New Illiana Exressway (Chicago, Elgin, Schaumburg: homes, buy, construction)

[cubssoxfan]

Anybody read the story about a revived expressway between I-65 and I-57?
Illiana Expressway: Proposed interstate tollway would link Illinois, Indiana -- chicagotribune.com
This highway was proposed at least 2 previous times(that I know of).
1) Farther north in Indiana through more populated areas.
2) As an extension of I-355 that swings southeast to I-57 and than continues as part of Illiana Expressway shown as Peotone option.
What are your thoughts?
I would like to see them build it and connect with I-355 or connect with I-80 near the I-355 & I-80 junction

[Avengerfire]

Doesn't 294 and 80/94 basically do the job already?

[Hispanola]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Doesn't 294 and 80/94 basically do the job already?

Yeah finally. That is if they have FINALLY finished the construction that seemed like it was going on since 1989.

[vandre]

Forget about the Illiana, finish the "Elgin-O'hare" Expressway that doesn't go to neither Elgin or O'hare

[R0N.]

FOUR truck lanes?!?!?! Weird but ok.

[BRU67]

Originally Posted by vandre

Forget about the Illiana, finish the "Elgin-O'hare" Expressway that doesn't go to neither Elgin or O'hare

Or spend the money on an urban public transit infrastructure in the region's largest city that's in desperate need of repair, updating and expansion (i.e. Chicago)? For once, can we spend serious transportation dollars on something other than highways that encourage more suburban sprawl? Sheesh.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Doesn't 294 and 80/94 basically do the job already?

Not really. All north south traffic using I-65 gets funneled on the Borman 80/94 and the article pointed out that this road has a history of quickly exceeding it's maximum traffic capacity. This is due to all the national east-west traffic, especially truck traffic. With all the railroad container & distribution business that Will county does, they are hoping to extend the Illiana all the way to I-55 to take the traffic pressure off I-80

vandre Forget about the Illiana, finish the "Elgin-O'hare" Expressway that doesn't go to neither Elgin or O'hare

I completely agree with the Elgin-O'Hare and western O'Hare bypass IN ADDITION to the Illiana (provided the Illiana links to or near I-355). I also say build the rte 53 northern extension and the western extension of this going through McHenry Co linking to Rte 12 expressway at the Wisconsin border. I also favor the Prairie Parkway and really question the opposition. Didn't they learn from the failed Fox Valley expressway? I-57 also needs 3 lanes from I-80 to at least Sauk Trail and I-80 needs to be 3 lanes from west of IL-43 to west of I-55. On the bright side, I-88 and 294 are almost completed-now lets hope they don't tale the extra lane away for some stupidly schemed HOV lane.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by BRU67

Or spend the money on an urban public transit infrastructure in the region's largest city that's in desperate need of repair, updating and expansion (i.e. Chicago)? For once, can we spend serious transportation dollars on something other than highways that encourage more suburban sprawl? Sheesh.

I agree with the urban public transit spending needs IN ADDITION to the highway needs. A Circle line, CTA or Metra directly between O'Hare and Midway, CTA out to Schaumburg and the Metra Star line are all good ideas. But let's not turn this into a Suburb vs. City debate or auto vs. public transit debate.Your welcome to start another thread or revive the ones I've seen regarding that

[scarletneon]

So are the "truck lanes" going to be separated from the rest of the highway? if so, then the ATA is starting to get their way.

and who would have thought there would actually be a proposal for a completely new expressway these days. let's fix the infrastructure we have for transit AND HIGHWAYS (go walk down Van Buren one of these days and take a look at the ol' Circle Interchange... that rebar sticking out is really pretty!) FIRST before cutting through land for a new highway which will just wind up increasing sprawl and congestion.

[cubssoxfan]

Originally Posted by supernerdgirl

So are the "truck lanes" going to be separated from the rest of the highway? if so, then the ATA is starting to get their way.

and who would have thought there would actually be a proposal for a completely new expressway these days. let's fix the infrastructure we have for transit AND HIGHWAYS (go walk down Van Buren one of these days and take a look at the ol' Circle Interchange... that rebar sticking out is really pretty!) FIRST before cutting through land for a new highway which will just wind up increasing sprawl and congestion.

The problem is if you wait too long, the development happens anyway and the highway becomes much more expensive to build because land costs go up and people who build newer homes in the path of the highway have to be compensated. If they agree on the highway alignment, they can buy the land in the right of way NOW. This highway, and the others I mentioned, address existing traffic problems. Ever try to get north in Lake Co. during rush hour using 83/Gilmer Rd/Rand Rd? How about traffic on I-94/80 during rush hour-wouldn't it make sense to alleviate it by having a bypass for those going to I-65? Ever try to drive Barrington to Plainfield on IL-59 during rush hour? They were supposed to build an expressway near 59 to alleviate traffic. IDOT waited too long, area got too built up and it was cancelled. How about the 355 example through DuPage: IL53 was a traffic nightmare, yet some residents did not want 355 built. After it was built, the % of those who viewed it favorably skyroketed. Why? Because it eliminated a traffic chokepoint and took heavy traffic off of 53 making the drive much easier for local users. Sorry, the overall lack of infrastructure that keeps pace with development (it doesn't) ticks me off. And the argument that it causes sprawl makes me laugh. Zoning laws cause sprawl.