Illinois Tollway Notes

[Brandon]

"All this did was to move the traffic jam eastward from Wolf Road to 25th Street."

Agree, but it's 25th Avenue.    The traffic reporters call that stretch of I-290 "the avenues".
And it is in bad shape, due to not getting parties to agree on what to build. One possibility is add a 4th toll lane,

Rebuilding 290/88/294 is almost as extensive as the "Jane Byne Interchange" re-do. 

Yeah, I realized that after I wrote it (in a bit of a hurry).

[Rick Powell]

The traffic reporters call that stretch of I-290 "the avenues".
And it is in bad shape, due to not getting parties to agree on what to build. One possibility is add a 4th toll lane,

The I-290 mainline work on the Avenues is starting to take shape. IDOT has programmed a few projects that will make a difference in modernizing the corridor.
* The IHB Railroad overhead bridge west of 25th Avenue, which is being lengthened and raised to accommodate the future 25th Avenue interchange ramps.
* The Des Plaines River bridge which will also replace a section of mainline pavement on each side.
* The IL 171/1st Avenue interchange, which will also include auxiliary lanes, ramps and mainline pavement.
* The 9th and 17th Avenue overhead bridges
* Two mainline trunk sewer projects that will accommodate future construction.

All projects will accommodate the future planned 4th lane in each direction.

[US20IL64]

Glad something is getting underway. Biggest obstacle is Oak Park, they tried to "landmark" the left lane ramps,    to prevent changes. The plan is to go to those X type interchanges, like I-55 and Damen Av.

[ChiMilNet]

I keep saying if they want to landmark those left hand interchanges, go ahead, just IDOT can keep the "former" ramps in place and close the interchange entirely and leave Oak Park without access!

[ChiMilNet]

The traffic reporters call that stretch of I-290 "the avenues".
And it is in bad shape, due to not getting parties to agree on what to build. One possibility is add a 4th toll lane,

The I-290 mainline work on the Avenues is starting to take shape. IDOT has programmed a few projects that will make a difference in modernizing the corridor.
* The IHB Railroad overhead bridge west of 25th Avenue, which is being lengthened and raised to accommodate the future 25th Avenue interchange ramps.
* The Des Plaines River bridge which will also replace a section of mainline pavement on each side.
* The IL 171/1st Avenue interchange, which will also include auxiliary lanes, ramps and mainline pavement.
* The 9th and 17th Avenue overhead bridges
* Two mainline trunk sewer projects that will accommodate future construction.

All projects will accommodate the future planned 4th lane in each direction.

Glad to hear advance work is underway. Much needed through there.

[kphoger]

Having used the Harlem exit a lot back in the day, I think it's ridiculous to advocate for them to stay in place.  Lefthand entry into thick but fast-moving traffic (such as onto the WB Ike from Harlem) is no bueno, and the whole opposing green arrows thing only works well if there are no trucks or trailers involved.

[Rick Powell]

Having used the Harlem exit a lot back in the day, I think it's ridiculous to advocate for them to stay in place.  Lefthand entry into thick but fast-moving traffic (such as onto the WB Ike from Harlem) is no bueno, and the whole opposing green arrows thing only works well if there are no trucks or trailers involved.

That incident was several administrations ago. The village's current president and board is generally OK with the current plan to change from left-hand to right-hand entrance and exit ramps. It will be a challenging engineering feat to get this done under traffic, even with some temporary lane and ramp shut-downs.

[SSOWorld]

"All this did was to move the traffic jam eastward from Wolf Road to 25th Street."

Agree, but it's 25th Avenue.    The traffic reporters call that stretch of I-290 "the avenues".
And it is in bad shape, due to not getting parties to agree on what to build. One possibility is add a 4th toll lane,

Rebuilding 290/88/294 is almost as extensive as the "Jane Byne Interchange" re-do. 

Did you mean "Circle Interchange"?

[US20IL64]

Going back to 294/88/290, when will it ever get done! 2-3 mile + backups. I live near and use 294/20/64 access ramps daily, too.

[CtrlAltDel]

I recently made my way up to Electric Avenue in Berkeley (or Vallette Avenue in Elmhurst) where it meets I-290 and I-294. At the time, the street was closed, but the Prairie Path, the recreational trail that runs parallel, was open, so I was able to get pretty close to things to take some pictures.

Here is an overview of the construction facing west along the Prairie Path. Above is 294, then there is the new ramp that will connect 294 South to 88 West and 290 East, and after that is 290. The new ramp is considerably higher than either of the main Interstates.


Here is a view facing south. The bridge under the flag will cross the ramp from 294 North to 290 West. That ramp, I'm pretty sure, will pass to the right where those I-beams are before hitting 290.


Here is the view from essentially the same spot facing north, where, again I think, the ramp from 294 North to 290 West will pass.


Here is a view of the mile 32 marker, which I thought made for an interesting picture.


So, it seems like it'll be a while until construction here is completed. I counted six sets of I-beams that need to be pounded into the ground to build what I think will be three bridges, with one new bridge, the one in the first picture, that is done or at least close to it.

[ChiMilNet]

Great pics and makes me miss the Prairie Path! Is this interchange rebuild running behind? I moved away from the Elmhurst area over 2 years ago, and it was and had been a mess for a while by then. I hope this doesn't become like the Circle... err Burne Interchange downtown that took 8(?) years in total. I know it's complex and probably won't run into delays that bad, but it seems like it's taking longer than expected.

[CtrlAltDel]

Great pics and makes me miss the Prairie Path! Is this interchange rebuild running behind? I moved away from the Elmhurst area over 2 years ago, and it was and had been a mess for a while by then. I hope this doesn't become like the Circle... err Burne Interchange downtown that took 8(?) years in total. I know it's complex and probably won't run into delays that bad, but it seems like it's taking longer than expected.

I don't recall when completion was originally scheduled, but from looking around though, it seems pretty clear that it won't be this year, but it could be by next year, and definitely by 2027.

[ET21]

2027, everything looks on track from what I've seen/heard. They finished my section a full year ahead of schedule including the Mile Long Bridge (I-55-95th St).

I-88/294 timeline

[WISFreeways]

In the new Hillside Strangler design, it seemed at first that I-290 westbound narrows to two through lanes as it passes under I-294. I wondered to myself how Illinois Tollway could be so incompetent. But as I looked closer, I realized I was wrong: the St. Charles exit constitutes a "third lane" that merges back into itself.

This sort of design has precedent, too. See for example I-35W/MN 280/MN 36.

[Great Lakes Roads]

Announced sometime within the past few days, the Illinois Tollway Authority proposes toll rate increases, and a new proposal that calls for 'dynamic' toll pricing.

Dynamic toll pricing won't happen for another 10-15 years, but it essentially makes the tollway more expensive during peak hours.

[I-55]

Announced sometime within the past few days, the Illinois Tollway Authority proposes toll rate increases, and a new proposal that calls for 'dynamic' toll pricing.

Dynamic toll pricing won't happen for another 10-15 years, but it essentially makes the tollway more expensive during peak hours.

The Tollway system already has different rates for trucks depending on if it's day or night. I'm kinda surprised that cars haven't been on a similar model yet.

[JoePCool14]

Announced sometime within the past few days, the Illinois Tollway Authority proposes toll rate increases, and a new proposal that calls for 'dynamic' toll pricing.

Dynamic toll pricing won't happen for another 10-15 years, but it essentially makes the tollway more expensive during peak hours.

The Tollway system already has different rates for trucks depending on if it's day or night. I'm kinda surprised that cars haven't been on a similar model yet.

And this pricing scheme will do nothing but raise cost for motorists. It's not like there are many sufficient alternate routes for drivers to use. So unless they actually use the increase costs for additional improvements, bleah.

[ChiMilNet]

Announced sometime within the past few days, the Illinois Tollway Authority proposes toll rate increases, and a new proposal that calls for 'dynamic' toll pricing.

Dynamic toll pricing won't happen for another 10-15 years, but it essentially makes the tollway more expensive during peak hours.

The Tollway system already has different rates for trucks depending on if it's day or night. I'm kinda surprised that cars haven't been on a similar model yet.

And this pricing scheme will do nothing but raise cost for motorists. It's not like there are many sufficient alternate routes for drivers to use. So unless they actually use the increase costs for additional improvements, bleah.

Unfortunately, how else does one pay for it all? The cost of materials and such continues to rise, more fuel efficient or EV vehicles continue to eat away at gas tax revenue, and the tollways in IL, while largely in good shape, will continue to need maintanance and upkeep. Also, without more funding from tolls, I don't see how else IL will get any new major highway expansion projects (whether it be rebuild/widen or new corridors). I recently moved to Atlanta, and that is the way of it here, add tolled express lanes if you want additional capacity. People here complain about it, but the money to pay for expansion has to come from somewhere.

[JoePCool14]

I understand rising costs. But they could just raise the tolls of all cars by a flat amount regardless of the time and day. Dynamic pricing only makes sense if you're trying to reduce demand (or just rake in extra cash...).

[kphoger]

Dynamic pricing only makes sense if you're trying to reduce demand

You mean, invite less wear and tear on the pavement while still maintaining the same amount of revenue?  Sounds like a winning plan from the agency's perspective.

[ET21]

I know where some of that increased toll revenue could go towards and was recently shot down in the recent state senate session

*cough MASS TRANSIT cough*

[I-55]

Announced sometime within the past few days, the Illinois Tollway Authority proposes toll rate increases, and a new proposal that calls for 'dynamic' toll pricing.

Dynamic toll pricing won't happen for another 10-15 years, but it essentially makes the tollway more expensive during peak hours.

The Tollway system already has different rates for trucks depending on if it's day or night. I'm kinda surprised that cars haven't been on a similar model yet.

And this pricing scheme will do nothing but raise cost for motorists. It's not like there are many sufficient alternate routes for drivers to use. So unless they actually use the increase costs for additional improvements, bleah.

Unfortunately, how else does one pay for it all? The cost of materials and such continues to rise, more fuel efficient or EV vehicles continue to eat away at gas tax revenue, and the tollways in IL, while largely in good shape, will continue to need maintanance and upkeep. Also, without more funding from tolls, I don't see how else IL will get any new major highway expansion projects (whether it be rebuild/widen or new corridors). I recently moved to Atlanta, and that is the way of it here, add tolled express lanes if you want additional capacity. People here complain about it, but the money to pay for expansion has to come from somewhere.

Considering that the tollway is funded from toll revenue and no other taxes, while the toll revenue stays within the tollway system, differences in fuel/registration tax revenue have virtually zero impact on ISTHA. As for how they use the money, once the Central Tri-State project is complete there appears to be more widening south of 95th St in the works, so improvements will continue rolling in.

As for how IDOT will fill in their own funding gaps, who knows. Outside of the tollway system and a couple select projects (I-80 Joliet, I-74/57) I am blind to what's going on in the rest of the state.

[JoePCool14]

I know where some of that increased toll revenue could go towards and was recently shot down in the recent state senate session

*cough MASS TRANSIT cough*

Can't tell if you're sarcastically supporting that or not. The idea of raising toll prices, taking that revenue and building mass transit with it when the highway network needs improvements is pretty disgusting.

[I-55]

I know where some of that increased toll revenue could go towards and was recently shot down in the recent state senate session

*cough MASS TRANSIT cough*

Can't tell if you're sarcastically supporting that or not. The idea of raising toll prices, taking that revenue and building mass transit with it when the highway network needs improvements is pretty disgusting.

Especially when the CTA/Metra networks are as robust as they are while weekend traffic on the Kennedy and Eisenhower makes Atlanta rush hour look easy.

[ET21]

I know where some of that increased toll revenue could go towards and was recently shot down in the recent state senate session

*cough MASS TRANSIT cough*

Can't tell if you're sarcastically supporting that or not. The idea of raising toll prices, taking that revenue and building mass transit with it when the highway network needs improvements is pretty disgusting.

No I wasn't joking, mass transit in this country is one of the most underfunded aspects of transportation. The local network could be so much better if there at least had a somewhat decent annual budget to improve on. The IL Tollway isn't hurting for money, all its roads are in pretty good shape.

If you're concerned about the rest of the highway network, maybe those tolls can help IDOT