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[Revive 755]

IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/

[edwaleni]

IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/

Any reason why that section was not done with the rest? Does that enter the discussion today? (ie: environmental etc.)

[ilpt4u]

IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/

Any reason why that section was not done with the rest? Does that enter the discussion today? (ie: environmental etc.)

No idea, but if I were to guess out of left field: Possible Federal Funding for the Shiloh section, since it serves/is adjacent to Scott AFB?

The bump up to 6 lanes by the AFB just to go back to 4 lanes for a couple miles to then bump back up to 6 is pretty dumb

[skluth]

IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/

Any reason why that section was not done with the rest? Does that enter the discussion today? (ie: environmental etc.)

I vaguely remember early light rail proposals included a line down I-64 to Fairview Heights and Scott AFB in the early days of the light rail discussion before they decided on running it through Belleville instead. However, that was decades ago. It's already six lanes to the old 50 between Fairview Heights and O'Fallon. I'd assume they plan to six lane it all the way to IL 158 for the Scott commuters.

I don't know if it's worth widening east of there. I could see it if the west end of the US 50 aborted expressway to Carlyle was continued to I-64, but that keeps getting pushed down the road.

[Revive 755]

IDOT will be holding a virtual public meeting for filling the gap in the six lane section of I-64 through O'Fallon and Shiloh.  There will also be improvements to the Green Mount Road Interchange.  https://projectmeetingonline.com/i-64/

Any reason why that section was not done with the rest? Does that enter the discussion today? (ie: environmental etc.)

Two guesses:

1)  the less than ideal spacing between the interchanges.  I get a little over a mile between the two interchanges in Google Maps; the preferred spacing nowadays is 2 miles in urban areas.

2) Funding limitations.

[edwaleni]

The Rebuild Illinois plan is listed in summary in this deck.

https://www.il-asphalt.org/files/5816/1601/3563/2021RiosAhmadGarnettMeyersRoberts.pdf

[Revive 755]

Kane County recently had a virtual meeting for Randall at US 20.  some of the concepts in the presentation (link)  include downgrades to US 20.

[ilpt4u]

Kane County recently had a virtual meeting for Randall at US 20.  some of the concepts in the presentation (link)  include downgrades to US 20.

Basically, a DDI and a SPUI, where the signals are on US 20 and Randall Rd is the “Freeflow” thru the interchange, are the US 20 downgrade alternatives. The US 20 Freeway ends just west of Randall Rd anyway, so it is appropriate to put these alternatives in the study

DDI and SPUI with the signals on Randall Rd and US 20 stays “Freeflow” thru the interchange are also listed alternatives

[Crash_It]

Kane County recently had a virtual meeting for Randall at US 20.  some of the concepts in the presentation (link)  include downgrades to US 20.

Basically, a DDI and a SPUI, where the signals are on US 20 and Randall Rd is the “Freeflow” thru the interchange, are the US 20 downgrade alternatives. The US 20 Freeway ends just west of Randall Rd anyway, so it is appropriate to put these alternatives in the study

DDI and SPUI with the signals on Randall Rd and US 20 stays “Freeflow” thru the interchange are also listed alternatives

yeah I don't see a state route being downgraded in favor of a county route.

[I-39]

Kane County recently had a virtual meeting for Randall at US 20.  some of the concepts in the presentation (link)  include downgrades to US 20.

Basically, a DDI and a SPUI, where the signals are on US 20 and Randall Rd is the “Freeflow” thru the interchange, are the US 20 downgrade alternatives. The US 20 Freeway ends just west of Randall Rd anyway, so it is appropriate to put these alternatives in the study

DDI and SPUI with the signals on Randall Rd and US 20 stays “Freeflow” thru the interchange are also listed alternatives

Interesting. Since Randall Road is the primary thoroughfare anyway, it’s probably appropriate to do the last option.

[ilpt4u]

Personally, Kane County and IDOT should look at making Randall Rd and US 20 the first 4-Level Stack in IL. That way, both roads can be freeflow thru the interchange

Call it a “trial” for future interchanges that really need a 4-Level Full Stack

[Revive 755]

Taking another look at the exhibits tonight, I see even if US 20 remains the priority route for the SPUI alternative, there is still a new signal proposed east of Randall for access to Larkin.  The Echelon and DDI - Randall priority alternatives also have this new signal on US 20.

It also seems like some seemingly obvious alternatives are missing, such as moving the Larkin exit to the right side of eastbound US 20 and installing C-D roadways for US 20.

[edwaleni]

Such a tortured life US-20 has had west of Elgin over the years. So many routings, so many ROW's.

My take is that with the recent outburst of growth in Hampshire, Huntley and Plato Township, it would be a huge mistake to terminate the Elgin Bypass Freeway at a new Randall Road traffic signal (of any kind).

While Larkin Avenue no longer supports the same type of traffic types it did when the intersection with the Bypass was conceived, I think it should be reduced in priority relative to the bypass to favor Randall Road.

The only concern is actually on the west side of Randall Road since that is a completely different school district.



The "center of gravity" for traffic as these new subdivisions get built is going to shift west to IL-47.

So I would stub Larkin at a new Randall, and put your money into improving the flow of Randall with US-20.

The only objectors I can see are west side commuters who prefer to drive into downtown Elgin to pick up their Metra ride. Stubbing Larkin and forcing them to circulate via Randall would probably make them grab their ride at National Street via IL-31.

Fortunately PACE does not run any buses external to Larkin from the west, so nothing to impact there.



Finally, ambulance access to St Joseph's Hospital on West Larkin could be impacted.

Emergency patients would be re-routed to Advocate General Sherman @ Randall/I-90 or have to go west to Northwestern-Kishwaukee in Sycamore.

I would bet $10 if Larkin gets stubbed at Randall a new hospital gets built on US-20 in Hampshire in 3 years.

[3467]

South Suburban legislators are upset at the administration's opposition to the SSA. They want the 57 Interchange and land acquisition and they want bids for the private sector to build and run. They also want the Illiana back.
It's inn the Daily Southtown behind payroll but summarized in Capitol Fax.

[paulthemapguy]

So bizarre to see a Larkin Avenue running close to a St. Joseph Hospital...because the exact same situation takes place in Joliet. (Route 7 here is Larkin Avenue) https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5279726,-88.1308843,16.17z

[edwaleni]

So bizarre to see a Larkin Avenue running close to a St. Joseph Hospital...because the exact same situation takes place in Joliet. (Route 7 here is Larkin Avenue) https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5279726,-88.1308843,16.17z

You are right! That is bizarre.

Larkin Ave. in Elgin is named after Cyrus Larkin, a farmer who owned over 400 acres west of town. 43 of those acres is now Elgin Larkin High School. He was a direct descendant of the Pilgrims of Plymouth who came on the Mayflower.

His relative, James Larkin ended up in Lockport, Illinois and his son Edward ran a large farm west of Joliet. Larkin Avenue ran through that farm.

All the Larkin's came to Illinois from Vermont.

[Lyon Wonder]

The new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities is now fully open to traffic with the old bridge completely shut down.

https://www.i74riverbridge.com/traffic/webcams.aspx

[CtrlAltDel]

The new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities is now fully open to traffic with the old bridge completely shut down.

https://www.i74riverbridge.com/traffic/webcams.aspx

That is good news. I might have to make a trip out there.

[edwaleni]

The new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities is now fully open to traffic with the old bridge completely shut down.

https://www.i74riverbridge.com/traffic/webcams.aspx

Fantastic. Definitely want to get out and see that in the Summer 2022.

[pianocello]

The new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities is now fully open to traffic with the old bridge completely shut down.

https://www.i74riverbridge.com/traffic/webcams.aspx

According to photos I saw on Facebook, there was a bit of an exit renumbering on the Illinois side as a result of this project. Going southbound (Illinois-bound/east) from the bridge, we have:

Exit 1A: TO IL-92 WEST / River Drive / 3rd Ave (formerly Exit 1)
Exit 1B: IL-92 EAST / 6th Ave (formerly Exit 2)
Exit (unknown; the tab wasn't installed in the photo I saw): Avenue of the Cities (formerly Exit 3)

I'm assuming the 6th Ave/7th Ave interchange is simply Exit 1 in the Iowa-bound direction, but I'll double check that when I visit over Christmas. I'll also be curious to see whether they'll renumber the Avenue of the Cities interchange too, since it's right at Mile Marker 2. I'm guessing it will stay Exit 3 though.

I want to know why they signed 3rd Ave at new Exit 1A, since the road that falls at that place in the city street grid is called River Drive for its entire length (unless the City of Moline changed something recently). At Exit 1B, I'm not sure why there wasn't any mention of 7th Ave, since that was the cross street at the interchange prior to construction (even after construction, the only way to go west towards Downtown Moline from that ramp is via 7th).

Also, there are signs for the Riverfront, TaxSlayer Center, and John Deere Pavilion directing traffic via Exit 1B (6th Ave/7th Ave), even though they're all right on River Drive, a couple blocks from the end of the ramp at Exit 1A. I wonder if that was deliberate or if they just duplicated the sign used in the Iowa-bound direction.

[iowahighways]

According to photos I saw on Facebook, there was a bit of an exit renumbering on the Illinois side as a result of this project. Going southbound (Illinois-bound/east) from the bridge, we have:

Exit 1A: TO IL-92 WEST / River Drive / 3rd Ave (formerly Exit 1)
Exit 1B: IL-92 EAST / 6th Ave (formerly Exit 2)
Exit (unknown; the tab wasn't installed in the photo I saw): Avenue of the Cities (formerly Exit 3)

I'm assuming the 6th Ave/7th Ave interchange is simply Exit 1 in the Iowa-bound direction, but I'll double check that when I visit over Christmas. I'll also be curious to see whether they'll renumber the Avenue of the Cities interchange too, since it's right at Mile Marker 2. I'm guessing it will stay Exit 3 though.

For whatever reason, the 7th Avenue exit is still Exit 2 heading into Illinois, so the Avenue of the Cities exit likely will remain Exit 3 in both directions. But IL 92 is signed along I-74 for the first time ever.

Photo I -- well, my wife, since I was driving -- took in May:

[3467]

They have added mileage makers every tenth of a mile on both sides. I drove it a few days before the full open. The 6 lanes goes just beyond the avenue of the cities.

[paulthemapguy]

Button copy signs at I-55 and Lemont Road are sadly gone.  New stuff has gone up in that area in the past month or two.

[hobsini2]

Button copy signs at I-55 and Lemont Road are sadly gone.  New stuff has gone up in that area in the past month or two.

Also the button copy for Route 126 Plainfield has been changed in November.

[Lyon Wonder]

With the new I-74 bridge in the Quad Cities completed and open to traffic, IDOT has started the first phase of engineering studies to replace the I-80 bridge across the Mississippi River. 
The final options are going to be whether to build the new bridge where the old bridge is currently located or build the new bridge and a new stretch of I-80 with new interchanges to IL-84 in IL and US 67 in IA either upstream or downstream.  If the latter option is selected the old bridge could be converted into a "Bison Bridge" with a trail.  IMO I doubt the new I-80 will be a signature span like the new I-74 bridge and will probably either be a conventional tied-arch like the new US 52 bridge between Savanna, IL and Sabula, IA or a concrete slab like the new US 54 bridge between IL and Louisiana, MO.

https://muscatinejournal.com/news/local/on-to-i-80-bridge-location-over-the-mississippi-river-not-yet-determined/article_1699e6f4-d0fe-5e7b-8301-1805e9ac28c8.html