Planning a trip eastbound on the Chicago Skyway and I noticed on street view that at the McDonalds near the toll plaza there is a gate in the parking lot that you have to pass though if you wish to access the drive through when traveling eastbound. Does anyone know what this gate is for and if you have to pay anything to pass through it?
Stopped at that McD many times but never used the drive-thru. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that EB traffic pays their toll before reaching McD but westbound traffic pays after reaching McD. Hopefully somebody else knows.
Google maps lists their number if someone wants to call the manager and ask (773) 734-4200 :spin:
There is another gate stopping the westbound traffic from getting into the eastbound parking lot near the "front" of the building.
I think it may be traffic control because there's no signs out of the parking lot marking which way you're going... if someone would get turned around and would start going westbound they'd have to pay the Skyway Toll.
My guess is that the gates are to help prevent wrong way drivers, rather than any toll purpose. I think if someone wants to drive from Indiana to experience the cuisine at the Skyway McD's and then return to the Hoosier state, they are welcome to do so toll-free. On the other hand, the fare is probably identical and the ambiance a bit better at Ronald's place right on State Line Road, just off the end of the ITR US 12 ramp. I've eaten there many times, since I figure we're better off with a few less truck fumes.
Have either of those been torn down and turned unto those ugly new Eyebrows of Doom though?
Been there. You just pull over left after the toll. The drive-thru window is on the westbound side after the turn-around. After that you loop back around the building and merge back onto the highway. The prices are a good bit higher than the typical McDonald's but the food is the same.
Quote from: GCrites80s on December 20, 2014, 10:35:13 AM
Have either of those been torn down and turned unto those ugly new Eyebrows of Doom though?
The Skyway one hasn't; I drove by it this month. The 3 nearest McDonald's to my house have all been remodeled since the Eyebrow was introduced but kept their mansards.
Also, like all toll highway food, the Skyway McDonald's is ridiculously crowded and overpriced.
Quote from: getemngo on December 24, 2014, 01:15:08 PM
Quote from: GCrites80s on December 20, 2014, 10:35:13 AM
Have either of those been torn down and turned unto those ugly new Eyebrows of Doom though?
The Skyway one hasn't; I drove by it this month. The 3 nearest McDonald's to my house have all been remodeled since the Eyebrow was introduced but kept their mansards.
Also, like all toll highway food, the Skyway McDonald's is ridiculously crowded and overpriced.
airports are the same way
Probably 'cause the rent's $10,000 a month.
It's closed, looks boarded up.
Good! It's a f***ing stupid traffic impediment.
Quote from: JREwing78 on June 20, 2015, 12:37:22 AM
Good! It's a f***ing stupid traffic impediment.
But it did not look like a full closure. Would not be suprised if it gets a remodeling.
Quote from: JREwing78 on June 20, 2015, 12:37:22 AM
Good! It's a f***ing stupid traffic impediment.
I fail to see how as everyone must stop at this toll plaza. It would be if there were I-Pass ORT lanes, but that's not the case here.
I cannot see it going away, it is a money maker for the owners of the bridge.
Quote from: Molandfreak on June 21, 2015, 06:45:12 AM
It should stay. It's unique.
iPhone
The only toll bridge with a service plaza.
Quote from: Molandfreak on June 21, 2015, 10:36:46 AM
Quote from: SteveG1988 on June 21, 2015, 10:35:27 AM
Quote from: Molandfreak on June 21, 2015, 06:45:12 AM
It should stay. It's unique.
iPhone
The only toll bridge with a service plaza.
In the Interstate system, yes!
iPhone
Well the only other one i can think of would be the ambassador bridge...but that is a duty free shop in the no-mans land.
http://www.cbbt.com/tour.html (http://www.cbbt.com/tour.html)
http://www.dutyfreecanada.com/stores/sault-ste-marie-duty-free/ (http://www.dutyfreecanada.com/stores/sault-ste-marie-duty-free/)
http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9618_48384-22044--,00.html (http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9618_48384-22044--,00.html)
I've eaten at this McDonald's more than once. I loved watching all the cars go by in my younger years. I really hope they don't tear it out.
Quote from: USRoute12 on July 01, 2015, 03:05:40 PM
I've eaten at this McDonald's more than once. I loved watching all the cars go by in my younger years. I really hope they don't tear it out.
If they don't, they will rebuild it to modern standards. Better that than not rebuilding at all.
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
Quote from: Henry on July 02, 2015, 11:58:41 AM
Quote from: USRoute12 on July 01, 2015, 03:05:40 PM
I've eaten at this McDonald's more than once. I loved watching all the cars go by in my younger years. I really hope they don't tear it out.
If they don't, they will rebuild it to modern standards. Better that than not rebuilding at all.
They need to add high speed toll lanes in it's place
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
No, the Mobils on each side of the Des Plaines Oasis are still open.
kinda makes Des Plaines look like a NYC Parkway rest area :awesomeface:
But said stop is a dwarf of its former self that got razed in favor of expanding lanes and a new interchange.
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150710/south-chicago/skyway-mcdonalds-is-shut-down-where-will-drivers-go-when-they-need-go
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
lots of places to exit and reenter in the free zone.
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on July 13, 2015, 08:49:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
lots of places to exit and reenter in the free zone.
Yeah, but just try to find a decent public restroom in Chicago. I dare you.
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 11:20:33 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on July 13, 2015, 08:49:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
lots of places to exit and reenter in the free zone.
Yeah, but just try to find a decent public restroom in Chicago. I dare you.
Or better yet, parking? street parking?
Quote from: johndoe780 on July 14, 2015, 07:55:28 AM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 11:20:33 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on July 13, 2015, 08:49:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
lots of places to exit and reenter in the free zone.
Yeah, but just try to find a decent public restroom in Chicago. I dare you.
Or better yet, parking? street parking?
There's plenty of street parking. It's just finding a spot that's a problem!
Dang. Sad to see. I ALMOST stopped here once, except I about cut someone off trying to get over, so I said the heck with it.
Just as I had suspected! Another piece of highway nostalgia has gone the way of button-copy signs and mercury-vapor streetlights :(
Maybe they could throw a Wendy's or Burger King there...
Quote from: DeaconG on July 14, 2015, 02:48:04 PM
Maybe they could throw a Wendy's or Burger King there...
Or a Culvers so everyone can eat ice cream before they go on the skyway! :bigass: :cool: :wow:
P.S. I know that doesn't make sense.
Quote from: iBallasticwolf2 on July 14, 2015, 03:04:11 PM
Quote from: DeaconG on July 14, 2015, 02:48:04 PM
Maybe they could throw a Wendy's or Burger King there...
Or a Culvers so everyone can eat ice cream before they go on the skyway! :bigass: :cool: :wow:
P.S. I know that doesn't make sense.
Why the hell not?
Maybe they got sick of cleaning the bathrooms.
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 11:20:33 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on July 13, 2015, 08:49:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
lots of places to exit and reenter in the free zone.
Yeah, but just try to find a decent public restroom in Chicago. I dare you.
My first though was he was referring to the non-tolled exits for Genoa Road and US 20 - though the former has toll gantries going up as we speak.
Additionally, somewhere I read not too long ago that the car washes at the remains of the Des Plaines Oasis were going to be converted into additional bathrooms.
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 11:20:33 PM
Yeah, but just try to find a decent public restroom in Chicago. I dare you.
The ones at the Palmer House are pretty nice (if not exactly easy to access from the interstate.) ;-)
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 11:20:33 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on July 13, 2015, 08:49:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
lots of places to exit and reenter in the free zone.
Yeah, but just try to find a decent public restroom in Chicago. I dare you.
I can believe that. They really should replace the Des Plaines Oasis at some point perhaps build a new one a few miles farther west. I am now ok with Indiana and Ohio not rebuilding a set but this one is different. Are there any services near the Elmhurst Rd interchange or the Arlington Heights Rd interchange? I know they are tolled but what other choice do you have right now?
Quote from: dvferyance on June 18, 2018, 09:02:58 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 11:20:33 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on July 13, 2015, 08:49:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
lots of places to exit and reenter in the free zone.
Yeah, but just try to find a decent public restroom in Chicago. I dare you.
I can believe that. They really should replace the Des Plaines Oasis at some point perhaps build a new one a few miles farther west. I am now ok with Indiana and Ohio not rebuilding a set but this one is different. Are there any services near the Elmhurst Rd interchange or the Arlington Heights Rd interchange? I know they are tolled but what other choice do you have right now?
The convenience stores at the former Des Plaines oasis should have public restrooms. The iExit app would be useful if you're trying to get off the Jane Addams in that area, not much at all near the interchanges and it's mostly woo-woo office buildings anyway.
Quote from: dvferyance on June 18, 2018, 09:02:58 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 11:20:33 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on July 13, 2015, 08:49:45 PM
Quote from: Brandon on July 13, 2015, 06:37:19 AM
Quote from: GeekJedi on July 12, 2015, 07:18:20 PM
In the news today - it's closed for good.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Skyway-McDonalds-Closes-Chicago-Reacts-313882041.html
That now means that there is no rest area on I-90 from Belvidere to east of Lake Station.
lots of places to exit and reenter in the free zone.
Yeah, but just try to find a decent public restroom in Chicago. I dare you.
I can believe that. They really should replace the Des Plaines Oasis at some point perhaps build a new one a few miles farther west. I am now ok with Indiana and Ohio not rebuilding a set but this one is different. Are there any services near the Elmhurst Rd interchange or the Arlington Heights Rd interchange? I know they are tolled but what other choice do you have right now?
I live just north of the Elmhurst interchange and frequent the Arlington Heights road interchange, and there are plenty of services within one mile in each direction at both. I believe the gas stations at the remnants of the DP Oasis are supposed to be demolished for the I-490 interchange
I'd also argue that that particular stretch of I-90 contains more commuters and short-distance travelers than long-distance travelers.
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 19, 2018, 11:12:02 AM
I'd also argue that that particular stretch of I-90 contains more commuters and short-distance travelers than long-distance travelers.
Be that as it may, but when I lived in Schaumburg I would often stop at the DP Oasis during my commute in to the city for an egg mcmuffin and a second cup of coffee. If traffic was bad enough I might have had enough time for that first cup of coffee to hit bottom and the McD's pissatorium (thanks Dad) came in handy on more than a few occasions.
Quote from: getemngo on December 24, 2014, 01:15:08 PM
Also, like all toll highway food, the Skyway McDonald's is ridiculously crowded and overpriced.
The products and gasoline at the c-stores and restaurants at the service plazas in Oklahoma are priced about the same as they are at other stores.
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 19, 2018, 11:12:02 AM
I'd also argue that that particular stretch of I-90 contains more commuters and short-distance travelers than long-distance travelers.
I often do like stopping for gas there for the mere convenience when coming back to the city from the suburbs visiting friends or family. I really would like it if they at least rebuilt the gas stations at some other spot, though I understand that is a long shot at best.
If you think the Chicago Skyway McDonald's is bizarre, there used to be a McDonald's in Wellston, OK that had a tollbooth in the parking lot and to get from OK 66 to I-44/Turner Turnpike westbound, you had to drive through the parking lot. Sadly, it is gone now but it was cool when it was there. We visited it during the Oklahoma City roadmeet in 2009.
Tollway Oasis trivia.
The I-88 Reagan Tollway electronic toll collection zone in Downers Grove was land originally acquired to build yet another overhead oasis.
Why it never got built when IL-5 was built no one knows. The land sat empty for some 50 plus years until ISTHA demolished the Oak Brook collection zone and shifted it west.
Well, to say the least, this sucks; now where will I get my burger fix on the road?
Quote from: edwaleni on June 25, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
Tollway Oasis trivia.
The I-88 Reagan Tollway electronic toll collection zone in Downers Grove was land originally acquired to build yet another overhead oasis.
Why it never got built when IL-5 was built no one knows. The land sat empty for some 50 plus years until ISTHA demolished the Oak Brook collection zone and shifted it west.
the Oak Brook tolls where spilt up to make room for Hi speed tolling but it looks like there is only room for one side of an oasis in Downers Grove.
But what is need? on I-294 both ways you where not far from them.
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on June 25, 2018, 03:44:23 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 25, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
Tollway Oasis trivia.
The I-88 Reagan Tollway electronic toll collection zone in Downers Grove was land originally acquired to build yet another overhead oasis.
Why it never got built when IL-5 was built no one knows. The land sat empty for some 50 plus years until ISTHA demolished the Oak Brook collection zone and shifted it west.
the Oak Brook tolls where spilt up to make room for Hi speed tolling but it looks like there is only room for one side of an oasis in Downers Grove.
But what is need? on I-294 both ways you where not far from them.
I agree that there doesn't appear to be enough room if you look here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Downers+Grove,+IL/@41.8374883,-87.9978197,842m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x880e5174f031d539:0x1de1b9b6ac3938a!8m2!3d41.8089191!4d-88.0111746
Maybe they sold the land on the north side of the tollway? If not, you'd have had to shift the roadway south in order to have room for parking lots on both sides, and that would be unusual.
Yes, there are oases on 294, but that wouldn't do you much good if you were traveling from Chicago to points west.
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:01:47 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on June 25, 2018, 03:44:23 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 25, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
Tollway Oasis trivia.
The I-88 Reagan Tollway electronic toll collection zone in Downers Grove was land originally acquired to build yet another overhead oasis.
Why it never got built when IL-5 was built no one knows. The land sat empty for some 50 plus years until ISTHA demolished the Oak Brook collection zone and shifted it west.
the Oak Brook tolls where spilt up to make room for Hi speed tolling but it looks like there is only room for one side of an oasis in Downers Grove.
But what is need? on I-294 both ways you where not far from them.
I agree that there doesn't appear to be enough room if you look here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Downers+Grove,+IL/@41.8374883,-87.9978197,842m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x880e5174f031d539:0x1de1b9b6ac3938a!8m2!3d41.8089191!4d-88.0111746
Maybe they sold the land on the north side of the tollway? If not, you'd have had to shift the roadway south in order to have room for parking lots on both sides, and that would be unusual.
Yes, there are oases on 294, but that wouldn't do you much good if you were traveling from Chicago to points west.
When I read about that years ago I thought the same thing.
Now mind you there were no developments around there in 1956, so they might have sold off one side in the late 60's or early 70's.
I will check some historical aerials and see what was there.
Old thread, but earlier today I was searching the Wikimedia Commons category for Service Areas in the US, so I could split off a future category for Illinois Tollway Oases. The old McDonalds on the Chicago Skyway isn't part of that, but it made me think I'd like to put this on my road trip bucket list. I see that's not possible now.
Quote from: D-Dey65 on August 18, 2020, 11:08:39 AM
Old thread, but earlier today I was searching the Wikimedia Commons category for Service Areas in the US, so I could split off a future category for Illinois Tollway Oases. The old McDonalds on the Chicago Skyway isn't part of that, but it made me think I'd like to put this on my road trip bucket list. I see that's not possible now.
I remember my first trip on the Skyway back in the mid 90's I saw signs that said Skyway Oasis McDonalds. I was expecting a real one like the ones over the tollway to my surprise it was in the middle of the tollway by the toll plaza. Despite the signs it wasn't an official Illinois Tollway Oasis because the Skyway is run by a different agency.
Quote from: edwaleni on June 29, 2018, 06:10:44 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:01:47 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on June 25, 2018, 03:44:23 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 25, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
Tollway Oasis trivia.
The I-88 Reagan Tollway electronic toll collection zone in Downers Grove was land originally acquired to build yet another overhead oasis.
Why it never got built when IL-5 was built no one knows. The land sat empty for some 50 plus years until ISTHA demolished the Oak Brook collection zone and shifted it west.
the Oak Brook tolls where spilt up to make room for Hi speed tolling but it looks like there is only room for one side of an oasis in Downers Grove.
But what is need? on I-294 both ways you where not far from them.
I agree that there doesn't appear to be enough room if you look here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Downers+Grove,+IL/@41.8374883,-87.9978197,842m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x880e5174f031d539:0x1de1b9b6ac3938a!8m2!3d41.8089191!4d-88.0111746
Maybe they sold the land on the north side of the tollway? If not, you'd have had to shift the roadway south in order to have room for parking lots on both sides, and that would be unusual.
Yes, there are oases on 294, but that wouldn't do you much good if you were traveling from Chicago to points west.
When I read about that years ago I thought the same thing.
Now mind you there were no developments around there in 1956, so they might have sold off one side in the late 60's or early 70's.
I will check some historical aerials and see what was there.
I guess I never got back to this. ISTHA sold the north land for the Oasis on I-88 after 1985. The south land was absorbed as part of the cash-free tolling. They still own a large parcel of surrounding land on the south side of I-88. They bought the land when the road was built. The utility easements date back to 1963. Aerials attribution: www.historicaerials.com. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 Nationwide Environmental Title Research, LLC.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50242357593_0682914cff_z.jpg)
Quote from: edwaleni on August 18, 2020, 10:33:47 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 29, 2018, 06:10:44 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:01:47 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on June 25, 2018, 03:44:23 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 25, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
Tollway Oasis trivia.
The I-88 Reagan Tollway electronic toll collection zone in Downers Grove was land originally acquired to build yet another overhead oasis.
Why it never got built when IL-5 was built no one knows. The land sat empty for some 50 plus years until ISTHA demolished the Oak Brook collection zone and shifted it west.
the Oak Brook tolls where spilt up to make room for Hi speed tolling but it looks like there is only room for one side of an oasis in Downers Grove.
But what is need? on I-294 both ways you where not far from them.
I agree that there doesn't appear to be enough room if you look here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Downers+Grove,+IL/@41.8374883,-87.9978197,842m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x880e5174f031d539:0x1de1b9b6ac3938a!8m2!3d41.8089191!4d-88.0111746
Maybe they sold the land on the north side of the tollway? If not, you'd have had to shift the roadway south in order to have room for parking lots on both sides, and that would be unusual.
Yes, there are oases on 294, but that wouldn't do you much good if you were traveling from Chicago to points west.
When I read about that years ago I thought the same thing.
Now mind you there were no developments around there in 1956, so they might have sold off one side in the late 60's or early 70's.
I will check some historical aerials and see what was there.
I guess I never got back to this. ISTHA sold the north land for the Oasis on I-88 after 1985. The south land was absorbed as part of the cash-free tolling. They still own a large parcel of surrounding land on the south side of I-88. They bought the land when the road was built. The utility easements date back to 1963. Aerials attribution: www.historicaerials.com. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 Nationwide Environmental Title Research, LLC.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50242357593_0682914cff_z.jpg)
That is super interesting, I never knew that. The Downers Grove Oasis that never was. I always wondered why they never put any Oases on the original portion of I-88.
I wonder why it was never built. Was there not enough traffic on the E/W Tollway when it first opened to justify it?
Quote from: I-39 on August 19, 2020, 12:34:38 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 18, 2020, 10:33:47 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 29, 2018, 06:10:44 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:01:47 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on June 25, 2018, 03:44:23 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 25, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
Tollway Oasis trivia.
The I-88 Reagan Tollway electronic toll collection zone in Downers Grove was land originally acquired to build yet another overhead oasis.
Why it never got built when IL-5 was built no one knows. The land sat empty for some 50 plus years until ISTHA demolished the Oak Brook collection zone and shifted it west.
the Oak Brook tolls where spilt up to make room for Hi speed tolling but it looks like there is only room for one side of an oasis in Downers Grove.
But what is need? on I-294 both ways you where not far from them.
I agree that there doesn't appear to be enough room if you look here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Downers+Grove,+IL/@41.8374883,-87.9978197,842m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x880e5174f031d539:0x1de1b9b6ac3938a!8m2!3d41.8089191!4d-88.0111746
Maybe they sold the land on the north side of the tollway? If not, you'd have had to shift the roadway south in order to have room for parking lots on both sides, and that would be unusual.
Yes, there are oases on 294, but that wouldn't do you much good if you were traveling from Chicago to points west.
When I read about that years ago I thought the same thing.
Now mind you there were no developments around there in 1956, so they might have sold off one side in the late 60's or early 70's.
I will check some historical aerials and see what was there.
I guess I never got back to this. ISTHA sold the north land for the Oasis on I-88 after 1985. The south land was absorbed as part of the cash-free tolling. They still own a large parcel of surrounding land on the south side of I-88. They bought the land when the road was built. The utility easements date back to 1963. Aerials attribution: www.historicaerials.com. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 Nationwide Environmental Title Research, LLC.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50242357593_0682914cff_z.jpg)
That is super interesting, I never knew that. The Downers Grove Oasis that never was. I always wondered why they never put any Oases on the original portion of I-88.
I wonder why it was never built. Was there not enough traffic on the E/W Tollway when it first opened to justify it?
I can't find anything specific, but I can speculate that the land was sold sometime around the same time the I-355 project was about to ramp up. ISTHA had planned to move to a new massive HQ at the intersection of I-355 and I-88 and were already selling their old HQ land at I-88 and Midwest Road. My guess is that this was done as a package deal and ISTHA leased the old HQ until the new one was ready.
As to why it was never built, the original Oasis's were paid for by Amoco (Standard Oil of Indiana) as part of a 25 year concession to be the sole gasoline supplier. With the then called IL-5 terminating in Sugar Grove and not being connected to the national Interstate network on both ends, I would assume Amoco declined to pay for it for lack of business potential. It wasn't until the road was extended to Rock Falls that ISTHA built an oasis in DeKalb.
To pay for the original oasis, Amoco (Standard) was allowed to charge 5 cents more per gallon for gas to recover their costs.
Quote from: edwaleni on August 24, 2020, 09:33:35 AM
Quote from: I-39 on August 19, 2020, 12:34:38 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 18, 2020, 10:33:47 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 29, 2018, 06:10:44 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:01:47 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on June 25, 2018, 03:44:23 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 25, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
Tollway Oasis trivia.
The I-88 Reagan Tollway electronic toll collection zone in Downers Grove was land originally acquired to build yet another overhead oasis.
Why it never got built when IL-5 was built no one knows. The land sat empty for some 50 plus years until ISTHA demolished the Oak Brook collection zone and shifted it west.
the Oak Brook tolls where spilt up to make room for Hi speed tolling but it looks like there is only room for one side of an oasis in Downers Grove.
But what is need? on I-294 both ways you where not far from them.
I agree that there doesn't appear to be enough room if you look here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Downers+Grove,+IL/@41.8374883,-87.9978197,842m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x880e5174f031d539:0x1de1b9b6ac3938a!8m2!3d41.8089191!4d-88.0111746
Maybe they sold the land on the north side of the tollway? If not, you'd have had to shift the roadway south in order to have room for parking lots on both sides, and that would be unusual.
Yes, there are oases on 294, but that wouldn't do you much good if you were traveling from Chicago to points west.
When I read about that years ago I thought the same thing.
Now mind you there were no developments around there in 1956, so they might have sold off one side in the late 60's or early 70's.
I will check some historical aerials and see what was there.
I guess I never got back to this. ISTHA sold the north land for the Oasis on I-88 after 1985. The south land was absorbed as part of the cash-free tolling. They still own a large parcel of surrounding land on the south side of I-88. They bought the land when the road was built. The utility easements date back to 1963. Aerials attribution: www.historicaerials.com. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 Nationwide Environmental Title Research, LLC.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50242357593_0682914cff_z.jpg)
That is super interesting, I never knew that. The Downers Grove Oasis that never was. I always wondered why they never put any Oases on the original portion of I-88.
I wonder why it was never built. Was there not enough traffic on the E/W Tollway when it first opened to justify it?
I can't find anything specific, but I can speculate that the land was sold sometime around the same time the I-355 project was about to ramp up. ISTHA had planned to move to a new massive HQ at the intersection of I-355 and I-88 and were already selling their old HQ land at I-88 and Midwest Road. My guess is that this was done as a package deal and ISTHA leased the old HQ until the new one was ready.
As to why it was never built, the original Oasis's were paid for by Amoco (Standard Oil of Indiana) as part of a 25 year concession to be the sole gasoline supplier. With the then called IL-5 terminating in Sugar Grove and not being connected to the national Interstate network on both ends, I would assume Amoco declined to pay for it for lack of business potential. It wasn't until the road was extended to Rock Falls that ISTHA built an oasis in DeKalb.
To pay for the original oasis, Amoco (Standard) was allowed to charge 5 cents more per gallon for gas to recover their costs.
The portion west of Aurora to Rock Falls was originally authorized by the original toll highway act, but it wasn't built until the early 70s. I wonder had it been built from the onset, would the Downers Grove Oasis been built?
I'm surprised there is no information anywhere on the internet about the never built Downers Grove Oasis. Not even the fansite dedicated to the tollway oasis mentions it.
Quote from: I-39 on August 24, 2020, 01:29:13 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 24, 2020, 09:33:35 AM
Quote from: I-39 on August 19, 2020, 12:34:38 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on August 18, 2020, 10:33:47 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 29, 2018, 06:10:44 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on June 25, 2018, 04:01:47 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on June 25, 2018, 03:44:23 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on June 25, 2018, 09:25:29 AM
Tollway Oasis trivia.
The I-88 Reagan Tollway electronic toll collection zone in Downers Grove was land originally acquired to build yet another overhead oasis.
Why it never got built when IL-5 was built no one knows. The land sat empty for some 50 plus years until ISTHA demolished the Oak Brook collection zone and shifted it west.
the Oak Brook tolls where spilt up to make room for Hi speed tolling but it looks like there is only room for one side of an oasis in Downers Grove.
But what is need? on I-294 both ways you where not far from them.
I agree that there doesn't appear to be enough room if you look here:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Downers+Grove,+IL/@41.8374883,-87.9978197,842m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x880e5174f031d539:0x1de1b9b6ac3938a!8m2!3d41.8089191!4d-88.0111746
Maybe they sold the land on the north side of the tollway? If not, you'd have had to shift the roadway south in order to have room for parking lots on both sides, and that would be unusual.
Yes, there are oases on 294, but that wouldn't do you much good if you were traveling from Chicago to points west.
When I read about that years ago I thought the same thing.
Now mind you there were no developments around there in 1956, so they might have sold off one side in the late 60's or early 70's.
I will check some historical aerials and see what was there.
I guess I never got back to this. ISTHA sold the north land for the Oasis on I-88 after 1985. The south land was absorbed as part of the cash-free tolling. They still own a large parcel of surrounding land on the south side of I-88. They bought the land when the road was built. The utility easements date back to 1963. Aerials attribution: www.historicaerials.com. Copyright © 1999 - 2020 Nationwide Environmental Title Research, LLC.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50242357593_0682914cff_z.jpg)
That is super interesting, I never knew that. The Downers Grove Oasis that never was. I always wondered why they never put any Oases on the original portion of I-88.
I wonder why it was never built. Was there not enough traffic on the E/W Tollway when it first opened to justify it?
I can't find anything specific, but I can speculate that the land was sold sometime around the same time the I-355 project was about to ramp up. ISTHA had planned to move to a new massive HQ at the intersection of I-355 and I-88 and were already selling their old HQ land at I-88 and Midwest Road. My guess is that this was done as a package deal and ISTHA leased the old HQ until the new one was ready.
As to why it was never built, the original Oasis's were paid for by Amoco (Standard Oil of Indiana) as part of a 25 year concession to be the sole gasoline supplier. With the then called IL-5 terminating in Sugar Grove and not being connected to the national Interstate network on both ends, I would assume Amoco declined to pay for it for lack of business potential. It wasn't until the road was extended to Rock Falls that ISTHA built an oasis in DeKalb.
To pay for the original oasis, Amoco (Standard) was allowed to charge 5 cents more per gallon for gas to recover their costs.
The portion west of Aurora to Rock Falls was originally authorized by the original toll highway act, but it wasn't built until the early 70s. I wonder had it been built from the onset, would the Downers Grove Oasis been built?
I'm surprised there is no information anywhere on the internet about the never built Downers Grove Oasis. Not even the fansite dedicated to the tollway oasis mentions it.
I will take a stab at it. The Hinsdale and O'Hare Oasis on I-294 were not that far away. Anyone going in those directions had adequate time to reach them. For people going into Chicago, most of them probably already had the fuel they needed since the road started back near Aurora.