Illinois may increase speed limit 70

[Brandon]

^^ IDOT has more sissy, whiny, ninnies than any other DOT in the Midwest.  They really really need to take a clue from the DOTs around them.

[sandwalk]

The Will County Board is not opposed to the 70 mph speed limit.  We'll see what happens in the other counties.

Doesn't mean IDOT will go along with the 70 mph limit in the county.

A partial list of my guesses on areas where IDOT will keep the 65 mph limit

I-39
* Baxter Road (Exit 115) to I-90

This would make sense.  This stretch of road, mainly with the US-20 Rockford Bypass concurrency (with traffic-slowing merge/exit ramps) is a mess.  Traffic is often at 50-60mph when it gets congested.  It's possible to get to 70mph, but 9 times out of 10 it's not safe.

[Revive 755]

The rest of my guesses for areas IDOT will keep under 70:

I-74
* West of milemarker 6 - though I wouldn't be surprised if it stays 65 until beyond the cloverleaf with I-80.
* Around milemarker 85 to around milemarker 104 in the Peoria area
* Around Exit 125 to milemarker 137 around Blormal
* Around milemaker 175 to milemarker 186 in the Chambana area
* East of Exit 210 to the Indiana border

I-80
* Maybe west of milemarker 10
* Possibly milemarker 72 to Exit 81 in the Lasalle - Peru area
* East of Exit 122

I-88
* West of milemarker 3

I-155
* North of milemarker 26

[pianocello]

The rest of my guesses for areas IDOT will keep under 70:

I-74
* West of milemarker 6 - though I wouldn't be surprised if it stays 65 until beyond the cloverleaf with I-80.

I-80
* Maybe west of milemarker 10

I-88
* West of milemarker 3

I can see Illinois taking Iowa's lead in the QC and keeping all of the Interstates around (which also includes 280 in its entirety) at 65.

[hobsini2]

Revive, I would slightly adjust those zones a bit but agree with it for the most part. These would be my guesses based on the current "transition zones" or logical points.

The stretches below are not 70 mph zone:

I-39 from Illinois 71 to I-80 (La Salle)
I-39 from Baxter Rd to Wisconsin State Line (Rockford)

I-55 from Missouri State Line to I-70 East/270 (E St Louis)
I-55 from Toronto Rd to Business I-55 Peoria Rd (Springfield)
I-55 from Shirley Rd to Business I-55 (North Jct) (Bloomington)
I-55 from Arsenal Rd to US 41 Lake Shore Dr (Chicago/Joliet)

I-57 from Curtis Rd to Olympian Dr (Champaign)
I-57 from US 45/52 to Illinois 50 (Kankakee)
I-57 from US 30 to I-94 (Chicago)

I-64 from Missouri State Line to US 50 East/Illinois 158 (E St Louis)

I-70 from Missouri State Line to I-55/270 (E St Louis)

I-72 from Wabash Ave to Mechanicsburg Rd (Springfield)
I-72 from US 51 South/US 36 East to Illinois 48 (Decatur)
I-72 Spur from I-57 to Champaign

I-74 from Iowa State Line to I-80/280 (Quad Cities)
I-74 from I-474 to Morton Ave (Peoria)
I-74 from US 150 Mitsubishi Pkwy to US 51 South/Business US 51 (Bloomington)
I-74 from I-57 to Illinois 130 (Champaign)
I-74 from US 150 Main St to Indiana State Line (Danville)

I-80 from Iowa State Line to I-74/280 (Quad Cities)
I-80 from Illinois 89 to Illinois 178 (La Salle/Peru)
I-80 from I-55 to US 30 (Joliet)
I-80 from I-57 to Indiana State Line (Chicago Suburbs)

I-88 from I-80 to Illinois 92 East (Quad Cities)
I-88 from Illinois 56 West to I-290/294 (Aurora/Naperville/Chicago Suburbs)

I-90 from Wisconsin State Line to Genoa Rd (Rockford)
I-90 from Randall Rd to Indiana State Line (Elgin/Chicago)

I-94 from Illinois 120 to Indiana State Line (Chicago)

3dis zones:
I-155 - 70 mph entire length
I-172 - 70 or 65 mph entire length
I-180 - 65 mph entire length
I-190 - 55 mph east of US 12/45 Mannheim Rd
I-190 - 35 mph west of US 12/45 Mannheim Rd
I-255 - 65 mph entire length
I-270 - 65 mph entire length
I-280 - 65 mph entire length
I-294 - 65 mph north of US 14 Dempster St
I-294 - 55 mph from US 14 Dempster St to Illinois 50/83 Cicero Ave/127th St
I-294 - 65 mph south of Illinois 50/83 Cicero Ave/127th St
I-355 - 55 mph north of I-55
I-355 - 65 mph from I-55 to Illinois 7 159th St
I-355 - 70 mph south of Illinois 7 159th St
I-474 - 65 mph

[Joe The Dragon]

I-294 can be 65 all the way as well as I-88 Illinois 56 West to I-290/294. Both are at least 4 lanes each way.

I-355 maybe all toll parts (but even the free part can be 65) as well I-290 at least I-355 to I-290.  I-90 65 I-294 to Elgin.

all of I-94 (tri state tollway) 65 and parts can be 70 if WI goes 70 as well.


I-94 from Illinois 120 to Indiana State Line??? (Chicago)??? That should be Illinois 120 to WI state line (gurnee)?  70? or just toll to WI state line 70

[nwi_navigator_1181]

Here's my question: does the new 70 bill allow speed zone alterations across the board? Just curious.

I personally think the tollways will stay where they are. Maybe make 60 mph zones for the entire Tri-State Tollway, and the Jane Addams Tollway from I-290 to Randall Road. However, the only speed changes I would deem necessary are on the portion of the Addams from Randall Road to the Cherry Valley Interchange (when construction is complete) and the Reagan Tollway from Illinois 56 to I-80 near the QC.

In my opinion, whether or not I-355 gets a 70 mph speed zone is contingent on whether or not the portion of I-80 from east of Maple Road (US 30) to just before I-57 gets a 70 zone. It's doable, but difficult during peak traffic times (based on my experiences; your mileage may vary).

[ET21]

294 and 88 can be 65-70 mph, people are already pushing 90 mph on them anyways

[nwi_navigator_1181]

294 and 88 can be 65-70 mph, people are already pushing 90 mph on them anyways

Just because there are idiots on the road who like to drive at high speeds in less than ideal conditions (which, sadly, is the majority of drivers who use these roads), doesn't mean the state should cater to them. Upping the speed limits on these roads to an even 60 is good enough. I'm willing to be bet Cook, Dupage, and Lake Counties are willing to keep things as they are, and I don't blame them.

[agentsteel53]

there are idiots on the road who like to drive at high speeds in less than ideal conditions

this is why "too fast for conditions" should be enforced much more than an arbitrary number.  I say put the speed limit to 80, note that this applies WHEN CONDITIONS PERMIT (I believe the NJTP has that additional verbiage on their speed limit signs to this day), and if you're doing 75 in the snow, have someone pull your ass over.

but if it's a clear sunny Sunday morning and there's hardly anyone on the road, 80 might just very well be safe.

[Brandon]

294 and 88 can be 65-70 mph, people are already pushing 90 mph on them anyways

Just because there are idiots on the road who like to drive at high speeds in less than ideal conditions (which, sadly, is the majority of drivers who use these roads), doesn't mean the state should cater to them. Upping the speed limits on these roads to an even 60 is good enough. I'm willing to be bet Cook, Dupage, and Lake Counties are willing to keep things as they are, and I don't blame them.

No.  The Tri-State and Northwest Tollways can handle 70 mph very well.  The exits are far enough apart, and the sight lines for 70 mph are very good.  Most folks already go 65-75 mph on both as it is, and it is well known that drivers tend to drive the road at a safe speed regardless of the whims of a legislature's posted speed limit.

IMHO, the only zones that should be less than 70 mph in the state are:

I-55/70: Missouri to Exit 4
I-55: Exit 290 to LSD
I-74: Iowa to Exit 5 (I-280)
I-74: Exit 87 to Exit 99 (I-474 at both ends)
I-80: Exit 130 to Exit 134
I-90: Exit 78 (I-190) to Exit 59A (Chicago Skyway)
I-94: Exit 29 (Edens Spur) to Exit 65
I-190: Entire length
I-290: Exit 12 to the Circle

I would also sign the express lanes of both the Ryan and the Kennedy at 70 mph.  Anything more than this is asinine, backwards, and reactionary, IMHO.  IDOT should take a clue (actually several clues) from MDOT and do as MDOT has done with the freeways in many cities from Benton Harbor to Detroit and Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids and maintain 70 mph unless there is a design issue.

[1995hoo]

Heh. The Nationals' TV commentators (Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo) were just talking about the speed limit increase after a Cub pitcher threw a 57-mph curveball to Jayson Werth.

[SSOWorld]

http://www.leadertelegram.com/news/daily_updates/article_a0a49f82-08e2-11e3-bb89-0019bb2963f4.html

And thus Wisconsin might enter the 21st Century.

Now if only Oregon will get on board...

The Senate and Walker aren't so eager to follow the Assembly's footsteps.  The story indicates both think it's not important

[hobsini2]

I-294 can be 65 all the way as well as I-88 Illinois 56 West to I-290/294. Both are at least 4 lanes each way.

I-355 maybe all toll parts (but even the free part can be 65) as well I-290 at least I-355 to I-290.  I-90 65 I-294 to Elgin.

all of I-94 (tri state tollway) 65 and parts can be 70 if WI goes 70 as well.


I-94 from Illinois 120 to Indiana State Line??? (Chicago)??? That should be Illinois 120 to WI state line (gurnee)?  70? or just toll to WI state line 70

No Joe. I did mean I-94 from Illinois 120 to Indiana as a section that would not be 70, IMO because that would include the Edens, Kennedy, Ryan, Ford, and Borman. No way would they up the speed limit on I-94 in the Chicago city limits.

[mgk920]

I-294 can be 65 all the way as well as I-88 Illinois 56 West to I-290/294. Both are at least 4 lanes each way.

I-355 maybe all toll parts (but even the free part can be 65) as well I-290 at least I-355 to I-290.  I-90 65 I-294 to Elgin.

all of I-94 (tri state tollway) 65 and parts can be 70 if WI goes 70 as well.


I-94 from Illinois 120 to Indiana State Line??? (Chicago)??? That should be Illinois 120 to WI state line (gurnee)?  70? or just toll to WI state line 70

No Joe. I did mean I-94 from Illinois 120 to Indiana as a section that would not be 70, IMO because that would include the Edens, Kennedy, Ryan, Ford, and Borman. No way would they up the speed limit on I-94 in the Chicago city limits.

Yea, that would kibosh Chicago's potential plans for placing a speed camera over each lane of the Kennedy at several locations 'in' from the Edens split.

Mike

[Revive 755]

Yea, that would kibosh Chicago's potential plans for placing a speed camera over each lane of the Kennedy at several locations 'in' from the Edens split.

Mike

If 'in' means from the Edens merge southward, then the existing speed camera law precludes such installations.  From the Edens to the western city limit however would be fair game for speed cameras since the law was not written to strictly exclude interstates; only Lake Shore Drive and expressway over eight lanes wide IIRC.

[Joe The Dragon]

I-294 can be 65 all the way as well as I-88 Illinois 56 West to I-290/294. Both are at least 4 lanes each way.

I-355 maybe all toll parts (but even the free part can be 65) as well I-290 at least I-355 to I-290.  I-90 65 I-294 to Elgin.

all of I-94 (tri state tollway) 65 and parts can be 70 if WI goes 70 as well.


I-94 from Illinois 120 to Indiana State Line??? (Chicago)??? That should be Illinois 120 to WI state line (gurnee)?  70? or just toll to WI state line 70

No Joe. I did mean I-94 from Illinois 120 to Indiana as a section that would not be 70, IMO because that would include the Edens, Kennedy, Ryan, Ford, and Borman. No way would they up the speed limit on I-94 in the Chicago city limits.

I-94 can be 70 from WI to I-294 spilt off then

[Brandon]

Yea, that would kibosh Chicago's potential plans for placing a speed camera over each lane of the Kennedy at several locations 'in' from the Edens split.

Mike

If 'in' means from the Edens merge southward, then the existing speed camera law precludes such installations.  From the Edens to the western city limit however would be fair game for speed cameras since the law was not written to strictly exclude interstates; only Lake Shore Drive and expressway over eight lanes wide IIRC.

Actually, the speed camera law was written only for school zones and parks and only then when a child was in the camera frame as well as a "speeding" car.  Very challengeable, IMHO.  Define if the small figure is a child or a dwarf.  Child - slow to 20 mph, dwarf - camera cannot be used.  It also applies only to cities over 1,000,000 in population.

[Revive 755]

^ Maybe I am reading it wrong.  From http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=84&GA=97&DocTypeId=SB&DocNum=965&GAID=11&LegID=55780&SpecSess=&Session=

"Safety zone" means an area that is within one-eighth of a
18      mile from the nearest property line of any public or private
19      elementary or secondary school, or from the nearest property
20      line of any facility, area, or land owned by a school district
21      that is used for educational purposes approved by the Illinois
22      State Board of Education, not including school district
23      headquarters or administrative buildings. A safety zone also
24      includes an area that is within one-eighth of a mile from the
25      nearest property line of any facility, area, or land owned by a
26      park district used for recreational purposes. However, if any

      SB0965 Enrolled   - 42 -   LRB097 04676 HEP 44715 b

1      portion of a roadway is within either one-eighth mile radius,
2      the safety zone also shall include the roadway extended to the
3      furthest portion of the next furthest intersection. The term
4      "safety zone" does not include any portion of the roadway known
5      as Lake Shore Drive or any controlled access highway with 8 or
6      more lanes of traffic.

(Emphasis added)

[Brandon]

It's that first part you quoted that defines where.

"Safety zone" means an area that is within one-eighth of a
18      mile from the nearest property line of any public or private
19      elementary or secondary school, or from the nearest property
20      line of any facility, area, or land owned by a school district
21      that is used for educational purposes approved by the Illinois
22      State Board of Education, not including school district
23      headquarters or administrative buildings. A safety zone also
24      includes an area that is within one-eighth of a mile from the
25      nearest property line of any facility, area, or land owned by a
26      park district used for recreational purposes.

No other areas may be considered "Safety Zones".

In addition:

7          (a-5) The automated speed enforcement system shall be
8      operational and violations shall be recorded only at the
9      following times:
10              (i) if the safety zone is based upon the property line
11          of any facility, area, or land owned by a school district,
12          on school days no earlier than 6 a.m. and no later than 10
13          p.m.; and
14              (ii) if the safety zone is based upon the property line
15          of any facility, area, or land owned by a park district, no
16          earlier than one hour prior to the time that the facility,
17          area, or land is open to the public or other patrons, and
18          no later than one hour after the facility, area, or land is
19          closed to the public or other patrons.

These zones also have a time limit.

And, restricting it only to Chicago:

18          (s) This Section applies only to municipalities with a
19      population of 1,000,000 or more inhabitants.

This means Aurora, Normal, etc, cannot use them.

[Brandon]

Board takes steps to raise speed limit on some stretches of tollways

The Illinois tollway board took steps today to hike the speed limit to 70 mph on some stretches of tollways, starting Jan. 1, 2014.

More please.  It's not like anyone respects the underposted 55 mph limit anyway.

[Big John]

Board takes steps to raise speed limit on some stretches of tollways

The Illinois tollway board took steps today to hike the speed limit to 70 mph on some stretches of tollways, starting Jan. 1, 2014.

More please.  It's not like anyone respects the underposted 55 mph limit anyway.

Odd things in that article as they claim the tollways extend to the Wisconsin state line which neither does.  And why would a Wisconsin speed limit have any effect on an Illinois speed limit?

[Brandon]

Board takes steps to raise speed limit on some stretches of tollways

The Illinois tollway board took steps today to hike the speed limit to 70 mph on some stretches of tollways, starting Jan. 1, 2014.

More please.  It's not like anyone respects the underposted 55 mph limit anyway.

Odd things in that article as they claim the tollways extend to the Wisconsin state line which neither does.  And why would a Wisconsin speed limit have any effect on an Illinois speed limit?

Actually, the Tri-State Tollway does.  ISTHA maintains the stretch between US-41 and the Wisconsin State Line, not IDOT.

[Revive 755]

Board takes steps to raise speed limit on some stretches of tollways

I certainly hope they are just waiting for the construction on I-90 between I-39 and the Elgin Toll Plaza to finish and are not planning on leaving that section at 65.

Interesting how on the Tri-State the southern end of the 70 mph section would be farther south than the current end of the 65 mph section (just south of the Waukegan Toll Plaza).

[Joe The Dragon]

they need to make most / all of the other 55 parts at least 60-65