The Illinois Tollway Numbering System: Which is Better?

[nwi_navigator_1181]

I thought it would be best to put this topic in the Midwest sub-forum, since it pertains only to the Illinois Tollway system.

Many of you who travel on various portions of the system are probably aware of the weird numbering system on the Tollways. The numbering is based on mileage left in the tollway, and not necessarily the interstate which occupies it.* Because of that, the exits are left unnumbered.

Do you prefer this technique, or do you prefer the method of mileage based on the interstate with numbered exits, or do you like the current format? I prefer the latter, mainly because it's more uniform, and it would make for better reference in the case of an emergency. It's particularly jarring when you're driving on the free portion of I-90 counting down toward Wisconsin, when the numbers suddenly reset and count up as you enter the tolled portion of same interstate.

I appreciate your responses, and I thank you.

*Exceptions: the Ronald Reagan Tollway is numbered based on the mileage of the occupying interstate (I-88) since the toll road ends halfway through the state. Also, ISHTA renumbered the Tri-State after the reconstruction project, with mileages based on the interstate occupying the system. I-294 toward Wisconsin counts up, but when I-94 takes over, it counts down based on its distance from the Wisconsin State Line.

[Brandon]

Actually, within the past two years, ISTHA has been changing the mileposts so that they follow the interstate they are on.  The NW Twy and the TS Twy count away from Wisconsin currently (at least until I-94 leaves the TS Twy, then it count northward for I-294).  ISTHA has also added exit numbering to I-88 west of Aurora.

Now, the Skyway on the other had still has mileposts counting away from Indiana to the Ryan Expy.

[nwi_navigator_1181]

Actually, within the past two years, ISTHA has been changing the mileposts so that they follow the interstate they are on.  The NW Twy and the TS Twy count away from Wisconsin currently (at least until I-94 leaves the TS Twy, then it count northward for I-294).  ISTHA has also added exit numbering to I-88 west of Aurora.

Now, the Skyway on the other had still has mileposts counting away from Indiana to the Ryan Expy.

That lets me know how long it's been since I've traversed tollways outside of the Tri-State. I'm glad they are making the switch, because it makes things a lot more uniform and concise. Hopefully, ISTHA takes the practice of establishing exit numbers onto it's more heavily traveled tollways.

Toll hikes aside, this is a step in the right direction.

[Henry]

Unnumbered exits have always irked me, especially when I was living in CA. I, for one, would greatly welcome the new Interstate-based numbering system on the IL tollways, no matter how strange it can be.

[StogieGuy7]

Unnumbered exits have always irked me, especially when I was living in CA. I, for one, would greatly welcome the new Interstate-based numbering system on the IL tollways, no matter how strange it can be.

I totally agree!  Every other Interstate highway in the state has numbered exits and so should the Tollways.  After all, they're part of the system as well (at least marked as such).   

[NE2]

Every other Interstate highway in the state has numbered exits

I-180 doesn't

[DevalDragon]

Which state?

I-180 doesn't

[NE2]

Which state?

The one in the topic

[kphoger]

Which state?

The one in the topic

http://www.wyoroad.info/segwaylaws/main

[A.J. Bertin]

I prefer the mileage to be based on the interstates rather than just the tollways. It just makes more sense and is easier for motorists to follow. I'm glad to hear that the ISTHA is making the switch.

[A.J. Bertin]

It's particularly jarring when you're driving on the free portion of I-90 counting down toward Wisconsin, when the numbers suddenly reset and count up as you enter the tolled portion of same interstate.

Google Maps shows very few exit numbers on the tolled portion of I-90 in Illinois. I also looked at Street View to see if there were any exit numbers, and I couldn't find any. I was actually on this portion of I-90 about a year ago and can't remember whether there were exit numbers or not. Were exit numbers just added recently? I'm confused - especially if ISHTA is trying to change the numbering system.

[rawmustard]

It's particularly jarring when you're driving on the free portion of I-90 counting down toward Wisconsin, when the numbers suddenly reset and count up as you enter the tolled portion of same interstate.

Google Maps shows very few exit numbers on the tolled portion of I-90 in Illinois. I also looked at Street View to see if there were any exit numbers, and I couldn't find any. I was actually on this portion of I-90 about a year ago and can't remember whether there were exit numbers or not. Were exit numbers just added recently? I'm confused - especially if ISHTA is trying to change the numbering system.

I think he's referring to the milemarkers, which on the Northwest Tollway originally counted up heading away from the Tri-State. They are supposed to be reset according to I-90's mileage once exit numbers are added.

[Brandon]

Which state?

I-180 doesn't

This one.  I-180 is the one IDOT interstate that lacks exit numbers.  It is; however, mileposted from I-80 south and west toward Hennepin.

[Brandon]

It's particularly jarring when you're driving on the free portion of I-90 counting down toward Wisconsin, when the numbers suddenly reset and count up as you enter the tolled portion of same interstate.

Google Maps shows very few exit numbers on the tolled portion of I-90 in Illinois. I also looked at Street View to see if there were any exit numbers, and I couldn't find any. I was actually on this portion of I-90 about a year ago and can't remember whether there were exit numbers or not. Were exit numbers just added recently? I'm confused - especially if ISHTA is trying to change the numbering system.

I think he's referring to the milemarkers, which on the Northwest Tollway originally counted up heading away from the Tri-State. They are supposed to be reset according to I-90's mileage once exit numbers are added.

We'll see if the exit numbers are added after the NW Twy goes under the knife over the next couple of years.  ISTHA is widening it from O'Hare to Elgin to eight lanes, and then from Elgin to Rockford will be six lanes.

[nwi_navigator_1181]

We'll see if the exit numbers are added after the NW Twy goes under the knife over the next couple of years.  ISTHA is widening it from O'Hare to Elgin to eight lanes, and then from Elgin to Rockford will be six lanes.

When was this announced? With everything they have been doing, they were priming up for this project? I guess that explains the Fox River Bridge work from a couple of years ago.

As a side note, how are they going to tie this project to the work done in the Rockford area? If I recall, the third lane departed/merged at the Cherry Valley Interchange, instead of terminating/beginning past the interchange.

Anyway, if this means we finally get exit numbers on Illinois' second busiest tollway, I'm down for it.

@A.J. Bertin, I was referring to the mileage numbering on the Tollway, which is/was confusing as all hell. For now, there are no exit numbers attached to the exits, but ISHTA is working to number their tollways based on the interstate, making the numbering much more uniform. According to Brandon, they already have finished the recount.

[hobsini2]

Since they rebuilt the Cherry Valley interchange a couple years ago, there is now room to make a 3rd lane for both directions on the outside of the roadway.  I-39/90 is already 6 lanes between the CV interchange and Rockton Rd.

[Revive 755]

We'll see if the exit numbers are added after the NW Twy goes under the knife over the next couple of years.  ISTHA is widening it from O'Hare to Elgin to eight lanes, and then from Elgin to Rockford will be six lanes.

Given that the signs for the rebuilt IL 47 interchange are not planned to have exit numbers, I doubt the rest of I-90 will get them.

[nwi_navigator_1181]

We'll see if the exit numbers are added after the NW Twy goes under the knife over the next couple of years.  ISTHA is widening it from O'Hare to Elgin to eight lanes, and then from Elgin to Rockford will be six lanes.

Given that the signs for the rebuilt IL 47 interchange are not planned to have exit numbers, I doubt the rest of I-90 will get them.

To be fair, wouldn't it be best to wait until the project is finished to do such a sign adjustment, especially on a project where the signs will most likely be replaced?

[Brandon]

We'll see if the exit numbers are added after the NW Twy goes under the knife over the next couple of years.  ISTHA is widening it from O'Hare to Elgin to eight lanes, and then from Elgin to Rockford will be six lanes.

Given that the signs for the rebuilt IL 47 interchange are not planned to have exit numbers, I doubt the rest of I-90 will get them.

To be fair, wouldn't it be best to wait until the project is finished to do such a sign adjustment, especially on a project where the signs will most likely be replaced?

Plus, the exit tabs on I-88 are just that, tabs.  They can be put onto the signs at any time.

[sipes23]

Many of you who travel on various portions of the system are probably aware of the weird numbering system on the Tollways. The numbering is based on mileage left in the tollway, and not necessarily the interstate which occupies it.* Because of that, the exits are left unnumbered.

Oh, that explains why I could never figure out what the mileage signs meant on the tollways.  Why hadn't I figured that out on my own? Suffice to say, I like the new system better.