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Illinois notes

Started by mgk920, September 12, 2012, 02:19:57 PM

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CtrlAltDel

Quote from: Lyon Wonder on March 05, 2022, 08:58:03 PM
The communities of Rapid City, IL and LeCLaire, IL are closely watching the studies IDOT's conducting that will decide the alignment for the new I-80 Mississippi River bridge.  My guess is it'll come down to either a new alignment that's immediately upstream or downstream or building the new bridge where the current I-80 span is located.

https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/i80-bridge-new-location/526-cf32c838-cc6e-49b5-97ae-177fa6210c2d

I hope it's far away from LeClaire, IA, so those damned cameras go away.
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)


edwaleni

Quote from: Lyon Wonder on March 05, 2022, 08:58:03 PM
The communities of Rapid City, IL and LeCLaire, IL are closely watching the studies IDOT's conducting that will decide the alignment for the new I-80 Mississippi River bridge.  My guess is it'll come down to either a new alignment that's immediately upstream or downstream or building the new bridge where the current I-80 span is located.

https://www.wqad.com/article/news/local/i80-bridge-new-location/526-cf32c838-cc6e-49b5-97ae-177fa6210c2d

Some of this is covered here:

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=30685.0

US20IL64

Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.

edwaleni

Quote from: US20IL64 on March 07, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.

Because there are a large number of unincorporated communities the farther out you get from Chicago.

Also some roads change names in the same county, like when passing through different towns.

So the county, in order to maintain consistency for fire and life safety, erect county road number signs.

hobsini2

Quote from: edwaleni on March 07, 2022, 05:03:39 PM
Quote from: US20IL64 on March 07, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.

Because there are a large number of unincorporated communities the farther out you get from Chicago.

Also some roads change names in the same county, like when passing through different towns.

So the county, in order to maintain consistency for fire and life safety, erect county road number signs.

For example, there are 4 names for a 15 mile stretch of road between Roosevelt Rd in Lombard and Archer Ave in Lemont. State St, Lemont Rd, Main St, Highland Ave.
I knew it. I'm surrounded by assholes. Keep firing, assholes! - Dark Helmet (Spaceballs)

paulthemapguy

The new bridge over the Des Plaines River, connecting Houbolt and Laraway Roads, is well underway.  You can see the construction in the distance if you walk to the end of the trail at Rock Run Rookery. This is between Joliet and Channahon.


20220301_163820_HDR by Paul Drives, on Flickr
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CtrlAltDel

A very small project is ongoing on IL-83 and IL-38. They are apparently replacing a culvert across the main line of 83, and adding a retaining wall on the ramp from westbound 38 to northbound 83. I don't know what the wall is for, though.
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)

Stephane Dumas

I saw this cool video about the reconstruction of the Mile Long Bridge on I-294.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVl0BuqGv3U

ilpt4u

Quote from: Stephane Dumas on July 11, 2022, 03:12:28 PM
I saw this cool video about the reconstruction of the Mile Long Bridge on I-294.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVl0BuqGv3U
There is an "Illinois Tollway Notes"  thread, where this video is better suited, as the Central Tri-State project is being followed there

https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=17650.0

edwaleni

Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 11, 2022, 09:28:47 AM
The new bridge over the Des Plaines River, connecting Houbolt and Laraway Roads, is well underway.  You can see the construction in the distance if you walk to the end of the trail at Rock Run Rookery. This is between Joliet and Channahon.


20220301_163820_HDR by Paul Drives, on Flickr

This project is visible from Google Earth. But it is just the dirt grading. Google Maps shows the road poured on the north side of the bridge.

I-39

When are they going to start on the Bliss Road/Fayban Parkway roundabout/realignment project in Kane County?

edwaleni

Quote from: I-39 on July 11, 2022, 09:48:42 PM
When are they going to start on the Bliss Road/Fayban Parkway roundabout/realignment project in Kane County?

http://kdot.countyofkane.org/Pages/Projects/Bliss-Main-Fabyan-Intersection/Bliss-Main-Fabyan-Intersection-Realignment.aspx

Looks like it went out for bid in May 2022.

https://www.constructionjournal.com/projects/details/19faba812cfd49d6b05e60ab6ea4eb26.html

Bidnet says bidding has closed, so I would assume the bids are under review.


US20IL64

#2162
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 07, 2022, 07:19:49 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 07, 2022, 05:03:39 PM
Quote from: US20IL64 on March 07, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.

Because there are a large number of unincorporated communities the farther out you get from Chicago.

Also some roads change names in the same county, like when passing through different towns.

So the county, in order to maintain consistency for fire and life safety, erect county road number signs.

For example, there are 4 names for a 15 mile stretch of road between Roosevelt Rd in Lombard and Archer Ave in Lemont. State St, Lemont Rd, Main St, Highland Ave.

Du Page Co and Lisle [town] tried to give one name to Yackley Rd, College Av and Wehrli [?], but home owners didn't want new addresses. Was to be all Yackley Rd. In some cases, towns use two names, like Westmore-Meyers Rd [Lombard], or Dempster/Theaker St and Lee/Manheim Rd [Des Plaines]

mgk920

Quote from: US20IL64 on July 22, 2022, 12:34:59 AM
Quote from: hobsini2 on March 07, 2022, 07:19:49 PM
Quote from: edwaleni on March 07, 2022, 05:03:39 PM
Quote from: US20IL64 on March 07, 2022, 01:47:15 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2022, 02:48:12 PM
A little birdy told me that Will County is going to be marking its county highways with numbered pentagons later this year. It will be last of Chicagoland's seven counties (if you include Kendall) to do so.  (Though Cook and Kane only do a half-hearted job.)

A County road sign was put up in SW Cook Co. on one of the e/w 100-something streets (between 100th and 199th). A news story had people complaining about the "waste of money" and "who cares about these signs?" since street is already named. This is why there is a "half hearted job" to do so in urban IL.

Because there are a large number of unincorporated communities the farther out you get from Chicago.

Also some roads change names in the same county, like when passing through different towns.

So the county, in order to maintain consistency for fire and life safety, erect county road number signs.

For example, there are 4 names for a 15 mile stretch of road between Roosevelt Rd in Lombard and Archer Ave in Lemont. State St, Lemont Rd, Main St, Highland Ave.

Du Page Co and Lisle [town] tried to give one name to Yackley Rd, College Av and Wehrli [?], but home owners didn't want new addresses. Was to be all Yackley Rd. In some cases, towns use two names, like Westmore-Meyers Rd [Lombard], or Dempster/Theaker St and Lee/Manheim Rd [Des Plaines]

Yet another reason why I have the deepest utmost respect for Edward P Brennan and what he did in Chicago just over a century ago.

:nod:

Mike

JoePCool14

For everyone keeping score, the quarry workers' strike has come to an end after 7 weeks. Hopefully, area roadway projects that were stalled due to that will get going again.

https://wgntv.com/news/tentative-deal-offers-chance-to-end-construction-strike/

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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.
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paulthemapguy

Quote from: JoePCool14 on July 26, 2022, 04:58:11 PM
For everyone keeping score, the quarry workers' strike has come to an end after 7 weeks. Hopefully, area roadway projects that were stalled due to that will get going again.

https://wgntv.com/news/tentative-deal-offers-chance-to-end-construction-strike/

That's huge news for me. An asphalt project I was supposed to oversee has been on hold for a month because of the strike.  I estimated that, without the strike, the project would have gotten started at the start of July. We'll see when the contractor gives me a call with a proposed start date, presumably sometime in mid-late August.  (The original completion date was Labor Day; understandably and forgivably, that's not happening now.)
Avatar is the last interesting highway I clinched.
My website! http://www.paulacrossamerica.com Now featuring all of Ohio!
My USA Shield Gallery https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHwJRZk
TM Clinches https://bit.ly/2UwRs4O

National collection status: 361/425. Only 64 route markers remain

Lyon Wonder


paulthemapguy

Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 13, 2022, 01:20:43 AM
I-55 between I-72 at South 6th Street in Springfield to Sherman will finally be widened to 6 lanes.

https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/08/12/pritzker-announces-34-6-billion-multi-year-idot-plan/65401729007/


"Finally" is right!  It always amazes me to see how I-55 is six lanes from Lincoln to Sherman...but it's still only four lanes around Springfield, including the duplex with another Interstate.
Avatar is the last interesting highway I clinched.
My website! http://www.paulacrossamerica.com Now featuring all of Ohio!
My USA Shield Gallery https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHwJRZk
TM Clinches https://bit.ly/2UwRs4O

National collection status: 361/425. Only 64 route markers remain

ChiMilNet

Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 13, 2022, 11:26:50 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 13, 2022, 01:20:43 AM
I-55 between I-72 at South 6th Street in Springfield to Sherman will finally be widened to 6 lanes.

https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/08/12/pritzker-announces-34-6-billion-multi-year-idot-plan/65401729007/


"Finally" is right!  It always amazes me to see how I-55 is six lanes from Lincoln to Sherman...but it's still only four lanes around Springfield, including the duplex with another Interstate.

It's progress finally. That said, the worst section is still going to be only 2 lanes, and I fear that the sudden drop in lanes will cause a bad bottleneck... I get the feeling they are going to have to quickly finish the remainder, including the South interchange.

CtrlAltDel

Quote from: ChiMilNet on August 13, 2022, 01:26:59 PM
Quote from: paulthemapguy on August 13, 2022, 11:26:50 AM
Quote from: Lyon Wonder on August 13, 2022, 01:20:43 AM
I-55 between I-72 at South 6th Street in Springfield to Sherman will finally be widened to 6 lanes.

https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/08/12/pritzker-announces-34-6-billion-multi-year-idot-plan/65401729007/


"Finally" is right!  It always amazes me to see how I-55 is six lanes from Lincoln to Sherman...but it's still only four lanes around Springfield, including the duplex with another Interstate.

It's progress finally. That said, the worst section is still going to be only 2 lanes, and I fear that the sudden drop in lanes will cause a bad bottleneck... I get the feeling they are going to have to quickly finish the remainder, including the South interchange.

One wonders if that was done on purpose for just that reason. . . .
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)

Plutonic Panda


paulthemapguy

A big repave is going on along Interstate 57 in Will County.  I was talking with a project manager for the contractor responsible, and they're moving from that job to a big repave on Interstate 55 when that's done.  That repave will be from Interstate 80 north to Bolingbrook somewhere.  Apparently, the material producers' strike that snagged construction work for 7-8 weeks delayed the Interstate 55 resurfacing so much, that only one direction of Interstate 55 will be repaved this season; the other carriageway will have to be repaved next spring.  That will be an interesting drive during the winter; one direction will have fresh, new pavement, whereas the other direction won't!
Avatar is the last interesting highway I clinched.
My website! http://www.paulacrossamerica.com Now featuring all of Ohio!
My USA Shield Gallery https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHwJRZk
TM Clinches https://bit.ly/2UwRs4O

National collection status: 361/425. Only 64 route markers remain

edwaleni

IDOT also announced the next chapter in Springfield's version of Chicago's CREATE. They are going to build an overpass for Grand Ave. to go over the CN/Amtrak/CIM junction on the north side of town.

They are ripping out the former Alton/GMO now UP tracks that support the Amtrak Station downtown and moving the UP/Amtrak over to new tracks next to NS on the east side of downtown.

This means yet more rail traffic being rolled over that Grand Avenue junction, hence the elevation.

Being so close to Springfield Lanphier High School, traffic would devolve into madness when the CIM would bring a coal drag through after a football game ended.

UP also ripped out their Springfield bypass (using the Nelson Sub) and is steering all that traffic through central Springfield to everyone's chagrin.

Now CN wants to route traffic through the same tracks to reach the KCS Springfield Sub as part of the merger of CP and KCS.

Look for more funding of Springfield arterials to get underpasses when all these railroads merge their madness into the same ROW.

As for I-55, I can say finally! I remember when those bridges from 1962 were upgraded for 6 lane duty back in the early 1980's and the third lane has been barriered off ever since.

Some other issues IDOT can address with a 6 lane effort, is there are several legacy and abandoned railroad over/underpasses that are long overdue.

The CN bridge used by CIM can't accommodate 6 lanes widths. The CN bridge for Springfield Utilities (Dalman Power Plant) which hasn't run a coal train in some 30 years will probably be removed.

The bridge over the former B&O (now a trail) can be truncated to a simple viaduct as the railroad was removed in 1980.

The NS bridge (former Wabash) over I-55, also built in 1962 might survive as it has room for a lane and shoulder.

The I-55 bridge over the CN Gilman sub is already 6 lanes, and was updated in the 90's, knowing IDOT, they will get cheap and keep it I assume.

The I-55 bridge over the UP/Amtrak at Sherman, the southbound bridge was replaced and is already 3 lanes, but that northbound side is the pits and a dumpster fire. Has to be replaced.


JoePCool14

Here's a personal note that I wanted to bring up today to add to the "Illinois notes" discussion.

IDOT does not give s*** about clear zones on their roads. I drove a few different state highways in the northwest Chicago area today and I was just astounded by how little room there was on the side between the edge of pavement and the start of non-cut grass vegetation. And I'm talking about 2-lane sections where the speed limit is 45, 50, or 55. This also applies to other roads, like US-20 east of the Elgin bypass section.

After driving hundreds of miles in Wisconsin, I find this unacceptable and I see it as a real safety concern. How are you supposed to see an animal running towards the road when you have these tall grasses and weeds right up to the edge of the lane? After a deer ran into my car in Wisconsin, this is high on my list of concerns now. The weeds and tall grass, and sometimes branches too, bury signs to the point you can't even see them. Also, it just makes the roads look so unkept, which I guess is true.

These problems are also compounded by the fact that most of these roads lack any sort of paved shoulder, so there's basically no room for error if something goes wrong.

I know I rant a lot about IDOT, but man, they honestly just suck in almost every way imaginable. I miss the days WisDOT was my "home DOT", they really are one of the best out there. There's just so much wrong at the core of what IDOT does. I understand a lot of it has to do with the awful budget and the amount of mileage they have, but a lot of IDOT's problems have nothing to do with budget and everything to do with work ethic and quality checking.

:) Needs more... :sombrero: Not quite... :bigass: Perfect.
JDOT: We make the world a better place to drive.
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