US 51 on the Tollway? And trip impressions.

[Michael in Philly]

Mods, if there's a broader subject this can be rolled into, feel free....

On today's installment of my four-day Midwestern road trip, I passed through Rockford on the Jane Addams Tollway.  I was surprised to see that US 51's apparently routed along it; I thought there was a rule against running US routes along toll roads.

Other impressions and notes:  I liked the one Tollway oasis I stopped at (in Lake County, just north of Ill. 60); I was not impressed by Indiana's toll road service areas.

The Illinois welcome center on I-90 at South Beloit is closed due to state budget cuts (saith the sign),  but at least they left a pile of maps out. 

[Brandon]

Mods, if there's a broader subject this can be rolled into, feel free....

On today's installment of my four-day Midwestern road trip, I passed through Rockford on the Jane Addams Tollway.  I was surprised to see that US 51's apparently routed along it; I thought there was a rule against running US routes along toll roads.

Other impressions and notes:  I liked the one Tollway oasis I stopped at (in Lake County, just north of Ill. 60); I was not impressed by Indiana's toll road service areas.

The Illinois welcome center on I-90 at South Beloit is closed due to state budget cuts (saith the sign),  but at least they left a pile of maps out. 

IL-251 (the old road) is the toll-free alternative (it is four lanes, divided).

The Tollway's Oases are recently renovated and rebuilt.  Very nice and open, IMHO.

The Toll Road's Service Areas haven't changed much since the 1980s, and IIRC, are the same buildings from the 1950s.  The Toll Road also have three service areas that have been demolished - Numbers 2, 4, and 6.  Two are truck parking areas, and the last is the state police post (the building is original).

Illinois has the worst deficit in the nation, and the maps are all last years (dated 2009-10).

[3467]

Were they IDOT maps or Tollway Maps? We have both. There should have been new maps out this summer but we are behind on the bills as Brandon said
I dont think that ban is on anymore. I kow thw Tollway originally tried to sign what is now 88 as US 30 in the 50s and they had to change that number. It became Illinois 5 and now 88(and IL 110) There were other numbers I know we have some people here that know thw whole history.
I think there is a US number(412) on the Oklahoma Turnpike

[Michael in Philly]

IDOT maps.  Dated '11-12.  I need to try to get a Tollway map tomorrow.  There was one on the wall at the oasis - looks nice.  But the information center (or maybe it was just an I-Pass sale facility) was closed at 10 a.m. on a Sunday.  I assume it's open weekdays during working hours?

[3467]

You used to be able to get the Tollway Maps at the tollbooths. I dont know if you are using an IPASS compatable system but even if you are you used to be able to use the manual lanes.
I have not been on the Tollway for about 2 years maybe the Chicagoans can correct me.
Good Luck with your maps

[Revive 755]

Illinois has the worst deficit in the nation, and the maps are all last years (dated 2009-10).

There is a 2011-2012 Illinois map out (front cover has the Kennedy just before I-55 with the Chicago skyline in the background), but other than IL 110, the removal of Business 51in Decatur, maybe a little more divided highway on US 51 near Assumption, and the I-72/MacArthur interchange in Springfield I'm not seeing a whole lot of changes.

[3467]

Except for US 51 and the 2 sections of 67 and maybe US 45 I dont think there is any other construction in downstate before 2012.
Rather disappointing but better than a lot of places

[N9JIG]

IIRC the Welcome Center/Rest Area just inside of Illinois on I-90/I-39/US-51 there is before the Tollway starts and is run by IDOT. Any maps there would be the IDOT maps. All ITHA rest areas except DeKalb are overhead.

ITHA doesn't take over until just north of the toll plaza.

IDOT maps.  Dated '11-12.  I need to try to get a Tollway map tomorrow.  There was one on the wall at the oasis - looks nice.  But the information center (or maybe it was just an I-Pass sale facility) was closed at 10 a.m. on a Sunday.  I assume it's open weekdays during working hours?

[tdindy88]

I just got a new map from a friend who went through the welcome center off I-80 around the Quad Cities and it was a new map, even though I drove through the state last August and got only older maps. I also remember getting a Tollway map last December off the Oasis at the southern end of the Tri-State. As for US highways not being allowed on tollways  (if they are) I didn't know that was a rule (if it is.)

[Michael in Philly]

They still have the '09-'10 state map at the oasis at the south end of the Tristate (or did two hours ago :-) ).  At the also-closed welcome center.  Got a Tollway map at the Tollway customer-service booth at the Lake County oasis this morning.  Didn't even have to ask for it - they were there for the taking.

[Revive 755]

Except for US 51 and the 2 sections of 67 and maybe US 45 I dont think there is any other construction in downstate before 2012.
Rather disappointing but better than a lot of places

I'd still like to see a lot more construction indicated on the map - there's still no under construction markings for the I-70 Great Lemon Bridge, nor the IL 255 extension to US 67, or the US 67 expressway beyond IL 255.

[Alex]

My thoughts on US 51 being on the Tollway system:



Many instances of Clearview numbers for US 51 

[Alps]

I also thought US highways couldn't be on the toll highway system without a free alternative. US 3 in NH exits the Everett before the tolls, and US 9 is always free when it joins the GS Pkwy. (Except the temporary Beesley's connection, but that counts as a toll bridge instead of a highway because there was one on 9 anyway.) In Oklahoma, there's always a free alternative - 412/Cimarron has 64 instead.

[Stratuscaster]

As noted, IL-251 - the old routing for US-51 - is the free alternative.

Those Clearview US-51 signs are new - they were not there on my last trip in that area about 1.5-2 years ago. In fact, the US-51 signage was usually on the next light pole AFTER the I-39/I-90 signs, all by itself.

[Alex]

As noted, IL-251 - the old routing for US-51 - is the free alternative.

Those Clearview US-51 signs are new - they were not there on my last trip in that area about 1.5-2 years ago. In fact, the US-51 signage was usually on the next light pole AFTER the I-39/I-90 signs, all by itself.

That photo is from May 6, 2010, and one of several examples of Clearview-based numbers for US 51 posted on the tollway mainline.

[Alps]

As noted, IL-251 - the old routing for US-51 - is the free alternative.

I know, but someone said it's not a rule (anymore?)

[NE2]

I know, but someone said it's not a rule (anymore?)

It is a rule.

Any toll highway facility may be included in the U.S. Numbered System when it meets all the criteria for inclusion, and when the request for the marking originates with the official authority having jurisdiction over the toll facility and the request is directed to AASHTO and supported by the appropriate Member Department. The word "Toll" shall appear over the official U.S. Route Marker and a toll free routing between the same termini shall continue to be retained and marked as a part of the U.S. Numbered System.

Someone was asleep when they approved rerouting US 51.

[Revive 755]

^ More likely high on something as the numbering comitee sometimes seems to be.

As noted, IL-251 - the old routing for US-51 - is the free alternative.

The IL 251 designation is simply not good enough, as there is no indication by the number alone that IL 251 reconnects with US 51.  If the IL 251 corridor is the free alternative it should at least be a bannered (Alt or Business) 51.

[Stratuscaster]

Was never sure of why exactly they decided to move US-51 onto the tollway in the first place, to be honest.

[Brandon]

Was never sure of why exactly they decided to move US-51 onto the tollway in the first place, to be honest.

As far as I can tell, it's because I-39 follows US-51.

[Revive 755]

I would guess IDOT wanted to either turn over US 51 through Rockford or at least demote it to an unsigned route, but either deal didn't quite work out.

[Brandon]

I would guess IDOT wanted to either turn over US 51 through Rockford or at least demote it to an unsigned route, but either deal didn't quite work out.

Problem for that is that the old road is IL-251.

[JREwing78]

I agree, US-51 would've made more sense if it had been kept on its original routing, particularly since US-51 stays on surface roads most of the way to Portage, WI. I doubt anyone interested in the fastest way between Rockford and "Up North" would stay on US-51 for that distance.

[Brandon]

My best guess is that IDOT meant for I-39 to be just US-51.  Then along came the change in the NMSL whereby interstates (but not other freeways) could be posted at 65mph.  Two new interstates appear in Illinois at that time: I-39 and I-88 (IL-5) with plans for I-155 (IL-121) and the I-72 extension (US-36).

[SSOWorld]

If I recall, there is a rule that once you mark a U.S. route on a freeway you cannot demote it.