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Illinois Tollway Notes

Started by I-39, March 21, 2016, 10:08:41 PM

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ilpt4u

Quote from: Revive 755 on August 01, 2020, 11:07:18 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 31, 2020, 12:56:13 PM
Same thing for the "To Eola Road"  exits - WB should be Bilter Rd/To Eola Rd. EB should be Diehl Rd/To Eola Rd, but whatever. ISTHA didn't ask me
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?
Serving the WB Reagan, that really should have been built as a Folded Diamond on the north side of the road. Plenty of room there

Serving the EB Reagan, there really isn't much room between the Tollway and Diehl Rd. Even if the ramps were squeezed in for the Folded Diamond, that would be very close-in Stoplights at the fictional ramps and then to Diehl Rd

The design with the ramps to Bilter and Diehl Rds really does help traffic flow on Eola. At least it did when used to live/work up that way a few years back. Eola would be more like the pre-DDI mess at I-88 and IL 59 if those ramps were thrown in there. Even with the DDI Diehl Rd's close proximity to I-88 causes issues at IL 59, too


hobsini2

Quote from: ilpt4u on August 01, 2020, 11:22:55 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 01, 2020, 11:07:18 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 31, 2020, 12:56:13 PM
Same thing for the "To Eola Road"  exits - WB should be Bilter Rd/To Eola Rd. EB should be Diehl Rd/To Eola Rd, but whatever. ISTHA didn't ask me
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?
Serving the WB Reagan, that really should have been built as a Folded Diamond on the north side of the road. Plenty of room there

Serving the EB Reagan, there really isn't much room between the Tollway and Diehl Rd. Even if the ramps were squeezed in for the Folded Diamond, that would be very close-in Stoplights at the fictional ramps and then to Diehl Rd

The design with the ramps to Bilter and Diehl Rds really does help traffic flow on Eola. At least it did when used to live/work up that way a few years back. Eola would be more like the pre-DDI mess at I-88 and IL 59 if those ramps were thrown in there. Even with the DDI Diehl Rd's close proximity to I-88 causes issues at IL 59, too

I believe that I read somewhere when they where coming up with the design for the interchange, they made it that way to accommodate the current residential area along Bilter and the future industrial builds along Bilter/Ferry and Diehl. One of those industrial builds is on Diehl between Eola and the current ramp. I think it may have opened by now. On Bilter/Ferry, there's all that the open space (zoned industrial/commercial) west of Eola but east of Eola is a couple of distribution centers. So that may be the reason.
I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes. Keep firing, assholes! - Dark Helmet (Spaceballs)

I-39

Quote from: Revive 755 on August 01, 2020, 11:07:18 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn't the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.

hobsini2

Quote from: I-39 on August 02, 2020, 04:05:40 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 01, 2020, 11:07:18 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn't the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.
The simple answer is because of the Outlet Mall traffic. During the holidays, the North Farnsworth ramp backs up onto 88. Also, the Hollywood Casino is planning on moving from Downtown Aurora to near the Outlet Mall along Bilter Rd. I have friends who are dealers that have told me this. They want to do this in the next 3 years or so. The Chicago Tribune had the article a year ago June.
I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes. Keep firing, assholes! - Dark Helmet (Spaceballs)

hobsini2

So as was noted last week, it appears that ISTHA is indeed taking advantage of the Pandemic and making all the ramps be I-Pass or Pay Online only eventually. Signs were going up this morning on 63rd St/Hobson Rd to NB 355 saying as such. These are in place so far along 355 between I-55 and I-88 and I-88 between I-355 and Winfield Rd from my observations.
I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes. Keep firing, assholes! - Dark Helmet (Spaceballs)

I-39

Quote from: hobsini2 on August 02, 2020, 04:57:23 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 02, 2020, 04:05:40 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 01, 2020, 11:07:18 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn't the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.
The simple answer is because of the Outlet Mall traffic. During the holidays, the North Farnsworth ramp backs up onto 88. Also, the Hollywood Casino is planning on moving from Downtown Aurora to near the Outlet Mall along Bilter Rd. I have friends who are dealers that have told me this. They want to do this in the next 3 years or so. The Chicago Tribune had the article a year ago June.

I fail to see how an SPUI would have affected outlet mall traffic? The right turn from WB I-88 to NB Farnsworth wouldn't have changed.

ilpt4u

Quote from: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 07:32:27 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 02, 2020, 04:57:23 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 02, 2020, 04:05:40 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 01, 2020, 11:07:18 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn't the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.
The simple answer is because of the Outlet Mall traffic. During the holidays, the North Farnsworth ramp backs up onto 88. Also, the Hollywood Casino is planning on moving from Downtown Aurora to near the Outlet Mall along Bilter Rd. I have friends who are dealers that have told me this. They want to do this in the next 3 years or so. The Chicago Tribune had the article a year ago June.

I fail to see how an SPUI would have affected outlet mall traffic? The right turn from WB I-88 to NB Farnsworth wouldn't have changed.
Yes, but SB Farnsworth to EB I-88 would have to use a Left at the SPUI Signal, as opposed to taking the Loop Ramp. The current configuration keeps SB traffic not using a Signal to make the SB->EB movement, which would add another signal phase

Traffic doesn't just head to the Outlet Mall. It also leaves

I-39

Quote from: ilpt4u on August 07, 2020, 07:58:37 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 07:32:27 PM
Quote from: hobsini2 on August 02, 2020, 04:57:23 PM
Quote from: I-39 on August 02, 2020, 04:05:40 PM
Quote from: Revive 755 on August 01, 2020, 11:07:18 PM
Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?

Good question. And while we are at it, why wasn't the Farnsworth Ave interchange rebuilt into an SPUI? Would have been a much better design rather than cutting corners with the design they used.
The simple answer is because of the Outlet Mall traffic. During the holidays, the North Farnsworth ramp backs up onto 88. Also, the Hollywood Casino is planning on moving from Downtown Aurora to near the Outlet Mall along Bilter Rd. I have friends who are dealers that have told me this. They want to do this in the next 3 years or so. The Chicago Tribune had the article a year ago June.

I fail to see how an SPUI would have affected outlet mall traffic? The right turn from WB I-88 to NB Farnsworth wouldn't have changed.
Yes, but SB Farnsworth to EB I-88 would have to use a Left at the SPUI Signal, as opposed to taking the Loop Ramp. The current configuration keeps SB traffic not using a Signal to make the SB->EB movement, which would add another signal phase

Traffic doesn't just head to the Outlet Mall. It also leaves

They already put a signal anyway for the WB I-88 ramp, so it wouldn't really be much different.

ilpt4u

Quote from: I-39 on August 07, 2020, 08:24:53 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on August 07, 2020, 07:58:37 PM
Yes, but SB Farnsworth to EB I-88 would have to use a Left at the SPUI Signal, as opposed to taking the Loop Ramp. The current configuration keeps SB traffic not using a Signal to make the SB->EB movement, which would add another signal phase

Traffic doesn't just head to the Outlet Mall. It also leaves

They already put a signal anyway for the WB I-88 ramp, so it wouldn't really be much different.
A Signal with No Left Turning for SB Traffic, so that is a phase that is not needed

SPUI would require Left movements and more Phases

I did not conduct the traffic study, nor even see it. I'm sure Kane County and ISTHA had their reasons, redesigning the old Full Cloverleaf into the weird Parclo it is now

Revive 755

Quote from: ilpt4u on August 07, 2020, 10:20:49 PM
I did not conduct the traffic study, nor even see it. I'm sure Kane County and ISTHA had their reasons, redesigning the old Full Cloverleaf into the weird Parclo it is now

I think Farnsworth is under Aurora's jurisdiction at I-88.

SSOWorld

The IL 47 interchange on I-90 used to be I-PASS ONLY before the pandemic (no cash accepted) - they updated it to I-PASS or PAY ONLINE.  Two other interchanges on the Tri-State got that change as well.
Scott O.

Not all who wander are lost...
Ah, the open skies, wind at my back, warm sun on my... wait, where the hell am I?!
As a matter of fact, I do own the road.
Raise your what?

Wisconsin - out-multiplexing your state since 1918.

Rick Powell

Quote from: SSOWorld on August 08, 2020, 10:00:21 AM
The IL 47 interchange on I-90 used to be I-PASS ONLY before the pandemic (no cash accepted) - they updated it to I-PASS or PAY ONLINE.  Two other interchanges on the Tri-State got that change as well.
I think the pay online option is there for any toll plaza on the system, and has been for some time, but it is a cumbersome process for anyone who needs to do it. You basically need to re-trace your steps and estimate what time you went thru each plaza and pay with a CC, and you have only 7 days to do it until it gets re-categorized as a toll scofflaw incident, and 3 of those will trigger a mailed citation and net you a sizable fine of about 20x what the toll would have been.

mgk920

What is so hard about doing like other toll agencies and just mailing out a simple bill?

Mike

hobsini2

Quote from: mgk920 on August 08, 2020, 02:48:40 PM
What is so hard about doing like other toll agencies and just mailing out a simple bill?

Mike

They do it to encourage people to get the I-Pass with the discount incentive and the states it can be used so they get their money upfront. By doing it as a "mail out bill", I am sure you would see the number of delinquent payments rise.
I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes. Keep firing, assholes! - Dark Helmet (Spaceballs)

ET21

Quote from: Revive 755 on August 01, 2020, 11:07:18 PM
Quote from: ilpt4u on July 31, 2020, 12:56:13 PM
Same thing for the "To Eola Road"  exits - WB should be Bilter Rd/To Eola Rd. EB should be Diehl Rd/To Eola Rd, but whatever. ISTHA didn't ask me

Bigger question I have is why wasn't the Eola Road interchange a folded diamond, rather than the indirect design built?



As for observations on the Tri-State today:
* Appears work may start soon near or at the US 34 interchange.  Seems to be some grading, and if I am remembering the correct location lots of temporary jersey wall segments stored here.
* There's a temporary sign NB for one of the I-55 exits with a white square around the I-55 shield.
* The new mile long bridge is coming along fairly well, although there seem to be a few odd gaps in the structure.  Couldn't tell if they were gaps for railroads.
* There's a decent amount of paving to the west/south of the southbound lanes at the end of the mile long bridge.
* The new SB I-294 to NB I-57 loop ramp has a decent amount of pavement in place.  I would guess it could open in October.
* The new NB I-294 to NB I-57 ramps appears to have barely started.

Updated observations from me

-Utility transfer continues along between North Ave and I-88 with a majority of the new power line towers set up.
-Work has begun demolishing the Archer Ave bridges over 294. Least half of the southbound 171 bridge is gone
The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90, I-94
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90

jwags

Quote from: hobsini2 on August 08, 2020, 07:31:23 PM
Quote from: mgk920 on August 08, 2020, 02:48:40 PM
What is so hard about doing like other toll agencies and just mailing out a simple bill?

Mike

They do it to encourage people to get the I-Pass with the discount incentive and the states it can be used so they get their money upfront. By doing it as a "mail out bill", I am sure you would see the number of delinquent payments rise.

It now looks like you can search for tolls by license plate between 7 and 14 days and if you wait for a bill it's $3 per toll invoice fee instead of a $20 violation.

CtrlAltDel

Quote from: mgk920 on August 08, 2020, 02:48:40 PM
What is so hard about doing like other toll agencies and just mailing out a simple bill?

I suppose nothing, but what I like about the Illinois system is that there's no extra fees for paying through the website. It's the regular cash rate.
Interstates clinched: 4, 57, 275 (IN-KY-OH), 465 (IN), 640 (TN), 985
State Interstates clinched: I-26 (TN), I-75 (GA), I-75 (KY), I-75 (TN), I-81 (WV), I-95 (NH)

KMOX4

Travel down IL-56 AND IL-38 passing I-355, Saw signs that say I-Pass or Online, So, I guess it might be pulling the plug, as I Non I-Pass user, I might as well just take IL-53 to 55.

edwaleni

Quote from: KMOX4 on August 29, 2020, 06:36:29 PM
Travel down IL-56 AND IL-38 passing I-355, Saw signs that say I-Pass or Online, So, I guess it might be pulling the plug, as I Non I-Pass user, I might as well just take IL-53 to 55.

Shouldn't your name be called "KMOV"? The KMOX name left Channel 4 ages ago.

KMOX4

Just a name I came up with, I am a aspie.

edwaleni

Quote from: KMOX4 on August 30, 2020, 12:49:24 AM
Just a name I came up with, I am a aspie.

Just being factitious.  :nod: I used to listed to KMOX Radio when I was a kid. Haray Caray and Jack Buck.

I used to watch all the StL stations when I was younger. KPLR is where I saw "professional wrestling" for the first time in the late 60's. And of course who couldn't forget Mr. Patches on KDNL and his birthday parties. "A la Peanut Butter sandwiches!". And of course the great Julius Hunter on Channel 4.

But I digress from the highway stuff. Back to the roads.

ET21

So the first section of the 294 Central rebuild is done. Lawrence north to the Balmoral is completed with work finishing up at the Irving Park exit. Oasis work continues and now the north end of the rebuild shifts to the Irving Park to Grand Ave section
The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90, I-94
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90

ET21

Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.
The local weatherman, trust me I can be 99.9% right!
"Show where you're going, without forgetting where you're from"

Clinched:
IL: I-88, I-180, I-190, I-290, I-294, I-355, IL-390
IN: I-80, I-94
SD: I-190
WI: I-90, I-94
MI: I-94, I-196
MN: I-90

ChiMilNet

Quote from: ET21 on October 28, 2020, 11:59:50 PM
Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.

I really wish they would find a way to add a direct connection from IL-38 to I-294 NB and from I-294 SB to at least IL-38 WB. ETC should make this fairly easy to do at this point I would think.

NWI_Irish96

Quote from: ChiMilNet on October 29, 2020, 08:59:50 AM
Quote from: ET21 on October 28, 2020, 11:59:50 PM
Halloween I-294 update (least from what I've seen)

-North-central section between Grand and the Bensenville bridge continues to get torn up. The center median has been prepped to be rebuilt.

-The central section begins the long process of redoing the I-294/290/88/IL-38 interchange. For now power line towers continue to be built ahead of the main roadway reconstruction.

-The railway bridge continues with cleanup work and rail construction between 47th and 55th streets

-Rebuilding has begun in the south-central section between the Oasis and I-55. The right lane and shoulder of southbound I-294 is beginning rebuilding which extends onto the I-55 ramps. Center median is being rebuilt just before the I-55 flyover at the Oasis exit on northbound I-294

-Rebuilding continues between I-55 and the 75th street exits. In conjunction with the new northbound Mile Long bridge. The 5th lane is pretty much built on the northbound lanes, now its just lining up everything else.

-Mile long bridge continues for the northbound lanes. Much of the bridge is complete except the north and south ends which are now being prepped for connections. The I-294/Archer/LaGrange/79th street interchanges are in full rebuild mode. Much of Archer Ave has been torn down and new piers are being built.

-The center median has begun reconstructions between the 88th Ave toll plaza and 95th street exit. Still no movement on 95th itself, including the Harlem Ave interchange where the pavement is really starting to show its age.

I really wish they would find a way to add a direct connection from IL-38 to I-294 NB and from I-294 SB to at least IL-38 WB. ETC should make this fairly easy to do at this point I would think.

I wish they'd add an entrance ramp to I-294 SB from 22nd or 31st streets. Getting on at Ogden during evening rush is a nightmare.
Indiana: counties 100%, highways 100%
Illinois: counties 100%, highways 61%
Michigan: counties 100%, highways 56%
Wisconsin: counties 86%, highways 23%



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