Illinois may increase speed limit 70

Started by Revive 755, March 08, 2010, 03:22:40 PM

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Revive 755

http://www.galesburg.com/news/x1582773727/65-mph-just-not-fast-enough

If this goes through, it will be very nice, but I really think most interstates in Illinois could easily handle 75.

Main objection I have is that this is too much like Iowa's law in that it only covers interstates, not all interstate grade freeways.  Might make a good excuse to give US 34 between I-74 and Monmouth and the future US 20 freeway from Rockford to Iowa intestate numbers.

Still would also like to see a bill that allows heavily improved two lane routes go higher than 55 mph.  Best candidate is this section of IL 146:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=37.382707,-88.79631&spn=0,359.121094&z=11&layer=c&cbll=37.423963,-88.951934&panoid=gJpX7T09b80Hbm2-b5-E1g&cbp=12,105.95,,0,1.13


Chris

I always wondered why Illinois had only a 65 mph speed limit while being predominantly rural.


Hellfighter


Brandon

Agreed that Illinois freeways could handle 75mph, but I think 70mph would be best to match with the surrounding states (IN, KY, MO, IA).  Personally, I think that the 70mph zones should include many Chicagoland expressways (Ryan express lanes, Kennedy express lanes, Stevenson from the Ryan outwards, I-57) and the entire Tollway system.
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg

jwags

I have been through IL many times.  The interstates are straight enough to handle the high speeds.  They are also very rural with few exits.  I wouldn't doubt if the limit was increased within the next year.

A.J. Bertin

One of my pet peeves about Illinois is the 55mph speed limits on the suburban Chicago freeways, when they can easily be 60 or 65. I just drove on some of those earlier this week.
-A.J. from Michigan

Revive 755


oscar

Chris, if you created the speed limit map -- one segment of I-15 in Utah is posted at 80mph, last I heard.
my Hot Springs and Highways pages, with links to my roads sites:
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Chris

Quote from: Revive 755 on March 13, 2010, 09:35:23 AM
AAA opposes the increase:
http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/87530317.html

Yeah, I mean, 70 mph... that's mindboggling...

Quote from: oscar on March 13, 2010, 09:43:41 AM
Chris, if you created the speed limit map -- one segment of I-15 in Utah is posted at 80mph, last I heard.

I got it from Wikipedia. But I thought the Utah section was still a test limit?

SSOWorld

AAA's reasons are micromanaging.  I wonder if they realize how fast drivers in Illinois - especially the Chicago area - drive.  The limit may be 55, but most traffic goes 65-70.  There are several reckless drivers as well going 90+ and going through the obstacle course.

What hard curves in the road :pan:  the only one I can get is the Cherry Valley Interchange and Chicago expressways - esp downtown.
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.

Bryant5493

Quote from: Revive 755 on March 08, 2010, 03:22:40 PM
Still would also like to see a bill that allows heavily improved two lane routes go higher than 55 mph.  Best candidate is this section of IL 146:
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=37.382707,-88.79631&spn=0,359.121094&z=11&layer=c&cbll=37.423963,-88.951934&panoid=gJpX7T09b80Hbm2-b5-E1g&cbp=12,105.95,,0,1.13

Until I joined the AAroads community, I didn't know two lane roads were posted above 55, as all the two lane routes in Georgia are no higher than 55. And all non-interstate freeways don't have a speed limit higher than 65, when they, in my opinion, could handle it. But posting reasonable speed limits is the way to go.


Be well,

Bryant
Check out my YouTube page (http://youtube.com/Bryant5493). I have numerous road videos of Metro Atlanta and other areas in the Southeast.

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vdeane

I've never seen two lane roads above 55 either.  Even interstates are never posted above 65 here.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

Chris

rural two-lane undivided roads can be up to 75 mph in Texas.

oscar

#13
Quote from: Chris on March 16, 2010, 10:08:53 AM
rural two-lane undivided roads can be up to 75 mph in Texas.

Quite a few of them in west Texas (at least on the main U.S./state highway network -- secondary roads like "farm to market" I'm not sure about) are indeed posted at 75mph for autos in the day only.  That really helped on my trip out there in early 2008.
my Hot Springs and Highways pages, with links to my roads sites:
http://www.alaskaroads.com/home.html

agentsteel53

Quote from: Revive 755 on March 13, 2010, 09:35:23 AM
AAA opposes the increase:
http://www.wifr.com/home/headlines/87530317.html

Quote
AAA also opposes the proposal because state budget cuts will affect state police officers ability to patrol.

well, here's one fewer thing to patrol, then.  70 is nice, but 90 would be ideal.  Goodness knows people drive that fast anyway.
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

Revive 755

Quote from: deanej on March 16, 2010, 09:57:04 AM
I've never seen two lane roads above 55 either.  Even interstates are never posted above 65 here.

You don't travel far enough west  :biggrin:

And for possible proof of how well drivers in Illinois are obeying the existing limits, try this site:
http://www.stl-traffic.org/Default.aspx

For reference, the only places posted less than 65 in Illinois are I-270 west of IL 203, I-55/70 westward from just east of IL 203, and somewhere on I-64 inside I-255.  Either one of the speed sensors is defective today or traffic is really moving on I-55/70 at 78 mph near IL 111.

Chris

I watch the Sigalert site often, and California drivers are always flooring to capacity; 70 - 75 mph in greater Los Angeles. I doubt if the speed limits are higher than 60 - 65 in much of urban Southern California.

TheStranger

Quote from: Chris on March 16, 2010, 02:27:20 PM
I watch the Sigalert site often, and California drivers are always flooring to capacity; 70 - 75 mph in greater Los Angeles. I doubt if the speed limits are higher than 60 - 65 in much of urban Southern California.

From what I recall, there are no 70 MPH posted speed limits in urban areas: I-5 northbound entering Sacramento County has a large guide sign reflecting the 5 MPH posted speed limited drop once one enters the cityl imits of Elk Grove.
Chris Sampang

Brandon

Quote from: Revive 755 on March 16, 2010, 01:37:27 PM
Quote from: deanej on March 16, 2010, 09:57:04 AM
I've never seen two lane roads above 55 either.  Even interstates are never posted above 65 here.

You don't travel far enough west  :biggrin:

And for possible proof of how well drivers in Illinois are obeying the existing limits, try this site:
http://www.stl-traffic.org/Default.aspx

For reference, the only places posted less than 65 in Illinois are I-270 west of IL 203, I-55/70 westward from just east of IL 203, and somewhere on I-64 inside I-255.  Either one of the speed sensors is defective today or traffic is really moving on I-55/70 at 78 mph near IL 111.

Usually on the Chicago traffic maps, it's because the traffic really is moving faster than the posted 55mph limit.  Even the traffic on the morning TV news will show traffic moving at 65 or 70.
"If you think this has a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention." - Ramsay Bolton

"Symbolic of his struggle against reality." - Reg

agentsteel53

Quote from: Brandon on March 16, 2010, 10:07:04 PM
the traffic really is moving faster than the posted 55mph limit.

you'd think that is a reason for the legislature to come to its senses and post the urban road at 70 or 75mph.  But no, gotta keep that avenue of revenue available for exploitation.
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com

thenetwork

What bothers the heck out of me is that 2009 has been one of the safest years (least amount of deaths) in quite sometime.  And the majority of the interstates are at higher speeds now than what they were in the next comparable year to 2009. 

So that pretty much shoots the AAA's theory to hell, although there will be those that will say that 2009 was safer since due to the economy, unemployment and higher gas prices, less people were on the roads.  Count me in on the side that says that if you post speed limits that compliment (not restrict) the speed capacity of the specific road, there are less accidents (and deaths).

vdeane

I only know of a couple roads in New York that are posted around the speed they move at:
-I-490 between Fairport and Bushnell's Basin
-US 11 between Fort Drum and Potsdam (in rural areas)

In both cases, this is due to congestion rather than how the speed limit is set.
Please note: All comments here represent my own personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of NYSDOT or its affiliates.

SSOWorld

I just realized why AAA opposes the increase.  Increase limit may lead to less tickets issued.  AAA sells car insurance.  Less tickets issued means they can't jack up premiums on high-risk drivers.
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.

bugo

Quote from: Master son on March 19, 2010, 07:02:14 AM
I just realized why AAA opposes the increase.  Increase limit may lead to less tickets issued.  AAA sells car insurance.  Less tickets issued means they can't jack up premiums on high-risk drivers.

Then AAA should be boycotted.  I don't use them anyway but I certainly won't use them in the future now.

agentsteel53

I've gotten my money's worth from them in terms of discounts, free tows, etc...
live from sunny San Diego.

http://shields.aaroads.com

jake@aaroads.com



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