What do you think of Illinois rest areas? State considering fixing up some, maybe closing others (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-rest-stops-20171023-story.html)
QuoteThe state of Illinois is considering how to rehab, or possibly close, some state rest areas, and has even launched a public survey about travelers' likes and dislikes of the Interstate highway stops – drawing thousands of responses so far.
"Many of our rest areas have reached a point where it's time to evaluate their future," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn, in a statement.
I favor rehabbing them all and opening more. We don't have enough rest areas in this state, IMHO.
Case in point...
QuoteA couple of truckers at the stop expressed concern that there were not enough parking places for them to take federally required rest breaks.
"It's more trucks, more trucks– every year more trucks – and we need more spots," said Peter Fornal, a truck driver out of Florida . "It's very hard for us to find a spot and take the rest, you know."
Can't just park trucks anywhere.
IMHO, Illinois needs rest areas at the following locations:
I-55, MP 241 (at the exit would be useful).
I-57, MP 2 (northbound welcome center would be very welcome).
I-72, MP 2 (eastbound welcome center).
I-72, MP 55.
I-72, MP 120.
I-88, MP 46 (yes, it's ISTHA, but the only place is the DeKalb Oasis at MP 93).
I-39, MP 30.
I-39, MP 117 (overlooking the Kishwaukee River gorge could be nice).
I-155, MP 17.
US-20, welcome center in East Dubuque.
US-20, near the Stephenson-Winnebago County line.
US-67, between Roseville and Swan Creek.
IL-336, between Bentley and Carthage.
US-34, welcome center in Gulfport.
Quote from: Brandon on October 25, 2017, 01:51:06 PM
What do you think of Illinois rest areas? State considering fixing up some, maybe closing others (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-rest-stops-20171023-story.html)
QuoteThe state of Illinois is considering how to rehab, or possibly close, some state rest areas, and has even launched a public survey about travelers’ likes and dislikes of the Interstate highway stops — drawing thousands of responses so far.
“Many of our rest areas have reached a point where it’s time to evaluate their future,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn, in a statement.
I favor rehabbing them all and opening more. We don't have enough rest areas in this state, IMHO.
Case in point...
QuoteA couple of truckers at the stop expressed concern that there were not enough parking places for them to take federally required rest breaks.
“It’s more trucks, more trucks— every year more trucks — and we need more spots,” said Peter Fornal, a truck driver out of Florida . “It’s very hard for us to find a spot and take the rest, you know.”
Can't just park trucks anywhere.
IMHO, Illinois needs rest areas at the following locations:
I-55, MP 241 (at the exit would be useful).
I-57, MP 2 (northbound welcome center would be very welcome).
I-72, MP 2 (eastbound welcome center).
I-72, MP 55.
I-72, MP 120.
I-88, MP 46 (yes, it's ISTHA, but the only place is the DeKalb Oasis at MP 93).
I-39, MP 30.
I-39, MP 117 (overlooking the Kishwaukee River gorge could be nice).
I-155, MP 17.
US-20, welcome center in East Dubuque.
US-20, near the Stephenson-Winnebago County line.
US-67, between Roseville and Swan Creek.
IL-336, between Bentley and Carthage.
US-34, welcome center in Gulfport.
I agree with you that they need more. I think IDiOT is looking for ways to cut down their costs.
Another solution (for trucks) is maybe if companies like Love's, etc., build more truck stops along the interstates.
Quote from: mvak36 on October 25, 2017, 02:42:31 PM
Another solution (for trucks) is maybe if companies like Love's, etc., build more truck stops along the interstates.
They would...if it was profitable to them.
I haven't lived in Illinois since January 2007, but I don't remember anything being amiss about the state's rest areas. Admittedly, I think all of my experience with rest areas in Illinois is from I-57, so I guess I can't necessarily comment on them statewide. Besides having been dropped off and getting another ride at the southbound rest area near Buckley while hitchhiking one time, I frequented both the northbound and southbound Rend Lake rest areas downstate quite a bit. The northbound rest area was a regular customer stop of mine when I drove a cleaning supply delivery route in the area. And I often took my lunch break at the southbound one so I could park and go skinny-dipping in the lake for a few minutes and cool off (my truck had no working a/c). They always seemed well taken care of. I guess I did stop once at the rest area by Brookport but, for the life of me, I can't remember why; that one seemed nice too, however.
Cut down on them and close a few. Some are too close to big metro areas- the one on 55 North of Springfield comes to mind. Keep the ones open that are relatively far from big metro areas open as gas stations and the like can't economically survive there.
I barfed at one.
Quote from: triplemultiplex on October 25, 2017, 04:35:33 PM
I barfed at one.
Good thing it was there, then, huh? Might have been in your car otherwise.
As a general rule, I like rest areas. While they are on the side of the interstate, I often find the more-or-less parklike setting to be pleasant and calm, and a nice change from fast food restaurants and truck stops, even when the truck parking lot is full. Having a bigger building helps here, and most of Illinois's are relatively small, and as the article said, dank. So, I would, as a general rule, be okay with having fewer rest areas if the remaining ones were relatively well appointed.
Also, I did not know there was a web site about rest areas. I've been clicking around there, and it's pretty interesting.
Most of them do their job, but some such as the ones on I-55 at Springfield could use updating and expansion. I just hope they don't become similar to Missouri where it is over 100 miles between rest areas, and on some corridors such as I-44 where the congestion at interchanges with a decent number of services discourages getting off.
Quote from: Brandon on October 25, 2017, 01:51:06 PM
IMHO, Illinois needs rest areas at the following locations:
I-55, MP 241 (at the exit would be useful).
I see this exit becoming a problem to get on and off at.
Quote from: Brandon on October 25, 2017, 01:51:06 PM
I-72, MP 55.
Had been one originally proposed a little west of the Illinois River crossing.
Quote from: Brandon on October 25, 2017, 01:51:06 PM
I-88, MP 46 (yes, it's ISTHA, but the only place is the DeKalb Oasis at MP 93).
I'd rather have one in the service-light stretch between I-80 and US 30. Though this one would be more useful if ISTHA starts charging for the ramps at IL 251 or IL 26.
Quote from: Brandon on October 25, 2017, 01:51:06 PMI-39, MP 30.
IIRC one had been planned but killed near Wenona. I wouldn't mind one around Mile 30 though.
Quote from: Brandon on October 25, 2017, 01:51:06 PMUS-20, near the Stephenson-Winnebago County line.
There was a tourist information center east of Freeport that acts a bit like one.
Truth be told, I can't remember the last time I used one anywhere. Usually my wife and I can make one stop for gas, snacks, and a bathroom break.
There's a welcome center in East Dubuque??? You wouldn't know cause it's not signed at all lol
Quote from: Brandon on October 25, 2017, 01:51:06 PM
I-55, MP 241 (at the exit would be useful).
I remember there being talk at one time of actually closing the exit and putting a rest area there.
Needless to say the older scummy truck stop on the NW corner of the intersection balked at that.
Quote from: Revive755
I see this exit becoming a problem to get on and off at.
There are plans to redo that interchange yet again, so that may not be as much of an issue. Personally, I'd put it a bit further south, but with the Illiana possibly coning in at that point, it may be a non starter.
Quote from: ET21 on October 26, 2017, 09:33:13 AM
There's a welcome center in East Dubuque??? You wouldn't know cause it's not signed at all lol
Read again. It's one of my suggestions for a location. It doesn't really exist.
Quote from: Brandon on October 26, 2017, 11:06:24 AM
Quote from: ET21 on October 26, 2017, 09:33:13 AM
There's a welcome center in East Dubuque??? You wouldn't know cause it's not signed at all lol
Read again. It's one of my suggestions for a location. It doesn't really exist.
Ohhh I didn't see the title above the list :ded:
I could see that, Iowa has one right off of 20 in downtown Dubuque.
If Illinois would do what other states are doing, in that (Indiana for example on the toll road) have truck-only rest areas. These rest areas have no (or limited to an bathroom) features,but allow truckers to pull off for their rest.
Quote from: 2trailertrucker on October 26, 2017, 03:25:52 PM
If Illinois would do what other states are doing, in that (Indiana for example on the toll road) have truck-only rest areas. These rest areas have no (or limited to an bathroom) features,but allow truckers to pull off for their rest.
If you don't put a crapper there, people will go anyway.
If you don't provide trash cans, people will dump trash anyway.
People are lazy, selfish and inconsiderate so if a highway rest area doesn't provide these basic services, it will rapidly become a disgusting roadside eyesore.
Isn't that right, New Mexico?
Quote from: triplemultiplex on October 26, 2017, 04:06:31 PM
Quote from: 2trailertrucker on October 26, 2017, 03:25:52 PM
If Illinois would do what other states are doing, in that (Indiana for example on the toll road) have truck-only rest areas. These rest areas have no (or limited to an bathroom) features,but allow truckers to pull off for their rest.
If you don't put a crapper there, people will go anyway.
If you don't provide trash cans, people will dump trash anyway.
People are lazy, selfish and inconsiderate so if a highway rest area doesn't provide these basic services, it will rapidly become a disgusting roadside eyesore.
Isn't that right, New Mexico?
I don't think I've seen more than one truck at a time at the serviceless rest areas in Missouri and Iowa.
Stopped at the one on I64 coming home from Indiana last year and half of the restroom as out of order and looked like it had been that way for while.
The truck pull offs on I39 were well used before they were closed with the Paw Paw rest area opening. I have assumed the truck pull off was to become a weight station of the state was not broke.
Quote from: 2trailertrucker on October 26, 2017, 03:25:52 PM
If Illinois would do what other states are doing, in that (Indiana for example on the toll road) have truck-only rest areas. These rest areas have no (or limited to an bathroom) features,but allow truckers to pull off for their rest.
And discriminate against the passenger car driver who wants to make a brief stop to check the map or return a phone call. I much prefer the parking only rest areas that Iowa has along I-80 between Council Bluffs and Des Moines that allow more than trucks to stop.
They generally seem fairly clean and nice compared to Indiana's rest areas. The ones near Fort Wayne on 69 as well as the Michigan City one have just the stinkiest bathrooms. They literally have this awful stink coming from the structure itself, not any recent bathroom activity. Michigan's are only slightly better, all there seems to be is nothing but Dr. Pepper in the vending machines in the one around Kalamazoo. On the other hand, the Farmer City rest area on Illinois I-74 is spotless, and smells fresh. A whole bank of vending machines, even has a nice handy weather radar map on a monitor. Handy to see if I am about to hit any thunderstorms or snow ahead.
Quote from: cwm1276 on October 26, 2017, 07:56:27 PM
The truck pull offs on I39 were well used before they were closed with the Paw Paw rest area opening. I have assumed the truck pull off was to become a weight station of the state was not broke.
Wow, that was totally not making sense until I realized there's a Paw Paw in Illinois. The only town by that name I was familiar with is in Michigan, where I once stayed the night while hitchhiking through Michigan. I was trying to figure out how pull-offs on I-39 would be affected by a rest area on I-94 near Kalamazoo...
The only thing I think of them is the foolish signs they post parking for the rest area only. Sure like someone is going to park there and walk miles over corn fields to visit a friends house.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 25, 2017, 02:48:23 PM
Quote from: mvak36 on October 25, 2017, 02:42:31 PM
Another solution (for trucks) is maybe if companies like Love's, etc., build more truck stops along the interstates.
They would...if it was profitable to them.
Tossing an idea out for discussion. :hmmm: Lengthy toll highways have gas station/ restaurant amenities accessible without exiting the toll roads. Illinois refers to them as oases. Why don't these exist on interstates?
Illinois could build the on/off ramps and lease the land (they might need to procure it first). Illinois makes certain minimum requirements so it's not just a business, e.g., picnic areas and truck parking. Illinois gets income instead of paying for a rest area. Businesses get best access to drivers.
Thoughts?
on-road business was banned on Interstates by federal law 23 U.S.C. § 111. the toll road service areas were grandfathered in. Some states banned them further on other roads.
And length has nothing to do with it. The Delaware Turnpike, 11 miles in length, has a service area with restaurants and fuel. The 44 mile Atlantic City Expressway has 2 service areas.
Convenient? Yes. However, more expensive than off-highway facilities? Yes. And as Scott mentioned, they're banned anyway. NY has built mini-convenience stores in some of their rest stops and they are currently in a fight with the feds about that right now. Don't be surprised if the feds eventually stop providing NY State with all of their federal transportation funds.
Quote from: SSOWorld on October 29, 2017, 05:02:15 AM
on-road business was banned on Interstates by federal law 23 U.S.C. § 111. the toll road service areas were grandfathered in. Some states banned them further on other roads.
The one exception to this is I-95 and I-395 in Connecticut. But that used to be a toll road I guess they got a waiver when the tolls were removed in the 80's.
Quote from: dvferyance on October 29, 2017, 11:30:41 AM
Quote from: SSOWorld on October 29, 2017, 05:02:15 AM
on-road business was banned on Interstates by federal law 23 U.S.C. § 111. the toll road service areas were grandfathered in. Some states banned them further on other roads.
The one exception to this is I-95 and I-395 in Connecticut. But that used to be a toll road I guess they got a waiver when the tolls were removed in the 80's.
I-95/MA 128 has a service plaza near Exit 30.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2017, 06:34:42 AM
And length has nothing to do with it. The Delaware Turnpike, 11 miles in length, has a service area with restaurants and fuel. The 44 mile Atlantic City Expressway has 2 service areas.
Convenient? Yes. However, more expensive than off-highway facilities? Yes. And as Scott mentioned, they're banned anyway. NY has built mini-convenience stores in some of their rest stops and they are currently in a fight with the feds about that right now. Don't be surprised if the feds eventually stop providing NY State with all of their federal transportation funds.
But they do have vending machines, if you just want a soda it's fine.
I take Blood Pressure medicine and it's a diuretic that makes me have to urinate quite a bit for the first few hours afterwards. The good thing about the rest areas is if you only have to use the washroom you don't have to buy anything to go in. Also if you do need to go to the bathroom, look for a truck stop, not a gas station. The truck stop will have large public bathrooms with no wait. The old style gas stations often have just a single unisex toilet and locking door that you end up waiting forever. Rest areas also are straight in straight out, no left turns onto busy roads or waiting at lights trying to find your way back. Effingham has just about every fast food restaurant, gas station, truck stop chain out there at it's exit. It's also incredible difficult changing or crossing 6 busy lanes in a half block trying to get to which spot you chose to go to.
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2017, 06:34:42 AMmore expensive than off-highway facilities?
Not in my experience. Is a customer at a service plaza really that much more captive than a customer at a business just off the expressway?
I am assuming that it was lobbying that nixed the rest areas with restaurants and the like.
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 30, 2017, 02:27:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2017, 06:34:42 AMmore expensive than off-highway facilities?
Not in my experience. Is a customer at a service plaza really that much more captive than a customer at a business just off the expressway?
Not here, in Illinois. I've found the oases to have prices comparable to off-tollway services. Sometimes, the gas can actually be cheaper than off-tollway (as at DeKalb).
Quote from: Brandon on October 30, 2017, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 30, 2017, 02:27:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2017, 06:34:42 AMmore expensive than off-highway facilities?
Not in my experience. Is a customer at a service plaza really that much more captive than a customer at a business just off the expressway?
Not here, in Illinois. I've found the oases to have prices comparable to off-tollway services. Sometimes, the gas can actually be cheaper than off-tollway (as at DeKalb).
Agreed, the price of services are actually quite comparable. and as far as the gas, I believe it's strictly regulated. It's a bit odd, because on the toll roads on Indiana and Ohio, there's severe price gouging compared to ITHSA when it comes to gas.
Well with Des Plaines cut in half and Hinsdale in danger - they may become things of the past - if not rarer.
Quote from: SSOWorld on October 30, 2017, 09:16:47 PM
Well with Des Plaines cut in half and Hinsdale in danger - they may become things of the past - if not rarer.
That's kind of sad, actually. The service areas on 294 were always a cool place to sit and eat.
I vaguely remember when there were Howard Johnson's restaurants in them. You'd be eating your waffles while watching the traffic pass underneath you. To a kid like me in the 70's, that was a great experience.
Quote from: Brandon on October 30, 2017, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 30, 2017, 02:27:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2017, 06:34:42 AMmore expensive than off-highway facilities?
Not in my experience. Is a customer at a service plaza really that much more captive than a customer at a business just off the expressway?
Not here, in Illinois. I've found the oases to have prices comparable to off-tollway services. Sometimes, the gas can actually be cheaper than off-tollway (as at DeKalb).
And ironically, collecting federal and state gas taxes on a road system that doesn't receive direct funding from either of them.
Quote from: Rick Powell on October 31, 2017, 03:46:02 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 30, 2017, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 30, 2017, 02:27:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2017, 06:34:42 AMmore expensive than off-highway facilities?
Not in my experience. Is a customer at a service plaza really that much more captive than a customer at a business just off the expressway?
Not here, in Illinois. I've found the oases to have prices comparable to off-tollway services. Sometimes, the gas can actually be cheaper than off-tollway (as at DeKalb).
And ironically, collecting federal and state gas taxes on a road system that doesn't receive direct funding from either of them.
Tollway gets subsidized loans though
Quote from: SSOWorld on October 30, 2017, 09:16:47 PM
Well with Des Plaines cut in half and Hinsdale in danger - they may become things of the past - if not rarer.
des plaines will be removed when the west bypass is done. Hindale and ohare will need to go or be rebuild. They don't even have room for 4 lanes + full shoulders much less wided shoulders.
Quote from: SSOWorld on October 30, 2017, 09:16:47 PM
Well with Des Plaines cut in half and Hinsdale in danger - they may become things of the past - if not rarer.
And while it will not be for a while, I could see the Lincoln Oasis coming down eventually as well, when they (inevitably) have to widen I-80/294 to five lanes in that section.
Lake Forest could be in danger too if they ever want to widen the shoulders on the north part of the Tri-State for bus service. Perhaps all that will be left someday will be Belvidere and DeKalb?
Quote from: I-39 on October 31, 2017, 07:35:40 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on October 30, 2017, 09:16:47 PM
Well with Des Plaines cut in half and Hinsdale in danger - they may become things of the past - if not rarer.
And while it will not be for a while, I could see the Lincoln Oasis coming down eventually as well, when they (inevitably) have to widen I-80/294 to five lanes in that section.
Lake Forest could be in danger too if they ever want to widen the shoulders on the north part of the Tri-State for bus service. Perhaps all that will be left someday will be Belvidere and DeKalb?
well all but Des Plaines can be made to into gas only / maybe some kind of side area with small walkway over the road.
Lincoln Oasis may have to fully go as well (ramp spacing issues with widening)
north part AUX lanes from exit to exit can be done + more full interchanges and if 53/120 is build that may lessen the load.
I don't know about the IL rest areas, but I do know that the Indiana Toll Road RAs are horrible, and the Ohio Turnpike RAs are perhaps the best in the US.
Quote from: I-39 on October 31, 2017, 07:35:40 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on October 30, 2017, 09:16:47 PM
Well with Des Plaines cut in half and Hinsdale in danger - they may become things of the past - if not rarer.
And while it will not be for a while, I could see the Lincoln Oasis coming down eventually as well, when they (inevitably) have to widen I-80/294 to five lanes in that section.
Lake Forest could be in danger too if they ever want to widen the shoulders on the north part of the Tri-State for bus service. Perhaps all that will be left someday will be Belvidere and DeKalb?
[/quote
Agreed, I can see them knocking down Lincoln and Lake forest oasis in order to expand the shoulder and leaving it just with the 7-eleven/mobil.
Quote from: westerninterloper on October 31, 2017, 10:35:49 PM
I don't know about the IL rest areas, but I do know that the Indiana Toll Road RAs are horrible,
I'm surprised they haven't rebuilt those. They are like going into an old truck stop that has a Skelly's gas station.
If I recall correctly, the service area near the Ohio border was boarded up as of two years ago.
Quote from: johndoe780 on October 30, 2017, 08:46:09 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 30, 2017, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 30, 2017, 02:27:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2017, 06:34:42 AMmore expensive than off-highway facilities?
Not in my experience. Is a customer at a service plaza really that much more captive than a customer at a business just off the expressway?
Not here, in Illinois. I've found the oases to have prices comparable to off-tollway services. Sometimes, the gas can actually be cheaper than off-tollway (as at DeKalb).
Agreed, the price of services are actually quite comparable. and as far as the gas, I believe it's strictly regulated. It's a bit odd, because on the toll roads on Indiana and Ohio, there's severe price gouging compared to ITHSA when it comes to gas.
Any increase is well worth the hassle of not have to exit, pay a toll, search around a strange area to find your service, and then get back on the tollway. I-294 isn't like a downstate expressway where you can see all the 100 foot tall brightly lit service signs from 7 miles out at places like LeRoy or Gilman and know well in advance there is somewhere you want to buy something a stone's throw from the exit. With I-294 your in that sunken canyon with tree bound residential areas above and can't see anything, or even know if the exit has a four way movement and you can get back on.
If they have to widen Hinsdale etc. why can't they just lay down longer beams over the highway and rebuild a new Oasis? All the guts can sit in storage and then the deep fryers, furnaces, air conditioning, registers can go into the new structure? Or put them on the sides by the gas stations?
Quote from: inkyatari on November 01, 2017, 08:54:26 AM
Quote from: westerninterloper on October 31, 2017, 10:35:49 PM
I don't know about the IL rest areas, but I do know that the Indiana Toll Road RAs are horrible,
I'm surprised they haven't rebuilt those. They are like going into an old truck stop that has a Skelly's gas station.
If I recall correctly, the service area near the Ohio border was boarded up as of two years ago.
The Indiana Toll Road is rebuilding the service areas. Two of them, at Portage and Elkhart will be rebuilt as gas stations (similar to the Des Plaines Oasis now.) And the other two, at Rolling Prairie and Howe will be rebuilt as brand new service plazas. I think the Portage and Howe plazas are already finished with the other two under construction.
Quote from: captkirk_4 on November 01, 2017, 09:17:16 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on October 30, 2017, 08:46:09 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 30, 2017, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 30, 2017, 02:27:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2017, 06:34:42 AMmore expensive than off-highway facilities?
Not in my experience. Is a customer at a service plaza really that much more captive than a customer at a business just off the expressway?
Not here, in Illinois. I've found the oases to have prices comparable to off-tollway services. Sometimes, the gas can actually be cheaper than off-tollway (as at DeKalb).
Agreed, the price of services are actually quite comparable. and as far as the gas, I believe it's strictly regulated. It's a bit odd, because on the toll roads on Indiana and Ohio, there's severe price gouging compared to ITHSA when it comes to gas.
Any increase is well worth the hassle of not have to exit, pay a toll, search around a strange area to find your service, and then get back on the tollway. I-294 isn't like a downstate expressway where you can see all the 100 foot tall brightly lit service signs from 7 miles out at places like LeRoy or Gilman and know well in advance there is somewhere you want to buy something a stone's throw from the exit. With I-294 your in that sunken canyon with tree bound residential areas above and can't see anything, or even know if the exit has a four way movement and you can get back on.
If they have to widen Hinsdale etc. why can't they just lay down longer beams over the highway and rebuild a new Oasis? All the guts can sit in storage and then the deep fryers, furnaces, air conditioning, registers can go into the new structure? Or put them on the sides by the gas stations?
I-355 never had any of them and 53/120 none planed.
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on November 01, 2017, 11:15:17 AM
I-355 never had any of them and 53/120 none planed.
By the time I-355 was built, the surrounding areas were so built up, they would've been useless. Same with the future 53/120. Same with the current EOE.
Quote from: abefroman329 on November 01, 2017, 03:46:22 PM
Quote from: Joe The Dragon on November 01, 2017, 11:15:17 AM
I-355 never had any of them and 53/120 none planed.
By the time I-355 was built, the surrounding areas were so built up, they would've been useless. Same with the future 53/120. Same with the current EOE.
That and they are mainly used by commuter traffic, not cross state-country traffic that usually uses rest areas.
Quote from: captkirk_4 on November 01, 2017, 09:17:16 AM
Quote from: johndoe780 on October 30, 2017, 08:46:09 PM
Quote from: Brandon on October 30, 2017, 07:38:14 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 30, 2017, 02:27:45 PM
Quote from: jeffandnicole on October 29, 2017, 06:34:42 AMmore expensive than off-highway facilities?
Not in my experience. Is a customer at a service plaza really that much more captive than a customer at a business just off the expressway?
Not here, in Illinois. I've found the oases to have prices comparable to off-tollway services. Sometimes, the gas can actually be cheaper than off-tollway (as at DeKalb).
Agreed, the price of services are actually quite comparable. and as far as the gas, I believe it's strictly regulated. It's a bit odd, because on the toll roads on Indiana and Ohio, there's severe price gouging compared to ITHSA when it comes to gas.
Any increase is well worth the hassle of not have to exit, pay a toll, search around a strange area to find your service, and then get back on the tollway. I-294 isn't like a downstate expressway where you can see all the 100 foot tall brightly lit service signs from 7 miles out at places like LeRoy or Gilman and know well in advance there is somewhere you want to buy something a stone's throw from the exit. With I-294 your in that sunken canyon with tree bound residential areas above and can't see anything, or even know if the exit has a four way movement and you can get back on.
That's not true. ISTHA always has signs posted when you can't get back on at an interchange and they include the next road you can get on from.
Quote from: I-39 on October 31, 2017, 07:35:40 PM
Quote from: SSOWorld on October 30, 2017, 09:16:47 PM
Well with Des Plaines cut in half and Hinsdale in danger - they may become things of the past - if not rarer.
And while it will not be for a while, I could see the Lincoln Oasis coming down eventually as well, when they (inevitably) have to widen I-80/294 to five lanes in that section.
Honestly they should have added a 5th lane when they widened it ~10 years ago. Hopefully ISTHA looks into doing that when they're done with the Central Tri State rebuild.