New Balmoral ramps and new ISTHA rates

[hobsini2]

The new I-Pass only I-294 NB exit to Balmoral Ave is now open as of Wed Dec 14. The toll is $.80. The O'Hare is still until Jan 1 $.40 for I-Pass. As of Jan 1, the rates for I-Pass tolls will go from $.40 to $.75, cash would go from $.80 to $1.50 at a minimum.

[Brandon]

^^ Just saw the ramp today.  A very good idea, and, IMHO, needed for a long time.

[Revive 755]

I'm curious though why the Balmoral Ramps and some of the other new ramps have to be I-Pass only and can't be I-Pass and pay by mail or internet.

[Brandon]

I'm curious though why the Balmoral Ramps and some of the other new ramps have to be I-Pass only and can't be I-Pass and pay by mail or internet.

They're pay by mail or internet if you have to use them, but ISTHA's been reducing the number of cash/coin lanes due to demand.  Approximately 85% of tollway customers use I-Pass, and that number is increasing.  From their point of view, it is more cost effective to make the new ramps I-Pass only w/o cash/coin lanes.  In fact, when ISTHA takes over the EOE, the EOE will be all I-Pass only.

[mgk920]

I mentioned this in a different thread, too, but with this I-PASS only thing on the EOE, as an experiment, might it work to set up the tolls as an electronic 'ticket' system, with the transponder gantries being set up only at the entrances and exits, recording where vehicles get on and off and calculating a much more accurate and exact toll each time the road is used?

If that would work out, I could easily see this being extended system-wide and it would work with photo/mail tolling for those without transponders (non-transponder rate = double the transponder toll, the present-day cash rate).  This would also eliminate the two current *FREE* parts of the ISTHA system (between IL 21/Milwaukee Ave and IL 132/Grand Ave on the Tri-State/I-94 and between I-39 and IL 251 on I-88).

Mike

[Brandon]

I mentioned this in a different thread, too, but with this I-PASS only thing on the EOE, as an experiment, might it work to set up the tolls as an electronic 'ticket' system, with the transponder gantries being set up only at the entrances and exits, recording where vehicles get on and off and calculating a much more accurate and exact toll each time the road is used?

If that would work out, I could easily see this being extended system-wide and it would work with photo/mail tolling for those without transponders (non-transponder rate = double the transponder toll, the present-day cash rate).  This would also eliminate the two current *FREE* parts of the ISTHA system (between IL 21/Milwaukee Ave and IL 132/Grand Ave on the Tri-State/I-94 and between I-39 and IL 251 on I-88).

Mike

Maybe.  I don't know the details of the EOE tolling plan.  I do know that the EOE will be widened first, then tolls applied either after the widening is complete or after the extension is built to the east.

The NW Twy is also free between Cherry Valley (I-39/US-51) and Rockford-State St (BUS-20).

[mgk920]

I mentioned this in a different thread, too, but with this I-PASS only thing on the EOE, as an experiment, might it work to set up the tolls as an electronic 'ticket' system, with the transponder gantries being set up only at the entrances and exits, recording where vehicles get on and off and calculating a much more accurate and exact toll each time the road is used?

If that would work out, I could easily see this being extended system-wide and it would work with photo/mail tolling for those without transponders (non-transponder rate = double the transponder toll, the present-day cash rate).  This would also eliminate the two current *FREE* parts of the ISTHA system (between IL 21/Milwaukee Ave and IL 132/Grand Ave on the Tri-State/I-94 and between I-39 and IL 251 on I-88).

Mike

Maybe.  I don't know the details of the EOE tolling plan.  I do know that the EOE will be widened first, then tolls applied either after the widening is complete or after the extension is built to the east.

The NW Twy is also free between Cherry Valley (I-39/US-51) and Rockford-State St (BUS-20).

Checking the newest Google aerial images, you're right, that cheesy 15¢ tollgate at the I-39 split is gone with the recent rebuild.  I didn't know that.  That's another place where an electronic 'ticket' tolling system would eliminate such a *FREE* ride.

Mike

[Alps]

I mentioned this in a different thread, too, but with this I-PASS only thing on the EOE, as an experiment, might it work to set up the tolls as an electronic 'ticket' system, with the transponder gantries being set up only at the entrances and exits, recording where vehicles get on and off and calculating a much more accurate and exact toll each time the road is used?

If that would work out, I could easily see this being extended system-wide and it would work with photo/mail tolling for those without transponders (non-transponder rate = double the transponder toll, the present-day cash rate).  This would also eliminate the two current *FREE* parts of the ISTHA system (between IL 21/Milwaukee Ave and IL 132/Grand Ave on the Tri-State/I-94 and between I-39 and IL 251 on I-88).

Mike

Maybe.  I don't know the details of the EOE tolling plan.  I do know that the EOE will be widened first, then tolls applied either after the widening is complete or after the extension is built to the east.

The NW Twy is also free between Cherry Valley (I-39/US-51) and Rockford-State St (BUS-20).

Checking the newest Google aerial images, you're right, that cheesy 15¢ tollgate at the I-39 split is gone with the recent rebuild.  I didn't know that.  That's another place where an electronic 'ticket' tolling system would eliminate such a *FREE* ride.

Mike

There's no guarantee electronic tolling will eliminate free sections. The NY Thruway is free from I-88 to I-890 or I-90 but tolled between 90 and 890. I could see an agreement in place that protects the existing free zones.

[NE2]

There's no guarantee electronic tolling will eliminate free sections.

As a current example, Florida's Turnpike converted their Homestead Extension to electronic-only, but the short free ride (11 to 13) is still there.

[mgk920]

I mentioned this in a different thread, too, but with this I-PASS only thing on the EOE, as an experiment, might it work to set up the tolls as an electronic 'ticket' system, with the transponder gantries being set up only at the entrances and exits, recording where vehicles get on and off and calculating a much more accurate and exact toll each time the road is used?

If that would work out, I could easily see this being extended system-wide and it would work with photo/mail tolling for those without transponders (non-transponder rate = double the transponder toll, the present-day cash rate).  This would also eliminate the two current *FREE* parts of the ISTHA system (between IL 21/Milwaukee Ave and IL 132/Grand Ave on the Tri-State/I-94 and between I-39 and IL 251 on I-88).

Mike

Maybe.  I don't know the details of the EOE tolling plan.  I do know that the EOE will be widened first, then tolls applied either after the widening is complete or after the extension is built to the east.

The NW Twy is also free between Cherry Valley (I-39/US-51) and Rockford-State St (BUS-20).

Checking the newest Google aerial images, you're right, that cheesy 15¢ tollgate at the I-39 split is gone with the recent rebuild.  I didn't know that.  That's another place where an electronic 'ticket' tolling system would eliminate such a *FREE* ride.

Mike

There's no guarantee electronic tolling will eliminate free sections. The NY Thruway is free from I-88 to I-890 or I-90 but tolled between 90 and 890. I could see an agreement in place that protects the existing free zones.

Unlike those free rides to and from I-88 in the NY Capitol Region, which was due to an access agreement with NYSDOT, the free sections on the ISTHA system are more oversights/ignores where the costs of installing the ramp tollgates would have been higher than the revenues gained, especially with the IL 21 to IL 132 part of the Tri-State, where there is next to no traffic that takes just the free ride between them.  As for the part of I-88 by Rochelle (I-39 to/from IL 251), I'm a bit surprised that the ISTHA didn't put tollgates on the east-pointing ramps at IL 251 - Union Pacific's Global III intermodal terminal is by that interchange and there is a very strong big-rig truck traffic demand for that free ride to and from I-39.  With ramp-only electronic 'ticket' gantries at all of the interchanges (as well as at the ends of the ISTHA system) and no mainline 'barrier' gantries in between, all of those free rides would be accurately eliminated.

Mike

[hobsini2]

I know, being a former ISTHA employee, the "free" section on 88 out by Rochelle was only created when I-39/US 51 freeway was built. Prior to that (circa 1986 or so) IL 251/Former US 51 was the free ramps separating the DeKalb and Dixon plazas like Rt 59 separates York Rd and Aurora plazas. I am not entirely sure but i believe the IL 21 Milwaukee Ave ramps were added well after IL 132 Grand Ave interchange was built again leaving that section as "Free".

[mgk920]

Also, with electronic 'ticket' tolling, if the ISTHA would ever make an agreement for a free ride between two points, just like with the NYSThruway's I-88 'free' zone in the Albany area, such rates can also be easily programmed into the tolling system.  It would also eliminate the mainline toll plazas, significantly reducing cost and congestion.

Signs that I can envision at all of the entrances:

"Welcome to the Illinois Tollway - Pat Quinn Governor"

"TOLL - cars|xx¢/mile|xx¢/km"

"No I-PASS/EZPass?|We'll mail a bill|Double I-PASS/EZPass rate"

(Note, 'Double I-PASS/EZPass rate' is the current cash rate.)

Mike

[Henry]

Also, with electronic 'ticket' tolling, if the ISTHA would ever make an agreement for a free ride between two points, just like with the NYSThruway's I-88 'free' zone in the Albany area, such rates can also be easily programmed into the tolling system.  It would also eliminate the mainline toll plazas, significantly reducing cost and congestion.

Signs that I can envision at all of the entrances:

"Welcome to the Illinois Tollway - Pat Quinn Governor"

"TOLL - cars|xx¢/mile|xx¢/km"

"No I-PASS/EZPass?|We'll mail a bill|Double I-PASS/EZPass rate"

(Note, 'Double I-PASS/EZPass rate' is the current cash rate.)

Mike

That would be a great idea!

^^ Just saw the ramp today.  A very good idea, and, IMHO, needed for a long time.

Seconded!

[SSOWorld]

Quinn won't own up to the toll sign.  He took blago's name off and didn't want to replace it with his -same with the state border welcome sign.

[tdindy88]

Never understood why you needed a governor's name on any sign in the first place, but that's probably for another post.

[Brandon]

Quinn won't own up to the toll sign.  He took blago's name off and didn't want to replace it with his -same with the state border welcome sign.

IIRC, it's now a state law that the governor's name cannot appear on these types of signs (ditto for welcome signage).

[mgk920]

Quinn won't own up to the toll sign.  He took blago's name off and didn't want to replace it with his -same with the state border welcome sign.

IIRC, it's now a state law that the governor's name cannot appear on these types of signs (ditto for welcome signage).

(Heheheheheheh)

Also, when Scott Walker took Wisconsin's oath about a year ago, the state line signs (at least the ones that I recently saw on US 41 and US 2/141 coming from Michigan) went from "James Doyle - Governor" to "Open for business".

Mike

[hobsini2]

The ISTHA has finally issued the 2012 Illinois Tollway map.
For those interested, the following are the new rates that took effect on Jan 1, 2012 for the mainline toll plazas and important off ramps with what the old rates were at. Thes are showing car rates only.

Plaza name number (old rate I-Pass/Cash) new rate I-Pass/Cash

Jane Addams (Northwest) Tollway I-39/90:
South Beloit 1 ($0.50/$1.00) $0.95/$1.90
^Cherry Valley/US 20 Bypass 3 has been removed.
Belvidere (WB only) 5 ($0.80/$1.60) $1.50/$3.00
Marengo (EB only) 7 ($0.80/$1.60) $1.50/$3.00
Elgin 9 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
I-290/Route 53* ($0.15/$0.30) $0.30/$0.60
Devon Ave (WB only) 17 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
River Rd (EB only) 19 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50

Ronald Reagan (East-West) Tollway I-88:
York Rd (WB only) 51 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
Meyers Rd (EB only) 52 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
Aurora 61 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
DeKalb 66 ($0.95/$1.90) $1.80/$3.60
Dixon 69 ($0.95/$1.90) $1.80/$3.60

Tri-State Tollway I-80/94/294:
Waukegan 21 ($0.75/$1.50) $1.60/$2.80
Edens Spur* 24 ($0.50/$1.00) $0.95/$1.90
^Lake Cook Rd 25 has been removed. Lake Cook Rd exit ramps are plaza 26
Touhy Ave (NB only) 29 ($0.50/$1.00) $0.95/$1.90
O'Hare East* (NB off only) 32 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
O'Hare West* (SB I-294/EB I-90 off only) 31 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
Irving Park Rd (SB only) 33 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
Cermak Rd 35 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
Joliet Rd/I-55* (SB off/NB on) 37 ($0.15/$0.30) $0.30/$0.60
82nd St (SB only) 36 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
83rd St (NB only) 39 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
163rd St 41 ($0.40/$0.80) $0.75/$1.50
I-80 Westbound* (NB off) 43 ($0.30/$0.60) $0.55/$1.10
I-80 Eastbound* (SB on) 45 ($0.30/$0.60) $0.55/$1.10

Veterans Memorial (North-South) Tollway I-355:
Army Trail Rd 73 ($0.50/$1.00) $0.95/$1.90
Boughton Rd (Mainline) 89 ($0.50/$1.00) $0.95/$1.90
Spring Creek 99 ($1.00/$2.00) $1.90/$3.80

* and italics = Mainline Tollway does not go through this plaza.
^ = Major Plaza used to exist

All other toll plazas are still under $0.60 for I-Pass and $1.20 for Cash except for the two I-Pass Only exits for Eola Road ($0.55 I-Pass EB on/WB off I-88) and Balmoral Ave ($0.80 I-Pass NB off I-294 only).

[Revive 755]

The new tollway rates seem to have removed enough traffic from I-355 to make it flow nicely in rush hour between I-88 and I-55 - or I had a lucky day.

[Stratuscaster]

Or because it was Presidents' Day and enough folks had the day off.

[Revive 755]

Forgot to specify the date, but I did not use I-355 on Presidents Day.

Traffic did seem heavier today on I-355 than last week though.

[Rick Powell]

Forgot to specify the date, but I did not use I-355 on Presidents Day.

Traffic did seem heavier today on I-355 than last week though.

Tollway usually takes a few months to rebound from a toll increase.  Traffic also went down when cash tolls were doubled during the last initiative that paid for the conversion to Open Road toll program and south extension of I-355, but didn't stay at that level for long.  With most users using transponders now, the change is relatively transparent compared to the predominantly cash toll days, until you look at your credit card bill.

[hobsini2]

Forgot to specify the date, but I did not use I-355 on Presidents Day.

Traffic did seem heavier today on I-355 than last week though.

Tollway usually takes a few months to rebound from a toll increase.  Traffic also went down when cash tolls were doubled during the last initiative that paid for the conversion to Open Road toll program and south extension of I-355, but didn't stay at that level for long.  With most users using transponders now, the change is relatively transparent compared to the predominantly cash toll days, until you look at your credit card bill.

Last weekend, i was going to Milwaukee on the Tri State. In the middle of the day on a Sunday at the Waukegan Toll, the cash lanes had about 80 cars waiting to go through. The I-Pass was moving nicely at 70 mph. I love my I-Pass just not the rates.

[Stratuscaster]

Forgot to specify the date, but I did not use I-355 on Presidents Day.

My bad -I had assumed so based on the post date.