston, IL (exit #37, I think) and justification could be made for widening to 3 lanes without even considering future growth.

It's been a while, but I remember I-55 only being six lanes from Lincoln to the south end of Sangamon County. Except, of course, where you need it as you go around Springfield on the I-55/72 concurrency!!! The whole of I-55 in Illinois should be six lanes considering the traffic. I was so grateful when they widened it around Bloomington/ Normal, which is where I normally exited to head up I-39 to Wisconsin.

It's still that way. I guess the latest 5 year plan has rebuilding of the Southern I-55/I-72 Interchange in Springfield programmed (it's the Northern one that needs it much more urgently). Also, I think they also added an extension of the 3 lane section to past the Sangamon River now, but of course, this still leaves the section actually within Springfield still in need of a major widening/upgrade.

They do need to widen the entire thing to six lanes, but other than Springfield, the next sections that need to be the top priority are South of I-80 to at least Braidwood, and probably even Dwight. Then the section in the Metro East North of I-255 to at least I-270 and probably through the whole of Madison County. Those also would be the most challenging sections with lesser ROW. Once you get out of those sections, the rest would be relatively easy and just require slapping an extra lane inside (and of course rebuilding any overpasses to accommodate where needed). Don't hold your breath, though. Illinois, on the I-80 rebuild plans through Joliet seems like they might not even have six through lanes on the entire thing, although I am hoping that common sense will prevail before they start building that.

I've been on the Citizens Advisory Group for the widening of I-55 through Springfield.  From that exposure I can say it IS on their immediate radar but, like all other things in IL, they are waiting on money.  Now that they passed the additional gas tax they have begun the process of doing it; albeit in little sections.  The 6th Street exit (the south end of the I-55/I-72 concurrency) and the widening of the stretch between Sangamon Ave and Sherman exits are both planned for the near future with the rest of the corridor to be done later. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a cohesive, all-encompassing plan to do it all in one continuous project.

Fun Fact: I learned during the CAG meetings that IDOT has agreed, as part of the overall project, to widen I-72 between the 6th Street interchange and the IL-4 exit on the west side of town. This was not originally planned but, when future growth on the west side of town was considered, it was added into the mix as well.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 30, 2020, 05:58:04 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on September 30, 2020, 01:54:33 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 30, 2020, 09:35:58 AM
Quote from: skluth on September 29, 2020, 07:47:52 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on September 29, 2020, 02:14:32 PM
Quote from: CapeCodder on September 27, 2020, 11:18:32 AM
Quote from: STLmapboy on September 20, 2020, 07:12:38 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 12, 2020, 10:25:10 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on September 11, 2020, 03:05:15 PM
I just looked at Interstate 90 along this segment on Street View. The pavement looks ghastly. Also, what segment of Interstate 55 are you refering to when you say "everyone's favorite I-55 section"?

Between I-80 and Weber Road.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5547791,-88.1806159,3a,75y,186.24h,84.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYnbHgkIXZ-u8Fw2KoxdU9A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.6238457,-88.1636653,3a,75y,181.59h,70.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sOk0oF02riICmpHh7ocajtQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
I swear, the pavement on 55 is a shade of orangish-red from STL to Springfield. Parts are bumpy as all hell. That reddish pavement is common in Mississippi and TN and such (due to iron) but not in the midwest.

I've noticed this too. They ought to six lane 55 from 270/70 to Springfield. Lots of trucks use 55.

I live in the area and used to drive that stretch (I-55 from I-270 to Spfld) a couple times a week.  It had terrible traffic from I-270 to at least Livingston, IL (exit #37, I think) and justification could be made for widening to 3 lanes without even considering future growth.

It's been a while, but I remember I-55 only being six lanes from Lincoln to the south end of Sangamon County. Except, of course, where you need it as you go around Springfield on the I-55/72 concurrency!!! The whole of I-55 in Illinois should be six lanes considering the traffic. I was so grateful when they widened it around Bloomington/ Normal, which is where I normally exited to head up I-39 to Wisconsin.

It's still that way. I guess the latest 5 year plan has rebuilding of the Southern I-55/I-72 Interchange in Springfield programmed (it's the Northern one that needs it much more urgently). Also, I think they also added an extension of the 3 lane section to past the Sangamon River now, but of course, this still leaves the section actually within Springfield still in need of a major widening/upgrade.

They do need to widen the entire thing to six lanes, but other than Springfield, the next sections that need to be the top priority are South of I-80 to at least Braidwood, and probably even Dwight. Then the section in the Metro East North of I-255 to at least I-270 and probably through the whole of Madison County. Those also would be the most challenging sections with lesser ROW. Once you get out of those sections, the rest would be relatively easy and just require slapping an extra lane inside (and of course rebuilding any overpasses to accommodate where needed). Don't hold your breath, though. Illinois, on the I-80 rebuild plans through Joliet seems like they might not even have six through lanes on the entire thing, although I am hoping that common sense will prevail before they start building that.

I've been on the Citizens Advisory Group for the widening of I-55 through Springfield.  From that exposure I can say it IS on their immediate radar but, like all other things in IL, they are waiting on money.  Now that they passed the additional gas tax they have begun the process of doing it; albeit in little sections.  The 6th Street exit (the south end of the I-55/I-72 concurrency) and the widening of the stretch between Sangamon Ave and Sherman exits are both planned for the near future with the rest of the corridor to be done later. Unfortunately, I don't think there is a cohesive, all-encompassing plan to do it all in one continuous project.

Fun Fact: I learned during the CAG meetings that IDOT has agreed, as part of the overall project, to widen I-72 between the 6th Street interchange and the IL-4 exit on the west side of town. This was not originally planned but, when future growth on the west side of town was considered, it was added into the mix as well.

As noted in prior posts, IL barely has the money it needs to keep their pavement in acceptable condition, let alone expand and improve the system. I did see those two items programmed in the latest STIP, which I mentioned above. It's a good start, and I am sure part of it is simply that the cost to do the main section is going to be the most expensive, on top of which, that they will basically need to rebuild everything from the ground up there. Here's hoping that maybe as those projects are finishing up that IDOT may identify the funding to do the rest. It's not always the worst thing to do it in sections, as with the section in Bloomington/Normal, as long as there isn't a 10+ year gap. Glad to hear that the widening of I-72 is now part of the plan. I have driven through there a couple of times, and I always felt, with the growth there, it would make sense to add a lane for that stretch.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Paulinator66 on October 02, 2020, 10:03:18 AM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on September 30, 2020, 05:58:04 PM
... they will basically need to rebuild everything from the ground up there.

Yes, the company doing all the preliminary engineering has said it will have to be a total tear-out and rebuild for the whole corridor.  They plan/build for a life span of 50 years and since that section is already ~60 years old there is no way any of it can be adequate for another 50 years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on October 02, 2020, 12:42:45 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on October 02, 2020, 10:03:18 AM
They plan/build for a life span of 50 years and since that section is already ~60 years old there is no way any of it can be adequate for another 50 years.

Notably, the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago was designed to handle the projected traffic and loading impact to the year 1975. It has limped along 44 years past its planning horizon with patching, resurfacing and bridge repair. Not ideal, and not adequate, but goes to show how many of these roads last way longer than intended, and under more brutal conditions (especially trucks) than originally envisioned.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 04, 2020, 08:05:25 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on October 02, 2020, 12:42:45 PM
Quote from: Paulinator66 on October 02, 2020, 10:03:18 AM
They plan/build for a life span of 50 years and since that section is already ~60 years old there is no way any of it can be adequate for another 50 years.

Notably, the I-290 Eisenhower Expressway in Chicago was designed to handle the projected traffic and loading impact to the year 1975. It has limped along 44 years past its planning horizon with patching, resurfacing and bridge repair. Not ideal, and not adequate, but goes to show how many of these roads last way longer than intended, and under more brutal conditions (especially trucks) than originally envisioned.

I drove the Eisenhower (I-290) when they did that last major update in the late 1970's.  They did something very unique, they scraped off a few inches of the concrete except where the section joints were. They patched it, sealed it, then paved it with asphalt between the section joints.  Then every so many years when the asphalt would fail, they simply scraped off the asphalt back down to that original concrete again, left the section joints (fixed them if cracked), and repaved it. It worked much better because the asphalt was laid even to the concrete at the section joints, so you didn't get a wap-wap sound of driving over them. (IMHO) It was very ingenious way to deal with the volumes of traffic it faced, the need to repave it often (mostly at night) and could be repaired quickly and in small sections. I always thought that was good engineering to the benefit of IDOT.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 04, 2020, 08:21:37 PM
And for what its worth, If the Ike is redone from scratch someday, we will probably lose the unused rail tunnel between Central and Laramie. It was built in case the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin survived. (It didn't)

The number of 1950's era bridges over the Ike that are falling apart is pretty embarrassing. Rebar poking out on all of them. Many have lumber stuck up between the beams to keep crumbling decks from dropping rocks on the Ike below.

I will save how a new Ike should look for a different thread, but it has served pretty doggone well for the past 70 years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on October 05, 2020, 07:46:47 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 04, 2020, 08:21:37 PM
And for what its worth, If the Ike is redone from scratch someday, we will probably lose the unused rail tunnel between Central and Laramie. It was built in case the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin survived. (It didn't)

The rail tunnel under the eastbound lanes is used by the CTA Blue Line.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 05, 2020, 10:38:07 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 05, 2020, 07:46:47 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 04, 2020, 08:21:37 PM
And for what its worth, If the Ike is redone from scratch someday, we will probably lose the unused rail tunnel between Central and Laramie. It was built in case the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin survived. (It didn't)

The rail tunnel under the eastbound lanes is used by the CTA Blue Line.

The 2 track tunnel is. There was a 1 track tunnel built next to it. Never used.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on October 06, 2020, 09:15:50 PM
IDOT announces plans for the expansion of I-57 between Mt Vernon and Johnson City

https://thesouthern.com/news/local/illinois-officials-announce-projects-in-ongoing-expansion-of-i-57-in-southern-illinois/article_422d45c0-b202-552e-b4c5-0563537d8527.html (https://thesouthern.com/news/local/illinois-officials-announce-projects-in-ongoing-expansion-of-i-57-in-southern-illinois/article_422d45c0-b202-552e-b4c5-0563537d8527.html)

What about the section between Marion and I-24? I thought it was going to be widened down to there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 06, 2020, 09:29:57 PM
Quote from: I-39 on October 06, 2020, 09:15:50 PM
IDOT announces plans for the expansion of I-57 between Mt Vernon and Johnson City

https://thesouthern.com/news/local/illinois-officials-announce-projects-in-ongoing-expansion-of-i-57-in-southern-illinois/article_422d45c0-b202-552e-b4c5-0563537d8527.html (https://thesouthern.com/news/local/illinois-officials-announce-projects-in-ongoing-expansion-of-i-57-in-southern-illinois/article_422d45c0-b202-552e-b4c5-0563537d8527.html)

What about the section between Marion and I-24? I thought it was going to be widened down to there.
Yup, read that story on The Southern Illinoisan's website the other day

The little bit of I-57 between Marion Main St/Old 13 and I-24? Maybe the Traffic Studies shows enough traffic flows to the IL 13 corridor from I-57 that the 6 laning project isn't needed all the way to I-24. I find that hard to believe, but I guess it is possible
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on October 08, 2020, 04:31:03 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on October 06, 2020, 09:29:57 PM
Quote from: I-39 on October 06, 2020, 09:15:50 PM
IDOT announces plans for the expansion of I-57 between Mt Vernon and Johnson City

https://thesouthern.com/news/local/illinois-officials-announce-projects-in-ongoing-expansion-of-i-57-in-southern-illinois/article_422d45c0-b202-552e-b4c5-0563537d8527.html (https://thesouthern.com/news/local/illinois-officials-announce-projects-in-ongoing-expansion-of-i-57-in-southern-illinois/article_422d45c0-b202-552e-b4c5-0563537d8527.html)

What about the section between Marion and I-24? I thought it was going to be widened down to there.
Yup, read that story on The Southern Illinoisan's website the other day

The little bit of I-57 between Marion Main St/Old 13 and I-24? Maybe the Traffic Studies shows enough traffic flows to the IL 13 corridor from I-57 that the 6 laning project isn't needed all the way to I-24. I find that hard to believe, but I guess it is possible

It will complete making I-57 six lanes from the northern I-57/64 interchange to Marion. I think that's a higher priority - and a lot more miles - than between Marion and the I-57/24 split. Rebuilding those ten miles or so south of Marion (plus a new I-24/57 interchange) may be better justified due to increased traffic once the more northern section is completed.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on October 08, 2020, 04:43:46 PM
I just looked at the AADTs, and I was surprised to see that traffic counts south of Marion are almost as high as north of Marion.

From Mount Vernon to Marion, AADTs are in the 36k range.  South of Old Route 13, they're in the 32k range.

Quote from: I-39 on October 06, 2020, 09:15:50 PM
Johnson City

I don't know if that was just a typo, or if you're mistaken about the town name.  There should be another t in there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 08, 2020, 05:53:55 PM
Quote from: kphoger on October 08, 2020, 04:43:46 PM
I just looked at the AADTs, and I was surprised to see that traffic counts south of Marion are almost as high as north of Marion.

From Mount Vernon to Marion, AADTs are in the 36k range.  South of Old Route 13, they're in the 32k range.

Quote from: I-39 on October 06, 2020, 09:15:50 PM
Johnson City

I don't know if that was just a typo, or if you're mistaken about the town name.  There should be another t in there.
Johnston City

One of my co-workers lives there. When I first started down here, he corrected my pronounciation pretty quickly
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on November 13, 2020, 06:02:32 PM
The westbound span of the new I-74 tied-arch bridge on the Mississippi River between Moline, IL and Bettendorf, IA is now open to traffic.

https://www.kwqc.com/2020/11/13/iowa-bound-portion-of-new-i-74-bridge-opens-thursday-night/   (https://www.kwqc.com/2020/11/13/iowa-bound-portion-of-new-i-74-bridge-opens-thursday-night/)

(https://gray-kwqc-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/Taixbx4CgNb5geWNkAKmg7t4khM=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SGIMEHER55FXFAGHCGVGG3JRRU.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on November 13, 2020, 06:38:47 PM
And, of course, Google Maps is slow to update that the new bridge and route is open
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on November 16, 2020, 09:49:11 AM
That new bridge looks awesome
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on November 16, 2020, 01:31:22 PM
Quote from: ET21 on November 16, 2020, 09:49:11 AM
That new bridge looks awesome

Agreed! Looks very sharp.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 16, 2020, 09:55:11 PM
Quote from: ET21 on November 16, 2020, 09:49:11 AM
That new bridge looks awesome

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 16, 2020, 11:02:54 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on November 16, 2020, 09:55:11 PM
Quote from: ET21 on November 16, 2020, 09:49:11 AM
That new bridge looks awesome



It doesn't look like there's been much progress on the eastbound arch since that video was taken.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on November 23, 2020, 11:23:54 AM
The interchange at I-55 and Weber Road is starting to look like a DDI in small ways!  Look where the cement truck is sitting.  That pavement definitely curves diagonally as if to begin a crossover!  Photo taken looking south at the northern ramp junction.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50621100777_118c12357e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k8dnDB)
2020-11-19_09-15-51 (https://flic.kr/p/2k8dnDB) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: triplemultiplex on November 24, 2020, 11:56:26 AM
I will be fascinated to see how they demolish the old suspension spans there in the Quads once the new bridges are done.  One doesn't see that every day.  I think of suspension bridges as there 'forever' because most of them are such large spans that they need to last at least century.  But not always.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on November 24, 2020, 05:01:09 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on November 16, 2020, 11:02:54 PM
It doesn't look like there's been much progress on the eastbound arch since that video was taken.

Timeline shows end of construction and old bridge removal in 2022. https://i74riverbridge.com/images/I74_timeline_020520.jpg
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 25, 2020, 09:55:20 AM
Quote from: triplemultiplex on November 24, 2020, 11:56:26 AM
I will be fascinated to see how they demolish the old suspension spans there in the Quads once the new bridges are done.  One doesn't see that every day.  I think of suspension bridges as there 'forever' because most of them are such large spans that they need to last at least century.  But not always.

Probably the COE will close the waterway for a few days and they will separate the cables by detonation at the top of each tower followed by a detonation at each section joint.

Once the refuse is cleared for one bridge, they will do it again for the second span a few weeks later.

Then the towers will be disassembled, and finally the foundations blasted under the water as to not create a navigation hazard.

If they were really smart, they would have engineers place IoT tension sensors all over the bridge and then measure the changes in cable pressure as the span fails during the detonation.

A good way to collect data and compare to their simulations on old bridge lifespans.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 05, 2020, 12:33:00 PM
Based on this article in the Rockford paper, it appears the interchange on IL 251 around Whitman Street in Rockford will first be partially downgraded and ultimately fully removed.  https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/2020/12/05/here-rockfords-construction-plan-next-five-years/6471103002/ (https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/2020/12/05/here-rockfords-construction-plan-next-five-years/6471103002/)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 06, 2020, 09:33:07 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on December 05, 2020, 12:33:00 PM
Based on this article in the Rockford paper, it appears the interchange on IL 251 around Whitman Street in Rockford will first be partially downgraded and ultimately fully removed.  https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/2020/12/05/here-rockfords-construction-plan-next-five-years/6471103002/ (https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/2020/12/05/here-rockfords-construction-plan-next-five-years/6471103002/)

Probably because when the Whitman Bridge was built, IL-251 was still US-51 and the only generally available bridges to cross the Rock River were all in the central business district.

To collect a range of cross river traffic (especially trucks) they built this bridge with a collector for several US routes at the time.

On the east side:

Then US-51 (Kishwaukee Street) and traffic coming from Loves Park
US-20 which was alternating between Charles Street and State Street

This rerouted local traffic to use either Kilburn on the west side to reach US-20 (State Street West)  or IL-70 (Kilborn Street North) to exit the city center.

This was a common way to get traffic near the city center without all of it having to pass through it.

The same approach was used in South Bend, Indiana with its river crossings and US-31 and US-20.  They built an "urban bypass" with a new bridge to take traffic out of the city center with collectors to highly traveled local streets.

Now that both US-20 and US-51 along with I-90/I-39 all providing suburban level bypass of the city center, there probably isn't a need for such a collector anymore.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: cwm1276 on December 07, 2020, 07:32:06 PM
Traffic has changed a lot in Rockford as well.  The Southeast corner of Rockford that the Whitman Street bridge with 6th and 9th streets used to have much higher concentration of jobs.  Plus some had a 39 extension that would have connected somewhere in that location, maintaining the US 51 route.

With this change they can remove the all the east side north south 1 ways, making 3rd street which already connects to Kishwaukee St a more direct connection for 251 while moving that traffic a block east allowing the downtown area to close streets for events easier.

The 6th and 9th street one ways are just weird being blocks apart and neither carry that much traffic and 2 lane bi-directional traffic on each will most likely work better and total capacity is really nor reduced much.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: quickshade on December 07, 2020, 08:50:54 PM
Quote from: cwm1276 on December 07, 2020, 07:32:06 PM
Traffic has changed a lot in Rockford as well.  The Southeast corner of Rockford that the Whitman Street bridge with 6th and 9th streets used to have much higher concentration of jobs.  Plus some had a 39 extension that would have connected somewhere in that location, maintaining the US 51 route.

With this change they can remove the all the east side north south 1 ways, making 3rd street which already connects to Kishwaukee St a more direct connection for 251 while moving that traffic a block east allowing the downtown area to close streets for events easier.

The 6th and 9th street one ways are just weird being blocks apart and neither carry that much traffic and 2 lane bi-directional traffic on each will most likely work better and total capacity is really nor reduced much.

This is already under planning at the city with the first of these changes being the conversion of Church St and Main St to a two way through street. This has been in the plan for a while but they are having trouble securing a federal grant to cover some of the costs on this project.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on December 14, 2020, 08:01:04 PM
Not sure of how I feel about the dedicated bus lanes turning up within the City of Chicago (79th Street for example). On one side, it does help reduce bus/vehicle conflicts in situations when the buses just bully themselves back on the road after completing a stop. However, on the flip side, what if you are stuck behind a slow driver and need to pass? You can't anymore because of the new bus lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 12:07:24 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on December 14, 2020, 08:01:04 PM
However, on the flip side, what if you are stuck behind a slow driver and need to pass? You can't anymore because of the new bus lanes.

Then you won't have as much video footage of road rage.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on December 15, 2020, 03:33:21 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 12:07:24 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on December 14, 2020, 08:01:04 PM
However, on the flip side, what if you are stuck behind a slow driver and need to pass? You can't anymore because of the new bus lanes.

Then you won't have as much video footage of road rage.

you can't deny that slow driving is bad driving, there's no need for it if the weather conditions don't call for it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on December 15, 2020, 03:41:45 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on December 15, 2020, 03:33:21 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 12:07:24 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on December 14, 2020, 08:01:04 PM
However, on the flip side, what if you are stuck behind a slow driver and need to pass? You can't anymore because of the new bus lanes.

Then you won't have as much video footage of road rage.

you can't deny that slow driving is bad driving, there's no need for it if the weather conditions don't call for it.

It depends on how much pedestrian and bicycle traffic is also in the area. Fast traffic in urban areas can be lethal to those not protected by steel cages.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 04:25:31 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on December 15, 2020, 03:33:21 PM

Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 12:07:24 PM

Quote from: Crash_It on December 14, 2020, 08:01:04 PM
However, on the flip side, what if you are stuck behind a slow driver and need to pass? You can't anymore because of the new bus lanes.

Then you won't have as much video footage of road rage.

you can't deny that slow driving is bad driving, there's no need for it if the weather conditions don't call for it.

Did I deny that somehow?  No, I mean that, if nobody can pass anybody, then (1) you won't be able to capture video of the slower driver getting ticked off at you for having passed him, nor (2) will you be able to capture video of your own road rage at a faster driver passing you.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on December 15, 2020, 05:44:29 PM
Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 04:25:31 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on December 15, 2020, 03:33:21 PM

Quote from: kphoger on December 15, 2020, 12:07:24 PM

Quote from: Crash_It on December 14, 2020, 08:01:04 PM
However, on the flip side, what if you are stuck behind a slow driver and need to pass? You can't anymore because of the new bus lanes.

Then you won't have as much video footage of road rage.

you can't deny that slow driving is bad driving, there's no need for it if the weather conditions don't call for it.

Did I deny that somehow?  No, I mean that, if nobody can pass anybody, then (1) you won't be able to capture video of the slower driver getting ticked off at you for having passed him, nor (2) will you be able to capture video of your own road rage at a faster driver passing you.

Well, there were numerous people disobeying the new bus only regulation.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 15, 2020, 07:29:15 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on December 14, 2020, 08:01:04 PM
However, on the flip side, what if you are stuck behind a slow driver and need to pass? You can't anymore because of the new bus lanes.

When did that ever stop the locals from passing? They use bus lanes, bike lanes, and even oncoming traffic lanes to pass anyone they think is going just a bit too slowly.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on December 15, 2020, 07:52:59 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 15, 2020, 07:29:15 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on December 14, 2020, 08:01:04 PM
However, on the flip side, what if you are stuck behind a slow driver and need to pass? You can't anymore because of the new bus lanes.

When did that ever stop the locals from passing? They use bus lanes, bike lanes, and even oncoming traffic lanes to pass anyone they think is going just a bit too slowly.
You type that as if its a problem. Heck, sidewalks and are fair game, too!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: iowahighways on December 16, 2020, 08:30:51 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on November 13, 2020, 06:02:32 PM
The westbound span of the new I-74 tied-arch bridge on the Mississippi River between Moline, IL and Bettendorf, IA is now open to traffic.

Starting Friday, Illinois-bound traffic will be shifted to two lanes of the new Iowa-bound span. The old bridge will remain open for access to downtown Moline from Bettendorf (traffic will have to exit at US 67) until the new Illinois-bound span opens next fall. (per https://www.facebook.com/I74RiverBridge/posts/1067176683803770)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 02, 2021, 11:19:55 PM
It appears IDOT has selected a preferred alternative for I-55 through Springfield. (http://i55springfield.com/site/)  Based on the Youtube video included on that site

* (~2:25) The I-55/I-72/6th Street interchange gets a NB to WB flyover.  EB I-72 gets a C-D roadway, and now merges onto the right side of NB I-55.
* (~3:00) The Stevenson Drive interchange becomes a SPUI.
* (~3:44) The IL 29/South Grand interchange becomes a SPUI.
* (~4:00) C-D roadways added between IL 29 and I-72.
* (~4:10) The I-72/Clear Lake Avenue interchange gets a semi-direct ramp for mainline WB I-72, but the WB to SB loop also remains.  There's also a new ramp shown for EB I-72 from NB I-55.
* (~4:30) The IL 54/Sagamon Avenue interchange becomes a partial cloverleaf, with loops for the NB to WB and SB to EB movements.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on January 03, 2021, 02:01:30 AM
I drove up from Southern IL to Chicagoland via I-57 on Jan 2nd, after sunset

A couple of years ago on this thread we discussed IDOT and LED Lighting...During my trip, I noticed the I-57/70 multiplex in Effingham is 100% LED lit now - looked like an ISTHA-style lit roadway. Very nice and bright! Not sure how long it has been that way

Otherwise, I noticed the I-57/US 30 interchange in Will County is lit with LED lighting, but surrounded by the old lighting north and south of it. Quite a contrast, just cruising down 57

More general thoughts: The fact that the 57/70 multiplex is a fully lit roadway around Effingham for IDOT is a stark contrast to I-69 in Bloomington, IN, where INDOT did NOT light the roadway - Bloomington is certainly a more populous area than Effingham. INDOT should have lit up 69, imho - and probably should between Martinsville and 465 also as it is built
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Ryctor2018 on January 03, 2021, 06:42:05 PM
There's some lighting, just not the entire length of I-69 in Bloomington. Only the interchanges, and the roadway from 3rd st. south to IN-45. This may also be an Indiana thing, as I-465 is not lit either except at certain interchanges. Reminds me of California, which has dark freeways even in the heart of Los Angeles.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Great Lakes Roads on January 03, 2021, 06:52:34 PM
Quote from: Ryctor2018 on January 03, 2021, 06:42:05 PM
There's some lighting, just not the entire length of I-69 in Bloomington. Only the interchanges, and the roadway from 3rd st. south to IN-45. This may also be an Indiana thing, as I-465 is not lit either except at certain interchanges. Reminds me of California, which has dark freeways even in the heart of Los Angeles.

The Indiana standard with lighting on freeways is usually 4 or more lanes in each direction.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: EpicRoadways on January 03, 2021, 11:28:23 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on January 03, 2021, 02:01:30 AM
I drove up from Southern IL to Chicagoland via I-57 on Jan 2nd, after sunset

A couple of years ago on this thread we discussed IDOT and LED Lighting...During my trip, I noticed the I-57/70 multiplex in Effingham is 100% LED lit now - looked like an ISTHA-style lit roadway. Very nice and bright! Not sure how long it has been that way

Otherwise, I noticed the I-57/US 30 interchange in Will County is lit with LED lighting, but surrounded by the old lighting north and south of it. Quite a contrast, just cruising down 57

More general thoughts: The fact that the 57/70 multiplex is a fully lit roadway around Effingham for IDOT is a stark contrast to I-69 in Bloomington, IN, where INDOT did NOT light the roadway - Bloomington is certainly a more populous area than Effingham. INDOT should have lit up 69, imho - and probably should between Martinsville and 465 also as it is built
IDOT has its weak spots, but lighting is solidly not one of them. Every time I drive through the Chicago area to visit relatives in Nashville it always surprises me just how far out of Chicagoland there is continuous lighting on I-57- all the way to the Peotone rest areas, some 30 miles outside of Chicago proper surrounded by cornfields. In urban and suburban areas, continuous lighting is the norm while in many rural areas they make extensive use of lighting at interchanges and major intersections. I also like how (at least historically) most rural interchange lighting outside of the Chicago area has been painted brown to blend in with the surroundings (example (https://goo.gl/maps/nRQDBJPnikZo13Pd7)). Sure Illinois has some pretty rough roads and bridges, but I'd nominate them for the best, most consistent freeway lighting in the country.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on January 04, 2021, 09:01:00 AM
Quote from: EpicRoadways on January 03, 2021, 11:28:23 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on January 03, 2021, 02:01:30 AM
I drove up from Southern IL to Chicagoland via I-57 on Jan 2nd, after sunset

A couple of years ago on this thread we discussed IDOT and LED Lighting...During my trip, I noticed the I-57/70 multiplex in Effingham is 100% LED lit now - looked like an ISTHA-style lit roadway. Very nice and bright! Not sure how long it has been that way

Otherwise, I noticed the I-57/US 30 interchange in Will County is lit with LED lighting, but surrounded by the old lighting north and south of it. Quite a contrast, just cruising down 57

More general thoughts: The fact that the 57/70 multiplex is a fully lit roadway around Effingham for IDOT is a stark contrast to I-69 in Bloomington, IN, where INDOT did NOT light the roadway - Bloomington is certainly a more populous area than Effingham. INDOT should have lit up 69, imho - and probably should between Martinsville and 465 also as it is built
IDOT has its weak spots, but lighting is solidly not one of them. Every time I drive through the Chicago area to visit relatives in Nashville it always surprises me just how far out of Chicagoland there is continuous lighting on I-57- all the way to the Peotone rest areas, some 30 miles outside of Chicago proper surrounded by cornfields. In urban and suburban areas, continuous lighting is the norm while in many rural areas they make extensive use of lighting at interchanges and major intersections. I also like how (at least historically) most rural interchange lighting outside of the Chicago area has been painted brown to blend in with the surroundings (example (https://goo.gl/maps/nRQDBJPnikZo13Pd7)). Sure Illinois has some pretty rough roads and bridges, but I'd nominate them for the best, most consistent freeway lighting in the country.

Yes, Illinois has actual steel poles holding the stop lights out in a proper position that makes them visible. Not dangling from a wire, blowing around in the wind like in Indiana and Michigan. Michigan has them hanging right under the spot you stop and you have to tilt your head and look up through the window to see them. As far as Effingham goes, I'd hope the lights are nice, it took them absolutely forever to complete that stretch where 70 and 57 come together. That is a big highway service area that seems to attract every chain out there trying to take advantage of the two for one location. I think around Rantoul the city of Effingham already has a big billboard advertising all the hotels and restaurants in that short stretch.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 04, 2021, 12:50:32 PM
Quote from: captkirk_4 on January 04, 2021, 09:01:00 AM
Quote from: EpicRoadways on January 03, 2021, 11:28:23 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on January 03, 2021, 02:01:30 AM
I drove up from Southern IL to Chicagoland via I-57 on Jan 2nd, after sunset

A couple of years ago on this thread we discussed IDOT and LED Lighting...During my trip, I noticed the I-57/70 multiplex in Effingham is 100% LED lit now - looked like an ISTHA-style lit roadway. Very nice and bright! Not sure how long it has been that way

Otherwise, I noticed the I-57/US 30 interchange in Will County is lit with LED lighting, but surrounded by the old lighting north and south of it. Quite a contrast, just cruising down 57

More general thoughts: The fact that the 57/70 multiplex is a fully lit roadway around Effingham for IDOT is a stark contrast to I-69 in Bloomington, IN, where INDOT did NOT light the roadway - Bloomington is certainly a more populous area than Effingham. INDOT should have lit up 69, imho - and probably should between Martinsville and 465 also as it is built
IDOT has its weak spots, but lighting is solidly not one of them. Every time I drive through the Chicago area to visit relatives in Nashville it always surprises me just how far out of Chicagoland there is continuous lighting on I-57- all the way to the Peotone rest areas, some 30 miles outside of Chicago proper surrounded by cornfields. In urban and suburban areas, continuous lighting is the norm while in many rural areas they make extensive use of lighting at interchanges and major intersections. I also like how (at least historically) most rural interchange lighting outside of the Chicago area has been painted brown to blend in with the surroundings (example (https://goo.gl/maps/nRQDBJPnikZo13Pd7)). Sure Illinois has some pretty rough roads and bridges, but I'd nominate them for the best, most consistent freeway lighting in the country.

Yes, Illinois has actual steel poles holding the stop lights out in a proper position that makes them visible. Not dangling from a wire, blowing around in the wind like in Indiana and Michigan. Michigan has them hanging right under the spot you stop and you have to tilt your head and look up through the window to see them. As far as Effingham goes, I'd hope the lights are nice, it took them absolutely forever to complete that stretch where 70 and 57 come together. That is a big highway service area that seems to attract every chain out there trying to take advantage of the two for one location. I think around Rantoul the city of Effingham already has a big billboard advertising all the hotels and restaurants in that short stretch.

I was the one who emailed IDOT and provided the various studies on the cost savings of using LED's instead of the sodium halide variety. My email was forwarded to a manager in IDOT Engineering. After that I was not in the loop.

I did later talk to a supplier to DOT's around the country and he said its not just a straight forward cost savings replacement. Many DOT's have replacement cycles for lighting and plan them in their district budgets. Also many DOT's had not even started certification of the modules needed for the conversion. As for certification, it is around a whole host of parameters that I would have thought FHA or someone would have already done. If IDOT had them installed in the Effingham project that means they got the specifications they needed and into the bid process. That is good news.

Now with IDOT funding set free of the shackles of poor management by the legislature, hopefully we will see some straight out LED replacement bids go out. The savings will soon aggregate and in 5 years they will start to see a remarkable reduction in their energy bills.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on January 05, 2021, 04:28:14 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 02, 2021, 11:19:55 PM
It appears IDOT has selected a preferred alternative for I-55 through Springfield. (http://i55springfield.com/site/)  Based on the Youtube video included on that site

* (~2:25) The I-55/I-72/6th Street interchange gets a NB to WB flyover.  EB I-72 gets a C-D roadway, and now merges onto the right side of NB I-55.
* (~3:00) The Stevenson Drive interchange becomes a SPUI.
* (~3:44) The IL 29/South Grand interchange becomes a SPUI.
* (~4:00) C-D roadways added between IL 29 and I-72.
* (~4:10) The I-72/Clear Lake Avenue interchange gets a semi-direct ramp for mainline WB I-72, but the WB to SB loop also remains.  There's also a new ramp shown for EB I-72 from NB I-55.
* (~4:30) The IL 54/Sagamon Avenue interchange becomes a partial cloverleaf, with loops for the NB to WB and SB to EB movements.

Thanks. A couple more bullets after watching the video:
I don't know if it was just missed in production, but both the WB to SB old cloverleaf ramp and new flyover at Clear Lake were shown in the video. It seems like the cloverleaf would probably be removed but I have seen them kept elsewhere (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.84464,-76.2000597,16.03z?hl=en).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 05, 2021, 05:01:31 PM
Quote from: skluth on January 05, 2021, 04:28:14 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 02, 2021, 11:19:55 PM
It appears IDOT has selected a preferred alternative for I-55 through Springfield. (http://i55springfield.com/site/)  Based on the Youtube video included on that site

* (~2:25) The I-55/I-72/6th Street interchange gets a NB to WB flyover.  EB I-72 gets a C-D roadway, and now merges onto the right side of NB I-55.
* (~3:00) The Stevenson Drive interchange becomes a SPUI.
* (~3:44) The IL 29/South Grand interchange becomes a SPUI.
* (~4:00) C-D roadways added between IL 29 and I-72.
* (~4:10) The I-72/Clear Lake Avenue interchange gets a semi-direct ramp for mainline WB I-72, but the WB to SB loop also remains.  There's also a new ramp shown for EB I-72 from NB I-55.
* (~4:30) The IL 54/Sagamon Avenue interchange becomes a partial cloverleaf, with loops for the NB to WB and SB to EB movements.

Thanks. A couple more bullets after watching the video:

  • I-55 around Springfield will finally be six lanes. It's been needed since at least the late 80's.
  • The C-D lanes along I-55 will extend through the I-72/Clear Lake interchange so the remaining cloverleaf ramps will no longer be coming directly onto the highway.
I don't know if it was just missed in production, but both the WB to SB old cloverleaf ramp and new flyover at Clear Lake were shown in the video. It seems like the cloverleaf would probably be removed but I have seen them kept elsewhere (https://www.google.com/maps/@36.84464,-76.2000597,16.03z?hl=en).

This video on I-55 is marked as "unlisted" in YouTube.

You can't search for it. I looked under Hanson's YT channel and it is not there.

It is physically there and playable, they just don't want people to stumble onto it or find it in a search result. Kind of like an unlisted telephone number.

I have never seen a state agency or their consultants mark a video in such a fashion. I have found tons of videos of projects that both were done and cancelled placed on YT, why would one on I-55 be any different?

Sheesh, Illinois, only Illinois.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 05, 2021, 05:14:58 PM
^ They probably just wanted the video to be viewed only on their site, and needed to use youtube as nothing more than a place on the web to host it.

LM-V405

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on January 09, 2021, 05:23:47 PM
Work has started on a 4-lane bypass of US 67 through New Deli to just south of Jerseyville.

https://www.myjournalcourier.com/insider/article/Work-progresses-on-US-67-project-15857034.php
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on January 09, 2021, 05:43:20 PM
I had to drive to Bloomington yesterday, and to mix things up a bit I took I-80 to I-39 to get there. On the way, I saw those single span bridges that were mentioned in this thread a while back, and I have to admit, I like them. I don't know how much they cost, but they give a clean uncluttered look to the landscape.

(https://i.imgur.com/eGHeVpv.png)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on January 09, 2021, 08:30:00 PM
Since I happen to have the annual Improvements they ranged between under a million to 2 million. Over all inflation has less than doubled but I know roads are up more.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on January 09, 2021, 08:37:39 PM
The 67 projects along with Lebanon bypass IS 34 and 24 that's about it for 4 lanes.
There is  3 lane on 20 and big reconstruction on 67 in Jerseyville Beardstown Bridge North of Monmouth and apparently South of Macomb.
Nothing like that leg of 39 . Done between 87 and 90. Also it got the 2 di North before the final freeway design south of Ogelsby decided.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on January 09, 2021, 11:09:16 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 09, 2021, 08:37:39 PMNothing like that leg of 39 . Done between 87 and 90. Also it got the 2 di North before the final freeway design south of Ogelsby decided.

If only they would've waited until design standards changed and did the Bloomington to Decatur segment like that as well.......

I personally think the old design standards for controlled access freeways is what ultimately killed any chance of making US 51 an interstate south of Bloomington.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 09, 2021, 11:51:02 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on January 09, 2021, 05:43:20 PM
I had to drive to Bloomington yesterday, and to mix things up a bit I took I-80 to I-39 to get there. On the way, I saw those single span bridges that were mentioned in this thread a while back, and I have to admit, I like them. I don't know how much they cost, but they give a clean uncluttered look to the landscape.
(https://i.imgur.com/eGHeVpv.png)

Designed by the late structural engineer, Wei Hsiong. This was a design that he came up with after late IDOT District 3 Engineer Bob Blasius asked if an economical design could be achieved that eliminated the center pier. At each end there are counterweights attached to steel tendons that pull down the beam ends that are inside the vaulted abutments, sort of a fulcrum on each end that counteract the sag in the middle of the span. The whole corridor was inexpensive even by that era's standards, I was told the 51 miles from Oglesby to Normal came in around $350 million.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 10, 2021, 12:00:26 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on January 09, 2021, 11:51:02 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on January 09, 2021, 05:43:20 PM
I had to drive to Bloomington yesterday, and to mix things up a bit I took I-80 to I-39 to get there. On the way, I saw those single span bridges that were mentioned in this thread a while back, and I have to admit, I like them. I don't know how much they cost, but they give a clean uncluttered look to the landscape.
(https://i.imgur.com/eGHeVpv.png)

Designed by the late structural engineer, Wei Hsiong. This was a design that he came up with after late IDOT District 3 Engineer Bob Blasius asked if an economical design could be achieved that eliminated the center pier. At each end there are counterweights attached to steel tendons that pull down the beam ends that are inside the vaulted abutments, sort of a fulcrum on each end that counteract the sag in the middle of the span. The whole corridor was inexpensive even by that era's standards, I was told the 51 miles from Oglesby to Normal came in around $350 million.

They're a great idea, IMHO, and I'm surprised I've never seen them in use anywhere else in the state.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on January 10, 2021, 12:17:10 AM
Quote from: Brandon on January 10, 2021, 12:00:26 AM
They're a great idea, IMHO, and I'm surprised I've never seen them in use anywhere else in the state.
I could have sworn there is one on I-57 somewhere...next time I take the trip North I'll keep my eyes open for it. I could very well be wrong, as well

I just feel like I've seen one of those bridges over another IL interstate other than just I-39, somewhere
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on January 10, 2021, 12:32:36 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on January 10, 2021, 12:17:10 AM
I could have sworn there is one on I-57 somewhere...next time I take the trip North I’ll keep my eyes open for it. I could very well be wrong, as well

I just feel like I’ve seen one of those bridges over another IL interstate other than just I-39, somewhere

There's one here (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.0909938,-87.8348697,3a,43y,8.61h,91.94t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s71jcVzpc9PWgSaPpEVSMuQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192). (It was mentioned above in the thread).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on January 10, 2021, 09:16:48 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on January 09, 2021, 11:51:02 PM
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on January 09, 2021, 05:43:20 PM
I had to drive to Bloomington yesterday, and to mix things up a bit I took I-80 to I-39 to get there. On the way, I saw those single span bridges that were mentioned in this thread a while back, and I have to admit, I like them. I don't know how much they cost, but they give a clean uncluttered look to the landscape.
(https://i.imgur.com/eGHeVpv.png)

Designed by the late structural engineer, Wei Hsiong. This was a design that he came up with after late IDOT District 3 Engineer Bob Blasius asked if an economical design could be achieved that eliminated the center pier. At each end there are counterweights attached to steel tendons that pull down the beam ends that are inside the vaulted abutments, sort of a fulcrum on each end that counteract the sag in the middle of the span. The whole corridor was inexpensive even by that era's standards, I was told the 51 miles from Oglesby to Normal came in around $350 million.

This may be a dumb question, but when it comes time to replace the bridges in the future, how exactly would they go about reconstructing the bridges compared to a conventional bridge?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on January 10, 2021, 12:18:54 PM
Most of its re decking so probably the same? The 34 overpass over 67 was done . It was just a redeck. My guess is it will rarely need done on those low volume rural roads.
Also they cut the median size on 39. They used to have a model of 39 at IDOT  HQ.
Basically all the other freeways were under design by then so there really has been a chance to use it. Maybe the Feds will give us 20 billion to build them all.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on January 10, 2021, 12:39:13 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 10, 2021, 12:18:54 PM
Also they cut the median size on 39. They used to have a model of 39 at IDOT  HQ.
Basically all the other freeways were under design by then so there really has been a chance to use it. Maybe the Feds will give us 20 billion to build them all.
I'm guessing the one in Kankakee over I-57 is there because I-57 has a fairly narrow median around Kankakee
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on January 10, 2021, 01:47:23 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 10, 2021, 12:18:54 PM
Also they cut the median size on 39.

This was my point. I-39 north of the Illinois River has a much larger median/interchanges than south of it. The old pre-1980s design standards for interstates/freeways used up a lot more land than is necessary IMO, and probably was a big factor in killing most of the supplemental freeway proposal.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 10, 2021, 02:41:16 PM
Quote from: I-39 on January 10, 2021, 01:47:23 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 10, 2021, 12:18:54 PM
Also they cut the median size on 39.

This was my point. I-39 north of the Illinois River has a much larger median/interchanges than south of it. The old pre-1980s design standards for interstates/freeways used up a lot more land than is necessary IMO, and probably was a big factor in killing most of the supplemental freeway proposal.
I do know that the Illinois Farm Bureau (among others) was instrumental in reducing the median width from 88 feet (the previous standard of the 70s) to 54 feet for the stretch south of Oglesby, to conserve farm land, and the single span bridges were an outgrowth of that initiative. As far as freeway vs. expressway, the cost of farmland was pretty incidental to this or any of the other US 51 corridors, I doubt if IDOT paid more than $1-2k an acre at the time. Interestingly, back in the late 50s a median width of 40 feet was not uncommon for interstates, and much of the original I-80 in Illinois was built with it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on January 10, 2021, 03:29:17 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on January 10, 2021, 02:41:16 PM
Quote from: I-39 on January 10, 2021, 01:47:23 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 10, 2021, 12:18:54 PM
Also they cut the median size on 39.

This was my point. I-39 north of the Illinois River has a much larger median/interchanges than south of it. The old pre-1980s design standards for interstates/freeways used up a lot more land than is necessary IMO, and probably was a big factor in killing most of the supplemental freeway proposal.
I do know that the Illinois Farm Bureau (among others) was instrumental in reducing the median width from 88 feet (the previous standard of the 70s) to 54 feet for the stretch south of Oglesby, to conserve farm land, and the single span bridges were an outgrowth of that initiative. As far as freeway vs. expressway, the cost of farmland was pretty incidental to this or any of the other US 51 corridors, I doubt if IDOT paid more than $1-2k an acre at the time. Interestingly, back in the late 50s a median width of 40 feet was not uncommon for interstates, and much of the original I-80 in Illinois was built with it.

It's info like this that just makes me scratch my head. It's no wonder the supplemental freeway system didn't get built very far. Granted, some of the corridors just straight up weren't needed, but others that never got built truly were/are needed (i.e FAP 401/US 20). All thanks to the silly 70s freeway design standards. In the case of FAP 412/US 51, my understanding is the Bloomington to Decatur segment was originally set to be built to interstate standards on a new alignment west of the existing one, but thanks to the excessive 70s design standards, public opposition to the proposed ROW caused IDOT to scale it back to the expressway we see today. But the decision was made prior to the decision on the Oglesby to Normal segment (where there was similar opposition in the 70s) and the change in design standards. Had they waited on Bloomington to Decatur until they figured out what to between Oglesby and Normal, maybe they could've built a similar freeway facility and bridges on that segment and I-39 could end in Decatur instead of Normal.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on January 10, 2021, 04:52:06 PM
It was really the crazy inflation and the rising opposition that slowed it. Then traffic growth slowed and it became the list of expressways I mentioned. But most of those had bypasses and enthusiasm for those faded on low volume roads leaving those few projects I mentioned.
I suspect farmland won't be an issue in a decade.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on January 10, 2021, 10:18:24 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 10, 2021, 04:52:06 PM
It was really the crazy inflation and the rising opposition that slowed it. Then traffic growth slowed and it became the list of expressways I mentioned. But most of those had bypasses and enthusiasm for those faded on low volume roads leaving those few projects I mentioned.
I suspect farmland won't be an issue in a decade.

Outside of the Chicagoland area, I think the only supplemental freeways that should have been built to interstate grade for their entire length were US 20/FAP 401 and US 51/FAP 412. Everything else could've gotten away with four lane expressway or even less, especially in western Illinois.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 10, 2021, 10:43:26 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on January 10, 2021, 02:41:16 PM
Quote from: I-39 on January 10, 2021, 01:47:23 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 10, 2021, 12:18:54 PM
Also they cut the median size on 39.

This was my point. I-39 north of the Illinois River has a much larger median/interchanges than south of it. The old pre-1980s design standards for interstates/freeways used up a lot more land than is necessary IMO, and probably was a big factor in killing most of the supplemental freeway proposal.
I do know that the Illinois Farm Bureau (among others) was instrumental in reducing the median width from 88 feet (the previous standard of the 70s) to 54 feet for the stretch south of Oglesby, to conserve farm land, and the single span bridges were an outgrowth of that initiative. As far as freeway vs. expressway, the cost of farmland was pretty incidental to this or any of the other US 51 corridors, I doubt if IDOT paid more than $1-2k an acre at the time. Interestingly, back in the late 50s a median width of 40 feet was not uncommon for interstates, and much of the original I-80 in Illinois was built with it.

I was the one that brought up this fascinating bridge design (I am a bridge nut) several years ago and you informed me on the background. I still think this is a fascinating design and one definitely built with safety in mind by removing the center pier.

But today I have seen some newer designs that use either pre-stressed concrete or steel to match the same amount of coverage without a center pier. So these are perfect for their purpose, an inexpensive way to support rural mobility around limited access.

I hope he won some award for this.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 10, 2021, 11:07:10 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on January 10, 2021, 12:39:13 PM
Quote from: 3467 on January 10, 2021, 12:18:54 PM
Also they cut the median size on 39. They used to have a model of 39 at IDOT  HQ.
Basically all the other freeways were under design by then so there really has been a chance to use it. Maybe the Feds will give us 20 billion to build them all.
I'm guessing the one in Kankakee over I-57 is there because I-57 has a fairly narrow median around Kankakee

Yep. That ROW was built out in 1953! Different standards.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on January 12, 2021, 01:07:50 PM
Heck, I often wonder why the narrow ROW standards that are S.O.P. for motorways in Europe (very, very, very few of them don't have narrow/barrier medians) are not more common here in North America.

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JREwing78 on January 12, 2021, 09:00:35 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on January 12, 2021, 01:07:50 PM
Heck, I often wonder why the narrow ROW standards that are S.O.P. for motorways in Europe (very, very, very few of them don't have narrow/barrier medians) are not more common here in North America.

Land is cheaper in most areas than median barriers?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 12, 2021, 11:55:23 PM
Quote from: JREwing78 on January 12, 2021, 09:00:35 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on January 12, 2021, 01:07:50 PM
Heck, I often wonder why the narrow ROW standards that are S.O.P. for motorways in Europe (very, very, very few of them don't have narrow/barrier medians) are not more common here in North America.

Land is cheaper in most areas than median barriers?

You could buy about 500 feet of 80' median right-of-way (roughly an acre's worth) for $1,000 to $2,000 back in the day in rural areas. 500 feet of concrete barrier would probably set you back $5,000 or more in the 70s. However, if you have a lot of overhead bridges, the extra length of the bridges will more than offset the cost savings of wide median vs. concrete barrier. Also, if the roadway or shoulders are pitched inward at the barrier, there are extra costs for inlets and pipes to drain it. So it depends.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 15, 2021, 09:31:03 PM
IDOT is seeking is seeking input on potential alternative configurations for the Business Loop 55/Veterans Parkway intersection with IL 9/Empire Street in Normal.

https://www.veteransparkwayoutreach.com/alternate-configurations (https://www.veteransparkwayoutreach.com/alternate-configurations)

The options are:

1) No build
2) Full CFI
3) SPUI (Veterans over and free flowing in the picture)
4) DDI (Veterans under and free flowing in the picture)
5) Echelon (NB and WB on the upper level)
6) Throughabout (Veterans goes through)
7) Center Turn Overpass
8) A large conventional intersection - NB has a triple left, three throughs, and a dual right; WB and EB also have dual rights, may be other movements with triple lefts.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 16, 2021, 01:19:01 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 15, 2021, 09:31:03 PM
IDOT is seeking is seeking input on potential alternative configurations for the Business Loop 55/Veterans Parkway intersection with IL 9/Empire Street in Normal.

https://www.veteransparkwayoutreach.com/alternate-configurations (https://www.veteransparkwayoutreach.com/alternate-configurations)

The options are:

1) No build
2) Full CFI
3) SPUI (Veterans over and free flowing in the picture)
4) DDI (Veterans under and free flowing in the picture)
5) Echelon (NB and WB on the upper level)
6) Throughabout (Veterans goes through)
7) Center Turn Overpass
8) A large conventional intersection - NB has a triple left, three throughs, and a dual right; WB and EB also have dual rights, may be other movements with triple lefts.

Since there is no retail like gas stations, strip malls etc. involved, I would vote for a full SPUI.

The enlarged roundabout is a huge non-starter. Accident central.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on January 16, 2021, 11:00:45 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on January 16, 2021, 01:19:01 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 15, 2021, 09:31:03 PM
IDOT is seeking is seeking input on potential alternative configurations for the Business Loop 55/Veterans Parkway intersection with IL 9/Empire Street in Normal.

https://www.veteransparkwayoutreach.com/alternate-configurations (https://www.veteransparkwayoutreach.com/alternate-configurations)

The options are:

1) No build
2) Full CFI
3) SPUI (Veterans over and free flowing in the picture)
4) DDI (Veterans under and free flowing in the picture)
5) Echelon (NB and WB on the upper level)
6) Throughabout (Veterans goes through)
7) Center Turn Overpass
8) A large conventional intersection - NB has a triple left, three throughs, and a dual right; WB and EB also have dual rights, may be other movements with triple lefts.

Since there is no retail like gas stations, strip malls etc. involved, I would vote for a full SPUI.

The enlarged roundabout is a huge non-starter. Accident central.


I would opt for a DDI, those are fun to drive through
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 17, 2021, 04:09:17 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on January 16, 2021, 01:19:01 PM
Since there is no retail like gas stations, strip malls etc. involved, I would vote for a full SPUI.
That's where I put my vote, although I would have liked to had some info other than aesthetics to go off of (intersection delay, level of service, crash estimates, etc.)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on January 18, 2021, 10:50:50 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on January 16, 2021, 11:00:45 PM
I would opt for a DDI, those are fun to drive through

I really hope they don't make their decision based on "fun to drive"...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on January 18, 2021, 08:00:44 PM
It's been years since I drove through there, mostly just to see what the old bypass looked like while they were rebuilding I-55/I-74 west of Bloomington. I voted for the SPUI because it looks like the busiest left turns look like they could be on the same left turn and I don't know how much through traffic is on IL 9 (which is less affected by a SPUI than a DDI). Besides, I love SPUIs and think they are best solution for most busy diamond situations if they can be built.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ixnay on February 09, 2021, 04:34:19 PM
Outside Mossville, northeast of Peoria, IL 6 ends at a stub "in the middle of nowhere".  (Ramps connect that freeway to IL 29 which follows Upper Peoria Lake.

Does anybody know the story of where IL 6 was intended to go?

ixnay

P.S.  I noticed this IL 6 quirk when accessing https://www.kansascity.com/news/nation-world/national/article249108050.html (an article about a riot at an indoor trampoline park in Peoria's north suburbs), then Google Mapping the address, then switching to Google Sat and sliding the map around via the mouse.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on February 09, 2021, 05:46:16 PM
See our supplemental freeway discussions. It was left as an option to continue North to 180 . The route was added as a supplemental after 180 to give the FHWA an CYA in it approval of 180.it was studied as part of a Peoria Chicago highway. But it's longer than 74 55 . Then there was an expressway study. It's on IDOTs site. It went nowhere. Even US24 is getting 4 lane as a substitute for 336.
This one looks done. IDOT did consider passing lanes once.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 09, 2021, 11:55:25 PM
Quote from: 3467 on February 09, 2021, 05:46:16 PM
See our supplemental freeway discussions. It was left as an option to continue North to 180 . The route was added as a supplemental after 180 to give the FHWA an CYA in it approval of 180.it was studied as part of a Peoria Chicago highway. But it's longer than 74 55 . Then there was an expressway study. It's on IDOTs site. It went nowhere. Even US24 is getting 4 lane as a substitute for 336.
This one looks done. IDOT did consider passing lanes once.

The City of Chillicothe wants IL-6 extended to IL-29 just north of town. @Rick Powell sent me this link for the East Peoria Bypass study that would instead connect it with a bridge over the Illinois River.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50928105431_0cace6a471_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on February 10, 2021, 12:17:55 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on February 09, 2021, 11:55:25 PM
The City of Chillicothe wants IL-6 extended to IL-29 just north of town. @Rick Powell sent me this link for the East Peoria Bypass study that would instead connect it with a bridge over the Illinois River.
It is noted that this is a "Tier 1 corridor" that doesn't nail down the details of the route, and the full NEPA action won't be complete until Tier 2 is conducted (IF IDOT chooses to go forward) and receives a Record of Decision. Generally, the Tier 2 alternatives would fall within the boundaries of Tier 1, but could go outside it with justification and concurrence of the resource agencies.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 10, 2021, 09:33:04 AM
Too bad I-155 is west of Morton. If this gets past Tier 2, it would have been pretty slick to simply take it and wrap it around Washington and over to IL-6 at Mossville.

I know what the original purpose of I-155 was way back when, it would have been just like what they did with IL-255 and took it all the way up to Alton.

Can't predict everything and every need unfortunately.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on February 10, 2021, 09:51:35 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on February 10, 2021, 09:33:04 AM
Too bad I-155 is west of Morton. If this gets past Tier 2, it would have been pretty slick to simply take it and wrap it around Washington and over to IL-6 at Mossville.

I know what the original purpose of I-155 was way back when, it would have been just like what they did with IL-255 and took it all the way up to Alton.

Can't predict everything and every need unfortunately.

Wasn't this a proposal at one time?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on February 10, 2021, 10:02:46 AM
In the first draft supplemental freeway 155 was part of the now 39 corridor it followed 121 through Lincoln to Decatur it headed north near 89 then veered back toward Dixon and followed 2 on the other side of the rock..

Then 180 happened and Illinois 29 was created. 39 and 155 went to the corridors they now have .
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on February 10, 2021, 10:09:31 AM
There was also for some reason a corridor along 24 to 55.
The Macomb Peoria followed the route it will now follow US 24 and Illinois.
The Illinois was near Kankakee.
Otherwise the 1965 map was same except 88 and 30.
That kept having shifts until it was built. That one was always for the tollway. You can see their 30 route on page 5 of this thread.

I don't know why the tollway  stopped at Sterling Dan Walker? He tried to kill the whole plan .
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on February 10, 2021, 11:03:39 AM
Quote from: 3467 on February 10, 2021, 10:09:31 AM

I don't know why the tollway  stopped at Sterling Dan Walker? He tried to kill the whole plan .

IDOT already had 2 FAP's from Rock Falls to Moline as part of the old US 30 Expressway plan. So the tollway ended there.

This got covered in another thread somewhere.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on February 10, 2021, 12:19:05 PM
I wonder when the switch came because the original mandate took the East West to the Quad Cities. There was a full state tollway study from the 50s we had here but I can't seem to find it. It was a map posted year years ago.

Anyway the map on page 5 here is much more recent so at some time it went from Tollway to IDOT and I have never seen why.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on February 10, 2021, 12:28:19 PM
As to that tollway report. I saw a hard copycat the Johns Hopkins Library dated 1954as I recall .. It predated the Interstates by 2 years. When they became official the tollway kept 3 corridors and the east West was mandated to go to the area of 67.
But somebody had the map here. I have been here since 2009.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on March 03, 2021, 09:17:20 AM
Here to announce another road obituary for Illinois
The Peoria North Bypass in today's Federal Register.
It joins the U.S. 30 and US 51 project
Also we can assume US 24 replaced 336.
Also except for the Lebanon bypass US 50 gone per Edwaleni
IL 29 dormant since 2009 and US 20 earlier.
All that is left is US 67 and 34 and IL  127.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on March 03, 2021, 09:39:12 AM
Quote from: 3467 on March 03, 2021, 09:17:20 AM
Here to announce another road obituary for Illinois
The Peoria North Bypass in today's Federal Register.
It joins the U.S. 30 and US 51 project
Also we can assume US 24 replaced 336.
Also except for the Lebanon bypass US 50 gone per Edwaleni
IL 29 dormant since 2009 and US 20 earlier.
All that is left is US 67 and 34 and IL  127.

It would be nice if IDOT would remove projects from their site when they lapse, get cancelled.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on March 03, 2021, 10:10:21 AM
I would like them to put them in with the old SRA  reports which was a big flop but historically intetesting.
They took 34 down while it's in the current plan and the need to add 24 and move 336 to storage.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 03, 2021, 11:06:53 AM
Quote from: I-39 on March 03, 2021, 09:39:12 AM
Quote from: 3467 on March 03, 2021, 09:17:20 AM
Here to announce another road obituary for Illinois
The Peoria North Bypass in today's Federal Register.
It joins the U.S. 30 and US 51 project
Also we can assume US 24 replaced 336.
Also except for the Lebanon bypass US 50 gone per Edwaleni
IL 29 dormant since 2009 and US 20 earlier.
All that is left is US 67 and 34 and IL  127.

It would be nice if IDOT would remove projects from their site when they lapse, get cancelled.

Their site gives me security errors when going into it. It's an absolute joke. Actually, they have sort of "hidden" the projects page as their doesn't even seem to be a direct link to it from the main page anymore, at least one easily found. It's kind of like IDOT realizes the page is useless, but they would rather just pretend it's not there rather than actually fix it. And don't even start me on the "Getting Around Illinois Page"...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on March 03, 2021, 11:10:25 AM
Yes it does on my older browser not my newer one.
I got the traffic data to work on getting.
Type in the city. But it works only on the old browser.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 03, 2021, 11:14:24 AM
Quote from: 3467 on March 03, 2021, 11:10:25 AM
Yes it does on my older browser not my newer one.
I got the traffic data to work on getting.
Type in the city. But it works only on the old browser.

I was using the latest version of Chrome with this error. It seems that they would just direct you to Getting Around Illinois rather than tell you what the actual projects are. Only exception is the also relatively obscure D1 construction update page, but its reliability of being updated is mediocre at best.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 04, 2021, 09:42:58 AM
Peoria Bypass notice https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/03/03/2021-04321/notice-to-rescind-a-notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-peoria-tazewell
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 04, 2021, 09:48:55 AM
Quote from: 3467 on March 03, 2021, 10:10:21 AM
I would like them to put them in with the old SRA  reports which was a big flop but historically interesting.
They took 34 down while it's in the current plan and the need to add 24 and move 336 to storage.
The SRA studies for IL 47 and IL 71/US 34 in Kendall County actually bore fruit, although what was built (or will be) didn't exactly follow the SRA blueprint because development pressures sort of overtook some of the signalized intersection spacings that SRA tried to preserve (the signal at Landmark on IL 47 just south of US 34 being one example). The last remaining stretches of the SRA plan on IL 71 and IL 47 are now in design and in the state's program, and US 34 is fully built out.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on March 04, 2021, 10:07:54 AM
I should be more specific on the SRAs. I recall some of the 6 lane ideas especially Lake County hitting with a thud.
Also glad we didn't let the Prairie Parkway way money to to waste. It was well used.

I assume the cancellation pretty much means the end of Illinois 29 especially with 24 replacing 336.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 04, 2021, 10:58:04 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 04, 2021, 09:42:58 AM
Peoria Bypass notice https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/03/03/2021-04321/notice-to-rescind-a-notice-of-intent-to-prepare-an-environmental-impact-statement-peoria-tazewell

So can I assume that the EIS study proposal was cancelled due to funding or a lack of interest by the IDOT District (or both?)

Since no study was actually performed, it cant be due to resistance of residents or inadequate traffic counts, since they were never compiled and reported on.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on March 04, 2021, 11:21:24 AM
I went to the web page and they had meetings and traffic projetions. Those projections were low and the public response was strongly negative.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 04, 2021, 11:44:49 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 04, 2021, 10:58:04 AM
Since no study was actually performed, it cant be due to resistance of residents or inadequate traffic counts, since they were never compiled and reported on.
Well, there was a study, and I'm sure a lot of work was done on it in the background, but the plug pulled before it got to the DEIS stage. Some IDOT projects got to a DEIS but never to the FEIS, and this one fell short of even that. The history of highways that were planned but never built around the Peoria area, starting with the Kerner Curve, is a long one. Add the Chicago-KC toll road, the IDOT Chicago-Peoria study that ended up with the IL 29 alternative, and now the Eastern Bypass to the list.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 05, 2021, 01:01:31 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 04, 2021, 11:44:49 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 04, 2021, 10:58:04 AM
Since no study was actually performed, it cant be due to resistance of residents or inadequate traffic counts, since they were never compiled and reported on.
Well, there was a study, and I'm sure a lot of work was done on it in the background, but the plug pulled before it got to the DEIS stage. Some IDOT projects got to a DEIS but never to the FEIS, and this one fell short of even that. The history of highways that were planned but never built around the Peoria area, starting with the Kerner Curve, is a long one. Add the Chicago-KC toll road, the IDOT Chicago-Peoria study that ended up with the IL 29 alternative, and now the Eastern Bypass to the list.

Do you know anything on the disposition of all the land IDOT owns east of the IL-336 stub at I-474? Contrary to popular belief, it does not all belong to Rocky Glen Park.

It only says the "land off Prairie Street was sold to the Hindu Temple in 2009". The Temple got a special road put in in 2017.

I never could find any plans on what that stub was going to end up doing east of I-474. The stub was built with some eastbound future in mind. When IDOT bought the land, it was just a bunch of apple orchards. Now it is forest.

2 local streets both dead end where IDOT owns the land (Apple Blossom and Hilltop Road). Before IDOT came along, these roads were connected. Ages ago there used to be signs posted saying "Property of IDOT" where the streets end.

IDOT either sold it or chose not to protect it. I always thought they were going to terminate IL-336 over at Farmington Road since I-474 has no exit ramps for it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 05, 2021, 09:20:53 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 05, 2021, 01:01:31 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 04, 2021, 11:44:49 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 04, 2021, 10:58:04 AM
Since no study was actually performed, it cant be due to resistance of residents or inadequate traffic counts, since they were never compiled and reported on.
Well, there was a study, and I'm sure a lot of work was done on it in the background, but the plug pulled before it got to the DEIS stage. Some IDOT projects got to a DEIS but never to the FEIS, and this one fell short of even that. The history of highways that were planned but never built around the Peoria area, starting with the Kerner Curve, is a long one. Add the Chicago-KC toll road, the IDOT Chicago-Peoria study that ended up with the IL 29 alternative, and now the Eastern Bypass to the list.

Do you know anything on the disposition of all the land IDOT owns east of the IL-336 stub at I-474? Contrary to popular belief, it does not all belong to Rocky Glen Park.

It only says the "land off Prairie Street was sold to the Hindu Temple in 2009". The Temple got a special road put in in 2017.

I never could find any plans on what that stub was going to end up doing east of I-474. The stub was built with some eastbound future in mind. When IDOT bought the land, it was just a bunch of apple orchards. Now it is forest.

2 local streets both dead end where IDOT owns the land (Apple Blossom and Hilltop Road). Before IDOT came along, these roads were connected. Ages ago there used to be signs posted saying "Property of IDOT" where the streets end.

IDOT either sold it or chose not to protect it. I always thought they were going to terminate IL-336 over at Farmington Road since I-474 has no exit ramps for it.

I don't know much about the history of the land acquisition for 336, other than the issuing of the corridor protection and the short piece that was built on the east end. I'm sure someone in District 4 current or retired knows all the details.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 05, 2021, 03:34:15 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 05, 2021, 09:20:53 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 05, 2021, 01:01:31 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 04, 2021, 11:44:49 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 04, 2021, 10:58:04 AM
Since no study was actually performed, it cant be due to resistance of residents or inadequate traffic counts, since they were never compiled and reported on.
Well, there was a study, and I'm sure a lot of work was done on it in the background, but the plug pulled before it got to the DEIS stage. Some IDOT projects got to a DEIS but never to the FEIS, and this one fell short of even that. The history of highways that were planned but never built around the Peoria area, starting with the Kerner Curve, is a long one. Add the Chicago-KC toll road, the IDOT Chicago-Peoria study that ended up with the IL 29 alternative, and now the Eastern Bypass to the list.

Do you know anything on the disposition of all the land IDOT owns east of the IL-336 stub at I-474? Contrary to popular belief, it does not all belong to Rocky Glen Park.

It only says the "land off Prairie Street was sold to the Hindu Temple in 2009". The Temple got a special road put in in 2017.

I never could find any plans on what that stub was going to end up doing east of I-474. The stub was built with some eastbound future in mind. When IDOT bought the land, it was just a bunch of apple orchards. Now it is forest.

2 local streets both dead end where IDOT owns the land (Apple Blossom and Hilltop Road). Before IDOT came along, these roads were connected. Ages ago there used to be signs posted saying "Property of IDOT" where the streets end.

IDOT either sold it or chose not to protect it. I always thought they were going to terminate IL-336 over at Farmington Road since I-474 has no exit ramps for it.

I don't know much about the history of the land acquisition for 336, other than the issuing of the corridor protection and the short piece that was built on the east end. I'm sure someone in District 4 current or retired knows all the details.

Thanks, much appreciated. Some people have asked me why that stub is not signed. It actually is, its Peoria County Road 905!

A county road built to Interstate quality. Don't see that often!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 06, 2021, 07:18:44 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 05, 2021, 03:34:15 PM

A county road built to Interstate quality. Don't see that often!

Actually, a state route. The road has the typical IDOT milepost sign with "905" for the route and "Peoria" for the county. https://www.aaroads.com/guides/il-905/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on March 08, 2021, 04:33:19 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 06, 2021, 07:18:44 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 05, 2021, 03:34:15 PM

A county road built to Interstate quality. Don't see that often!

Actually, a state route. The road has the typical IDOT milepost sign with "905" for the route and "Peoria" for the county. https://www.aaroads.com/guides/il-905/

Thanks. Learned something new today! I always thought that was a county road marker.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on March 08, 2021, 04:38:50 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 08, 2021, 04:33:19 PM
Thanks. Learned something new today! I always thought that was a county road marker.

No, those are inventory markers for state US/primary/FAS/FAP routes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 09, 2021, 11:02:27 AM
And this comes as a surprise to... no one! The Ike (I-290) is now officially the most congested stretch of highway in the country. That stretch is in desperate need of a redo! Also, it seems Chicago is, overall, the 3rd most congested city.

https://abc7chicago.com/traffic/chicago-traffic-considered-3rd-worst-in-us;-i-290-stretch-most-congested-in-country-ranking/10399425/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on March 09, 2021, 04:49:42 PM
Convert I-290 to a surface street boulevard. People won't want ever to drive on it.

That will fix it!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
they need to toll it
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on March 09, 2021, 05:38:01 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM

Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.

they need to toll it

ugh
let's not
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on March 09, 2021, 05:41:34 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
they need to toll it

If it's turned over to ISTHA, it might actually <gasp> widened and built right.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on March 09, 2021, 09:00:19 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 09, 2021, 05:41:34 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
they need to toll it
If it's turned over to ISTHA, it might actually <gasp> widened and built right.
Give it to ISTHA, and while at it, rebrand inside I-294 to the Circle as "I-88" , between I-294 and I-355 as "I-188" , and between I-355 and (at least) I-90 as "I-355"
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on March 09, 2021, 10:23:18 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 09, 2021, 05:41:34 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
they need to toll it

If it's turned over to ISTHA, it might actually <gasp> widened and built right.

Exactly. ISTHA actually knows what they're doing. Mostly because they actually... have money and all...
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on March 09, 2021, 10:59:52 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 09, 2021, 05:41:34 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
they need to toll it

If it's turned over to ISTHA, it might actually <gasp> widened and built right.

Me thinks this is a matter of when.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on March 10, 2021, 01:35:11 AM
Quote from: I-39 on March 09, 2021, 10:59:52 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 09, 2021, 05:41:34 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
they need to toll it

If it's turned over to ISTHA, it might actually <gasp> widened and built right.

Me thinks this is a matter of when.

And with transponders-only tolling, they could simply place 'ticket' gantries on all of the existing entrance and exit ramps, much like on the ON 407 tollway.  Ditto with the rest of the ISTHA system.

:wow:

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SSOWorld on March 10, 2021, 06:38:39 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on March 10, 2021, 01:35:11 AM
Quote from: I-39 on March 09, 2021, 10:59:52 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 09, 2021, 05:41:34 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
they need to toll it

If it's turned over to ISTHA, it might actually <gasp> widened and built right.

Me thinks this is a matter of when.

And with transponders-only tolling, they could simply place 'ticket' gantries on all of the existing entrance and exit ramps, much like on the ON 407 tollway.  Ditto with the rest of the ISTHA system.

:wow:

Mike
Transponder only? They're providing other means (pay-by-plate - though not implied) and online payment.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 10, 2021, 08:04:30 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on March 10, 2021, 06:38:39 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on March 10, 2021, 01:35:11 AM
Quote from: I-39 on March 09, 2021, 10:59:52 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 09, 2021, 05:41:34 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
they need to toll it

If it's turned over to ISTHA, it might actually <gasp> widened and built right.

Me thinks this is a matter of when.

And with transponders-only tolling, they could simply place 'ticket' gantries on all of the existing entrance and exit ramps, much like on the ON 407 tollway.  Ditto with the rest of the ISTHA system.

:wow:

Mike
Transponder only? They're providing other means (pay-by-plate - though not implied) and online payment.

At this point, I'll gladly pay the tolls to have a functioning highway. I know this is getting into fictional territory (or is it?), but why not toll it, widen it, and "rebrand" as I-88. It would help that route be continuous, and honestly, a big portion of the traffic on I-290 in that stretch comes from the areas served by I-88.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Joe The Dragon on March 10, 2021, 10:44:20 AM
Quote from: mgk920 on March 10, 2021, 01:35:11 AM
Quote from: I-39 on March 09, 2021, 10:59:52 PM
Quote from: Brandon on March 09, 2021, 05:41:34 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on March 09, 2021, 05:27:39 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on March 09, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
Let me look into my bread box, I think I have an extra $3B stashed there.
they need to toll it

If it's turned over to ISTHA, it might actually <gasp> widened and built right.

Me thinks this is a matter of when.

And with transponders-only tolling, they could simply place 'ticket' gantries on all of the existing entrance and exit ramps, much like on the ON 407 tollway.  Ditto with the rest of the ISTHA system.

:wow:

Mike
may be better to do it like EOE and not need hardware on each ramp. Even some of the older ticket toll roads are changing parts of them to ETC setups that are not on each ramp
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on March 10, 2021, 11:19:04 AM
Not really fictional. A toll lane at least is an option for the IKE and Stevenson.
Rick Powell explained way back it didn't make the latest MYP.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 11, 2021, 11:42:10 AM
Quote from: 3467 on March 10, 2021, 11:19:04 AM
Not really fictional. A toll lane at least is an option for the IKE and Stevenson.
Rick Powell explained way back it didn't make the latest MYP.

There has been rumblings of a 4th lane being tolled in an eventual rebuild of I-55 from 294 to LSD.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 11, 2021, 01:48:17 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 11, 2021, 11:42:10 AM
Quote from: 3467 on March 10, 2021, 11:19:04 AM
Not really fictional. A toll lane at least is an option for the IKE and Stevenson.
Rick Powell explained way back it didn't make the latest MYP.

There has been rumblings of a 4th lane being tolled in an eventual rebuild of I-55 from 294 to LSD.

Last I heard that was scrapped for the foreseeable future. That said, I would have no issue with that. Most of the expressway already has ample ROW... hopefully when they rebuild I-294 in that stretch they will accommodate future expansion of the Stevenson in that spot with a new overpass.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on March 11, 2021, 10:47:02 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on March 11, 2021, 01:48:17 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 11, 2021, 11:42:10 AM
Quote from: 3467 on March 10, 2021, 11:19:04 AM
Not really fictional. A toll lane at least is an option for the IKE and Stevenson.
Rick Powell explained way back it didn't make the latest MYP.

There has been rumblings of a 4th lane being tolled in an eventual rebuild of I-55 from 294 to LSD.

Last I heard that was scrapped for the foreseeable future. That said, I would have no issue with that. Most of the expressway already has ample ROW... hopefully when they rebuild I-294 in that stretch they will accommodate future expansion of the Stevenson in that spot with a new overpass.

The Environmental Assessment was actually redone to add one toll lane in each direction between 355 and 294, and two toll lanes in each direction between 294 and the Dan Ryan. It is all set up for either the tollway or a P3 entity to build the additional lanes and manage them. Former House Speaker Madigan was an opponent of the P3 legislation that would enable a private outfit to take it on, but he is gone now. We'll see if the project starts to grow legs. It is one of the most financially viable projects out there since little right of way would need to be bought, and most of the existing bridges and pavement can be widened instead of completely reconstructed. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 15, 2021, 10:36:31 AM
Update on the outbound Kennedy (I-90) widening

"The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of ongoing Kennedy Expressway (I-90) improvements, between Harlem Avenue (IL-43) and I-190, a new collector-distributor road will open, weather permitting, the week of Feb. 1.

The new design will improve safety, efficiency and reduce conflict points by separating the ramps to Cumberland Avenue (IL-171), I-294 south and I-190 west to O'Hare International Airport from mainline traffic.

In the new configuration, outbound Kennedy motorists should be prepared to merge sooner to access the ramps, as the new collector-distributor road, located just after Canfield Avenue, is approximately one-mile before the current ramp access.

The overall Kennedy improvements, between Harlem Avenue and Interstate 190, include widening and resurfacing, new noise and retaining walls, drainage improvements and a new collector-distributor road at the Cumberland Avenue interchange along the outbound expressway. The project is expected to be completed later this fall."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: machias on March 16, 2021, 01:16:08 PM
Quote from: ET21 on March 15, 2021, 10:36:31 AM
Update on the outbound Kennedy (I-90) widening

"The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that as part of ongoing Kennedy Expressway (I-90) improvements, between Harlem Avenue (IL-43) and I-190, a new collector-distributor road will open, weather permitting, the week of Feb. 1.

The new design will improve safety, efficiency and reduce conflict points by separating the ramps to Cumberland Avenue (IL-171), I-294 south and I-190 west to O'Hare International Airport from mainline traffic.

In the new configuration, outbound Kennedy motorists should be prepared to merge sooner to access the ramps, as the new collector-distributor road, located just after Canfield Avenue, is approximately one-mile before the current ramp access.

The overall Kennedy improvements, between Harlem Avenue and Interstate 190, include widening and resurfacing, new noise and retaining walls, drainage improvements and a new collector-distributor road at the Cumberland Avenue interchange along the outbound expressway. The project is expected to be completed later this fall."

I took this Sunday night. Sorry it's blurry, my phone doesn't like snapping sign photos at night.


(https://jpnearl.com/upstatenyroads.com/aaroads/kennedy.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on March 18, 2021, 02:26:23 PM
Interesting, been awhile since I've driven that stretch, might need to do a daytime drive through to see the new signage
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2021, 02:51:24 PM
So that means it would be similar to the IL-53 interchange with I-90?  As you approach SB, you have to exit earlier to not only get access to I-90, but also to the Woodfiled Mall?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on March 18, 2021, 04:07:17 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2021, 02:51:24 PM
So that means it would be similar to the IL-53 interchange with I-90?  As you approach SB, you have to exit earlier to not only get access to I-90, but also to the Woodfiled Mall?

Sounds a lot like that setup. I'll be honest, I am still very skeptical that this is going to significantly help with the outbound traffic issues on I-90 between the junction and I-294. They still are doing nothing about some of the short merges that exist just East of Harlem in this direction, and I feel those are as much a source of the congestion outbound as anything else. With the understanding that there is limited room for a complete 4th lane, at least between exits, why not add a few auxiliary lanes to at least help with the merging issues... I can't believe that wouldn't help at least somewhat!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on April 30, 2021, 02:48:38 AM
There's more interest in Moline in preserving the pony truss and toll plaza portion of the old I-74 bridge and turning it into a pier.

https://qctimes.com/news/local/more-talks-on-turning-toll-plaza-on-old-i-74-bridge-into-public-pier/article_06d406f7-bfc9-5847-a5ce-e35f8a2fb7fe.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on May 01, 2021, 10:16:27 PM
^ I'd take the pier over nothing surviving, but I'd really wish one of the old I-74 bridges could have been kept as a local traffic or pedestrian structure, given the rarity of suspension bridges across the Mississippi.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on May 01, 2021, 10:55:48 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 01, 2021, 10:16:27 PM
^ I'd take the pier over nothing surviving, but I'd really wish one of the old I-74 bridges could have been kept as a local traffic or pedestrian structure, given the rarity of suspension bridges across the Mississippi.

The US 30 bridge upstream between Clinton, IA and Fulton, IL is also a suspension bridge, and probably the last suspension bridge across the Mississippi after the old I-74 bridge is removed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Bridge_(Illinois%E2%80%93Iowa)

http://bridgehunter.com/ia/clinton/20860/
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on May 02, 2021, 01:16:27 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on May 01, 2021, 10:55:48 PM
The US 30 bridge upstream between Clinton, IA and Fulton, IL is also a suspension bridge, and probably the last suspension bridge across the Mississippi after the old I-74 bridge is removed.

There would still be the Hennepin Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis. (http://bridgehunter.com/mn/hennepin/hennepin-fourth/)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on May 04, 2021, 08:32:06 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 02, 2021, 01:16:27 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on May 01, 2021, 10:55:48 PM
The US 30 bridge upstream between Clinton, IA and Fulton, IL is also a suspension bridge, and probably the last suspension bridge across the Mississippi after the old I-74 bridge is removed.

There would still be the Hennepin Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis. (http://bridgehunter.com/mn/hennepin/hennepin-fourth/)
There's also the Grand Tower Pipeline Bridge (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tower_Pipeline_Bridge) near Cape Girardeau, but you can't drive across it.  :-D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 04, 2021, 09:09:32 PM
Quote from: skluth on May 04, 2021, 08:32:06 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 02, 2021, 01:16:27 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on May 01, 2021, 10:55:48 PM
The US 30 bridge upstream between Clinton, IA and Fulton, IL is also a suspension bridge, and probably the last suspension bridge across the Mississippi after the old I-74 bridge is removed.

There would still be the Hennepin Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis. (http://bridgehunter.com/mn/hennepin/hennepin-fourth/)
There's also the Grand Tower Pipeline Bridge (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tower_Pipeline_Bridge) near Cape Girardeau, but you can't drive across it.  :-D
If you are crazy enough, you can probably walk across the Grand Tower bridge...but the approach (at least on the IL side) is decently secured. It would involve some climbing to get up there
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on May 05, 2021, 12:23:16 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 04, 2021, 09:09:32 PM
Quote from: skluth on May 04, 2021, 08:32:06 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 02, 2021, 01:16:27 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on May 01, 2021, 10:55:48 PM
The US 30 bridge upstream between Clinton, IA and Fulton, IL is also a suspension bridge, and probably the last suspension bridge across the Mississippi after the old I-74 bridge is removed.

There would still be the Hennepin Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis. (http://bridgehunter.com/mn/hennepin/hennepin-fourth/)
There's also the Grand Tower Pipeline Bridge (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Tower_Pipeline_Bridge) near Cape Girardeau, but you can't drive across it.  :-D
If you are crazy enough, you can probably walk across the Grand Tower bridge...but the approach (at least on the IL side) is decently secured. It would involve some climbing to get up there

You can try but will get confronted by either UFO's:

https://huntingtonstrangetravels.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/the-1973-grand-tower-ufo-sightings/ (https://huntingtonstrangetravels.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/the-1973-grand-tower-ufo-sightings/)

Or Shipwrecks:

https://www.kfvs12.com/2020/09/30/grand-tower-shipwreck/ (https://www.kfvs12.com/2020/09/30/grand-tower-shipwreck/)

The pipeline opened in 1955 as the first pipeline suspension bridge built over the Mississippi River and connects Corpus Christi, TX through Chicago and ultimately to Detroit. It carries 500 million cubic feet of gas per day at a pressure of 850 lb/square inch. The towers are 256' each and construction costs were an estimated $3.8 million in 1953

1 man did fall into the river during the construction, but survived.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on May 05, 2021, 08:03:15 PM
Speaking of mystery roads.
Does anyone know about the IKE Stevenson connector. It appeared in the 2010 CATS plan and there was land acquisition in the 1995 5 year plan on page 18 . 6 million 1.2 was IDOT  the rest was described as local demonstration. There was a story and the Tribune and then it vanished.
Does anyone know anything about it?
There were other projects that appeared in CATS that IDOT  and CDOT ignored but this one advanced.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: iowahighways on May 09, 2021, 04:17:45 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 01, 2021, 10:16:27 PM
^ I'd take the pier over nothing surviving, but I'd really wish one of the old I-74 bridges could have been kept as a local traffic or pedestrian structure, given the rarity of suspension bridges across the Mississippi.

The Illinois-bound span that is under construction now will have a dedicated bicycle/pedestrian lane.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 13, 2021, 12:49:21 PM
Can we get a count on the diverging diamond interchanges in Illinois?

Currently we have:
I-57 at Hill Ave. in Marion
IL-59 at I-88 in Naperville
I-90 at Elmhurst Road near Mt. Prospect

Under construction currently: I-55 at Weber Road by Bolingbrook

Coming soon:
I-80 at Houbolt Road in Joliet
I-55 at US52 by Joliet.

Is there anything I'm missing?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on May 13, 2021, 01:25:38 PM
I don't think any DDIs are planned for the I-55 Springfield project - SPUIs are

I can't think of any DDIs (yet) in the Metro East

Why D9 put one at The Hill Ave/17th St/Morgan St, who knows. I guess it does help after baseball games and other events at Rent One Park/Marion Miners Minor League/Independent baseball team
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on May 13, 2021, 06:23:17 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 13, 2021, 01:25:38 PM
I don't think any DDIs are planned for the I-55 Springfield project - SPUIs are

I can't think of any DDIs (yet) in the Metro East

Why D9 put one at The Hill Ave/17th St/Morgan St, who knows. I guess it does help after baseball games and other events at Rent One Park/Marion Miners Minor League/Independent baseball team

IL 111 at I-270 in Metro East will be a DDI.

https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/IDOT-Projects/District-8/I-270-Preliminary-Engineering-Study/documents/Exhibit_IL111-Intersection_INTERIM%20BUILD%20REDUCED.pdf
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on May 13, 2021, 08:48:58 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on May 13, 2021, 06:23:17 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 13, 2021, 01:25:38 PM
I don't think any DDIs are planned for the I-55 Springfield project - SPUIs are

I can't think of any DDIs (yet) in the Metro East

Why D9 put one at The Hill Ave/17th St/Morgan St, who knows. I guess it does help after baseball games and other events at Rent One Park/Marion Miners Minor League/Independent baseball team

IL 111 at I-270 in Metro East will be a DDI.

https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/IDOT-Projects/District-8/I-270-Preliminary-Engineering-Study/documents/Exhibit_IL111-Intersection_INTERIM%20BUILD%20REDUCED.pdf

I55/70 and IL162 would be a better candidate for one. Such a PITA to have to stop at every single one of those lights.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on May 13, 2021, 10:48:44 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 13, 2021, 12:49:21 PM
Coming soon:
I-80 at Houbolt Road in Joliet
I-55 at US52 by Joliet.

I thought I-55 at IL 59 was to be a DDI and the US 52 interchange was going to remain a compressed diamond?



DDI's coming someday to IL:

* I-39 at US 20/Harrison Street
* I-74 at IL 5

Quote from: Crash_It on May 13, 2021, 08:48:58 PM
I55/70 and IL162 would be a better candidate for one. Such a PITA to have to stop at every single one of those lights.

I'm only seeing one stoplight for the main interchange given the current SPUI configuration (https://goo.gl/maps/j8DzaC46q6Qub8bH8).  Changing that one to a DDI could make things worse with the nearby frontage road intersections.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on May 14, 2021, 10:47:18 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 13, 2021, 12:49:21 PM
Can we get a count on the diverging diamond interchanges in Illinois?

Currently we have:
I-57 at Hill Ave. in Marion
IL-59 at I-88 in Naperville
I-90 at Elmhurst Road near Mt. Prospect

Under construction currently: I-55 at Weber Road by Bolingbrook

Coming soon:
I-80 at Houbolt Road in Joliet
I-55 at US52 by Joliet.

Is there anything I'm missing?

Isn't one coming on the I-39/US 20/Harrison Ave project (that seems to keep getting pushed back for unknown reasons)?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on May 16, 2021, 03:07:48 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 13, 2021, 10:48:44 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 13, 2021, 12:49:21 PM
Coming soon:
I-80 at Houbolt Road in Joliet
I-55 at US52 by Joliet.


I thought I-55 at IL 59 was to be a DDI and the US 52 interchange was going to remain a compressed diamond?



DDI's coming someday to IL:

* I-39 at US 20/Harrison Street
* I-74 at IL 5

Quote from: Crash_It on May 13, 2021, 08:48:58 PM
I55/70 and IL162 would be a better candidate for one. Such a PITA to have to stop at every single one of those lights.

I'm only seeing one stoplight for the main interchange given the current SPUI configuration (https://goo.gl/maps/j8DzaC46q6Qub8bH8).  Changing that one to a DDI could make things worse with the nearby frontage road intersections.

I saw yesterday that both IL 59 AND US 52 are going to be DDIs.  There are 5 projects that are going to be happening this summer on I-55 between Arsenal Rd and 294.
Here's the article.
https://www.wjol.com/seven-construction-projects-this-summer-of-which-five-are-on-i-55/#:~:text=I%2D55%20at%20Illinois%2053,2021%20and%20completed%20fall%202021.

1. US 52 to I-80 - US 52 becomes a DDI. An aux lane is added between 52 and 80 in each direction. Work goes into 2023.
2. IL 59 - Bridge work in advance of converting the interchange to a DDI and with the proposed east extension toward Houbolt Rd.
3. River Rd to I&M Canal - Resurfacing.
4. I-80 to Weber Rd - Bridge rehab over US 30, CN (old EJ&E line) Bridge and Mink Creek.
5. IL 53 and Joliet Rd - Bridge redecking and widening.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on May 17, 2021, 12:27:01 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on May 16, 2021, 03:07:48 PM
I saw yesterday that both IL 59 AND US 52 are going to be DDIs.  There are 5 projects that are going to be happening this summer on I-55 between Arsenal Rd and 294.
Here's the article.
https://www.wjol.com/seven-construction-projects-this-summer-of-which-five-are-on-i-55/#:~:text=I%2D55%20at%20Illinois%2053,2021%20and%20completed%20fall%202021.

I think the wording in the article is confusing and they are talking about the same Seil Road/IL 59/I-55 DDI in the first two projects mentioned. The IDOT website project map looks like the US 52 interchange will remain in its present form with some capacity improvements.

http://www.i55atil59accessproject.org/US%2052.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on May 17, 2021, 07:47:56 PM
My assessment of the US52/IL59 situation was incorrect.  The DDI is indeed going to be at IL-59, which I couldn't believe when I found it out.  I guess they want to provide access to some development in the northeast quadrant of the I-55/I-80 interchange, if it ever gets greenlit (or modified to something that deserves to be greenlit).

Here's my updated count for Illinois DDIs, including a quote to give credit for the additions where it's due.

Currently we have:
I-57 at Hill Ave. in Marion
IL-59 at I-88 in Naperville
I-90 at Elmhurst Road near Mt. Prospect

Under construction currently: I-55 at Weber Road by Bolingbrook

Coming soon:
I-80 at Houbolt Road in Joliet
I-55 at I-59* by Joliet.
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 13, 2021, 10:48:44 PM
DDI's coming someday to IL:
* I-39 at US 20/Harrison Street
* I-74 at IL 5
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on May 19, 2021, 04:18:47 PM
Illinois out out the new MAP today. First read nothing much new. It's based on current federal funding. Not counting any stimulus or next federal bill chickens before they hatch.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Paulinator66 on June 04, 2021, 09:42:37 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on May 13, 2021, 01:25:38 PM
I don't think any DDIs are planned for the I-55 Springfield project - SPUIs are

This is correct.  I suggested them at a CAG meeting during the planning stages but it was never even considered. I think the engineer for the project (Hanson) views DDI's as experimental, too costly, or both. 
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: inkyatari on June 05, 2021, 10:22:46 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on May 16, 2021, 03:07:48 PM


3. River Rd to I&M Canal - Resurfacing.

The whole damn thing needs to be rebuilt from the I&M up to Weber
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on June 05, 2021, 11:11:00 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 17, 2021, 07:47:56 PM
Here's my updated count for Illinois DDIs, including a quote to give credit for the additions where it's due.

Currently we have:
I-57 at Hill Ave. in Marion
IL-59 at I-88 in Naperville
I-90 at Elmhurst Road near Mt. Prospect

Under construction currently: I-55 at Weber Road by Bolingbrook

Coming soon:
I-80 at Houbolt Road in Joliet
I-55 at I-59* by Joliet.
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 13, 2021, 10:48:44 PM
DDI's coming someday to IL:
* I-39 at US 20/Harrison Street
* I-74 at IL 5

You forgot I-270 at IL 111.

And if this site is accurate, perhaps I-255 at Imbs Station Road (http://www.villageofdupo.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/I-255-Interchange_Imbs-Station.pdf)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on June 05, 2021, 11:22:56 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on May 13, 2021, 10:48:44 PM
DDI's coming someday to IL:

* I-39 at US 20/Harrison Street

Even by Illinois standards, I still can't believe they haven't started on the I-39/US 20 improvements in Rockford yet. Given how busy I-39 is as a bypass of Chicagoland, it's a pretty critical piece of infrastructure. They've been talking about it for well over a decade and nothing has come of it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 21, 2021, 01:22:17 AM
Sometime ago in this thread we had several posts about the idea of IDOT duplicating ISHTA efforts to use LED's for ramp lighting to save energy and cut costs.

In my recent use of I-72 between Champaign and Decatur and subsequently the use of US-51 from Decatur to Pana, I did notice that that district has started to put LED fixtures to good use.

Hopefully the email to consider it a couple years ago resonated well in IDOT brass or at least with the District leads.

Keep going Illinois! With your roads budgets separated now, every dollar saved here goes to better work in the future.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 21, 2021, 01:38:05 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 21, 2021, 01:22:17 AM
Sometime ago in this thread we had several posts about the idea of IDOT duplicating ISHTA efforts to use LED's for ramp lighting to save energy and cut costs.

In my recent use of I-72 between Champaign and Decatur and subsequently the use of US-51 from Decatur to Pana, I did notice that that district has started to put LED fixtures to good use.

Hopefully the email to consider it a couple years ago resonated well in IDOT brass or at least with the District leads.

Keep going Illinois! With your roads budgets separated now, every dollar saved here goes to better work in the future.



When I was at IDOT, around 2001 we spec'd LEDs for bridge navigation lights (the red and green clearance marker lights) on one of our projects, hoping to save on bulb changing costs. At the time they were fairly expensive, like $1,000 a unit. 20 years later, IDOT just opened up the IL 178 bridge in Utica (a project I was project manager for), and everything is LED, including the navigation lights, roadway lighting, and some decorative lights along a parallel pedestrian/bike trail.

Today LEDs are becoming the defacto standard elsewhere, including home lighting, and naturally the price came down as they began to be mass produced on today's scale. It was only a matter of time. Hopefully the suggestion was something they had considered, and looked at what ISTHA and the other states were doing.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 22, 2021, 09:58:43 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 21, 2021, 01:38:05 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 21, 2021, 01:22:17 AM
Sometime ago in this thread we had several posts about the idea of IDOT duplicating ISHTA efforts to use LED's for ramp lighting to save energy and cut costs.

In my recent use of I-72 between Champaign and Decatur and subsequently the use of US-51 from Decatur to Pana, I did notice that that district has started to put LED fixtures to good use.

Hopefully the email to consider it a couple years ago resonated well in IDOT brass or at least with the District leads.

Keep going Illinois! With your roads budgets separated now, every dollar saved here goes to better work in the future.



When I was at IDOT, around 2001 we spec'd LEDs for bridge navigation lights (the red and green clearance marker lights) on one of our projects, hoping to save on bulb changing costs. At the time they were fairly expensive, like $1,000 a unit. 20 years later, IDOT just opened up the IL 178 bridge in Utica (a project I was project manager for), and everything is LED, including the navigation lights, roadway lighting, and some decorative lights along a parallel pedestrian/bike trail.

Today LEDs are becoming the defacto standard elsewhere, including home lighting, and naturally the price came down as they began to be mass produced on today's scale. It was only a matter of time. Hopefully the suggestion was something they had considered, and looked at what ISTHA and the other states were doing.

FWIW: US-51 south of Decatur was pretty dead. Of course my line of sight was only a hour on a Saturday, not a typical M-F workday. Not so much a criticism but an observation, my issue with 4 lane freeways without limited access are the number of accidents at rural crossings. This trip was no exception as I was diverted off US-51 to old US-51 at Assumption because a truck t-boned what appeared to be a camper attempting to pull out.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on June 22, 2021, 11:25:53 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 22, 2021, 09:58:43 AM
Not so much a criticism but an observation, my issue with 4 lane freeways without limited access are the number of accidents at rural crossings. This trip was no exception as I was diverted off US-51 to old US-51 at Assumption because a truck t-boned what appeared to be a camper attempting to pull out.

Reminds me of my days on the original construction on I-55 while the US 66 expressway was still in place. The intersection of IL 47 and US 66 in Dwight was the first traffic light out of Chicago. Even with flashing "signal ahead" warning signs, it was the scene of more than a few fatal and severe injuries. There was at least one stoplight in most of the little towns along the route, and traffic zooming by at 70 mph in between them, as well as all the minor intersections where it was sometimes hard to get a break in oncoming traffic to get across and people would shoot through there, not a great recipe for traffic safety.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on June 23, 2021, 12:41:18 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on June 22, 2021, 11:25:53 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 22, 2021, 09:58:43 AM
Not so much a criticism but an observation, my issue with 4 lane freeways without limited access are the number of accidents at rural crossings. This trip was no exception as I was diverted off US-51 to old US-51 at Assumption because a truck t-boned what appeared to be a camper attempting to pull out.

Reminds me of my days on the original construction on I-55 while the US 66 expressway was still in place. The intersection of IL 47 and US 66 in Dwight was the first traffic light out of Chicago. Even with flashing "signal ahead" warning signs, it was the scene of more than a few fatal and severe injuries. There was at least one stoplight in most of the little towns along the route, and traffic zooming by at 70 mph in between them, as well as all the minor intersections where it was sometimes hard to get a break in oncoming traffic to get across and people would shoot through there, not a great recipe for traffic safety.

Yes, I do remember that light at Dwight.  There was another one at McLean (in front of the Dixie) and Atlanta during those US-66 to I-55 days. Can't tell you how many times I drove that route during the transition years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on July 17, 2021, 11:18:35 AM
IDOT has placed some information online for redoing I-270 (https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/I-270-Preliminary-Engineering-Study-):

* The IL 3 interchange gets further downgraded to a folded diamond (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/IDOT-Projects/District-8/I-270-Preliminary-Engineering-Study/documents/Interchange-Design-Study-IL-Route-3.pdf) with a design that resembles the IL 53 interchange with IL 62/Algonquin Road in Schaumburg (the merging of dual lefts down to a single lane works so well for EB IL 62 to SB IL 53  :banghead:)

* The signing plans in the Access Justification Report (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/IDOT-Projects/District-8/I-270-Preliminary-Engineering-Study/documents/2021_01_27-I-270_Access_Justification_Report-FULL.pdf) (larger file) show the secondary control cities of St. Charles and Effingham going away.




There are also plans to replace the I-57/IL 16 cloverleaf with a "raindrop diamond/dumbbell interchange (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/IDOT-Projects/District-7/ILL-16-at-I-57/documents/RaindropDiamondInterchange.pdf).  https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/I-57-IL-16-Interchange-Reconstruction.html (https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/I-57-IL-16-Interchange-Reconstruction.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 17, 2021, 04:46:08 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 17, 2021, 11:18:35 AM
IDOT has placed some information online for redoing I-270 (https://idot.illinois.gov/projects/I-270-Preliminary-Engineering-Study-):



I'd argue that alot of the congestion and crash issues are caused as a result of trucks just randomly cutting off motorists to pass another truck that was only going marginally slower (for example 59mph vs 58mph). I swear , I cannot have one totally smooth drive downstate and back without this happening.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 17, 2021, 05:13:22 PM
My father totalled his car as he came over the new Chain of Rocks bridge (I-270) over the canal. A truck had spun out just before the Mississippi River Bridge and traffic came to sudden halt.  As he came over the arch of the bridge, he got surprised by the sudden stopped traffic and rear ended someone.

I have seen lots of near misses at the same location in the winter time.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 10:02:24 PM
OK, this weekend, as I was driving I-290 (IKE Expressway) to and from Downtown Chicago, I had to wonder, why the heck doesn't IDOT have the ramp meters going during the weekend??? The level of traffic honestly approaches that of during the week, especially now as people honestly are avoiding the Metra and CTA for the most part. It seems that having these meters going may help manage the level of traffic entering the expressway, especially through that absolutely horrible stretch in Oak Park. Vision test tells me it would have to help at least somewhat. I imagine on I-90 (Kennedy), it would help through the section on the far NW Side there as well. I am just curious maybe if anyone else has noticed that, and better yet, how I can bring this idea to someone's attention at IDOT?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on July 25, 2021, 10:07:25 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 10:02:24 PM
OK, this weekend, as I was driving I-290 (IKE Expressway) to and from Downtown Chicago, I had to wonder, why the heck doesn't IDOT have the ramp meters going during the weekend??? The level of traffic honestly approaches that of during the week, especially now as people honestly are avoiding the Metra and CTA for the most part. It seems that having these meters going may help manage the level of traffic entering the expressway, especially through that absolutely horrible stretch in Oak Park. Vision test tells me it would have to help at least somewhat. I imagine on I-90 (Kennedy), it would help through the section on the far NW Side there as well. I am just curious maybe if anyone else has noticed that, and better yet, how I can bring this idea to someone's attention at IDOT?

Try this page here: https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/WER/?from=1

I've used that once before to get signage fixed. It's just a general contact form.

IDOT probably doesn't monitor the traffic actively enough to have the meters kick in without manually switching them on. It would be a good idea if they implemented that, assuming they don't.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 11:00:06 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on July 25, 2021, 10:07:25 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 10:02:24 PM
OK, this weekend, as I was driving I-290 (IKE Expressway) to and from Downtown Chicago, I had to wonder, why the heck doesn't IDOT have the ramp meters going during the weekend??? The level of traffic honestly approaches that of during the week, especially now as people honestly are avoiding the Metra and CTA for the most part. It seems that having these meters going may help manage the level of traffic entering the expressway, especially through that absolutely horrible stretch in Oak Park. Vision test tells me it would have to help at least somewhat. I imagine on I-90 (Kennedy), it would help through the section on the far NW Side there as well. I am just curious maybe if anyone else has noticed that, and better yet, how I can bring this idea to someone's attention at IDOT?

Try this page here: https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/WER/?from=1

I've used that once before to get signage fixed. It's just a general contact form.

IDOT probably doesn't monitor the traffic actively enough to have the meters kick in without manually switching them on. It would be a good idea if they implemented that, assuming they don't.
Well, I sent them a note, so we'll see if I get any response. Thanks for the info. It is rather surprising that they wouldn't monitor that more closely, especially since just about anyone coming to and from Chicago on the weekend is well aware of the traffic issues that plague just about all the expressways in and out and city.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 26, 2021, 03:59:28 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 11:00:06 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on July 25, 2021, 10:07:25 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 10:02:24 PM
OK, this weekend, as I was driving I-290 (IKE Expressway) to and from Downtown Chicago, I had to wonder, why the heck doesn't IDOT have the ramp meters going during the weekend??? The level of traffic honestly approaches that of during the week, especially now as people honestly are avoiding the Metra and CTA for the most part. It seems that having these meters going may help manage the level of traffic entering the expressway, especially through that absolutely horrible stretch in Oak Park. Vision test tells me it would have to help at least somewhat. I imagine on I-90 (Kennedy), it would help through the section on the far NW Side there as well. I am just curious maybe if anyone else has noticed that, and better yet, how I can bring this idea to someone's attention at IDOT?

Try this page here: https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/WER/?from=1

I've used that once before to get signage fixed. It's just a general contact form.

IDOT probably doesn't monitor the traffic actively enough to have the meters kick in without manually switching them on. It would be a good idea if they implemented that, assuming they don't.
Well, I sent them a note, so we'll see if I get any response. Thanks for the info. It is rather surprising that they wouldn't monitor that more closely, especially since just about anyone coming to and from Chicago on the weekend is well aware of the traffic issues that plague just about all the expressways in and out and city.


It does help, I recently did that to a district downstate about some signage that was confusing drivers, in short they listened and changed the signage. Now, I haven't noticed anyone stopping at that intersection anymore the last couple times I've been down there.

https://youtu.be/0BdMYWv-Crc
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on July 26, 2021, 04:08:59 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 26, 2021, 03:59:28 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 11:00:06 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on July 25, 2021, 10:07:25 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 10:02:24 PM
OK, this weekend, as I was driving I-290 (IKE Expressway) to and from Downtown Chicago, I had to wonder, why the heck doesn't IDOT have the ramp meters going during the weekend??? The level of traffic honestly approaches that of during the week, especially now as people honestly are avoiding the Metra and CTA for the most part. It seems that having these meters going may help manage the level of traffic entering the expressway, especially through that absolutely horrible stretch in Oak Park. Vision test tells me it would have to help at least somewhat. I imagine on I-90 (Kennedy), it would help through the section on the far NW Side there as well. I am just curious maybe if anyone else has noticed that, and better yet, how I can bring this idea to someone's attention at IDOT?

Try this page here: https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/WER/?from=1

I've used that once before to get signage fixed. It's just a general contact form.

IDOT probably doesn't monitor the traffic actively enough to have the meters kick in without manually switching them on. It would be a good idea if they implemented that, assuming they don't.
Well, I sent them a note, so we'll see if I get any response. Thanks for the info. It is rather surprising that they wouldn't monitor that more closely, especially since just about anyone coming to and from Chicago on the weekend is well aware of the traffic issues that plague just about all the expressways in and out and city.


It does help, I recently did that to a district downstate about some signage that was confusing drivers, in short they listened and changed the signage. Now, I haven't noticed anyone stopping at that intersection anymore the last couple times I've been down there.

https://youtu.be/0BdMYWv-Crc

Well, here's hoping for the same luck on I-290!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on July 26, 2021, 08:26:49 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 26, 2021, 03:59:28 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 11:00:06 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on July 25, 2021, 10:07:25 PM
Quote from: ChiMilNet on July 25, 2021, 10:02:24 PM
OK, this weekend, as I was driving I-290 (IKE Expressway) to and from Downtown Chicago, I had to wonder, why the heck doesn't IDOT have the ramp meters going during the weekend??? The level of traffic honestly approaches that of during the week, especially now as people honestly are avoiding the Metra and CTA for the most part. It seems that having these meters going may help manage the level of traffic entering the expressway, especially through that absolutely horrible stretch in Oak Park. Vision test tells me it would have to help at least somewhat. I imagine on I-90 (Kennedy), it would help through the section on the far NW Side there as well. I am just curious maybe if anyone else has noticed that, and better yet, how I can bring this idea to someone's attention at IDOT?

Try this page here: https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/WER/?from=1

I've used that once before to get signage fixed. It's just a general contact form.

IDOT probably doesn't monitor the traffic actively enough to have the meters kick in without manually switching them on. It would be a good idea if they implemented that, assuming they don't.
Well, I sent them a note, so we'll see if I get any response. Thanks for the info. It is rather surprising that they wouldn't monitor that more closely, especially since just about anyone coming to and from Chicago on the weekend is well aware of the traffic issues that plague just about all the expressways in and out and city.


It does help, I recently did that to a district downstate about some signage that was confusing drivers, in short they listened and changed the signage. Now, I haven't noticed anyone stopping at that intersection anymore the last couple times I've been down there.

https://youtu.be/0BdMYWv-Crc

That's a pretty decent fix that IDOT made. I would've printed "TURN RIGHT WITHOUT STOPPING" or "RIGHT TURNS DO NOT STOP" and combined it with this:

(https://snz04pap002files.storage.live.com/y4m9UO14KEeLA7qFkO-ICZLysB_vswu-BSSv-6MAkDfLUcDW2Z-9bhOuuGMQUyjmeWQOIEvKCZrwtSnejTaLBa0sBiYLkXpuBcwSzsidOGRHR0K6G0StHQu1e9r-4Cul-C6ZpzqR0Xnb7AzuOcHbrBwwaAkrXYNF7-MiRgaRKq9H9Vcg6ahNMN6_WHsJV9TNIr1?width=113&height=129&cropmode=none)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 29, 2021, 10:27:53 AM
This is not just an Illinois issue as I have seen it in other states.

The problem is, some people can't see or are too busy looking left to notice that there is a merge lane or a new lane to turn into.

Another issue, especially in more urban environments is the the driver wants to turn left at a nearby signal and so doesn't want to use the merge lane at all, so they stop and wait for at least 2 lanes to clear so they can cut across.

I can claim guilt on this characteristic as there are times where I delay my right turn because my destination is left at the next signal. And yes, periodically, I get honked at to move forward into traffic.

Another problem is when an exit ramp has a right turn turnout, but has no merge lane. It dumps you directly into the right lane. Even worse is when the DOT puts up a "Yield" sign instead of a "STOP" for these configurations.

There is one of these in Florida where I have seen at least 3 accidents where people assumed with the yield sign they had a merge lane but in fact didn't. You couldn't see the lack of it even when coming down the exit ramp.

Being a yield they roared into the right lane only to cause an accident or lots of swerving.

Another issue I have encountered is when a freeway was built the ramp comes down and reports a yield sign to go right onto a divided urban ROW. The problem is the merge lane is also functioning as a deceleration lane for a retail entrance nearby.

So people seeing the yield and seeing they have a merge lane don't completely come to a stop, they roll into the merge lane. If someone is attempting to slow down to turn into that retail space, a collision will happen because each believes they have the ROW to this lane.

It's a real challenge in road planning.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on July 29, 2021, 01:29:37 PM
That's why I think in some cases DOTs just end up removing slip lanes because they cause more trouble than they're worth. For them to work, you have to have enough space, proper signage, proper lane markings, possibly a median and a decent enough population to figure it all out. If you're missing something here, it may be best to just eliminate it altogether.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on July 29, 2021, 05:44:01 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on July 29, 2021, 10:27:53 AM
This is not just an Illinois issue as I have seen it in other states.


Another issue, especially in more urban environments is the the driver wants to turn left at a nearby signal and so doesn't want to use the merge lane at all, so they stop and wait for at least 2 lanes to clear so they can cut across.

I can claim guilt on this characteristic as there are times where I delay my right turn because my destination is left at the next signal. And yes, periodically, I get honked at to move forward into traffic.



Problem with this is 9/10 there's another entrance into that location where one may need to turn left. For example, at the intersection in that video.. All one has to do is wait for the green signal and just continue straight then turn right onto the distributor road which takes them to everywhere they'd ever want to go. It is inconsiderate to other drivers and it's also illegal to be stopped when you aren't supposed to be stopped.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on July 30, 2021, 10:09:13 AM
Quote from: Crash_It on July 29, 2021, 05:44:01 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on July 29, 2021, 10:27:53 AM
This is not just an Illinois issue as I have seen it in other states.


Another issue, especially in more urban environments is the the driver wants to turn left at a nearby signal and so doesn't want to use the merge lane at all, so they stop and wait for at least 2 lanes to clear so they can cut across.

I can claim guilt on this characteristic as there are times where I delay my right turn because my destination is left at the next signal. And yes, periodically, I get honked at to move forward into traffic.



Problem with this is 9/10 there's another entrance into that location where one may need to turn left. For example, at the intersection in that video.. All one has to do is wait for the green signal and just continue straight then turn right onto the distributor road which takes them to everywhere they'd ever want to go. It is inconsiderate to other drivers and it's also illegal to be stopped when you aren't supposed to be stopped.

Sometimes (but not always) there is a J turn past the light where the left turn is desired. But naturally you can't see it from where you are. On the flip side, to avoid the hold up, I have merged, and found the next turn around was 2 miles down the road.

That means in those spots you have to accept turning right at the light and then turning around there to make complete your desired direction.

Doesn't make the hold up at the merge right, just goes to show why some people do hold up traffic on those merges.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: storm2k on July 30, 2021, 06:06:35 PM
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51331621299_db2da57d12_c.jpg)

A nice picture of the Circle taken from the observation deck of the Sears Tower by me last weekend.

(and yes, I chose my words here very specifically)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Jericho That on August 02, 2021, 10:36:44 AM
Quote from: storm2k on July 30, 2021, 06:06:35 PM
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51331621299_db2da57d12_c.jpg)

A nice picture of the Circle taken from the observation deck of the Sears Tower by me last weekend.

(and yes, I chose my words here very specifically)

Oh, you mean the Jane Bryne interchange, as IDOT had it on an I-290 dynamic message sign yesterday.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on August 02, 2021, 02:14:51 PM
Quote from: storm2k on July 30, 2021, 06:06:35 PM
Sears Tower

Quote from: Jericho That on August 02, 2021, 10:36:44 AM
Jane Bryne interchange

Quote from: Jericho That on August 02, 2021, 10:36:44 AM
dynamic message sign

you guys are killing me
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on August 02, 2021, 06:16:57 PM
The Sears Tower was renamed The Willis Tower in 2009. Do try to keep up!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on August 02, 2021, 07:16:37 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 02, 2021, 06:16:57 PM
The Sears Tower was renamed The Willis Tower in 2009. Do try to keep up!

* whoosh *
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on August 02, 2021, 10:22:29 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 02, 2021, 06:16:57 PM
The Sears Tower was renamed The Willis Tower in 2009. Do try to keep up!

Try to keep up, okay?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on August 03, 2021, 10:16:43 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 02, 2021, 06:16:57 PM
The Sears Tower was renamed The Sears Tower in 2009. Do try to keep up!

Fixed
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on August 03, 2021, 11:02:26 AM
Why do people get so hung up on the names of buildings and interchanges?  Sears moved out of the tower years ago.  Why should their name remain?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 11:24:33 AM
Who let this guy in here?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on August 03, 2021, 11:31:32 AM
Quote from: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 11:24:33 AM
Who let this guy in here?

It's like these people who say about the MLB park in Milwaukee, "it will always be Miller Park to me!!!"

I mean, you have that much dedication to the name of a former corporate sponsor that you are unwilling to use the name of the current one?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 11:44:05 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 03, 2021, 11:31:32 AM

Quote from: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 11:24:33 AM
Who let this guy in here?

It's like these people who say about the MLB park in Milwaukee, "it will always be Miller Park to me!!!"

I mean, you have that much dedication to the name of a former corporate sponsor that you are unwilling to use the name of the current one?

The alternative is to try and keep up with all the name changes as sponsorship changes.  When I last lived in the Chicago area, for example...

There was this thing called Comiskey Park.  It, along with it's previous iteration, had been Comiskey Park since 1975–before I was born.  Then it changed names to US Cellular Field.  OK, that was dumb.  Everyone just kept calling it Comiskey Park.  And, of course, that name only lasted for 13 years.  Now it's Guaranteed Rate Field.  Why bother calling it that when, in another few years, it'll probably just change names again, to Kotex Field or Pampers Park or GlaxoSmithCline Stadium or some such nonsense.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: SEWIGuy on August 03, 2021, 11:59:24 AM
Kotex Park is reserved for the northsiders.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 12:25:17 PM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 03, 2021, 11:59:24 AM
Kotex Park is reserved for the northsiders.

Hey, that's not very nice. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_View,_Chicago#Boystown)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on August 05, 2021, 01:09:31 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 11:44:05 AM
The alternative is to try and keep up with all the name changes as sponsorship changes.  When I last lived in the Chicago area, for example...

There was this thing called Comiskey Park.  It, along with it's previous iteration, had been Comiskey Park since 1975–before I was born.  Then it changed names to US Cellular Field.  OK, that was dumb.  Everyone just kept calling it Comiskey Park.  And, of course, that name only lasted for 13 years.  Now it's Guaranteed Rate Field.  Why bother calling it that when, in another few years, it'll probably just change names again, to Kotex Field or Pampers Park or GlaxoSmithCline Stadium or some such nonsense.

I dealt with the same thing in St Louis. Their new arena was called the Kiel Center when it opened in the mid-90s. Since then, it's been called the Savvis Center, Scottrade Center, and is now the Enterprise Center. Everyone still calls it the Kiel Center. Of course, locals still refer to I-64 as Highway 40.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on August 05, 2021, 02:51:02 PM
Quote from: skluth on August 05, 2021, 01:09:31 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 11:44:05 AM
The alternative is to try and keep up with all the name changes as sponsorship changes.  When I last lived in the Chicago area, for example...

There was this thing called Comiskey Park.  It, along with it's previous iteration, had been Comiskey Park since 1975–before I was born.  Then it changed names to US Cellular Field.  OK, that was dumb.  Everyone just kept calling it Comiskey Park.  And, of course, that name only lasted for 13 years.  Now it's Guaranteed Rate Field.  Why bother calling it that when, in another few years, it'll probably just change names again, to Kotex Field or Pampers Park or GlaxoSmithCline Stadium or some such nonsense.

I dealt with the same thing in St Louis. Their new arena was called the Kiel Center when it opened in the mid-90s. Since then, it's been called the Savvis Center, Scottrade Center, and is now the Enterprise Center. Everyone still calls it the Kiel Center. Of course, locals still refer to I-64 as Highway 40.

Renaming stadiums is not very traditional, but as long as they don't take to renaming roads I will be OK.

Though, I can see a situation in some unknown future where some company will want to buy naming rights for a toll road.

Can one drive a road named after Budweiser? ("For all you do, this drive is for you") The Amazon Tollway?  Walgreens Memorial Tollroad? (S/B called "Sears Memorial since they are dead and Walgreens isn't)

You have to believe that is next in broke Illinois.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on August 05, 2021, 05:31:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 05, 2021, 02:51:02 PM
Quote from: skluth on August 05, 2021, 01:09:31 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 11:44:05 AM
The alternative is to try and keep up with all the name changes as sponsorship changes.  When I last lived in the Chicago area, for example...

There was this thing called Comiskey Park.  It, along with it's previous iteration, had been Comiskey Park since 1975–before I was born.  Then it changed names to US Cellular Field.  OK, that was dumb.  Everyone just kept calling it Comiskey Park.  And, of course, that name only lasted for 13 years.  Now it's Guaranteed Rate Field.  Why bother calling it that when, in another few years, it'll probably just change names again, to Kotex Field or Pampers Park or GlaxoSmithCline Stadium or some such nonsense.

I dealt with the same thing in St Louis. Their new arena was called the Kiel Center when it opened in the mid-90s. Since then, it's been called the Savvis Center, Scottrade Center, and is now the Enterprise Center. Everyone still calls it the Kiel Center. Of course, locals still refer to I-64 as Highway 40.

Renaming stadiums is not very traditional, but as long as they don't take to renaming roads I will be OK.

Though, I can see a situation in some unknown future where some company will want to buy naming rights for a toll road.

Can one drive a road named after Budweiser? ("For all you do, this drive is for you") The Amazon Tollway?  Walgreens Memorial Tollroad? (S/B called "Sears Memorial since they are dead and Walgreens isn't)

You have to believe that is next in broke Illinois.

I think Walgreens would prefer their Tollroad to not be Memorial.

More seriously, this may be the way we pay for future freeways to avoid them being toll roads. As more cars go electric, monies from gas taxes will shrink and new funding sources will be needed. Sponsors could built overhead gantry electric signs advertising their businesses. There may even be levels of sponsorship; full naming rights, the occasional exclusive billboard, etc. I'm not thrilled with this idea, but as long as it doesn't involve cell phone companies having exclusive rights to cell towers along isolated routes (like Barstow to Vegas) I could live with it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on August 05, 2021, 06:36:12 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 05, 2021, 02:51:02 PM
Quote from: skluth on August 05, 2021, 01:09:31 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 11:44:05 AM
The alternative is to try and keep up with all the name changes as sponsorship changes.  When I last lived in the Chicago area, for example...

There was this thing called Comiskey Park.  It, along with it's previous iteration, had been Comiskey Park since 1975–before I was born.  Then it changed names to US Cellular Field.  OK, that was dumb.  Everyone just kept calling it Comiskey Park.  And, of course, that name only lasted for 13 years.  Now it's Guaranteed Rate Field.  Why bother calling it that when, in another few years, it'll probably just change names again, to Kotex Field or Pampers Park or GlaxoSmithCline Stadium or some such nonsense.

I dealt with the same thing in St Louis. Their new arena was called the Kiel Center when it opened in the mid-90s. Since then, it's been called the Savvis Center, Scottrade Center, and is now the Enterprise Center. Everyone still calls it the Kiel Center. Of course, locals still refer to I-64 as Highway 40.

Renaming stadiums is not very traditional, but as long as they don't take to renaming roads I will be OK.

Though, I can see a situation in some unknown future where some company will want to buy naming rights for a toll road.

Can one drive a road named after Budweiser? ("For all you do, this drive is for you") The Amazon Tollway?  Walgreens Memorial Tollroad? (S/B called "Sears Memorial since they are dead and Walgreens isn't)

You have to believe that is next in broke Illinois.


Not broke anymore, funding is sufficient for all road projects for the next 6 years. Everything in the MYP recently published is scheduled to happen.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on August 08, 2021, 10:57:15 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 05, 2021, 02:51:02 PM
Renaming stadiums is not very traditional, but as long as they don't take to renaming roads I will be OK.

Though, I can see a situation in some unknown future where some company will want to buy naming rights for a toll road.

Can one drive a road named after Budweiser? ("For all you do, this drive is for you") The Amazon Tollway?  Walgreens Memorial Tollroad? (S/B called "Sears Memorial since they are dead and Walgreens isn't)

You have to believe that is next in broke Illinois.

Lol no I don't, and oh god please no.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on August 12, 2021, 08:20:29 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 03, 2021, 11:02:26 AM
Why do people get so hung up on the names of buildings and interchanges?  Sears moved out of the tower years ago.  Why should their name remain?

Stay outta Chicago business my frient. It will always be da Sears Tower!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: mgk920 on August 12, 2021, 04:42:35 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 12, 2021, 08:20:29 AM
Quote from: SEWIGuy on August 03, 2021, 11:02:26 AM
Why do people get so hung up on the names of buildings and interchanges?  Sears moved out of the tower years ago.  Why should their name remain?

Stay outta Chicago business my frient. It will always be da Sears Tower!

Just like it will always be da Circle Interchange!

Mike
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: captkirk_4 on September 06, 2021, 11:58:01 AM
Well, it looks like the main work on the new I 57 I 74 interchange has finally begun. The nearby secondary road crossing bridges have all been rebuilt over the last year to accommodate the new design. Now the field on the north east side of the interchange has all these large earth moving machines digging up huge trenches and pouring concrete. I suspect this is drainage as I cant see the roadway needing to go so deep. I suspect the other three quadrants along the interchange may be waiting for all the corn to be harvested in a month before they start to tear up those fields too.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on September 06, 2021, 03:11:17 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 05, 2021, 02:51:02 PM
Quote from: skluth on August 05, 2021, 01:09:31 PM
Quote from: kphoger on August 03, 2021, 11:44:05 AM
The alternative is to try and keep up with all the name changes as sponsorship changes.  When I last lived in the Chicago area, for example...

There was this thing called Comiskey Park.  It, along with it's previous iteration, had been Comiskey Park since 1975–before I was born.  Then it changed names to US Cellular Field.  OK, that was dumb.  Everyone just kept calling it Comiskey Park.  And, of course, that name only lasted for 13 years.  Now it's Guaranteed Rate Field.  Why bother calling it that when, in another few years, it'll probably just change names again, to Kotex Field or Pampers Park or GlaxoSmithCline Stadium or some such nonsense.

I dealt with the same thing in St Louis. Their new arena was called the Kiel Center when it opened in the mid-90s. Since then, it's been called the Savvis Center, Scottrade Center, and is now the Enterprise Center. Everyone still calls it the Kiel Center. Of course, locals still refer to I-64 as Highway 40.

Renaming stadiums is not very traditional, but as long as they don't take to renaming roads I will be OK.

Though, I can see a situation in some unknown future where some company will want to buy naming rights for a toll road.

Can one drive a road named after Budweiser? ("For all you do, this drive is for you") The Amazon Tollway?  Walgreens Memorial Tollroad? (S/B called "Sears Memorial since they are dead and Walgreens isn't)

You have to believe that is next in broke Illinois.

A highway named for alcohol sounds like something right up Tony LaRussa's alley.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 07, 2021, 10:22:39 PM
"Stay outta Chicago business my frient. It will always be da Sears Tower!"
:pan:
Agree! Newcomers complain about using names [JFK] for X-ways   :crazy:, instead of "the 90" like La La Land. :banghead:
And yeah we know traffic is heavy, it's a huge city not a college town. :spin:

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 02:42:22 PM
There's 'renumbering' threads for US and I's how about IL state highways?
My wish list:

1. Give Randall/Orchard Rd an IL state #.
2. Reinstate IL-32 for the north/south IL-137.
3. Move US-41 off of Foster Av, to replace US-14 easternmost section past Peterson/Lincoln. Truncate US-14 at 'new' 41. Foster is just too narrow for a US highway, and has stop signs to boot!
4. Re-route IL-56 from eastern section of Butterfield Rd. to 22nd St/Cermak Rd. to Harlem/43 or Manheim/12-20-45.
5. Give Pulaski/Crawford a state #, at least south of I-55.
6. Name US-14 'NW Highway' past Crystal Lake to WI, instead of ending at Virginia St. Try to do same with other routes with commonly known street names: North Av, Milwaukee Av, Lake St, Ogden Av. [Within Chicago CSMA]

Just my 'dream'.  :sleep:

One was granted, IL-171 extended to I-90,  :D
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 15, 2021, 03:05:37 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 05, 2021, 02:51:02 PMCan one drive a road named after Budweiser? ("For all you do, this drive is for you") The Amazon Tollway?  Walgreens Memorial Tollroad? (S/B called "Sears Memorial since they are dead and Walgreens isn't)

When they were still trying to get the Outer Perimeter built in GA, selling the naming rights and/or allowing the company sponsoring it to plaster ads all along the road was one of the ideas for funding it.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on September 15, 2021, 04:55:28 PM
It's getting fictional but I would bring back US 32 and run it downtown again.
I have more gripes about interstates. Chicago area 255 and especially Quad Cities.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 16, 2021, 08:27:28 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 02:42:22 PM
There's 'renumbering' threads for US and I's how about IL state highways?
My wish list:

1. Give Randall/Orchard Rd an IL state #.
2. Reinstate IL-32 for the north/south IL-137.
3. Move US-41 off of Foster Av, to replace US-14 easternmost section past Peterson/Lincoln. Truncate US-14 at 'new' 41. Foster is just too narrow for a US highway, and has stop signs to boot!
4. Re-route IL-56 from eastern section of Butterfield Rd. to 22nd St/Cermak Rd. to Harlem/43 or Manheim/12-20-45.
5. Give Pulaski/Crawford a state #, at least south of I-55.
6. Name US-14 'NW Highway' past Crystal Lake to WI, instead of ending at Virginia St. Try to do same with other routes with commonly known street names: North Av, Milwaukee Av, Lake St, Ogden Av. [Within Chicago CSMA]

Just my 'dream'.  :sleep:

One was granted, IL-171 extended to I-90,  :D

I think I'd prefer Randall Rd to remain in county control. They do a better job than the state could on improving the road.

I do like the idea of IL-32 existing. Illinois can piggy-back off of the famous WI-32.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 16, 2021, 11:16:09 AM
Well, you are correct about Co. vs. State. So, take back.
Example is 4/5 lane Peterson Rd. in Lake Co. versus 2 lane "to be decided" IL 120 section in Grayslake.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 16, 2021, 11:26:40 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 02:42:22 PM
There's 'renumbering' threads for US and I's how about IL state highways?
My wish list:

1. Give Randall/Orchard Rd an IL state #.
2. Reinstate IL-32 for the north/south IL-137.
3. Move US-41 off of Foster Av, to replace US-14 easternmost section past Peterson/Lincoln. Truncate US-14 at 'new' 41. Foster is just too narrow for a US highway, and has stop signs to boot!
4. Re-route IL-56 from eastern section of Butterfield Rd. to 22nd St/Cermak Rd. to Harlem/43 or Manheim/12-20-45.
5. Give Pulaski/Crawford a state #, at least south of I-55.
6. Name US-14 'NW Highway' past Crystal Lake to WI, instead of ending at Virginia St. Try to do same with other routes with commonly known street names: North Av, Milwaukee Av, Lake St, Ogden Av. [Within Chicago CSMA]

Responses to a few of these ideas, though this is more 'fictional highways' content:

1. I used to call Randall/Orchard "IL85." My renumbering plans don't include anything for Randall/Orchard nowadays.
2. I think the north-south section of IL-137 should have a designation that's separate from the east-west section, but I extend that north-south designation south toward Evanston and Chicago. The east-west designation could be an eastward extension of IL-134.
4. I like the idea of extending IL-56 east along Cermak/22nd. I also like the idea of restoring IL-38 farther east along Roosevelt.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on September 16, 2021, 11:46:18 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 16, 2021, 11:26:40 AM

2. I think the north-south section of IL-137 should have a designation that's separate from the east-west section, but I extend that north-south designation south toward Evanston and Chicago. The east-west designation could be an eastward extension of IL-134.


I get that this is fictional but in reality the people of Lake Forest/Highland Park/Glencoe/Winnetka/Kenilworth would all fight hard against turning their portions Sheridan and/or Green Bay into a state highway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 16, 2021, 01:48:22 PM
Quote from: cabiness42 on September 16, 2021, 11:46:18 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 16, 2021, 11:26:40 AM

2. I think the north-south section of IL-137 should have a designation that's separate from the east-west section, but I extend that north-south designation south toward Evanston and Chicago. The east-west designation could be an eastward extension of IL-134.


I get that this is fictional but in reality the people of Lake Forest/Highland Park/Glencoe/Winnetka/Kenilworth would all fight hard against turning their portions Sheridan and/or Green Bay into a state highway.

Yes, the late IL-32 was done in by them.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 16, 2021, 10:35:38 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on September 16, 2021, 08:27:28 AM
I think I'd prefer Randall Rd to remain in county control. They do a better job than the state could on improving the road.

Second this - Kane County has already taken multiple interim steps to improve Randall with signal upgrades and a number of other improvements in study:

* http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Pages/Projects/Randall-Hopps/RandallHopps.aspx (http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Pages/Projects/Randall-Hopps/RandallHopps.aspx)

* http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Pages/Projects/Randall-IL72/Randall-IL72.aspx (http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Pages/Projects/Randall-IL72/Randall-IL72.aspx)

* http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Pages/Projects/Randall-BigTimber/Randall-BigTimber.aspx (http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Pages/Projects/Randall-BigTimber/Randall-BigTimber.aspx)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 17, 2021, 10:02:56 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on September 16, 2021, 11:16:09 AM
Well, you are correct about Co. vs. State. So, take back.
Example is 4/5 lane Peterson Rd. in Lake Co. versus 2 lane "to be decided" IL 120 section in Grayslake.

Exactly what I was thinking. IL-120 is pretty bad west of St. Mary's Rd. Both in terms of road condition and in traffic capacity. You drive down Butterfield Rd and it's a completely different story.

Speaking of Butterfield Rd however, did Lake County spray something on that road over the summer? The road used to look great, it was nice and new, but now all the striping is extremely dark and dull, looking like it was laid several years ago. Anyone know anything about this?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 18, 2021, 03:37:00 AM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on September 16, 2021, 08:27:28 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 02:42:22 PM
There's 'renumbering' threads for US and I's how about IL state highways?
My wish list:

1. Give Randall/Orchard Rd an IL state #.
2. Reinstate IL-32 for the north/south IL-137.
3. Move US-41 off of Foster Av, to replace US-14 easternmost section past Peterson/Lincoln. Truncate US-14 at 'new' 41. Foster is just too narrow for a US highway, and has stop signs to boot!
4. Re-route IL-56 from eastern section of Butterfield Rd. to 22nd St/Cermak Rd. to Harlem/43 or Manheim/12-20-45.
5. Give Pulaski/Crawford a state #, at least south of I-55.
6. Name US-14 'NW Highway' past Crystal Lake to WI, instead of ending at Virginia St. Try to do same with other routes with commonly known street names: North Av, Milwaukee Av, Lake St, Ogden Av. [Within Chicago CSMA]

Just my 'dream'.  :sleep:

One was granted, IL-171 extended to I-90,  :D

I think I'd prefer Randall Rd to remain in county control. They do a better job than the state could on improving the road.

I do like the idea of IL-32 existing. Illinois can piggy-back off of the famous WI-32.

The state roads through the Western suburbs are pretty good.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 18, 2021, 03:39:22 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 02:42:22 PM
There's 'renumbering' threads for US and I's how about IL state highways?
My wish list:

1. Give Randall/Orchard Rd an IL state #.
2. Reinstate IL-32 for the north/south IL-137.
3. Move US-41 off of Foster Av, to replace US-14 easternmost section past Peterson/Lincoln. Truncate US-14 at 'new' 41. Foster is just too narrow for a US highway, and has stop signs to boot!
4. Re-route IL-56 from eastern section of Butterfield Rd. to 22nd St/Cermak Rd. to Harlem/43 or Manheim/12-20-45.
5. Give Pulaski/Crawford a state #, at least south of I-55.
6. Name US-14 'NW Highway' past Crystal Lake to WI, instead of ending at Virginia St. Try to do same with other routes with commonly known street names: North Av, Milwaukee Av, Lake St, Ogden Av. [Within Chicago CSMA]

Just my 'dream'.  :sleep:

One was granted, IL-171 extended to I-90,  :D

Mine would be to restore the truncated routes and put numbers on all the unmarked state routes (Touhy, Dempster, Golf, McCormick, Willow/Palatine... This one is perhaps the biggest one).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on September 19, 2021, 03:35:53 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 18, 2021, 03:39:22 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on September 15, 2021, 02:42:22 PM
There's 'renumbering' threads for US and I's how about IL state highways?
My wish list:

1. Give Randall/Orchard Rd an IL state #.
2. Reinstate IL-32 for the north/south IL-137.
3. Move US-41 off of Foster Av, to replace US-14 easternmost section past Peterson/Lincoln. Truncate US-14 at 'new' 41. Foster is just too narrow for a US highway, and has stop signs to boot!
4. Re-route IL-56 from eastern section of Butterfield Rd. to 22nd St/Cermak Rd. to Harlem/43 or Manheim/12-20-45.
5. Give Pulaski/Crawford a state #, at least south of I-55.
6. Name US-14 'NW Highway' past Crystal Lake to WI, instead of ending at Virginia St. Try to do same with other routes with commonly known street names: North Av, Milwaukee Av, Lake St, Ogden Av. [Within Chicago CSMA]

Just my 'dream'.  :sleep:

One was granted, IL-171 extended to I-90,  :D

Mine would be to restore the truncated routes and put numbers on all the unmarked state routes (Touhy, Dempster, Golf, McCormick, Willow/Palatine... This one is perhaps the biggest one).
I would like to see:
1. IL 7 be truncated back to Theodore St & Larkin Ave in Joliet and then extended north along Weber Rd, Naper Blvd & Naperville Rd to Roosevelt Rd in Wheaton.  Cosign it with IL 38 west to County Farm Rd. Then turn north onto County Farm Rd and Barrington Rd ending at IL 59 in Barrington.  Theodore St goes back to local control.
2. Now I know someone will ask about 159th & Southwest Hwy because of Wish 1. Well, starting at IL 59 & Renwick Rd, a new state highway (Perhaps IL 183) runs east on Renwick Rd to IL 53.  IL 183 takes over the remaining section of former IL 7 on 159th St and Southwest Hwy ending at IL 50 Cicero Ave.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on September 19, 2021, 11:17:17 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 18, 2021, 03:37:00 AM
The state roads through the Western suburbs are pretty good.

Strongly disagree:

1) IL 31 and IL 25 are very slow with too many central business districts.  Even with all of the stoplights and extra distance, Randall and Kirk/Farnsworth are faster.  IL 25 and IL 31 south of I-90 seems strong contenders for decommissioning.

2) Much of IL 47 is long overdue for additional lanes.  Parts of it will probably be one of those facilities that needs six lanes when the initial four-laning is finally completed.

3) US 20 (https://goo.gl/maps/uP9c1xSRw6MKF5qS6) versus Plank Road in Kane County (https://goo.gl/maps/u83maLsXNyKqPCFTA) - the county roadway is much better for through traffic and even had a partial bypass built for Burlington.  Still waiting for at least a partial bypass of Pingree Grove for US 20.

4) US 20 between Plank Road and the end of the Elgin Bypass - another candidate for a facility that might need 6 lanes when the initial widening (which is already overdue) finally happens.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on September 20, 2021, 07:26:36 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 19, 2021, 11:17:17 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 18, 2021, 03:37:00 AM
The state roads through the Western suburbs are pretty good.

Strongly disagree:

1) IL 31 and IL 25 are very slow with too many central business districts.  Even with all of the stoplights and extra distance, Randall and Kirk/Farnsworth are faster.  IL 25 and IL 31 south of I-90 seems strong contenders for decommissioning.

2) Much of IL 47 is long overdue for additional lanes.  Parts of it will probably be one of those facilities that needs six lanes when the initial four-laning is finally completed.

3) US 20 (https://goo.gl/maps/uP9c1xSRw6MKF5qS6) versus Plank Road in Kane County (https://goo.gl/maps/u83maLsXNyKqPCFTA) - the county roadway is much better for through traffic and even had a partial bypass built for Burlington.  Still waiting for at least a partial bypass of Pingree Grove for US 20.

4) US 20 between Plank Road and the end of the Elgin Bypass - another candidate for a facility that might need 6 lanes when the initial widening (which is already overdue) finally happens.

If they're gonna decommission 25 and 31, I wish they'd done it before I spent the better part of a day clinching them this spring.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 20, 2021, 10:08:51 AM
IL-53 designation should stay on the north Expressway between Dundee Rd/IL-68 and Lake-Cook Rd. And then go to Hicks Rd through Long Grove. So, the 'would have been 53' is not numbered for about a mile, just "To IL-53" south. It's left over from when the X-way ended at 68.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 20, 2021, 11:58:08 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 19, 2021, 11:17:17 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 18, 2021, 03:37:00 AM
The state roads through the Western suburbs are pretty good.

Strongly disagree:

Welcome to the Chicago suburbs.  The county roads and municipal arterials are almost always better alternatives than the heinously neglected state roads.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Hobart on September 20, 2021, 03:22:17 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 20, 2021, 11:58:08 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 19, 2021, 11:17:17 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 18, 2021, 03:37:00 AM
The state roads through the Western suburbs are pretty good.

Strongly disagree:

Welcome to the Chicago suburbs.  The county roads and municipal arterials are almost always better alternatives than the heinously neglected state roads.

I would like to say, as someone in the south suburbs in Cook County, the Cook County roads are just as terrible as the state ones. Every other county in Chicagoland you make a great point, but between the city and the Will County line, everything's equally bad.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 20, 2021, 04:24:51 PM
NW Cook seem to be better than West Cook, in that they are wide with turning lanes.
Seems like a different County in general. "Woodfield Co."
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 21, 2021, 10:57:22 AM
Quote from: Hobart on September 20, 2021, 03:22:17 PM
I would like to say, as someone in the south suburbs in Cook County, the Cook County roads are just as terrible as the state ones. Every other county in Chicagoland you make a great point, but between the city and the Will County line, everything's equally bad.

Point taken.  Anything is better than CDOT.  I think my thought applies mostly to the outer suburbs, or "exurbs."

Quote from: US20IL64 on September 20, 2021, 04:24:51 PM
Seems like a different County in general. "Woodfield Co."

Lol, Woodfield County.  I like that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on September 21, 2021, 12:00:37 PM
Quote from: Hobart on September 20, 2021, 03:22:17 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 20, 2021, 11:58:08 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 19, 2021, 11:17:17 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 18, 2021, 03:37:00 AM
The state roads through the Western suburbs are pretty good.

Strongly disagree:

Welcome to the Chicago suburbs.  The county roads and municipal arterials are almost always better alternatives than the heinously neglected state roads.

I would like to say, as someone in the south suburbs in Cook County, the Cook County roads are just as terrible as the state ones. Every other county in Chicagoland you make a great point, but between the city and the Will County line, everything's equally bad.

What state roads in So Cook are in terrible shape? 1 just got resurfaced, 83 is in good shape as is 50, 43 and 394 is currently being resurfaced
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: JoePCool14 on September 22, 2021, 08:59:57 AM
CCHD (which is the actual name of the department, not CDOT, unless you meant Chicago) roads are not great in my area. They've been resurfacing some roads, but there's still a lot that I'd consider in poor shape. There aren't usually many great upgrades going on either.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on September 22, 2021, 03:35:15 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on September 22, 2021, 08:59:57 AM
CCHD (which is the actual name of the department, not CDOT, unless you meant Chicago) roads are not great in my area. They've been resurfacing some roads, but there's still a lot that I'd consider in poor shape. There aren't usually many great upgrades going on either.

I did mean Chicago, as an example of where the municipal roads are terrible compared to the county roads.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ChiMilNet on September 22, 2021, 03:40:27 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 22, 2021, 03:35:15 PM
Quote from: JoePCool14 on September 22, 2021, 08:59:57 AM
CCHD (which is the actual name of the department, not CDOT, unless you meant Chicago) roads are not great in my area. They've been resurfacing some roads, but there's still a lot that I'd consider in poor shape. There aren't usually many great upgrades going on either.

I did mean Chicago, as an example of where the municipal roads are terrible compared to the county roads.

I wouldn't call Cook County stellar by any means, but CDOT is the worst. If you live in the city, plan to replace your tires at least a year or two more frequently than you would otherwise. Also, stoplights coordination... no such thing there!

One of the worst things about Cook County is the highways website, which, somehow, is worse than IDOT's website! If they update it once a year just when the projects list is released annually, that is about it!
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US20IL64 on September 23, 2021, 12:04:58 AM
IL-19, Irving Park, in Chicago is different every year, torn often much for pipes, etc. While Addison St, is smooth, but narrow, maybe the Cubs pay for it?  :-D

Same with US 14, Peterson Av, always tore up between each summer, while Devon Av is usually ok. And in the rich areas, like Sauganash, 14 is usually smooth.

Regarding Cook Co, Grand Av in Franklin Park is fairly well kept up. Just needs a few more left turn lanes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on September 23, 2021, 09:38:39 AM
That's probably due to Chicago replacing the 110 year old pipes underneath the streets over the next few years
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: abefroman329 on September 23, 2021, 10:38:49 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on September 23, 2021, 12:04:58 AMSame with US 14, Peterson Av, always tore up between each summer, while Devon Av is usually ok. And in the rich areas, like Sauganash, 14 is usually smooth.
As I recall, they completely closed Devon for several blocks in Edgebrook two summers ago.  It was a pain, especially for anyone trying to get to the Kennedy from the Far North Side, but at least it was done in one summer.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Hobart on September 23, 2021, 10:21:39 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 21, 2021, 12:00:37 PM
Quote from: Hobart on September 20, 2021, 03:22:17 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on September 20, 2021, 11:58:08 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on September 19, 2021, 11:17:17 PM
Quote from: Crash_It on September 18, 2021, 03:37:00 AM
The state roads through the Western suburbs are pretty good.

Strongly disagree:

Welcome to the Chicago suburbs.  The county roads and municipal arterials are almost always better alternatives than the heinously neglected state roads.

I would like to say, as someone in the south suburbs in Cook County, the Cook County roads are just as terrible as the state ones. Every other county in Chicagoland you make a great point, but between the city and the Will County line, everything's equally bad.

What state roads in So Cook are in terrible shape? 1 just got resurfaced, 83 is in good shape as is 50, 43 and 394 is currently being resurfaced

IL-43 south of Vollmer is quite bad, but I'm mainly talking about the roads maintained by the Cook County Highway Department.

175th street in Tinley Park has been notoriously bad for a literal decade, 167th street and 171st street have the standard bumpiness from being paved with concrete, Ridgeland north of 175th is almost as bad as 175th itself, and there are two "temporary" signal installations that have been up for a decade or more. One still uses incandescent bulbs. It's so bad that the Village of Tinley Park got Cook County to turn over 175th and Ridgeland after some work is done.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on October 15, 2021, 12:00:24 AM
A traffic signal modernization program has swept across Joliet, especially downtown.  A lot of mast arms have been revised to a setup that includes one signal head per lane, and yellow-bordered backplates are now widespread.  Sadly, this means a lot of the classic Illinois-style truss assemblies are disappearing.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on October 15, 2021, 10:06:27 AM
Yeah I've been noticing that once traffic lights are replaced these days, we get the yellow background plates. It's still very isolated here but I'm noticing a few more each month
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Hobart on October 15, 2021, 07:22:17 PM
Honestly, I'll miss the old style truss setups, but I am somewhat looking forward to the yellow stripes on the edges of the signals. Yeah it's losing a bit of personality compared to other states, but it certainly works at increasing visibility. Maybe we'll even get back plates with yellow strips for signals mounted on pedestals, like the rest of the state does.


I'm hoping the state cheaps out too and puts the yellow strips onto the edges of some really old signals, like this one in Taylorville in 2013. I just like the way it looks.

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.5586572,-89.2982245,3a,53.9y,242.97h,81.55t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s7Q58JjcGPSy5EeMHD0CoaA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 15, 2021, 07:34:05 PM
D9 IDOT did the SoIL Stoplights a few months ago with the Yellow borders added to the backplates, most places I've noticed, anyway. I'll keep my eyes peeled if there are stragglers

Local jurisdiction signals generally have not yet adopted the Yellow backplate borders, yet anyway

I feel like the Springfield IDOT District has been using the Yellow borders on the backplates for years, fwiw
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 15, 2021, 10:45:14 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on October 15, 2021, 07:34:05 PM
Local jurisdiction signals generally have not yet adopted the Yellow backplate borders, yet anyway

Depends on the jurisdiction.  Given all the recent signal replacement projects Kane County may now have more reflective than non-reflective backplates on county-jurisdiction roads.  Kane County also seems to be using them for almost all recent signal projects.

EDIT:  McHenry County may also be trending towards more frequent use of the retroreflective backplates.  They used them on the Randall Road rebuild.  Might see a lot more if the rumored flashing yellow arrow projects come through.  Though with the Illinois Standard Specs making retroreflective backplates default, it is likely the retroreflective backplates will spread among local signals.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US20IL64 on October 16, 2021, 01:43:49 AM
There are now flashing yellow left-turn signals on Randall Rd, in Batavia/Geneva. And in Yorkville area.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 16, 2021, 12:54:12 PM
IDOT has posted the Type Size and Location plans on their website for replacing I-270 over the Mississippi River: 
EB Bridge (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Standards/Bridge-TSL-Drawings/0600350TSL-20210726.pdf)
WB Bridge (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Standards/Bridge-TSL-Drawings/0600351TSL-20210726.pdf)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 16, 2021, 01:48:56 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on October 16, 2021, 12:54:12 PM
IDOT has posted the Type Size and Location plans on their website for replacing I-270 over the Mississippi River: 
EB Bridge (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Standards/Bridge-TSL-Drawings/0600350TSL-20210726.pdf)
WB Bridge (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Doing-Business/Standards/Bridge-TSL-Drawings/0600351TSL-20210726.pdf)

I remember when the original opened after all the lawsuits. All the traffic was diverted at Old Chain of Rocks (former Bypass US-40) west of Alton Road.

At least this one will have shoulders. While it reduces the overall count of pylons, not really an issue since boats can't navigate through here, the design is typical design/build generic with 2 longer spans to eliminate the mentioned pylons.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 29, 2021, 10:23:25 PM
IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/ (https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on October 29, 2021, 11:52:52 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on October 29, 2021, 10:23:25 PM
IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/ (https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/)

Any reason why that section was not done with the rest? Does that enter the discussion today? (ie: environmental etc.)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on October 30, 2021, 12:10:38 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 29, 2021, 11:52:52 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on October 29, 2021, 10:23:25 PM
IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/ (https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/)

Any reason why that section was not done with the rest? Does that enter the discussion today? (ie: environmental etc.)
No idea, but if I were to guess out of left field: Possible Federal Funding for the Shiloh section, since it serves/is adjacent to Scott AFB?

The bump up to 6 lanes by the AFB just to go back to 4 lanes for a couple miles to then bump back up to 6 is pretty dumb
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on October 30, 2021, 06:31:35 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 29, 2021, 11:52:52 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on October 29, 2021, 10:23:25 PM
IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/ (https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/)

Any reason why that section was not done with the rest? Does that enter the discussion today? (ie: environmental etc.)

I vaguely remember early light rail proposals included a line down I-64 to Fairview Heights and Scott AFB in the early days of the light rail discussion before they decided on running it through Belleville instead. However, that was decades ago. It's already six lanes to the old 50 between Fairview Heights and O'Fallon. I'd assume they plan to six lane it all the way to IL 158 for the Scott commuters.

I don't know if it's worth widening east of there. I could see it if the west end of the US 50 aborted expressway to Carlyle was continued to I-64, but that keeps getting pushed down the road.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on October 30, 2021, 10:43:01 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on October 29, 2021, 11:52:52 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on October 29, 2021, 10:23:25 PM
IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/ (https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/)

Any reason why that section was not done with the rest? Does that enter the discussion today? (ie: environmental etc.)

Two guesses:

1)  the less than ideal spacing between the interchanges.  I get a little over a mile between the two interchanges in Google Maps; the preferred spacing nowadays is 2 miles in urban areas.

2) Funding limitations.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 01, 2021, 11:26:57 AM
The Rebuild Illinois plan is listed in summary in this deck.

https://www.il-asphalt.org/files/5816/1601/3563/2021RiosAhmadGarnettMeyersRoberts.pdf (https://www.il-asphalt.org/files/5816/1601/3563/2021RiosAhmadGarnettMeyersRoberts.pdf)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 19, 2021, 11:15:47 PM
Kane County recently had a virtual meeting for Randall at US 20.  some of the concepts in the presentation (link (http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Shared%20Documents/Projects/Randall-US20/KDOT%20RRUS20%20PM2%20PPT_11.9.2021.pdf))  include downgrades to US 20.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on November 19, 2021, 11:41:01 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2021, 11:15:47 PM
Kane County recently had a virtual meeting for Randall at US 20.  some of the concepts in the presentation (link (http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Shared%20Documents/Projects/Randall-US20/KDOT%20RRUS20%20PM2%20PPT_11.9.2021.pdf))  include downgrades to US 20.
Basically, a DDI and a SPUI, where the signals are on US 20 and Randall Rd is the "Freeflow"  thru the interchange, are the US 20 downgrade alternatives. The US 20 Freeway ends just west of Randall Rd anyway, so it is appropriate to put these alternatives in the study

DDI and SPUI with the signals on Randall Rd and US 20 stays "Freeflow"  thru the interchange are also listed alternatives
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on November 20, 2021, 04:03:53 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on November 19, 2021, 11:41:01 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2021, 11:15:47 PM
Kane County recently had a virtual meeting for Randall at US 20.  some of the concepts in the presentation (link (http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Shared%20Documents/Projects/Randall-US20/KDOT%20RRUS20%20PM2%20PPT_11.9.2021.pdf))  include downgrades to US 20.
Basically, a DDI and a SPUI, where the signals are on US 20 and Randall Rd is the "Freeflow"  thru the interchange, are the US 20 downgrade alternatives. The US 20 Freeway ends just west of Randall Rd anyway, so it is appropriate to put these alternatives in the study

DDI and SPUI with the signals on Randall Rd and US 20 stays "Freeflow"  thru the interchange are also listed alternatives
yeah I don't see a state route being downgraded in favor of a county route.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: I-39 on November 20, 2021, 09:38:35 AM
Quote from: ilpt4u on November 19, 2021, 11:41:01 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on November 19, 2021, 11:15:47 PM
Kane County recently had a virtual meeting for Randall at US 20.  some of the concepts in the presentation (link (http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Shared%20Documents/Projects/Randall-US20/KDOT%20RRUS20%20PM2%20PPT_11.9.2021.pdf))  include downgrades to US 20.
Basically, a DDI and a SPUI, where the signals are on US 20 and Randall Rd is the "Freeflow"  thru the interchange, are the US 20 downgrade alternatives. The US 20 Freeway ends just west of Randall Rd anyway, so it is appropriate to put these alternatives in the study

DDI and SPUI with the signals on Randall Rd and US 20 stays "Freeflow"  thru the interchange are also listed alternatives

Interesting. Since Randall Road is the primary thoroughfare anyway, it's probably appropriate to do the last option.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on November 20, 2021, 12:00:16 PM
Personally, Kane County and IDOT should look at making Randall Rd and US 20 the first 4-Level Stack in IL. That way, both roads can be freeflow thru the interchange

Call it a "trial"  for future interchanges that really need a 4-Level Full Stack
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on November 20, 2021, 10:42:32 PM
Taking another look at the exhibits tonight, I see even if US 20 remains the priority route for the SPUI alternative, there is still a new signal proposed east of Randall for access to Larkin.  The Echelon and DDI - Randall priority alternatives also have this new signal on US 20.

It also seems like some seemingly obvious alternatives are missing, such as moving the Larkin exit to the right side of eastbound US 20 and installing C-D roadways for US 20.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 21, 2021, 01:27:31 AM
Such a tortured life US-20 has had west of Elgin over the years. So many routings, so many ROW's.

My take is that with the recent outburst of growth in Hampshire, Huntley and Plato Township, it would be a huge mistake to terminate the Elgin Bypass Freeway at a new Randall Road traffic signal (of any kind).

While Larkin Avenue no longer supports the same type of traffic types it did when the intersection with the Bypass was conceived, I think it should be reduced in priority relative to the bypass to favor Randall Road.

The only concern is actually on the west side of Randall Road since that is a completely different school district.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51694852179_f1ae7d8470_o.png)

The "center of gravity" for traffic as these new subdivisions get built is going to shift west to IL-47.

So I would stub Larkin at a new Randall, and put your money into improving the flow of Randall with US-20.

The only objectors I can see are west side commuters who prefer to drive into downtown Elgin to pick up their Metra ride. Stubbing Larkin and forcing them to circulate via Randall would probably make them grab their ride at National Street via IL-31.

Fortunately PACE does not run any buses external to Larkin from the west, so nothing to impact there.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51694466988_772ab8b293_o.png)

Finally, ambulance access to St Joseph's Hospital on West Larkin could be impacted.

Emergency patients would be re-routed to Advocate General Sherman @ Randall/I-90 or have to go west to Northwestern-Kishwaukee in Sycamore.

I would bet $10 if Larkin gets stubbed at Randall a new hospital gets built on US-20 in Hampshire in 3 years.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on November 22, 2021, 01:41:23 PM
South Suburban legislators are upset at the administration's opposition to the SSA. They want the 57 Interchange and land acquisition and they want bids for the private sector to build and run. They also want the Illiana back.
It's inn the Daily Southtown behind payroll but summarized in Capitol Fax.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on November 23, 2021, 09:43:22 PM
So bizarre to see a Larkin Avenue running close to a St. Joseph Hospital...because the exact same situation takes place in Joliet. (Route 7 here is Larkin Avenue) https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5279726,-88.1308843,16.17z
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on November 24, 2021, 11:26:11 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 23, 2021, 09:43:22 PM
So bizarre to see a Larkin Avenue running close to a St. Joseph Hospital...because the exact same situation takes place in Joliet. (Route 7 here is Larkin Avenue) https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5279726,-88.1308843,16.17z

You are right! That is bizarre.

Larkin Ave. in Elgin is named after Cyrus Larkin, a farmer who owned over 400 acres west of town. 43 of those acres is now Elgin Larkin High School. He was a direct descendant of the Pilgrims of Plymouth who came on the Mayflower.

His relative, James Larkin ended up in Lockport, Illinois and his son Edward ran a large farm west of Joliet. Larkin Avenue ran through that farm.

All the Larkin's came to Illinois from Vermont.

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on December 03, 2021, 11:54:51 PM
The new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities is now fully open to traffic with the old bridge completely shut down.

https://www.i74riverbridge.com/traffic/webcams.aspx
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 04, 2021, 01:20:11 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on December 03, 2021, 11:54:51 PM
The new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities is now fully open to traffic with the old bridge completely shut down.

https://www.i74riverbridge.com/traffic/webcams.aspx

That is good news. I might have to make a trip out there.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 04, 2021, 03:39:54 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on December 03, 2021, 11:54:51 PM
The new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities is now fully open to traffic with the old bridge completely shut down.

https://www.i74riverbridge.com/traffic/webcams.aspx

Fantastic. Definitely want to get out and see that in the Summer 2022.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: pianocello on December 05, 2021, 01:35:35 PM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on December 03, 2021, 11:54:51 PM
The new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities is now fully open to traffic with the old bridge completely shut down.

https://www.i74riverbridge.com/traffic/webcams.aspx

According to photos I saw on Facebook, there was a bit of an exit renumbering on the Illinois side as a result of this project. Going southbound (Illinois-bound/east) from the bridge, we have:

Exit 1A: TO IL-92 WEST / River Drive / 3rd Ave (formerly Exit 1)
Exit 1B: IL-92 EAST / 6th Ave (formerly Exit 2)
Exit (unknown; the tab wasn't installed in the photo I saw): Avenue of the Cities (formerly Exit 3)

I'm assuming the 6th Ave/7th Ave interchange is simply Exit 1 in the Iowa-bound direction, but I'll double check that when I visit over Christmas. I'll also be curious to see whether they'll renumber the Avenue of the Cities interchange too, since it's right at Mile Marker 2. I'm guessing it will stay Exit 3 though.

I want to know why they signed 3rd Ave at new Exit 1A, since the road that falls at that place in the city street grid is called River Drive for its entire length (unless the City of Moline changed something recently). At Exit 1B, I'm not sure why there wasn't any mention of 7th Ave, since that was the cross street at the interchange prior to construction (even after construction, the only way to go west towards Downtown Moline from that ramp is via 7th).

Also, there are signs for the Riverfront, TaxSlayer Center, and John Deere Pavilion directing traffic via Exit 1B (6th Ave/7th Ave), even though they're all right on River Drive, a couple blocks from the end of the ramp at Exit 1A. I wonder if that was deliberate or if they just duplicated the sign used in the Iowa-bound direction.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: iowahighways on December 05, 2021, 04:25:14 PM
Quote from: pianocello on December 05, 2021, 01:35:35 PM
According to photos I saw on Facebook, there was a bit of an exit renumbering on the Illinois side as a result of this project. Going southbound (Illinois-bound/east) from the bridge, we have:

Exit 1A: TO IL-92 WEST / River Drive / 3rd Ave (formerly Exit 1)
Exit 1B: IL-92 EAST / 6th Ave (formerly Exit 2)
Exit (unknown; the tab wasn't installed in the photo I saw): Avenue of the Cities (formerly Exit 3)

I'm assuming the 6th Ave/7th Ave interchange is simply Exit 1 in the Iowa-bound direction, but I'll double check that when I visit over Christmas. I'll also be curious to see whether they'll renumber the Avenue of the Cities interchange too, since it's right at Mile Marker 2. I'm guessing it will stay Exit 3 though.

For whatever reason, the 7th Avenue exit is still Exit 2 heading into Illinois, so the Avenue of the Cities exit likely will remain Exit 3 in both directions. But IL 92 is signed along I-74 for the first time ever.

Photo I -- well, my wife, since I was driving -- took in May:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51280906235_36fb873500_c.jpg)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 05, 2021, 05:52:56 PM
They have added mileage makers every tenth of a mile on both sides. I drove it a few days before the full open. The 6 lanes goes just beyond the avenue of the cities.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on December 10, 2021, 03:58:34 PM
Button copy signs at I-55 and Lemont Road are sadly gone.  New stuff has gone up in that area in the past month or two.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on December 11, 2021, 01:57:30 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 10, 2021, 03:58:34 PM
Button copy signs at I-55 and Lemont Road are sadly gone.  New stuff has gone up in that area in the past month or two.
Also the button copy for Route 126 Plainfield has been changed in November.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Lyon Wonder on December 13, 2021, 11:04:46 PM
With the new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities completed and open to traffic, IDOT has started the first phase of engineering studies to replace the I-80 bridge across the Mississippi River. 
The final options are going to be whether to build the new bridge where the old bridge is currently located or build the new bridge and a new stretch of I-80 with new interchanges to IL-84 in IL and US 67 in IA either upstream or downstream.  If the latter option is selected the old bridge could be converted into a "Bison Bridge" with a trail.  IMO I doubt the new I-80 will be a signature span like the new I-74 bridge and will probably either be a conventional tied-arch like the new US 52 bridge between Savanna, IL and Sabula, IA or a concrete slab like the new US 54 bridge between IL and Louisiana, MO.

https://muscatinejournal.com/news/local/on-to-i-80-bridge-location-over-the-mississippi-river-not-yet-determined/article_1699e6f4-d0fe-5e7b-8301-1805e9ac28c8.html (https://muscatinejournal.com/news/local/on-to-i-80-bridge-location-over-the-mississippi-river-not-yet-determined/article_1699e6f4-d0fe-5e7b-8301-1805e9ac28c8.html)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on December 13, 2021, 11:10:01 PM
^ I think a concrete slab similar to the new US 54 bridge is more likely, given the number of piers on the existing I-80 bridge.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 14, 2021, 11:45:54 AM
Quote from: Revive 755 on December 13, 2021, 11:10:01 PM
^ I think a concrete slab similar to the new US 54 bridge is more likely, given the number of piers on the existing I-80 bridge.

The existing I-80 Des Plaines river navigation span is only 300 feet long, so unless they are substantially widening the navigational opening, it would not make economic sense to do a tied arch, cable stayed or other similar design. Besides, with simple girder and concrete, they are far easier to maintain, repair and replace when the time comes.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on December 14, 2021, 12:01:12 PM
(They're talking about the I-80 bridge over the Mississippi River, not the notorious one over the Des Plaines River.  As a Joliet area native myself, I had to reread what they were saying to ascertain this myself.)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 14, 2021, 12:19:28 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 14, 2021, 12:01:12 PM
(They're talking about the I-80 bridge over the Mississippi River, not the notorious one over the Des Plaines River.  As a Joliet area native myself, I had to reread what they were saying to ascertain this myself.)

Yep, fired that one off too soon. I am well aware of the I-80 Quad Cities crossing project, know several people working on the planning. Will be interesting to see if the Bison park makes it into the design, it has been a subject of keen local interest in the last year.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: US20IL64 on December 15, 2021, 07:02:11 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on December 11, 2021, 01:57:30 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 10, 2021, 03:58:34 PM
Button copy signs at I-55 and Lemont Road are sadly gone.  New stuff has gone up in that area in the past month or two.
Also the button copy for Route 126 Plainfield has been changed in November.

Button copy for I-55 exit signs still up, on ramp southbound from i-294, after the Joliet Rd toll booth.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 16, 2021, 07:07:11 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on December 15, 2021, 07:02:11 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on December 11, 2021, 01:57:30 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 10, 2021, 03:58:34 PM
Button copy signs at I-55 and Lemont Road are sadly gone.  New stuff has gone up in that area in the past month or two.
Also the button copy for Route 126 Plainfield has been changed in November.

Button copy for I-55 exit signs still up, on ramp southbound from i-294, after the Joliet Rd toll booth.

Those are ISTHA signs, not IDOT signs. They may be replaced when/if ISTHA rebuilds that ramp.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on December 28, 2021, 12:13:46 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 16, 2021, 07:07:11 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on December 15, 2021, 07:02:11 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on December 11, 2021, 01:57:30 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 10, 2021, 03:58:34 PM
Button copy signs at I-55 and Lemont Road are sadly gone.  New stuff has gone up in that area in the past month or two.
Also the button copy for Route 126 Plainfield has been changed in November.

Button copy for I-55 exit signs still up, on ramp southbound from i-294, after the Joliet Rd toll booth.

Those are ISTHA signs, not IDOT signs. They may be replaced when/if ISTHA rebuilds that ramp.
One that ISTHA did change recently was adding "Obama Expy" while keeping Stevenson Expy to a southbound 294 BGS.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 29, 2021, 06:13:44 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on December 28, 2021, 12:13:46 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 16, 2021, 07:07:11 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on December 15, 2021, 07:02:11 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on December 11, 2021, 01:57:30 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 10, 2021, 03:58:34 PM
Button copy signs at I-55 and Lemont Road are sadly gone.  New stuff has gone up in that area in the past month or two.
Also the button copy for Route 126 Plainfield has been changed in November.

Button copy for I-55 exit signs still up, on ramp southbound from i-294, after the Joliet Rd toll booth.

Those are ISTHA signs, not IDOT signs. They may be replaced when/if ISTHA rebuilds that ramp.
One that ISTHA did change recently was adding "Obama Expy" while keeping Stevenson Expy to a southbound 294 BGS.

Why?  No one calls it that.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ET21 on December 29, 2021, 10:27:07 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 29, 2021, 06:13:44 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on December 28, 2021, 12:13:46 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 16, 2021, 07:07:11 AM
Quote from: US20IL64 on December 15, 2021, 07:02:11 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on December 11, 2021, 01:57:30 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on December 10, 2021, 03:58:34 PM
Button copy signs at I-55 and Lemont Road are sadly gone.  New stuff has gone up in that area in the past month or two.
Also the button copy for Route 126 Plainfield has been changed in November.

Button copy for I-55 exit signs still up, on ramp southbound from i-294, after the Joliet Rd toll booth.

Those are ISTHA signs, not IDOT signs. They may be replaced when/if ISTHA rebuilds that ramp.
One that ISTHA did change recently was adding "Obama Expy" while keeping Stevenson Expy to a southbound 294 BGS.

Why?  No one calls it that.

Isn't Obama Expy for the stretch from 294 to I-80?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 29, 2021, 11:08:08 AM
Quote from: ET21 on December 29, 2021, 10:27:07 AM
Isn't Obama Expy for the stretch from 294 to I-80?
Not quite - Stevenson from Dan Ryan 90/94 interchange to Tri-State 294 interchange, then Obama from 294 to Pontiac.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-met-barack-obama-interstate-signs-illinois-20180703-story.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 29, 2021, 11:10:46 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 29, 2021, 11:08:08 AM
Quote from: ET21 on December 29, 2021, 10:27:07 AM
Isn't Obama Expy for the stretch from 294 to I-80?
Yes - Stevenson from Dan Ryan 90/94 interchange to Tri-State 294 interchange, then Obama from 294 to 80.

Actually, the designation extends to IL-116 in Pontiac.  No one calls it that though.  It's just I-55.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on December 29, 2021, 11:29:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 29, 2021, 11:10:46 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 29, 2021, 11:08:08 AM
Quote from: ET21 on December 29, 2021, 10:27:07 AM
Isn't Obama Expy for the stretch from 294 to I-80?
Yes - Stevenson from Dan Ryan 90/94 interchange to Tri-State 294 interchange, then Obama from 294 to 80.
Actually, the designation extends to IL-116 in Pontiac.  No one calls it that though.  It's just I-55.
If anything, it might still be called the Stevie out to somewhere between 355/Bolingbrook and 80/Joliet. Maybe.

I haven't lived up that way for 6 years or so, so take "my take"  with a grain of salt
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 29, 2021, 11:38:29 AM
Why not Springfield? I recall they picked it because he drove it.
I would have taken 57 72 from Hyde Park a lot myself.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 29, 2021, 11:47:14 AM
Quote from: 3467 on December 29, 2021, 11:38:29 AM
Why not Springfield? I recall they picked it because he drove it.
I would have taken 57 72 from Hyde Park a lot myself.

FWIW, I'll bet no one other than a handful of people know that the I-55/74 multiplex around Bloomington/Normal was designated the "Maitland Bypass".

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/status/920HJR0041.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 29, 2021, 03:45:07 PM
I knew. 72 but the rest......
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 29, 2021, 11:59:20 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 29, 2021, 11:47:14 AM
Quote from: 3467 on December 29, 2021, 11:38:29 AM
Why not Springfield? I recall they picked it because he drove it.
I would have taken 57 72 from Hyde Park a lot myself.

FWIW, I'll bet no one other than a handful of people know that the I-55/74 multiplex around Bloomington/Normal was designated the "Maitland Bypass".

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/legisnet92/status/920HJR0041.html

Unless they provide aligned funding to IDOT for signage, no one will probably know.

Not all of these memorial bills include money with them. It's strictly ceremonial.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on December 30, 2021, 01:04:22 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 29, 2021, 11:59:20 PM
Unless they provide aligned funding to IDOT for signage, no one will probably know.

Not all of these memorial bills include money with them. It's strictly ceremonial.

I have seen signs for the Zeke Giorgi Memorial Highway along I-39. None of the others in that bill, that I can recall.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 30, 2021, 07:27:04 PM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 30, 2021, 01:04:22 AM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 29, 2021, 11:59:20 PM
Unless they provide aligned funding to IDOT for signage, no one will probably know.

Not all of these memorial bills include money with them. It's strictly ceremonial.

I have seen signs for the Zeke Giorgi Memorial Highway along I-39. None of the others in that bill, that I can recall.

US-34 "The Walter Payton Highway" has 1 sign....in Burlington, Iowa when you cross the bridge into Illinois. The sign on the east end (LaGrange) has gone missing. There are no other signs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on December 30, 2021, 07:32:08 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 30, 2021, 07:27:04 PM
US-34 "The Walter Payton Highway" has 1 sign....in Burlington, Iowa when you cross the bridge into Illinois. The sign on the east end (LaGrange) has gone missing. There are no other signs.
IDOT has better things to spend money on than this...but I always thought it would be neat to use an Orange and Blue version of the standard US 34 Shield, at least some of the time, with a Walter Payton banner in place of the Directional banner

Also think dumping the "Ogden Ave"  name in Chicagoland and just calling it Walter Payton Hwy or Walter Payton Ave would help get that "name"  used more
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on December 30, 2021, 08:00:59 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 30, 2021, 07:32:08 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 30, 2021, 07:27:04 PM
US-34 "The Walter Payton Highway" has 1 sign....in Burlington, Iowa when you cross the bridge into Illinois. The sign on the east end (LaGrange) has gone missing. There are no other signs.
IDOT has better things to spend money on than this...but I always thought it would be neat to use an Orange and Blue version of the standard US 34 Shield, at least some of the time, with a Walter Payton banner in place of the Directional banner

Also think dumping the "Ogden Ave"  name in Chicagoland and just calling it Walter Payton Hwy or Walter Payton Ave would help get that "name"  used more

Probably not.  Chicagoans have a habit of using the older name even if it's not posted anywhere.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: 3467 on December 30, 2021, 08:07:06 PM
What was his connection to 34? Monmouth College made a bid for the Bears summer training facility.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: ilpt4u on December 30, 2021, 08:33:14 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 30, 2021, 08:00:59 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 30, 2021, 07:32:08 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 30, 2021, 07:27:04 PM
US-34 "The Walter Payton Highway" has 1 sign....in Burlington, Iowa when you cross the bridge into Illinois. The sign on the east end (LaGrange) has gone missing. There are no other signs.
IDOT has better things to spend money on than this...but I always thought it would be neat to use an Orange and Blue version of the standard US 34 Shield, at least some of the time, with a Walter Payton banner in place of the Directional banner

Also think dumping the "Ogden Ave"  name in Chicagoland and just calling it Walter Payton Hwy or Walter Payton Ave would help get that "name"  used more

Probably not.  Chicagoans have a habit of using the older name even if it's not posted anywhere.
I normally agree with that, but Sweetness is, to this day, popular enough that it would work its way into the lexicon. It would take a few years, but it would get there

Walter Payton is on a pretty short list of people that are broadly beloved by a decent portion of the population
Quote from: 3467 on December 30, 2021, 08:07:06 PM
What was his connection to 34? Monmouth College made a bid for the Bears summer training facility.
Payton wore 34 for his entire career
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on December 30, 2021, 11:13:13 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 30, 2021, 08:33:14 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 30, 2021, 08:00:59 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 30, 2021, 07:32:08 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 30, 2021, 07:27:04 PM
US-34 "The Walter Payton Highway" has 1 sign....in Burlington, Iowa when you cross the bridge into Illinois. The sign on the east end (LaGrange) has gone missing. There are no other signs.
IDOT has better things to spend money on than this...but I always thought it would be neat to use an Orange and Blue version of the standard US 34 Shield, at least some of the time, with a Walter Payton banner in place of the Directional banner

Also think dumping the "Ogden Ave"  name in Chicagoland and just calling it Walter Payton Hwy or Walter Payton Ave would help get that "name"  used more

Probably not.  Chicagoans have a habit of using the older name even if it's not posted anywhere.
I normally agree with that, but Sweetness is, to this day, popular enough that it would work its way into the lexicon. It would take a few years, but it would get there

Walter Payton is on a pretty short list of people that are broadly beloved by a decent portion of the population
Quote from: 3467 on December 30, 2021, 08:07:06 PM
What was his connection to 34? Monmouth College made a bid for the Bears summer training facility.
Payton wore 34 for his entire career

In those days, NFL players didn't have foundations or big charities funded by their contracts. The NFL had just started funding community work and promoting it through their ads on TV.

Walter was different as he started "giving back" almost as soon as he became a Bear. Made dozens of community appearances with no fees. Went to many Chicago schools to talk with kids, always made himself available for the press, even with the Bears losing so badly before 1984.

But I would like to think the most endearing (at least to Bear die hards)  was when he volunteered to man the phones in the ticket office to help the Bears sell season tickets. The Bears were going through a lot of coaching changes and things looked bleak. but he spent hours on the phone selling tickets (successfully I might add).

Some of his workouts included running up the south side slag piles outside the now long gone Wisconsin Steel where the International Scout was made. People were shocked one day as here he was running up the path on Lake Shore Drive.

He wasnt a big talker that wore thousands in gold bands around his neck and was involved in some drive by night club shooting. He worked hard and was a humble guy and showed it on the field.

He was semi-embarassed when his then shoe maker (Roos) embossed 'Sweetness" on his then cleats.

When Ditka took over as coach the young guys did not hold back on complaining. But Walter remained calm and embraced the new system that used him as a decoy.

He didn't run to the press and demand a trade or a new contract. He did the job he was asked.

And when he didn't get that wanted Super Bowl TD he dreamed of, he undressed in a closet so the press couldn't see him crying. He didn't want to take the moment away from the others. He wanted it, but he knew the others did too.

And that in a nutshell is why Walter is loved by Chicagoans far and wide. He won't be sainted or made a deity or anything like that (though the Fox Sports NFL robot is aptly numbered #34 in his honor.)

Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on December 31, 2021, 01:20:49 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 29, 2021, 11:29:03 AM
Quote from: Brandon on December 29, 2021, 11:10:46 AM
Quote from: Rick Powell on December 29, 2021, 11:08:08 AM
Quote from: ET21 on December 29, 2021, 10:27:07 AM
Isn't Obama Expy for the stretch from 294 to I-80?
Yes - Stevenson from Dan Ryan 90/94 interchange to Tri-State 294 interchange, then Obama from 294 to 80.
Actually, the designation extends to IL-116 in Pontiac.  No one calls it that though.  It's just I-55.
If anything, it might still be called the Stevie out to somewhere between 355/Bolingbrook and 80/Joliet. Maybe.

I haven't lived up that way for 6 years or so, so take "my take"  with a grain of salt
I still call it the Stevenson all the way to 126.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: hobsini2 on December 31, 2021, 01:30:18 PM
Quote from: Brandon on December 30, 2021, 08:00:59 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on December 30, 2021, 07:32:08 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 30, 2021, 07:27:04 PM
US-34 "The Walter Payton Highway" has 1 sign....in Burlington, Iowa when you cross the bridge into Illinois. The sign on the east end (LaGrange) has gone missing. There are no other signs.
IDOT has better things to spend money on than this...but I always thought it would be neat to use an Orange and Blue version of the standard US 34 Shield, at least some of the time, with a Walter Payton banner in place of the Directional banner

Also think dumping the "Ogden Ave"  name in Chicagoland and just calling it Walter Payton Hwy or Walter Payton Ave would help get that "name"  used more

Probably not.  Chicagoans have a habit of using the older name even if it's not posted anywhere.
Indeed. Does anyone really call it Ida B Wells Pkwy? I don't.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: skluth on December 31, 2021, 06:04:42 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on December 30, 2021, 11:13:13 PM
And that in a nutshell is why Walter is loved by Chicagoans far and wide. He won't be sainted or made a deity or anything like that (though the Fox Sports NFL robot is aptly numbered #34 in his honor.)
Just putting in that he's pretty loved outside of Chicago by a lot of football fans. I was born and raised in Green Bay and he's probably the one Chicago Bear for whom almost all Packers fans respect and honor. I couldn't stand that SB team but I was happy Payton got his ring.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: The Ghostbuster on December 31, 2021, 09:16:40 PM
Can anyone find any "Walter Payton Memorial Highway" signage along US 34 anywhere within the state of Illinois?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: edwaleni on January 01, 2022, 12:51:46 AM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on December 31, 2021, 09:16:40 PM
Can anyone find any "Walter Payton Memorial Highway" signage along US 34 anywhere within the state of Illinois?

It's an official overlay address in Kendall County now.

https://www.compass.com/listing/12474-walter-payton-memorial-highway-plano-il-60545/822669161417711361/ (https://www.compass.com/listing/12474-walter-payton-memorial-highway-plano-il-60545/822669161417711361/)
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on January 01, 2022, 03:03:26 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on December 31, 2021, 09:16:40 PM
Can anyone find any "Walter Payton Memorial Highway" signage along US 34 anywhere within the state of Illinois?

In the last year I've driven all of US 34 east of the western junction with US 6 and I don't remember seeing any signs.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Hobart on January 03, 2022, 07:40:57 PM
Alrighty so this probably doesn't deserve its own thread so I'm asking here.

I noticed every IDOT district in the state besides District 1 uses backplates on their pedestal mounted signals. District 1 (Chicagoland), as far as I know, is the only district that consistently doesn't.

I know IDOT District 1 likes to do things a bit differently, but is there a reason why they don't put backplates onto pedestal mounted signals? I think having backplates increases visibility, and allows District 1 to put retroreflective tape onto the edges of pedestal mounted signals.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Crash_It on January 04, 2022, 08:30:06 PM
Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2022, 07:40:57 PM
Alrighty so this probably doesn't deserve its own thread so I'm asking here.

I noticed every IDOT district in the state besides District 1 uses backplates on their pedestal mounted signals. District 1 (Chicagoland), as far as I know, is the only district that consistently doesn't.

I know IDOT District 1 likes to do things a bit differently, but is there a reason why they don't put backplates onto pedestal mounted signals? I think having backplates increases visibility, and allows District 1 to put retroreflective tape onto the edges of pedestal mounted signals.

There's quite a few of them down 53 in Bolingbrook and Romeoville. I've also seen them on Roosevelt and Butterfield. They are rolling them out gradually.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.


All in all, it looks like there's going to be an insane amount of road construction here the next several years.  It'll be a burden when it's ongoing, but good god is this area lightyears behind where it needs to be in terms of roadway infrastructure.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: pianocello on January 28, 2022, 04:28:27 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
  • The conversion of I-80 to six lanes, from the US Route 30 exit to the Minooka exit, is listed. The bridge over the Des Plaines River and the construction elements right there alongside it are listed separately from the six-lane widening.

Man, thank God they're finally addressing this. I've always considered the straight, flat 4-lane stretch between Briggs St and US 30 to be among the most deceptively dangerous roads I've driven.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.


  • It looks like I-55 is getting a repave from "south of Weber to south of I-80", costing over $51 million for construction alone. And it looks to be programmed for this year?

That repave has been needed since about a year or two after IDOT widened it.  Whatever pavement mix they used is terrible.

Quote
  • A new interchange looks like it'll be constructed at I-55 and Airport Road/Lockport Street in Plainfield. Does anyone know what the configuration is supposed to look like?
  • It looks like interchange reconstruction is slated for I-55 and IL-126 as well.

I've seen quite a few studies on it.  It is, quite frankly, amazing that both will be built.  Romeoville wanted the Airport Road interchange, and Plainfield balked at that for ages, wanting a full interchange at IL-126 instead.

Airport and IL-126 Study (http://www.airportand126study.org/).  There are several alternatives listed there.

Quote
  • The bridge for Black Road over I-55 is slated for a rehabilitation...right after a contractor closed part of it last summer to build the bicycle bridge immediately adjacent.

That'll make people really happy.  Would've been better to time the two together, but, this is Illinois and IDOT...

Quote
  • It looks like US Route 52 (Jefferson St.) will be widened to four lanes west to River Road in Shorewood, and the interchange at I-55 will look a bit different.  The two access points created by the I-55 ramps are too close together, so I hope spacing those points apart (or combining them into a SPUI!) will take place.

Should've been a SPUI when it was rebuilt from a squished cloverleaf in 1993.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 08:38:23 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
It looks like I-55 is getting a repave from "south of Weber to south of I-80", costing over $51 million for construction alone. And it looks to be programmed for this year?

That repave has been needed since about a year or two after IDOT widened it.  Whatever pavement mix they used is terrible.

Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
A new interchange looks like it'll be constructed at I-55 and Airport Road/Lockport Street in Plainfield. Does anyone know what the configuration is supposed to look like?
It looks like interchange reconstruction is slated for I-55 and IL-126 as well.

I've seen quite a few studies on it.  It is, quite frankly, amazing that both will be built.

Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
It looks like US Route 52 (Jefferson St.) will be widened to four lanes west to River Road in Shorewood, and the interchange at I-55 will look a bit different.  The two access points created by the I-55 ramps are too close together, so I hope spacing those points apart (or combining them into a SPUI!) will take place.
Should've been a SPUI when it was rebuilt from a squished cloverleaf in 1993.

Totally agreed on all three counts. Thanks for the link to the study.  I'd seen it years ago but had no idea they've made that much progress since then.  I'm still unclear though on which alternatives they actually chose-- they must have decided already if the interchanges are already planned for construction, right?
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.

The 80th Avenue bridge in Mokena/Tinley Park has a deck that's in god-awful shape as well, but the repair/replacement of that bridge might be included in the county-level reconstruction that's slated to take place this year.[/li][/list]


I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Rick Powell on January 29, 2022, 01:58:25 AM
Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.

Trib article says the I-80 bridge widening is included in the county project.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/ct-sta-will-county-80th-avenue-widening-st-0117-20200116-i2echd5ft5hczbcsycsgtvny34-story.html
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Brandon on January 29, 2022, 06:53:13 AM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 08:38:23 PM
Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
It looks like I-55 is getting a repave from "south of Weber to south of I-80", costing over $51 million for construction alone. And it looks to be programmed for this year?

That repave has been needed since about a year or two after IDOT widened it.  Whatever pavement mix they used is terrible.

Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
A new interchange looks like it'll be constructed at I-55 and Airport Road/Lockport Street in Plainfield. Does anyone know what the configuration is supposed to look like?
It looks like interchange reconstruction is slated for I-55 and IL-126 as well.

I've seen quite a few studies on it.  It is, quite frankly, amazing that both will be built.

Quote from: Brandon on January 28, 2022, 07:22:38 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
It looks like US Route 52 (Jefferson St.) will be widened to four lanes west to River Road in Shorewood, and the interchange at I-55 will look a bit different.  The two access points created by the I-55 ramps are too close together, so I hope spacing those points apart (or combining them into a SPUI!) will take place.
Should've been a SPUI when it was rebuilt from a squished cloverleaf in 1993.

Totally agreed on all three counts. Thanks for the link to the study.  I'd seen it years ago but had no idea they've made that much progress since then.  I'm still unclear though on which alternatives they actually chose-- they must have decided already if the interchanges are already planned for construction, right?

They've chosen both Alternative 5 and Alternative 28 on the link.  Airport Road will be a SPUI - it's admittedly a bit tight there.  IL-126 will be a westward-facing diamond - there's a wetland to the east blocking any eastward connections (which is why Romeville dearly wanted the Airport Road interchange).
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: Revive 755 on January 29, 2022, 10:56:56 PM
Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.

The 80th Avenue bridge in Mokena/Tinley Park has a deck that's in god-awful shape as well, but the repair/replacement of that bridge might be included in the county-level reconstruction that's slated to take place this year.[/li][/list]


I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.
Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.

The bridge replacement is part of the contract - the contract plans are available at https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/eplan/desenv/012122/149-61G73/ (https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/eplan/desenv/012122/149-61G73/)

EDIT:  Where is six laning I-80 from Ridge to US 30 specifically mentioned?  Last I heard that whole stretch was going to be reconstructed, but with a few sections remaining at four lanes.

As to the I-57/Eagle Lake Road interchange:  it may be a revised version of the Peotone Airport access road.  Based on https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/masterplan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf (https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/masterplan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf), the airport access road interchange was to be at Offner Road.  There's also the project for 'railroad crossing construction' on Eagle Lake Road - something I would hope would not be done on an airport access roadway.
Title: Re: Illinois notes
Post by: dvferyance on January 29, 2022, 11:15:14 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on January 29, 2022, 10:56:56 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 28, 2022, 10:36:56 AM
    IDOT's Construction plans from 2022 to 2027: https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2022-2027/2022-2027%20MYP%20Book%20-%20Internet%20Version.pdf

    There's a LOT to look at in this document, but since I'm from the Joliet area, I'm going to focus on that area.

    The 80th Avenue bridge in Mokena/Tinley Park has a deck that's in god-awful shape as well, but the repair/replacement of that bridge might be included in the county-level reconstruction that's slated to take place this year.[/li][/list]


    I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

    If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.
    Quote from: Hobart on January 28, 2022, 11:59:26 PM
    I live in Tinley Park, I think I saw something in a local newspaper that said the bridge replacement was included in the county-level reconstruction, because I think they're widening 80th between 191st and 183rd (and over I-80) between the construction.

    If you look at the village webpage (https://www.tinleypark.org/government/current_projects/index.php) and scroll all the way down, it doesn't explicitly say that they're replacing the bridge, but if they don't replace the bridge, the widening project is going to be effectively useless.

    The bridge replacement is part of the contract - the contract plans are available at https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/eplan/desenv/012122/149-61G73/ (https://apps.dot.illinois.gov/eplan/desenv/012122/149-61G73/)

    EDIT:  Where is six laning I-80 from Ridge to US 30 specifically mentioned?  Last I heard that whole stretch was going to be reconstructed, but with a few sections remaining at four lanes.

    As to the I-57/Eagle Lake Road interchange:  it may be a revised version of the Peotone Airport access road.  Based on https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/masterplan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf (https://www.southsuburbanairport.com/masterplan/reports/Access-Report-Plan2012-07-31.pdf), the airport access road interchange was to be at Offner Road.  There's also the project for 'railroad crossing construction' on Eagle Lake Road - something I would hope would not be done on an airport access roadway.
    I highly doubt that airport will ever be built. There has been no support for it. If it were built it would be Chicago's version of Mid America airport.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on January 30, 2022, 12:20:21 AM
    Quote from: dvferyance on January 29, 2022, 11:15:14 PM
    I highly doubt that airport will ever be built. There has been no support for it. If it were built it would be Chicago's version of Mid America airport.
    Chicagoland version of Mid-America Airport, minus the same airfield also being an active Air Force Base (Scott AFB)

    If there is to be a Peotone/South Suburban Airport, I think it has more of a future as a Freight airport versus a Commercial/Passenger airport
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on January 30, 2022, 11:33:15 PM
    Only the CDA (Chicago Department of Aviation) wants you to believe that an airport @ Peotone is "worthless".

    BTW: MidAmerica pushed 303,000 people through those 2 gates in 2019 and is still pushing 250,000 during these pandemic times.

    They are now planning to complete Metro past Shiloh-Scott all the way to the terminal and are in the middle of a 2 gate expansion on the north side of the terminal.

    Definitely not a news item as a "waste" anymore.

    BNSF and UP having major logistics centers south of Joliet in the Arsenal District, and the location of a major trans-American expressway (I-80) nearby, makes Peotone the perfect locale for an air freight only hub.

    My last order out of China took 2 solid weeks to clear customs at O'Hare, which is ridiculous.

    While Rockford serves FedEx and UPS regionally, a Peotone Airport would have multi-state value.



    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on January 30, 2022, 11:54:45 PM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on January 29, 2022, 10:56:56 PM
    EDIT:  Where is six laning I-80 from Ridge to US 30 specifically mentioned?  Last I heard that whole stretch was going to be reconstructed, but with a few sections remaining at four lanes.
    The recently opened US 30 interchange is accommodating a full 6 lanes on the I-80 mainline. To the west, the roadway sections outside the Des Plaines bridge area are currently being planned for extra wide shoulders that could be converted to an extra outer lane in each direction. I think IDOT is doing a study to formalize the 6-laning so that it will be striped that way upon opening.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: skluth on January 31, 2022, 11:38:26 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on January 30, 2022, 11:33:15 PM
    BTW: MidAmerica pushed 303,000 people through those 2 gates in 2019 and is still pushing 250,000 during these pandemic times.

    They are now planning to complete Metro past Shiloh-Scott all the way to the terminal and are in the middle of a 2 gate expansion on the north side of the terminal.

    Definitely not a news item as a "waste" anymore.
    Depends on your POV. 303,000/year is less than 1000 passengers per day. 5-6 planes per day inbound and outbound. Small cities like Fargo  (https://www.fargoairport.com/december-year-end-2020-monthly-statistics/#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20the%20total%20passenger,which%20had%20939%2C720%20total%20passengers.)have more passengers. St Louis Lambert had more passengers going to Denver and almost as many going to Atlanta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Lambert_International_Airport), plus all the passengers to/from other locations.

    Mid-America was built with great promise but stopped making sense when American bought TWA and Lambert stopped being a major hub. It's not Midway or John Wayne which are needed because O'Hare and LAX are so crowded; Mid-America's traffic could easily be absorbed by the several empty gates at Lambert. Mid-America is nothing more than a tax burden kept alive by a few civic boosters on the Illinois side of the river and should be closed to stop the waste of subsidies to keep alive a limited airport. The only airline flying there today is the fringe Allegiant Air. It should be closed to save taxpayer money.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on February 01, 2022, 12:45:15 AM
    Quote from: skluth on January 31, 2022, 11:38:26 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on January 30, 2022, 11:33:15 PM
    BTW: MidAmerica pushed 303,000 people through those 2 gates in 2019 and is still pushing 250,000 during these pandemic times.

    They are now planning to complete Metro past Shiloh-Scott all the way to the terminal and are in the middle of a 2 gate expansion on the north side of the terminal.

    Definitely not a news item as a "waste" anymore.
    Depends on your POV. 303,000/year is less than 1000 passengers per day. 5-6 planes per day inbound and outbound. Small cities like Fargo  (https://www.fargoairport.com/december-year-end-2020-monthly-statistics/#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20the%20total%20passenger,which%20had%20939%2C720%20total%20passengers.)have more passengers. St Louis Lambert had more passengers going to Denver and almost as many going to Atlanta (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Lambert_International_Airport), plus all the passengers to/from other locations.

    Mid-America was built with great promise but stopped making sense when American bought TWA and Lambert stopped being a major hub. It's not Midway or John Wayne which are needed because O'Hare and LAX are so crowded; Mid-America's traffic could easily be absorbed by the several empty gates at Lambert. Mid-America is nothing more than a tax burden kept alive by a few civic boosters on the Illinois side of the river and should be closed to stop the waste of subsidies to keep alive a limited airport. The only airline flying there today is the fringe Allegiant Air. It should be closed to save taxpayer money.

    I don't challenge or doubt the subsidies, or anything you said about TWA and Lambert. All true.

    The State of Missouri & St Louis County are still paying for the 3rd runway at Lambert. Which is only used for heavy aircraft now, which isn't often.

    Even if the terminal was shut down, torn down and never used ever again, there would still be costs. Airports are a strategic item.

    Per the Belleville News Democrat:

    MidAmerica was designed to alleviate traffic at Lambert St. Louis International Airport, bring passenger service to the metro-east and support operations at Scott Air Force Base, which uses its runways. Federal and state funding covered most of MidAmerica's $313 million cost ($218 for construction and $95 million for the required removal and replacement of a base housing complex). In 2019, the airport took in $2.7 million in landing fees, terminal-usage fees, rents and fuel-sale profits, according to that year's audit. It spent $4.7 million for salaries, supplies and other operating costs, requiring the county to cover a $2 million annual deficit. Beyond the operating budget, the county: Paid $4.2 million in interest on bonds and debt certificates that have been issued for MidAmerica development, expansion and improvement over the years (and refinanced in some cases). Paid about $1.8 million in airport-related debt principals, as projected in its 2018 audit. Took in $1.4 million in grants, real-estate lease payments and other airport-related, non-operating revenue. Overall, the county cost came to about $6.6 million for 2019. Remaining long-term debt related to MidAmerica was $74.6 million, not including an expected $44.4 million in interest on bonds.

    In 2020, the airport took in $2.4 million in landing fees, terminal-usage fees, rents and fuel-sale profits, according to that year's audit. It spent $5.2 million for salaries, supplies and other operating costs, requiring the county to cover a $2.8 million annual deficit. Beyond the operating budget, the county: Paid $3.6 million in interest on bonds and debt certificates that have been issued for MidAmerica development, expansion and improvement over the years (and refinanced in some cases). Paid $2 million in airport-related debt principals, as projected in its 2019 audit. Took in $4.9 million in grants, real-estate lease payments and other airport-related, non-operating revenue. Overall, the county's costs would have totaled $7.1 million for 2020, but the one-time infusion of CARES Act money dropped it down to $3.5 million. "Airport revenues increased more than $1 million,"  the 2020 audit states. "Declines in operating revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic were offset by $3.6 million in Federal CARES grants. "Aeronautical rents, fees, terminal concessions, Passenger Facility Charges, and parking revenues represented a $394,000 decrease. Fuel sales decreased more than $1.6 million as fuel prices continued to be volatile; however the number of gallons sold also dropped nearly 227,000 gallons."  Remaining long-term debt related to MidAmerica was $87.1 million in 2020, not including an expected $25.5 million in interest on bonds. This represents an increase in debt and decrease in interest due to refinancing.

    The Boeing Co. announced on Sept. 17 that it's building a 300-square-foot production facility at MidAmerica that will be used to make the U.S. Navy's first aircraft-refueling drones. It will be the defense contractor's second factory at the airport. The existing one, covering 50,000 square feet, produces components for fighter jets, commercial airplanes and military helicopters. Boeing will pay $65,000 in rent the first year for the new factory, then about $450,000 annually, Johnson told the BND in early September.

    MidAmerica added 500 parking spaces in 2020, according to the county audit. It's now increasing its terminal size from 53,500 to 98,599 square feet. Officials expect to cover about $13 million of the $30 million cost with FAA grants.

    Read more at: https://www.bnd.com/news/politics-government/article255002572.html (https://www.bnd.com/news/politics-government/article255002572.html)

    I use both airports infrequently. I recognize the good, the bad and the ugly in both. My POV is that they are operating today, they are increasing business every year (except during covid), they are seeking tenants and revenue sources on a regular basis. While Allegiant was a weak partner at first, they finally have made a commitment to the locale. Yep, they (the airport) need help, but they aren't sitting on their collective arse's about it either.

    It will be interesting to see who (airlines) take a look at MidAmerica when the 2 new gates open up.




    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on February 01, 2022, 09:23:12 AM
    All I know now is that, if ISTHA is going to build out IL-390's eastern extension and the I-490 tollway, those investments had better be put to good use.  If ISTHA is putting down the money to build roads to O'Hare's western expansion, that western expansion had better get built now  :spin:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: cwm1276 on February 01, 2022, 05:10:14 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on January 30, 2022, 11:33:15 PM
    Only the CDA (Chicago Department of Aviation) wants you to believe that an airport @ Peotone is "worthless".

    BTW: MidAmerica pushed 303,000 people through those 2 gates in 2019 and is still pushing 250,000 during these pandemic times.

    They are now planning to complete Metro past Shiloh-Scott all the way to the terminal and are in the middle of a 2 gate expansion on the north side of the terminal.

    Definitely not a news item as a "waste" anymore.

    BNSF and UP having major logistics centers south of Joliet in the Arsenal District, and the location of a major trans-American expressway (I-80) nearby, makes Peotone the perfect locale for an air freight only hub.

    My last order out of China took 2 solid weeks to clear customs at O'Hare, which is ridiculous.

    While Rockford serves FedEx and UPS regionally, a Peotone Airport would have multi-state value.





    Rockford is UPS's second national air hub, it serves nationally.  It complements their hub in Louisville.  I don't think FedEx has a presence at RFD, but Amazon has built quite the hub and international air cargo is growing quickly.  Peotone will be late to the party.

    https://www.mystateline.com/news/chicago-rockford-international-airport-breaks-cargo-record-in-2021/
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on February 01, 2022, 05:20:17 PM
    Quote from: cwm1276 on February 01, 2022, 05:10:14 PM

    Rockford is UPS's second national air hub, it serves nationally.  It complements their hub in Louisville.  I don't think FedEx has a presence at RFD, but Amazon has built quite the hub and international air cargo is growing quickly.  Peotone will be late to the party.

    https://www.mystateline.com/news/chicago-rockford-international-airport-breaks-cargo-record-in-2021/

    I stand corrected. FedEx Ground has depot outside the airport, but not a freight terminal inside the airport. Emery Air is the other freight carrier on the property.

    Thanks for sharing the link, very informative.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
    A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Lyon Wonder on March 05, 2022, 08:58:03 PM
    The communities of Rapid City, IL and LeCLaire, IL are closely watching the studies IDOT's conducting that will decide the alignment for the new I-80 Mississippi River bridge.  My guess is it'll come down to either a new alignment that's immediately upstream or downstream or building the new bridge where the current I-80 span is located.

    https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/i80-bridge-new-location/526-cf32c838-cc6e-49b5-97ae-177fa6210c2d
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on March 06, 2022, 01:22:44 AM
    Quote from: Lyon Wonder on March 05, 2022, 08:58:03 PM
    The communities of Rapid City, IL and LeCLaire, IL are closely watching the studies IDOT's conducting that will decide the alignment for the new I-80 Mississippi River bridge.  My guess is it'll come down to either a new alignment that's immediately upstream or downstream or building the new bridge where the current I-80 span is located.

    https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/i80-bridge-new-location/526-cf32c838-cc6e-49b5-97ae-177fa6210c2d

    I hope it's far away from LeClaire, IA, so those damned cameras go away.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on March 07, 2022, 09:23:54 AM
    Quote from: Lyon Wonder on March 05, 2022, 08:58:03 PM
    The communities of Rapid City, IL and LeCLaire, IL are closely watching the studies IDOT's conducting that will decide the alignment for the new I-80 Mississippi River bridge.  My guess is it'll come down to either a new alignment that's immediately upstream or downstream or building the new bridge where the current I-80 span is located.

    https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/i80-bridge-new-location/526-cf32c838-cc6e-49b5-97ae-177fa6210c2d

    Some of this is covered here:

    https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=30685.0 (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=30685.0)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on March 07, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
    A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

    A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on March 07, 2022, 05:03:39 PM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on March 07, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
    A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

    A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.

    Because there are a large number of unincorporated communities the farther out you get from Chicago.

    Also some roads change names in the same county, like when passing through different towns.

    So the county, in order to maintain consistency for fire and life safety, erect county road number signs.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 07, 2022, 07:19:49 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on March 07, 2022, 05:03:39 PM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on March 07, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
    A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

    A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.

    Because there are a large number of unincorporated communities the farther out you get from Chicago.

    Also some roads change names in the same county, like when passing through different towns.

    So the county, in order to maintain consistency for fire and life safety, erect county road number signs.

    For example, there are 4 names for a 15 mile stretch of road between Roosevelt Rd in Lombard and Archer Ave in Lemont. State St, Lemont Rd, Main St, Highland Ave.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on March 11, 2022, 09:28:47 AM
    The new bridge over the Des Plaines River, connecting Houbolt and Laraway Roads, is well underway.  You can see the construction in the distance if you walk to the end of the trail at Rock Run Rookery. This is between Joliet and Channahon.

    (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51930280869_d70e8947af_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n7Ugha)
    20220301_163820_HDR (https://flic.kr/p/2n7Ugha) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on July 08, 2022, 02:00:13 PM
    A very small project is ongoing on IL-83 and IL-38. They are apparently replacing a culvert across the main line of 83, and adding a retaining wall on the ramp from westbound 38 to northbound 83. I don't know what the wall is for, though.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Stephane Dumas on July 11, 2022, 03:12:28 PM
    I saw this cool video about the reconstruction of the Mile Long Bridge on I-294.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVl0BuqGv3U
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on July 11, 2022, 06:44:12 PM
    Quote from: Stephane Dumas on July 11, 2022, 03:12:28 PM
    I saw this cool video about the reconstruction of the Mile Long Bridge on I-294.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVl0BuqGv3U
    There is an "Illinois Tollway Notes"  thread, where this video is better suited, as the Central Tri-State project is being followed there

    https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.0
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on July 11, 2022, 09:35:15 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 11, 2022, 09:28:47 AM
    The new bridge over the Des Plaines River, connecting Houbolt and Laraway Roads, is well underway.  You can see the construction in the distance if you walk to the end of the trail at Rock Run Rookery. This is between Joliet and Channahon.

    (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51930280869_d70e8947af_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2n7Ugha)
    20220301_163820_HDR (https://flic.kr/p/2n7Ugha) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

    This project is visible from Google Earth. But it is just the dirt grading. Google Maps shows the road poured on the north side of the bridge.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: I-39 on July 11, 2022, 09:48:42 PM
    When are they going to start on the Bliss Road/Fayban Parkway roundabout/realignment project in Kane County?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on July 12, 2022, 08:51:40 PM
    Quote from: I-39 on July 11, 2022, 09:48:42 PM
    When are they going to start on the Bliss Road/Fayban Parkway roundabout/realignment project in Kane County?

    http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Pages/Projects/Bliss-Main-Fabyan-Intersection/Bliss-Main-Fabyan-Intersection-Realignment.aspx

    Looks like it went out for bid in May 2022.

    https://www.constructionjournal.com/projects/details/19faba812cfd49d6b05e60ab6ea4eb26.html

    Bidnet says bidding has closed, so I would assume the bids are under review.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on July 22, 2022, 12:34:59 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 07, 2022, 07:19:49 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on March 07, 2022, 05:03:39 PM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on March 07, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
    A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

    A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.

    Because there are a large number of unincorporated communities the farther out you get from Chicago.

    Also some roads change names in the same county, like when passing through different towns.

    So the county, in order to maintain consistency for fire and life safety, erect county road number signs.

    For example, there are 4 names for a 15 mile stretch of road between Roosevelt Rd in Lombard and Archer Ave in Lemont. State St, Lemont Rd, Main St, Highland Ave.

    Du Page Co and Lisle [town] tried to give one name to Yackley Rd, College Av and Wehrli [?], but home owners didn't want new addresses. Was to be all Yackley Rd. In some cases, towns use two names, like Westmore-Meyers Rd [Lombard], or Dempster/Theaker St and Lee/Manheim Rd [Des Plaines]
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: mgk920 on July 25, 2022, 11:53:50 AM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on July 22, 2022, 12:34:59 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 07, 2022, 07:19:49 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on March 07, 2022, 05:03:39 PM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on March 07, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
    A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

    A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.

    Because there are a large number of unincorporated communities the farther out you get from Chicago.

    Also some roads change names in the same county, like when passing through different towns.

    So the county, in order to maintain consistency for fire and life safety, erect county road number signs.

    For example, there are 4 names for a 15 mile stretch of road between Roosevelt Rd in Lombard and Archer Ave in Lemont. State St, Lemont Rd, Main St, Highland Ave.

    Du Page Co and Lisle [town] tried to give one name to Yackley Rd, College Av and Wehrli [?], but home owners didn't want new addresses. Was to be all Yackley Rd. In some cases, towns use two names, like Westmore-Meyers Rd [Lombard], or Dempster/Theaker St and Lee/Manheim Rd [Des Plaines]

    Yet another reason why I have the deepest utmost respect for Edward P Brennan and what he did in Chicago just over a century ago.

    :nod:

    Mike
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on July 26, 2022, 04:58:11 PM
    For everyone keeping score, the quarry workers' strike has come to an end after 7 weeks. Hopefully, area roadway projects that were stalled due to that will get going again.

    https://wgntv.com/news/tentative-deal-offers-chance-to-end-construction-strike/
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on July 26, 2022, 07:59:25 PM
    (https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GZ3WK3SKTS4/maxresdefault.jpg)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on July 27, 2022, 02:08:32 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on July 26, 2022, 04:58:11 PM
    For everyone keeping score, the quarry workers' strike has come to an end after 7 weeks. Hopefully, area roadway projects that were stalled due to that will get going again.

    https://wgntv.com/news/tentative-deal-offers-chance-to-end-construction-strike/

    That's huge news for me. An asphalt project I was supposed to oversee has been on hold for a month because of the strike.  I estimated that, without the strike, the project would have gotten started at the start of July. We'll see when the contractor gives me a call with a proposed start date, presumably sometime in mid-late August.  (The original completion date was Labor Day; understandably and forgivably, that's not happening now.)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Lyon Wonder on August 13, 2022, 01:20:43 AM
    I-55 between I-72 at South 6th Street in Springfield to Sherman will finally be widened to 6 lanes.

    https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/08/12/pritzker-announces-34-6-billion-multi-year-idot-plan/65401729007/
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on August 13, 2022, 11:26:50 AM
    Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 13, 2022, 01:20:43 AM
    I-55 between I-72 at South 6th Street in Springfield to Sherman will finally be widened to 6 lanes.

    https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/08/12/pritzker-announces-34-6-billion-multi-year-idot-plan/65401729007/


    "Finally" is right!  It always amazes me to see how I-55 is six lanes from Lincoln to Sherman...but it's still only four lanes around Springfield, including the duplex with another Interstate.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ChiMilNet on August 13, 2022, 01:26:59 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 13, 2022, 11:26:50 AM
    Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 13, 2022, 01:20:43 AM
    I-55 between I-72 at South 6th Street in Springfield to Sherman will finally be widened to 6 lanes.

    https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/08/12/pritzker-announces-34-6-billion-multi-year-idot-plan/65401729007/


    "Finally" is right!  It always amazes me to see how I-55 is six lanes from Lincoln to Sherman...but it's still only four lanes around Springfield, including the duplex with another Interstate.

    It's progress finally. That said, the worst section is still going to be only 2 lanes, and I fear that the sudden drop in lanes will cause a bad bottleneck... I get the feeling they are going to have to quickly finish the remainder, including the South interchange.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on August 15, 2022, 12:55:39 AM
    Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 13, 2022, 01:26:59 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 13, 2022, 11:26:50 AM
    Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 13, 2022, 01:20:43 AM
    I-55 between I-72 at South 6th Street in Springfield to Sherman will finally be widened to 6 lanes.

    https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/08/12/pritzker-announces-34-6-billion-multi-year-idot-plan/65401729007/


    "Finally" is right!  It always amazes me to see how I-55 is six lanes from Lincoln to Sherman...but it's still only four lanes around Springfield, including the duplex with another Interstate.

    It's progress finally. That said, the worst section is still going to be only 2 lanes, and I fear that the sudden drop in lanes will cause a bad bottleneck... I get the feeling they are going to have to quickly finish the remainder, including the South interchange.

    One wonders if that was done on purpose for just that reason. . . .
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Plutonic Panda on August 15, 2022, 04:06:44 PM
    "Illinois lays out $34B spending plan for roads, bridges, rail and transit"

    https://pantagraph.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/illinois-lays-out-34b-spending-plan-for-roads-bridges-rail-and-transit/article_c3fc8ebc-1a95-11ed-8236-fbb7e90e8714.html
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on August 16, 2022, 04:14:46 PM
    A big repave is going on along Interstate 57 in Will County.  I was talking with a project manager for the contractor responsible, and they're moving from that job to a big repave on Interstate 55 when that's done.  That repave will be from Interstate 80 north to Bolingbrook somewhere.  Apparently, the material producers' strike that snagged construction work for 7-8 weeks delayed the Interstate 55 resurfacing so much, that only one direction of Interstate 55 will be repaved this season; the other carriageway will have to be repaved next spring.  That will be an interesting drive during the winter; one direction will have fresh, new pavement, whereas the other direction won't!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on August 17, 2022, 06:01:32 PM
    IDOT also announced the next chapter in Springfield's version of Chicago's CREATE. They are going to build an overpass for Grand Ave. to go over the CN/Amtrak/CIM junction on the north side of town.

    They are ripping out the former Alton/GMO now UP tracks that support the Amtrak Station downtown and moving the UP/Amtrak over to new tracks next to NS on the east side of downtown.

    This means yet more rail traffic being rolled over that Grand Avenue junction, hence the elevation.

    Being so close to Springfield Lanphier High School, traffic would devolve into madness when the CIM would bring a coal drag through after a football game ended.

    UP also ripped out their Springfield bypass (using the Nelson Sub) and is steering all that traffic through central Springfield to everyone's chagrin.

    Now CN wants to route traffic through the same tracks to reach the KCS Springfield Sub as part of the merger of CP and KCS.

    Look for more funding of Springfield arterials to get underpasses when all these railroads merge their madness into the same ROW.

    As for I-55, I can say finally! I remember when those bridges from 1962 were upgraded for 6 lane duty back in the early 1980's and the third lane has been barriered off ever since.

    Some other issues IDOT can address with a 6 lane effort, is there are several legacy and abandoned railroad over/underpasses that are long overdue.

    The CN bridge used by CIM can't accommodate 6 lanes widths. The CN bridge for Springfield Utilities (Dalman Power Plant) which hasn't run a coal train in some 30 years will probably be removed.

    The bridge over the former B&O (now a trail) can be truncated to a simple viaduct as the railroad was removed in 1980.

    The NS bridge (former Wabash) over I-55, also built in 1962 might survive as it has room for a lane and shoulder.

    The I-55 bridge over the CN Gilman sub is already 6 lanes, and was updated in the 90's, knowing IDOT, they will get cheap and keep it I assume.

    The I-55 bridge over the UP/Amtrak at Sherman, the southbound bridge was replaced and is already 3 lanes, but that northbound side is the pits and a dumpster fire. Has to be replaced.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on August 18, 2022, 08:19:02 PM
    Here's a personal note that I wanted to bring up today to add to the "Illinois notes" discussion.

    IDOT does not give s*** about clear zones on their roads. I drove a few different state highways in the northwest Chicago area today and I was just astounded by how little room there was on the side between the edge of pavement and the start of non-cut grass vegetation. And I'm talking about 2-lane sections where the speed limit is 45, 50, or 55. This also applies to other roads, like US-20 east of the Elgin bypass section.

    After driving hundreds of miles in Wisconsin, I find this unacceptable and I see it as a real safety concern. How are you supposed to see an animal running towards the road when you have these tall grasses and weeds right up to the edge of the lane? After a deer ran into my car in Wisconsin, this is high on my list of concerns now. The weeds and tall grass, and sometimes branches too, bury signs to the point you can't even see them. Also, it just makes the roads look so unkept, which I guess is true.

    These problems are also compounded by the fact that most of these roads lack any sort of paved shoulder, so there's basically no room for error if something goes wrong.

    I know I rant a lot about IDOT, but man, they honestly just suck in almost every way imaginable. I miss the days WisDOT was my "home DOT", they really are one of the best out there. There's just so much wrong at the core of what IDOT does. I understand a lot of it has to do with the awful budget and the amount of mileage they have, but a lot of IDOT's problems have nothing to do with budget and everything to do with work ethic and quality checking.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on August 19, 2022, 12:51:53 AM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on August 18, 2022, 08:19:02 PM
    Here's a personal note that I wanted to bring up today to add to the "Illinois notes" discussion.

    IDOT does not give s*** about clear zones on their roads. I drove a few different state highways in the northwest Chicago area today and I was just astounded by how little room there was on the side between the edge of pavement and the start of non-cut grass vegetation. And I'm talking about 2-lane sections where the speed limit is 45, 50, or 55. This also applies to other roads, like US-20 east of the Elgin bypass section.

    After driving hundreds of miles in Wisconsin, I find this unacceptable and I see it as a real safety concern. How are you supposed to see an animal running towards the road when you have these tall grasses and weeds right up to the edge of the lane? After a deer ran into my car in Wisconsin, this is high on my list of concerns now. The weeds and tall grass, and sometimes branches too, bury signs to the point you can't even see them. Also, it just makes the roads look so unkept, which I guess is true.

    These problems are also compounded by the fact that most of these roads lack any sort of paved shoulder, so there's basically no room for error if something goes wrong.

    I know I rant a lot about IDOT, but man, they honestly just suck in almost every way imaginable. I miss the days WisDOT was my "home DOT", they really are one of the best out there. There's just so much wrong at the core of what IDOT does. I understand a lot of it has to do with the awful budget and the amount of mileage they have, but a lot of IDOT's problems have nothing to do with budget and everything to do with work ethic and quality checking.

    <changing channels>
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on August 19, 2022, 01:15:17 AM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on August 18, 2022, 08:19:02 PM
    Here's a personal note that I wanted to bring up today to add to the "Illinois notes" discussion.

    IDOT does not give s*** about clear zones on their roads. I drove a few different state highways in the northwest Chicago area today and I was just astounded by how little room there was on the side between the edge of pavement and the start of non-cut grass vegetation. And I'm talking about 2-lane sections where the speed limit is 45, 50, or 55. This also applies to other roads, like US-20 east of the Elgin bypass section.

    After driving hundreds of miles in Wisconsin, I find this unacceptable and I see it as a real safety concern. How are you supposed to see an animal running towards the road when you have these tall grasses and weeds right up to the edge of the lane? After a deer ran into my car in Wisconsin, this is high on my list of concerns now. The weeds and tall grass, and sometimes branches too, bury signs to the point you can't even see them. Also, it just makes the roads look so unkept, which I guess is true.

    These problems are also compounded by the fact that most of these roads lack any sort of paved shoulder, so there's basically no room for error if something goes wrong.

    I know I rant a lot about IDOT, but man, they honestly just suck in almost every way imaginable. I miss the days WisDOT was my "home DOT", they really are one of the best out there. There's just so much wrong at the core of what IDOT does. I understand a lot of it has to do with the awful budget and the amount of mileage they have, but a lot of IDOT's problems have nothing to do with budget and everything to do with work ethic and quality checking.

    What roads in Illinois that you've driven on that have not even an unpaved shoulder? Almost every road I've driven on within IDOT jurisdiction has one. Not to mention that IDOT is also worlds better at maintaining the pavement than WI and are also better with the light timing.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on August 19, 2022, 07:53:15 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on August 19, 2022, 12:51:53 AM
    <changing channels>

    Sorry, sometimes I just have to rant a little.  :spin:

    Quote from: Crash_It on August 19, 2022, 01:15:17 AM
    What roads in Illinois that you've driven on that have not even an unpaved shoulder? Almost every road I've driven on within IDOT jurisdiction has one. Not to mention that IDOT is also worlds better at maintaining the pavement than WI and are also better with the light timing.

    I was on portions of IL-22, IL-59, IL-68, IL-72, and US-20 yesterday. The only one I can recall having a paved shoulder, wide enough to have rumble strips and then some on there, was the western end of IL-68. That was nice, and all that's required. Other short sections have shoulders, like at intersections where improvements have been made, but by and large, there was an inch or two of asphalt beyond the white line.

    I completely disagree with you on pavement maintenance. Generally speaking, WisDOT is better.

    Lastly, signal timing. Ok, I could probably give you that one. Most of the time, when on IDOT roads, the signals are green which is good. It's frustrating if you're on a county or local road trying to cross though. Still, there's too many signals on some roads (i.e., US-12) and not enough creative designs to eliminate some of them with things like Michigan lefts/U-turns or roundabouts.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on August 21, 2022, 10:17:27 PM
    http://i-80will.com/

    Website about I-80 rebuild in 3 counties, including bridge over Des Plaines River.

    Shows map of what properties may be taken for new bridge on this page: http://i-80will.com/community-impact-analysis/potential-property-displacement.html
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Plutonic Panda on August 21, 2022, 10:36:47 PM
    From that link:

    QuoteInput was gathered from communities that could be directly or indirectly impacted by the Des Plaines River Bridge replacement and those who may experience a disproportionally high and adverse effect as a result of this improvement without additional mitigation measures

    I've never understood this mentality. Doesn't better infrastructure especially in the case of one of the most important interstate corridors in the nation benefit everyone?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on August 22, 2022, 12:38:03 PM
    Quote from: Plutonic Panda on August 21, 2022, 10:36:47 PM
    From that link:

    QuoteInput was gathered from communities that could be directly or indirectly impacted by the Des Plaines River Bridge replacement and those who may experience a disproportionally high and adverse effect as a result of this improvement without additional mitigation measures

    I've never understood this mentality. Doesn't better infrastructure especially in the case of one of the most important interstate corridors in the nation benefit everyone?

    This gets into an interesting bit of freeway history; when the interstate system was being built, the properties built over often belonged to certain groups of people (read: minorities), because they didn't hold as much political influence and their property was cheaper to acquire. Interstate 94 in Minneapolis cut neighborhoods in half, a disproportionate amount of those being African-American.

    Although everyone technically benefits from better infrastructure, certain groups were, and might still be, forced to make significantly larger sacrifices towards getting the infrastructure than others. These groups are often marginalized; Joliet is a large enough city to need to worry about that by sheer virtue of putting a freeway through a certain part of town.

    IDOT pretty much wants to "make things right", most likely to save face. I can't blame them.

    Unrelated from the same website, they're putting in a jughandle at US-52. I'm kind of hyped.

    (https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/576638889838772234/1011314326377865246/unknown.png)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on August 24, 2022, 10:10:00 AM
    Quote from: Plutonic Panda on August 21, 2022, 10:36:47 PM
    From that link:

    QuoteInput was gathered from communities that could be directly or indirectly impacted by the Des Plaines River Bridge replacement and those who may experience a disproportionally high and adverse effect as a result of this improvement without additional mitigation measures

    I've never understood this mentality. Doesn't better infrastructure especially in the case of one of the most important interstate corridors in the nation benefit everyone?

    First thing I thought of was noise.  The current Des Plaines River bridge has a very high elevation above ground due to river navigation rules.

    At ground level, DOT's typically place a sound wall, but at elevation, how does truck sounds propagate through the surrounding neighborhoods?

    Since the bridge will be wider, more waste water to drain off. Where does this go? Today it simply falls off based on the pitch of the deck near the pylons and eventually ends up in the Des Plaines.

    Will that water need treatment if it is collected and if so who should do it? Or should it be simply dumped into the City of Joliet waster water system?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on August 24, 2022, 11:00:57 AM
    Quote from: Plutonic Panda on August 21, 2022, 10:36:47 PM
    From that link:

    QuoteInput was gathered from communities that could be directly or indirectly impacted by the Des Plaines River Bridge replacement and those who may experience a disproportionally high and adverse effect as a result of this improvement without additional mitigation measures

    I've never understood this mentality. Doesn't better infrastructure especially in the case of one of the most important interstate corridors in the nation benefit everyone?

    Disclaimer - my company is working on the bridge plans.

    Yes, the corridor improvements will definitely bring regional and national benefits, but there are some issues with the affected neighborhood that were particularly difficult to resolve. One issue was that, for the homes that would be displaced, the state was having a very difficult time finding suitable replacement housing for what the federal "uniform act" policy would allow for appraised value. They are working through the issues now and, for the overall price of the project, it's not asking much to be sensitive to the needs of those who must relocate, and those who will remain nearby.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on August 27, 2022, 06:34:14 PM
    I still can't believe that they didn't just make it 6 through lanes from I-55 to US 30.  They way I read this, Houbolt to Center St is just 4 lanes and Richards to US 30 is 4 lanes.  At least the Des Plaines bridges itself will be 6 through and 2 aux lanes.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on August 27, 2022, 08:20:00 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on August 19, 2022, 01:15:17 AM
    What roads in Illinois that you've driven on that have not even an unpaved shoulder? Almost every road I've driven on within IDOT jurisdiction has one.

    Some "shoulders" aren't particularly useful...

    https://goo.gl/maps/b5RxFysPQ6TEF5Ka8
    https://goo.gl/maps/NdUvSAD2AM8Mzve96
    https://goo.gl/maps/1drPDVMHKbZyJ3339
    https://goo.gl/maps/xHNjjoQzaBhBJvax8
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on August 28, 2022, 07:17:54 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on August 27, 2022, 08:20:00 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on August 19, 2022, 01:15:17 AM
    What roads in Illinois that you've driven on that have not even an unpaved shoulder? Almost every road I've driven on within IDOT jurisdiction has one.

    Some "shoulders" aren't particularly useful...

    https://goo.gl/maps/b5RxFysPQ6TEF5Ka8
    https://goo.gl/maps/NdUvSAD2AM8Mzve96
    https://goo.gl/maps/1drPDVMHKbZyJ3339
    https://goo.gl/maps/xHNjjoQzaBhBJvax8
    And by comparison since Crash It likes to shit on the quality of roads in Wisconsin... Oh look. Real shoulders AND decent to good asphalt.
    Hwy 73 in Green Lake County: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.4913826,-89.0000527,3a,75y,350.44h,80.22t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sxCF5RCobmpzjTt8iRrtwHQ!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3DxCF5RCobmpzjTt8iRrtwHQ%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D269.81122%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656

    Hwy 23 in Marquette County:
    https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8308305,-89.2322152,3a,75y,76.4h,75.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVZWCNVk9vMQEy-7XyjOvGA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

    Hwy 35 in Trempealeau County:
    https://www.google.com/maps/@44.0691813,-91.4510575,3a,75y,171.17h,86.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s4EfvJNTtZpj_Y2JfM43T6g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

    Even Hwy 47 in Menominee County. That's the county that is all Native American Reservation and one of the poorest in the state.:
    https://www.google.com/maps/@44.8875051,-88.6541267,3a,75y,327.13h,74.35t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz4WanOIowVY5FcuDbn8Zxw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: 3467 on August 28, 2022, 11:20:13 AM
    They Illinois standard for 2 lanes since the 70s has been a 3 foot paved and 5 gravel but they just never did it. I think One as that mentioned in one of the old annual plans.
    They did it on part of 67 north of Monmouth. They were going to extend finally in Warren but guess what the shoulders are 6 feet ...Paved!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on August 29, 2022, 12:33:03 PM
    Heck, you can even find useless 'shoulders' or missing shoulders on US Routes in Illinois.

    US 20  – https://goo.gl/maps/RoVr8d5CoAA8NdeU6
    US 24 – https://goo.gl/maps/DJcwVq9w66Ee5rpb8
    US 34 – https://goo.gl/maps/iTjtCFiDa6bwE6Ys9
    US 40 – https://goo.gl/maps/VGosC7X3iK5or9aj9
    US 45 – https://goo.gl/maps/hpV39LA5EG8Z367Z6
    US 52 – https://goo.gl/maps/4ZpnfCT6X85jkGAU6
    US 54 – https://goo.gl/maps/7odzgQcA1SK1GwUJ9
    US 67 – https://goo.gl/maps/8puo6xGofnojbTZF9
    US 136 – https://goo.gl/maps/essERhYLtXGt4f2A9
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on August 29, 2022, 01:49:09 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on August 29, 2022, 12:33:03 PM
    Heck, you can even find useless 'shoulders' or missing shoulders on US Routes in Illinois.

    US 20  – https://goo.gl/maps/RoVr8d5CoAA8NdeU6
    US 24 – https://goo.gl/maps/DJcwVq9w66Ee5rpb8
    US 34 – https://goo.gl/maps/iTjtCFiDa6bwE6Ys9
    US 40 – https://goo.gl/maps/VGosC7X3iK5or9aj9
    US 45 – https://goo.gl/maps/hpV39LA5EG8Z367Z6
    US 52 – https://goo.gl/maps/4ZpnfCT6X85jkGAU6
    US 54 – https://goo.gl/maps/7odzgQcA1SK1GwUJ9
    US 67 – https://goo.gl/maps/8puo6xGofnojbTZF9
    US 136 – https://goo.gl/maps/essERhYLtXGt4f2A9

    Some of both examples are from before the roads were repaved and had shoulders added.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on August 29, 2022, 09:43:03 PM
    Perhaps a thread called "Unique shoulders in the Midwest" is in order.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on August 30, 2022, 04:46:23 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on August 29, 2022, 09:43:03 PM
    Perhaps a thread called "Unique shoulders in the Midwest" is in order.
    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ <-- unique?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on August 30, 2022, 10:39:56 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on August 29, 2022, 01:49:09 PM
    Some of both examples are from before the roads were repaved and had shoulders added.

    meh.

    You're the one who said, "Almost every road I've driven on within IDOT jurisdiction has [at least an unpaved shoulder]."  Apparently you've only been driving for about five years...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on August 31, 2022, 09:40:50 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on August 30, 2022, 10:39:56 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on August 29, 2022, 01:49:09 PM
    Some of both examples are from before the roads were repaved and had shoulders added.

    meh.

    You're the one who said, "Almost every road I've driven on within IDOT jurisdiction has [at least an unpaved shoulder]."  Apparently you've only been driving for about five years...

    More than 5 years.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Alps on September 03, 2022, 12:02:47 PM
    I just drove IL 72, 73, 75. I can tell you all the shoulders are not a consistent formula. Some parts of the road have no shoulder at all. More often there's a few feet of gravel at least. Sometimes that's paved (2-3 feet though). Very rare to have more than that.

    Oh, also, Illinois has plenty of hills 🙃
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on September 03, 2022, 12:27:51 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on August 30, 2022, 04:46:23 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on August 29, 2022, 09:43:03 PM
    Perhaps a thread called "Unique shoulders in the Midwest" is in order.
    ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ <-- unique?
    Did someone say Unique Shoulders?
    How about some unusual should exercises?
    https://www.bulk.com/uk/the-core/5-unusual-shoulder-exercises-need-try/
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on October 17, 2022, 10:43:18 PM
    The US 20 Rockford Bypass has received enhanced mile markers for a little bit west of I-39.  https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8 (https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on October 18, 2022, 02:36:45 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on October 17, 2022, 10:43:18 PM
    The US 20 Rockford Bypass has received enhanced mile markers for a little bit west of I-39.  https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8 (https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8)
    the mile markers should be to the Iowa state line, not to the Winnebago county line (SOP for Illinois on roads owned by the state that are not Interstates)

    I've seen similar practices in Chicagoland on US-41 in Lake and Cook County.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on October 18, 2022, 09:07:23 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on October 17, 2022, 10:43:18 PM
    The US 20 Rockford Bypass has received enhanced mile markers for a little bit west of I-39.  https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8 (https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8)

    Yup, I believe they were installed because of the IL-2 interchange reconstruction. Could've been a part of the same contract.

    I would like to see proper enhanced mileposts at least to the end of the 4-lane section in IL. And then ideally, exit numbers on all full interchanges in the Rockford and Freeport areas. But that's almost certainly not going to happen.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: cwm1276 on October 18, 2022, 06:17:30 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on October 18, 2022, 09:07:23 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on October 17, 2022, 10:43:18 PM
    The US 20 Rockford Bypass has received enhanced mile markers for a little bit west of I-39.  https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8 (https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8)

    Yup, I believe they were installed because of the IL-2 interchange reconstruction. Could've been a part of the same contract.

    I would like to see proper enhanced mileposts at least to the end of the 4-lane section in IL. And then ideally, exit numbers on all full interchanges in the Rockford and Freeport areas. But that's almost certainly not going to happen.

    They started with the resurfacing between Harrison and Alpine.  The 39 section gained proper interstate markers, which I don't recall before.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on October 19, 2022, 09:30:47 AM
    Quote from: cwm1276 on October 18, 2022, 06:17:30 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on October 18, 2022, 09:07:23 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on October 17, 2022, 10:43:18 PM
    The US 20 Rockford Bypass has received enhanced mile markers for a little bit west of I-39.  https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8 (https://goo.gl/maps/DsRECokEFf4pAsHh8)

    Yup, I believe they were installed because of the IL-2 interchange reconstruction. Could've been a part of the same contract.

    I would like to see proper enhanced mileposts at least to the end of the 4-lane section in IL. And then ideally, exit numbers on all full interchanges in the Rockford and Freeport areas. But that's almost certainly not going to happen.

    They started with the resurfacing between Harrison and Alpine.  The 39 section gained proper interstate markers, which I don't recall before.

    Yes and yes. Hopefully this next segment that's being resurfaced west of IL-2 will receive some mile markers too.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: roadman65 on October 22, 2022, 11:21:09 PM
    https://goo.gl/maps/LMvdK8GhYfZkSNjD8
    Is IL in the business of using blue pentagon shield like the one on the signal pole in GSV above?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ChiMilNet on October 23, 2022, 12:29:27 AM
    Quote from: roadman65 on October 22, 2022, 11:21:09 PM
    https://goo.gl/maps/LMvdK8GhYfZkSNjD8
    Is IL in the business of using blue pentagon shield like the one on the signal pole in GSV above?

    Depends on the county. Cook County started to implement this about 15 years ago, but then, due to budget reasons, suddenly halted this. In the current state, the signage in Cook County is inconsistent to best describe it. Other counties, however, tend to have much more consistent signage, DuPage County for example. Downstate, it can vary, but my observation has been that it's fairly consistent on county roads.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on October 24, 2022, 08:56:30 AM
    Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 23, 2022, 12:29:27 AM
    Quote from: roadman65 on October 22, 2022, 11:21:09 PM
    https://goo.gl/maps/LMvdK8GhYfZkSNjD8
    Is IL in the business of using blue pentagon shield like the one on the signal pole in GSV above?

    Depends on the county. Cook County started to implement this about 15 years ago, but then, due to budget reasons, suddenly halted this. In the current state, the signage in Cook County is inconsistent to best describe it. Other counties, however, tend to have much more consistent signage, DuPage County for example. Downstate, it can vary, but my observation has been that it's fairly consistent on county roads.

    Most counties I've been to especially in Northern Illinois do this. In central IL I've seen them in Champaign, McLean county and Woodford county. Southern IL I've only seen them in St Clair County and Clinton County.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on October 24, 2022, 12:15:04 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on October 24, 2022, 08:56:30 AM
    Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 23, 2022, 12:29:27 AM
    Quote from: roadman65 on October 22, 2022, 11:21:09 PM
    https://goo.gl/maps/LMvdK8GhYfZkSNjD8
    Is IL in the business of using blue pentagon shield like the one on the signal pole in GSV above?

    Depends on the county. Cook County started to implement this about 15 years ago, but then, due to budget reasons, suddenly halted this. In the current state, the signage in Cook County is inconsistent to best describe it. Other counties, however, tend to have much more consistent signage, DuPage County for example. Downstate, it can vary, but my observation has been that it's fairly consistent on county roads.

    Most counties I've been to especially in Northern Illinois do this. In central IL I've seen them in Champaign, McLean county and Woodford county. Southern IL I've only seen them in St Clair County and Clinton County.

    I've seen them posted somewhat regularly in both LaSalle and Iroquois Counties; they aren't posted to the prevalence of having arrow signs, but generally at intersections with county roads there's a sign once you pull on.

    Lake County is hardcore with it; they even have little banner signs below their blue pentagonal signs saying the name of the road.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on October 24, 2022, 07:32:03 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on October 24, 2022, 12:15:04 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on October 24, 2022, 08:56:30 AM
    Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 23, 2022, 12:29:27 AM
    Quote from: roadman65 on October 22, 2022, 11:21:09 PM
    https://goo.gl/maps/LMvdK8GhYfZkSNjD8
    Is IL in the business of using blue pentagon shield like the one on the signal pole in GSV above?

    Depends on the county. Cook County started to implement this about 15 years ago, but then, due to budget reasons, suddenly halted this. In the current state, the signage in Cook County is inconsistent to best describe it. Other counties, however, tend to have much more consistent signage, DuPage County for example. Downstate, it can vary, but my observation has been that it's fairly consistent on county roads.

    Most counties I've been to especially in Northern Illinois do this. In central IL I've seen them in Champaign, McLean county and Woodford county. Southern IL I've only seen them in St Clair County and Clinton County.

    I've seen them posted somewhat regularly in both LaSalle and Iroquois Counties; they aren't posted to the prevalence of having arrow signs, but generally at intersections with county roads there's a sign once you pull on.

    Lake County is hardcore with it; they even have little banner signs below their blue pentagonal signs saying the name of the road.
    About a year or 2 ago, Kendall County finally signed it's county roads with the blue pentagons.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: roadman65 on October 24, 2022, 07:39:38 PM
    https://goo.gl/maps/gdDJm61JxgCCS5328

    Does this gate in the median open up during sporting events at Soldier Field? I'm noticing the permissive tower signal head going SB on US 41 here?

    https://goo.gl/maps/S5cpWcudEFBrFuBX6
    Not to mention this guide sign.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: NWI_Irish96 on October 24, 2022, 07:59:39 PM
    Quote from: roadman65 on October 24, 2022, 07:39:38 PM
    https://goo.gl/maps/gdDJm61JxgCCS5328

    Does this gate in the median open up during sporting events at Soldier Field? I'm noticing the permissive tower signal head going SB on US 41 here?

    https://goo.gl/maps/S5cpWcudEFBrFuBX6
    Not to mention this guide sign.

    The stoplight in the SB lanes and the guide sign certainly do suggest that it does open, or at least has in the past, but I've never personally seen it open.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on October 25, 2022, 02:58:32 PM
    Quote from: roadman65 on October 24, 2022, 07:39:38 PM
    https://goo.gl/maps/gdDJm61JxgCCS5328

    Does this gate in the median open up during sporting events at Soldier Field? I'm noticing the permissive tower signal head going SB on US 41 here?

    https://goo.gl/maps/S5cpWcudEFBrFuBX6
    Not to mention this guide sign.

    At some point I think it did, but traffic was probably more abysmal then it is now. So Waldron is apparently a NB entrance/exit only during Soldier Field events. Like NWI, I've never seen it open for SB lanes but I'm sure 20-30 years ago it was.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on October 25, 2022, 11:10:47 PM
    The second public meeting for US 20 at Shales Parkway in Elgin is scheduled for November 16. (http://www.us20atshalesstudy.org/public-meetings.html)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on October 26, 2022, 10:59:03 PM
    Quote from: roadman65 on October 22, 2022, 11:21:09 PM
    https://goo.gl/maps/LMvdK8GhYfZkSNjD8
    Is IL in the business of using blue pentagon shield like the one on the signal pole in GSV above?

    See the Illinois stuff I added to the thread in General Highway Talk about the different states' use of the county pentagons:

    Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 26, 2020, 10:01:30 AM
    Illinois counties that use the blue pentagon include Winnebago, McHenry, Lake, DuPage, Kane (inconsistently), DeKalb (starting recently), Kendall (starting last year), Kankakee, Iroquois, Livingston, McLean, Logan, Macon, McDonough, Knox, Peoria, Woodford, LaSalle, Bureau, Rock Island (who uses letters instead of numbers like Wisconsin), Henry, St. Clair, Sangamon, Champaign, Vermilion, Piatt, Douglas, Coles, Edgar, Fayette, Effingham, Clinton, Christian, Cumberland, Mason, Menard and DeWitt.  See Bill Burmaster's page. (http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/county/index.html)

    (Clay County (http://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/county/clay.html) uses the white square like some places in Minnesota.)
    Edit: Forgot to mention Warren, and forgot to mention Cook (sporadically).

    To add, Will County will start putting up pentagons all over its county highways later this fall, likely carrying forward into spring.  Kendall County put pentagons up starting around 2019.  DeKalb is another county that started using them fairly recently, but the numerals are written in Helvetica (https://flic.kr/p/2nR1w8H).
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on December 10, 2022, 10:10:05 PM
    Is Chicago is now putting speed cameras on ramps?  Note the photo enforced plaques for the ramp advisory speeds for a ramp off NB Mannheim near O'Hare. (https://goo.gl/maps/JFu5P2D2u92dCJ7t5)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on December 11, 2022, 09:35:58 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on December 10, 2022, 10:10:05 PM
    Is Chicago is now putting speed cameras on ramps?  Note the photo enforced plaques for the ramp advisory speeds for a ramp off NB Mannheim near O'Hare. (https://goo.gl/maps/JFu5P2D2u92dCJ7t5)
    Doesn't seem legal.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Joe The Dragon on December 12, 2022, 12:43:55 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on December 10, 2022, 10:10:05 PM
    Is Chicago is now putting speed cameras on ramps?  Note the photo enforced plaques for the ramp advisory speeds for a ramp off NB Mannheim near O'Hare. (https://goo.gl/maps/JFu5P2D2u92dCJ7t5)
    don't see an camera there on the link
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on December 12, 2022, 08:20:46 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on December 10, 2022, 10:10:05 PM
    Is Chicago is now putting speed cameras on ramps?  Note the photo enforced plaques for the ramp advisory speeds for a ramp off NB Mannheim near O'Hare. (https://goo.gl/maps/JFu5P2D2u92dCJ7t5)

    This is the only ramp I've seen in the area that claims to enforce advisory speeds. I might stop by over there and see if I can even find a camera. I'm pretty sure I haven't driven that ramp before so I don't know why they felt the need to add that.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on December 13, 2022, 02:00:25 PM
    Quote from: Rothman on December 11, 2022, 09:35:58 AM

    Quote from: Revive 755 on December 10, 2022, 10:10:05 PM
    Is Chicago is now putting speed cameras on ramps?  Note the photo enforced plaques for the ramp advisory speeds for a ramp off NB Mannheim near O'Hare. (https://goo.gl/maps/JFu5P2D2u92dCJ7t5)

    Doesn't seem legal.

    I agree.  As I figure it, the speed limit on that ramp is 50 mph.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on December 13, 2022, 06:57:21 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on December 13, 2022, 02:00:25 PM
    Quote from: Rothman on December 11, 2022, 09:35:58 AM

    Quote from: Revive 755 on December 10, 2022, 10:10:05 PM
    Is Chicago is now putting speed cameras on ramps?  Note the photo enforced plaques for the ramp advisory speeds for a ramp off NB Mannheim near O'Hare. (https://goo.gl/maps/JFu5P2D2u92dCJ7t5)

    Doesn't seem legal.

    I agree.  As I figure it, the speed limit on that ramp is 50 mph.
    Technically, that is still Airport property and under their jurisdiction. That sign has been up for about a year. I have never heard of anyone getting a ticket from there. But there are speed cameras throughout the city.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on December 13, 2022, 07:05:37 PM
    What I mean is that exceeding the number on a W13-3 (Advisory Ramp Speed) sign isn't illegal.  The last R2-1 (Speed Limit) regulatory sign before that point says 50 (https://goo.gl/maps/xd47Notf51kXqrjK7).
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on December 14, 2022, 09:58:01 AM
    After 9 years, several years late and over budget, the Circle interchange reconstruction will be coming to a close very soon.

    https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/jane-byrne-interchange-project-finally-coming-to-an-end-over-budget-and-years-behind-schedule/

    I just drove through it yesterday for work and I still feel like there's a handful of things left to do. It didn't feel "complete" to me. But maybe that's just simple punch list stuff.

    Some of the BGS also leave a lot to be desired.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on December 14, 2022, 01:26:08 PM
    Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?

    That is the IDOT way, of course
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on December 14, 2022, 02:16:08 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on December 14, 2022, 09:58:01 AM
    After 9 years, several years late and over budget, the Circle interchange reconstruction will be coming to a close very soon.

    https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/jane-byrne-interchange-project-finally-coming-to-an-end-over-budget-and-years-behind-schedule/

    I just drove through it yesterday for work and I still feel like there's a handful of things left to do. It didn't feel "complete" to me. But maybe that's just simple punch list stuff.

    Some of the BGS also leave a lot to be desired.

    They still have work to do north of it along the Kennedy between 290/Congress and Lake St. Walking over it the last few months, the exit lanes are still being built and I think Adams St bridge was still closed as last check
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on December 14, 2022, 02:57:55 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on December 14, 2022, 01:26:08 PM
    Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?

    That is the IDOT way, of course

    I think so. Those are likely never going to change.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: maths22 on December 14, 2022, 06:59:22 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 14, 2022, 02:16:08 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on December 14, 2022, 09:58:01 AM
    After 9 years, several years late and over budget, the Circle interchange reconstruction will be coming to a close very soon.

    https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/jane-byrne-interchange-project-finally-coming-to-an-end-over-budget-and-years-behind-schedule/

    I just drove through it yesterday for work and I still feel like there's a handful of things left to do. It didn't feel "complete" to me. But maybe that's just simple punch list stuff.

    Some of the BGS also leave a lot to be desired.

    They still have work to do north of it along the Kennedy between 290/Congress and Lake St. Walking over it the last few months, the exit lanes are still being built and I think Adams St bridge was still closed as last check

    I live literally overlooking the interchange between Adams and Jackson, so I've been keeping a pretty close eye on the construction since I moved in ~18 months ago.  As of ~2 weeks ago, the bridges were reopened, along with the exit ramps (but not the entrance ramps).  As of this morning, all construction work is complete both north and south of the interchange (they did the last bit of pavement grooving this morning). South of the interchange, I believe all they need to do is striping and signage work (and landscaping/electrical in the spring, but that's not import).  North of the interchange, they still need to haul away the concrete barriers and do a little other cleanup, but I'm guessing that will all be done by tomorrow.  Tonight's rainy, so no final configurations tonight or the paint would wash away, but I'm predicting southbound (including ramps) gets it's final configuration tomorrow night and northbound the night after that.

    Quote from: JoePCool14 on December 14, 2022, 02:57:55 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on December 14, 2022, 01:26:08 PM
    Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?

    That is the IDOT way, of course

    I think so. Those are likely never going to change.

    Wisconsin and Indiana still are in use on the new signs, but at the interchange "West Suburbs" control has been replaced with "Aurora"
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on December 14, 2022, 08:50:26 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 14, 2022, 06:59:22 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 14, 2022, 02:16:08 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on December 14, 2022, 09:58:01 AM
    After 9 years, several years late and over budget, the Circle interchange reconstruction will be coming to a close very soon.

    https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/jane-byrne-interchange-project-finally-coming-to-an-end-over-budget-and-years-behind-schedule/

    I just drove through it yesterday for work and I still feel like there's a handful of things left to do. It didn't feel "complete" to me. But maybe that's just simple punch list stuff.

    Some of the BGS also leave a lot to be desired.

    They still have work to do north of it along the Kennedy between 290/Congress and Lake St. Walking over it the last few months, the exit lanes are still being built and I think Adams St bridge was still closed as last check

    I live literally overlooking the interchange between Adams and Jackson, so I've been keeping a pretty close eye on the construction since I moved in ~18 months ago.  As of ~2 weeks ago, the bridges were reopened, along with the exit ramps (but not the entrance ramps).  As of this morning, all construction work is complete both north and south of the interchange (they did the last bit of pavement grooving this morning). South of the interchange, I believe all they need to do is striping and signage work (and landscaping/electrical in the spring, but that's not import).  North of the interchange, they still need to haul away the concrete barriers and do a little other cleanup, but I'm guessing that will all be done by tomorrow.  Tonight's rainy, so no final configurations tonight or the paint would wash away, but I'm predicting southbound (including ramps) gets it's final configuration tomorrow night and northbound the night after that.

    Quote from: JoePCool14 on December 14, 2022, 02:57:55 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on December 14, 2022, 01:26:08 PM
    Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?

    That is the IDOT way, of course

    I think so. Those are likely never going to change.

    Wisconsin and Indiana still are in use on the new signs, but at the interchange "West Suburbs" control has been replaced with "Aurora"

    They were still putting rebar and pouring concrete up by Washington St for the median between the exit lanes/thru traffic unless they finish all that in 5 days.  :hmmm:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: maths22 on December 14, 2022, 09:53:08 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 14, 2022, 08:50:26 PM
    They were still putting rebar and pouring concrete up by Washington St for the median between the exit lanes/thru traffic unless they finish all that in 5 days.  :hmmm:

    I was out of town last week, but I saw them stripping the forms on the end of that barrier up by Washington on Saturday, so they presumably poured that on Friday.  I've found it interesting how quickly many individual pieces of the project go given how slowly the whole thing has gone.  (I will say over the past couple months they've been working a bunch of overtime and doing a good bit of Saturday work, I think so they would be able to reopen things before the end of the year
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on December 14, 2022, 11:45:40 PM
    "Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?"

    Now Aurora instead of 'west burbs'. By the way it's the 2nd largest city in IL, near 200k people. Elgin should be used instead of Rockford on 290 at 294 westbound.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on December 15, 2022, 10:29:43 AM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on December 14, 2022, 11:45:40 PM
    "Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?"

    Now Aurora instead of 'west burbs'. By the way it's the 2nd largest city in IL, near 200k people. Elgin should be used instead of Rockford on 290 at 294 westbound.

    I don't agree with using Elgin on 290, unless we start talking secondary versus primary. Elgin would be a good control for 390 and 20.

    Thank you for correcting me about using Aurora, I forgot that one change was made. I think I can be satisfied with that. You could put Rockford and Milwaukee for 90/94 northbound, but 90/94 southbound, there's nothing that would make sense. Too many possibilities: Indianapolis, Detroit, Toledo, or even closer but smaller cities like South Bend.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on December 15, 2022, 11:28:23 AM
    Regarding the Circle Interchange, a coworker told me the other day that a bunch of big wigs recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new interchange (within the last week).  The timing of the news story might because of the timing of the ribbon cutting ceremony.  The timing of this ceremony may be a little inappropriate, unless the intent was to recognize only the interchange, separate from additional ongoing work to the north of it.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on December 15, 2022, 11:29:37 AM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on December 15, 2022, 10:29:43 AM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on December 14, 2022, 11:45:40 PM
    "Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?"

    Now Aurora instead of 'west burbs'. By the way it's the 2nd largest city in IL, near 200k people. Elgin should be used instead of Rockford on 290 at 294 westbound.

    I don't agree with using Elgin on 290, unless we start talking secondary versus primary. Elgin would be a good control for 390 and 20.

    Thank you for correcting me about using Aurora, I forgot that one change was made. I think I can be satisfied with that. You could put Rockford and Milwaukee for 90/94 northbound, but 90/94 southbound, there's nothing that would make sense. Too many possibilities: Indianapolis, Detroit, Toledo, or even closer but smaller cities like South Bend.

    The issue with using Aurora for I-290 is that I-290 does not go anywhere especially near Aurora. It leads you to the route that will take you there, but that is not what I think control cities (or states) should be about.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on December 15, 2022, 12:48:59 PM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on December 15, 2022, 11:29:37 AM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on December 15, 2022, 10:29:43 AM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on December 14, 2022, 11:45:40 PM
    "Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?"

    Now Aurora instead of 'west burbs'. By the way it's the 2nd largest city in IL, near 200k people. Elgin should be used instead of Rockford on 290 at 294 westbound.

    I don't agree with using Elgin on 290, unless we start talking secondary versus primary. Elgin would be a good control for 390 and 20.

    Thank you for correcting me about using Aurora, I forgot that one change was made. I think I can be satisfied with that. You could put Rockford and Milwaukee for 90/94 northbound, but 90/94 southbound, there's nothing that would make sense. Too many possibilities: Indianapolis, Detroit, Toledo, or even closer but smaller cities like South Bend.

    The issue with using Aurora for I-290 is that I-290 does not go anywhere especially near Aurora. It leads you to the route that will take you there, but that is not what I think control cities (or states) should be about.
    If Aurora is the Control for the Circle going WB, then the Ike should be renumbered I-88. I doubt it ever happens, tho
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: triplemultiplex on December 15, 2022, 12:58:15 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on December 15, 2022, 12:48:59 PM
    If Aurora is the Control for the Circle going WB, then the Ike should be renumbered I-88. I doubt it ever happens, tho

    If 88 hadn't been such a late-comer, it for sure would've continued on the Ike into The Loop.  Like if the initial outlay of numbers included two interstates between Chicago and the Quads, they'd have wanted the northern of the two to keep going into Chicago proper rather than piddling out at a beltline.
    But yeah, not like they're ever gonna change it at this point. Too much inertia for too little benefit.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on December 15, 2022, 02:29:42 PM
    Aurora on 290 might not make sense from a number perspective, but it does make sense when you look at a map. If you're going to Rockford, take 90. If you're going to Aurora, take 290 to 88.

    Generally speaking, trying to piece together control cities in Chicagoland is very difficult. Most suburbs blend in together and it's hard to pick them out individually. The only control on the north side that's worth anything is Waukegan, that one is easy. O'Hare is also logical. But aside from those, what else can you use? Straight south isn't much easier. The only cities of prominence out west are Aurora and Naperville, which I think should be used more. Schaumburg might also be an acceptable choice. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention Elgin.

    But overall, it's quite difficult, and you can see why NW/SW Suburbs became so common.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on December 15, 2022, 05:12:47 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 14, 2022, 09:53:08 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 14, 2022, 08:50:26 PM
    They were still putting rebar and pouring concrete up by Washington St for the median between the exit lanes/thru traffic unless they finish all that in 5 days.  :hmmm:

    I was out of town last week, but I saw them stripping the forms on the end of that barrier up by Washington on Saturday, so they presumably poured that on Friday.  I've found it interesting how quickly many individual pieces of the project go given how slowly the whole thing has gone.  (I will say over the past couple months they've been working a bunch of overtime and doing a good bit of Saturday work, I think so they would be able to reopen things before the end of the year

    That is interesting, will have to look on my walk to work tomorrow.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on December 15, 2022, 10:18:42 PM
    Quote from: triplemultiplex on December 15, 2022, 12:58:15 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on December 15, 2022, 12:48:59 PM
    If Aurora is the Control for the Circle going WB, then the Ike should be renumbered I-88. I doubt it ever happens, tho

    If 88 hadn't been such a late-comer, it for sure would've continued on the Ike into The Loop.  Like if the initial outlay of numbers included two interstates between Chicago and the Quads, they'd have wanted the northern of the two to keep going into Chicago proper rather than piddling out at a beltline.
    But yeah, not like they're ever gonna change it at this point. Too much inertia for too little benefit.

    There is a story behind that.

    The East-West Tollway (then IL-5) was originally supposed to terminate at I-294 just north of Hinsdale.  But when ISTHA first showed the routing plans the then mayor of Oak Brook (Butler) convinced them that the new road would split his fairly young town in 2. So ISTHA moved the routing north. This is why I-88 takes a large NE jog at Downers Grove with plans to connect it with the Congress Expressway Extension from Central Avenue to Mannheim Road along with the big south connector with I-294 at Cermak Road. This was to convince people not to shun the East-West by getting off at Ogden Ave (US-34). Remember this was the 1950's and the nature of these far western suburbs was significantly different. However Cook County had a different idea. Mayor Daley didn't like the idea of any expressway that made it easier for people to leave Chicago to live. For years that E-W connector at Hillside was 1 lane only. There were no technical or structural issues to having it 2 lanes, simply political. It was Governor Ryan who cut a deal to get the "Strangler" removed because by that time 40 years later, the suburbs were no longer Chicago enemy #1.

    IDOT had planned (since 1940) for the Congress Extension to feed the future West Suburban Expressway where it would meet with their pre-Tollway suburban bypass plan (IL-83 Kingery Highway) and service then US-30 ALT (now IL-38 Roosevelt Road) as a major arterial. The West Suburban Expressway (future US-30) is now where IL-56 is located (Butterfield Road) and was to continue west to IL -25, just north of Aurora, considered at the time, the extreme exurb of Chicago.

    After ISTHA was established, many of IDOT's plans for expressways were rolled back and most of them (and the land they acquired) became major suburban arterials.

    In 1941, just before WW2 broke out IDOT was working with several railroads to get them elevated in anticipation of these future non-tolled expressways.

    This is why you see bridges like this:

    US-12 (Northwest Highway)
    (https://live.staticflickr.com/4358/36194194954_7df52d50b8_c.jpg)

    IL-56 (West Suburban Expressway, planned US-30)
    (https://live.staticflickr.com/4355/36989805915_852f7033b3_c.jpg)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on December 16, 2022, 03:40:23 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on December 15, 2022, 10:29:43 AM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on December 14, 2022, 11:45:40 PM
    "Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?"

    Now Aurora instead of 'west burbs'. By the way it's the 2nd largest city in IL, near 200k people. Elgin should be used instead of Rockford on 290 at 294 westbound.

    I don't agree with using Elgin on 290, unless we start talking secondary versus primary. Elgin would be a good control for 390 and 20.

    Thank you for correcting me about using Aurora, I forgot that one change was made. I think I can be satisfied with that. You could put Rockford and Milwaukee for 90/94 northbound, but 90/94 southbound, there's nothing that would make sense. Too many possibilities: Indianapolis, Detroit, Toledo, or even closer but smaller cities like South Bend.

    At the risk of sounding crazy, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring for 90/94 southbound: Gary. It's the easternmost "city" both highways run into, and Gary, although it is barely a place anybody would want to go, has significance because a lot of people know where it is, and you can get to a lot of different cities from there.

    Is it a good option? No. Is it the best we have compared to what else is in store? Yeah, unless you put "Toledo - Detroit" on all of the signs.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on December 16, 2022, 07:54:00 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on December 16, 2022, 03:40:23 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on December 15, 2022, 10:29:43 AM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on December 14, 2022, 11:45:40 PM
    "Are the Controls for the Freeways still Wisconsin, Indiana, and West Suburbs?"

    Now Aurora instead of 'west burbs'. By the way it's the 2nd largest city in IL, near 200k people. Elgin should be used instead of Rockford on 290 at 294 westbound.

    I don't agree with using Elgin on 290, unless we start talking secondary versus primary. Elgin would be a good control for 390 and 20.

    Thank you for correcting me about using Aurora, I forgot that one change was made. I think I can be satisfied with that. You could put Rockford and Milwaukee for 90/94 northbound, but 90/94 southbound, there's nothing that would make sense. Too many possibilities: Indianapolis, Detroit, Toledo, or even closer but smaller cities like South Bend.

    At the risk of sounding crazy, I'm going to throw my hat in the ring for 90/94 southbound: Gary. It's the easternmost "city" both highways run into, and Gary, although it is barely a place anybody would want to go, has significance because a lot of people know where it is, and you can get to a lot of different cities from there.

    Is it a good option? No. Is it the best we have compared to what else is in store? Yeah, unless you put "Toledo - Detroit" on all of the signs.
    Gary was a secondary control for I-80 from Joliet so having it as a control for I-94 after the I-57 JCT would make sense. But from Downtown, it should be just Indiana-Memphis (or Kankakee or Champaign) since the West Leg of the Ryan is I-57.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on December 23, 2022, 09:16:08 AM
    When you consider the average life expectancy of a layer of asphalt pavement, and you take almost that long to complete the interchange reconstruction, you're pretty much bound to get some parts of the interchange that are nearly due for a resurfacing already...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!

    I did SB Kennedy on 12/30 at 6:30 AM (easy 45 mph drive but still heavy traffic)  I am curious why the local lane NB but not SB.

    Plus All of NE ILL was more focused on a "MISSING ENDANGERED PERSON" than on travel times.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!




    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: LilianaUwU on December 31, 2022, 10:33:29 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!
    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.
    Nobody in their right mind would call it anything but Lake Shore Drive or LSD.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on December 31, 2022, 10:38:24 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!




    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.

    Hey guess what?  WalletHub found Wisconsin to be superior to Illinois to drive in.  It must have been that extra flatness that got Illinois bumped down, what a pity:

    https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-states-to-drive-in/43012?fbclid=IwAR0kW6o-f-apIPZYcIx16vvNkchgbvcdB5CfHMc-s3e_U5qbpSL_maZ65uI&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

    Now I know what you're thinking "I should argue this since it goes against my pro-Illinois beliefs."    You should consider what such an action might do to with your flock of Wallethubism followers.  As you put it before, Wallethub is never wrong and and irrefutable fact.  Sorry, about the bitter pill to swallow.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on December 31, 2022, 10:42:39 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!

    I did SB Kennedy on 12/30 at 6:30 AM (easy 45 mph drive but still heavy traffic)  I am curious why the local lane NB but not SB.

    Plus All of NE ILL was more focused on a "MISSING ENDANGERED PERSON" than on travel times.

    Yeah, the missing person alerts are really annoying.  Odds are, we're not going to see the vehicle, we might see a similar vehicle causing a false alarm, and most will forget the car and plate soon after passing the sign.  Travel times and road incidents would be far more useful to the average motorist.

    As for DuSable, he spent maybe a decade in the area.  Then he picked up and left for St Charles, Missouri with his family.  He's actually buried there.  Plus, there's already a DuSable Harbor, DuSable Park, DuSable High School, DuSable Museum, and DuSable Bridge.  Renaming Lake Shore Drive was unnecessary and rather silly.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: GeekJedi on December 31, 2022, 11:56:07 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.

    I-55 and I-80 in Will County have joined the chat...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 12:09:13 AM
    I saw the DuSable LSD signs on 94 and 55, and they look ridiculous. I really hate that they did that, and did such a piss-poor job on top of it.

    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Plus All of NE ILL was more focused on a "MISSING ENDANGERED PERSON" than on travel times.

    This. I can't tell you how annoying this is. It seems like every other day there's one of these alerts going on.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:27:48 AM
    Quote from: LilianaUwU on December 31, 2022, 10:33:29 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!
    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.
    Nobody in their right mind would call it anything but Lake Shore Drive or LSD.

    Only reason people are against it is because of the color of his skin. I remember similar objections being made about Ida B Wells Dr. Not as many people would flip out if it were renamed to Richard J Daley Lake Shore Drive.

    I do the the thing as well in two of my latest videos and one upcoming one as well (possibly two).

    https://youtu.be/9b_DlQU-5M4

    https://youtu.be/F8VjZt0I_Jw
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 01, 2023, 11:04:53 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:27:48 AM
    Quote from: LilianaUwU on December 31, 2022, 10:33:29 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!
    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.
    Nobody in their right mind would call it anything but Lake Shore Drive or LSD.

    Only reason people are against it is because of the color of his skin. I remember similar objections being made about Ida B Wells Dr. Not as many people would flip out if it were renamed to Richard J Daley Lake Shore Drive.


    People tend to be a lot more receptive to your arguments if you don't shit on the state they reside first.  It's like you thought the forum collectively forgot you had a Wisconsin hate boner.  The fact you dug up a random post that disagreed with something IDOT did only makes that Wisconsin hate boner more apparent.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 11:46:20 AM
    Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 01, 2023, 11:04:53 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:27:48 AM
    Quote from: LilianaUwU on December 31, 2022, 10:33:29 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!
    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.
    Nobody in their right mind would call it anything but Lake Shore Drive or LSD.

    Only reason people are against it is because of the color of his skin. I remember similar objections being made about Ida B Wells Dr. Not as many people would flip out if it were renamed to Richard J Daley Lake Shore Drive.


    People tend to be a lot more receptive to your arguments if you don't shit on the state they reside first.  It's like you thought the forum collectively forgot you had a Wisconsin hate boner.  The fact you dug up a random post that disagreed with something IDOT did only makes that Wisconsin hate boner more apparent.

    It wasn't dug up, it was a post on plain sight.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 01, 2023, 12:01:27 PM
    I'm seeing December 22nd on the top of that quote string, seems it got me mixed up on when SSO made his post. 

    Either way, how was your hostile reply to someone from Wisconsin who didn't agree with you warranted?  Maybe I'm the crazy one thinking that deliberately calling out a admin/moderator from Wisconsin for no particular reason is unsound logic?  More so when you almost got run out here for prior transgressions on the forum.

    Perhaps you didn't notice, but when you were quietly posting normal behind the wheel highway videos upon your return everyone left you alone.  The trolling and "Illinois is flat"  jokes didn't come back out until you went back to taking jabs at your least favorite state. 
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:22:27 PM
    Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 01, 2023, 12:01:27 PM
    I'm seeing December 22nd on the top of that quote string, seems it got me mixed up on when SSO made his post. 

    Either way, how was your hostile reply to someone from Wisconsin who didn't agree with you warranted?  Maybe I'm the crazy one thinking that deliberately calling out a admin/moderator from Wisconsin for no particular reason is unsound logic?  More so when you almost got run out here for prior transgressions on the forum.

    Perhaps you didn't notice, but when you were quietly posting normal behind the wheel highway videos upon your return everyone left you alone.  The trolling and "Illinois is flat"  jokes didn't come back out until you went back to taking jabs at your least favorite state.

    So you don't think that calling IDOT IDiOT for recognizing the founder of a state's largest city to be inappropriate? Especially when considering that IDOT has accomplished more in the last few years than WiSDOT. Miles upon miles of WIS32 which is a major tourist route destination is in disrepair while in IL the same tourist route has been resurfaced.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.

    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 01:54:46 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:27:48 AM
    Quote from: LilianaUwU on December 31, 2022, 10:33:29 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!
    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.
    Nobody in their right mind would call it anything but Lake Shore Drive or LSD.

    Only reason people are against it is because of the color of his skin. I remember similar objections being made about Ida B Wells Dr. Not as many people would flip out if it were renamed to Richard J Daley Lake Shore Drive.

    I do the the thing as well in two of my latest videos and one upcoming one as well (possibly two).

    My opinions on renaming things is outside the scope of this thread and forum, but I assure you that my problem with renaming Lake Shore Drive to "DuSable Lake Shore Drive" is not with skin color.

    Also, whether you support the renaming or not, the BGS patches that IDOT made look bad.

    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:22:27 PM
    So you don't think that calling IDOT IDiOT for recognizing the founder of a state's largest city to be inappropriate? Especially when considering that IDOT has accomplished more in the last few years than WiSDOT. Miles upon miles of WIS32 which is a major tourist route destination is in disrepair while in IL the same tourist route has been resurfaced.

    Stop. Just stop.

    If you want to believe IDOT is the greatest DOT of all time and WisDOT is the devil, go right ahead. But as someone who's now working in the industry, and gets to deal with IDOT's workflow, I can assure you: IDOT has a massive list of issues, albeit many of which aren't inherently its fault (Illinois is broke and corrupt, after all).

    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.

    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?

    US-12 in Lake County
    US-45 in Lake County
    I-94 (Edens Expressway) in Cook County
    I-290/I-90 Interchange in Cook County
    US-20 in NW Illinois
    I-80 in the south suburbs

    Shall I go on?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.

    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?


    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 03:34:42 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.
    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?
    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Even if he is suggesting that, going by his logic, I've lived in Illinois since I was born, so I'm more than qualified to give my opinion on IDOT. He also misses the hypocrisy where he criticizes WisDOT... without himself living in Wisconsin.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:42:44 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 01:54:46 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:27:48 AM
    Quote from: LilianaUwU on December 31, 2022, 10:33:29 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!
    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.
    Nobody in their right mind would call it anything but Lake Shore Drive or LSD.

    Only reason people are against it is because of the color of his skin. I remember similar objections being made about Ida B Wells Dr. Not as many people would flip out if it were renamed to Richard J Daley Lake Shore Drive.

    I do the the thing as well in two of my latest videos and one upcoming one as well (possibly two).

    My opinions on renaming things is outside the scope of this thread and forum, but I assure you that my problem with renaming Lake Shore Drive to "DuSable Lake Shore Drive" is not with skin color.

    Also, whether you support the renaming or not, the BGS patches that IDOT made look bad.

    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:22:27 PM
    So you don't think that calling IDOT IDiOT for recognizing the founder of a state's largest city to be inappropriate? Especially when considering that IDOT has accomplished more in the last few years than WiSDOT. Miles upon miles of WIS32 which is a major tourist route destination is in disrepair while in IL the same tourist route has been resurfaced.

    Stop. Just stop.

    If you want to believe IDOT is the greatest DOT of all time and WisDOT is the devil, go right ahead. But as someone who's now working in the industry, and gets to deal with IDOT's workflow, I can assure you: IDOT has a massive list of issues, albeit many of which aren't inherently its fault (Illinois is broke and corrupt, after all).

    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.

    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?

    US-12 in Lake County
    US-45 in Lake County
    I-94 (Edens Expressway) in Cook County
    I-290/I-90 Interchange in Cook County
    US-20 in NW Illinois
    I-80 in the south suburbs

    Shall I go on?
    What's wrong with 12 &45? They were smooth the last time I drove them. 12 in Walworth county WI is exponentially worse.

    45 had several resurfacing projects within the last few years.

    I94 is fine except for that one pothole near the old orchard bridge...894 in Milwaukee County is worse.

    I290-90 was just recently worked on and finished, I have a whole video on it

    US20 has one stretch in Eleroy that needs some TLC, I imagine it being taken care of in the coming season. Same thing with 80.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:43:50 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 03:34:42 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.
    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?
    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Even if he is suggesting that, going by his logic, I've lived in Illinois since I was born, so I'm more than qualified to give my opinion on IDOT. He also misses the hypocrisy where he criticizes WisDOT... without himself living in Wisconsin.

    Was recently seeing a girl in Wisconsin. Lot of the roads on the way to, from and while with her are crap.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 04:00:13 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:42:44 PM
    What's wrong with 12 &45? They were smooth the last time I drove them. 12 in Walworth county WI is exponentially worse.

    45 had several resurfacing projects within the last few years.

    I94 is fine except for that one pothole near the old orchard bridge...894 in Milwaukee County is worse.

    I290-90 was just recently worked on and finished, I have a whole video on it

    US20 has one stretch in Eleroy that needs some TLC, I imagine it being taken care of in the coming season. Same thing with 80.

    US-12 and US-45 are severely underbuilt for the traffic volumes that use them. For one, US-12 needs to be 6-laned, at least in the southern Lake County sections. It would also be nice to see some more efficient planning: less signals, less left-turn phases, more grade-separation where possible, more innovative designs like Michigan lefts, better signage, etc. But Illinois doesn't really do a whole lot of innovation. Right now, US-12 is a slog. US-14 is also a slog for similar reasons. US-45 just straight-up needs to be 4-laned throughout almost all of Lake County. It's only two lanes as far south as IL-22!

    The Edens is a severely out-of-date design that was built decades ago. While the capacity is alright, the amount of cloverleafs and the lack of proper accel./decel. lanes along with other poor safety features make the road rather dangerous. It needs a complete modernization, or at the very least, a rebuild with basic safety improvements.

    The 90/290 interchange did see some improvements, but at the end of the day it's still a cloverleaf. It's also pretty sketchy when congested.

    US-20 is underbuilt out west. Ideally, it should be 4-laned all the way to Dubuque, but at the very minimum, rebuilt with wider shoulders, larger curve radii that actually meet the design speed, and more passing lanes. US-20 at night can be sketchy when you have little margin for error and big-rig trucks are barreling down on you from the opposite direction.

    I want to make one final point about pavement smoothness. While it's important, it is not the only criterion for determining whether a DOT is good or not. Also, a lot of IDOT's resurfacing is just a simple grind and relay of a few inches. It makes the road smoother, yes, and I'd rather have it than not, but the underlying road structure is still in bad shape. The cracks and settling end up mirroring through to the surface within a few years. Rebuilding a road, which WisDOT does a lot more of, is way better than a simple asphalt overlay.

    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:43:50 PM
    Was recently seeing a girl in Wisconsin. Lot of the roads on the way to, from and while with her are crap.

    As previously stated, road smoothness isn't everything. Wisconsin has plenty of roads that need to be resurfaced, but so does Illinois.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 04:51:18 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 04:00:13 PM

    As previously stated, road smoothness isn't everything. Wisconsin has plenty of roads that need to be resurfaced, but so does Illinois.


    Wisconsin has more.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 07:29:21 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:43:50 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 03:34:42 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.
    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?
    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Even if he is suggesting that, going by his logic, I've lived in Illinois since I was born, so I'm more than qualified to give my opinion on IDOT. He also misses the hypocrisy where he criticizes WisDOT... without himself living in Wisconsin.

    Was recently seeing a girl in Wisconsin. Lot of the roads on the way to, from and while with her are crap.


    That's quite the goalpost shift. So you can criticize roads when you drive on them? So if someone has driven on LSD, they can criticize the naming?

    At least try to be logical OK?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:18:03 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 07:29:21 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:43:50 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 03:34:42 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.
    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?
    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Even if he is suggesting that, going by his logic, I've lived in Illinois since I was born, so I'm more than qualified to give my opinion on IDOT. He also misses the hypocrisy where he criticizes WisDOT... without himself living in Wisconsin.

    Was recently seeing a girl in Wisconsin. Lot of the roads on the way to, from and while with her are crap.


    That's quite the goalpost shift. So you can criticize roads when you drive on them? So if someone has driven on LSD, they can criticize the naming?

    At least try to be logical OK?

    Rough pavement is actually a valid concern rather than a name which is to commemorate the founder of the largest city in the state.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 02, 2023, 12:11:58 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.

    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?


    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Nah, he's called out Illinois posters who have critiqued the roads accusing them of not knowing what they're talking about or having a hatred of their own state.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on January 02, 2023, 12:38:06 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:18:03 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 07:29:21 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:43:50 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 03:34:42 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.
    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?
    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Even if he is suggesting that, going by his logic, I've lived in Illinois since I was born, so I'm more than qualified to give my opinion on IDOT. He also misses the hypocrisy where he criticizes WisDOT... without himself living in Wisconsin.

    Was recently seeing a girl in Wisconsin. Lot of the roads on the way to, from and while with her are crap.


    That's quite the goalpost shift. So you can criticize roads when you drive on them? So if someone has driven on LSD, they can criticize the naming?

    At least try to be logical OK?

    Rough pavement is actually a valid concern rather than a name which is to commemorate the founder of the largest city in the state.

    Pavement quality doesn't matter if you can't read the name of a road you're trying to get to; "Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive" is two mouthfuls, and even half of it causes a lot of clutter on navigational signs.

    Chicago has plenty of other streets and expressways they can rename that aren't the most famous street in the city, and won't cause a name that makes it difficult to read signs. My personal preference is Columbus Street, he's not too in favor these days, and there's already a Columbus Avenue in the southwest part of the city (near Hometown). Heck, they could have even given him the interchange at the Stevenson and the Dan Ryan, or the merge with I-57, there's just so many other things they could have done to make it less confusing! I think he should totally have something named after him... but you wouldn't change the number of Route 66 in 1975, would you?

    I would also like to discuss the conditions of both states; I meet all criteria given. I attend college in Milwaukee, and spend my summers in Tinley Park, Illinois.

    In regards to Wisconsin, where I reside for college, you can tell a lot of their roads are built to lower trim level, with I-41 lacking lights, but when they build a road, they build a road! I-94 through Milwaukee isn't fantastic by any means, but the road that's there is in decent condition, albeit small (like Illinois). They have a cohesive secondary expressway system in the state, while having half as many people. What does Illinois have? IL-13? IL-336 from nowhere to nowhere? Wisconsin is arguably more intelligent with their road construction as well; they overbuild state highways to 4 and 6 lanes well before they need to be. This reduces the amount of eminent domain usage, meaning less people lose their homes and businesses for highway expansion! Wisconsin suburbs have wider, smoother roads than the ones in Chicagoland, yet are in a metropolitan area less than a fifth as populated! These are all state roads... which I have driven on! Even the roads through rural areas, like US-151, are buttery smooth and well maintained.

    What happens in Illinois when you cross the Will - Cook County Line going south on I-57? A huge bump, and a sudden drop in pavement quality. The segment of I-57 south of I-80 would have been modernized all the way out to Kankakee if it were in Wisconsin right now, considering its outdated design, 6 cloverleaves, constant traffic hangups, and rough pavement. Most rural interstates in Illinois are like this; relatively low tier in maintenance quality. Most of the state roads I've been on in the Peoria area are also a bit worse for wear, especially the McCluggage Bridge which was replaced last year. I-74's bridge in downtown Peoria happens to have no shoulders at all! You also have the genuine stupidity that occurs in the Quad Cities; whose bright idea was it to run I-80, one of the most important highways in the country, around a tight loop ramp instead of running it on the path of I-280?

    The stupidity doesn't end when you enter IDOT District 1, either. Quality issues still abound; I-80 through Joliet has been outdated for the past 20 years, the bridge has been "structurally deficient" since I've been alive, yet they're getting around to replacing that stretch just now (thanks JB!). IL-394 is in similar shape to I-57 discussed earlier, and Southwest Highway (IL-7) has drainage issues in Orland Park. There's a huge knot of incomplete interchanges north of Oak Brook, they constructed the Hillside Strangler, the list goes on and on and on... m!y personal favorite is my brother's pothole-dodging on I-57 in Chicago, because IDOT didn't fix potholes big enough to damage car rims! I haven't seen any of those in Milwaukee, much less on Wisconsin's state-maintained highways!

    You can find bad roads to rip on anywhere, but I certainly have found a lot more in Illinois than Wisconsin!

    As an Illinois resident, I simply have to concur: Wisconsin (and Minnesota, and North Dakota, and South Dakota) have it in the bag compared to Illinois! No kicking or screaming about WisDOT can change that. If you want to complain how bad a neighboring state is, do it to Indiana. They deserve it, not Wisconsin.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 02, 2023, 04:18:33 AM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 02, 2023, 12:38:06 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:18:03 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 07:29:21 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:43:50 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 03:34:42 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.
    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?
    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Even if he is suggesting that, going by his logic, I've lived in Illinois since I was born, so I'm more than qualified to give my opinion on IDOT. He also misses the hypocrisy where he criticizes WisDOT... without himself living in Wisconsin.

    Was recently seeing a girl in Wisconsin. Lot of the roads on the way to, from and while with her are crap.


    That's quite the goalpost shift. So you can criticize roads when you drive on them? So if someone has driven on LSD, they can criticize the naming?

    At least try to be logical OK?

    Rough pavement is actually a valid concern rather than a name which is to commemorate the founder of the largest city in the state.

    Pavement quality doesn't matter if you can't read the name of a road you're trying to get to; "Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive" is two mouthfuls, and even half of it causes a lot of clutter on navigational signs.

    Chicago has plenty of other streets and expressways they can rename that aren't the most famous street in the city, and won't cause a name that makes it difficult to read signs. My personal preference is Columbus Street, he's not too in favor these days, and there's already a Columbus Avenue in the southwest part of the city (near Hometown). Heck, they could have even given him the interchange at the Stevenson and the Dan Ryan, or the merge with I-57, there's just so many other things they could have done to make it less confusing! I think he should totally have something named after him... but you wouldn't change the number of Route 66 in 1975, would you?

    I would also like to discuss the conditions of both states; I meet all criteria given. I attend college in Milwaukee, and spend my summers in Tinley Park, Illinois.

    In regards to Wisconsin, where I reside for college, you can tell a lot of their roads are built to lower trim level, with I-41 lacking lights, but when they build a road, they build a road! I-94 through Milwaukee isn't fantastic by any means, but the road that's there is in decent condition, albeit small (like Illinois). They have a cohesive secondary expressway system in the state, while having half as many people. What does Illinois have? IL-13? IL-336 from nowhere to nowhere? Wisconsin is arguably more intelligent with their road construction as well; they overbuild state highways to 4 and 6 lanes well before they need to be. This reduces the amount of eminent domain usage, meaning less people lose their homes and businesses for highway expansion! Wisconsin suburbs have wider, smoother roads than the ones in Chicagoland, yet are in a metropolitan area less than a fifth as populated! These are all state roads... which I have driven on! Even the roads through rural areas, like US-151, are buttery smooth and well maintained.

    What happens in Illinois when you cross the Will - Cook County Line going south on I-57? A huge bump, and a sudden drop in pavement quality. The segment of I-57 south of I-80 would have been modernized all the way out to Kankakee if it were in Wisconsin right now, considering its outdated design, 6 cloverleaves, constant traffic hangups, and rough pavement. Most rural interstates in Illinois are like this; relatively low tier in maintenance quality. Most of the state roads I've been on in the Peoria area are also a bit worse for wear, especially the McCluggage Bridge which was replaced last year. I-74's bridge in downtown Peoria happens to have no shoulders at all! You also have the genuine stupidity that occurs in the Quad Cities; whose bright idea was it to run I-80, one of the most important highways in the country, around a tight loop ramp instead of running it on the path of I-280?

    The stupidity doesn't end when you enter IDOT District 1, either. Quality issues still abound; I-80 through Joliet has been outdated for the past 20 years, the bridge has been "structurally deficient" since I've been alive, yet they're getting around to replacing that stretch just now (thanks JB!). IL-394 is in similar shape to I-57 discussed earlier, and Southwest Highway (IL-7) has drainage issues in Orland Park. There's a huge knot of incomplete interchanges north of Oak Brook, they constructed the Hillside Strangler, the list goes on and on and on... m!y personal favorite is my brother's pothole-dodging on I-57 in Chicago, because IDOT didn't fix potholes big enough to damage car rims! I haven't seen any of those in Milwaukee, much less on Wisconsin's state-maintained highways!

    You can find bad roads to rip on anywhere, but I certainly have found a lot more in Illinois than Wisconsin!

    As an Illinois resident, I simply have to concur: Wisconsin (and Minnesota, and North Dakota, and South Dakota) have it in the bag compared to Illinois! No kicking or screaming about WisDOT can change that. If you want to complain how bad a neighboring state is, do it to Indiana. They deserve it, not Wisconsin.


    57 has recently been resurfaced this past construction season and is much smoother, 394 is in the crosshairs. I've driven downstate extensively and haven't seen the low quality that you've described and I can cite several of my recent videos to prove it.

    https://youtu.be/7zu2x6FZ0E0

    https://youtu.be/oWO9QQYGM08

    https://youtu.be/k39QrS4jVIE

    https://youtu.be/S5Pu7dRTDGs


    All well maintained roads and in rural areas. The suburban roads in Wisconsin are crap too like WIS 32 in Kenosha and Racine Counties. Whereas IL 137 and IL42 are in pristine shape or near it

    https://youtu.be/QwQZ-f36X0s


    WIS 83 isn't too hot either. Indiana is better than Wisconsin from my experience, didn't use to be that way around 2017 but since 2019 things have changed (still can't stand I65 though and always go around it every time I have to use it. I'll agree with you about MNDOT, almost every state road in the twin cities area is either an expressway or freeway (only a few state roads in Chicagoland are like that) and they are the gold standard for snow removal.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on January 02, 2023, 07:57:30 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:18:03 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 07:29:21 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:43:50 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 03:34:42 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.
    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?
    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Even if he is suggesting that, going by his logic, I've lived in Illinois since I was born, so I'm more than qualified to give my opinion on IDOT. He also misses the hypocrisy where he criticizes WisDOT... without himself living in Wisconsin.

    Was recently seeing a girl in Wisconsin. Lot of the roads on the way to, from and while with her are crap.


    That's quite the goalpost shift. So you can criticize roads when you drive on them? So if someone has driven on LSD, they can criticize the naming?

    At least try to be logical OK?

    Rough pavement is actually a valid concern rather than a name which is to commemorate the founder of the largest city in the state.


    "My concerns are valid. Your's aren't."

    🙄🙄🙄
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on January 02, 2023, 08:04:35 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:27:48 AM
    Quote from: LilianaUwU on December 31, 2022, 10:33:29 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on December 31, 2022, 10:23:11 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on December 31, 2022, 09:45:59 PM
    Quote from: maths22 on December 24, 2022, 12:35:18 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on December 22, 2022, 12:50:16 PM
    Drove through the Jane Byrne JCT last night on the Dan Ryan going north, pretty impressed by everything. 4 through lanes with a 2 lane split off for the local exits, its essentially a mini express lane section from Roosevelt/Taylor to Ohio St. Part of me thinks there will be some resurfacing to be done next summer as some sections are still a little rough.

    In the spring they will be doing northbound resurfacing from the end of the new concrete to ~Ohio street.  They got the southbound part done this year but not northbound. I assume it was delayed because of this summer's materials strike that prevented asphalt and concrete work from happening for ~1 month it.  They can do resurfacing with only nighttime lane closures so that shouldn't cause major traffic impacts.
    I was miffed at the site of "Dusable Lake Shore Drive" on a sign at the I-55 interchange.  Please IDiOT, leave it alone!
    How about you worry more about your state fixing up their miles of beat up roads rather than IDOT doing the right thing by recognizing the founder of a city.
    Nobody in their right mind would call it anything but Lake Shore Drive or LSD.

    Only reason people are against it is because of the color of his skin. I remember similar objections being made about Ida B Wells Dr. Not as many people would flip out if it were renamed to Richard J Daley Lake Shore Drive.

    Bullshit.  "Lake Shore Drive" is considered iconic by itself.  Daley already has the Civic Center and its plaza (where they got that Picasso) named after him.  As for renaming Congress Parkway between the Circle and Columbus, the main concern was you'd have Wells crossing Wells.  It'd look like goddamn Atlanta with the corner of Peachtree and Peachtree.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 02, 2023, 08:29:38 AM
    Crash It is the only individual who will respond to a lengthy forum post with one or two lines and seemingly call the entire post refuted. He did that to Hobart's post, and he did it to mine. This isn't the first time either. Citing a couple of examples does not explain away all of the other problems described. That's called "cherry-picking", and is a logical fallacy. "Yeah, 98 of these main state routes are shit, but the other 2 are good!"

    So what am I saying? Don't bother trying to debate him.




    As for IDOT itself, if I could do whatever I wanted with it, I would be trying to shed lower-priority routes onto other agencies. There's a lot of unnumbered roads that I can think of that don't need to be state-maintained routes. Then they could focus on the more important roads instead of a random two-lane connector. Of course, the counties have their own budgetary issues too, but at least IDOT could improve the top level roads. This is just fictional hopes though.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 02, 2023, 08:44:16 AM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 02, 2023, 08:29:38 AM

    As for IDOT itself, if I could do whatever I wanted with it, I would be trying to shed lower-priority routes onto other agencies. There's a lot of unnumbered roads that I can think of that don't need to be state-maintained routes. Then they could focus on the more important roads instead of a random two-lane connector. Of course, the counties have their own budgetary issues too, but at least IDOT could improve the top level roads. This is just fictional hopes though.

    The funny thing about that is, even the unnumbered routes in the state are in better condition than the numbered routes in Wisconsin

    Case in point... This video

    https://youtu.be/F8VjZt0I_Jw


    Wisconsin doesn't even have any unnumbered routes except for the frontage roads.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on January 02, 2023, 10:19:00 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 02, 2023, 08:44:16 AM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 02, 2023, 08:29:38 AM

    As for IDOT itself, if I could do whatever I wanted with it, I would be trying to shed lower-priority routes onto other agencies. There's a lot of unnumbered roads that I can think of that don't need to be state-maintained routes. Then they could focus on the more important roads instead of a random two-lane connector. Of course, the counties have their own budgetary issues too, but at least IDOT could improve the top level roads. This is just fictional hopes though.

    The funny thing about that is, even the unnumbered routes in the state are in better condition than the numbered routes in Wisconsin

    Case in point... This video

    https://youtu.be/F8VjZt0I_Jw


    Wisconsin doesn't even have any unnumbered routes except for the frontage roads.


    Actually the funny thing is that you are still not understanding people's points.  You can be obsessed with Wisconsin's roads as much as possible. I, for one, don't really care what you think about them.

    However, you seem to think that renaming LSD is somehow above criticism...on a message board...about topics in Illinois. And that's insanely weird.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on January 02, 2023, 10:22:13 AM
    He's just trying to drum up views for his videos at this point.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on January 02, 2023, 11:02:43 AM
    Crash_It should actually respond to every single part of the posts he's "refuting" .

    These two come in mind:
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 04:00:13 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:42:44 PM
    What's wrong with 12 &45? They were smooth the last time I drove them. 12 in Walworth county WI is exponentially worse.

    45 had several resurfacing projects within the last few years.

    I94 is fine except for that one pothole near the old orchard bridge...894 in Milwaukee County is worse.

    I290-90 was just recently worked on and finished, I have a whole video on it

    US20 has one stretch in Eleroy that needs some TLC, I imagine it being taken care of in the coming season. Same thing with 80.

    US-12 and US-45 are severely underbuilt for the traffic volumes that use them. For one, US-12 needs to be 6-laned, at least in the southern Lake County sections. It would also be nice to see some more efficient planning: less signals, less left-turn phases, more grade-separation where possible, more innovative designs like Michigan lefts, better signage, etc. But Illinois doesn't really do a whole lot of innovation. Right now, US-12 is a slog. US-14 is also a slog for similar reasons. US-45 just straight-up needs to be 4-laned throughout almost all of Lake County. It's only two lanes as far south as IL-22!

    The Edens is a severely out-of-date design that was built decades ago. While the capacity is alright, the amount of cloverleafs and the lack of proper accel./decel. lanes along with other poor safety features make the road rather dangerous. It needs a complete modernization, or at the very least, a rebuild with basic safety improvements.

    The 90/290 interchange did see some improvements, but at the end of the day it's still a cloverleaf. It's also pretty sketchy when congested.

    US-20 is underbuilt out west. Ideally, it should be 4-laned all the way to Dubuque, but at the very minimum, rebuilt with wider shoulders, larger curve radii that actually meet the design speed, and more passing lanes. US-20 at night can be sketchy when you have little margin for error and big-rig trucks are barreling down on you from the opposite direction.

    I want to make one final point about pavement smoothness. While it's important, it is not the only criterion for determining whether a DOT is good or not. Also, a lot of IDOT's resurfacing is just a simple grind and relay of a few inches. It makes the road smoother, yes, and I'd rather have it than not, but the underlying road structure is still in bad shape. The cracks and settling end up mirroring through to the surface within a few years. Rebuilding a road, which WisDOT does a lot more of, is way better than a simple asphalt overlay.

    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:43:50 PM
    Was recently seeing a girl in Wisconsin. Lot of the roads on the way to, from and while with her are crap.

    As previously stated, road smoothness isn't everything. Wisconsin has plenty of roads that need to be resurfaced, but so does Illinois.

    Quote from: Hobart on January 02, 2023, 12:38:06 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 10:18:03 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 07:29:21 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 03:43:50 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 01, 2023, 03:34:42 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.
    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?
    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Even if he is suggesting that, going by his logic, I've lived in Illinois since I was born, so I'm more than qualified to give my opinion on IDOT. He also misses the hypocrisy where he criticizes WisDOT... without himself living in Wisconsin.

    Was recently seeing a girl in Wisconsin. Lot of the roads on the way to, from and while with her are crap.


    That's quite the goalpost shift. So you can criticize roads when you drive on them? So if someone has driven on LSD, they can criticize the naming?

    At least try to be logical OK?

    Rough pavement is actually a valid concern rather than a name which is to commemorate the founder of the largest city in the state.

    Pavement quality doesn't matter if you can't read the name of a road you're trying to get to; "Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive" is two mouthfuls, and even half of it causes a lot of clutter on navigational signs.

    Chicago has plenty of other streets and expressways they can rename that aren't the most famous street in the city, and won't cause a name that makes it difficult to read signs. My personal preference is Columbus Street, he's not too in favor these days, and there's already a Columbus Avenue in the southwest part of the city (near Hometown). Heck, they could have even given him the interchange at the Stevenson and the Dan Ryan, or the merge with I-57, there's just so many other things they could have done to make it less confusing! I think he should totally have something named after him... but you wouldn't change the number of Route 66 in 1975, would you?

    I would also like to discuss the conditions of both states; I meet all criteria given. I attend college in Milwaukee, and spend my summers in Tinley Park, Illinois.

    In regards to Wisconsin, where I reside for college, you can tell a lot of their roads are built to lower trim level, with I-41 lacking lights, but when they build a road, they build a road! I-94 through Milwaukee isn't fantastic by any means, but the road that's there is in decent condition, albeit small (like Illinois). They have a cohesive secondary expressway system in the state, while having half as many people. What does Illinois have? IL-13? IL-336 from nowhere to nowhere? Wisconsin is arguably more intelligent with their road construction as well; they overbuild state highways to 4 and 6 lanes well before they need to be. This reduces the amount of eminent domain usage, meaning less people lose their homes and businesses for highway expansion! Wisconsin suburbs have wider, smoother roads than the ones in Chicagoland, yet are in a metropolitan area less than a fifth as populated! These are all state roads... which I have driven on! Even the roads through rural areas, like US-151, are buttery smooth and well maintained.

    What happens in Illinois when you cross the Will - Cook County Line going south on I-57? A huge bump, and a sudden drop in pavement quality. The segment of I-57 south of I-80 would have been modernized all the way out to Kankakee if it were in Wisconsin right now, considering its outdated design, 6 cloverleaves, constant traffic hangups, and rough pavement. Most rural interstates in Illinois are like this; relatively low tier in maintenance quality. Most of the state roads I've been on in the Peoria area are also a bit worse for wear, especially the McCluggage Bridge which was replaced last year. I-74's bridge in downtown Peoria happens to have no shoulders at all! You also have the genuine stupidity that occurs in the Quad Cities; whose bright idea was it to run I-80, one of the most important highways in the country, around a tight loop ramp instead of running it on the path of I-280?

    The stupidity doesn't end when you enter IDOT District 1, either. Quality issues still abound; I-80 through Joliet has been outdated for the past 20 years, the bridge has been "structurally deficient" since I've been alive, yet they're getting around to replacing that stretch just now (thanks JB!). IL-394 is in similar shape to I-57 discussed earlier, and Southwest Highway (IL-7) has drainage issues in Orland Park. There's a huge knot of incomplete interchanges north of Oak Brook, they constructed the Hillside Strangler, the list goes on and on and on... m!y personal favorite is my brother's pothole-dodging on I-57 in Chicago, because IDOT didn't fix potholes big enough to damage car rims! I haven't seen any of those in Milwaukee, much less on Wisconsin's state-maintained highways!

    You can find bad roads to rip on anywhere, but I certainly have found a lot more in Illinois than Wisconsin!

    As an Illinois resident, I simply have to concur: Wisconsin (and Minnesota, and North Dakota, and South Dakota) have it in the bag compared to Illinois! No kicking or screaming about WisDOT can change that. If you want to complain how bad a neighboring state is, do it to Indiana. They deserve it, not Wisconsin.

    Crash_It, try replying to every point / every sentence of these posts, instead of cherry picking what you like. Also, do not use "counter examples" . Focus on the examples given and back them up.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on January 02, 2023, 04:27:44 PM
    We're done with the debate regarding street names - move on
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: triplemultiplex on January 03, 2023, 09:27:23 AM
    What the hell is "Wallet Hub"?
    That doesn't strike me as some kind of authority on roads.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2023, 09:28:16 AM
    Quote from: triplemultiplex on January 03, 2023, 09:27:23 AM
    What the hell is "Wallet Hub"?
    That doesn't strike me as some kind of authority on roads.

    You're right, it's the absolute authority on everything.   :rolleyes:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 03, 2023, 09:49:43 AM
    Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 02, 2023, 12:11:58 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.

    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?


    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Nah, he's called out Illinois posters who have critiqued the roads accusing them of not knowing what they're talking about or having a hatred of their own state.
    Yup. I remember in the Summer of 2021, having to drive out to Freeport on US 20 and saying in here how bad the road was in Stephenson County with the paving. And who was it that critiqued my experience? You guessed it. Crash It. But that's not why you called.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 03, 2023, 10:25:48 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience?
    The Ghost of William F Buckley! That's who. :)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 11:40:46 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 03, 2023, 09:49:43 AM
    Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on January 02, 2023, 12:11:58 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 03:07:40 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:47:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 01, 2023, 01:45:46 PM
    It was not appropriate. And the IDOT / WIDOT comparisons are irrelevant.

    It was perfectly relevant.. why chastise a DOT in another state while the DOT in your own state isn't handling what should be handled?


    Are you seriously suggesting that no one can be critical of IDOT unless they are from Illinois? In a topic called "Illinois notes?"

    Nah, he's called out Illinois posters who have critiqued the roads accusing them of not knowing what they're talking about or having a hatred of their own state.
    Yup. I remember in the Summer of 2021, having to drive out to Freeport on US 20 and saying in here how bad the road was in Stephenson County with the paving. And who was it that critiqued my experience? You guessed it. Crash It. But that's not why you called.

    Because I drove that similar stretch around that time and didn't encounter any bad pavement. I even have a video of it that I've yet to produce.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on January 03, 2023, 11:50:42 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:22:27 PM
    So you don't think that calling IDOT IDiOT for recognizing the founder of a state's largest city to be inappropriate?

    People on here call IDOT "IDiOT" all the time, and they have for years.  It didn't start with that.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 03, 2023, 12:47:25 PM
    As a general recommendation, just don't take the bait. It's not worth your time or frustration to argue with someone like this. I've written multiple lengthy posts to refute his arguments and I won't be writing any more.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on January 03, 2023, 02:11:26 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 11:40:46 AM
    I even have a video of it that I've yet to produce.

    "The dog ate my homework."
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2023, 02:13:49 PM
    ^^^

    Don't give him more ideas to try to squeeze some more video views out of the forum.  Just a matter of time before the nominal bad driving videos appear again.

    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 03, 2023, 12:47:25 PM
    As a general recommendation, just don't take the bait. It's not worth your time or frustration to argue with someone like this. I've written multiple lengthy posts to refute his arguments and I won't be writing any more.

    More fun to make flat jokes.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2023, 07:42:45 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 03, 2023, 12:47:25 PM
    As a general recommendation, just don't take the bait. It's not worth your time or frustration to argue with someone like this. I've written multiple lengthy posts to refute his arguments and I won't be writing any more.

    Couldn't have said it better myself, so I didn't.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:48:50 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on January 03, 2023, 02:11:26 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 11:40:46 AM



    I even have a video of it that I've yet to produce.

    "The dog ate my homework."

    Hold my beer

    https://imgur.com/a/dfEzI6c
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on January 03, 2023, 09:08:17 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 03, 2023, 11:50:42 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:22:27 PM
    So you don't think that calling IDOT IDiOT for recognizing the founder of a state's largest city to be inappropriate?

    People on here call IDOT "IDiOT" all the time, and they have for years.  It didn't start with that.

    It and a variation (IDOT can't even spell "idiot" properly) have been around as long as I can remember, and that's a good 40+ years.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on January 03, 2023, 10:35:17 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM

    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM

    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on

    But any examples of bad roads in Illinois should be disqualified for any of a variety of reasons?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 11:22:11 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 03, 2023, 10:35:17 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM

    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM

    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on

    But any examples of bad roads in Illinois should be disqualified for any of a variety of reasons?

    Those are in the crosshairs for repair in the upcoming construction season. The one's I listed in Wisconsin are not or say "when/if finding becomes available" 😂😂
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 03, 2023, 11:29:52 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 03, 2023, 10:35:17 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM

    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM

    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on

    But any examples of bad roads in Illinois should be disqualified for any of a variety of reasons?

    Yes, it really took you this long to get it?  You can't have problems in your narrative if you actively deny that negative aspects exist.  Now you can be part of the one true non-flat Illinois!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 04, 2023, 09:22:17 AM
    Quote from: Brandon on January 03, 2023, 09:08:17 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 03, 2023, 11:50:42 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:22:27 PM
    So you don't think that calling IDOT IDiOT for recognizing the founder of a state's largest city to be inappropriate?

    People on here call IDOT "IDiOT" all the time, and they have for years.  It didn't start with that.

    It and a variation (IDOT can't even spell "idiot" properly) have been around as long as I can remember, and that's a good 40+ years.

    I even know of IDOT employees who have made jokes referring to IDiOT by name.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 04, 2023, 09:29:15 AM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 04, 2023, 09:22:17 AM
    Quote from: Brandon on January 03, 2023, 09:08:17 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 03, 2023, 11:50:42 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 01, 2023, 01:22:27 PM
    So you don't think that calling IDOT IDiOT for recognizing the founder of a state's largest city to be inappropriate?

    People on here call IDOT "IDiOT" all the time, and they have for years.  It didn't start with that.

    It and a variation (IDOT can't even spell "idiot" properly) have been around as long as I can remember, and that's a good 40+ years.

    I even know of IDOT employees who have made jokes referring to IDiOT by name.

    Traitors!  They should be loyal to their home state.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 09:55:46 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on
    Crash It, you may want to check up on your "sources" before making a statement on what is being done. According to the WisDOT site, https://projects.511wi.gov/12walworth/, US 12 in Walworth County is being resurfaced.


    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 04, 2023, 02:25:34 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 09:55:46 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on
    Crash It, you may want to check up on your "sources" before making a statement on what is being done. According to the WisDOT site, https://projects.511wi.gov/12walworth/, US 12 in Walworth County is being resurfaced.

    Well that's one, still plenty others that I've listed that aren't touched or scheduled to be touched.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 04, 2023, 03:00:03 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 04, 2023, 02:25:34 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 09:55:46 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on
    Crash It, you may want to check up on your "sources" before making a statement on what is being done. According to the WisDOT site, https://projects.511wi.gov/12walworth/, US 12 in Walworth County is being resurfaced.

    Well that doesn't matter because it doesn't agree with my hostile brand pro-Illinois agenda.

    FIFY
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on January 04, 2023, 06:27:38 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 04, 2023, 02:25:34 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 09:55:46 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on
    Crash It, you may want to check up on your "sources" before making a statement on what is being done. According to the WisDOT site, https://projects.511wi.gov/12walworth/, US 12 in Walworth County is being resurfaced.

    Well that's one, still plenty others that I've listed that aren't touched or scheduled to be touched.
    And yet you still refuse to look at Illinois bad examples given to you. It's funny. You're trying to push this narrative but instead nobody believes you and we all laugh at it.  :-D

    Just a tip, when no one believes your message, you're doing a bad job spreading it.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 06:35:24 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 04, 2023, 02:25:34 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 09:55:46 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on
    Crash It, you may want to check up on your "sources" before making a statement on what is being done. According to the WisDOT site, https://projects.511wi.gov/12walworth/, US 12 in Walworth County is being resurfaced.

    Well that's one, still plenty others that I've listed that aren't touched or scheduled to be touched.
    Again, you are showing how lazy you are with not even looking. So let me give you actual sources. Here's the lists by region:
    Southwest (inc Madison/Beloit/La Crosse/Portage/Tomah): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/default.aspx
    Southeast (inc Milwaukee): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/default.aspx
    Northeast (inc Sheboygan/Green Bay/Oshkosh/Marinette): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/ne/default.aspx
    North Central (inc Wautoma/Wis Dells/Wausau/Rhinelander): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/nc/default.aspx
    Northwest (inc Eau Claire/Superior/Ashland/Black River Falls): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/nw/default.aspx

    Oh and 3 (along with the earlier US 12 I posted) of the 4 items you sited are here below:
    I-894/43 Milwaukee Co - https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/894-43/default.aspx
    Wis 32 Kenosha & Racine Co - https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/32alfordpark/default.aspx
    Wis 32 Racine Co - https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/32caledonia/default.aspx

    I think you need to quit before you really step into the shit, so deep that you'll be up to your neck in it.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 06:41:44 PM
    BTW Crash It, you weren't specific with how far west of Monroe on 81 BUUUUUTTTT its there too in 3 different projects.
    Darlington area: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/wis81-darlington/default.aspx
    Grant Co & Cassville:  https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/wis81-cassville/default.aspx &
    https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/wis81-grantcounty/default.aspx

    So that's 4 for 4. You're done.

    Trust me when I say to you that your credibility on THIS subject is shot.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on January 04, 2023, 06:59:48 PM
    His credibility on this forum in general is shot to nothing.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 04, 2023, 07:14:02 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 04, 2023, 06:59:48 PM
    His credibility on this forum in general is shot to nothing.

    There was a time when it wasn't?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 04, 2023, 07:15:21 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 06:35:24 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 04, 2023, 02:25:34 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 09:55:46 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on
    Crash It, you may want to check up on your "sources" before making a statement on what is being done. According to the WisDOT site, https://projects.511wi.gov/12walworth/, US 12 in Walworth County is being resurfaced.

    Well that's one, still plenty others that I've listed that aren't touched or scheduled to be touched.
    Again, you are showing how lazy you are with not even looking. So let me give you actual sources. Here's the lists by region:
    Southwest (inc Madison/Beloit/La Crosse/Portage/Tomah): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/default.aspx
    Southeast (inc Milwaukee): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/default.aspx
    Northeast (inc Sheboygan/Green Bay/Oshkosh/Marinette): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/ne/default.aspx
    North Central (inc Wautoma/Wis Dells/Wausau/Rhinelander): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/nc/default.aspx
    Northwest (inc Eau Claire/Superior/Ashland/Black River Falls): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/nw/default.aspx

    Oh and 3 (along with the earlier US 12 I posted) of the 4 items you sited are here below:
    I-894/43 Milwaukee Co - https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/894-43/default.aspx
    Wis 32 Kenosha & Racine Co - https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/32alfordpark/default.aspx
    Wis 32 Racine Co - https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/32caledonia/default.aspx

    I think you need to quit before you really step into the shit, so deep that you'll be up to your neck in it.

    I saw those SE WI projects on there already, it omits the other areas I mentioned and then it also says they're still a few years off and is only dependent on funding. So they don't even know if they can afford to do it when the time comes. There's also no mention of the pleasant prairie or south of downtown Kenosha sections as those sections are worse than the Alford Park section. I actually think that section is ok. I've mentioned that a few replies up already.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 07:15:25 PM
    Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 04, 2023, 07:14:02 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 04, 2023, 06:59:48 PM
    His credibility on this forum in general is shot to nothing.

    There was a time when it wasn't?
    I originally was going to say forum but I was being kind.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 07:25:39 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 04, 2023, 07:15:21 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 06:35:24 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 04, 2023, 02:25:34 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 09:55:46 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 03, 2023, 07:39:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on January 03, 2023, 12:07:34 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 03, 2023, 10:20:59 AM
    ^ Well obviously who cares about your experience? Obviously you're just lying or it's not important. All that matters is the good roads that do exist in some areas, which automatically makes the whole state good. Just ignore the bad ones.

    This is his logic.

    I wouldn't even go as far as to call his thought processes "logic" as they arbitrarily change based on what state we're talking about.

    For example:
    The Stadium Freeway (WIS-175) north of I-94 is quite smooth and moves well! Therefore, Wisconsin has fantastic roads! Just ignore the bad ones! (I don't have any examples of Wisconsin's bad roads off the top of my head because Wisconsin actually takes care of their roads.) Obviously, anybody who disagrees is lying with me, or their issue is not important!

    I can name a few off the top of my head

    WIS32 from state line to 91st then again from 75th to 60th St, then once again from 52nd St to Sheridan Rd then again after WIS 11 until it splits off in Racine. Gets bad again on the Northside of Caledonia

    US12 through most of Walworth county
    I894 through Milwaukee County
    WIS81 west of Monroe

    I could go on
    Crash It, you may want to check up on your "sources" before making a statement on what is being done. According to the WisDOT site, https://projects.511wi.gov/12walworth/, US 12 in Walworth County is being resurfaced.

    Well that's one, still plenty others that I've listed that aren't touched or scheduled to be touched.
    Again, you are showing how lazy you are with not even looking. So let me give you actual sources. Here's the lists by region:
    Southwest (inc Madison/Beloit/La Crosse/Portage/Tomah): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/default.aspx
    Southeast (inc Milwaukee): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/default.aspx
    Northeast (inc Sheboygan/Green Bay/Oshkosh/Marinette): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/ne/default.aspx
    North Central (inc Wautoma/Wis Dells/Wausau/Rhinelander): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/nc/default.aspx
    Northwest (inc Eau Claire/Superior/Ashland/Black River Falls): https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/nw/default.aspx

    Oh and 3 (along with the earlier US 12 I posted) of the 4 items you sited are here below:
    I-894/43 Milwaukee Co - https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/894-43/default.aspx
    Wis 32 Kenosha & Racine Co - https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/32alfordpark/default.aspx
    Wis 32 Racine Co - https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/se/32caledonia/default.aspx

    I think you need to quit before you really step into the shit, so deep that you'll be up to your neck in it.

    I saw those SE WI projects on there already, it omits the other areas I mentioned and then it also says they're still a few years off and is only dependent on funding. So they don't even know if they can afford to do it when the time comes. There's also no mention of the pleasant prairie or south of downtown Kenosha sections as those sections are worse than the Alford Park section. I actually think that section is ok. I've mentioned that a few replies up already.

    OH...GOOD...GOD!
    Just stop yourself. you sited 4 specific roadways that WisDOT has control over. I proved my responses with sources from a legitimate government website. Instead of saying, "I was mistaken" you continue to double down on your narrative without giving any sources but your experience. Don't make me pull up Google streetview on those sections you just now sited as being shit.

    We can go back and forth on this. The FACT is that EVERY STATE has areas that need a lot of resurfacing. Illinois is far from being the best at it. Just admit that. That's all I ask.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on January 04, 2023, 07:31:10 PM
    To be fair, they aren't actually scheduled to be touched, which is what he specifically said.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 07:37:57 PM
    Google Streetview images:
    A 2018 example of Wis 32 in the area you specifically cited. To say that this is in bad condition is greatly exaggerated.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5268176,-87.8248864,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sX4mY8HJrnxIfs73wkYoujA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.534485,-87.8247894,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgKkz55ntZtsOUtaMVDnVZQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.539685,-87.8246515,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFhKnDx1-lmeG2HkeMcXX2A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

    Now this does need attention. Wis 32 at 91st St
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.540053,-87.8246747,3a,75y,5.56h,86.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sy918OiuZ1NWEQGTbyjaIzg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
    But here's the rub on this. That is in the city limits of Kenosha. And that looks like it is specifically at the intersection. The surface is different away from there. Think maybe the city has something to do with this perhaps? I know at least in my suburb of Chicago, anytime work is being done on Rt 53, the village and the county are responsible for a good chunk of the cost for repairs or resurfacing. I am sure that Wisconsin has a simillar agreement with its counties and municipalities.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 07:40:58 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 04, 2023, 07:31:10 PM
    To be fair, they aren't actually scheduled to be touched, which is what he specifically said.
    Actually, there are dates. Look towards the bottom of each page.
    I-894/43 - 2023
    US 12 - Late March 2022 — Fall 2023
    Wis 32 - 2025
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on January 04, 2023, 10:33:39 PM
    And he still cannot reply to previous arguments because he is flat out wrong and won't admit it  :-o :confused: :popcorn: :pan: :clap: :spin:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 04, 2023, 10:41:29 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on January 04, 2023, 10:33:39 PM
    And he still cannot reply to previous arguments because he is flat out wrong and won't admit it  :-o :confused: :popcorn: :pan: :clap: :spin:

    This is Illinois, you either argue flat or you go home and film a bad driver video about nominal parking lot incursions at your apartment complex. 
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:22:16 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 07:37:57 PM
    Google Streetview images:
    A 2018 example of Wis 32 in the area you specifically cited. To say that this is in bad condition is greatly exaggerated.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5268176,-87.8248864,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sX4mY8HJrnxIfs73wkYoujA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.534485,-87.8247894,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgKkz55ntZtsOUtaMVDnVZQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.539685,-87.8246515,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFhKnDx1-lmeG2HkeMcXX2A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

    Now this does need attention. Wis 32 at 91st St
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.540053,-87.8246747,3a,75y,5.56h,86.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sy918OiuZ1NWEQGTbyjaIzg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
    But here's the rub on this. That is in the city limits of Kenosha. And that looks like it is specifically at the intersection. The surface is different away from there. Think maybe the city has something to do with this perhaps? I know at least in my suburb of Chicago, anytime work is being done on Rt 53, the village and the county are responsible for a good chunk of the cost for repairs or resurfacing. I am sure that Wisconsin has a simillar agreement with its counties and municipalities.

    That's 2018, this is 2023 alot can change between then and now in terms of pavement condition. I said that location at 91st was recently reconstructed and road dieted. I can provide dashcam footage of the bad sections if you want


    Here's a GSV of one of the mentioned sections that looked bad even back then and is much worse now

    7010 Sheridan Rd
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/M8u2p8opt5JXfJJH9

    But like I said, the dashcam footage will provide a more accurate depiction. I still have some because I just drove through the area again yesterday.

    I'm not saying that Illinois is perfect, but they are most certainly better than all the surrounding states. I could cite an article backing this up too.   
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 10:01:29 AM
    Results of a 2021 study by TRIP (https://tripnet.org/):

    (https://i.imgur.com/MPcwXEd.png)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2023, 10:12:59 AM
    ^^^

    Fake news, not a WalletHub citation.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on January 05, 2023, 10:24:39 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:22:16 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 07:37:57 PM
    Google Streetview images:
    A 2018 example of Wis 32 in the area you specifically cited. To say that this is in bad condition is greatly exaggerated.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5268176,-87.8248864,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sX4mY8HJrnxIfs73wkYoujA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.534485,-87.8247894,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgKkz55ntZtsOUtaMVDnVZQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.539685,-87.8246515,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFhKnDx1-lmeG2HkeMcXX2A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

    Now this does need attention. Wis 32 at 91st St
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.540053,-87.8246747,3a,75y,5.56h,86.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sy918OiuZ1NWEQGTbyjaIzg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
    But here's the rub on this. That is in the city limits of Kenosha. And that looks like it is specifically at the intersection. The surface is different away from there. Think maybe the city has something to do with this perhaps? I know at least in my suburb of Chicago, anytime work is being done on Rt 53, the village and the county are responsible for a good chunk of the cost for repairs or resurfacing. I am sure that Wisconsin has a simillar agreement with its counties and municipalities.

    That's 2018, this is 2023 alot can change between then and now in terms of pavement condition. I said that location at 91st was recently reconstructed and road dieted. I can provide dashcam footage of the bad sections if you want


    Here's a GSV of one of the mentioned sections that looked bad even back then and is much worse now

    7010 Sheridan Rd
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/M8u2p8opt5JXfJJH9

    But like I said, the dashcam footage will provide a more accurate depiction. I still have some because I just drove through the area again yesterday.
    And yet you still won't go through the bad Illinois is examples  :wow:

    Nothing here worth replying to.

    Quote
    I'm not saying that Illinois is perfect, but they are most certainly better than all the surrounding states. I could cite an article backing this up too.
    Is it WalletHub?  :hmmm:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2023, 10:38:45 AM
    Quote
    I'm not saying that Illinois is perfect, but Illinois is perfect. I could cite an article backing this up too.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 10:39:46 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:22:16 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 07:37:57 PM
    Google Streetview images:
    A 2018 example of Wis 32 in the area you specifically cited. To say that this is in bad condition is greatly exaggerated.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5268176,-87.8248864,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sX4mY8HJrnxIfs73wkYoujA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.534485,-87.8247894,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgKkz55ntZtsOUtaMVDnVZQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.539685,-87.8246515,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFhKnDx1-lmeG2HkeMcXX2A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

    Now this does need attention. Wis 32 at 91st St
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.540053,-87.8246747,3a,75y,5.56h,86.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sy918OiuZ1NWEQGTbyjaIzg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
    But here's the rub on this. That is in the city limits of Kenosha. And that looks like it is specifically at the intersection. The surface is different away from there. Think maybe the city has something to do with this perhaps? I know at least in my suburb of Chicago, anytime work is being done on Rt 53, the village and the county are responsible for a good chunk of the cost for repairs or resurfacing. I am sure that Wisconsin has a simillar agreement with its counties and municipalities.

    That's 2018, this is 2023 alot can change between then and now in terms of pavement condition. I said that location at 91st was recently reconstructed and road dieted. I can provide dashcam footage of the bad sections if you want


    Here's a GSV of one of the mentioned sections that looked bad even back then and is much worse now

    7010 Sheridan Rd
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/M8u2p8opt5JXfJJH9

    But like I said, the dashcam footage will provide a more accurate depiction. I still have some because I just drove through the area again yesterday.

    I'm not saying that Illinois is perfect, but they are most certainly better than all the surrounding states. I could cite an article backing this up too.   

    Crash, you take umbrage with a 2018 GSV shot but 2019 is what you just provided.   Slow :clap: Well done. And I see you did not respond to KP's chart.  :hmmm:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on January 05, 2023, 10:44:12 AM
    A Crash_It rant means one thing :popcorn:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2023, 10:50:21 AM
    Quote from: ET21 on January 05, 2023, 10:44:12 AM
    A Crash_It rant means one thing :popcorn:

    A bad driving video featuring a trucker and their particular brand of "piss bottle?"
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 10:51:58 AM
    Quote from: ET21 on January 05, 2023, 10:44:12 AM
    A Crash_It rant means one thing :popcorn:

    <iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/1ar94pY41FUZGy9NYW" width="480" height="266" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/news-day-2-house-speaker-election-race-1ar94pY41FUZGy9NYW">via GIPHY</a></p>
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 10:52:50 AM
    Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2023, 10:50:21 AM
    Quote from: ET21 on January 05, 2023, 10:44:12 AM
    A Crash_It rant means one thing :popcorn:

    A bad driving video featuring a trucker and their particular brand of "piss bottle?"
    It's gotta be Tab
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 11:13:40 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 10:01:29 AM
    Results of a 2021 study by TRIP (https://tripnet.org/):

    [img

    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 10:39:46 AM
    And I see you did not respond to KP's chart.  :hmmm:

    You only gave him 38 minutes to reply, before calling him out?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 11:15:45 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 11:13:40 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 10:01:29 AM
    Results of a 2021 study by TRIP (https://tripnet.org/):

    [img

    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 10:39:46 AM
    And I see you did not respond to KP's chart.  :hmmm:

    You only gave him 38 minutes to reply, before calling him out?
    And? :)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 11:25:34 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 11:15:45 AM

    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 11:13:40 AM

    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 10:01:29 AM
    Results of a 2021 study by TRIP (https://tripnet.org/):

    [img

    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 10:39:46 AM
    And I see you did not respond to KP's chart.  :hmmm:

    You only gave him 38 minutes to reply, before calling him out?

    And? :)

    And...  He's probably scheduled to touch my chart in 2025.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2023, 12:46:17 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 11:25:34 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 11:15:45 AM

    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 11:13:40 AM

    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 10:01:29 AM
    Results of a 2021 study by TRIP (https://tripnet.org/):

    [img

    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 10:39:46 AM
    And I see you did not respond to KP's chart.  :hmmm:

    You only gave him 38 minutes to reply, before calling him out?

    And? :)

    And...  He's probably scheduled to touch my chart in 2025.

    Give the man a break, he's trying to establish some sort of quasi-nationalism centered around Illinois.  I can't imagine fighting Wisconsin and truckers at every turn makes for a flat schedule to pencil you guys in for a reply. 
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 05, 2023, 03:41:57 PM
    I can't believe you all are still taking his bait. Stop responding to him, and he'll go away.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 05, 2023, 03:53:55 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 05, 2023, 03:41:57 PM
    I can't believe you all are still taking his bait. Stop responding to him, and he'll go away.

    Ignoring the problem hasn't worked anyone on any of the highway media platforms, including here.  There was one sure fire way to make that happen, opportunity seems lost now.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:27:49 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 05, 2023, 10:39:46 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:22:16 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 04, 2023, 07:37:57 PM
    Google Streetview images:
    A 2018 example of Wis 32 in the area you specifically cited. To say that this is in bad condition is greatly exaggerated.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.5268176,-87.8248864,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sX4mY8HJrnxIfs73wkYoujA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.534485,-87.8247894,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sgKkz55ntZtsOUtaMVDnVZQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.539685,-87.8246515,3a,75y,353.54h,87.7t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sFhKnDx1-lmeG2HkeMcXX2A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1

    Now this does need attention. Wis 32 at 91st St
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.540053,-87.8246747,3a,75y,5.56h,86.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sy918OiuZ1NWEQGTbyjaIzg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1
    But here's the rub on this. That is in the city limits of Kenosha. And that looks like it is specifically at the intersection. The surface is different away from there. Think maybe the city has something to do with this perhaps? I know at least in my suburb of Chicago, anytime work is being done on Rt 53, the village and the county are responsible for a good chunk of the cost for repairs or resurfacing. I am sure that Wisconsin has a simillar agreement with its counties and municipalities.

    That's 2018, this is 2023 alot can change between then and now in terms of pavement condition. I said that location at 91st was recently reconstructed and road dieted. I can provide dashcam footage of the bad sections if you want


    Here's a GSV of one of the mentioned sections that looked bad even back then and is much worse now

    7010 Sheridan Rd
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/M8u2p8opt5JXfJJH9

    But like I said, the dashcam footage will provide a more accurate depiction. I still have some because I just drove through the area again yesterday.

    I'm not saying that Illinois is perfect, but they are most certainly better than all the surrounding states. I could cite an article backing this up too.   

    Crash, you take umbrage with a 2018 GSV shot but 2019 is what you just provided.   Slow :clap: Well done. And I see you did not respond to KP's chart.  :hmmm:


    Because the deterioration of the Pleasant Prairie section was apparent from 2020. The section in the 2019 GSV has been deteriorating since at least the aughts.  I saw the chart...it only takes interstates into account, I'm talking overall which means all roads maintained or overseen by the state. When I drove across WI to MN in August of 21 both I 90 and I 94 were in smooth or adequate condition. The arterials around the WI/MN line were not. 

    There are sections of US51 in IL that are deteriorated too but not as bad or as long as the WIS32 sections I've mentioned.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:31:40 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 10:01:29 AM
    Results of a 2021 study by TRIP (https://tripnet.org/):

    (https://i.imgur.com/MPcwXEd.png)

    That only takes account the interstate mileage.. I'm talking about the whole picture. I don't really have issue with Wisconsin interstates other than them being boring
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 07:49:28 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:31:40 PM
    I don't really have issue with Wisconsin interstates other than them being boring

    Almost there.

    You agree, then, that Interstate bridges in Illinois suck?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 10:39:56 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 07:49:28 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:31:40 PM
    I don't really have issue with Wisconsin interstates other than them being boring

    Almost there.

    You agree, then, that Interstate bridges in Illinois suck?

    Only 8% of them but they are being fixed/replaced.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on January 06, 2023, 12:38:18 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 10:39:56 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on January 05, 2023, 07:49:28 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:31:40 PM
    I don't really have issue with Wisconsin interstates other than them being boring

    Almost there.

    You agree, then, that Interstate bridges in Illinois suck?

    Only 8% of them but they are being fixed/replaced.

    Meh, for the most part no they're not. IL is no better at this than any other state.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: skluth on January 06, 2023, 10:52:22 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:31:40 PM
    I don't really have issue with Wisconsin interstates other than them being boring

    Anyone from Illinois calling another state's interstates boring is the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. I'm not sure which of I-57, I-39, I-80, and I-72 in Illinois is more boring, but every one is more boring than any Wisconsin interstate (though the non-concurrent part of I-39 north of Portage may come close). I-74 and I-55 aren't much better. There are more boring interstates than the ones in Illinois, but none are east of the Mississippi except Florida.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 06, 2023, 10:56:37 AM
    Quote from: skluth on January 06, 2023, 10:52:22 AM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 05, 2023, 07:31:40 PM
    I don't really have issue with Wisconsin interstates other than them being boring

    Anyone from Illinois calling another state's interstates boring is the proverbial pot calling the kettle black. I'm not sure which of I-57, I-39, I-80, and I-72 in Illinois is more boring, but every one is more boring than any Wisconsin interstate (though the non-concurrent part of I-39 north of Portage may come close). I-74 and I-55 aren't much better. There are more boring interstates than the ones in Illinois, but none are east of the Mississippi except Florida.
    Don't forget I-88 being relatively boring. I will say that 57 south of 64 is a pretty drive.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 06, 2023, 11:34:45 AM
    I'd go further and say that 90-95% of Interstate mileage is uninteresting.  What segments of Interstate in Illinois that aren't boring tend to be centered around Chicago (even though they are flat).
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: triplemultiplex on January 06, 2023, 12:13:56 PM
    Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 06, 2023, 11:34:45 AM
    What segments of Interstate in Illinois that aren't boring tend to be centered around Chicago (even though they are flat).

    It is true that aggravating is not boring.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 06, 2023, 12:20:31 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 06, 2023, 10:56:37 AM
    Don't forget I-88 being relatively boring. I will say that 57 south of 64 is a pretty drive.

    At least I-88 isn't that long. But once you get into Iowa, things don't get much better.

    Illinois' Interstate mileage is generally either boring or aggravating. But that's also most states' Interstate systems. I-41/94 in Wisconsin south of Milwaukee is excellent in terms of quality, but it's pretty boring once you've driven it a couple times.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Max Rockatansky on January 06, 2023, 12:27:48 PM
    Quote from: triplemultiplex on January 06, 2023, 12:13:56 PM
    Quote from: Max Rockatansky on January 06, 2023, 11:34:45 AM
    What segments of Interstate in Illinois that aren't boring tend to be centered around Chicago (even though they are flat).

    It is true that aggravating is not boring.

    Aggravating yes, at minimum the back drop of the Chicago Skyline is nice to look at. 
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 06, 2023, 02:03:49 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 06, 2023, 12:20:31 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 06, 2023, 10:56:37 AM
    Don't forget I-88 being relatively boring. I will say that 57 south of 64 is a pretty drive.

    At least I-88 isn't that long. But once you get into Iowa, things don't get much better.

    Illinois' Interstate mileage is generally either boring or aggravating. But that's also most states' Interstate systems. I-41/94 in Wisconsin south of Milwaukee is excellent in terms of quality, but it's pretty boring once you've driven it a couple times.

    41/94 in WI is considerably more boring than the 94 or 41 in IL, you're on an elevated surface nearly the whole entire time. I've gotten the habit of avoiding it and taking the frontage instead to make it slightly more varied and interesting. The entirety of 80/94 in Indiana and I-65 except for Lafayette and around Columbus can kick rocks too as well as 465.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: skluth on January 06, 2023, 04:33:14 PM
    Quote from: Crash_It on January 06, 2023, 02:03:49 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 06, 2023, 12:20:31 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 06, 2023, 10:56:37 AM
    Don't forget I-88 being relatively boring. I will say that 57 south of 64 is a pretty drive.

    At least I-88 isn't that long. But once you get into Iowa, things don't get much better.

    Illinois' Interstate mileage is generally either boring or aggravating. But that's also most states' Interstate systems. I-41/94 in Wisconsin south of Milwaukee is excellent in terms of quality, but it's pretty boring once you've driven it a couple times.

    41/94 in WI is considerably more boring than the 94 or 41 in IL, you're on an elevated surface nearly the whole entire time. I've gotten the habit of avoiding it and taking the frontage instead to make it slightly more varied and interesting. The entirety of 80/94 in Indiana and I-65 except for Lafayette and around Columbus can kick rocks too as well as 465.

    Yes, I will agree that the Edens, Kennedy, and Dan Ryan are all more exciting than the racetrack through Racine and Kenosha Counties. Driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic with the added thrill of someone with road rage shooting at you is more excitement than I can handle.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 07, 2023, 01:30:43 PM
    Getting back to non-Crash It items, The Highway & MMY IDOT plan is out for FY 2023-2028.
    https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs-/multi-modal-transportation-improvement-program/index
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on January 07, 2023, 01:45:17 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 07, 2023, 01:30:43 PM
    Getting back to non-Crash It items, The Highway & MMY IDOT plan is out for FY 2023-2028.
    https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs-/multi-modal-transportation-improvement-program/index

    Thank god! They're updating the signals at the intersection of Cicero and Lincoln Highway. Right now they have exactly one overhead signal controlling each approach, with left and right supplementals. One of these approaches has three thru lanes, a left turn lane, and a right turn lane, and the signal configuration itself seems to be underbuilt.

    They're also doing Wolf and 183rd... which I don't really see the point of, because nobody uses 183rd west of LaGrange, and 191st and 80th, which although probably deserved, isn't even maintained by the state unless either of those roads are unsigned highways.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 08, 2023, 11:51:41 AM
    Some items to note of interest in Lake County:

    - The US-41/IL-176 "interchange" in Lake County is finally going to be reconstructed, including a new bridge.

    - US-14 is scheduled to get RR grade separation in Barrington.

    - IL-22 and IL-83 intersection is going to see improvements. Maybe additional thru-lanes?

    - IL-60/IL-83 concurrency is going to receive additional lanes including RR grade separation at the crossing north of IL-176.

    - IL-131 is going to receive "additional lanes" (probably 4-laned) north to Wadsworth Road.

    - Deerfield Road is going to receive "additional lanes" between Milwaukee Ave and Saunders Rd. Very important, as it's currently the last two-lane bottleneck between I-94 (NB exit/SB entrance) and points west.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 08, 2023, 04:23:43 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 08, 2023, 11:51:41 AM
    Some items to note of interest in Lake County:

    - The US-41/IL-176 "interchange" in Lake County is finally going to be reconstructed, including a new bridge.



    Thank goodness for this. They're also going to add another thru lane. That should help greatly with the people that can't handle a simple curve and as a result drive side by side with each other at 40mph or less. Resulting in so many honking situations   
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on January 08, 2023, 09:45:55 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 07, 2023, 01:30:43 PM
    Getting back to non-Crash It items, The Highway & MMY IDOT plan is out for FY 2023-2028.
    https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs-/multi-modal-transportation-improvement-program/index
    The 23-28 MYP has actually been out since last summer. :-)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on January 09, 2023, 09:30:04 AM
    Quote from: Rick Powell on January 08, 2023, 09:45:55 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 07, 2023, 01:30:43 PM
    Getting back to non-Crash It items, The Highway & MMY IDOT plan is out for FY 2023-2028.
    https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs-/multi-modal-transportation-improvement-program/index
    The 23-28 MYP has actually been out since last summer. :-)
    I don't blame the guy if he was just trying to bring something else up to change the subject  :cool:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 09, 2023, 08:52:05 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 09, 2023, 09:30:04 AM
    Quote from: Rick Powell on January 08, 2023, 09:45:55 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 07, 2023, 01:30:43 PM
    Getting back to non-Crash It items, The Highway & MMY IDOT plan is out for FY 2023-2028.
    https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs-/multi-modal-transportation-improvement-program/index
    The 23-28 MYP has actually been out since last summer. :-)
    I don't blame the guy if he was just trying to bring something else up to change the subject  :cool:
    I was. :)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on January 13, 2023, 03:57:33 PM
    Actually, I like the long stretches of Illinois interstates. Boring and beauty vary among the drivers.

    Short of creating a thread on "boring" stretches of roads....

    I-10 from Baldwin, Florida to Pensacola, FL (with a brief point of interest in Tallahassee) is the most challenging because the forest comes right up to the highway for several hundred miles. No billboards and very few exits make it a mind sleeper.

    As for the route of reduced interest, for me it was I-90 from Hardin, Montana down to the Sheridan, Wyoming. Unless you have SiriusXM, there are no FM radio stations.  I used to set my FM tuner to "scan" and it would search for an hour or two looking for a station and failing.

    As for routes in Illinois I appreciate, while a dangerous route, US-20 from Freeport to Dubuque, Iowa in the fall is wonderful. IL-1/IL-146 from near Shawneetown, south through Golconda, Rosieclare is a great drive.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on January 13, 2023, 04:16:21 PM
    IL-2 from Sterling to Rockford is a nice drive as well.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on January 14, 2023, 09:13:28 AM
    I always enjoyed the drive along Route 26 between Hennepin and Route 116 or Route 29 between I-180 and Peoria along the Illinois River.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on January 17, 2023, 10:41:41 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 14, 2023, 09:13:28 AM
    I always enjoyed the drive along Route 26 between Hennepin and Route 116 or Route 29 between I-180 and Peoria along the Illinois River.

    Agreed. Route 29 along the Illinois River is really nice. There is a restaurant in Henry we used to stop at, but I can't remember the name of it.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 17, 2023, 12:34:22 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on January 17, 2023, 10:41:41 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on January 14, 2023, 09:13:28 AM
    I always enjoyed the drive along Route 26 between Hennepin and Route 116 or Route 29 between I-180 and Peoria along the Illinois River.

    Agreed. Route 29 along the Illinois River is really nice. There is a restaurant in Henry we used to stop at, but I can't remember the name of it.

    Route 26 on the other side of the river is nice too. I featured it in this video

    https://youtu.be/S5Pu7dRTDGs
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on January 17, 2023, 12:51:07 PM
    The riverside drives in the northern 3/4 of Illinois are the best drives outside of the Driftless Region, especially in autumn.  I try to make it a point in every October to drive some of the riverside highways, because they are often the Illinois highways most consistently lined with colorful trees.  These riverside highways include Illinois 26, 29, 2, and 25. 71 from Ottawa to Oglesby is nice as well.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Flint1979 on January 17, 2023, 01:24:35 PM
    I enjoyed the drive down IL-1 when I was finishing up county clinching in that part of Illinois, south of Danville. The ride all the way to Cave In Rock was real nice.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on January 17, 2023, 02:19:02 PM
    Quote from: Flint1979 on January 17, 2023, 01:24:35 PM
    I enjoyed the drive down IL-1 when I was finishing up county clinching in that part of Illinois, south of Danville. The ride all the way to Cave In Rock was real nice.

    I especially enjoy the more rugged terrain along IL-1 south of IL-13  :)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Flint1979 on January 18, 2023, 08:28:44 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 17, 2023, 02:19:02 PM
    Quote from: Flint1979 on January 17, 2023, 01:24:35 PM
    I enjoyed the drive down IL-1 when I was finishing up county clinching in that part of Illinois, south of Danville. The ride all the way to Cave In Rock was real nice.

    I especially enjoy the more rugged terrain along IL-1 south of IL-13  :)
    I agree I enjoyed that part of the route more than any other part of the route.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Georgia on January 18, 2023, 10:16:07 AM
    The ride from Ridge Farm to Mt. Carmel is pretty boring though, unless you like farms and trees.  Not much terrain change aside from the hill south of Paris(5 Mile Hill)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: skluth on January 18, 2023, 11:14:58 AM
    Bluff Road going south from Columbia is also quite nice and relaxing. I once continued the drive down IL 3 past Chester to Cairo. IL 3 was pretty and seeing the pipeline suspension bridge (https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=illinois/grandtower/) was cool but Cairo is one of the most depressing towns I've ever visited.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on January 18, 2023, 12:48:40 PM
    Quote from: skluth on January 18, 2023, 11:14:58 AM
    Bluff Road going south from Columbia is also quite nice and relaxing. I once continued the drive down IL 3 past Chester to Cairo. IL 3 was pretty and seeing the pipeline suspension bridge (https://historicbridges.org/bridges/browser/?bridgebrowser=illinois/grandtower/) was cool but Cairo is one of the most depressing towns I've ever visited.

    I second the Cairo part, my dad and I drove through on US-51, and it was even more of a Scooby-Doo ghost town than Gary, which I didn't even know was possible. The floodgate being on the north side of the city is kind of symbolic too; it's like they're prepared to seal the town off at any moment and let water damage take care of the rest.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on January 18, 2023, 08:12:47 PM
    Quote from: Georgia on January 18, 2023, 10:16:07 AM
    The ride from Ridge Farm to Mt. Carmel is pretty boring though, unless you like farms and trees.  Not much terrain change aside from the hill south of Paris(5 Mile Hill)
    I've made it down to Paris, but there on south to I-64 is the only long segment of Rt 1 I haven't driven. Also haven't made the trip south of Rt 13/Shawneetown down to Cave-in-Rock either

    My little brother got a nice ticket on Rt 1 near Watseka. Thru Central IL, it is a really straight and flat road
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: adt1982 on January 18, 2023, 10:30:52 PM
    Quote from: Georgia on January 18, 2023, 10:16:07 AM
    The ride from Ridge Farm to Mt. Carmel is pretty boring though, unless you like farms and trees.  Not much terrain change aside from the hill south of Paris(5 Mile Hill)

    I've driven the whole length of IL 1, but the stretch from Marshall to Mt. Carmel is one I've done hundreds of times.  It certainly is not very exciting, and it can also be very low in traffic depending on when you are out there.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Georgia on January 18, 2023, 11:48:53 PM
    Quote from: adt1982 on January 18, 2023, 10:30:52 PM
    Quote from: Georgia on January 18, 2023, 10:16:07 AM
    The ride from Ridge Farm to Mt. Carmel is pretty boring though, unless you like farms and trees.  Not much terrain change aside from the hill south of Paris(5 Mile Hill)

    I've driven the whole length of IL 1, but the stretch from Marshall to Mt. Carmel is one I've done hundreds of times.  It certainly is not very exciting, and it can also be very low in traffic depending on when you are out there.

    The only time the traffic is bad is during planting and harvesting seasons and the bad is due to the slow moving farm vehicles. 
    Yea, i've done the Paris to Lawrenceville drive more times than I care to count. Neither of the options(IL-1 or US 41) in that area are fun drives and no one should be as excited to see Evansville as one is after that stretch.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Flint1979 on January 19, 2023, 05:50:05 AM
    I drove through Cairo last time in 2014 and it was just basically a ghost town nothing I was scared of and I stopped at this BBQ place just so I could say I stopped there.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on January 24, 2023, 01:51:41 PM
    Rockford has its own 11'-8" bridge!  And a 2-way signal for the narrow sharp S-curve under the railroad viaduct:

    https://goo.gl/maps/MSazraxmQUd4AwpaA

    Nothing new per se, but I thought it was interesting.

    I'm planning to pass through Cairo sometime in February.  I passed through there in 2008 and wow, what a ghost town.  All the signals were turned off to dark.  It feels post-apocalyptic, which can be kind of a fun vibe for a short while.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on January 24, 2023, 05:08:30 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 24, 2023, 01:51:41 PM
    Rockford has its own 11'-8" bridge!  And a 2-way signal for the narrow sharp S-curve under the railroad viaduct:

    https://goo.gl/maps/MSazraxmQUd4AwpaA

    Nothing new per se, but I thought it was interesting.

    I'm planning to pass through Cairo sometime in February.  I passed through there in 2008 and wow, what a ghost town.  All the signals were turned off to dark.  It feels post-apocalyptic, which can be kind of a fun vibe for a short while.

    That bridge has the battle scars, that is for sure, but that road is not nearly as busy as the famous one of You Tube legend. I ran across a 10' 6" one in Indiana recently.

    Factoid: 142,000 people departed Illinois permanently last year. That is losing the entire city of Rockford in just 12 months.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 24, 2023, 06:20:56 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 24, 2023, 01:51:41 PM
    I'm planning to pass through Cairo sometime in February.  I passed through there in 2008 and wow, what a ghost town.  All the signals were turned off to dark.  It feels post-apocalyptic, which can be kind of a fun vibe for a short while.

    That's the vibe I get get perusing Street View in Gary, East St. Louis, and Detroit. It can be interesting, especially looking back over the last 15 years. I'm not sure I'd want to see it in person though. Cairo might not be so bad since it's almost completely empty.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: adt1982 on January 24, 2023, 07:37:18 PM
    I last went through Cairo in 2016.  We were coming home from vacation, but decided to spend the night in Paducah.  Even though we were 3 1/2 hours from home, our then 2-year old daughter would be much happier if we rested before going on.  After checking into the hotel, I decided to take my wife on a short circle tour of southern IL and western KY.  I made one stop in Cairo: the Secretary of State's office, to pick up a new license sticker, as the one on the car we were driving expired that evening.  My wife wasn't fond of the US 60/62 bridges.  She noted that the town reminded her a lot of Gary, which I took her through the previous summer.  She's realized that I often take the US highways instead of interstates.  When we went to Gulf Shores I took US 45 from Jackson, TN, all the way to Mobile.  Meanwhile, a friend who was going to Florida that same week, sent us regular updates of traffic backups and delays on I-65.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Flint1979 on January 24, 2023, 07:44:20 PM
    Quote from: adt1982 on January 24, 2023, 07:37:18 PM
    I last went through Cairo in 2016.  We were coming home from vacation, but decided to spend the night in Paducah.  Even though we were 3 1/2 hours from home, our then 2-year old daughter would be much happier if we rested before going on.  After checking into the hotel, I decided to take my wife on a short circle tour of southern IL and western KY.  I made one stop in Cairo: the Secretary of State's office, to pick up a new license sticker, as the one on the car we were driving expired that evening.  My wife wasn't fond of the US 60/62 bridges.  She noted that the town reminded her a lot of Gary, which I took her through the previous summer.  She's realized that I often take the US highways instead of interstates.  When we went to Gulf Shores I took US 45 from Jackson, TN, all the way to Mobile.  Meanwhile, a friend who was going to Florida that same week, sent us regular updates of traffic backups and delays on I-65.
    To me going over the Brookport Bridge was a thrill and a half. It's funny because as I was approaching the bridge I remembered discussing the bridge on this site before I did it and tried to remember what the heck it was about the bridge that was being discussed. Turns out it's just a narrow, steel deck bridge with a 25 mph speed limit.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on January 24, 2023, 09:36:33 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on January 24, 2023, 05:08:30 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 24, 2023, 01:51:41 PM
    Rockford has its own 11'-8" bridge!  And a 2-way signal for the narrow sharp S-curve under the railroad viaduct:

    https://goo.gl/maps/MSazraxmQUd4AwpaA

    Nothing new per se, but I thought it was interesting.

    I'm planning to pass through Cairo sometime in February.  I passed through there in 2008 and wow, what a ghost town.  All the signals were turned off to dark.  It feels post-apocalyptic, which can be kind of a fun vibe for a short while.



    Factoid: 142,000 people departed Illinois permanently last year. That is losing the entire city of Rockford in just 12 months.

    You know how many times those estimates circulate around ?

    All of them are nothing but a bunch of malarkey

    https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-illinois-population-decline-met-20161220-story.html


    Yet the official census showed only an 18k loss so either people moved out then moved back or the moving company estimates are just assumptions that people are moving out of state. In either case, I highly doubt we'll be down 1m people in 2030.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hotdogPi on January 24, 2023, 10:28:43 PM
    Crash_It is actually right this time. The difference between the 2019 estimates and the 2020 actual census is being ignored when 2021 and 2022 estimates are being given (this is happening nationwide). Any place that was underestimated in 2019 is going to look like a huge drop that doesn't actually exist when going from 2020 census data to whatever year's estimate.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Flint1979 on January 25, 2023, 07:27:17 AM
    That's why it's called an estimate.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on January 31, 2023, 08:42:17 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 24, 2023, 01:51:41 PM
    Rockford has its own 11'-8" bridge!  And a 2-way signal for the narrow sharp S-curve under the railroad viaduct:

    https://goo.gl/maps/MSazraxmQUd4AwpaA

    Nothing new per se, but I thought it was interesting.

    I'm planning to pass through Cairo sometime in February.  I passed through there in 2008 and wow, what a ghost town.  All the signals were turned off to dark.  It feels post-apocalyptic, which can be kind of a fun vibe for a short while.

    Been through it before.  It's interesting.  Now, for real battle scars, nothing beats Brandon Road here in town.  That one really needs its own YouTube page as it rivals 11 Foot 8 for crashes, and definitely has more semi crashes.

    https://goo.gl/maps/W8Sn1qSNspYBFi957
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on January 31, 2023, 09:14:48 PM
    Quote from: Brandon on January 31, 2023, 08:42:17 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 24, 2023, 01:51:41 PM
    Rockford has its own 11'-8" bridge!  And a 2-way signal for the narrow sharp S-curve under the railroad viaduct:

    https://goo.gl/maps/MSazraxmQUd4AwpaA

    Nothing new per se, but I thought it was interesting.

    I'm planning to pass through Cairo sometime in February.  I passed through there in 2008 and wow, what a ghost town.  All the signals were turned off to dark.  It feels post-apocalyptic, which can be kind of a fun vibe for a short while.

    Been through it before.  It's interesting.  Now, for real battle scars, nothing beats Brandon Road here in town.  That one really needs its own YouTube page as it rivals 11 Foot 8 for crashes, and definitely has more semi crashes.

    https://goo.gl/maps/W8Sn1qSNspYBFi957

    Maybe if they installed an MUTCD-compliant sign, trucks wouldn't hit it.  :spin:

    Edit: That road's got everything. Draw bridge, long river bridge, railroad crossing, low-clearance underpass. Also, IDOT can't seem to make low clearance signs either anymore.

    https://goo.gl/maps/H9mkZwrZHo1dpJjP8
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Crash_It on February 01, 2023, 06:09:32 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 31, 2023, 09:14:48 PM
    Quote from: Brandon on January 31, 2023, 08:42:17 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 24, 2023, 01:51:41 PM
    Rockford has its own 11'-8" bridge!  And a 2-way signal for the narrow sharp S-curve under the railroad viaduct:

    https://goo.gl/maps/MSazraxmQUd4AwpaA

    Nothing new per se, but I thought it was interesting.

    I'm planning to pass through Cairo sometime in February.  I passed through there in 2008 and wow, what a ghost town.  All the signals were turned off to dark.  It feels post-apocalyptic, which can be kind of a fun vibe for a short while.

    Been through it before.  It's interesting.  Now, for real battle scars, nothing beats Brandon Road here in town.  That one really needs its own YouTube page as it rivals 11 Foot 8 for crashes, and definitely has more semi crashes.

    https://goo.gl/maps/W8Sn1qSNspYBFi957

    Maybe if they installed an MUTCD-compliant sign, trucks wouldn't hit it.  :spin:

    Edit: That road's got everything. Draw bridge, long river bridge, railroad crossing, low-clearance underpass. Also, IDOT can't seem to make low clearance signs either anymore.

    https://goo.gl/maps/H9mkZwrZHo1dpJjP8

    It's not IDOT's fault that truckers are retarded and can't read.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Flint1979 on February 01, 2023, 07:06:24 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 31, 2023, 09:14:48 PM
    Quote from: Brandon on January 31, 2023, 08:42:17 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on January 24, 2023, 01:51:41 PM
    Rockford has its own 11'-8" bridge!  And a 2-way signal for the narrow sharp S-curve under the railroad viaduct:

    https://goo.gl/maps/MSazraxmQUd4AwpaA

    Nothing new per se, but I thought it was interesting.

    I'm planning to pass through Cairo sometime in February.  I passed through there in 2008 and wow, what a ghost town.  All the signals were turned off to dark.  It feels post-apocalyptic, which can be kind of a fun vibe for a short while.

    Been through it before.  It's interesting.  Now, for real battle scars, nothing beats Brandon Road here in town.  That one really needs its own YouTube page as it rivals 11 Foot 8 for crashes, and definitely has more semi crashes.

    https://goo.gl/maps/W8Sn1qSNspYBFi957

    Maybe if they installed an MUTCD-compliant sign, trucks wouldn't hit it.  :spin:

    Edit: That road's got everything. Draw bridge, long river bridge, railroad crossing, low-clearance underpass. Also, IDOT can't seem to make low clearance signs either anymore.

    https://goo.gl/maps/H9mkZwrZHo1dpJjP8
    I think I'd be confused with that sign.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on February 01, 2023, 07:28:51 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 31, 2023, 09:14:48 PM
    Quote from: Brandon on January 31, 2023, 08:42:17 PM
    Been through it before.  It's interesting.  Now, for real battle scars, nothing beats Brandon Road here in town.  That one really needs its own YouTube page as it rivals 11 Foot 8 for crashes, and definitely has more semi crashes.

    https://goo.gl/maps/W8Sn1qSNspYBFi957

    Maybe if they installed an MUTCD-compliant sign, trucks wouldn't hit it.  :spin:

    Edit: That road's got everything. Draw bridge, long river bridge, railroad crossing, low-clearance underpass. Also, IDOT can't seem to make low clearance signs either anymore.

    https://goo.gl/maps/H9mkZwrZHo1dpJjP8

    Between you and me, I'm pretty sure Joliet Township went rogue and put those low clearance signs on that pole. Either that or they fabricated the signs and gave them to the state to install.  I know it wasn't the County, for reasons...and I think IDOT would put up a proper sign on their own accord because they do everything at their own sign shop, outfitted with all the right templates and materials.  I've seen other low clearance signs around Joliet that look exactly the same in that improper way, and they also lead to township roads...

    Brandon Road is my alternate route to work when the Interstate 80 bridge is jammed or under emergency repairs.  It's a terrible alternate, though, because it can be held up by a train or by a barge moving through the canal.  If a barge is there, it'll get you stuck there a good 15 to 20 minutes.  The road has some old nifty 12-8-8s though!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on February 01, 2023, 10:49:35 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 01, 2023, 07:28:51 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 31, 2023, 09:14:48 PM
    Quote from: Brandon on January 31, 2023, 08:42:17 PM
    Been through it before.  It's interesting.  Now, for real battle scars, nothing beats Brandon Road here in town.  That one really needs its own YouTube page as it rivals 11 Foot 8 for crashes, and definitely has more semi crashes.

    https://goo.gl/maps/W8Sn1qSNspYBFi957

    Maybe if they installed an MUTCD-compliant sign, trucks wouldn't hit it.  :spin:

    Edit: That road's got everything. Draw bridge, long river bridge, railroad crossing, low-clearance underpass. Also, IDOT can't seem to make low clearance signs either anymore.

    https://goo.gl/maps/H9mkZwrZHo1dpJjP8

    Between you and me, I'm pretty sure Joliet Township went rogue and put those low clearance signs on that pole. Either that or they fabricated the signs and gave them to the state to install.  I know it wasn't the County, for reasons...and I think IDOT would put up a proper sign on their own accord because they do everything at their own sign shop, outfitted with all the right templates and materials.  I've seen other low clearance signs around Joliet that look exactly the same in that improper way, and they also lead to township roads...

    Oh you sweet summer child... (https://goo.gl/maps/oHkDRasQHU9N3KaR6)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on February 08, 2023, 04:42:18 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on February 01, 2023, 10:49:35 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on February 01, 2023, 07:28:51 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on January 31, 2023, 09:14:48 PM
    Quote from: Brandon on January 31, 2023, 08:42:17 PM
    Been through it before.  It's interesting.  Now, for real battle scars, nothing beats Brandon Road here in town.  That one really needs its own YouTube page as it rivals 11 Foot 8 for crashes, and definitely has more semi crashes.

    https://goo.gl/maps/W8Sn1qSNspYBFi957

    Maybe if they installed an MUTCD-compliant sign, trucks wouldn't hit it.  :spin:

    Edit: That road's got everything. Draw bridge, long river bridge, railroad crossing, low-clearance underpass. Also, IDOT can't seem to make low clearance signs either anymore.

    https://goo.gl/maps/H9mkZwrZHo1dpJjP8

    Between you and me, I'm pretty sure Joliet Township went rogue and put those low clearance signs on that pole. Either that or they fabricated the signs and gave them to the state to install.  I know it wasn't the County, for reasons...and I think IDOT would put up a proper sign on their own accord because they do everything at their own sign shop, outfitted with all the right templates and materials.  I've seen other low clearance signs around Joliet that look exactly the same in that improper way, and they also lead to township roads...

    Oh you sweet summer child... (https://goo.gl/maps/oHkDRasQHU9N3KaR6)

    Oh....oh no...What hath IDOT wrought?

    And for the record I was born in November  :hyper:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on February 14, 2023, 10:26:54 PM
    There's a billboard for the Houbolt Road Toll Bridge on the right side of southbound I-55 a little south of IL 126.  IIRC the billboard said 'coming early 2023'.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on February 17, 2023, 04:39:08 PM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on February 14, 2023, 10:26:54 PM
    There's a billboard for the Houbolt Road Toll Bridge on the right side of southbound I-55 a little south of IL 126.  IIRC the billboard said 'coming early 2023'.

    Another such billboard has been sitting on the south side of I-80 near Richards Street (exit 133).  The bridge really is on track to open sometime in the spring.  If you walk to the end of the trail at the Rock Run Rookery, you can see the bridge off in the distance over the river.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on March 02, 2023, 09:33:07 AM
    Big construction project was announced for the Kennedy in Chicago (I-90/94), starts this March and will last 3 seasons with 3 phases. Phase 1 is inbound (east), Phase 2 is express lanes, Phase 3 is outbound (west)
    https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/3-year-kennedy-expressway-construction-project-to-begin-in-march/ (https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/3-year-kennedy-expressway-construction-project-to-begin-in-march/)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on March 02, 2023, 09:35:45 PM
    Would have been nice if this could have waited until the Tri-State is done north of I-55. Bad enough there's supposed to be more bridge work on I-355 again this year.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on March 03, 2023, 03:24:11 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on March 02, 2023, 09:33:07 AM
    Big construction project was announced for the Kennedy in Chicago (I-90/94), starts this March and will last 3 seasons with 3 phases. Phase 1 is inbound (east), Phase 2 is express lanes, Phase 3 is outbound (west)
    https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/3-year-kennedy-expressway-construction-project-to-begin-in-march/ (https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/3-year-kennedy-expressway-construction-project-to-begin-in-march/)

    Proud to say I actually played a part in the design work on this project. Not a huge amount, but more than I could've really ever said before!

    Unfortunately, I do think this is going to cause a mess for people driving on the north side. Will be interesting to see how bad backups spill up north and west.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JREwing78 on March 04, 2023, 07:29:40 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on March 03, 2023, 03:24:11 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on March 02, 2023, 09:33:07 AM
    Big construction project was announced for the Kennedy in Chicago (I-90/94), starts this March and will last 3 seasons with 3 phases. Phase 1 is inbound (east), Phase 2 is express lanes, Phase 3 is outbound (west)
    https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/3-year-kennedy-expressway-construction-project-to-begin-in-march/ (https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/3-year-kennedy-expressway-construction-project-to-begin-in-march/)

    Proud to say I actually played a part in the design work on this project. Not a huge amount, but more than I could've really ever said before!

    Unfortunately, I do think this is going to cause a mess for people driving on the north side. Will be interesting to see how bad backups spill up north and west.

    For the last few years, I could occasionally get across Chicago faster using I-90 through downtown v.s. the Tri-State. Looks like that's not happening for a while.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on March 05, 2023, 06:08:23 PM
    Of course - they don't communicate at all with ISTHA.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: adt1982 on March 23, 2023, 05:50:31 PM
    IDOT just shared this at 4:00.

    The US 60/62 bridge over the Mississippi River at Cairo is closed to traffic after a routine inspection found critical issues. It will remain closed until repairs can be made. A detour will be posted.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on March 23, 2023, 09:41:42 PM
    Quote from: adt1982 on March 23, 2023, 05:50:31 PM
    IDOT just shared this at 4:00.

    The US 60/62 bridge over the Mississippi River at Cairo is closed to traffic after a routine inspection found critical issues. It will remain closed until repairs can be made. A detour will be posted.

    Ruh Roh.  Glad I survived driving across it a month ago! I waited since July 2008 to revisit that bridge, and I'm glad I didn't wait another month beyond what I did!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on March 23, 2023, 10:14:07 PM
    Quote from: adt1982 on March 23, 2023, 05:50:31 PM
    IDOT just shared this at 4:00.

    The US 60/62 bridge over the Mississippi River at Cairo is closed to traffic after a routine inspection found critical issues. It will remain closed until repairs can be made. A detour will be posted.
    At least the MS River Cairo bridge has redundancy with the I-57 bridge. The OH River Cairo bridge...well at least IDOT and KYTC have a plan to replace it
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 26, 2023, 11:25:39 AM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on March 23, 2023, 10:14:07 PM
    Quote from: adt1982 on March 23, 2023, 05:50:31 PM
    IDOT just shared this at 4:00.

    The US 60/62 bridge over the Mississippi River at Cairo is closed to traffic after a routine inspection found critical issues. It will remain closed until repairs can be made. A detour will be posted.
    At least the MS River Cairo bridge has redundancy with the I-57 bridge. The OH River Cairo bridge...well at least IDOT and KYTC have a plan to replace it
    Last time I used the Ohio River Cairo Bridge, it was down to 1 lane with a signal controlling the traffic on the bridge. That was 3 years ago.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on March 26, 2023, 01:20:24 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on March 03, 2023, 03:24:11 PM
    Quote from: ET21 on March 02, 2023, 09:33:07 AM
    Big construction project was announced for the Kennedy in Chicago (I-90/94), starts this March and will last 3 seasons with 3 phases. Phase 1 is inbound (east), Phase 2 is express lanes, Phase 3 is outbound (west)
    https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/3-year-kennedy-expressway-construction-project-to-begin-in-march/ (https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/3-year-kennedy-expressway-construction-project-to-begin-in-march/)

    Proud to say I actually played a part in the design work on this project. Not a huge amount, but more than I could've really ever said before!

    Unfortunately, I do think this is going to cause a mess for people driving on the north side. Will be interesting to see how bad backups spill up north and west.

    United Airlines says they are starting a VTOL air service from the Loop to O'Hare using new electric aircraft. They were timing the announcement to the long planned Kennedy rebuild.

    $100/each way. About the same as a Uber Black.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 26, 2023, 01:48:22 PM
    Since Spring Break is next week for most people, here is a current list of existing road construction projects and closures in Illinois that could impact travel.
    Southern Illinois including Alton, Carbondale, East St Louis, Effingham, Marion, Mattoon, Mt Vernon, Paris, Taylorville & Vandalia

    Interstates:
    I-24 MM 13 to 24 (Johnson, Massac) - Lane reduction
    I-24 at Exit 14 US 45 (Johnson) - Exit ramp from WB I-24 and entrance ramp to WB I-24 CLOSED
    I-24 at Exit 16 ILL 146 (Johnson) - ALL EXIT and ENTRANCE ramps are CLOSED
    I-24 MM 26 to 28 (Massac) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-24 Ohio River Bridge (Massac) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-55 at Exit 10A-B I-255 (Madison) - NB I-55 to I-255 ramps - Lane reduction or closure
    I-55 MM 61 to 72 (Montgomery) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 MM 0 to 21 (Alexander, Pulaski) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 MM 50 to 56 (Williamson) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 at Exit 53 Main St Marion (Williamson) - Entrance ramp to SB I-57 CLOSED
    I-57 MM 66 to 75 (Franklin) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 MM 96 (Jefferson) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 MM 102 to 104 (Jefferson) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 MM 106 to 110 (Marion) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 at Exit 109 ILL 161 (Marion) - NB I-57 Exit ramp and Entrance ramp CLOSED
    I-57 MM 123 to 125 (Marion) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 MM 129 to 130 (Marion) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57/70 MM 157 to 159 (Effingham) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 at Exit 157 I-70 West (Effingham) - Ramp from NB I-57 to WB I-70 CLOSED
    I-57 MM 197 (Coles) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-64 MM 62 (Jefferson) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-64 MM 103 to 110 (Wayne) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-64 (White) - Wabash River Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    I-70 at MM 27 (Madison) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-70 MM 64 to 65 (Fayette) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-70 MM 98 to 106 (Effingham) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-70 at Exit 105 Montrose (Effingham) - EB I-70 Exit ramp and Entrance ramp CLOSED
    I-70 MM 124 to 125 (Cumberland) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-70 MM 130 to 136 (Clark) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-255 (Monroe) - Mississippi River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    I-255 at Exit 19 State St (St Clair) - Exit ramp from SB I-255 and Entrance ramp to SB I-255 CLOSED
    I-255 at Exit 25A I-55 (Madison) - NB I-255 to NB I-55 ramp CLOSED
    I-255 at Exit 25B I-55 (Madison) - SB I-255 to SB I-55 ramp - Lane reduction or closure
    I-270 (Madison) - Mississippi River Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    I-270 MM 10 to 11 (Madison) - Lane reduction or closure

    US & State Highways:
    US 40 (Madison) - ILL 4 to Woodcrest Dr Highland - Lane reduction or closure
    US 40 (Bond) - Ridge Ave Greenville to Fayette Co Line - Lane reduction or closure
    US 40 (Fayette) - RR crossing at Mulberry Grove CLOSED
    US 40 (Fayette) - County 100 to County 200 - Road CLOSED
    US 40 (Effingham) - Little Wabash Creek Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    US 40 (Clark) - East Mill Creek Bridge CLOSED
    US 45 (Massac) - Ohio River Bridge - Width & weight restrictions
    US 45 (Saline) - Saline River Bridge - Lane width reduction
    US 45 (White) - ILL 141 to ILL 1 - Road CLOSED
    US 45 (Effingham) - US 40 to I-57 - One way traffic with flaggers
    US 50 (Clay) - US 45 West JCT to Heather Ln - Lane reduction or closure
    US 50 (Richland) - Clay Rd to Suntone Rd - Lane reduction or closure
    US 50 (Lawrence) - Wabash River Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    US 51 (Fayette) - Hickory Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    US 51/60/62 (Alexander) - Ohio River Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    US 60/62 (Alexander) - Mississippi River Bridge CLOSED
    US 67 (Madison) - Little Piasa Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 1 (Lawrence) - Big Slough Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 1 (Lawrence) - Orchard St Lawrenceville to Charles St Lawrenceville - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 3 (Randolph) - Water St Chester to Pleasant Ridge Rd - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 3 (Monroe) - Gilmore Lake Rd to I-255 - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 3 (St Clair) - 8th St E St Louis to 4th St E St Louis - Weight restrictions
    ILL 3 (Madison) - Entrance ramps to I-270 WEST - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 13 (Gallatin) - Ohio River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    ILL 14 (Franklin) - Thompsonville Rd to Ewing Rd - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 14 (White) - Wabash River Bridge CLOSED
    ILL 29 (Christian) - E Main Cross St to Kennedy Dr Taylorville - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 33 SPUR/Vigo St Bridge (Lawrence) - Wabash River Bridge CLOSED
    ILL 34 (Franklin) - Brown St to ILL 37 - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 49 (Edgar) - Catfish Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 111 (Madison) - US 67 to IL 267 - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 127 (Washington) - Locust Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 128 (Effingham) - Mocassin Creek Bridge CLOSED
    ILL 141 (White) - Wabash River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    ILL 143 (Madison) - US 67 to ILL 3 - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 145 (Pope) - Bay Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 146 (Pope) - Sugar Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 149 (Jackson) - Kinkaid Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 149 (Franklin) - I-57 to Douglas St West Frankfort - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 150 (Randolph) - Mississippi River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    ILL 157 (St Clair) - Pocket Rd to Bluff St - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 159 (Madison) - Country Ln to Governors Pkwy - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 160 (Madison) - US 40 to John St Grantfork - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 161 (St Clair) - Josephine Dr to YMCA Dr - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 162 (Madison) - Old Edwardsville Rd to I-255 - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 163 (St Clair) - Concordia Church Rd to Cemetary Rd - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 185 (Fayette) - Montgomery Co Line to US 40 - Lane reduction or closure

    Other:
    26th St E St Louis (St Clair) - RR Bridge - Weight restrictions
    N 2600th St (Clark) - Bridge over I-70 CLOSED
    Eads Bridge (St Clair) - Mississippi River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    I-55 East Frontage Rd (Montgomery) - E Waggoner Ave to Morrisonville Ave - Road CLOSED
    I-55 East Frontage Rd (Montgomery) - Mine Ave to Thomasville - Road CLOSED
    I-55 East Frontage Rd (Montgomery) - Virden Ave to Montgomery Rd - Road CLOSED
    Main St Belleville (St Clair) - N 48th St to North Belt West - Lane reduction or closure
    Marine Rd (Madison) - Lake Rd to Hickory Flat Rd CLOSED due to FLOODING
    Morrisonville Ave (Montgomery) - Bridge over I-55 CLOSED
    Old US 51 (Union, Jackson) - Anna to Makanda Rd - One way traffic with flaggers and signals

    Central Illinois (Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Galesburg, Moline, Peoria, Quincy, Springfield) will be next.

    Northern Illinois (Aurora, Chicago, Dixon, Elgin, Galena, Joliet, Kankakee, La Salle, Princeton, Rockford, Sterling, Waukegan) will be after that.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on March 27, 2023, 10:36:29 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on March 26, 2023, 01:20:24 PM
    United Airlines says they are starting a VTOL air service from the Loop to O'Hare using new electric aircraft. They were timing the announcement to the long planned Kennedy rebuild.

    $100/each way. About the same as a Uber Black.

    Oh man, they could have had a use for Meigs Field if they left it intact!!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: skluth on March 27, 2023, 12:11:53 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 27, 2023, 10:36:29 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on March 26, 2023, 01:20:24 PM
    United Airlines says they are starting a VTOL air service from the Loop to O'Hare using new electric aircraft. They were timing the announcement to the long planned Kennedy rebuild.

    $100/each way. About the same as a Uber Black.

    Oh man, they could have had a use for Meigs Field if they left it intact!!

    The second Mayor Daley made sure that never happened. (https://www.wbez.org/stories/meigs-field-20-years-since-daley-ordered-bulldozing/a6eb3ea3-8bb8-4b10-9d34-4e986e7d2c05) Personally, I'm fine with Meigs Field gone.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on March 27, 2023, 12:30:26 PM
    Quote from: skluth on March 27, 2023, 12:11:53 PM
    Personally, I'm fine with Meigs Field gone.

    VTOL doesn't need an airstrip the size of Meigs, and especially at that location since it would be several blocks away from where people want to go. They could probably use one of the many parking decks in the Loop proper, upper deck re-purposed.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: triplemultiplex on March 27, 2023, 12:42:25 PM
    They so fancy with their acronyms; VTOL = helicopter.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on March 27, 2023, 12:50:54 PM
    Quote from: triplemultiplex on March 27, 2023, 12:42:25 PM
    They so fancy with their acronyms; VTOL = helicopter.
    Technically, VTOLs fall under the Webster definition of helicopter except that VTOLs often have variable pitch rotors that can go anywhere between horizontal and vertical axes.

    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helicopter
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 27, 2023, 01:03:33 PM
    Central Illinois including Bloomington, Champaign, Decatur, Galesburg, Moline, Peoria, Quincy, Springfield

    Interstates:
    I-55 MM 77 to 111 (Sangamon) - Lane reduction or closure
    Bus I-55 (Sangamon) - Sangamon Ave to Ardmore Ave - Lane reduction or closure
    I-55 MM 114 (Logan) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-55 MM 123 (Logan) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-55 MM 185 to MM 190 (McLean, Livingston) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-55 MM 193 (Livingston) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 MM 236 to 237 (Champaign) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-57 at Exit 237 A I-74 EAST (Champaign) - SB I-57 to EB I-74 ramp CLOSED
    I-57 at Exit 237 B I-74 WEST (Champaign) - NB I-57 to WB I-74 ramp CLOSED
    I-57 MM 269 (Iroquois) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-72 MM 6 to 7 (Pike) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-72 MM 15 to 16 (Pike) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-72 MM 55 to 59 (Morgan) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-72 MM 78 to 123 (Sangamon) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-72 at I-57 (Champaign) - Weight restrictions
    I-74 (Rock Island) - Over Mississippi River - Weight restrictions
    I-74 MM 124 (McLean) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-74 MM 177 to 180 (Champaign) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-74 at Exit 179 A-B I-57 (Champaign) - Ramps to I-57 North and South Lane reduction or closure
    I-74 MM 184 (Champaign) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-74 MM 210 to MM 214 (Vermillion) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-74 at Exit 214 G St (Vermillion) - I-74 EB entrance and I-74 WB entrance ramps are CLOSED
    I-74 at Exit 215 A-B US 150/ILL 1 (Vermillion) - I-74 WB Exit ramp to and Entrance ramp from are CLOSED
    I-80 MM 7 (Henry) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-155 MM 18 (Tazwell) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-280 (Rock Island) - Mississippi River Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    I-280 MM 11 to 15 (Rock Island) - Lane reduction or closure
    I-474 MM 3 (Peoria) - Lane reduction or closure

    US & State Highways:
    US 24 (Adams) - Mississippi River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    US 34 (Warren) - Cedar Creek Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    US 36 (Macon, Moultrie) - ILL 121 to ILL 32 - Lane reduction or closure
    US 36 (Moultrie) - 900 East Rd to 1800 East Rd - Lane reduction or closure
    US 45 (Champaign) - Saline Branch Bridge - Weight restrictions
    US 45 (Iroquois) - US 24 to E 2200 N Rd - Lane reduction or closure
    US 67 (Cass, Schuyler) - Illinois River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    US 51/Bus US 51 (Macon) - US 51 to Cleveland Ave Decatur - Lane reduction or closure
    US 51 (Macon) - Northbound at US 36 - Lane reduction or closure
    US 54 (Pike) - Mississippi River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    US 67 (Mercer) - 260th Ave to ILL 135 - Lane reduction or closure
    US 136 (Hancock) - RR Bridge at Hamilton - Lane reduction or closure
    US 136 (Mason, Fulton) - Illinois River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    US 150 (Knox) - Cedar St Galesburg to Cherry St Galesburg - Lane reduction or closure
    US 150 (Knox) - at County 10 - Weight restrictions
    US 150 (Peoria, Tazwell) - Illinois River Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 1 (Iroquois) - Iroquois St Watseka to 2500 N Rd - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 4 (Sangamon) - Sugar Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 8 (Knox) - Hickory Creek Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 9 (Hancock) - Mississippi River Bridge - Weight and height restrictions
    ILL 9 (Ford) - N 2000 E Rd to Vermillion Co Line - One way traffic with flaggers
    ILL 17 (Marshall) - Illinois River Bridge - CLOSED
    ILL 18 (Marshall, Putnam) - Illinois River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    ILL 32 (Moultrie) - ILL 121 to ILL 133 - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 40 (Peoria, Tazwell) - Illinois River Bridge - CLOSED
    ILL 48 (Macon) - Christian Co Line to Bowman Rd - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 84 (Henry, Rock Island) - Rock River Bridge - Weight restrictions
    ILL 96 (Hancock) - Rocky Run Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 97 (Mason) - Menard Co Line to Co Rd 900 North - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 104 (Morgan) - Gordon Hill Rd to Llama Rd - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 105 (Macon) - Lake Decatur Bridge - Lane reduction or closure
    ILL 106 (Pike) - Kiser Creek Bridge - One way traffic with signals
    ILL 106 (Scott) - Old Highway Rd to Timber Ln - Road CLOSED
    ILL 121 (Macon) - RR Bridge - Weight restrictions

    Other:
    Kennedy Rd (Logan) - Over I-55 - Bridge CLOSED
    27th St Moline (Rock Island) - Over I-74 - Lane reduction or closure
    Old US 45 (Iroquois) - 3rd Ave Clifton to 1st St Chabanse - Lane reduction or closure
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on March 27, 2023, 02:08:55 PM
    Quote from: Rick Powell on March 27, 2023, 12:50:54 PM
    Quote from: triplemultiplex on March 27, 2023, 12:42:25 PM
    They so fancy with their acronyms; VTOL = helicopter.
    Technically, VTOLs fall under the Webster definition of helicopter except that VTOLs often have variable pitch rotors that can go anywhere between horizontal and vertical axes.

    https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helicopter

    The service will rely on Vertiport Chicago for the places to land. The presser said United will use the "Medical District"  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_Medical_District (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_Medical_District) for the service.

    https://www.vertiportchicago.com/ (https://www.vertiportchicago.com/)

    (https://www.moveelectric.com/sites/default/files/styles/article/public/2023-03/United%20Archer%20Midnight.jpg?itok=Q95Kw5Fm)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: triplemultiplex on March 28, 2023, 05:35:28 PM
    Ah, I see; for the cash-chucker too self-important to ride the EL to downtown, but too self-hating to take a regular helicopter powered by dead dinosaurs.



    (I say dead dinosaurs for comedic effect, I'm well aware that petroleum is mostly former microorganisms. ;) )
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on March 30, 2023, 10:18:01 PM
    The list of selected projects for freight grants is out:  https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf)

    There's an $8.75 million interchange project listed for I-57 at IL 50 on the second page.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on March 30, 2023, 11:23:32 PM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on March 30, 2023, 10:18:01 PM
    The list of selected projects for freight grants is out:  https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf)

    There's an $8.75 million interchange project listed for I-57 at IL 50 on the second page.
    I'm more curious what the $24.7 million interchange project is for with I-57 at IL 149 in West Frankfort
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 31, 2023, 11:34:52 AM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on March 30, 2023, 11:23:32 PM

    Quote from: Revive 755 on March 30, 2023, 10:18:01 PM
    The list of selected projects for freight grants is out:  https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf)

    There's an $8.75 million interchange project listed for I-57 at IL 50 on the second page.

    I'm more curious what the $24.7 million interchange project is for with I-57 at IL 149 in West Frankfort

    Me too.  I haven't lived there since 2008, but I don't recall the interchange being all that bad.  Traffic counts are approximately the same as the similar interchange at West City/Benton.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on March 31, 2023, 02:24:43 PM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on March 30, 2023, 10:18:01 PM
    The list of selected projects for freight grants is out:  https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf)

    There's an $8.75 million interchange project listed for I-57 at IL 50 on the second page.

    Thank god! I used to get off at the cloverleaf at 167th Street (and Cicero Avenue, by extension) every day on the way home from work, and the left turn lane to southbound Cicero Avenue (Illinois 50) is so short that the volume of left turning cars would regularly block one of the travel lanes. Here's hoping they widen that.

    Part of this might also be because somebody bought out the car dealer on the corner, and a large amount of property behind it, and mowed it all down for future development. I hope it goes well for them, because some of that property tax revenue is gonna end up in my high school's district fund!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 31, 2023, 02:36:05 PM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on March 30, 2023, 10:18:01 PM
    The list of selected projects for freight grants is out:  https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf (https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/2023_Freight_Investment_Plan.pdf)

    There's an $8.75 million interchange project listed for I-57 at IL 50 on the second page.
    95 mil for I-57 & Route 17 in Kankakee? I know they are widening 57 in that area but that seems a bit much.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 31, 2023, 02:44:57 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on March 31, 2023, 02:24:43 PM

    Quote from: Revive 755 on March 30, 2023, 10:18:01 PM
    There's an $8.75 million interchange project listed for I-57 at IL 50 on the second page.

    Thank god! I used to get off at the cloverleaf at 167th Street (and Cicero Avenue, by extension) every day on the way home from work, and the left turn lane to southbound Cicero Avenue (Illinois 50) is so short that the volume of left turning cars would regularly block one of the travel lanes. Here's hoping they widen that.

    I was thoroughly confused for a second.  I was thinking, Salem is nowhere near Markham, so what is he talking about?.  Then I realized I was thinking of I-57 at US-50 instead...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: pianocello on March 31, 2023, 05:05:36 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 31, 2023, 02:44:57 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on March 31, 2023, 02:24:43 PM

    Quote from: Revive 755 on March 30, 2023, 10:18:01 PM
    There's an $8.75 million interchange project listed for I-57 at IL 50 on the second page.

    Thank god! I used to get off at the cloverleaf at 167th Street (and Cicero Avenue, by extension) every day on the way home from work, and the left turn lane to southbound Cicero Avenue (Illinois 50) is so short that the volume of left turning cars would regularly block one of the travel lanes. Here's hoping they widen that.

    I was thoroughly confused for a second.  I was thinking, Salem is nowhere near Markham, so what is he talking about?.  Then I realized I was thinking of I-57 at US-50 instead...

    You were both confusing me for a bit there. I feel like this is actually referring to the I-57/IL 50 interchange in the Bradley/Bourbonnais/Kankakee area, right? It would line up with the I-57/IL 17 interchange in the next line item.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 31, 2023, 05:08:09 PM
    Ha!  Yeah, I'm sure you're correct.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on March 31, 2023, 05:19:16 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 31, 2023, 02:36:05 PM
    95 mil for I-57 & Route 17 in Kankakee? I know they are widening 57 in that area but that seems a bit much.
    It's a SPUI interchange where they are building it for a future 3 lanes in each direction, a lane shift on the mainline that goes for several thousand feet each way, and a substantial mainline bridge over IL 17 that is part of the interchange. IDOT has some design engineering for it in their current program with project limits "0.2 miles south of Waldron Road to 0.5 miles north of IL 17 in Kankakee" which is about 1 1/2 miles, plus however far back the construction goes on IL 17.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on April 01, 2023, 04:10:57 PM
    Quote from: pianocello on March 31, 2023, 05:05:36 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 31, 2023, 02:44:57 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on March 31, 2023, 02:24:43 PM

    Quote from: Revive 755 on March 30, 2023, 10:18:01 PM
    There's an $8.75 million interchange project listed for I-57 at IL 50 on the second page.

    Thank god! I used to get off at the cloverleaf at 167th Street (and Cicero Avenue, by extension) every day on the way home from work, and the left turn lane to southbound Cicero Avenue (Illinois 50) is so short that the volume of left turning cars would regularly block one of the travel lanes. Here's hoping they widen that.

    I was thoroughly confused for a second.  I was thinking, Salem is nowhere near Markham, so what is he talking about?.  Then I realized I was thinking of I-57 at US-50 instead...

    You were both confusing me for a bit there. I feel like this is actually referring to the I-57/IL 50 interchange in the Bradley/Bourbonnais/Kankakee area, right? It would line up with the I-57/IL 17 interchange in the next line item.

    Shucks, you're right!

    I wonder what's wrong with it... they reconstructed it like ten years ago. Maybe they'll get rid of all of the signs down there with the capital to lowercase letter sizing issues.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on May 01, 2023, 09:23:52 AM
    A couple notes from recent developments around Will County:

    1. The Houbolt-Laraway bridge has opened.  It's mainly for truck traffic, but passenger cars can use it too.  Tolls are implemented, and the payment varies based on the size of your car. I'll probably try it out, but the toll will prevent me from using the bridge habitually.  The construction of the DDI interchange at I-80 and Houbolt Road (exit 127) will continue, probably into next year.

    2. Another DDI is being constructed just a couple miles away from that, at I-55 and IL-59.  That's been brought up before, and work on this interchange continues.  I just think it's wild that two DDI's are being built within a couple miles of each other.

    3. The repave of I-55 continues between I-80 and Weber Road (exit 263).  Because of delays stemming from the material producers' strike last spring, only the northbound* lanes were repaved last year. The southbound* portion of the project was pushed to this spring.  It looks like most of the mainline milling was completed, and we have a rough grooved surface going south* along I-55 from I-80 to Weber.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on May 01, 2023, 11:25:52 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 01, 2023, 09:23:52 AM
    A couple notes from recent developments around Will County:

    1. The Houbolt-Laraway bridge has opened.  It's mainly for truck traffic, but passenger cars can use it too.  Tolls are implemented, and the payment varies based on the size of your car. I'll probably try it out, but the toll will prevent me from using the bridge habitually.  The construction of the DDI interchange at I-80 and Houbolt Road (exit 127) will continue, probably into next year.

    2. Another DDI is being constructed just a couple miles away from that, at I-55 and IL-59.  That's been brought up before, and work on this interchange continues.  I just think it's wild that two DDI's are being built within a couple miles of each other.

    3. The repave of I-55 continues between I-80 and Weber Road (exit 263).  Because of delays stemming from the material producers' strike last spring, only the southbound lanes were repaved last year. The northbound portion of the project was pushed to this spring.  It looks like most of the mainline milling was completed, and we have a rough grooved surface going north along I-55 from I-80 to Weber.

    NB 55 was done last year, SB 55 is this year and man is it desperately needed.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: NWI_Irish96 on May 01, 2023, 04:23:08 PM
    https://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic/blowing-dust-warning-issued-in-illinois-after-dust-storm-causes-large-i-55-crash/3131258/

    Strong dust storm has caused fatal crashes in Illinois of all places.

    It's a perfect storm (pun intended) of dry weather, very strong winds at almost a perfect 90 degree angle to I-55, and the time of year that many farmers are plowing fields.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on May 01, 2023, 10:33:25 PM
    Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on May 01, 2023, 04:23:08 PM
    https://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic/blowing-dust-warning-issued-in-illinois-after-dust-storm-causes-large-i-55-crash/3131258/

    Strong dust storm has caused fatal crashes in Illinois of all places.

    It's a perfect storm (pun intended) of dry weather, very strong winds at almost a perfect 90 degree angle to I-55, and the time of year that many farmers are plowing fields.
    Just south of Springfield. That segment is a very flat and open 6 lane highway, typically fairly high speed and typically safe at such due to design and typically great visibility - obviously not with the high winds

    I am anxious to see the full cause report from ISP. Was it just dust from plowed/planted fields? Other factors into the reduced visibility?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on May 02, 2023, 12:32:41 AM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on May 01, 2023, 10:33:25 PM
    Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on May 01, 2023, 04:23:08 PM
    https://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic/blowing-dust-warning-issued-in-illinois-after-dust-storm-causes-large-i-55-crash/3131258/

    Strong dust storm has caused fatal crashes in Illinois of all places.

    It's a perfect storm (pun intended) of dry weather, very strong winds at almost a perfect 90 degree angle to I-55, and the time of year that many farmers are plowing fields.
    Just south of Springfield. That segment is a very flat and open 6 lane highway, typically fairly high speed and typically safe at such due to design and typically great visibility - obviously not with the high winds

    I am anxious to see the full cause report from ISP. Was it just dust from plowed/planted fields? Other factors into the reduced visibility?

    Planting season just started in south central Illinois, so the farmers are tilling right now, combined with heavy winds picked up the dirt.

    The other factor is people driving too fast and too close to each other gives inadequate time to decide. While the trucks suffered the most, many cars saved themselves by bailing for the median or into the farmfields.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on May 02, 2023, 06:17:28 AM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on May 01, 2023, 10:33:25 PM
    Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on May 01, 2023, 04:23:08 PM
    https://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic/blowing-dust-warning-issued-in-illinois-after-dust-storm-causes-large-i-55-crash/3131258/

    Strong dust storm has caused fatal crashes in Illinois of all places.

    It's a perfect storm (pun intended) of dry weather, very strong winds at almost a perfect 90 degree angle to I-55, and the time of year that many farmers are plowing fields.
    Just south of Springfield. That segment is a very flat and open 6 lane highway, typically fairly high speed and typically safe at such due to design and typically great visibility - obviously not with the high winds

    I am anxious to see the full cause report from ISP. Was it just dust from plowed/planted fields? Other factors into the reduced visibility?

    I'd rather see a report from NTSB instead of ISP.  I don't exactly trust a non-neutral state police force with a vested interest in claiming "speed" as a factor to do a proper report.  I'd rather see root causes and actual solutions.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on May 02, 2023, 07:32:55 AM
    Quote from: Brandon on May 02, 2023, 06:17:28 AM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on May 01, 2023, 10:33:25 PM
    Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on May 01, 2023, 04:23:08 PM
    https://www.nbcchicago.com/traffic/blowing-dust-warning-issued-in-illinois-after-dust-storm-causes-large-i-55-crash/3131258/

    Strong dust storm has caused fatal crashes in Illinois of all places.

    It's a perfect storm (pun intended) of dry weather, very strong winds at almost a perfect 90 degree angle to I-55, and the time of year that many farmers are plowing fields.
    Just south of Springfield. That segment is a very flat and open 6 lane highway, typically fairly high speed and typically safe at such due to design and typically great visibility - obviously not with the high winds

    I am anxious to see the full cause report from ISP. Was it just dust from plowed/planted fields? Other factors into the reduced visibility?

    I'd rather see a report from NTSB instead of ISP.  I don't exactly trust a non-neutral state police force with a vested interest in claiming "speed" as a factor to do a proper report.  I'd rather see root causes and actual solutions.
    I can agree with that. Was NTSB even part of the response? I only mentioned the State Police since they are part of the onsite response team

    Also looking a little more on Google, the area still shut down until Tuesday morning is where the 6 lane south of Springfield ends and 4 lane I-55 resumes
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on May 02, 2023, 08:37:29 AM
    More updates from the scene as of last night.

    ISP is still saying it will be later this afternoon before the route will reopen.  Clearing the road was hampered by the same dust which caused the wreck.

    https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/illinois/crash-i55-farmersville-montgomery-county-illinois/63-0ccb666b-d840-4463-a455-7afea875a961 (https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/illinois/crash-i55-farmersville-montgomery-county-illinois/63-0ccb666b-d840-4463-a455-7afea875a961)

    The regional office for the NWS (National Weather Service) was getting lit up yesterday for not putting out a high wind alert in central Illinois.

    According to the NWS, sustained winds have to be 45mph before they will put out an alert.  Sustained winds were only about 40-43 mph, just below the threshold.

    I remember something similar happened in the early 1980's when southern Illinois had a nice fall weekend and everyone burned their leaves.

    The south winds blew that smoke north and the more people burned, the more dense it got.

    I-70 from St Louis to Terre Haute and I-57 up to Kankakee were shrouded in smoke and caused several wrecks and backups.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JREwing78 on May 02, 2023, 01:40:17 PM
    This is basically every time there's a snow squall. Same exact idiotic behavior of driving at (or over) the speed limit no matter the conditions, and catastrophe striking when these folks blindly crash into each other. It's one reason I tend to stay off the Interstate in heavy snow conditions.

    Obviously, traction wasn't an issue in this situation, but the same issue of driving too-fast-for-conditions is. I don't know how to get people to stop being lemmings on the highway other than yanking their licenses and forcing them to retake Drivers Ed to get their licenses back.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on May 02, 2023, 02:21:44 PM
    Quote from: JREwing78 on May 02, 2023, 01:40:17 PM
    This is basically every time there's a snow squall. Same exact idiotic behavior of driving at (or over) the speed limit no matter the conditions, and catastrophe striking when these folks blindly crash into each other. It's one reason I tend to stay off the Interstate in heavy snow conditions.

    Obviously, traction wasn't an issue in this situation, but the same issue of driving too-fast-for-conditions is. I don't know how to get people to stop being lemmings on the highway other than yanking their licenses and forcing them to retake Drivers Ed to get their licenses back.

    2 years ago a snow squall south of Bloomington on I-55 caused a 12 truck wreck at McLean. Other than improving driver awareness, these things happen faster than than authorities can warn the drivers.

    As for modern driver behavior on modern interstates, especially 2 lane ones that are moderately busy, well, you could devote an entire thread just to the subject.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on May 02, 2023, 04:51:01 PM
    IDOT just closed I-55 again. All traffic being pushed off at Divernon.

    AWS announced a Dust Storm Warning across central Illinois.




    Just happening: Closed from Auburn-Pawnee all the way down to Raymond. Another crash event.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on May 07, 2023, 01:50:31 PM
    "Another DDI is being constructed just a couple miles away from that, at I-55 and IL-59."

    Is IL 59 being extended southward? If so how far? On a map looks like not too much distance until I-80.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on May 07, 2023, 11:03:52 PM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on May 07, 2023, 01:50:31 PM
    "Another DDI is being constructed just a couple miles away from that, at I-55 and IL-59."

    Is IL 59 being extended southward? If so how far? On a map looks like not too much distance until I-80.

    Several years ago the non-return exit of IL-59 and I-55 was moved south about a quarter mile.  Now its being converted.

    North I-55 could exit to north IL-59 and south IL-59 could only exit to south IL-55. You can see a remnant of where the old exit was where the East Frontage Road takes a swerve to the east.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on May 08, 2023, 09:06:50 PM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on May 07, 2023, 01:50:31 PM
    "Another DDI is being constructed just a couple miles away from that, at I-55 and IL-59."

    Is IL 59 being extended southward? If so how far? On a map looks like not too much distance until I-80.

    I seem to recall the reason for the DDI at 55 & 59 was for a planned development east of 55.
    http://www.i55atil59accessproject.org/interchange.html
    Add into the fact that there are a few industries west of the interchange south of Seil Rd.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on May 09, 2023, 12:31:55 AM
    Thanks for the link.
    Remember when the old 59 bridge was still kind of new in late 60's, had character, but was outdated of course.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on May 09, 2023, 11:08:06 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on May 08, 2023, 09:06:50 PM
    I seem to recall the reason for the DDI at 55 & 59 was for a planned development east of 55.
    http://www.i55atil59accessproject.org/interchange.html
    Add into the fact that there are a few industries west of the interchange south of Seil Rd.

    Wow. Thanks for that link. I didn't realize this set of projects also included:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on May 09, 2023, 12:46:37 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on May 07, 2023, 11:03:52 PM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on May 07, 2023, 01:50:31 PM
    "Another DDI is being constructed just a couple miles away from that, at I-55 and IL-59."

    Is IL 59 being extended southward? If so how far? On a map looks like not too much distance until I-80.

    Several years ago the non-return exit of IL-59 and I-55 was moved south about a quarter mile.  Now its being converted.

    It's curious that they're redoing it so soon after redoing it. Also, and I guess it's mostly aesthetic, that eastern side looks weird.
    (https://i.imgur.com/idCUi7g.png)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on May 09, 2023, 10:24:36 PM
    Took me awhile to figure out the flow. DDI, but a bit different than IL 59 and I-88.

    When I read 'extension' was thinking 59 was going to go east into Joliet or to I-80 & Houbolt Rd.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on May 10, 2023, 11:06:26 PM
    Good thing they aren't extending it too far. I drove the whole thing almost in one go, from I-55 all the way to I-90. I don't want to ruin my almost-clinch!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on May 11, 2023, 07:21:14 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 10, 2023, 11:06:26 PM
    Good thing they aren't extending it too far. I drove the whole thing almost in one go, from I-55 all the way to I-90. I don't want to ruin my almost-clinch!
    I-55 to I-90 does not clinch the road Joe. Did you forget it goes to Antioch? Or am I misunderstanding you?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on May 11, 2023, 10:16:28 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on May 11, 2023, 07:21:14 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 10, 2023, 11:06:26 PM
    Good thing they aren't extending it too far. I drove the whole thing almost in one go, from I-55 all the way to I-90. I don't want to ruin my almost-clinch!
    I-55 to I-90 does not clinch the road Joe. Did you forget it goes to Antioch? Or am I misunderstanding you?

    He DID say "almost".
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ChiMilNet on May 12, 2023, 01:09:42 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 11, 2023, 10:16:28 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on May 11, 2023, 07:21:14 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 10, 2023, 11:06:26 PM
    Good thing they aren't extending it too far. I drove the whole thing almost in one go, from I-55 all the way to I-90. I don't want to ruin my almost-clinch!
    I-55 to I-90 does not clinch the road Joe. Did you forget it goes to Antioch? Or am I misunderstanding you?

    He DID say "almost".
    That's honestly a good third (maybe more) of the route left unclinched. That said, I often forget how far North it goes myself (and I've never been on it North of where it splits off US 12 in Fox Lake). It's definitely a more prominent route South of I-90, though, as most sections North of I-90, aside from the section right around the Arboretum and the multiplexed sections, are narrow two lane roadway.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on May 12, 2023, 07:53:22 PM
    In Du Page, we think of IL 83, 53 and 59 as major roads, but in Lake Co, they meander and duplex with other routes. 59 is a secondary route.

    My Mom got lost driving on 83 from Grayslake, missed the turn from Mchenry Rd to Elmhurst Rd, thinking, "I'll take 83 all the way back to Elmhurst" and didn't know the twists and turns.

    My brother and family live in Round Lake, we've given him hard time saying "it's Wisconsin" and I go "roads [IL 120, 60] are so narrow, when will they come to 21st Century?"   :-P ;-)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on May 12, 2023, 09:31:01 PM
    Quote from: ChiMilNet on May 12, 2023, 01:09:42 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 11, 2023, 10:16:28 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on May 11, 2023, 07:21:14 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 10, 2023, 11:06:26 PM
    Good thing they aren't extending it too far. I drove the whole thing almost in one go, from I-55 all the way to I-90. I don't want to ruin my almost-clinch!
    I-55 to I-90 does not clinch the road Joe. Did you forget it goes to Antioch? Or am I misunderstanding you?

    He DID say "almost".
    That's honestly a good third (maybe more) of the route left unclinched. That said, I often forget how far North it goes myself (and I've never been on it North of where it splits off US 12 in Fox Lake). It's definitely a more prominent route South of I-90, though, as most sections North of I-90, aside from the section right around the Arboretum and the multiplexed sections, are narrow two lane roadway.

    Yeah, I know it goes further, all the way to IL-173. I had clinched bits and pieces of IL-59 north of I-90 before this mega-marathon. I had just come from pretty far south, so I wasn't interested in finishing it that day.

    At this point, I just have the segment between US-12 and IL-132 to go. I'm also nearly finished with every mile of state highway in Lake County. Just have a bit of IL-173 east of I-94 left, in addition to the aforementioned IL-59 segment.

    Quote from: US20IL64 on May 12, 2023, 07:53:22 PM
    In Du Page, we think of IL 83, 53 and 59 as major roads, but in Lake Co, they meander and duplex with other routes. 59 is a secondary route.

    My Mom got lost driving on 83 from Grayslake, missed the turn from Mchenry Rd to Elmhurst Rd, thinking, "I'll take 83 all the way back to Elmhurst" and didn't know the twists and turns.

    My brother and family live in Round Lake, we've given him hard time saying "it's Wisconsin" and I go "roads [IL 120, 60] are so narrow, when will they come to 21st Century?"   :-P ;-)

    Even Wisconsin has better roads than Lake County. (Weird, I feel like I can hear a certain individual screaming in the distance as I type this...)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on May 13, 2023, 05:31:16 PM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on May 12, 2023, 07:53:22 PM
    In Du Page, we think of IL 83, 53 and 59 as major roads, but in Lake Co, they meander and duplex with other routes. 59 is a secondary route.

    My Mom got lost driving on 83 from Grayslake, missed the turn from Mchenry Rd to Elmhurst Rd, thinking, "I'll take 83 all the way back to Elmhurst" and didn't know the twists and turns.

    My brother and family live in Round Lake, we've given him hard time saying "it's Wisconsin" and I go "roads [IL 120, 60] are so narrow, when will they come to 21st Century?"   :-P ;-)

    Probably becuase DuPage is really a grid type of pass through county.

    Lake County is unique in that the early roads were from Chicago to central Wisconsin which give them a NW/SE tweak. Hard to merge with a grid system.

    As for the narrow roads in that area, yes, I have traversed them many times during the hey day of the Alpine Valley Music Theater. We used to try and beat the system by finding back ways to get in and out of there and back to Illinois.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on May 14, 2023, 03:15:49 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on May 13, 2023, 05:31:16 PM
    Quote from: US20IL64 on May 12, 2023, 07:53:22 PM
    In Du Page, we think of IL 83, 53 and 59 as major roads, but in Lake Co, they meander and duplex with other routes. 59 is a secondary route.

    My Mom got lost driving on 83 from Grayslake, missed the turn from Mchenry Rd to Elmhurst Rd, thinking, "I'll take 83 all the way back to Elmhurst" and didn't know the twists and turns.

    My brother and family live in Round Lake, we've given him hard time saying "it's Wisconsin" and I go "roads [IL 120, 60] are so narrow, when will they come to 21st Century?"   :-P ;-)

    Probably because DuPage is really a grid type of pass-through county.

    Lake County is unique in that the early roads were from Chicago to central Wisconsin which give them a NW/SE tweak. Hard to merge with a grid system.

    As for the narrow roads in that area, yes, I have traversed them many times during the heyday of the Alpine Valley Music Theater. We used to try and beat the system by finding back ways to get in and out of there and back to Illinois.

    You're right and the IL 53 extension was voted down, too. But I do like Peterson Rd and IL 43, Waukegan Rd [I call it Harlem Av]. I work at North Chicago VA and "Harlem" is good alternative going south.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on May 15, 2023, 08:46:46 AM
    I drove Waukegan Rd (IL-43) up to its northern terminus at US-41 yesterday. I thought it would make for a nice change of pace from the usual I-94. It's a decent alternative. There aren't too many signals, when compared to most IDOT arterials, which is nice.

    Lake County's problem is mainly connectivity in the west. Many of the E-W roads are just insufficient, which is compounded by the fact that there's no great* N-S expressway.

    * US-12 is terrible. Way too many signals. Needs to be 6 lanes as well. It's also too angled to be useful in certain situations.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on May 15, 2023, 09:16:30 AM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on May 15, 2023, 08:46:46 AM
    I drove Waukegan Rd (IL-43) up to its northern terminus at US-41 yesterday. I thought it would make for a nice change of pace from the usual I-94. It's a decent alternative. There aren't too many signals, when compared to most IDOT arterials, which is nice.

    Lake County's problem is mainly connectivity in the west. Many of the E-W roads are just insufficient, which is compounded by the fact that there's no great* N-S expressway.

    * US-12 is terrible. Way too many signals. Needs to be 6 lanes as well. It's also too angled to be useful in certain situations.

    I just can't figure out western Lake County.

    According to the residents the #1 issue is traffic.  The #2 issue is sprawl.

    But if you look at the number of developments that have been built in the past 30 years, they allowed these massive neighborhoods to go in.

    IDOT, thinking of the future bought up all this land in anticipation of the traffic, but the residents won't allow it, thinking new roads will bring more sprawl.

    I hate to share the bad news but the sprawl has already arrived and is well placed even without the new roads. Not much vacant land left to develop now.

    So I am not sure anymore what they are fighting against. They have met the enemy and its themselves.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on May 15, 2023, 10:44:48 AM
    People still think Lake County is this rural bastion, completely separate from Chicago and its suburbs. In 2023, a significant portion of the county is engulfed in Chicagoland sprawl. There are still some vacant spots, and some spots that see little traffic, but that only applies to the most northern sections.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: 3467 on May 18, 2023, 10:38:47 PM
    Capitol Fax has 2 threads today. The Senate has passed a bill that authorized a PPP for the South Suburban airport. It's under its almost a law. That generated discussion of the Illiana.
    Also a House committee has approved a bill for the Stevenson managed lane Its under Question of the Day with links to the studies.

    This is older but the is no resolution of the Route 53 ROW IDOT  and Mundelein do not want to give up yet.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on May 19, 2023, 01:52:13 AM
    Quote from: 3467 on May 18, 2023, 10:38:47 PM
    Capitol Fax has 2 threads today. The Senate has passed a bill that authorized a PPP for the South Suburban airport. It's under its almost a law. That generated discussion of the Illiana.
    Also a House committee has approved a bill for the Stevenson managed lane Its under Question of the Day with links to the studies.

    This is older but the is no resolution of the Route 53 ROW IDOT  and Mundelein do not want to give up yet.

    I think I said my piece on that FAP ages ago. I was there (hearings etc.) when I-355 was planned and built and Lake County needs it more now than DuPage did in 1987 when it was approved!

    I am just stunned at these municipalities who have allowed subdivisons to be built right up against a future freeway. Where IDOT had to go and buy the parcels directly from the developer to maintain the ROW becuase the city planners refused to protect it.

    Time to come back to earth here. Illinois is messed up politically. If I wasn't born and raised there I guess it wouldnt matter too much.

    IDOT owns a alot of land for the SSA and if they end up turning their backs on it, some connected developer will do quite well by it. But greater Chicago does need an air freight terminal in that spot. Rockford has it covered for FedEx and Amazon in the northern area.

    And while people laughed off the Great Plains Railroad proposal for the SSA due to lack of any funds, if the SSA is built, they *will* need some rail connectivity, just not as much as Great Plains thought it would get. CSX will not forward freight from Chicago to Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. It must be drayed (trucked) unless its a unit train or bulk/hazmat material. And that is where a future Illiana will come to play, air freight forwarding by truck.

    My last bulk order out of the far east took over a month to clear customs at O'Hare due to congestion. It is just not equipped to handle the volume of bulk freight that Asia delivers daily. It only took 2 days for the truck to reach the delivery address once it got out of purgatory.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: roadman65 on May 24, 2023, 02:03:19 PM
    I was going through GSV and noticed this control city for I-355.
    https://goo.gl/maps/atkkXDfWFZ6CeM9X7
    I know that I-290 uses something similar in Chicago, but didn't know about this on I-355.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on May 24, 2023, 02:36:56 PM
    Quote from: roadman65 on May 24, 2023, 02:03:19 PM
    I was going through GSV and noticed this control city for I-355.
    https://goo.gl/maps/atkkXDfWFZ6CeM9X7
    I know that I-290 uses something similar in Chicago, but didn't know about this on I-355.
    Pretty sure it starts at I-88, 355 using Northwest Suburbs
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/rfs5R57nxG1VuNCu8?g_st=ic

    Looking deeper, NW Suburbs is signed as the Entrance control NB starting at 75th St
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/bPFcAS5a95NN5MFX9?g_st=ic

    Why the controls aren't Schaumburg, Downers Grove, and Joliet/New Lenox, I do not have an answer
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on May 24, 2023, 05:11:33 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on May 24, 2023, 02:36:56 PM
    Quote from: roadman65 on May 24, 2023, 02:03:19 PM
    I was going through GSV and noticed this control city for I-355.
    https://goo.gl/maps/atkkXDfWFZ6CeM9X7
    I know that I-290 uses something similar in Chicago, but didn't know about this on I-355.
    Pretty sure it starts at I-88, 355 using Northwest Suburbs
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/rfs5R57nxG1VuNCu8?g_st=ic

    Looking deeper, NW Suburbs is signed as the Entrance control NB starting at 75th St
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/bPFcAS5a95NN5MFX9?g_st=ic

    Why the controls aren't Schaumburg, Downers Grove, and Joliet/New Lenox, I do not have an answer

    Everyone wants to be a control city, so they just do this.

    (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52923601203_6fe1a4774b_c.jpg)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on May 24, 2023, 06:48:34 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on May 24, 2023, 02:36:56 PM
    Quote from: roadman65 on May 24, 2023, 02:03:19 PM
    I was going through GSV and noticed this control city for I-355.
    https://goo.gl/maps/atkkXDfWFZ6CeM9X7
    I know that I-290 uses something similar in Chicago, but didn't know about this on I-355.
    Pretty sure it starts at I-88, 355 using Northwest Suburbs
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/rfs5R57nxG1VuNCu8?g_st=ic

    Looking deeper, NW Suburbs is signed as the Entrance control NB starting at 75th St
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/bPFcAS5a95NN5MFX9?g_st=ic

    Why the controls aren't Schaumburg, Downers Grove, and Joliet/New Lenox, I do not have an answer

    I-355's controls are as follows (I drive it daily):
    NB: Rockford (at I-80 only), West Suburbs, Northwest Suburbs (starting at I-55).
    SB: Joliet, Joliet/St Louis (once at Army Trail Rd), South Suburbs (at Boughton Rd only), Southwest Suburbs (starting at I-55).
    Ironically, you're in the southwest suburbs with the control of "Southwest Suburbs".

    The way it should be, IMHO:
    NB: Bolingbrook, Schaumburg.  Both are at major interchanges and are over 70,000 in population.  DG is much smaller.
    SB: Joliet, New Lenox/Indiana.  From I-55 NB, "Indiana" makes more sense than New Lenox, fitting in with I-294 later on, and the main lanes go east on I-80.  "New Lenox" or "New Lenox/Lockport" makes more sense SB on I-55.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on May 25, 2023, 12:27:23 AM
    I went with DG because of ISTHA HQ right at the 88/355 interchange, but Bolingbrook would be a fine "central"  355 control if IDOT and ISTHA actually wanted to use, idk, actual cities/towns/villages/etc for controls instead of (directional) Suburbs
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on May 25, 2023, 01:40:04 AM
    They should probably just go with Wisconsin and Indiana.  :-D
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on May 25, 2023, 02:42:17 AM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on May 25, 2023, 01:40:04 AM
    They should probably just go with Wisconsin and Indiana.  :-D
    :pan:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on May 25, 2023, 03:39:13 PM
    One of my favorites is Cicero Ave SB to I-294NB, Western Suburbs is the control city
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: roadman65 on May 29, 2023, 07:44:26 PM
    One fix would be to have no control cities at all.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: abefroman329 on May 30, 2023, 03:03:28 PM
    Quote from: JoePCool14 on March 03, 2023, 03:24:11 PMWill be interesting to see how bad backups spill up north and west.
    I drove for Lyft for a few days over the long weekend and got to see for myself.

    It looks like they've adjusted for the fact that they took two lanes away from the inbound Kennedy by making the reversibles inbound at all times.  Learned that the hard way.

    Traffic didn't seem that much worse than any given holiday weekend.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on May 31, 2023, 12:51:20 PM
    Quote from: roadman65 on May 29, 2023, 07:44:26 PM
    One fix would be to have no control cities at all.

    Honestly no control city would be better than some of the idiotic ones found around Chicagoland.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Henry on June 01, 2023, 10:41:52 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on May 31, 2023, 12:51:20 PM
    Quote from: roadman65 on May 29, 2023, 07:44:26 PM
    One fix would be to have no control cities at all.

    Honestly no control city would be better than some of the idiotic ones found around Chicagoland.
    Hey, while I concede that there are better control city choices than the ones currently up, I wouldn't call them idiotic, no matter how much I hate them. However, it's easy to see why certain users on here like to refer to the DOT as "IDiOT".
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on June 02, 2023, 09:46:44 PM
    ^ Given how vague and misleading some of the choices are, not having control cities would be better.  Take the use of "Southwest Suburbs" on I-355:  This one seems more applicable to I-55 (Plainfield and Shorewood) than I-355 (which has a slight bend to the east).

    Even using "To I-80" and "To I-90" would be better than using the current choices.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on June 04, 2023, 08:42:15 PM
    Will County has recently started officially signing the county highways, at least in my part of Will County. There are now signs along Naper-Plainfield Rd (Hwy 14), Weber Rd (Hwy 88), Hassert Blvd (Hwy 66) and Kings Rd/95th St (Hwy 89).

    Is this something the state has told the counties to start doing? Kendall County did their highways last year.

    Some of these should be extended to a more logical end even if the jurisdiction is a municipality. For instance, Hwy 89's designation ends after the bridge over the DuPage River instead of ending at Boughton Rd.
    A number of these could also be consolidated into a single number.
    For instance, Arsenal Rd (Hwy 17), Manhattan-Monee Rd (Hwy 6) and Crete-Monee Rd (Hwy 21) could be one number simply by cosigning with US 52 and Illinois 50. Wisconsin does this with their county highways.

    Here is the Will County Highway Map for reference.
    https://www.willcountyillinois.com/County-Offices/Economic-Development/Division-of-Transportation/Highway-System
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on June 04, 2023, 11:53:10 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on June 04, 2023, 08:42:15 PM
    Will County has recently started officially signing the county highways, at least in my part of Will County. There are now signs along Naper-Plainfield Rd (Hwy 14), Weber Rd (Hwy 88), Hassert Blvd (Hwy 66) and Kings Rd/95th St (Hwy 89).

    Is this something the state has told the counties to start doing? Kendall County did their highways last year.

    Some of these should be extended to a more logical end even if the jurisdiction is a municipality. For instance, Hwy 89's designation ends after the bridge over the DuPage River instead of ending at Boughton Rd.
    A number of these could also be consolidated into a single number.
    For instance, Arsenal Rd (Hwy 17), Manhattan-Monee Rd (Hwy 6) and Crete-Monee Rd (Hwy 21) could be one number simply by cosigning with US 52 and Illinois 50. Wisconsin does this with their county highways.

    Here is the Will County Highway Map for reference.
    https://www.willcountyillinois.com/County-Offices/Economic-Development/Division-of-Transportation/Highway-System

    Will County decided it was finally time to catch up to the other counties in the area.  The sign crew completed the rollout of the pentagons around the second or third week of May.  I have lots of thoughts and stories about Will County highways.  Previous leadership had the tendency to pawn off any section of highway that a municipality wanted to exert their will upon, which I honestly kind of understand.  One recent and poignant example is how Bolingbrook wanted to do whatever they wanted with the intersection of 95th and Alan Deatherage (what a hardcore last name), so the County said "fine you can maintain the road yourself, too, then."  That's why the county highway designation ends at the southeast bridge abutment (over the DuPage River). The county highway system needs more consistent connectivity though, especially for the sake of establishing consistent truck routes. I have a whole proposal on how to revamp the county highway system to enhance connectivity and make things more intuitive, but I am sure the higher-ups will never take it seriously.

    I wonder if there's any other county in Illinois with county highway numbers that go as high as 90.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on June 09, 2023, 02:52:41 PM
    Kendall County has gotten on the Flashing Yellow Arrow train! These two new signals have recently been built just north of I-80 on Ridge Road (Kendall County Highway 11) near Minooka.

    (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52958621654_6f8a92debc_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oFLMaG)
    IL-Y-CKE11SN (https://flic.kr/p/2oFLMaG) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

    (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52957874037_7e40fb6173_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oFGWVK)
    IL-Y-CKE11NN (https://flic.kr/p/2oFGWVK) by Paul Drives (https://www.flickr.com/photos/138603251@N02/), on Flickr

    The Kendall County Highway Department doesn't have a lot of signals to manage in general, with the overwhelming majority of their mileage in rural areas.  Ridge and Orchard are probably the only two roads with signals maintained by them.  Still, this is an impressive development!  Note that this is within IDOT District 3, whose approval is needed for plans like this.  I wonder if more FYAs are happening in other areas around District 3.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on June 09, 2023, 10:33:25 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 09, 2023, 02:52:41 PM
    The Kendall County Highway Department doesn't have a lot of signals to manage in general, with the overwhelming majority of their mileage in rural areas.  Ridge and Orchard are probably the only two roads with signals maintained by them.  Still, this is an impressive development!  Note that this is within IDOT District 3, whose approval is needed for plans like this.  I wonder if more FYAs are happening in other areas around District 3.

    If the signal improvements were done using purely local funds versus state and/or federal funds, IDOT doesn't have much say unless the County flagrantly violates the MUTCD.  Even then the most IDOT can do IIRC is threaten to withhold state and/or federal funding for future projects.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Great Lakes Roads on June 21, 2023, 10:22:06 PM
    https://www.wrex.com/news/illinois-39-il-route-38-interchange-project/article_52f759a8-1086-11ee-8257-a79258af0000.html

    A new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) will be coming to the IL Route 38 interchange on Interstate 39 in Rochelle.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on June 22, 2023, 10:04:50 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 21, 2023, 10:22:06 PM
    https://www.wrex.com/news/illinois-39-il-route-38-interchange-project/article_52f759a8-1086-11ee-8257-a79258af0000.html

    A new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) will be coming to the IL Route 38 interchange on Interstate 39 in Rochelle.

    This surprises me. Route 38 at I-39 is not terribly busy to really warrant a DDI. But ok.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on June 22, 2023, 11:31:31 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on June 22, 2023, 10:04:50 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 21, 2023, 10:22:06 PM
    https://www.wrex.com/news/illinois-39-il-route-38-interchange-project/article_52f759a8-1086-11ee-8257-a79258af0000.html

    A new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) will be coming to the IL Route 38 interchange on Interstate 39 in Rochelle.

    This surprises me. Route 38 at I-39 is not terribly busy to really warrant a DDI. But ok.

    Here's the AADT:
    (https://i.imgur.com/4VXMxKy.png)

    It seems that there's a lot of traffic coming from and heading to the west, which was probably a factor.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: skluth on June 22, 2023, 11:47:48 AM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on June 22, 2023, 11:31:31 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on June 22, 2023, 10:04:50 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 21, 2023, 10:22:06 PM
    https://www.wrex.com/news/illinois-39-il-route-38-interchange-project/article_52f759a8-1086-11ee-8257-a79258af0000.html

    A new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) will be coming to the IL Route 38 interchange on Interstate 39 in Rochelle.

    This surprises me. Route 38 at I-39 is not terribly busy to really warrant a DDI. But ok.

    Here's the AADT:
    (https://i.imgur.com/4VXMxKy.png)

    It seems that there's a lot of traffic coming from and heading to the west, which was probably a factor.

    It's also a lot of truck traffic exiting to use the truck stops near I-39. I've done it several times myself as the nearby rest stop was closed for years; it was a good place for me to fill up being about halfway between St Louis and Green Bay.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on June 22, 2023, 03:42:30 PM
    Interesting
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on June 22, 2023, 03:49:50 PM
    Quote from: skluth on June 22, 2023, 11:47:48 AM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on June 22, 2023, 11:31:31 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on June 22, 2023, 10:04:50 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 21, 2023, 10:22:06 PM
    https://www.wrex.com/news/illinois-39-il-route-38-interchange-project/article_52f759a8-1086-11ee-8257-a79258af0000.html

    A new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) will be coming to the IL Route 38 interchange on Interstate 39 in Rochelle.

    This surprises me. Route 38 at I-39 is not terribly busy to really warrant a DDI. But ok.

    Here's the AADT:
    (https://i.imgur.com/4VXMxKy.png)

    It seems that there's a lot of traffic coming from and heading to the west, which was probably a factor.

    It's also a lot of truck traffic exiting to use the truck stops near I-39. I've done it several times myself as the nearby rest stop was closed for years; it was a good place for me to fill up being about halfway between St Louis and Green Bay.

    Rochelle has a lot of truck traffic due to two things, UP Global 3 is west of town, even though it is reduced in activity right now, and on the SE side of town is a large set of logistics warehouses on the BNSF rail line. The only other exit for Rochelle is on the tollroad @ IL-251 (Old US-51)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on June 22, 2023, 06:02:12 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on June 22, 2023, 03:49:50 PM
    Quote from: skluth on June 22, 2023, 11:47:48 AM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on June 22, 2023, 11:31:31 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on June 22, 2023, 10:04:50 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 21, 2023, 10:22:06 PM
    https://www.wrex.com/news/illinois-39-il-route-38-interchange-project/article_52f759a8-1086-11ee-8257-a79258af0000.html

    A new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) will be coming to the IL Route 38 interchange on Interstate 39 in Rochelle.

    This surprises me. Route 38 at I-39 is not terribly busy to really warrant a DDI. But ok.

    Here's the AADT:
    (https://i.imgur.com/4VXMxKy.png)

    It seems that there's a lot of traffic coming from and heading to the west, which was probably a factor.

    It's also a lot of truck traffic exiting to use the truck stops near I-39. I've done it several times myself as the nearby rest stop was closed for years; it was a good place for me to fill up being about halfway between St Louis and Green Bay.

    Rochelle has a lot of truck traffic due to two things, UP Global 3 is west of town, even though it is reduced in activity right now, and on the SE side of town is a large set of logistics warehouses on the BNSF rail line. The only other exit for Rochelle is on the tollroad @ IL-251 (Old US-51)

    But Route 251 & I-88 is a free interchange. You can get off 39 onto 88 west to 251 and not pay a toll.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on June 22, 2023, 11:36:13 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on June 22, 2023, 06:02:12 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on June 22, 2023, 03:49:50 PM
    Quote from: skluth on June 22, 2023, 11:47:48 AM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on June 22, 2023, 11:31:31 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on June 22, 2023, 10:04:50 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on June 21, 2023, 10:22:06 PM
    https://www.wrex.com/news/illinois-39-il-route-38-interchange-project/article_52f759a8-1086-11ee-8257-a79258af0000.html

    A new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) will be coming to the IL Route 38 interchange on Interstate 39 in Rochelle.

    This surprises me. Route 38 at I-39 is not terribly busy to really warrant a DDI. But ok.

    Here's the AADT:
    (https://i.imgur.com/4VXMxKy.png)

    It seems that there's a lot of traffic coming from and heading to the west, which was probably a factor.

    It's also a lot of truck traffic exiting to use the truck stops near I-39. I've done it several times myself as the nearby rest stop was closed for years; it was a good place for me to fill up being about halfway between St Louis and Green Bay.

    Rochelle has a lot of truck traffic due to two things, UP Global 3 is west of town, even though it is reduced in activity right now, and on the SE side of town is a large set of logistics warehouses on the BNSF rail line. The only other exit for Rochelle is on the tollroad @ IL-251 (Old US-51)

    But Route 251 & I-88 is a free interchange. You can get off 39 onto 88 west to 251 and not pay a toll.

    I know, but if your company route manager in your rig is set up for "no tolls" it will skip the free exit thinking its a tollroad.

    I once asked a ship captain why he routed his cruise ship a certain way and his response was, "the ship goes the way my company wants it to go".
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on June 24, 2023, 10:28:03 AM
    The news reported today that now that Illinois gas taxes are tied to the US COLA calculation, they are going up 3 cents a gallon on July 1.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on June 26, 2023, 06:21:04 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on June 24, 2023, 10:28:03 AM
    The news reported today that now that Illinois gas taxes are tied to the US COLA calculation, they are going up 3 cents a gallon on July 1.

    And in other news, truckers continue to fill up in Indiana and keep going till Wisconsin, Iowa, or Missouri.  When you have a narrow state that's easily crossed in under a tank of fuel...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on June 26, 2023, 10:40:45 AM
    Quote from: Brandon on June 26, 2023, 06:21:04 AM
    And in other news, truckers continue to fill up in Indiana and keep going till Wisconsin, Iowa, or Missouri.  When you have a narrow state that's easily crossed in under a tank of fuel...

    I got a ride from a man in a pickup while hitchhiking from Mount Vernon to Chicago one time.  He had come up from Kentucky and was taking I-57 and then I-94 into Indiana–that is, the long way across Illinois.  He told me that his goal whenever he does that trip is to not fill up at all between Kentucky and Indiana.  That's a minimum of 356 miles between gas stations.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: NWI_Irish96 on June 26, 2023, 11:26:22 AM
    Quote from: Brandon on June 26, 2023, 06:21:04 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on June 24, 2023, 10:28:03 AM
    The news reported today that now that Illinois gas taxes are tied to the US COLA calculation, they are going up 3 cents a gallon on July 1.

    And in other news, truckers continue to fill up in Indiana and keep going till Wisconsin, Iowa, or Missouri.  When you have a narrow state that's easily crossed in under a tank of fuel...

    Indiana's gas taxes have gone up quite a bit in recent years. Still cheaper than Illinois but not nearly as drastic a difference as it used to be.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on June 26, 2023, 04:46:09 PM
    You can either complain about the broken roads, or you can complain about the gas taxes used to pay for fixing them, but not both.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on June 27, 2023, 12:20:14 AM
    Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on June 26, 2023, 11:26:22 AM
    Indiana's gas taxes have gone up quite a bit in recent years. Still cheaper than Illinois but not nearly as drastic a difference as it used to be.
    Recent trips towards Evansville and beyond along I-64, gas is usually cheaper at the IL 1/Grayville exit than in Mt Vernon or Evansville IN. Once deeper into Indiana the fuel prices usually settle in lower than typical IL prices

    Effingham, IL typically has competitive gas prices with Terre Haute, IN and beyond as well for I-70 travelers

    That said, Missouri's and Kentucky's gas taxes are noticeably lower
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Plutonic Panda on June 27, 2023, 02:09:28 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 26, 2023, 04:46:09 PM
    You can either complain about the broken roads, or you can complain about the gas taxes used to pay for fixing them, but not both.
    Yep!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on June 27, 2023, 06:07:19 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 26, 2023, 04:46:09 PM
    You can either complain about the broken roads, or you can complain about the gas taxes used to pay for fixing them, but not both.

    However, that said, if the taxes are too high, making the price too high, that's lost revenue when people either skip the state for fuel or cross the border to fuel.  Having been to gas stations in Davenport and St Louis, it's stunning to note the very high percentage of Illinois plates fueling up there.  There's a balance to taxation that this state has not ever seemed to understand.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on June 27, 2023, 06:51:42 AM
    Quote from: Brandon on June 27, 2023, 06:07:19 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on June 26, 2023, 04:46:09 PM
    You can either complain about the broken roads, or you can complain about the gas taxes used to pay for fixing them, but not both.

    However, that said, if the taxes are too high, making the price too high, that's lost revenue when people either skip the state for fuel or cross the border to fuel.  Having been to gas stations in Davenport and St Louis, it's stunning to note the very high percentage of Illinois plates fueling up there.  There's a balance to taxation that this state has not ever seemed to understand.
    Yeah, I don't think people skipping Illinois just for gas prices is a major issue.  Borman slows everyone down, burning up more gas and causing people to stop.

    It's a conspiracy.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on June 27, 2023, 11:01:04 AM
    Quote from: Rothman on June 27, 2023, 06:51:42 AM
    I don't think people skipping Illinois just for gas prices is a major issue.

    I don't either.
    Does it happen?  Yes.
    Enough people that the state should worry about losing revenue?  No.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on June 27, 2023, 12:38:34 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on June 27, 2023, 11:01:04 AM
    Quote from: Rothman on June 27, 2023, 06:51:42 AM
    I don't think people skipping Illinois just for gas prices is a major issue.

    I don't either.
    Does it happen?  Yes.
    Enough people that the state should worry about losing revenue?  No.
    The truck stops in Marion do OK, and a couple are pretty new, and not that far away from Indiana, Missouri, or Kentucky
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on June 27, 2023, 12:53:32 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on June 27, 2023, 12:38:34 PM
    The truck stops in Marion do OK, and a couple are pretty new, and not that far away from Indiana, Missouri, or Kentucky

    The Huck's truck stop (now Pilot) in Marion and the Huck's truck stop in Mount Vernon used to be regular customers of mine, and yes, they seem to do quite nicely.  Effingham also, from what I've seen.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: skluth on June 27, 2023, 03:16:38 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on June 27, 2023, 12:53:32 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on June 27, 2023, 12:38:34 PM
    The truck stops in Marion do OK, and a couple are pretty new, and not that far away from Indiana, Missouri, or Kentucky

    The Huck's truck stop (now Pilot) in Marion and the Huck's truck stop in Mount Vernon used to be regular customers of mine, and yes, they seem to do quite nicely.  Effingham also, from what I've seen.

    There are a couple truck stops in Troy IL at the I-55/IL 162 interchange (https://www.google.com/maps/@38.7328801,-89.9091925,712m/data=!3m1!1e3?authuser=0&entry=ttu) just across the border from St Louis. They're always busy and most drivers are either coming from or going to Missouri which has significantly lower gas taxes. There's been at least one truck stop there since the mid-70s because I remember using one where the TA Travel Center now is as the first stop on my way from Madison WI to California in Dec 1975
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on June 27, 2023, 03:21:33 PM
    When you're using a fleet card, it doesn't matter a whole lot to you what the price of Diesel is...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Great Lakes Roads on July 08, 2023, 01:11:30 PM
    https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs/myp/fact-sheets.html?fbclid=IwAR3mOV9umOXa3d9R96VJK7qE3_fEaUYDY0nbzg0-lv1Ip9oPv2OgQNdEuRI

    A lot of overdue road projects are coming to Illinois within the next six years...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on July 08, 2023, 10:29:26 PM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on July 08, 2023, 01:11:30 PM
    https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs/myp/fact-sheets.html?fbclid=IwAR3mOV9umOXa3d9R96VJK7qE3_fEaUYDY0nbzg0-lv1Ip9oPv2OgQNdEuRI

    A lot of overdue road projects are coming to Illinois within the next six years...

    Happy to see they're finally redoing the US 45/52 interchange in Kankakee. I always had the thought of "wow, this really isn't that much distance at all to slow down or speed up to and from highway speeds!" whenever going through there.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on July 10, 2023, 03:21:29 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on July 08, 2023, 10:29:26 PM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on July 08, 2023, 01:11:30 PM
    https://idot.illinois.gov/transportation-system/transportation-management/transportation-improvement-programs/myp/fact-sheets.html?fbclid=IwAR3mOV9umOXa3d9R96VJK7qE3_fEaUYDY0nbzg0-lv1Ip9oPv2OgQNdEuRI

    A lot of overdue road projects are coming to Illinois within the next six years...

    Happy to see they're finally redoing the US 45/52 interchange in Kankakee. I always had the thought of "wow, this really isn't that much distance at all to slow down or speed up to and from highway speeds!" whenever going through there.

    I always thought the IL-17 interchange was more egregious, but it's nice that the US45/52 interchange is getting a rework as well.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: US20IL64 on July 10, 2023, 10:45:10 PM
    I drove on the I-80 Des Plaines river bridge in Joliet on 4th of July. Looks more like it was built in 1865, not 1965, imagine horses used it. :-o
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on July 10, 2023, 11:15:07 PM
    Going through the big listing (https://idot.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idot/documents/transportation-system/reports/opp/hip/2024%20Multimodal%20Highway%20Projects.pdf (https://idot.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idot/documents/transportation-system/reports/opp/hip/2024%20Multimodal%20Highway%20Projects.pdf))

    * The top of Page 17/993 has an entry for "P.E. (Feasibility Study)" for I-90/I-94 from Ohio Street to 31st Street in Chicago

    * The top of Page 309/993 has Preliminary Engineering for a new US 20 Mississippi River Bridge.

    * The bottom of Page 499/993 mentions a new interchange for IL 6 at a 'proposed Pioneers Parkway extension'.

    * The top of Page 550/993 has P.E. 1 and 2 for I-74 from Prospect Avenue to University Avenue in Champaign and Urbana.

    * The bottom of Page 843/993 lists P.E. (Phase 1) for 'Illinois Avenue/MLK Bridge in East St. Louis' and also mentions "bridge reconstruction" with Missouri and Illinois sharing costs.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on July 11, 2023, 12:04:28 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on July 10, 2023, 11:15:07 PM
    Going through the big listing (https://idot.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idot/documents/transportation-system/reports/opp/hip/2024%20Multimodal%20Highway%20Projects.pdf (https://idot.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idot/documents/transportation-system/reports/opp/hip/2024%20Multimodal%20Highway%20Projects.pdf))

    * The top of Page 17/993 has an entry for "P.E. (Feasibility Study)" for I-90/I-94 from Ohio Street to 31st Street in Chicago

    * The top of Page 309/993 has Preliminary Engineering for a new US 20 Mississippi River Bridge.

    * The bottom of Page 499/993 mentions a new interchange for IL 6 at a 'proposed Pioneers Parkway extension'.

    * The top of Page 550/993 has P.E. 1 and 2 for I-74 from Prospect Avenue to University Avenue in Champaign and Urbana.

    * The bottom of Page 843/993 lists P.E. (Phase 1) for 'Illinois Avenue/MLK Bridge in East St. Louis' and also mentions "bridge reconstruction" with Missouri and Illinois sharing costs.

    As for the "new US 20 Mississippi River Bridge" per the Iowa DOT it refers to this project.

    Due to congestion on the bridge, the Iowa DOT has developed preliminary plans to build a parallel, two-lane bridge directly to the south of the Julien Dubuque Bridge. Some federal funding has been secured and right of way has been acquired. Construction is contingent upon additional federal funding being received.

    The "congestion on the bridge" is due to the fact that the City of Dubuque demands that a traffic light remain at Locust Street where the bridge lands on the Iowa side. Get rid of the light and you get rid of the congestion.

    As for the current Julien Dubuque, it was built in 1943 and is a no shoulder 2 lane affair with substandard vertical clearances in places. It is in great shape and had a major rehab done in 1992. The only issue is a constant scour problem on one of the piers. So what it really comes down to is Iowa DOT and IDOT going to build a "wider" twin using the same steel arch or go for the budget affair with a reinforced concrete span?

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: skluth on July 11, 2023, 11:43:57 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on July 11, 2023, 12:04:28 AM
    The "congestion on the bridge" is due to the fact that the City of Dubuque demands that a traffic light remain at Locust Street where the bridge lands on the Iowa side. Get rid of the light and you get rid of the congestion.

    As for the current Julien Dubuque, it was built in 1943 and is a no shoulder 2 lane affair with substandard vertical clearances in places. It is in great shape and had a major rehab done in 1992. The only issue is a constant scour problem on one of the piers. So what it really comes down to is Iowa DOT and IDOT going to build a "wider" twin using the same steel arch or go for the budget affair with a reinforced concrete span?

    There's enough space at Locust St to put in a beautiful, multilane roundabout.  :sombrero:

    Seriously, I do hope a new bridge will be wide enough to have a better crossing for bikes and pedestrians than the current narrow sidewalk glommed onto the side.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on July 11, 2023, 12:38:19 PM
    Quote from: skluth on July 11, 2023, 11:43:57 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on July 11, 2023, 12:04:28 AM
    The "congestion on the bridge" is due to the fact that the City of Dubuque demands that a traffic light remain at Locust Street where the bridge lands on the Iowa side. Get rid of the light and you get rid of the congestion.

    As for the current Julien Dubuque, it was built in 1943 and is a no shoulder 2 lane affair with substandard vertical clearances in places. It is in great shape and had a major rehab done in 1992. The only issue is a constant scour problem on one of the piers. So what it really comes down to is Iowa DOT and IDOT going to build a "wider" twin using the same steel arch or go for the budget affair with a reinforced concrete span?

    There's enough space at Locust St to put in a beautiful, multilane roundabout.  :sombrero:

    Seriously, I do hope a new bridge will be wide enough to have a better crossing for bikes and pedestrians than the current narrow sidewalk glommed onto the side.
    I know this is pie in the sky but I would hope a new bridge would be built to Interstate standards for any future freeway that may come to the area. I think having a roundabout at Locust St is not a bad idea in the meantime.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on July 11, 2023, 06:51:47 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on July 11, 2023, 12:38:19 PM
    Quote from: skluth on July 11, 2023, 11:43:57 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on July 11, 2023, 12:04:28 AM
    The "congestion on the bridge" is due to the fact that the City of Dubuque demands that a traffic light remain at Locust Street where the bridge lands on the Iowa side. Get rid of the light and you get rid of the congestion.

    As for the current Julien Dubuque, it was built in 1943 and is a no shoulder 2 lane affair with substandard vertical clearances in places. It is in great shape and had a major rehab done in 1992. The only issue is a constant scour problem on one of the piers. So what it really comes down to is Iowa DOT and IDOT going to build a "wider" twin using the same steel arch or go for the budget affair with a reinforced concrete span?

    There's enough space at Locust St to put in a beautiful, multilane roundabout.  :sombrero:

    Seriously, I do hope a new bridge will be wide enough to have a better crossing for bikes and pedestrians than the current narrow sidewalk glommed onto the side.
    I know this is pie in the sky but I would hope a new bridge would be built to Interstate standards for any future freeway that may come to the area. I think having a roundabout at Locust St is not a bad idea in the meantime.

    Ages ago the original plan was to take US 20 south of town along the "Peosta Line" as a bypass to the south and cross the Mississippi and join the (then) planned US-20 Freeway by IDOT.

    But what we have is a town that wants all the benefits of a freeway, but none of the drawbacks by allowing driveways and business access along its route into the city. I know why the light exists at Locust, it is for drivers on US-61 to be able to enter-exit US-20 and the bridge. Technically US-20 should be elevated and have ramps here.

    As for that planned bypass, again the city wanted it both ways.  Too far out and people would simply pass the city by, too close and it would be expensive to acquire land and the NIMBYism would be high.  Today that road is US-52.  It doesn't connect with US-52
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on July 14, 2023, 07:04:45 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on July 11, 2023, 12:04:28 AM
    As for the "new US 20 Mississippi River Bridge" per the Iowa DOT it refers to this project.

    Due to congestion on the bridge, the Iowa DOT has developed preliminary plans to build a parallel, two-lane bridge directly to the south of the Julien Dubuque Bridge. Some federal funding has been secured and right of way has been acquired. Construction is contingent upon additional federal funding being received.

    The "congestion on the bridge" is due to the fact that the City of Dubuque demands that a traffic light remain at Locust Street where the bridge lands on the Iowa side. Get rid of the light and you get rid of the congestion.

    Not happening. you cut off access to downtown and north of that - including 151 north into Wisconsin - not to mention businesses lining Locust.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: triplemultiplex on July 14, 2023, 09:36:17 AM
    I think they mean turn it into an interchange, not just close it off.
    One could feasibly get a single point interchange there without much additional r/w. 
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: I-39 on July 15, 2023, 01:43:28 PM
    Have they started any widening on IL-47 between Sugar Grove and Yorkville?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on July 16, 2023, 09:46:17 PM
    Quote from: I-39 on July 15, 2023, 01:43:28 PM
    Have they started any widening on IL-47 between Sugar Grove and Yorkville?
    No, the design plans are in preparation and right of way is being bought. The new IDOT FY 2024-29 Multi Year Program shows construction in the FY 2025-29 years in both the District 1 and District 3 portions, which means construction is at least a year in the future. For what it's worth, the section of IL 47 south of Yorkville from IL 71 to Caton Farm Road is in the same level of development.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on July 16, 2023, 10:47:26 PM
    Quote from: triplemultiplex on July 14, 2023, 09:36:17 AM
    I think they mean turn it into an interchange, not just close it off.
    One could feasibly get a single point interchange there without much additional r/w. 
    There's no point - west of there too much business exists within potential r/w of Dodge St to allow any type of interchange so a freeway solution between the SW Arterial and the semi-limited access portion east of Grandview Ave cannot be converted. The Dodge/Locust intersection connects several businesses south of it to allow a freeway, and bluffs line the opposite side, which cannot be cut without the risk of houses dropping on the road from above. East Dubuque is too compact to allow any four-lane expansion. (They just gave that part a road diet)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on July 28, 2023, 10:50:46 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on July 16, 2023, 10:47:26 PM
    Quote from: triplemultiplex on July 14, 2023, 09:36:17 AM
    I think they mean turn it into an interchange, not just close it off.
    One could feasibly get a single point interchange there without much additional r/w. 
    There's no point - west of there too much business exists within potential r/w of Dodge St to allow any type of interchange so a freeway solution between the SW Arterial and the semi-limited access portion east of Grandview Ave cannot be converted.

    Difficult and costly to convert in Iowa - yes.  Impossible - I'm going with "no" given some of the narrow ROW freeways elsewhere using one-way frontage roads.
    [/quote]
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on July 29, 2023, 03:34:45 PM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on July 28, 2023, 10:50:46 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on July 16, 2023, 10:47:26 PM
    Quote from: triplemultiplex on July 14, 2023, 09:36:17 AM
    I think they mean turn it into an interchange, not just close it off.
    One could feasibly get a single point interchange there without much additional r/w. 
    There's no point - west of there too much business exists within potential r/w of Dodge St to allow any type of interchange so a freeway solution between the SW Arterial and the semi-limited access portion east of Grandview Ave cannot be converted.

    Difficult and costly to convert in Iowa - yes.  Impossible - I'm going with "no" given some of the narrow ROW freeways elsewhere using one-way frontage roads.
    The businesses have parking lots - including car dealership lots right up to the road with only ravines separating. You have to claim eminent domain in order to put in frontage roads - and in areas put medians in the road itself while maintaining shoulders.  You also have too many intersections within close proximity to each other and lots of hills. the only way to do a freeway for 20 is to relocate it - which will draw a ton of opposition from businesses lining it.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on July 29, 2023, 03:48:56 PM
    ^ So, then, he was correct. Difficult and costly, yes. But it's not engineeringly impossible. It's just not easy and would be costly.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: triplemultiplex on August 04, 2023, 10:54:43 AM
    I've posted this before in fictional, but in my mind US 20 in Dubuque is not that impossible at all:
    (https://triplemultiplex.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/final-east.jpg)
    and
    (https://triplemultiplex.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/final-west.jpg)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: The Ghostbuster on August 04, 2023, 12:02:07 PM
    Would your "fictional" upgrade include expanding the Julien Dubuque Bridge to four lanes?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on August 04, 2023, 04:15:48 PM
    Why is this in Illinois notes^^^
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on August 04, 2023, 10:14:33 PM
    No.  This is eating parking lot from almost every business and kills University Ave along 20 which hosts many businesses which will be pissed off due to the loss of access.  Also what Paul said.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on August 06, 2023, 08:22:31 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on August 04, 2023, 10:14:33 PM
    No.  This is eating parking lot from almost every business and kills University Ave along 20 which hosts many businesses which will be pissed off due to the loss of access.  Also what Paul said.
    How is University Ave access "killed" ? The one-way 2 lane frontage roads and on/off ramps would provide adequate high-capacity access.

    This looks like a reasonable proposal, IMO. It is certainly reasonable and is not as crazy as it is being made out to be.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on August 06, 2023, 10:26:09 PM
    The Iowa DOT is looking at adding frontages roads for part of US 20, see https://www.news.iowadot.gov/pim/2022/09/proposed-improvements-for-us-20-nw-arterial-in-dubuque-county.html (https://www.news.iowadot.gov/pim/2022/09/proposed-improvements-for-us-20-nw-arterial-in-dubuque-county.html).
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on August 06, 2023, 10:31:12 PM
    Quote from: triplemultiplex on August 04, 2023, 10:54:43 AM
    I've posted this before in fictional, but in my mind US 20 in Dubuque is not that impossible at all:
    (https://triplemultiplex.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/final-east.jpg)
    and
    (https://triplemultiplex.files.wordpress.com/2023/01/final-west.jpg)

    Shouldn't this be in an Iowa thread, being Iowa, even if it should be confined to fictional?

    Regardless, it would be impossible due to the money required for the eminent domain next to US-20, which Iowa likely doesn't have. It is very clearly an urban arterial, right down to the sidewalks.

    You'd be better off building a couple ramps and sending US-20 on the Southwest Arterial with US-52, if a freeway extension is even worth it. Your plans have not addressed the two lane section of the Julien Dubuque Bridge, the road-dieted 2-lane section in East Dubuque, or the fact that there's an existing signalized intersection at Locust Street you seemed to have forgotten about, which are the biggest issues. You'd cause more traffic at these points, making everything moot.

    You'd actually hit less lights as well if you instead made US-20 make a hard left on Locust and follow US-61 to the Southwest Arterial, and go through the less urbanized area of Key West instead of its current alignment. Would be significantly more cost effective as well.

    Quote from: Revive 755 on August 06, 2023, 10:26:09 PM
    The Iowa DOT is looking at adding frontages roads for part of US 20, see https://www.news.iowadot.gov/pim/2022/09/proposed-improvements-for-us-20-nw-arterial-in-dubuque-county.html (https://www.news.iowadot.gov/pim/2022/09/proposed-improvements-for-us-20-nw-arterial-in-dubuque-county.html).

    This is still the Illinois board.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: triplemultiplex on August 07, 2023, 10:55:11 AM
    Quote from: The Ghostbuster on August 04, 2023, 12:02:07 PM
    Would your "fictional" upgrade include expanding the Julien Dubuque Bridge to four lanes?

    https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3618.msg2809281#msg2809281 (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=3618.msg2809281#msg2809281)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: 3467 on August 07, 2023, 11:31:49 AM
    Even though it's still on the featured projects list I was told it's over.
    They 3 laned a section in East Dubuque and will finish the 3 lane section to Stockton. It's will be very close to an alternating 3 lane from Stockton to Galena. . So I bet it will be similar in design to Beardstown which is 2 12 foot lanes and 2 10 foot shoulders. If course that's 4 11 foot lanes ...anyway just a guess.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on August 07, 2023, 10:16:51 PM
    Of all the roads to fear in the state of Illinois, I must admit this one never came to mind. It's part of my route to my daughter's house. I think the Latin name for this phobia is "vīgintīquattuorphobia."


    https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/illinois-highway-named-most-feared-in-the-state-survey/
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on August 08, 2023, 08:14:59 PM
    Quote from: Rick Powell on August 07, 2023, 10:16:51 PM
    Of all the roads to fear in the state of Illinois, I must admit this one never came to mind. It's part of my route to my daughter's house. I think the Latin name for this phobia is "vīgintīquattuorphobia."


    https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/illinois-highway-named-most-feared-in-the-state-survey/

    I would've figured the Ryan or the Kennedy, or even the Ike or Edens.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: 3467 on August 09, 2023, 10:56:34 AM
    I can think of part of US20. The part being made 3 lane US 67 North on Monmouth which IS being completely rebuilt.
    24 is getting 4 lanes to the Canton turn to replace the 336 corridor. It's going to be getting shoulders and a dangerous intersection near MT. Sterling has been replaced .
    East of Peoria it looks like all the other straight roads in eastern Illinois.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on August 10, 2023, 10:50:40 AM
    Quote from: Rick Powell on August 07, 2023, 10:16:51 PM
    Of all the roads to fear in the state of Illinois, I must admit this one never came to mind. It's part of my route to my daughter's house. I think the Latin name for this phobia is "vīgintīquattuorphobia."


    https://www.mystateline.com/news/local-news/illinois-highway-named-most-feared-in-the-state-survey/

    I only fear it because of potholes while storm chasing lol
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hot Rod Hootenanny on August 15, 2023, 11:15:54 PM
    Since I'm spending the night in Decatur, Illinois. What is Route 6W in DT Decatur?
    https://goo.gl/maps/DPdj6uPZ2ACRMGQC7
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on August 16, 2023, 12:39:04 AM
    Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on August 15, 2023, 11:15:54 PM
    Since I'm spending the night in Decatur, Illinois. What is Route 6W in DT Decatur?
    https://goo.gl/maps/DPdj6uPZ2ACRMGQC7

    A route for "6 Wheels".

    https://www.wandtv.com/news/decaturs-route-6w-a-success-so-far/article_92fe5acb-a952-5e36-adfa-d94a49733cc8.html
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: 74/171FAN on August 16, 2023, 06:54:23 AM
    Quote from: Rick Powell on August 16, 2023, 12:39:04 AM
    Quote from: Hot Rod Hootenanny on August 15, 2023, 11:15:54 PM
    Since I'm spending the night in Decatur, Illinois. What is Route 6W in DT Decatur?
    https://goo.gl/maps/DPdj6uPZ2ACRMGQC7

    A route for "6 Wheels".

    https://www.wandtv.com/news/decaturs-route-6w-a-success-so-far/article_92fe5acb-a952-5e36-adfa-d94a49733cc8.html

    I guess this route will have lore similar to Charlotte Route 4.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on August 21, 2023, 12:28:04 PM
    Are you from Illinois? Are you missing clinches on a route numbered 28, 63, 77, 79, or 86, because Illinois has no state highways with any of those numbers? Then come on down to Will County, Illinois, where county highways with those numbers are now signed!

    https://willcounty.gov/County-Offices/Economic-Development/Division-of-Transportation/Highway-System
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on September 01, 2023, 08:07:37 AM
    Good for them (and you, right? Don't you work for the county?). Nice to see another county around here take signing their roads more seriously.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: peterj920 on October 24, 2023, 12:55:18 AM
    Illinois is looking to switch the IPass from transponders to stickers. I hope not! I've rented several cars and it's always convenient to move my transponder to my rental car and have done it a lot out east. The sticker wouldn't allow me to do that. Article below:

    https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20231023/stickers-not-transponders-for-tolls-tollway-could-shift-gears-next-year
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on October 24, 2023, 09:53:15 AM
    I'm already to the point that, if I do end up needing to drive back to Chicagoland for whatever reason, I've decided to simply avoid all the toll roads completely.  Unless I-PASS becomes interoperable with PIKEPASS, it's just not worth the hassle to me.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: peterj920 on October 24, 2023, 10:06:16 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on October 24, 2023, 09:53:15 AM
    I'm already to the point that, if I do end up needing to drive back to Chicagoland for whatever reason, I've decided to simply avoid all the toll roads completely.  Unless I-PASS becomes interoperable with PIKEPASS, it's just not worth the hassle to me.

    The IPass is interoperable with EZ pass and all states east of the Mississippi. I've used it in multiple states and brought it with me to rental cars in other eastern states. That's why the transponder is so convenient.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on October 24, 2023, 09:22:27 PM
    I would just apply the sticker to a clear plastic laminate with the same suction cups the transponders have, take the sticker with me anywhere I go by attaching it to the windshield.

    Seems easy to me.

    In fact to keep it from getting scratched, place it between 2 plastic laminates with one of them having the suction cups. It's an RF tag, so as long as the radio emission can pass through it, you should be good.

    Sounds like an Amazon opportunity to me selling the laminate gizmos to hold the sticker in place.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: peterj920 on October 24, 2023, 10:36:58 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on October 24, 2023, 09:22:27 PM
    I would just apply the sticker to a clear plastic laminate with the same suction cups the transponders have, take the sticker with me anywhere I go by attaching it to the windshield.

    Seems easy to me.

    In fact to keep it from getting scratched, place it between 2 plastic laminates with one of them having the suction cups. It's an RF tag, so as long as the radio emission can pass through it, you should be good.

    Sounds like an Amazon opportunity to me selling the laminate gizmos to hold the sticker in place.

    I think the stickers have to be registered to each car. With my IPass I go to my account to temporarily add rental cars. If the stickers don't have to be registered to a vehicle genius idea!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on October 25, 2023, 09:34:49 AM
    Quote from: peterj920 on October 24, 2023, 12:55:18 AM
    Illinois is looking to switch the IPass from transponders to stickers. I hope not! I've rented several cars and it's always convenient to move my transponder to my rental car and have done it a lot out east. The sticker wouldn't allow me to do that. Article below:

    https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20231023/stickers-not-transponders-for-tolls-tollway-could-shift-gears-next-year

    Interesting to see a local newspaper from my neck of the woods make it into a post here!

    In any case, stickers do seem a lot cheaper, but I am wondering if their limited durability may cause issues. I heard at a traffic engineering conference recently that ISTHA is looking to essentially use license plate readers in favor of transponder detection.  I don't think the sticker will have any special technology baked in; the cameras will just log a snapshot of your license plate and check it against the database of paid customers.  That's pretty much how they're already taking note of missed tolls anyway.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on October 25, 2023, 09:43:26 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 25, 2023, 09:34:49 AM
    I don't think the sticker will have any special technology baked in; the cameras will just log a snapshot of your license plate and check it against the database of paid customers.

    You mean, no RFID chips?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on October 25, 2023, 10:13:26 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on October 25, 2023, 09:43:26 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 25, 2023, 09:34:49 AM
    I don't think the sticker will have any special technology baked in; the cameras will just log a snapshot of your license plate and check it against the database of paid customers.

    You mean, no RFID chips?

    I'm not sure if that's the direction they're going, but I heard that they may not even need those at a certain point.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on October 25, 2023, 06:07:34 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on October 25, 2023, 09:34:49 AM
    Quote from: peterj920 on October 24, 2023, 12:55:18 AM
    Illinois is looking to switch the IPass from transponders to stickers. I hope not! I've rented several cars and it's always convenient to move my transponder to my rental car and have done it a lot out east. The sticker wouldn't allow me to do that. Article below:

    https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20231023/stickers-not-transponders-for-tolls-tollway-could-shift-gears-next-year

    Interesting to see a local newspaper from my neck of the woods make it into a post here!

    In any case, stickers do seem a lot cheaper, but I am wondering if their limited durability may cause issues. I heard at a traffic engineering conference recently that ISTHA is looking to essentially use license plate readers in favor of transponder detection.  I don't think the sticker will have any special technology baked in; the cameras will just log a snapshot of your license plate and check it against the database of paid customers.  That's pretty much how they're already taking note of missed tolls anyway.

    There was an article (can't find at the moment) about how ISTHA and the Illinois AG have a backlog of unpaid tolls due to stolen plates.

    Leading state? For reasons unknown, its Pennsylvania.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on October 25, 2023, 06:11:29 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on October 25, 2023, 06:07:34 PM
    There was an article (can't find at the moment) about how ISTHA and the Illinois AG have a backlog of unpaid tolls due to stolen plates.

    Leading state? For reasons unknown, its Pennsylvania.

    My name is Bond. James Bond.

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jbMWr-gkLFc?feature=share
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JoePCool14 on October 27, 2023, 09:56:17 PM
    Quote from: peterj920 on October 24, 2023, 10:36:58 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on October 24, 2023, 09:22:27 PM
    I would just apply the sticker to a clear plastic laminate with the same suction cups the transponders have, take the sticker with me anywhere I go by attaching it to the windshield.

    Seems easy to me.

    In fact to keep it from getting scratched, place it between 2 plastic laminates with one of them having the suction cups. It's an RF tag, so as long as the radio emission can pass through it, you should be good.

    Sounds like an Amazon opportunity to me selling the laminate gizmos to hold the sticker in place.

    I think the stickers have to be registered to each car. With my IPass I go to my account to temporarily add rental cars. If the stickers don't have to be registered to a vehicle genius idea!

    This is probably the best that we can hope for. I'd love to see a switch to stickers, if this is still possible. If not... oh well, it's inevitable.

    If only there was some sort of interoperable item or tokens that would work on any toll road in the country without the use of special technology installed in every vehicle though. I wonder.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on October 30, 2023, 01:11:40 PM
    If every toll system in the nation switched to pay-by-plate and then did a lookup for in-system account holders, then there would no longer be any need for transponders, stickers, or any other such token.  Right?

    (and I would hate it)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on October 31, 2023, 03:07:54 PM
    I'm thinking that the toll authorities would like to sell at least some piece of collateral that is associated with one particular vehicle, either because it will help the toll authorities identify which vehicle is passing through the toll booth, or just because it's another thing they can charge people for.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on November 01, 2023, 09:09:04 AM
    I-57 will be closed in southern Illinois for a period of time.

    https://www.kfvs12.com/2023/10/30/idot-announces-i-57-lane-closures-williamson-co-due-bridge-demolition/ (https://www.kfvs12.com/2023/10/30/idot-announces-i-57-lane-closures-williamson-co-due-bridge-demolition/)

    WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (KFVS) - On Monday, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced upcoming lane closures on Interstate 57 due to bridge demolition operations.

    According to a release from IDOT, the closures will take place starting at 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 5 through 7 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 6. Both directions of I-57 will be closed to all traffic between Exit 45 and Exit 54.

    The closures are due to demolition operations on the bridge carrying Grassy Road over I-57, just south of Marion in Williamson County.

    IDOT says the northbound on-ramps at Old Illinois 13 and Illinois 13 will remain open. A marked detour will be in place to direct northbound and southbound traffic around the work zone between Exit 45 and Exit 54.

    The detour will utilize Illinois 13 and Illinois 148 in both directions.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on November 01, 2023, 10:41:07 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on November 01, 2023, 09:09:04 AM
    The detour will utilize Illinois 13 and Illinois 148 in both directions.

    Also known as the "gravel truck weigh station detour"...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on November 01, 2023, 11:17:23 AM
    A very short period of time.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on November 01, 2023, 11:22:06 AM
    Quote from: Rothman on November 01, 2023, 11:17:23 AM
    A very short period of time.

    What is "while"?

    I'll take 5-LETTER WORDS for $400, please, Alex.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on November 01, 2023, 12:07:28 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2023, 11:22:06 AM
    Quote from: Rothman on November 01, 2023, 11:17:23 AM
    A very short period of time.

    What is "while"?

    I'll take 5-LETTER WORDS for $400, please, Alex.
    ...or just the night of November 5th...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on November 01, 2023, 01:48:26 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2023, 10:41:07 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on November 01, 2023, 09:09:04 AM
    The detour will utilize Illinois 13 and Illinois 148 in both directions.
    Also known as the "gravel truck weigh station detour"...
    :D

    I'd say Coal Truck over Gravel Truck, but the quarry in Vienna probably has more gravel, and the active mines that I know of are closer to rivers than the 57 corridor

    I'm curious if IDOT will also replace the 148 bridge. These bridge replacements are part of the prep work to 6-lane the section between Marion and the 57/24 split


    I-57 had an overnight closure earlier this year to demolish the old Westminster Dr bridge over the interstate; the new overpass is coming along nicely. It might even be done - I don't drive over to the that segment of 57 all that often
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on November 01, 2023, 03:02:01 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on November 01, 2023, 01:48:26 PM

    Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2023, 10:41:07 AM

    Quote from: edwaleni on November 01, 2023, 09:09:04 AM
    The detour will utilize Illinois 13 and Illinois 148 in both directions.

    Also known as the "gravel truck weigh station detour"...

    :D

    I'd say Coal Truck over Gravel Truck, but the quarry in Vienna probably has more gravel, and the active mines that I know of are closer to rivers than the 57 corridor

    When hitchhiking from Herrin to Paducah one time, I got a ride from a trucker who was parked on the shoulder of the on-ramp from Herrin Road to SB I-57.  He took Old Route 13 to 148 to avoid the weigh scales.  The reason I found it humorous is that he was delivering material for an active I-57 construction project—and he was doing such runs all day every day, shunning the weigh scales every time because he was overweight.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on November 01, 2023, 04:22:44 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2023, 03:02:01 PM
    When hitchhiking from Herrin to Paducah one time, I got a ride from a trucker who was parked on the shoulder of the on-ramp from Herrin Road to SB I-57.  He took Old Route 13 to 148 to avoid the weigh scales.  The reason I found it humorous is that he was delivering material for an active I-57 construction project—and he was doing such runs all day every day, shunning the weigh scales every time because he was overweight.

    The struggle is real. When I was working on the original construction of I-55 as a teenager, we were in the middle of a concrete bridge pour, and the state police brought out their portable scales and busted one of the concrete mixer trucks enroute to the job site and made them empty part of their load (I guess someone had to drive a dump truck from the mix plant to have some of the concrete dumped by the mixer so they could haul it off) and of course the whole mess was no good by that time, so they wound up dumping it all back at the plant. The rest of the drivers got the memo and came in light. 
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on November 01, 2023, 06:48:26 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2023, 03:02:01 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on November 01, 2023, 01:48:26 PM

    Quote from: kphoger on November 01, 2023, 10:41:07 AM

    Quote from: edwaleni on November 01, 2023, 09:09:04 AM
    The detour will utilize Illinois 13 and Illinois 148 in both directions.

    Also known as the "gravel truck weigh station detour"...

    :D

    I'd say Coal Truck over Gravel Truck, but the quarry in Vienna probably has more gravel, and the active mines that I know of are closer to rivers than the 57 corridor

    When hitchhiking from Herrin to Paducah one time, I got a ride from a trucker who was parked on the shoulder of the on-ramp from Herrin Road to SB I-57.  He took Old Route 13 to 148 to avoid the weigh scales.  The reason I found it humorous is that he was delivering material for an active I-57 construction project—and he was doing such runs all day every day, shunning the weigh scales every time because he was overweight.

    That is probably what caused that road bridge to collapse in Williamson County a few years back. Road contractors were told use a specific county road to avoid pull overs to check for weight. A bridge on the road finally collapsed after a concrete truck drove over, he saw it go down in his mirrors.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on November 02, 2023, 09:56:34 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on November 01, 2023, 06:48:26 PM
    That is probably what caused that road bridge to collapse in Williamson County a few years back. Road contractors were told use a specific county road to avoid pull overs to check for weight. A bridge on the road finally collapsed after a concrete truck drove over, he saw it go down in his mirrors.

    What bridge was that?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on November 02, 2023, 02:59:37 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on November 02, 2023, 09:56:34 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on November 01, 2023, 06:48:26 PM
    That is probably what caused that road bridge to collapse in Williamson County a few years back. Road contractors were told use a specific county road to avoid pull overs to check for weight. A bridge on the road finally collapsed after a concrete truck drove over, he saw it go down in his mirrors.

    What bridge was that?

    I actually posted on it because it showed up in a IDOT bid announcement. I thought it odd that IDOT was bidding out a country road. The bridge wasn't listed in Bridgehunter, so I used Google and found an article about the bridge collapsing.

    It's here somewhere on AARoads and I will have to track it down.  I went through the Illinois Bid announcements thread, so it must be somewhere else. When I find it, I will post. I think I asked Rick Powell why IDOT would bid out a non-state road and he explained, but I could be wrong on that.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 02, 2023, 06:41:09 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on October 30, 2023, 01:11:40 PM
    (and I would hate it)

    At the risk of looking into something best left alone, how come?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on November 03, 2023, 08:59:14 AM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on November 02, 2023, 06:41:09 PM

    Quote from: kphoger on October 30, 2023, 01:11:40 PM
    (and I would hate it)

    At the risk of looking into something best left alone, how come?

    Basically, I don't trust the lookup capability of other states to get my address right.  Of course, this becomes less of a concern as more states enter into data-sharing agreements, but I've had a bad experience in the past.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on November 03, 2023, 11:47:18 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on November 02, 2023, 02:59:37 PM

    It's here somewhere on AARoads and I will have to track it down.  I went through the Illinois Bid announcements thread, so it must be somewhere else. When I find it, I will post. I think I asked Rick Powell why IDOT would bid out a non-state road and he explained, but I could be wrong on that.


    Re: Illinois interesting bid annoucements
    « Reply #450 on: March 26, 2023, 05:51:22 PM »
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on November 03, 2023, 07:01:46 PM
    IL3 Spur? What the heck is this? Is this a new route in the State of Illinois?  Is this a signed route? 
    https://travelmapping.net/hb/showroute.php?u=vespertine&units=miles&r=il.il003spresl
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: 74/171FAN on November 03, 2023, 07:34:49 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 03, 2023, 07:01:46 PM
    IL3 Spur? What the heck is this? Is this a new route in the State of Illinois?  Is this a signed route? 
    https://travelmapping.net/hb/showroute.php?u=vespertine&units=miles&r=il.il003spresl

    See this thread on the Travel Mapping forum:  https://forum.travelmapping.net/index.php?topic=5765.00
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on November 03, 2023, 07:48:53 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 03, 2023, 07:01:46 PM
    IL3 Spur? What the heck is this? Is this a new route in the State of Illinois?  Is this a signed route? 
    https://travelmapping.net/hb/showroute.php?u=vespertine&units=miles&r=il.il003spresl
    Yes. It is signed. I have used the I-70 exit to get to the E St Louis casino. There are IL 3 Spur shields out there

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/HJ3bh8YK3P5WQXxH7?g_st=ic

    On another note, I'm pretty sure NB IL 3 is discontinuous in E St Louis now, as there is no exit at the 55/64/70 closest thing IL has to a Full Stack interchange for IL 3 to leave 55/64 N/E to St Clair Ave. Going SB on IL 3 there is an entrance ramp from St Clair Ave to 55/64 S/W

    Route 3 traffic is directed to follow 64 WB to the St Clair Ave Exit 3, but the BGS is clearly shielded "To IL 3 North"

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/krDJvkBdYR2nrC9G6?g_st=ic
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 04, 2023, 01:29:27 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on November 03, 2023, 08:59:14 AM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on November 02, 2023, 06:41:09 PM

    Quote from: kphoger on October 30, 2023, 01:11:40 PM
    (and I would hate it)

    At the risk of looking into something best left alone, how come?

    Basically, I don't trust the lookup capability of other states to get my address right.  Of course, this becomes less of a concern as more states enter into data-sharing agreements, but I've had a bad experience in the past.

    Ah. So, a bill showed up at the wrong address, and then the nonpayment mechanisms snowballed?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on November 04, 2023, 02:05:22 PM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on November 04, 2023, 01:29:27 PM
    Ah. So, a bill showed up at the wrong address, and then the nonpayment mechanisms snowballed?

    Actually, no.  What happened is that I received surprise charges for toll violations that had, unbeknownst to me, occurred years earlier.  See below.

    Quote from: kphoger on June 01, 2020, 09:14:09 AM
    Before using pay-by-plate on TX-130, I had a day pass account for the Camino Colombia Toll Road (TX-255).  Each year, I made a round trip to Mexico using the CCTR, with anywhere from one to three vehicles.  Ahead of time, I would call TxTag and update my account to have that year's correct vehicle and license plate info on file for our group.  Apparently, unbeknownst to me, some years I didn't do that correctly, which means an unknown car with Kansas plates drove through the CCTR gantry but TxTag didn't know where to send the bill.  Then, once the TX-130 pay-by-plate gantry was able to peg my license plate to my billing address, I received all those back-tolls on one statement to pay.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CtrlAltDel on November 04, 2023, 03:09:31 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on November 04, 2023, 02:05:22 PM
    Quote from: CtrlAltDel on November 04, 2023, 01:29:27 PM
    Ah. So, a bill showed up at the wrong address, and then the nonpayment mechanisms snowballed?

    Actually, no.  What happened is that I received surprise charges for toll violations that had, unbeknownst to me, occurred years earlier.  See below.

    Quote from: kphoger on June 01, 2020, 09:14:09 AM
    Before using pay-by-plate on TX-130, I had a day pass account for the Camino Colombia Toll Road (TX-255).  Each year, I made a round trip to Mexico using the CCTR, with anywhere from one to three vehicles.  Ahead of time, I would call TxTag and update my account to have that year's correct vehicle and license plate info on file for our group.  Apparently, unbeknownst to me, some years I didn't do that correctly, which means an unknown car with Kansas plates drove through the CCTR gantry but TxTag didn't know where to send the bill.  Then, once the TX-130 pay-by-plate gantry was able to peg my license plate to my billing address, I received all those back-tolls on one statement to pay.

    I can see why that would be annoying.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: adt1982 on November 04, 2023, 07:57:13 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on November 03, 2023, 07:48:53 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 03, 2023, 07:01:46 PM
    IL3 Spur? What the heck is this? Is this a new route in the State of Illinois?  Is this a signed route? 
    https://travelmapping.net/hb/showroute.php?u=vespertine&units=miles&r=il.il003spresl
    Yes. It is signed. I have used the I-70 exit to get to the E St Louis casino. There are IL 3 Spur shields out there

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/HJ3bh8YK3P5WQXxH7?g_st=ic

    On another note, I'm pretty sure NB IL 3 is discontinuous in E St Louis now, as there is no exit at the 55/64/70 closest thing IL has to a Full Stack interchange for IL 3 to leave 55/64 N/E to St Clair Ave. Going SB on IL 3 there is an entrance ramp from St Clair Ave to 55/64 S/W

    Route 3 traffic is directed to follow 64 WB to the St Clair Ave Exit 3, but the BGS is clearly shielded "To IL 3 North"

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/krDJvkBdYR2nrC9G6?g_st=ic

    You are correct about how IL 3 is signed.  I just drove this stretch today.  Once you hit I-64, even though the exit is signed for IL 3, the signs all say "To IL 3 North."  I feel like I read somewhere about a reroute in the plans for IL 3 in that area to remove it from the interstates and put it all back onto surface streets, but I'll have to look for it.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on November 17, 2023, 09:36:34 AM
    The new diverging diamond at I-80 and Houbolt Road in Joliet (exit 127) has been in its new DDI configuration for the past couple weeks.  The new permanent signals are now in use, and I sensed something was wrong.  It didn't take long for me to realize that the signals use yellow forward arrow indications.  I was pretty sure these were not allowed in the MUTCD, so I notified someone at IDOT.  The IDOT personnel member has responded saying they will change out the yellow indications on the signals.

    The new bridge from that interchange south over the Des Plaines River has been open for about 5-6 months now.  With the advent of the new bridge, the entire road has been given one continuous naming designation of Houbolt Road.  The "Hollywood Road" designation from I-80 south to US6 has been removed; this now-defunct name has been "greened out" on the I-80 freeway signs.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: 74/171FAN on November 17, 2023, 09:39:54 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 17, 2023, 09:36:34 AM
    The new bridge from that interchange south over the Des Plaines River has been open for about 5-6 months now.  With the advent of the new bridge, the entire road has been given one continuous naming designation of Houbolt Road.  The "Hollywood Road" designation from I-80 south to US6 has been removed; this now-defunct name has been "greened out" on the I-80 freeway signs.

    Looks like this was the case when I came through back in September on I-80 EB after the Peoria Meet.  (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219529618471589&set=a.10219529679833123)

    (https://scontent.fagc1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/386332844_10219529618431588_1519338333774973542_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=kNkDZX2dbI4AX9eMrLe&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCIBnufXJXhcBRFiPttdMomdOqaAPm7YH1rfPFcWIbanA&oe=655D603E)

    (https://scontent.fagc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/386085100_10219529447067304_2376225645872105237_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=3n9g7IvjD74AX8j_lEI&_nc_ht=scontent.fagc1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA-LXsM8n_4wjSk-FxS6nT2ViZmnS3aMwcruJ1-dd52IA&oe=655C19F6)

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on November 17, 2023, 11:18:31 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on November 17, 2023, 09:36:34 AM
    The new bridge from that interchange south over the Des Plaines River has been open for about 5-6 months now.  With the advent of the new bridge, the entire road has been given one continuous naming designation of Houbolt Road.  The "Hollywood Road" designation from I-80 south to US6 has been removed; this now-defunct name has been "greened out" on the I-80 freeway signs.

    The Hollywood Casino, for which the "Hollywood Road" name had been initiated years ago, is planning to relocate from its existing location along US 6 to the east side of I-55 north of I-80. The I-55/Seil Road/IL 59 interchange is currently under construction that would access the Rock Run Crossings development and the new casino.

    https://www.wjol.com/hollywood-casino-joliet-announces-move-to-rock-run-crossings/
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: CapeCodder on November 17, 2023, 08:27:18 PM
    What was the original plan with the Piggot and Tudor Ave exit in East St. Louis? Seems like it was meant to be a freeway.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: The Ghostbuster on November 17, 2023, 08:54:38 PM
    I believe it was to have been the western end of a US 460 freeway. As one can see, not much was built, and the US 460 designation was truncated to Frankfort, Kentucky in 1977. While the viaduct probably could be demolished, I doubt any redevelopment would occur, since there are a lot of vacant lots in the surrounding neighborhoods.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on November 17, 2023, 10:40:09 PM
    Quote from: adt1982 on November 04, 2023, 07:57:13 PM
    I feel like I read somewhere about a reroute in the plans for IL 3 in that area to remove it from the interstates and put it all back onto surface streets, but I'll have to look for it.

    It came out of the process that led to the new Mississippi River Bridge.  IL 3 was to be on new alignment from just south of the PSB Complex to around the Broadway intersection in Venice.  So far only the IL 3 Spur segment and the intersection with Broadway in Venice have managed to be constructed.  See https://idot.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idot/documents/idot-projects/district-8/relocated-illinois-3-new-mississippi-river-bridge-corridors-of-protection/exhibit-1---edit-doc2.pdf (https://idot.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idot/documents/idot-projects/district-8/relocated-illinois-3-new-mississippi-river-bridge-corridors-of-protection/exhibit-1---edit-doc2.pdf)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on December 08, 2023, 03:39:06 PM
    IDOT to reveal preferred route for the new Quincy Memorial Bridge at public meeting.

    https://muddyrivernews.com/noteworthy/idot-to-hold-public-meeting-on-memorial-bridge-replacement-thursday/20231206094353/ (https://muddyrivernews.com/noteworthy/idot-to-hold-public-meeting-on-memorial-bridge-replacement-thursday/20231206094353/)

    QUINCY – The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting Dec. 7 at The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center about the proposed replacement of the Quincy Memorial Bridge.
    "We are pleased that we will have the opportunity to work with the state of Missouri and the city of Quincy to replace the bridge and enhance the transportation system within the region," said Jeff Myers, IDOT Regional Engineer for Region 4. "This public meeting is a major step in the process. I encourage anyone interested to attend, ask questions and offer feedback."

    The meeting is scheduled to run from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Kroc Center, 405 Vermont. The purpose of the meeting is to present the preferred design for the improvement and to seek comments from the public. Exhibits, maps and aerial photography of the study area will be presented for viewing during the meeting.

    No formal presentation will be made, but IDOT staff and consultants will be available to answer questions and receive comments from those in attendance.

    Memorial Bridge, which is more than 90 years old and carries 7,000 vehicles per day on eastbound U.S. 24, originally carried traffic in both directions between Illinois and Missouri until Bayview Bridge opened in 1987, with westbound traffic moving to the new bridge.

    Planning for a replacement started in 2014 but did not advance due to lack of funding. Gov. JB Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital plan calls for $150 million for the new bridge, with the State of Missouri reimbursing Illinois half of those dollars upon completion.

    Construction on the new bridge could begin as early as 2029.

    For more information, please visit the project webpage at :

    https://quincymemorialbridge.com/ (https://quincymemorialbridge.com/)

    Comments may be submitted at the meeting or mailed to:

    Illinois Department of Transportation, District 6
    126 E. Ash St.
    Springfield, IL 62704
    Attn: Jay Wavering, P.E.

    Comments received by Jan. 9, 2024, will be included in the official project record

    (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53383666117_450dea1fc3_b.jpg)

    https://www.whig.com/news/community/public-meeting-lays-out-road-forward-for-memorial-bridge-replacement/article_dd587482-955c-11ee-b74d-27c1d438ec61.html (https://www.whig.com/news/community/public-meeting-lays-out-road-forward-for-memorial-bridge-replacement/article_dd587482-955c-11ee-b74d-27c1d438ec61.html)

    QUINCY — Jeffrey Myers says things are actively moving forward on the replacement for Quincy's Memorial Bridge.

    "It's been a while since we've been out in front of the public," said Myers, engineer for Region 4 of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Thursday at an open meeting held at the Kroc Center. "We have had advisory group meetings with the city of Quincy and then we took a brief step back while the regional transportation study was done, including the feasibility study on Illinois 57 and how that might affect this job.

    "Now we've gotten through those issues, and we're back and presenting the current alternatives for replacing the Memorial Bridge."

    Following initial planning and data-gathering sessions that started nearly a decade ago, the bridge replacement project was included in the six-year infrastructure program announced in June .

    "This will likely be in the back half of that, so we needed the maintenance on Memorial Bridge to make it last long enough to get this designed and then probably two to three seasons to actually get it built," Myers said.

    Memorial Bridge had extensive renovation work that began in 2021 and wrapped up in 2022.

    Along with the city of Quincy, Myers said the Illinois and Missouri departments of transportation have had an excellent working relationship on projects that span the river into both states.

    "We've been working really closely with both the city of Quincy and the Missouri Department of Transportation for quite some time on this project," he said. "They've both been really good partners to work with. Both states will fund it, but we kind of swap back and forth on who takes the lead on these projects. With the Champ Clark Bridge in Louisiana, they took the lead on that one, so Illinois will be the lead for this one."

    As the planning phase starts to wind down and the design phase starts to ramp up next year, Myers said the current design for the new bridge is a type that's found in other communities in the region.

    "We'll pick out the structure type early in the design phase because that will steer a lot of the work afterwards," he said. "What we've looked at that will probably be the most cost-effective for this span is going to be a tied-arch style. That's similar to what's in place in Meredosia.

    "This is just a preliminary thought," Myers added, "but the span is probably too big for just a regular plate bridge like Champ Clark, and a cable-stayed like Bayview Bridge is probably the most expensive option and would really add to the cost here."

    Members of the community who weren't able to make it to Thursday's public meeting will still have a chance to let their views be known. IDOT has a website, quincymemorialbridge.com, set up to host the exhibits from the meetings and to post updates in the process. Public comments can be submitted through Jan. 9 at the website or by mail to Illinois Department of Transportation, District 6, 126 E. Ash St. Springfield, IL 62704 Attn: Jay Wavering, P.E.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on December 08, 2023, 03:52:15 PM
    The IDOT Engineer referenced the Meredosia Bridge as the most likely design for the Quincy Memorial based on cost and span requirements.

    That new bridge looks like this:

    (https://www.exp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/EGL091_N25_medium.jpg)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Sapphuby on December 10, 2023, 09:24:14 PM
    I live around here and I've read stuff saying that they should use the York Street alignment, which would be interesting to say the least, but it would nuke the businesses on Maine Street thriving off of inflow from the current bridge. On another note, I wish they would keep some of the bridge if they tear it down, even though this is my nostalgia spiel. They have some metal on 2nd and Maine that I think is from a railroad bridge, so I feel somewhat confident saying they'll do the same to this bridge with how long its been here. But yeah, the bridge has been underwater quite a few times during floods, clogging our other bridge, and the nasty rehabilitation during 2021 left Bayview really congested. Next time I'm on the bridge, I might wanna get a video of it before it's gone for good. Gonna be sad, since the ba-dump, ba-dump was funny, and my dad speeding, going 95 on it when I was little, but it's all nostalgia for me, and we could really use a wider, higher, and less steep bridge. Just not sure where they're gonna go with the location of the bridge. About the design, as long as they make it blue I won't care.  :D
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on December 10, 2023, 10:04:16 PM
    Here are the choices being offered for the new span.

    (https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53389903989_46506dfa38_k.jpg)

    Just my humble opinion. Maine Street doesn't have any more businesses from the river to 4th Street than York Street does.

    Since anyone wanting to stay on US-24 will have to turn left on 4th (one way) anyway (just like Maine) I don't think York is a big stretch.

    An exit on York has some advantages, the Quincy Arts Center and the 2 hotels supporting it are immediately available.

    The con of using York is the Riverside BBQ will probably have to come down to accommodate turn lanes.

    The other benefit of using York, is it provides visual separation between the Bayview Bridge and the new Memorial Bridge.

    Since they will have completely different styles of spans, the more separation, the better, so they can stand out on their own.

    My only hope is that IDOT doesn't have to tamper with all of that quarry stone holding up Kohl Wholesale. Kohl also owns the lots on the other side of York which are vacant.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Sapphuby on December 11, 2023, 06:39:03 PM
    Yeah... riverside also happens to be one of my family's favorite eateries. Good thing we'll be long gone before this bridge gets rebuilt! We've been wanting out of this city for a long time, and med school and better taxes are luring us out.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on December 11, 2023, 09:47:15 PM
    Quote from: Sapphuby on December 11, 2023, 06:39:03 PM
    Yeah... riverside also happens to be one of my family's favorite eateries. Good thing we'll be long gone before this bridge gets rebuilt! We've been wanting out of this city for a long time, and med school and better taxes are luring us out.

    But your high school football team made the IHSA playoffs for the first time ever this year.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: michiganguy123 on February 23, 2024, 10:54:25 PM
    Why does Illinois have tolls on a short 5 mile stretch of i-80? I feel like the tolls need to be removed on i-80 and only start once i-294 splits off from i-80. My grandparents were charged nearly 100 dollars because they didn't know how to pay the tolls as they were all online! And because they had a PO-Box, they weren't receiving the bill in the mail, so they only found out when collections contacted them. All because of this 5 mile stretch that was used to get from West Michigan down to Mississippi.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: wanderer2575 on February 23, 2024, 11:35:07 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on February 23, 2024, 10:54:25 PM
    Why does Illinois have tolls on a short 5 mile stretch of i-80? I feel like the tolls need to be removed on i-80 and only start once i-294 splits off from i-80. My grandparents were charged nearly 100 dollars because they didn't know how to pay the tolls as they were all online! And because they had a PO-Box, they weren't receiving the bill in the mail, so they only found out when collections contacted them. All because of this 5 mile stretch that was used to get from West Michigan down to Mississippi.

    Because it's part of the Illinois Tollway, and was built and is maintained by the toll highway authority (ISTHA).

    When you drive on a toll road, and you (a) don't pay while on the road, (b) don't receive a bill, and (c) don't make any effort to resolve the issue, then don't be surprised when the penalties hit.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rick Powell on February 24, 2024, 01:11:23 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on February 23, 2024, 10:54:25 PM
    Why does Illinois have tolls on a short 5 mile stretch of i-80? I feel like the tolls need to be removed on i-80 and only start once i-294 splits off from i-80. My grandparents were charged nearly 100 dollars because they didn't know how to pay the tolls as they were all online! And because they had a PO-Box, they weren't receiving the bill in the mail, so they only found out when collections contacted them. All because of this 5 mile stretch that was used to get from West Michigan down to Mississippi.

    Ever since the IL Tollway got rid of the coin booths, there are only 2 ways to pay - by buying a Tollway IPass or other compatible transponder and having it read at each collection point, or by their somewhat cumbersome Pay-by-Plate website that is akin to filling out a tax form online. It would be great if the Tollway also adopted an automatic plate read/invoice generation system for users without an IPass like many other systems do. I guess it still wouldn't have helped the late fees if their bill was not properly delivered, but it would be more fair to occasional users, low income users, and basically all who don't have a transponder.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on February 24, 2024, 08:49:56 AM
    Quote from: Rick Powell on February 24, 2024, 01:11:23 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on February 23, 2024, 10:54:25 PM
    Why does Illinois have tolls on a short 5 mile stretch of i-80? I feel like the tolls need to be removed on i-80 and only start once i-294 splits off from i-80. My grandparents were charged nearly 100 dollars because they didn't know how to pay the tolls as they were all online! And because they had a PO-Box, they weren't receiving the bill in the mail, so they only found out when collections contacted them. All because of this 5 mile stretch that was used to get from West Michigan down to Mississippi.

    Ever since the IL Tollway got rid of the coin booths, there are only 2 ways to pay - by buying a Tollway IPass or other compatible transponder and having it read at each collection point, or by their somewhat cumbersome Pay-by-Plate website that is akin to filling out a tax form online. It would be great if the Tollway also adopted an automatic plate read/invoice generation system for users without an IPass like many other systems do. I guess it still wouldn't have helped the late fees if their bill was not properly delivered, but it would be more fair to occasional users, low income users, and basically all who don't have a transponder.

    You don't buy a transponder unless you're getting it at a Jewel.  If you get it directly from ISTHA, there was a deposit for the hard case transponder.  All you're doing is puting in money for prepaid tolls.

    Quote from: michiganguy123 on February 23, 2024, 10:54:25 PM
    Why does Illinois have tolls on a short 5 mile stretch of i-80? I feel like the tolls need to be removed on i-80 and only start once i-294 splits off from i-80. My grandparents were charged nearly 100 dollars because they didn't know how to pay the tolls as they were all online! And because they had a PO-Box, they weren't receiving the bill in the mail, so they only found out when collections contacted them. All because of this 5 mile stretch that was used to get from West Michigan down to Mississippi.

    There are a lot of signs after a toll plaza telling them how long they have to pay and where.  Also, that stretch was built by the Illinois State Toll Highway Commission (now ISTHA) in 1958, before there was an I-80 connecting to it from the west.  The route for I-80 was built in 1966 and chosen so an additional road did not have to be plowed through the area.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on February 24, 2024, 11:08:07 AM
    I assume ISTHA tolls can also be paid over the phone with ISTHA CSRs at the 800.UC.I.PASS number, but I admit I have never tried

    ISTHA could put automated toll payment machines inside the Oases and let motorists pay that way, but would it be widely used in the age of smart phones, where the toll can be paid from your phone?

    I-80 is clearly marked as a Tollway for its journey on the Southern Tri-State. Even with no cash booths anymore, a motorist can figure out how to contact the Tollway and make payment arrangements, or a motorist can exit before the tolled segment begins and take alternate routes, like US 6/159th St to the north or US 30/Lincoln Hwy to the south
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on February 24, 2024, 08:38:26 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on February 24, 2024, 11:08:07 AM
    I assume ISTHA tolls can also be paid over the phone with ISTHA CSRs at the 800.UC.I.PASS number, but I admit I have never tried

    ISTHA could put automated toll payment machines inside the Oases and let motorists pay that way, but would it be widely used in the age of smart phones, where the toll can be paid from your phone?

    I-80 is clearly marked as a Tollway for its journey on the Southern Tri-State. Even with no cash booths anymore, a motorist can figure out how to contact the Tollway and make payment arrangements, or a motorist can exit before the tolled segment begins and take alternate routes, like US 6/159th St to the north or US 30/Lincoln Hwy to the south

    I had an uncle who did just that. He got off I-88 at Rock Falls onto US 30 and drove it across Illinois because he objected to cash pay as you go tolling.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on February 24, 2024, 10:25:18 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on February 24, 2024, 11:08:07 AM
    I-80 is clearly marked as a Tollway for its journey on the Southern Tri-State. Even with no cash booths anymore, a motorist can figure out how to contact the Tollway and make payment arrangements, or a motorist can exit before the tolled segment begins and take alternate routes, like US 6/159th St to the north or US 30/Lincoln Hwy to the south

    But unless the signs have been updated since the last time the Streetview vehicle went through, there is nothing about it not taking cash.  IMHO there really should have been shall statement in the new MUTCD for signing toll facilities that don't allow payment at the time of use with cash or a credit card.

    2 mile advance signing on EB I-80 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EETQtJAi6p2pA9Wd9)
    I-80 EB at the Kedize Avenue exit (https://maps.app.goo.gl/3MaSPHFwkPyjsLAY8)

    And technically some of the signing is not even up to 2009 MUTCD standards (no yellow toll indcator).

    WB on I-80/I-84 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/hDPrGn3zW3bfNrmL8)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on February 25, 2024, 06:11:42 PM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on February 24, 2024, 10:25:18 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on February 24, 2024, 11:08:07 AM
    I-80 is clearly marked as a Tollway for its journey on the Southern Tri-State. Even with no cash booths anymore, a motorist can figure out how to contact the Tollway and make payment arrangements, or a motorist can exit before the tolled segment begins and take alternate routes, like US 6/159th St to the north or US 30/Lincoln Hwy to the south

    But unless the signs have been updated since the last time the Streetview vehicle went through, there is nothing about it not taking cash.  IMHO there really should have been shall statement in the new MUTCD for signing toll facilities that don't allow payment at the time of use with cash or a credit card.

    2 mile advance signing on EB I-80 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EETQtJAi6p2pA9Wd9)
    I-80 EB at the Kedize Avenue exit (https://maps.app.goo.gl/3MaSPHFwkPyjsLAY8)

    And technically some of the signing is not even up to 2009 MUTCD standards (no yellow toll indcator).

    WB on I-80/I-84 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/hDPrGn3zW3bfNrmL8)

    Usually there is a big sign that says "Last Exit before Tollroad", but where do you put it? Torrence Ave? The 80/94 split forcing westbound traffic into the city?

    I went back to look at INDOT signage going back to the 80-90 split and they are all local or just say "80 WEST" which is true for just a few more miles. 80 WEST doesn't come up again until 1 mile before the Calumet Ave exit (#1) on the Indiana side. And it does not say "Toll" anywhere.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on February 25, 2024, 06:49:02 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on February 25, 2024, 06:11:42 PM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on February 24, 2024, 10:25:18 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on February 24, 2024, 11:08:07 AM
    I-80 is clearly marked as a Tollway for its journey on the Southern Tri-State. Even with no cash booths anymore, a motorist can figure out how to contact the Tollway and make payment arrangements, or a motorist can exit before the tolled segment begins and take alternate routes, like US 6/159th St to the north or US 30/Lincoln Hwy to the south

    But unless the signs have been updated since the last time the Streetview vehicle went through, there is nothing about it not taking cash.  IMHO there really should have been shall statement in the new MUTCD for signing toll facilities that don't allow payment at the time of use with cash or a credit card.

    2 mile advance signing on EB I-80 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EETQtJAi6p2pA9Wd9)
    I-80 EB at the Kedize Avenue exit (https://maps.app.goo.gl/3MaSPHFwkPyjsLAY8)

    And technically some of the signing is not even up to 2009 MUTCD standards (no yellow toll indcator).

    WB on I-80/I-84 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/hDPrGn3zW3bfNrmL8)

    Usually there is a big sign that says "Last Exit before Tollroad", but where do you put it? Torrence Ave? The 80/94 split forcing westbound traffic into the city?

    I went back to look at INDOT signage going back to the 80-90 split and they are all local or just say "80 WEST" which is true for just a few more miles. 80 WEST doesn't come up again until 1 mile before the Calumet Ave exit (#1) on the Indiana side. And it does not say "Toll" anywhere.

    Last Exit Before Tollway for Torrance Avenue: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aQV3roWcxhr4syRT7

    Indiana making note of the Tri-State Tollway before Kennedy Avenue: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2Qwi5oLtexHphS7P6

    Just past the state line, in Illinois, marked with the older style "TOLLWAY" signage: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Y1y3RRAjL7XJNUXH7
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on February 25, 2024, 08:38:20 PM
    (https://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/images/wbauroratoll0821.jpg)
    You see this? You have to pay online (credit: Bill Burmaster - https://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/misc/tristate.html)

    You will not get a bill!!!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on February 25, 2024, 09:04:06 PM
    Quote from: Brandon on February 25, 2024, 06:49:02 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on February 25, 2024, 06:11:42 PM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on February 24, 2024, 10:25:18 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on February 24, 2024, 11:08:07 AM
    I-80 is clearly marked as a Tollway for its journey on the Southern Tri-State. Even with no cash booths anymore, a motorist can figure out how to contact the Tollway and make payment arrangements, or a motorist can exit before the tolled segment begins and take alternate routes, like US 6/159th St to the north or US 30/Lincoln Hwy to the south

    But unless the signs have been updated since the last time the Streetview vehicle went through, there is nothing about it not taking cash.  IMHO there really should have been shall statement in the new MUTCD for signing toll facilities that don't allow payment at the time of use with cash or a credit card.

    2 mile advance signing on EB I-80 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/EETQtJAi6p2pA9Wd9)
    I-80 EB at the Kedize Avenue exit (https://maps.app.goo.gl/3MaSPHFwkPyjsLAY8)

    And technically some of the signing is not even up to 2009 MUTCD standards (no yellow toll indcator).

    WB on I-80/I-84 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/hDPrGn3zW3bfNrmL8)

    Usually there is a big sign that says "Last Exit before Tollroad", but where do you put it? Torrence Ave? The 80/94 split forcing westbound traffic into the city?

    I went back to look at INDOT signage going back to the 80-90 split and they are all local or just say "80 WEST" which is true for just a few more miles. 80 WEST doesn't come up again until 1 mile before the Calumet Ave exit (#1) on the Indiana side. And it does not say "Toll" anywhere.

    Last Exit Before Tollway for Torrance Avenue: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aQV3roWcxhr4syRT7


    That sign at Torrence is a joke. I am watching the traffic around me, not for a sign like that and it doesnt follow the standards either.

    The final sign should say "I-80 West  NO CASH TOLL, Must pay by plate online.

    (https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/images/fig2f_03_sm.gif)

    (https://live.staticflickr.com/7213/7290048086_68f4dcedf5_c.jpg)

    (https://live.staticflickr.com/8364/8309054346_f7b7b4251e_c.jpg)

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on February 25, 2024, 10:00:39 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on February 25, 2024, 08:38:20 PM
    (https://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/images/wbauroratoll0821.jpg)
    You see this? You have to pay online (credit: Bill Burmaster - https://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/misc/tristate.html)

    You will not get a bill!!!

    For the tolled section of I-80 I don't recall seeing that type of sign before one enters the tollway.  Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing it for most of the other tollways where cash was previously accepted.  There should be something similar to the signing used for IL 390. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/kMinVYncC3WQEFdb7)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SSOWorld on February 26, 2024, 07:29:27 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on February 25, 2024, 10:00:39 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on February 25, 2024, 08:38:20 PM
    ...
    You see this? You have to pay online (credit: Bill Burmaster - https://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/misc/tristate.html)

    You will not get a bill!!!

    For the tolled section of I-80 I don't recall seeing that type of sign before one enters the tollway.  Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing it for most of the other tollways where cash was previously accepted.  There should be something similar to the signing used for IL 390. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/kMinVYncC3WQEFdb7)
    You're actually correct because I-80 exits.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Brandon on February 26, 2024, 08:26:39 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on February 25, 2024, 10:00:39 PM
    Quote from: SSOWorld on February 25, 2024, 08:38:20 PM
    (https://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/images/wbauroratoll0821.jpg)
    You see this? You have to pay online (credit: Bill Burmaster - https://www.billburmaster.com/rmsandw/illinois/misc/tristate.html)

    You will not get a bill!!!

    For the tolled section of I-80 I don't recall seeing that type of sign before one enters the tollway.  Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing it for most of the other tollways where cash was previously accepted.  There should be something similar to the signing used for IL 390. (https://maps.app.goo.gl/kMinVYncC3WQEFdb7)

    You mean, like this: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ucv2RgUukNjtQxj8A

    Or this: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dmTYNrF7by8tnFvGA

    Or this, at the exit and plaza for I-80 westbound: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cn4dX1JqHAJCpi8G9

    Those types of signs are all over the tollways.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on February 26, 2024, 10:48:36 AM
    Quote from: Brandon on February 26, 2024, 08:26:39 AM
    You mean, like this: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ucv2RgUukNjtQxj8A

    It would be of way more use if these signs appeared at the last free exit (Kedzie Avenue, shown here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/euzhyW6iS8i79mPM8). By the time you see the first "I-Pass or Pay Online" sign on I-80 westbound, you're already stuck getting onto the tollway, it's just your choice of which direction you'd like to go on the Tri-State. You can't even illegally U-turn across the median due to the barrier.

    However, this would be an issue to take up with IDOT itself, rather than the ISTHA, because the Kedzie Avenue interchange is IDOT turf.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on February 26, 2024, 01:48:07 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on February 26, 2024, 10:48:36 AM
    Quote from: Brandon on February 26, 2024, 08:26:39 AM
    You mean, like this: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ucv2RgUukNjtQxj8A

    It would be of way more use if these signs appeared at the last free exit (Kedzie Avenue, shown here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/euzhyW6iS8i79mPM8). By the time you see the first "I-Pass or Pay Online" sign on I-80 westbound, you're already stuck getting onto the tollway, it's just your choice of which direction you'd like to go on the Tri-State. You can't even illegally U-turn across the median due to the barrier.

    However, this would be an issue to take up with IDOT itself, rather than the ISTHA, because the Kedzie Avenue interchange is IDOT turf.

    I agree, this is a better way to do it.

    User @Brandon shows a bunch of example signs (thank you) but most of them are *after* you are committed to the route, that is why the sign at Torrance is a total foobar.

    The example sign at Kedzie going the other way is more indicative of what it should look like.

    BTW, I am not picking on @Brandon, it would be interesting to see how many people are really missing the signage and passing through unaware.

    My sister was in Chicago last year and she got caught in this as well. Her 2 brothers warned her to check online.

    Her bill was some $76 when they finally caught up to her out of state plate.

    On a side note, ISTHA must make a pretty good buck on those few miles of I-80.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on February 26, 2024, 09:20:58 PM
    Given that bill by mail is the standard for people who don't have a transponder all around the country for AET, they really should specifically and explicitly say that they don't do that and that paying online is the ONLY option if you don't have a transponder.  Preferably BEFORE you commit to paying a toll.

    And honestly, looking at the area, it seems like IDOT should have bought out that piece of I-80 from ISTHA, perhaps with federal support, so it could be free.  Would avoid this whole issue now and would have kept traffic from having to stop at a booth before just for a couple miles of remaining on the same, otherwise free, road.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on February 26, 2024, 09:27:02 PM
    Or...and hear me out here...perhaps do some research before you drive around Chicago and on its tollways if you are unfamiliar with the area and how the ISTHA works.

    The idea that simply saying "pay online here" isn't good enough, but that you should specifically say that you shouldn't expect a bill via mail, is pretty ridiculous.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on February 26, 2024, 09:52:15 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 26, 2024, 09:27:02 PM
    Or...and hear me out here...perhaps do some research before you drive around Chicago and on its tollways if you are unfamiliar with the area and how the ISTHA works.

    The idea that simply saying "pay online here" isn't good enough, but that you should specifically say that you shouldn't expect a bill via mail, is pretty ridiculous.
    Doesn't sound so ridiculous to me, considering that before the recent posts in this thread, I have never even heard of a toll road that allowed non-transponder users where cash or bill by mail wasn't an option (and I live near the part of the country where it feels like you can't even sneeze without finding a toll facility run by a different authority).  It's so far beyond the norm as to be incomprehensible (I'd go so far as to say that federal law should be amended to make it illegal).
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on February 26, 2024, 10:03:22 PM
    If one really wants to pay by cash, he/she can stop at ISTHA HQ in Downers Grove/SE corner of the 355/88/US 34 interchange and pay in person

    As I mentioned earlier I have never tried this, but I am pretty sure a motorist can call ISTHA's Cx Service 800# 800.UC.I.PASS, give the CSR your entry/exit points, and the rep will give you the toll charge to mail in, or take a credit card # over the phone

    With near ubiquitous cell phone coverage, most that are internet-capable, I have a hard time having a problem with how ISTHA does their tolling, and without going too political, Congress has better things to do than banning how motorist-chosen Toll Roads collect payment - no one forces* anyone onto an ISTHA roadway (*there have been instances where another IDOT interstate has closed and all traffic forced onto an ISTHA Tollway - I-80 WB had a full closure between I-355 and US 30 a few years back and all traffic was forced onto 355 NB, but that is the exception, not the rule)

    A part of me considers the idea of having 1 or 2 automated payment machines in the old cash lanes that take cash and/or credit cards - especially at "final" toll plazas of a route. Can even have it be user-selected touch screen for entry point to compute the appropriate toll. But these can cause other issues, requiring stopped traffic at the now nonstop toll plaza lanes. Is it worth it? I don't have the answer

    Putting automated payment machines in the Oases I think would be a good step, but other than the Lincoln, no other Oasis is really at an "end point." That and the Oases are beginning to disappear regardless
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: mgk920 on February 26, 2024, 10:42:06 PM
    A decade or so ago I caught a glimpse of a letter with a familiar return address logo that was sticking out of a neighbor's mailbox.  Upon closer examination it was "Illinois Tollway".  And yes, I have had correspondence with them over the years regarding various highway planning issues, so it was a familiar to me logo.  Since I knew of no other roadgeeks who were (or are) neighbors, my only thought then was that 'OOoooohhh, I'll bet that someone missed a toll!'.

    :-P

    Mike
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 05:34:35 AM
    Quote from: vdeane on February 26, 2024, 09:52:15 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 26, 2024, 09:27:02 PM
    Or...and hear me out here...perhaps do some research before you drive around Chicago and on its tollways if you are unfamiliar with the area and how the ISTHA works.

    The idea that simply saying "pay online here" isn't good enough, but that you should specifically say that you shouldn't expect a bill via mail, is pretty ridiculous.
    Doesn't sound so ridiculous to me, considering that before the recent posts in this thread, I have never even heard of a toll road that allowed non-transponder users where cash or bill by mail wasn't an option (and I live near the part of the country where it feels like you can't even sneeze without finding a toll facility run by a different authority).  It's so far beyond the norm as to be incomprehensible (I'd go so far as to say that federal law should be amended to make it illegal).

    lol. "Since I've never heard of it, it's obviously a problem. We need a law!"

    Typical New Yorker way of thinking. It works just fine the way it is. The driver needs to be responsible.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 09:36:44 AM
    By the way, the Illinois Tollway will send you an invoice if you don't pay your tolls online within 30 days. You will be assessed a $3.00 per toll fee however.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: KelleyCook on February 27, 2024, 11:22:51 AM
    Quote from: vdeane on February 26, 2024, 09:52:15 PM
    Doesn't sound so ridiculous to me, considering that before the recent posts in this thread, I have never even heard of a toll road that allowed non-transponder users where cash or bill by mail wasn't an option (and I live near the part of the country where it feels like you can't even sneeze without finding a toll facility run by a different authority).  It's so far beyond the norm as to be incomprehensible (I'd go so far as to say that federal law should be amended to make it illegal).

    Worse his flippant read-the-rules-ahead-of-time was making an completely wrong assumption that their Pay Online system is actually useable.

    While driving through a few years agao, I went online and registered and then it proceeded to tell me that it currently has no record of me, so come back later.  Fine I thought its a batch system.  Coming back a few weeks later still no dice. Turns out you need to go online fairly regularly until some person in the back office figures out your out-of-state license plate has a 0 instead of an O six months later and of course they had thrown on a late fee.  It of course uncaring Illinois government so I didn't bother arguing about that extra $5 for a $1.80 toll as that wasn't worth my time.  That car is now registered in their system along with a debit card, they have charged for when I went through in July, but still haven't charged me for when I drove through over Thanksgiving.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 11:34:53 AM
    Your personal anecdotes aside, their online system is completely useable. Have done so repeatedly with no issues whatsoever.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on February 27, 2024, 12:16:16 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 26, 2024, 09:27:02 PM
    Or...and hear me out here...perhaps do some research before you drive around Chicago and on its tollways if you are unfamiliar with the area and how the ISTHA works.

    The idea that simply saying "pay online here" isn't good enough, but that you should specifically say that you shouldn't expect a bill via mail, is pretty ridiculous.
    Exactly. If you see it say Toll, it should not shock anyone who uses the tollway and then get a bill if it is not paid online. EVERY plaza on the Illinois Tollway system says you have 14 days to pay online.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0711229,-88.309067,3a,23.1y,306.27h,85.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJjFKS1uznZOqpcAxooE_5A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on February 27, 2024, 12:24:10 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on February 26, 2024, 10:03:22 PM
    If one really wants to pay by cash, he/she can stop at ISTHA HQ in Downers Grove/SE corner of the 355/88/US 34 interchange and pay in person

    As I mentioned earlier I have never tried this, but I am pretty sure a motorist can call ISTHA's Cx Service 800# 800.UC.I.PASS, give the CSR your entry/exit points, and the rep will give you the toll charge to mail in, or take a credit card # over the phone

    With near ubiquitous cell phone coverage, most that are internet-capable, I have a hard time having a problem with how ISTHA does their tolling, and without going too political, Congress has better things to do than banning how motorist-chosen Toll Roads collect payment - no one forces* anyone onto an ISTHA roadway (*there have been instances where another IDOT interstate has closed and all traffic forced onto an ISTHA Tollway - I-80 WB had a full closure between I-355 and US 30 a few years back and all traffic was forced onto 355 NB, but that is the exception, not the rule)

    A part of me considers the idea of having 1 or 2 automated payment machines in the old cash lanes that take cash and/or credit cards - especially at "final" toll plazas of a route. Can even have it be user-selected touch screen for entry point to compute the appropriate toll. But these can cause other issues, requiring stopped traffic at the now nonstop toll plaza lanes. Is it worth it? I don't have the answer

    Putting automated payment machines in the Oases I think would be a good step, but other than the Lincoln, no other Oasis is really at an "end point." That and the Oases are beginning to disappear regardless
    I don't know if Kansas and Oklahoma still have the automated credit card machines at the plazas but I thought it was a great idea. There certainly is room to convert the cash lanes at mainline plazas to this type. The ramp plazas would be a bit more tricky especially the older ones that are single lane.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on February 27, 2024, 12:54:24 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on February 27, 2024, 12:16:16 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 26, 2024, 09:27:02 PM
    Or...and hear me out here...perhaps do some research before you drive around Chicago and on its tollways if you are unfamiliar with the area and how the ISTHA works.

    The idea that simply saying "pay online here" isn't good enough, but that you should specifically say that you shouldn't expect a bill via mail, is pretty ridiculous.
    Exactly. If you see it say Toll, it should not shock anyone who uses the tollway and then get a bill if it is not paid online. EVERY plaza on the Illinois Tollway system says you have 14 days to pay online.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0711229,-88.309067,3a,23.1y,306.27h,85.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJjFKS1uznZOqpcAxooE_5A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    Well, the complaint that sparked the whole thing was that they didn't get a bill and it ended up going to collections.  Now, if Illinois actually does do bill by mail, this is a different matter - but everyone was talking as if they don't.  Unfortunately, bill by mail systems are known to be unreliable, which is why I don't use them myself.  And given KelleyCook's report, it seems like online payment in lieu of bill by mail is something to be avoided as well... I do feel very passionately about avoiding fees like that, after all.

    As for any (seemingly erroneous given later discussion) reports that bill by mail isn't allowed and it's online or the highway, I would view that as akin to Illinois having drivers drive on the left or signing everything in metric (including speed limits) without telling anyone and with no indication of what was done until you get pulled over for violating the rules, although the analogy does fall apart because those two things are harder to hide (100 mph isn't a very common speed limit after all, and it's fairly noticeable if everyone suddenly shifts to the other side of the road).
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on February 27, 2024, 01:00:49 PM
    Quote from: vdeane on February 27, 2024, 12:54:24 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on February 27, 2024, 12:16:16 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 26, 2024, 09:27:02 PM
    Or...and hear me out here...perhaps do some research before you drive around Chicago and on its tollways if you are unfamiliar with the area and how the ISTHA works.

    The idea that simply saying "pay online here" isn't good enough, but that you should specifically say that you shouldn't expect a bill via mail, is pretty ridiculous.
    Exactly. If you see it say Toll, it should not shock anyone who uses the tollway and then get a bill if it is not paid online. EVERY plaza on the Illinois Tollway system says you have 14 days to pay online.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@42.0711229,-88.309067,3a,23.1y,306.27h,85.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sJjFKS1uznZOqpcAxooE_5A!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    Well, the complaint that sparked the whole thing was that they didn't get a bill and it ended up going to collections.  Now, if Illinois actually does do bill by mail, this is a different matter - but everyone was talking as if they don't.  Unfortunately, bill by mail systems are known to be unreliable, which is why I don't use them myself.  And given KelleyCook's report, it seems like online payment in lieu of bill by mail is something to be avoided as well... I do feel very passionately about avoiding fees like that, after all.

    As for any (seemingly erroneous given later discussion) reports that bill by mail isn't allowed and it's online or the highway, I would view that as akin to Illinois having drivers drive on the left or signing everything in metric (including speed limits) without telling anyone and with no indication of what was done until you get pulled over for violating the rules, although the analogy does fall apart because those two things are harder to hide (100 mph isn't a very common speed limit after all, and it's fairly noticeable if everyone suddenly shifts to the other side of the road).
    I can tell you from experience that if you do not pay online within the 14 days, you do get an invoice bill from them along with the additional fees per toll. I had to pay $72.75 recently because apparently my transponder was not being read correctly. I have since resolved that issue from December.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 01:56:29 PM
    You don't get a bill by mail. You get an overdue invoice by mail.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on February 27, 2024, 03:44:49 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 11:34:53 AM
    Your personal anecdotes aside, their online system is completely useable. Have done so repeatedly with no issues whatsoever.

    No issues with ISTHA online payment system.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on February 28, 2024, 03:19:49 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 01:56:29 PM
    You don't get a bill by mail. You get an overdue invoice by mail.
    So, they do send mail! Why not send the bill by mail to begin with? Make the whole process simpler...

    Cost them too much? Charge higher pay by mail tolls. Like virtually every other toll agency in the country does. Illinois (or "ISTHA") is the backwards one here.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on February 28, 2024, 04:41:57 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on February 28, 2024, 03:19:49 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 01:56:29 PM
    You don't get a bill by mail. You get an overdue invoice by mail.
    So, they do send mail! Why not send the bill by mail to begin with? Make the whole process simpler...

    Cost them too much? Charge higher pay by mail tolls. Like virtually every other toll agency in the country does. Illinois (or "ISTHA") is the backwards one here.

    So you're saying that a system where tolls are primarily paid online is more "backwards" than a bill-by-mail system? That's really an odd take. I haven't gotten any sort of regular bill via mail in years and pay almost everything online.

    Furthermore, if the current system is working for them, why should they change it?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: JREwing78 on February 28, 2024, 06:40:13 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on February 28, 2024, 03:19:49 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 01:56:29 PM
    You don't get a bill by mail. You get an overdue invoice by mail.
    So, they do send mail! Why not send the bill by mail to begin with? Make the whole process simpler...

    Cost them too much? Charge higher pay by mail tolls. Like virtually every other toll agency in the country does. Illinois (or "ISTHA") is the backwards one here.

    Ahem... ISTHA *does* charge higher tolls for pay by mail.

    They give you a considerable discount for you following directions and going online to pay the bill proactively.

    They give you an even bigger discount for being truly proactive and purchasing the correct transponder.

    Want to stick your head in the sand and pretend tolls aren't a thing after driving on a tollway? No discounts for stupid.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on February 28, 2024, 09:38:27 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 28, 2024, 04:41:57 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on February 28, 2024, 03:19:49 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 01:56:29 PM
    You don't get a bill by mail. You get an overdue invoice by mail.
    So, they do send mail! Why not send the bill by mail to begin with? Make the whole process simpler...

    Cost them too much? Charge higher pay by mail tolls. Like virtually every other toll agency in the country does. Illinois (or "ISTHA") is the backwards one here.

    So you're saying that a system where tolls are primarily paid online is more "backwards" than a bill-by-mail system? That's really an odd take. I haven't gotten any sort of regular bill via mail in years and pay almost everything online.

    Furthermore, if the current system is working for them, why should they change it?
    Why should it matter how well it works for ISHTA?  What should matter is how it works for drivers.  I am not advocating for getting rid of the ability to pay online.  In fact, I would encourage more agencies to allow it as an option.  What I'm against is making it a requirement.  Drivers shouldn't be considered delinquent and sent to collections just for not being proactive and looking things up online before even getting anything in the mail - especially given that home internet is still somehow not universal.  Maybe then things like the horror stories in this thread would have been prevented (then again, maybe not; as we've seen across the country, paying tolls by any means other than cash or transponder is a janky process prone to errors, to the point where bills have come up in the NY legislature for a "tollpayers bill of rights" several times since the Thruway began the AET rollout).
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on February 29, 2024, 11:53:54 AM
    Quote from: vdeane on February 28, 2024, 09:38:27 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 28, 2024, 04:41:57 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on February 28, 2024, 03:19:49 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 01:56:29 PM
    You don't get a bill by mail. You get an overdue invoice by mail.
    So, they do send mail! Why not send the bill by mail to begin with? Make the whole process simpler...

    Cost them too much? Charge higher pay by mail tolls. Like virtually every other toll agency in the country does. Illinois (or "ISTHA") is the backwards one here.

    So you're saying that a system where tolls are primarily paid online is more "backwards" than a bill-by-mail system? That's really an odd take. I haven't gotten any sort of regular bill via mail in years and pay almost everything online.

    Furthermore, if the current system is working for them, why should they change it?
    Why should it matter how well it works for ISHTA?  What should matter is how it works for drivers.  I am not advocating for getting rid of the ability to pay online.  In fact, I would encourage more agencies to allow it as an option.  What I'm against is making it a requirement.  Drivers shouldn't be considered delinquent and sent to collections just for not being proactive and looking things up online before even getting anything in the mail - especially given that home internet is still somehow not universal.  Maybe then things like the horror stories in this thread would have been prevented (then again, maybe not; as we've seen across the country, paying tolls by any means other than cash or transponder is a janky process prone to errors, to the point where bills have come up in the NY legislature for a "tollpayers bill of rights" several times since the Thruway began the AET rollout).


    The current system works just fine for drivers.  And a couple of anecdotes....sorry "horror stories"...  :wow: :wow: don't prove otherwise.

    There are signs all over the place telling drivers how to pay. If they don't have home internet, go to the library. None of this is hard. And again, NO ONE IS SENT TO COLLECTIONS for merely NOT paying online. People get an invoice if they are two weeks late with a fee. It is not considered an offense until they are 90 days late - by that time they would have received THREE notices by mail

    Seriously, your posts on this are getting more and more absurd. Stop absolving drivers for not having the ability to realize their surroundings AND NOT READING THE SIGNS!!!  It's not a secret when someone is going through a toll.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on February 29, 2024, 12:58:35 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 29, 2024, 11:53:54 AM
    Quote from: vdeane on February 28, 2024, 09:38:27 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 28, 2024, 04:41:57 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on February 28, 2024, 03:19:49 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 27, 2024, 01:56:29 PM
    You don't get a bill by mail. You get an overdue invoice by mail.
    So, they do send mail! Why not send the bill by mail to begin with? Make the whole process simpler...

    Cost them too much? Charge higher pay by mail tolls. Like virtually every other toll agency in the country does. Illinois (or "ISTHA") is the backwards one here.

    So you're saying that a system where tolls are primarily paid online is more "backwards" than a bill-by-mail system? That's really an odd take. I haven't gotten any sort of regular bill via mail in years and pay almost everything online.

    Furthermore, if the current system is working for them, why should they change it?
    Why should it matter how well it works for ISHTA?  What should matter is how it works for drivers.  I am not advocating for getting rid of the ability to pay online.  In fact, I would encourage more agencies to allow it as an option.  What I'm against is making it a requirement.  Drivers shouldn't be considered delinquent and sent to collections just for not being proactive and looking things up online before even getting anything in the mail - especially given that home internet is still somehow not universal.  Maybe then things like the horror stories in this thread would have been prevented (then again, maybe not; as we've seen across the country, paying tolls by any means other than cash or transponder is a janky process prone to errors, to the point where bills have come up in the NY legislature for a "tollpayers bill of rights" several times since the Thruway began the AET rollout).


    The current system works just fine for drivers.  And a couple of anecdotes....sorry "horror stories"...  :wow: :wow: don't prove otherwise.

    There are signs all over the place telling drivers how to pay. If they don't have home internet, go to the library. None of this is hard. And again, NO ONE IS SENT TO COLLECTIONS for merely NOT paying online. People get an invoice if they are two weeks late with a fee. It is not considered an offense until they are 90 days late - by that time they would have received THREE notices by mail

    Seriously, your posts on this are getting more and more absurd. Stop absolving drivers for not having the ability to realize their surroundings AND NOT READING THE SIGNS!!!  It's not a secret when someone is going through a toll.
    I believe I already clarified that the initial posts I made were based on what people were saying before it was clarified that normally a bill was sent in the mail?  Personally, I'm not a fan of technological change causes regressions, but as I've now said a couple times before, that was mostly based on the story where nothing went through the mail.  At this point, I'm just going to assume that you're attacking me just to attack me, as people on this board seem to be wont to do.  Whatever.  At least I don't have to worry about this since I have E-ZPass, but you're attempts to downplay the fact that both the online system and bill by mail aren't foolproof won't have me using any AET toll facilities that aren't interoperable any time soon.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on February 29, 2024, 01:51:14 PM
    So even though your initial assumptions were false, you're still sticking with your narrative?  I'm not attacking you. I'm saying that your posts on the matter lack logic.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on February 29, 2024, 02:40:40 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 29, 2024, 01:51:14 PM
    I'm not attacking you. I'm saying that your posts on the matter lack logic.

    ↓  I own this tee shirt.  ↓

    (https://i5.walmartimages.com/seo/Big-and-Tall-I-m-Not-Arguing-Just-Explaining-Why-I-m-Right_2d791ce0-09d6-4ce0-80ca-28545f361d2e_2.74042424dbcad9c8b6780227339fd8fc.jpeg)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on February 29, 2024, 04:33:08 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 29, 2024, 01:51:14 PM
    So even though your initial assumptions were false, you're still sticking with your narrative?  I'm not attacking you. I'm saying that your posts on the matter lack logic.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on February 29, 2024, 06:45:01 PM
    Valerie works for the government. She knows the astronomical extent to which agencies have to try and make things as foolproof as possible for users.  There are still a lot of computer-illiterate beings afoot...

    Furthermore, most people aren't as focused on the intricacies of roadway travel as we are.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on February 29, 2024, 07:57:22 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on February 29, 2024, 02:40:40 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 29, 2024, 01:51:14 PM
    I'm not attacking you. I'm saying that your posts on the matter lack logic.

    ↓  I own this tee shirt.  ↓

    (https://i5.walmartimages.com/seo/Big-and-Tall-I-m-Not-Arguing-Just-Explaining-Why-I-m-Right_2d791ce0-09d6-4ce0-80ca-28545f361d2e_2.74042424dbcad9c8b6780227339fd8fc.jpeg)
    Dude! I love that shirt.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on February 29, 2024, 10:49:23 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on February 29, 2024, 11:53:54 AM
    The current system works just fine for drivers.

    If even people with I-Pass's are getting fined when their transponder stops working I have to wonder how well that system is working. And given how uncooperative the Tollway's website can be some days for checking balances . . .

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 06:09:49 AM
    I've been using their website and app for over a decade and never had a problem. Just used it yesterday to make sure my tolls were recorded...and yep. They were there like always.

    Look, I am not saying there aren't occasional problems. But it seems to me, having used the iPass system regularly for years, that huge non-payment problems or technical gliches are hardly chronic. In fact, they seem very rare. Just looking at some figures, it looks like only 3% of tolls get to the invoice stage.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 09:55:33 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 06:09:49 AM
    Just looking at some figures, it looks like only 3% of tolls get to the invoice stage.

    Back when I could put coins in a basket, 0% of my tolls got to the invoice stage.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 10:25:31 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 09:55:33 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 06:09:49 AM
    Just looking at some figures, it looks like only 3% of tolls get to the invoice stage.

    Back when I could put coins in a basket, 0% of my tolls got to the invoice stage.


    Wonder what the loss rate was from getting the tolls from the basket to the bank? Or the costs involved to have people transport and count the coins?

    And the majority of the invoiced amount will eventually be received.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 10:30:40 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 10:25:31 AM
    Wonder what the loss rate was from getting the tolls from the basket to the bank? Or the costs involved to have people transport and count the coins?

    Yeah but, again, that's how it works out for the agency, not how it works out for the driver.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:02:23 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 10:30:40 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 10:25:31 AM
    Wonder what the loss rate was from getting the tolls from the basket to the bank? Or the costs involved to have people transport and count the coins?

    Yeah but, again, that's how it works out for the agency, not how it works out for the driver.

    It is 1 million times easier for the driver to not have to stop and throw coins in a basket.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:08:23 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:02:23 AM
    It is 1 million times easier for the driver to not have to stop and throw coins in a basket.

    It is 1.6 million times easier for the driver to not have to navigate a website to pay a toll.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:13:56 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:08:23 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:02:23 AM
    It is 1 million times easier for the driver to not have to stop and throw coins in a basket.

    It is 1.6 million times easier for the driver to not have to navigate a website to pay a toll.

    Nope. It's very easy.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:15:27 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:13:56 AM
    Nope. It's very easy.

    And it's difficult to throw coins in a basket?  Somehow I managed all those years...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hotdogPi on March 01, 2024, 11:17:10 AM
    Until dollar coins become commonplace, throwing coins in a basket would require a lot of quarters. (I imagine dollar bills would blow away and not reach the basket if it's windy.)

    That said, I agree with the prior sentiment that the "online only" signs need to be before the last turnaround point.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on March 01, 2024, 11:19:43 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:15:27 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:13:56 AM
    Nope. It's very easy.

    And it's difficult to throw coins in a basket?  Somehow I managed all those years...
    It's annoying.  Much prefer at-speed tolling, nostalgia notwithstanding.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:19:54 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:15:27 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:13:56 AM
    Nope. It's very easy.

    And it's difficult to throw coins in a basket?  Somehow I managed all those years...

    In comparison, yes. I go to websites to pay bills all the time. I doubt I have more than $2 in coins in my house and car at any given time.  Not to mention the having to stop...waiting for others...ooops someone missed a basket...waiting for the gate to open.  Way easier to sail through at 75 mph.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:32:56 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:19:54 AM
    I doubt I have more than $2 in coins in my house and car at any given time.

    It was never a problem for me to come up with the coins necessary for tolls.  Same with taking the bus.  Just because you choose to go mainly cashless, that doesn't mean everybody does.

    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:19:54 AM
    Not to mention the having to stop...waiting for others...ooops someone missed a basket...waiting for the gate to open.

    None of that is difficult.

    Quote from: 1 on March 01, 2024, 11:17:10 AM
    Until dollar coins become commonplace, throwing coins in a basket would require a lot of quarters.

    Counting coins was the hardest part, because it wasn't only quarters.  I remember 40 cents being pretty standard, which was one each of quarter, dime, and nickel.

    But, if you have a passenger, then that's the passenger's job:  get cash ready for the toll.  I still do it this way when driving in Mexico, having my wife or whoever is in the passenger seat at the time get the cash ready.  No website required.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:39:32 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:32:56 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:19:54 AM
    I doubt I have more than $2 in coins in my house and car at any given time.

    It was never a problem for me to come up with the coins necessary for tolls.  Same with taking the bus.  Just because you choose to go mainly cashless, that doesn't mean everybody does.

    Many people have. It's the direction society has headed. If you are inconvenienced by an unwillingness to do so, that's on you.


    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:32:56 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:19:54 AM
    Not to mention the having to stop...waiting for others...ooops someone missed a basket...waiting for the gate to open.

    None of that is difficult.

    You cut out the "in comparison" part.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:51:06 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:39:32 AM

    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 11:32:56 AM

    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:19:54 AM
    Not to mention the having to stop...waiting for others...ooops someone missed a basket...waiting for the gate to open.

    None of that is difficult.

    You cut out the "in comparison" part.

    No, I mean none of that is difficult at all—in comparison to something else or not.  Stopping and waiting is not difficult.  You just move your right foot over from the gas pedal to the brake.  If you're driving stickshift, you'll need to use your left foot too.

    I have never come up to a toll booth and thought to myself, OK, now, how do I do this?  I just either drop coins in basket or hand my money to a human in a booth.  It's easy.

    Maybe you meant that it's annoying, not that it's difficult.  OK.  I think it's more annoying to have to remember to do anything at all after the fact to make sure my toll registered properly.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:57:43 AM
    You're the one who introduced the word "difficult" into the conversation.

    But yes...it is easier to drive through a cashless toll than to stop at a coin basket. And that's what matters - comparing one to the other.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 12:00:55 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:57:43 AM
    You're the one who introduced the word "difficult" into the conversation.

    Only in response to your having introduced the word "easier" into the conversation.

    But yes...it is easier to stop at a coin basket than to go online and ensure all your recent tolls have transacted correctly.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on March 01, 2024, 12:06:37 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 12:00:55 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:57:43 AM
    You're the one who introduced the word "difficult" into the conversation.

    Only in response to your having introduced the word "easier" into the conversation.

    But yes...it is easier to stop at a coin basket than to go online and ensure all your recent tolls have transacted correctly.
    Nah.  I've had one issue with my tag not being read in years of using it and that only caused an issue because I was in a rental car.

    That single inconvenience in years pales in comparison to sitting in backups at toll plazas all throughout the Northeast (Williamsville, Newton, Sturbridge, anything on the GSP or NJ Tpk, GWB...).  Miserable memories abound.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 12:10:11 PM
    Quote from: Rothman on March 01, 2024, 12:06:37 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 01, 2024, 12:00:55 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 11:57:43 AM
    You're the one who introduced the word "difficult" into the conversation.

    Only in response to your having introduced the word "easier" into the conversation.

    But yes...it is easier to stop at a coin basket than to go online and ensure all your recent tolls have transacted correctly.
    Nah.  I've had one issue with my tag not being read in years of using it and that only caused an issue because I was in a rental car.

    That single inconvenience in years pales in comparison to sitting in backups at toll plazas all throughout the Northeast (Williamsville, Newton, Sturbridge, anything on the GSP or NJ Tpk, GWB...).  Miserable memories abound.

    Yep.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on March 02, 2024, 11:22:46 AM
    Then there is the guy who drops his change on the way to the basket on the Tri-State.  He begins to crawl under his car looking for his loose quarter that didn't make it. It is there he discovers not one but hundreds of quarters, dimes and nickels impressed into the asphalt. How to find his quarter in the nighttime? Meanwhile his spouse has pulled out another quarter so as to not hold up the line.  No he says, "a quarter is a quarter" as he continues to crawl under the car looking for said quarter. Just as the backup starts the ritual of honking to get things to move along, he finds his quarter as it had rolled some distance to the back of the car. He craws back out with quarter in hand throws it in the basket, gate goes up and he moves along. Some 20-30 cars meanwhile wait in mystery as there is some guy walking around his car up at the basket.

    I can relate. After driving out of Manhattan, I cross the Tri-Borough Bridge.  "Toll" it says, I think "oh, its like ISHTA, you need change". Nope. Private bridge toll tokens, no cash taken. I am at the basket with the gate down, and as I try to figure out how to get out of this, a line of about 15 cars start honking in all of their New York glory.  Finally, I get out of the car and stand with my hands in the air, which I mean to be the universal symbol for "I don't have any tokens". Finally a dude in a Mazda about 6 or 7 cars back yells at me to catch, and he throws me a pre-taped wad of tokens. He says "pay me back later" and I yell thanks back, Pay my toll and drive off. Don't know the guy, never will.  But after that, if I saw an out of state plate struggling at the former ISTHA cash baskets, I would have extra change at hand "to pay him back".
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on March 02, 2024, 10:32:13 PM
    From recent travels, it seems that it would be very easy for someone heading west on I-80/I-94 to end up on the Tri-State by mistake.  The signing overall seems to favor mentioning the exits for I-94/IL 394 and Torrence Avenue versus the transition from a free road to a tollway.    The lack of signing is helped by the number of trucks and near-congested conditions that make it harder to see and decipher the signs.

    Wonder if the WB exit to Torrence Avenue should have been from the roadway leading to I-94/IL 394 versus the one that turns into the Tri-State?  It might have made signing the start of the Tri-State better.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 01:37:52 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    4 lanes of heavily congested traffic with trucks, and a little (non-compliant at that) sign off to the right 1/4 mile before the last exit. But sure... signage. Sure hope you're not in any other lane but the right.

    No compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" signage with yellow background, no 1 or 2 mile notice in advanced, no large yellow "Toll Road" signage on the mainline guide signs (just the word "Tollway" with normal background & small font hard to read if you're not paying attention to the small details.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Great Lakes Roads on March 03, 2024, 02:11:08 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 01:37:52 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    4 lanes of heavily congested traffic with trucks, and a little (non-compliant at that) sign off to the right 1/4 mile before the last exit. But sure... signage. Sure hope you're not in any other lane but the right.

    No compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" signage with yellow background, no 1 or 2 mile notice in advanced, no large yellow "Toll Road" signage on the mainline guide signs (just the word "Tollway" with normal background & small font hard to read if you're not paying attention to the small details.

    Those signs were put up in 2007 (before the 2009 edition in MUTCD on tollway signage)... They will get around to updating the signage at some point.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 07:34:34 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 01:37:52 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    4 lanes of heavily congested traffic with trucks, and a little (non-compliant at that) sign off to the right 1/4 mile before the last exit. But sure... signage. Sure hope you're not in any other lane but the right.

    No compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" signage with yellow background, no 1 or 2 mile notice in advanced, no large yellow "Toll Road" signage on the mainline guide signs (just the word "Tollway" with normal background & small font hard to read if you're not paying attention to the small details.

    LOL.

    "There should be a sign"

    "There is a sign"

    "That sign isn't good enough."

    FFS, maybe require drivers to be responsible for figuring this stuff out. And anyway, people who "accidently" enter the Tri State on I-80 and exit toward Iowa tolls of $1.10. Really not that big of a deal.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 09:12:12 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 07:34:34 AM
    LOL.

    "There should be a sign"

    "There is a sign"

    "That sign isn't good enough."
    See, I don't usually buy into the sign argument (trust me, I've heard it before), but there is virtually none in this area, let alone anything that is compliant with any standards in the last 15 years of the MUTCD. I've seen numerous toll roads that make it very clear you're going onto a toll road.

    Having big highway signs conveying tons of information with small text "Toll Road" (smaller text than the rest) mixed in with everything else, plus one non-compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" sign 1/4 mile before the exit on an 8 lane highway doesn't cut it.

    The point of having the yellow striped "Toll" banner is to attract attention to that detail.

    QuoteFFS, maybe require drivers to be responsible for figuring this stuff out.
    Perhaps by installing compliant signage that meets the last 2 editions of the MUTCD in the past 15 years?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu

    Is it MUTCD compliant? I have no idea and I don't particularly care. Anyone who "accidently" doesn't realize that they are entering a Tollway either can't read, or is painfully unaware of their surroundings. I lack sympathy for both.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 12:32:06 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    That's bullshit, it's more like 76 dollars for 5 miles because you don't get sent the bill in the mail.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 03:13:22 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable.
    Right... we'll act like it's not the smallest text on the entire sign.

    Quote
    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.
    Nah, I don't feel like it.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 03:15:26 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 12:32:06 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    That's bullshit, it's more like 76 dollars for 5 miles because you don't get sent the bill in the mail.
    I think he forgot the driver may not have E-ZPass or the elephant in the room - they don't send the bill in the mail until it has a violation penalty!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on March 03, 2024, 04:49:27 PM
    I will concede that, at all ISTHA entrance points now, before the "decision" point, there should be clear signage that ISTHA roadways are cashless tolling only, via I-Pass/E-ZPass or Pay Online. The best way to sign that, I am not sure. Not just at I-80, but I-90 and I-94 from Wisconsin, I-39/US 51 coming around the Rockford Bypass, I-94 leaving the Edens North/West, I-90 leaving the Kennedy near O'Hare, I-88 coming from the Quad Cities, and at Tollway entrances overall, especially at major Interstate junctions like 39, 55, 80, and 290

    Even the Top Banner that is in use at the "original" cashless tolling exits like I-57, Balmoral, all of IL 390/Elgin-O'Hare, etc would probably work at all Tollway entrance signage now
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 03, 2024, 09:25:58 PM
    Quote from: ilpt4u on March 03, 2024, 04:49:27 PM
    I will concede that, at all ISTHA entrance points now, before the "decision" point, there should be clear signage that ISTHA roadways are cashless tolling only, via I-Pass/E-ZPass or Pay Online. The best way to sign that, I am not sure. Not just at I-80, but I-90 and I-94 from Wisconsin, I-39/US 51 coming around the Rockford Bypass, I-94 leaving the Edens North/West, I-90 leaving the Kennedy near O'Hare, I-88 coming from the Quad Cities, and at Tollway entrances overall, especially at major Interstate junctions like 39, 55, 80, and 290

    Even the Top Banner that is in use at the "original" cashless tolling exits like I-57, Balmoral, all of IL 390/Elgin-O'Hare, etc would probably work at all Tollway entrance signage now
    The MassPike signage from US 20 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.2967803,-73.2381986,3a,49.1y,302.23h,94.19t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sPl-myhxHq1luD2ehDwKq5g!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) is pretty good.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ilpt4u on March 03, 2024, 09:30:02 PM
    ISTHA's version, but only signed at the "original" cashless tolling interchanges, before the full system went cashless:
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/15pX1iEnDbvkrsDA7
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/3qcLY7U4pwTHQH669
    https://maps.app.goo.gl/S3YJUBRNtjAb3CXx6

    The MassPike's version has all pertinent info, but is a bit wordy. Need a symbol for "No Cash" - perhaps a $ or a bill & coins in a "No/Prohibited" circle like a "no right turn" or "no left turn" sign?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Revive 755 on March 03, 2024, 10:24:23 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Not when one has to focus on traffic that is heavy enough and threatening to come to an abrupt stop.

    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    Stop make excuses for bad, non-MUTCD compliant signing. 
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:00:29 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 12:32:06 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    That's bullshit, it's more like 76 dollars for 5 miles because you don't get sent the bill in the mail bother looking into how to pay the toll.

    FTFY.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:43:29 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:00:29 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 12:32:06 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    That's bullshit, it's more like 76 dollars for 5 miles because you don't get sent the bill in the mail bother looking into how to pay the toll.

    FTFY.

    Quit defending shitty unethical government practices. That is plain daylight robbery when they don't send the bill in the mail, and wait until it's past due and charge 76 dollars for 5 whole miles of roadway. Literally costs less than a dollar to send a letter. Anyone that doesn't live in Illinois would assume they would get a bill in the mail, and if they don't then the cameras didn't work.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:49:38 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:43:29 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:00:29 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 12:32:06 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    That's bullshit, it's more like 76 dollars for 5 miles because you don't get sent the bill in the mail bother looking into how to pay the toll.

    FTFY.

    Quit defending shitty unethical government practices. That is plain daylight robbery when they don't send the bill in the mail, literally costs less than a dollar to send a letter. Anyone that doesn't live in Illinois would assume they would get a bill in the mail, and if they don't then the cameras didn't work.

    Quit defending lazy-assed motorists who are clearly informed they're on a tollway (spare me the "MUTCD-compliance" argument) and have no complaints while they think they're getting away with not paying the toll.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:51:18 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:49:38 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:43:29 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:00:29 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 12:32:06 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    That's bullshit, it's more like 76 dollars for 5 miles because you don't get sent the bill in the mail bother looking into how to pay the toll.

    FTFY.

    Quit defending shitty unethical government practices. That is plain daylight robbery when they don't send the bill in the mail, literally costs less than a dollar to send a letter. Anyone that doesn't live in Illinois would assume they would get a bill in the mail, and if they don't then the cameras didn't work.

    Quit defending lazy-assed motorists who are clearly informed they're on a tollway (spare me the "MUTCD-compliance" argument) and have no complaints while they think they're getting away with not paying the toll.
    Do you get a cut of the late bill profits?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 04, 2024, 12:01:15 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:51:18 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:49:38 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:43:29 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:00:29 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 12:32:06 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    That's bullshit, it's more like 76 dollars for 5 miles because you don't get sent the bill in the mail bother looking into how to pay the toll.

    FTFY.

    Quit defending shitty unethical government practices. That is plain daylight robbery when they don't send the bill in the mail, literally costs less than a dollar to send a letter. Anyone that doesn't live in Illinois would assume they would get a bill in the mail, and if they don't then the cameras didn't work.

    Quit defending lazy-assed motorists who are clearly informed they're on a tollway (spare me the "MUTCD-compliance" argument) and have no complaints while they think they're getting away with not paying the toll.
    Do you get a cut of the late bill profits?
    With how strong and adamantly him and SEWIGuy have been defending it, they must have some stake  :-D
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 04, 2024, 05:20:07 AM
    Quote from: Revive 755 on March 03, 2024, 10:24:23 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Not when one has to focus on traffic that is heavy enough and threatening to come to an abrupt stop.

    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    Stop make excuses for bad, non-MUTCD compliant signing. 

    "Non-MUTCD compliant.." 😂😂😂  It's clear and obvious.

    But kudos for blaming heavy traffic. Always good for a new excuse I guess.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 04, 2024, 05:22:48 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 04, 2024, 12:01:15 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:51:18 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:49:38 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:43:29 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:00:29 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 12:32:06 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    That's bullshit, it's more like 76 dollars for 5 miles because you don't get sent the bill in the mail bother looking into how to pay the toll.

    FTFY.

    Quit defending shitty unethical government practices. That is plain daylight robbery when they don't send the bill in the mail, literally costs less than a dollar to send a letter. Anyone that doesn't live in Illinois would assume they would get a bill in the mail, and if they don't then the cameras didn't work.

    Quit defending lazy-assed motorists who are clearly informed they're on a tollway (spare me the "MUTCD-compliance" argument) and have no complaints while they think they're getting away with not paying the toll.
    Do you get a cut of the late bill profits?
    With how strong and adamantly him and SEWIGuy have been defending it, they must have some stake  :-D

    Nope. Just tired of ridiculous arguments. There is absolutely nothing unethical. The signing is clear and obvious. The way to pay is clear and obvious.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 04, 2024, 11:01:30 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 04, 2024, 05:20:07 AM
    "Non-MUTCD compliant.." 😂😂😂  It's clear and obvious.
    I agree, it is clear and obvious that it is not MUTCD-compliant  :bigass:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 04, 2024, 11:54:31 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:43:29 PM
    Anyone that doesn't live in Illinois would assume they would get a bill in the mail, and if they don't then the cameras didn't work.

    Yes.  This.  If I inadvertently end up on a toll road (because the signage is inadequate, because I was looking the wrong way when passing by the sign, because I'm a complete idiot who shouldn't be allowed a driver's license, whatever the reason), don't encounter any toll booths where I can use cash, and then I never receive a bill in the mail, then it would be reasonable for me to assume that either (a) the camera didn't capture my license plate, or (b) the agency has no way to look up my data to send me that bill.  Either way, most people would assume they're off the hook in that situation.  I only know that's not necessarily the case because of time spend on this forum.




    On a lighter note...  I remember hitchhiking from right in front of the toll basket for the on-ramp from Roosevelt Road to SB I-355, with a cardboard sign that said [WILL PAY TOLLS].  I had some change in my pocket, and I paid his toll.

    Also, by the time he dropped me off at Boughton Road, he had confessed to me that he cheats on his wife.  Hitchhiking can be weird...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 04, 2024, 12:10:11 PM
    But you would get an invoice with the upcharge for paying via mail.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 04, 2024, 12:47:29 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 04, 2024, 12:01:15 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:51:18 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:49:38 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 11:43:29 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 03, 2024, 11:00:29 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 03, 2024, 12:32:06 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 11:17:15 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 10:31:57 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 03, 2024, 09:31:23 AM
    There is also signage right when you cross from Indiana, prior to the I-94 / IL-394 exit that clearly indicates that I-80/294 is a Tollway.

    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779693,-87.5327092,3a,75y,294h,90t/data=!3m9!1e1!3m7!1s0Ejjr8kyUrDl6Ul55Zvtzw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192!9m2!1b1!2i51?entry=ttu
    Ah yes, you've provided a link to my previously mentioned big highway sign with the smallest "Tollway" text possible squeezed in there. Thank you!

    It's plenty big. Very readable. And even if they manage to miss them, they will pay a grand total of $1.10 if they are going through on I-80.

    Stop making excuses for ignorant drivers.

    That's bullshit, it's more like 76 dollars for 5 miles because you don't get sent the bill in the mail bother looking into how to pay the toll.

    FTFY.

    Quit defending shitty unethical government practices. That is plain daylight robbery when they don't send the bill in the mail, literally costs less than a dollar to send a letter. Anyone that doesn't live in Illinois would assume they would get a bill in the mail, and if they don't then the cameras didn't work.

    Quit defending lazy-assed motorists who are clearly informed they're on a tollway (spare me the "MUTCD-compliance" argument) and have no complaints while they think they're getting away with not paying the toll.
    Do you get a cut of the late bill profits?
    With how strong and adamantly him and SEWIGuy have been defending it, they must have some stake  :-D
    I have noticed that people from the Midwest tend to have a strong response along the lines of "this is how we do things, it's just fine, and we resent you people from elsewhere telling us to change" whenever their states get any criticism (constructive or otherwise).  The whole debate about the Mackinac Bridge and E-ZPass went down the same way.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on March 04, 2024, 12:53:36 PM
    Having to fumble around getting cash out of my wallet for the Mighty Mac was an eyeopeningly 20th Century experience.  Then, because it was a bunch of singles, the toll taker had to take time to count it.  What a waste.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 04, 2024, 12:54:42 PM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 04, 2024, 12:47:29 PM
    I have noticed that people from the Midwest tend to have a strong response along the lines of "this is how we do things, it's just fine, and we resent you people from elsewhere telling us to change" whenever their states get any criticism (constructive or otherwise).

    Is that a Midwest thing?  I thought it was an "everywhere between the coasts" thing.

    Quote from: The Simpsons — Season 14, Episode 13 — A Star Is Born Again
    Ned Flanders — We occupy that useless mass of land between Los Angeles and New York called ... America.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: NWI_Irish96 on March 04, 2024, 12:57:07 PM
    Should Illinois sign that stretch of I-80 better? Yes.

    Is it reasonable for someone to not realize it's tolled based on the current signage? No.

    There are many signs indicating you can pay with I-Pass or online, and most GPS directions note that there's a toll.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 04, 2024, 01:04:10 PM
    Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on March 04, 2024, 12:57:07 PM
    Should Illinois sign that stretch of I-80 better? Yes.

    Is it reasonable for someone to not realize it's tolled based on the current signage? No.

    There are many signs indicating you can pay with I-Pass or online, and most GPS directions note that there's a toll.
    The main ones noting how to pay are this one (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5778355,-87.5914259,3a,17.7y,290.77h,89.93t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s8Kw2LAUXyuOqwghI4WM9xw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu), on the right and easily missed if you're on the left and there are lots of trucks (which seems to be a common occurrence per street view) and these (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5823856,-87.6791717,3a,41.2y,308.27h,94.32t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0XwidaA35_CHNF4oPZ8vXQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) (small, lots of text, look kinda like DOT reference markers aside from the yellow).  Taking the latter and making them into a big overhead sign would be good.

    As for GPS, if you're also going on the Indiana Toll Road, you could easily assume that the GPS is talking about that when it says "this route has tolls".  And presence/absence of a toll doesn't say anything about how you need to pay.  I think it's fair to say that most people aren't proactive, and that's not just with respect to driving, it's with respect to anything and everything.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 04, 2024, 01:26:53 PM
    Quote from: NWI_Irish96 on March 04, 2024, 12:57:07 PM
    Should Illinois sign that stretch of I-80 better? Yes.

    Is it reasonable for someone to not realize it's tolled based on the current signage? No.

    There are many signs indicating you can pay with I-Pass or online, and most GPS directions note that there's a toll.

    Exactly.

    But some people think we should have lowest common denominator expectations for anyone who uses the toll road.  Signs are too small and not in the right location...there should be a bill by mail, etc. etc. etc.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 04, 2024, 01:37:33 PM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 04, 2024, 01:04:10 PM
    presence/absence of a toll doesn't say anything about how you need to pay

    Correct.  Knowing that the upcoming highway is a toll road doesn't inform you that you can't pay cash, nor anything else like that.

    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 04, 2024, 01:26:53 PM
    But some people think we should have lowest common denominator expectations for anyone who uses the toll road.

    Expecting people to have done research ahead of time to find out how to pay for tolls along their whole route seems quite a few notches above planning for the lowest common denominator.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 04, 2024, 08:35:03 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 04, 2024, 01:37:33 PM
    Expecting people to have done research ahead of time to find out how to pay for tolls along their whole route seems quite a few notches above planning for the lowest common denominator.
    Definitely.  Especially these days.  People setting out somewhere and then putting on the GPS an hour in when they realize they have no clue where they're going is the norm these days, as much as we may hate it.  Heck, I plan my trips out well in advance and would never have realized that I-80 has a few miles tolled across Illinois.  Thankfully I have E-ZPass so it's not something that personally affects me.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: KelleyCook on March 04, 2024, 10:28:11 PM
    Someone claimed my experience was anecdotal 3 or 4 pages back, but I still say the pay-by-plate system doesn't work very well.

    In 2022, despite it being non-MUTCD compliant sign, I did manage to follow its instructions to attempt to pay online; it just it wouldn't let me since it had no record of my car. It tells you it can take up to eight days, so I tried for a several more times over the next few months and eventually gave up thinking I got lucky. Of course ~6 months later I got a bill in the mail plus a small late fee.

    Anyhow the system then worked in summer 2023; as of today, here is my whole and complete record on their website.

    (https://i.ibb.co/1qDHZYj/image.png) (https://ibb.co/BZX8LHF)

    But note that I drove through twice this past November with this same car and license plate, yet still no toll assessed. At least I now know there is no luck, just lazy government workers; so I will check every month, and hopefully won't get an extra late fee assigned -- again.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on March 04, 2024, 10:38:53 PM
    Quote from: KelleyCook on March 04, 2024, 10:28:11 PM
    Someone claimed my experience was anecdotal 3 or 4 pages back, but I still say the pay-by-plate system doesn't work very well.

    In 2022, despite it being non-MUTCD compliant sign, I did manage to follow its instructions to attempt to pay online; it just it wouldn't let me since it had no record of my car. It tells you it can take up to eight days, so I tried for a several more times over the next few months and eventually gave up thinking I got lucky. Of course ~6 months later I got a bill in the mail plus a small late fee.

    Anyhow the system then worked in summer 2023; as of today, here is my whole and complete record on their website.

    (https://i.ibb.co/1qDHZYj/image.png) (https://ibb.co/BZX8LHF)

    But note that I drove through twice this past November with this same car and license plate, yet still no toll assessed. At least I now know there is no luck, just lazy government workers; so I will check every month, and hopefully won't get an extra late fee assigned -- again.
    Lazy public authority workers, you mean.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: TheCatalyst31 on March 05, 2024, 12:20:33 AM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 04, 2024, 08:35:03 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 04, 2024, 01:37:33 PM
    Expecting people to have done research ahead of time to find out how to pay for tolls along their whole route seems quite a few notches above planning for the lowest common denominator.
    Definitely.  Especially these days.  People setting out somewhere and then putting on the GPS an hour in when they realize they have no clue where they're going is the norm these days, as much as we may hate it.  Heck, I plan my trips out well in advance and would never have realized that I-80 has a few miles tolled across Illinois.  Thankfully I have E-ZPass so it's not something that personally affects me.

    I imagine the short tolled section of I-80 burns a lot of out-of-state drivers, especially if they aren't going to/from the Indiana Toll Road. Of course, the Indiana Toll Road still uses tickets for drivers without E-ZPass, so even then you might not expect a single toll-by-plate.

    That being said, the Illinois Tollway's attitude has always been "get a damn I/E-ZPass or suffer the consequences". They've been charging drivers double to pay in cash or online for years now, and they were way ahead of the curve on open road tolling. Dropping cash tolls is an extension of that. (Indiana, on the other hand, still doesn't have open road tolling or an E-ZPass discount.)
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 08:43:27 AM
    Quote from: KelleyCook on March 04, 2024, 10:28:11 PM
    Someone claimed my experience was anecdotal 3 or 4 pages back, but I still say the pay-by-plate system doesn't work very well.

    Yes. Your experience is anecdotal. Providing an anecdote doesn't change that.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on March 05, 2024, 11:09:33 AM
    So in anticipation of using the ISTHA pay by plate system, could I set up a out of state profile, place a balance on it (say $10) and when the charges come through the plate is already in the system and the bill can be paid immediately. No late fees.

    The last time I paid online, it waived the fees because it was my first toll on the system and they wanted to induce me to register.


    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 01:21:16 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 06:09:49 AM
    I've been using their website and app for over a decade and never had a problem.

    Your experience is anecdotal. Providing an anecdote doesn't change that.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 03:08:29 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 01:21:16 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 01, 2024, 06:09:49 AM
    I've been using their website and app for over a decade and never had a problem.

    Your experience is anecdotal. Providing an anecdote doesn't change that.

    Pretty dishonest to clip that from a post where I also said the following.

    "Look, I am not saying there aren't occasional problems. But it seems to me, having used the iPass system regularly for years, that huge non-payment problems or technical gliches are hardly chronic. In fact, they seem very rare. Just looking at some figures, it looks like only 3% of tolls get to the invoice stage."
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 03:17:42 PM
    Honestly, I think 3% is fairly high.

    At, say, 1800 vph, that's one driver's toll making it to the invoice stage every two seconds.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 03:24:05 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 03:17:42 PM
    Honestly, I think 3% is fairly high.

    At, say, 1800 vph, that's one driver's toll making it to the invoice stage every two seconds.


    1. I don't think its high.

    2. Stop being a dishonest troll.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hotdogPi on March 05, 2024, 03:26:52 PM
    1800 vph is already one car per two seconds as-is. Did you forget to apply the 3% to the total?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 03:32:32 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 03:24:05 PM
    2. Stop being a dishonest troll.

    I'm posting as someone who has, in the past, also had issues with a toll agency being able to accurately match up my toll "violation" with my address.  This resulted in a surprise 50-some-dollar expense a few years later.  Not Illinois, it's true, but the experience has certainly soured me on using all-electronic toll roads without a compatible pass.

    At work, I also sit right next to the one responsible for invoicing field techs for toll violations—quite a few of which have been due to the elimination of cash toll booths and/or drivers' misunderstanding of signage.  Occasionally, it creates a headache for us to figure out who to charge, because it wasn't necessarily the same tech who had that vehicle at the time of the violation as is in that vehicle now.

    You think I'm trolling, but I'm not.  What you call anecdotal and rare is, to me, an everyday occurrence.  What you call the lowest common denominator is, to me, regular folks.  What you call easy is, to me, complicated.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 03:34:36 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 03:17:42 PM
    At, say, 1800 vph, that's one driver's toll making it to the invoice stage every two seconds.

    Quote from: 1 on March 05, 2024, 03:26:52 PM
    1800 vph is already one car per two seconds as-is. Did you forget to apply the 3% to the total?

    Shit, yes.  It would be one car per sixty-six seconds.  That does seem more reasonable.  -ish.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 03:41:08 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 03:32:32 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 03:24:05 PM
    2. Stop being a dishonest troll.

    I'm posting as someone who has, in the past, also had issues with a toll agency being able to accurately match up my toll "violation" with my address.  This resulted in a surprise 50-some-dollar expense a few years later.  Not Illinois, it's true, but the experience has certainly soured me on using all-electronic toll roads without a compatible pass.

    At work, I also sit right next to the one responsible for invoicing field techs for toll violations—quite a few of which have been due to the elimination of cash toll booths and/or drivers' misunderstanding of signage.  Occasionally, it creates a headache for us to figure out who to charge, because it wasn't necessarily the same tech who had that vehicle at the time of the violation as is in that vehicle now.

    You think I'm trolling, but I'm not.  What you call anecdotal and rare is, to me, an everyday occurrence.  What you call the lowest common denominator is, to me, regular folks.  What you call easy is, to me, complicated.

    Wow. Talk about a lack of perspective. You think it isn't rare because YOU have to deal with it everyday?  That's not how it works.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on March 05, 2024, 03:55:56 PM
    I just have my card on file with ISTHA for the 1-2 times a year I go to IL since I don't feel the need to put the effort into an E-Z Pass.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on March 05, 2024, 10:38:45 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 03:41:08 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 03:32:32 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 03:24:05 PM
    2. Stop being a dishonest troll.

    I'm posting as someone who has, in the past, also had issues with a toll agency being able to accurately match up my toll "violation" with my address.  This resulted in a surprise 50-some-dollar expense a few years later.  Not Illinois, it's true, but the experience has certainly soured me on using all-electronic toll roads without a compatible pass.

    At work, I also sit right next to the one responsible for invoicing field techs for toll violations—quite a few of which have been due to the elimination of cash toll booths and/or drivers' misunderstanding of signage.  Occasionally, it creates a headache for us to figure out who to charge, because it wasn't necessarily the same tech who had that vehicle at the time of the violation as is in that vehicle now.

    You think I'm trolling, but I'm not.  What you call anecdotal and rare is, to me, an everyday occurrence.  What you call the lowest common denominator is, to me, regular folks.  What you call easy is, to me, complicated.

    Wow. Talk about a lack of perspective. You think it isn't rare because YOU have to deal with it everyday?  That's not how it works.

    I think we beat this one enough. Can we move on or should Mr Moderator break it off into a separate thread "Illinois Tollway Payments".
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on March 05, 2024, 11:44:49 PM
    Quote from: edwaleni on March 05, 2024, 10:38:45 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 03:41:08 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 05, 2024, 03:32:32 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 05, 2024, 03:24:05 PM
    2. Stop being a dishonest troll.

    I'm posting as someone who has, in the past, also had issues with a toll agency being able to accurately match up my toll "violation" with my address.  This resulted in a surprise 50-some-dollar expense a few years later.  Not Illinois, it's true, but the experience has certainly soured me on using all-electronic toll roads without a compatible pass.

    At work, I also sit right next to the one responsible for invoicing field techs for toll violations—quite a few of which have been due to the elimination of cash toll booths and/or drivers' misunderstanding of signage.  Occasionally, it creates a headache for us to figure out who to charge, because it wasn't necessarily the same tech who had that vehicle at the time of the violation as is in that vehicle now.

    You think I'm trolling, but I'm not.  What you call anecdotal and rare is, to me, an everyday occurrence.  What you call the lowest common denominator is, to me, regular folks.  What you call easy is, to me, complicated.

    Wow. Talk about a lack of perspective. You think it isn't rare because YOU have to deal with it everyday?  That's not how it works.

    I think we beat this one enough. Can we move on or should Mr Moderator break it off into a separate thread "Illinois Tollway Payments".
    Last I checked, stepping between two guys fighting was a good way to get them to turn on you.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on March 06, 2024, 10:10:22 AM
    Quote from: edwaleni on March 05, 2024, 10:38:45 PM
    I think we beat this one enough. Can we move on or should Mr Moderator break it off into a separate thread "Illinois Tollway Payments".

    Not to mention there was already a separate thread for Illinois Tollway bickering discussions.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:52:17 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 01:37:52 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    4 lanes of heavily congested traffic with trucks, and a little (non-compliant at that) sign off to the right 1/4 mile before the last exit. But sure... signage. Sure hope you're not in any other lane but the right.

    No compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" signage with yellow background, no 1 or 2 mile notice in advanced, no large yellow "Toll Road" signage on the mainline guide signs (just the word "Tollway" with normal background & small font hard to read if you're not paying attention to the small details.
    Except there is this sign giving you 7 miles of notice that the Tri State Tollway is coming soon.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5739612,-87.447319,3a,23.7y,233.28h,97.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz7WA0Zmqn1D4JuKzz3nyzA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hotdogPi on March 13, 2024, 08:01:04 AM
    That's nowhere near obvious, as those signs typically list cross streets, not the road you're on.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 13, 2024, 08:08:45 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:52:17 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 01:37:52 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    4 lanes of heavily congested traffic with trucks, and a little (non-compliant at that) sign off to the right 1/4 mile before the last exit. But sure... signage. Sure hope you're not in any other lane but the right.

    No compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" signage with yellow background, no 1 or 2 mile notice in advanced, no large yellow "Toll Road" signage on the mainline guide signs (just the word "Tollway" with normal background & small font hard to read if you're not paying attention to the small details.
    Except there is this sign giving you 7 miles of notice that the Tri State Tollway is coming soon.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5739612,-87.447319,3a,23.7y,233.28h,97.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz7WA0Zmqn1D4JuKzz3nyzA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
    What that would imply to me is that a toll road is intersecting the highway I'm on. Not that the highway I'm on becomes that tollway. No, that is not clear. Try again.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 08:39:57 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 13, 2024, 08:08:45 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:52:17 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 01:37:52 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    4 lanes of heavily congested traffic with trucks, and a little (non-compliant at that) sign off to the right 1/4 mile before the last exit. But sure... signage. Sure hope you're not in any other lane but the right.

    No compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" signage with yellow background, no 1 or 2 mile notice in advanced, no large yellow "Toll Road" signage on the mainline guide signs (just the word "Tollway" with normal background & small font hard to read if you're not paying attention to the small details.
    Except there is this sign giving you 7 miles of notice that the Tri State Tollway is coming soon.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5739612,-87.447319,3a,23.7y,233.28h,97.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz7WA0Zmqn1D4JuKzz3nyzA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
    What that would imply to me is that a toll road is intersecting the highway I'm on. Not that the highway I'm on becomes that tollway. No, that is not clear. Try again.

    That is actually how they do it on the Wisconsin entry on I-94 as well. While the roadway does continue forward, you can't say there is no warning. Heading west on 80, there are 4 signs in 7 miles that mention the Tollway. Could there be more signage? Yes.
    I would have a "Toll I-294 x miles" sign at Cline Ave. I would start using an APL sign at Calumet Ave. Have another APL at State Line Ave. There are ways to improve the signage. But to say that there is no warning is false when the last 2 gantries before the 94 split do say Tollway.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 13, 2024, 08:57:58 AM
    Quote from: 1 on March 13, 2024, 08:01:04 AM
    That's nowhere near obvious, as those signs typically list cross streets, not the road you're on.

    :crazy: :crazy: :crazy: Apparently unless you have thirty signs, all in bright colors, and a lit up arrow at the last exit, its not good enough for some people.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: michiganguy123 on March 13, 2024, 09:08:49 AM
    It's hilarious how much you guys defend the tolling authority, definitely have stake in the profits.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 13, 2024, 09:33:59 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 13, 2024, 09:08:49 AM
    It's hilarious how much you guys defend the tolling authority, definitely have stake in the profits.

    I find the tollways to have way better quality than the freeways, easy and inexpensive. I also think the idea that people can't figure out that they are on one of them until its too late is ridiculous. There is plenty of signage that states as such. Furthermore I expect drivers to be aware of things when they travel to places they don't know very well.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: wanderer2575 on March 13, 2024, 09:57:08 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 13, 2024, 09:08:49 AM
    It's hilarious how much you guys defend the tolling authority, definitely have stake in the profits.

    That's at least twice you've said that.  No, I don't have a stake in the profits.  If you disagree with my opinion, fine -- that's what makes up the world.  But snotty comments add nothing constructive to a discussion.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on March 13, 2024, 10:34:18 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 13, 2024, 09:08:49 AM
    It's hilarious how much you guys defend the tolling authority, definitely have stake in the profits.

    The idea that they have a stake in the profits is a hilarious conspiracy theory.  This comment brought to you by Reynolds Wrap.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 10:40:09 AM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 13, 2024, 10:34:18 AM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 13, 2024, 09:08:49 AM
    It's hilarious how much you guys defend the tolling authority, definitely have stake in the profits.

    The idea that they have a stake in the profits is a hilarious conspiracy theory.  This comment brought to you by Reynolds Wrap.
    Thanks Paul. Exactly what I was thinking. Next they will say something like Jim Carey is drinking the blood of children to stay young. Oh wait. QAnon has that conspiracy theory already.

    I was at one point (25 years ago) employeed by the ISTHA but it was not on good terms that I left. Why the hell would I defend the agency with zero stake in the game?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 13, 2024, 11:03:18 AM
    For what it's worth, this is all the warning you get (https://maps.app.goo.gl/1seeFWHhv5ftdTd76) before I-35 turns into the Kansas Turnpike.

    Of course, you can still pay cash on the Kansas Turnpike.  Well, until later this year, when it goes cashless.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: wanderer2575 on March 13, 2024, 12:41:22 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 13, 2024, 11:03:18 AM
    For what it's worth, this is all the warning you get (https://maps.app.goo.gl/1seeFWHhv5ftdTd76) before I-35 turns into the Kansas Turnpike.

    Actually, no.  "Last Free Exit" is repeated on the 1/2-Mile advance sign and on the exit gore sign (I concede the latter is not ideal placement).  Plus, the Kansas Turnpike logo is shown on the I-35 confirmation assembly after crossing the state line and also on the milemarkers.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 13, 2024, 01:08:13 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 13, 2024, 12:41:22 PM
    Actually, no.  "Last Free Exit" is repeated on the 1/2-Mile advance sign and on the exit gore sign (I concede the latter is not ideal placement).

    Point taken.  I considered all three of those to be one and the same warning, but I suppose they're technically three separate warnings.

    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 13, 2024, 12:41:22 PM
    Plus, the Kansas Turnpike logo is shown on the I-35 confirmation assembly after crossing the state line and also on the milemarkers.

    That's because, once you cross the state line, you're immediately already on the Kansas Turnpike.  It's just that the first toll booth of the Turnpike isn't till north of Exit 4.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: wanderer2575 on March 13, 2024, 01:28:02 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 13, 2024, 01:08:13 PM
    Quote from: wanderer2575 on March 13, 2024, 12:41:22 PM
    Plus, the Kansas Turnpike logo is shown on the I-35 confirmation assembly after crossing the state line and also on the milemarkers.

    That's because, once you cross the state line, you're immediately already on the Kansas Turnpike.  It's just that the first toll booth of the Turnpike isn't till north of Exit 4.

    My point is that all the Turnpike logo signage tells one that tolls are involved somewhere.  If one isn't familiar with that particular road, time to take a break to look at a map.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 13, 2024, 01:50:39 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 13, 2024, 08:08:45 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:52:17 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 01:37:52 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    4 lanes of heavily congested traffic with trucks, and a little (non-compliant at that) sign off to the right 1/4 mile before the last exit. But sure... signage. Sure hope you're not in any other lane but the right.

    No compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" signage with yellow background, no 1 or 2 mile notice in advanced, no large yellow "Toll Road" signage on the mainline guide signs (just the word "Tollway" with normal background & small font hard to read if you're not paying attention to the small details.
    Except there is this sign giving you 7 miles of notice that the Tri State Tollway is coming soon.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5739612,-87.447319,3a,23.7y,233.28h,97.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz7WA0Zmqn1D4JuKzz3nyzA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
    What that would imply to me is that a toll road is intersecting the highway I'm on. Not that the highway I'm on becomes that tollway. No, that is not clear. Try again.
    That's what it implies for me too.  I don't see why anyone who doesn't already know that the road becomes a toll road would have any reason to even consider that that is what the sign is saying.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 13, 2024, 02:04:46 PM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 13, 2024, 01:50:39 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 13, 2024, 08:08:45 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:52:17 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 01:37:52 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    4 lanes of heavily congested traffic with trucks, and a little (non-compliant at that) sign off to the right 1/4 mile before the last exit. But sure... signage. Sure hope you're not in any other lane but the right.

    No compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" signage with yellow background, no 1 or 2 mile notice in advanced, no large yellow "Toll Road" signage on the mainline guide signs (just the word "Tollway" with normal background & small font hard to read if you're not paying attention to the small details.
    Except there is this sign giving you 7 miles of notice that the Tri State Tollway is coming soon.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5739612,-87.447319,3a,23.7y,233.28h,97.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz7WA0Zmqn1D4JuKzz3nyzA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
    What that would imply to me is that a toll road is intersecting the highway I'm on. Not that the highway I'm on becomes that tollway. No, that is not clear. Try again.
    That's what it implies for me too.  I don't see why anyone who doesn't already know that the road becomes a toll road would have any reason to even consider that that is what the sign is saying.

    Perhaps they should know that.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 13, 2024, 02:12:30 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 13, 2024, 02:04:46 PM
    Perhaps they should know that.

    Then what's the sign even for?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 13, 2024, 02:15:49 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 13, 2024, 02:12:30 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 13, 2024, 02:04:46 PM
    Perhaps they should know that.

    Then what's the sign even for?

    To let them know that it starts in seven miles.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 13, 2024, 02:29:52 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 13, 2024, 02:15:49 PM

    Quote from: kphoger on March 13, 2024, 02:12:30 PM

    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 13, 2024, 02:04:46 PM
    Perhaps they should know that.

    Then what's the sign even for?

    To let them know that it starts in seven miles.

    Perhaps they should know that.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:33:24 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 13, 2024, 02:04:46 PM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 13, 2024, 01:50:39 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 13, 2024, 08:08:45 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:52:17 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 03, 2024, 01:37:52 AM
    Quote from: Great Lakes Roads on March 02, 2024, 10:38:04 PM
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5779416,-87.547274,3a,37.5y,268.52h,100.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1s2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg!2e0!6shttps:%2F%2Fstreetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com%2Fv1%2Fthumbnail%3Fpanoid%3D2SYf3QjYNheijjbKBcYvAg%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D43.203796%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu

    There's this sign before the start of the tollway...
    4 lanes of heavily congested traffic with trucks, and a little (non-compliant at that) sign off to the right 1/4 mile before the last exit. But sure... signage. Sure hope you're not in any other lane but the right.

    No compliant "Last Exit Before Toll" signage with yellow background, no 1 or 2 mile notice in advanced, no large yellow "Toll Road" signage on the mainline guide signs (just the word "Tollway" with normal background & small font hard to read if you're not paying attention to the small details.
    Except there is this sign giving you 7 miles of notice that the Tri State Tollway is coming soon.
    https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5739612,-87.447319,3a,23.7y,233.28h,97.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sz7WA0Zmqn1D4JuKzz3nyzA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu
    What that would imply to me is that a toll road is intersecting the highway I'm on. Not that the highway I'm on becomes that tollway. No, that is not clear. Try again.
    That's what it implies for me too.  I don't see why anyone who doesn't already know that the road becomes a toll road would have any reason to even consider that that is what the sign is saying.

    Perhaps they should know that.
    Like I said before, yes there could and should be more signage giving you a warning.  But it is upon the motorist to know where they are going and whether or not the highway is a toll road or toll bridge.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Hobart on March 17, 2024, 04:58:37 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:33:24 PM
    Like I said before, yes there could and should be more signage giving you a warning.  But it is upon the motorist to know where they are going and whether or not the highway is a toll road or toll bridge.
    I strongly agree with this sentiment. If you're local, you would have done enough driving by now to know what is tolled and what isn't. If you aren't local, you should have done your research ahead of time on where to go rather than blindly following a GPS.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 17, 2024, 07:04:45 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on March 17, 2024, 04:58:37 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:33:24 PM
    Like I said before, yes there could and should be more signage giving you a warning.  But it is upon the motorist to know where they are going and whether or not the highway is a toll road or toll bridge.
    I strongly agree with this sentiment. If you're local, you would have done enough driving by now to know what is tolled and what isn't. If you aren't local, you should have done your research ahead of time on where to go rather than blindly following a GPS.
    We should remove curve advisories, warning signs altogether since motorists should have done their research on every curve and blind intersection a road has.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: michiganguy123 on March 17, 2024, 08:22:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on March 17, 2024, 04:58:37 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:33:24 PM
    Like I said before, yes there could and should be more signage giving you a warning.  But it is upon the motorist to know where they are going and whether or not the highway is a toll road or toll bridge.
    I strongly agree with this sentiment. If you're local, you would have done enough driving by now to know what is tolled and what isn't. If you aren't local, you should have done your research ahead of time on where to go rather than blindly following a GPS.

    No one should have to streetview their entire route to avoid getting fucked with a overcharge because some prick decided that only the late fee gets to be sent in the mail, not the actual bill like every other company sends in the mail. There's a reason why you have to opt out of mailed W-2's, even though employees can easily find it on their employee portal.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 17, 2024, 09:25:15 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 17, 2024, 08:22:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on March 17, 2024, 04:58:37 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:33:24 PM
    Like I said before, yes there could and should be more signage giving you a warning.  But it is upon the motorist to know where they are going and whether or not the highway is a toll road or toll bridge.
    I strongly agree with this sentiment. If you're local, you would have done enough driving by now to know what is tolled and what isn't. If you aren't local, you should have done your research ahead of time on where to go rather than blindly following a GPS.

    No one should have to streetview their entire route to avoid getting fucked with a overcharge because some prick decided that only the late fee gets to be sent in the mail, not the actual bill like every other company sends in the mail. There's a reason why you have to opt out of mailed W-2's, even though employees can easily find it on their employee portal.


    You don't have to street view the entire route. Just look at a map.

    And the W2 parallel is hilarious.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hotdogPi on March 17, 2024, 09:26:15 PM
    So a map will tell you that bill by mail is not a thing?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 17, 2024, 11:58:17 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 17, 2024, 09:25:15 PM
    Quote from: michiganguy123 on March 17, 2024, 08:22:08 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on March 17, 2024, 04:58:37 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:33:24 PM
    Like I said before, yes there could and should be more signage giving you a warning.  But it is upon the motorist to know where they are going and whether or not the highway is a toll road or toll bridge.
    I strongly agree with this sentiment. If you're local, you would have done enough driving by now to know what is tolled and what isn't. If you aren't local, you should have done your research ahead of time on where to go rather than blindly following a GPS.

    No one should have to streetview their entire route to avoid getting fucked with a overcharge because some prick decided that only the late fee gets to be sent in the mail, not the actual bill like every other company sends in the mail. There's a reason why you have to opt out of mailed W-2's, even though employees can easily find it on their employee portal.


    You don't have to street view the entire route. Just look at a map.

    And the W2 parallel is hilarious.
    I'm curious about this map that shows a distinction between toll by mail and toll by plate online only toll roads. Do you have a link to share? I'd love to check it out.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2024, 08:57:29 AM
    Quote from: 1 on March 17, 2024, 09:26:15 PM
    So a map will tell you that bill by mail is not a thing?

    It will tell you where the toll roads are. Afterward you are responsible for paying them. Not hard.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: wanderer2575 on March 18, 2024, 08:59:33 AM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 17, 2024, 07:04:45 PM
    We should remove curve advisories, warning signs altogether since motorists should have done their research on every curve and blind intersection a road has.

    The more relevant comparison is that, having decided to drive a particular road, you now have to navigate this curve and that blind intersection whether you want to or not.  If you don't want the possibility of having to deal with those features then, yes, you research to find a route that doesn't have them.

    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 17, 2024, 11:58:17 PM
    I'm curious about this map that shows a distinction between toll by mail and toll by plate online only toll roads. Do you have a link to share? I'd love to check it out.

    I don't see where SEWIGuy's comment said that at all.  Putting words in others' mouth hardly helps to sell an opinion.  A map shows the toll roads.  The motorist takes it from there.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: Rothman on March 18, 2024, 09:10:39 AM
    The solution is to have a tag or pay a little surcharge for toll-by-plate.  This "we tack on a late fee" or whatever it is should be illegal for simplicity of navigation's sake.

    Kind of ridiculous to have a motorist look at a map and then have to search the Internet to see how to pay.

    Then again, reminds me of someone I knew who moved from WI to the East somewhere and prepared to pay tolls with a bag of change, since he had never really left MN or WI before.  This was in the very early 2000s.  Found out that tolls were way over a quarter even then.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2024, 09:29:08 AM
    Quote from: Rothman on March 18, 2024, 09:10:39 AM
    The solution is to have a tag or pay a little surcharge for toll-by-plate.  This "we tack on a late fee" or whatever it is should be illegal for simplicity of navigation's sake.

    Or they could just give a discount for paying prior to receiving the invoice by mail. Same damn thing.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 18, 2024, 01:01:20 PM
    Quote from: Rothman on March 18, 2024, 09:10:39 AM
    The solution is to have a tag or pay a little surcharge for toll-by-plate.  This "we tack on a late fee" or whatever it is should be illegal for simplicity of navigation's sake.

    Kind of ridiculous to have a motorist look at a map and then have to search the Internet to see how to pay.

    Then again, reminds me of someone I knew who moved from WI to the East somewhere and prepared to pay tolls with a bag of change, since he had never really left MN or WI before.  This was in the very early 2000s.  Found out that tolls were way over a quarter even then.
    Exactly.  I don't think it's a coincidence that all of the people who have decided that this is a hill to die on are all local to the one toll authority in the entire country that does this.  The entire premise of their argument is that "the toll road might tack on a late fee if I don't pay online first" is a reasonable expectation to have.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2024, 01:19:34 PM
    It's completely reasonable.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 18, 2024, 01:53:10 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2024, 01:19:34 PM
    It's completely reasonable.
    That is subjective.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: edwaleni on March 18, 2024, 05:39:52 PM
    Maybe the topic will take on this guys license plate.

    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 18, 2024, 07:20:30 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on March 17, 2024, 07:04:45 PM
    Quote from: Hobart on March 17, 2024, 04:58:37 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 13, 2024, 07:33:24 PM
    Like I said before, yes there could and should be more signage giving you a warning.  But it is upon the motorist to know where they are going and whether or not the highway is a toll road or toll bridge.
    I strongly agree with this sentiment. If you're local, you would have done enough driving by now to know what is tolled and what isn't. If you aren't local, you should have done your research ahead of time on where to go rather than blindly following a GPS.
    We should remove curve advisories, warning signs altogether since motorists should have done their research on every curve and blind intersection a road has.
    Completely missed the point. I said there should be more warning signs (mainly because the general public is stupid when it comes to geography) but the motorist should be proactive in knowing what route to take and if it has tolls.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 18, 2024, 08:53:23 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2024, 01:19:34 PM
    It's completely reasonable.
    Maybe if you're used to the idea.  But for those of us who don't live near ISTHA and are used to bill by mail being the default for non-transponder users, how would we have any expectation that it's a possibility?  I only know of such because of this discussion, and I imagine that any non-roadgeek from NY who doesn't have current/former ties to Illinois would have any basis for being aware of such things.  That's assuming they even saw that it's a toll road at all, as Google Maps only marks them when zoomed in close and it's a short enough stretch that I can see people missing it with paper maps.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 09:28:05 AM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 18, 2024, 08:53:23 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2024, 01:19:34 PM
    It's completely reasonable.
    Maybe if you're used to the idea.  But for those of us who don't live near ISTHA and are used to bill by mail being the default for non-transponder users, how would we have any expectation that it's a possibility?  I only know of such because of this discussion, and I imagine that any non-roadgeek from NY who doesn't have current/former ties to Illinois would have any basis for being aware of such things.  That's assuming they even saw that it's a toll road at all, as Google Maps only marks them when zoomed in close and it's a short enough stretch that I can see people missing it with paper maps.

    Sorry you don't believe in being prepared when travelling out of your area. If you are going to be so ignorant, you deserve to be fined.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 19, 2024, 09:57:54 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 09:28:05 AM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 18, 2024, 08:53:23 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2024, 01:19:34 PM
    It's completely reasonable.
    Maybe if you're used to the idea.  But for those of us who don't live near ISTHA and are used to bill by mail being the default for non-transponder users, how would we have any expectation that it's a possibility?  I only know of such because of this discussion, and I imagine that any non-roadgeek from NY who doesn't have current/former ties to Illinois would have any basis for being aware of such things.  That's assuming they even saw that it's a toll road at all, as Google Maps only marks them when zoomed in close and it's a short enough stretch that I can see people missing it with paper maps.

    Sorry you don't believe in being prepared when travelling out of your area. If you are going to be so ignorant, you deserve to be fined.
    What?  :-D
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hotdogPi on March 19, 2024, 10:01:55 AM
    Let's say the Mass Pike decides to charge $40 for the segment between I-84 and I-290 unless you stay within the 65 mph speed limit. This won't show up on a map, as toll roads show up the same color regardless of price. Would you support this?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: wanderer2575 on March 19, 2024, 10:46:59 AM
    Quote from: 1 on March 19, 2024, 10:01:55 AM
    Let's say the Mass Pike decides to charge $40 for the segment between I-84 and I-290 unless you stay within the 65 mph speed limit. This won't show up on a map, as toll roads show up the same color regardless of price. Would you support this?

    Support it?  No.  Drive the Pike again once I know it?  No.  Accept the $40 penalty because I drove the Pike and didn't obey that rule, even though I didn't know of it?  Yes.  Be happy about it?  No.

    Don't know how many times it needs to be repeated but I'll do so again:  A map won't show toll rates or payment options.  It shows that it's a toll road, and from there it's on the motorist to be aware of the details.

    How about a non-toll example:  A truck bashes into a backroads bridge because the clearance is insufficient for that truck.  The bridge clearance doesn't show on the map and isn't posted at the bridge.  Would you say the truck driver is not responsible because he shouldn't have to make sure himself that the truck will clear the bridge?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 10:50:14 AM
    Quote from: 1 on March 19, 2024, 10:01:55 AM
    Let's say the Mass Pike decides to charge $40 for the segment between I-84 and I-290 unless you stay within the 65 mph speed limit. This won't show up on a map, as toll roads show up the same color regardless of price. Would you support this?

    It would be my responsibility to understand the rates of the Mass Pike if travelling to the area.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 19, 2024, 11:28:26 AM
    It's pointless to argue any further because, if it were the toll agency's SOP to send thugs to your house, break down the door, rough you up with pipes, confiscate your whole wallet, and then take a dump on your front porch on the way out—then I'm confident |SEWIGuy| would still say you should have done your research and found that out before doing something so stupid as taking I-80 all the way from Portage to Princeton.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 11:31:55 AM
    You know you've lost the argument when you resort to hyperbolic nonsense.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 19, 2024, 12:00:24 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 09:28:05 AM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 18, 2024, 08:53:23 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2024, 01:19:34 PM
    It's completely reasonable.
    Maybe if you're used to the idea.  But for those of us who don't live near ISTHA and are used to bill by mail being the default for non-transponder users, how would we have any expectation that it's a possibility?  I only know of such because of this discussion, and I imagine that any non-roadgeek from NY who doesn't have current/former ties to Illinois would have any basis for being aware of such things.  That's assuming they even saw that it's a toll road at all, as Google Maps only marks them when zoomed in close and it's a short enough stretch that I can see people missing it with paper maps.

    Sorry you don't believe in being prepared when travelling out of your area. If you are going to be so ignorant, you deserve to be fined.
    You're talking to someone who rants about how little preparation most people do with a decent regularity, and even I think you're expecting too much.  Think about that.

    In this case, it's hard to look up something if you don't know what you need to look up or even that you need to look something up.  Like I said, every other toll agency in the entire country that allows non-transponder users does bill by mail as the default for non-transponder users.  Not this "pay online or get a bill with a late fee" stuff that ISTHA does.

    And like I said, it's such a short section.  On my nation-wide atlas, it's only about a centimeter long, and the green isn't so distinct that you'd notice it unless you're looking specifically at it, especially as the rest of I-80 is free (I know Illinois considers I-294 to be the primary route here, but nobody else does).  And Google won't tell you unless you're closely zoomed in, and I'm not sure if that would even show up with the directions line already on it (and I would guess that most long-distance travelers are also taking the Illinois Toll Road, so Google mentioning the route has tolls won't help either).  I do go over my entire route before drives so I can check street view of all turns, but even that might not pick this up, and even that is more than what 99% of motorists will do.  Just acknowledging reality here.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on March 19, 2024, 12:36:47 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 11:31:55 AM
    You know you've lost the argument when you resort to hyperbolic nonsense.

    Hyperbolic nonsense is expecting the general public to be as road-obsessed and detail-oriented as we are. Heck, a lot of the truck drivers getting stuck with fines can't even read or speak English, for whatever reason.  You pay attention to these things; most of the general public doesn't, as frustrating as it might be.  Most people don't have the time or the interest to google search every road they travel on.  Hell, some older and less literate people don't even know how to google something!
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 03:42:20 PM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 19, 2024, 12:00:24 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 09:28:05 AM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 18, 2024, 08:53:23 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 18, 2024, 01:19:34 PM
    It's completely reasonable.
    Maybe if you're used to the idea.  But for those of us who don't live near ISTHA and are used to bill by mail being the default for non-transponder users, how would we have any expectation that it's a possibility?  I only know of such because of this discussion, and I imagine that any non-roadgeek from NY who doesn't have current/former ties to Illinois would have any basis for being aware of such things.  That's assuming they even saw that it's a toll road at all, as Google Maps only marks them when zoomed in close and it's a short enough stretch that I can see people missing it with paper maps.

    Sorry you don't believe in being prepared when travelling out of your area. If you are going to be so ignorant, you deserve to be fined.
    You're talking to someone who rants about how little preparation most people do with a decent regularity, and even I think you're expecting too much.  Think about that.

    In this case, it's hard to look up something if you don't know what you need to look up or even that you need to look something up.  Like I said, every other toll agency in the entire country that allows non-transponder users does bill by mail as the default for non-transponder users.  Not this "pay online or get a bill with a late fee" stuff that ISTHA does.

    And like I said, it's such a short section.  On my nation-wide atlas, it's only about a centimeter long, and the green isn't so distinct that you'd notice it unless you're looking specifically at it, especially as the rest of I-80 is free (I know Illinois considers I-294 to be the primary route here, but nobody else does).  And Google won't tell you unless you're closely zoomed in, and I'm not sure if that would even show up with the directions line already on it (and I would guess that most long-distance travelers are also taking the Illinois Toll Road, so Google mentioning the route has tolls won't help either).  I do go over my entire route before drives so I can check street view of all turns, but even that might not pick this up, and even that is more than what 99% of motorists will do.  Just acknowledging reality here.

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

    And it doesn't matter what the rest of the country does.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 03:43:19 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 19, 2024, 12:36:47 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 11:31:55 AM
    You know you've lost the argument when you resort to hyperbolic nonsense.

    Hyperbolic nonsense is expecting the general public to be as road-obsessed and detail-oriented as we are. Heck, a lot of the truck drivers getting stuck with fines can't even read or speak English, for whatever reason.  You pay attention to these things; most of the general public doesn't, as frustrating as it might be.  Most people don't have the time or the interest to google search every road they travel on.  Hell, some older and less literate people don't even know how to google something!

    Then their ignorance will force them to pay a small upcharge when the invoice arrives in the mail.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 19, 2024, 03:46:44 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 03:42:20 PM
    And it doesn't matter what the rest of the country does.

    It should matter, when we're talking about what it's reasonable for visitors to expect when they get there.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 20, 2024, 12:25:00 AM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 19, 2024, 03:46:44 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 03:42:20 PM
    And it doesn't matter what the rest of the country does.

    It should matter, when we're talking about what it's reasonable for visitors to expect when they get there.
    But they should've done research and learned all the ins and outs of Illinois' toll system that are not immediately clear but "well signed"  :bigass:
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 20, 2024, 06:38:07 AM
    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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 22, 2024, 08:12:40 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 20, 2024, 06:38:07 AM
    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


    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: mgk920 on March 22, 2024, 11:29:22 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 22, 2024, 08:12:40 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 20, 2024, 06:38:07 AM
    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
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 22, 2024, 12:16:49 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 22, 2024, 08:12:40 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 20, 2024, 06:38:07 AM
    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 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.7116498,-73.8645614,3a,15y,341.76h,90.56t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seLWHJDM2q9Io71diwMJ6nQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu), 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).
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 22, 2024, 12:43:58 PM
    Quote from: mgk920 on March 22, 2024, 11:29:22 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 22, 2024, 08:12:40 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 20, 2024, 06:38:07 AM
    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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: kphoger on March 22, 2024, 02:21:43 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 03:42:20 PM
    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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 22, 2024, 04:58:08 PM
    Quote from: kphoger on March 22, 2024, 02:21:43 PM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 19, 2024, 03:42:20 PM
    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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 22, 2024, 04:59:21 PM
    Quote from: vdeane on March 22, 2024, 12:16:49 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 22, 2024, 08:12:40 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 20, 2024, 06:38:07 AM
    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 (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.7116498,-73.8645614,3a,15y,341.76h,90.56t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1seLWHJDM2q9Io71diwMJ6nQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu), 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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ET21 on March 23, 2024, 02:54:01 PM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 22, 2024, 12:43:58 PM
    Quote from: mgk920 on March 22, 2024, 11:29:22 AM
    Quote from: hobsini2 on March 22, 2024, 08:12:40 AM
    Quote from: SEWIGuy on March 20, 2024, 06:38:07 AM
    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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ran4sh on March 28, 2024, 10:26:02 AM
    Sticker transponders *are* transponders. And they should be forced on all of E-ZPass (eventually), because they work and they're better.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 28, 2024, 10:29:44 AM
    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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: paulthemapguy on March 28, 2024, 11:19:59 AM
    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...
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: hobsini2 on March 28, 2024, 12:42:12 PM
    Quote from: paulthemapguy on Today at 11:19:59 AMI-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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: vdeane on March 28, 2024, 12:58:42 PM
    Quote from: ran4sh on Today at 10:26:02 AMSticker 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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: sprjus4 on March 28, 2024, 01:05:50 PM
    Quote from: ran4sh on Today at 10:26:02 AMSticker 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?
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: SEWIGuy on March 28, 2024, 01:14:29 PM
    Quote from: vdeane on Today at 12:58:42 PM
    Quote from: ran4sh on Today at 10:26:02 AMSticker 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.
    Title: Re: Illinois notes
    Post by: ran4sh on March 28, 2024, 02:14:39 PM
    Quote from: sprjus4 on Today at 01:05:50 PM
    Quote from: ran4sh on Today at 10:26:02 AMSticker 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/