Why aren't there more freeways in Chicagoland? (Elgin, Schaumburg: houses, taxes)

[supportyourschools]

Originally Posted by mattywo85

You know you can take 55 right to Bolingbrook right?

From Geneva?

[pvande55]

Originally Posted by cali3448893

The freeways in chicago do not work well. You have to go through crowded downtown for everything, their is so much traffic it takes me sometime 3 hours to get from one place to another. But i mean come on look at Los angeles they haveabout 20 different freeways and there metro is about the same size as chicagos 10 freeways! We need solution now. Third largest city in one of the largest countries in the world and most important ones too. Here is an idea....on the 1-90 from ohare airport to downtown we add about 4 more lanes including express lanes. Train is not helping people.

The trains are even worse for having to go through downtown for everything. And many places where rail lines DO cross, there is no transfer station. There was talk of a Suburban Transit Access Route STAR line that would go around but that seem to have lost steam.

[yoyoniner]

Chicago has the second LOWEST number of expressway lanes in the country:

See link: Highway & Motorway Fact Book: Index

Honestly don't you think that is pretty pathetic considering Chicago is a major transportation hub and sits at a crossroads? Why do we have so few lanes on the highways I will never understand.

I've lived all over and nowhere have I seen a more antiquated expressway system than Chicago. And to make matters worse, in general, most of the arterial streets don't even have timed traffic lights or sensors.

I doubt anything will change because the state is broke and people here keep voting for the same politicians over and over again.

[cubssoxfan]

Maybe it's because of where I live and that I'm lucky to typically be going opposite rush hour flow(except the few times I need to go into and out of The City)but I do not find our system to be as antiquated as you do. I think traffic flows better than in Metro areas like Atlanta and Toronto. Sure there are large Metros with better highway facilities, but I don't think ours are the worst either. Then again, I've lived here so long, I have a good mental map of how to avoid some of the more traffic choked sections.
You are also using data that is 13 years old! Since then large sections of the tollways have added extra lanes. I-80/94 in NW Indiana has added lanes. 355 has added lanes and anew section connection I-80 and i-55 has opened. I-80 from US 45 to west of 355 has had a lane added. Does the data also count sections like US 41 in So. Lake County, IL 83 in Oakbrook or Palatine Rd. Expressway? Freeway lanes per 1,000 population is not the same as total freeway lanes. You misread the methodology.

[urza216]

Man, that would be ridiculous driving to the far western suburbs without I-80 connecting to I-55....

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by urza216

Man, that would be ridiculous driving to the far western suburbs without I-80 connecting to I-55....

It has helped. I wish they would continue it south to connect with I-57. Up in AH area we are also looking for the voice of the majority to overcome the NIMBYS in Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods to build the Il-53 extension that has been planned since the 60's.
Not building the Fox Valley Freeway was a blunder, now people get to enjoy IL-59 and all the traffic lights. I wish planners would consider more compact freeways like Rte 83 south of I-88 or like the Palatine Rd. Expressway between Sanders and Wheeling Rd.

[gardener34]

"now people get to enjoy IL-59 and all the traffic lights"... yep and they blew it again, by building up all the retail along Randall Road in the same way. Randall Rd. traffic stinks too.

[Lyndale22]

Why is the speed limit 55mph on all the Chicagoland expressways? Is this just residual from the national speed limit days or is there a separate reason for such low limits??
Why is it on 65mph in rural areas? Same cause, undoubtedly, but why?

[pvande55]

Originally Posted by Lyndale22

Why is the speed limit 55mph on all the Chicagoland expressways? Is this just residual from the national speed limit days or is there a separate reason for such low limits??
Why is it on 65mph in rural areas? Same cause, undoubtedly, but why?

The speed limit was only raised in rural areas defined by some weird formula. For awhile it was 65 on I 94 in part of Lake County but census results caused it to be lowered back down. Don't feel bad, some Northeastern states kept it 55 Statewide.

[Ophidian14]

Originally Posted by Lyndale22

Why is the speed limit 55mph on all the Chicagoland expressways?

It isn't. Portions of 355 and the Tri-State are posted 65.

Edit: I guess pvande is saying that the Tri-State is not posted 65 any more.