Visiting from California, former IL resident, why I prefer CA freeways and roads (Chicago: maintenance, vs)

[kyle242]

I am from Bay Area, moved there over 1 year ago from Chicagoland

- No stupid excessive tollways (in CA its mostly bridges one-way or convenience roads you can easily avoid such as HOT lanes)
- No orange glowing lights, just have instead recessive reflectors installed on highway lanes (though its understanding this would not work in winter with the snow)
- A lot of local streets in Chicagoland (such as Bloomingdale, glendale heights Army Trail Rd) lack streetlights which IMO they are more needed there than on highways. In Bay Area most towns have streetlights in addition to recessive reflectors.
- In California most orange lights are being replaced with white brighter LED lights. Think how Chicago would look nice on night pictures without glowing orange sky.
- Freeways are wider and have higher speed limit (65 vs 55 mph).
- Drivers in Bay Area in general more polite than Chicagoland (especially Cook county and Chicago)
- Local roads and parking lots in CA are much better upkept than local in IL (freeways worse but not many potholes). I understand though that the better weather without freezing winter helps. We also do not get as much heavy big trucks as Chicago.

Finally freeways in California do not use streetlights except at exits and overpasses. In the beginning it seems to me odd but I actually like it as long as line lane markers are clear and tagged with reflector lights. It actually helps at night to focus on road and see what is going on without distracting orange glowing lights.

[knitgirl]

ok then.

[Zimbochick]

1) Curious how long you were in Chicagoland?

2) Where were you in Chicagoland?

3) You are comparing a state to a collection of small towns who all have their own local governments and hence their own road planning and maintenance.

[kyle242]

Originally Posted by Zimbochick

1) Curious how long you were in Chicagoland?

2) Where were you in Chicagoland?

3) You are comparing a state to a collection of small towns who all have their own local governments and hence their own road planning and maintenance.

10 years before moving out, I know a lot has changed over this period such as resurfacing highways.

- northern dupage (Bloomingdale, ok nice town but there are nicer towns around IMO) but traveled frequently around.

- I thought towns control local road planning and maintenance off highways in IL?

[whakru]

Originally Posted by kyle242

10 years before moving out, I know a lot has changed over this period such as resurfacing highways.

- northern dupage (Bloomingdale, ok nice town but there are nicer towns around IMO) but traveled frequently around.

- I thought towns control local road planning and maintenance off highways in IL?

Towns only control those roads that they own. Many are county or state owned. And, if the intersection includes a road from a county or state, then they need to be involved.

At any rate, I don't think you really can compare such drastically different climates in terms of road conditions and quality. You have already eluded to the weather as being a factor. Even so, what is the point? There are plenty of states/towns that have better and worse roads that Chicagoland.

But I do hate the tollways....don't even get me started on those. However, not just a Chicago issue. Many states with tollways and turnpikes.

[whakru]

Originally Posted by kyle242

I am from Bay Area, moved there over 1 year ago from Chicagoland

- No stupid excessive tollways (in CA its mostly bridges one-way or convenience roads you can easily avoid such as HOT lanes)
- No orange glowing lights, just have instead recessive reflectors installed on highway lanes (though its understanding this would not work in winter with the snow)
- A lot of local streets in Chicagoland (such as Bloomingdale, glendale heights Army Trail Rd) lack streetlights which IMO they are more needed there than on highways. In Bay Area most towns have streetlights in addition to recessive reflectors.
- In California most orange lights are being replaced with white brighter LED lights. Think how Chicago would look nice on night pictures without glowing orange sky.
- Freeways are wider and have higher speed limit (65 vs 55 mph).
- Drivers in Bay Area in general more polite than Chicagoland (especially Cook county and Chicago)
- Local roads and parking lots in CA are much better upkept than local in IL (freeways worse but not many potholes). I understand though that the better weather without freezing winter helps. We also do not get as much heavy big trucks as Chicago.

Finally freeways in California do not use streetlights except at exits and overpasses. In the beginning it seems to me odd but I actually like it as long as line lane markers are clear and tagged with reflector lights. It actually helps at night to focus on road and see what is going on without distracting orange glowing lights.

One more thing....not sure what orange glowing lights you are talking about but those recessive reflectors have been known to be a safety hazard. And we do have them in Illinois. My sister was driving on I-88 when the truck in front of them kicked one of those up and it came through her windshield and hit her in the chest. She was pregnant at the time and thankfully the most damage was small cuts from the glass breaking.

[kyle242]

Originally Posted by whakru

One more thing....not sure what orange glowing lights you are talking about but those recessive reflectors have been known to be a safety hazard. And we do have them in Illinois. My sister was driving on I-88 when the truck in front of them kicked one of those up and it came through her windshield and hit her in the chest. She was pregnant at the time and thankfully the most damage was small cuts from the glass breaking.

Perhaps it was poorly installed? If there were risky they would not install them but you see them a lot especially in western states (CA, NV, AZ).

Whenever possible I try to avoid driving behind any truck. If I can I bypass them on the left, if I can't bypass I keep a safe long distance.

[whakru]

Originally Posted by kyle242

Perhaps it was poorly installed? If there were risky they would not install them but you see them a lot especially in western states (CA, NV, AZ).

Whenever possible I try to avoid driving behind any truck. If I can I bypass them on the left, if I can't bypass I keep a safe long distance.

There are a lot of people who have experienced these coming loose and becoming projectiles. There was a news story on it not too long ago.

They were quite a fair distance behind this truck.....the piece became airborne and they had no way to avoid it. But, it could have been any vehicle in front of them that could kick those things loose, not just a truck.

Whatever.....I just was saying that nothing is perfect when it comes to roads but if you really enjoy driving in Cali then good for you.

[BIG CATS]

California is out of water, and soon to shrivel up with mass abandonment in the not-so-distant-future, and we're talking about highways? Okaaaaaaay.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by BIG CATS

California is out of water, and soon to shrivel up with mass abandonment in the not-so-distant-future, and we're talking about highways? Okaaaaaaay.

And Arizona will be next.