The Village Roads & Bridges Committee meets this afternoon at 4 PM to discuss, “Road Program 2024 Recommendation.” A copy of the agenda can be viewed here.
Archive for the ‘IDOT’ Category
Driver killed as car, I-90 toll plaza engulfed in flames after crash
Posted in Accidents, IDOT, Traffic on April 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »
By ABC7 Chicago Digital Team
SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (WLS) — A driver was killed after slamming into an I-90 toll plaza, engulfing both the car and the plaza in flames Thursday morning, Illinois State Police said.
The incident occurred at about 4:24 a.m. the toll plaza at the exit ramp for West Barrington Road.
The entire toll plaza became engulfed after a car slammed into it and caught fire. By around 5 a.m., most of the flames were out.
Police said the driver of the car was killed in the crash.
The exit ramp is closed as authorities respond.
More here.
Will new phase of Kennedy Expressway construction be worse for commuters? Here’s what to know
Posted in Cook, County, IDOT, Illinois Tollway, Look For The Union Label, Politics, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic, Unions on March 11, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Traffic on the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago at dusk, with the downtown skyline behind. | © Getty Images
NBC Chicago
Head’s up, commuters: traffic on the Kennedy Expressway in and out of Chicago is about to change — and so are your drive times — as Phase 2 of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s massive Kennedy expressway rehabilitation project begins.
Starting at 9 p.m. Monday, several temporary, inbound lane closures will begin as crews work to fully close the reversible express lanes in both directions. According to IDOT, the reversible express lanes from the Eden’s Junction to Ohio Street will remain closed in both directions for at least eight months.
Phase 1 of the project, which disrupted typical commute times due to closures in the inbound local lanes and outbound express lanes, wrapped up in December.
According to NBC 5 Traffic Reporter Kye Martin, Phase 2 of the three-phase plan is also expected to cause backups and delays, especially as the work gets underway.
“The number one thing drivers can expect is a higher drive time, especially for the morning commute for the first few days of a traffic pattern,” Martin said.
Martin said the lane reduction from 10 lanes total — eight on each side of the local lanes, plus the two reversible express lanes — to eight is likely to impact certain suburban or O’Hare commuters more than others.
“Phase two could be a bit worse, because the Express Lanes served a unique purpose of easing the load for a specific commuter: The commuters that are only going from the Eden’s and Kennedy right to downtown,” Martin said. “Those commuters were never mixing into the local lanes when those locals were closed. But now, without the reversals to carry the load both in and out, could phase two be even worse? It remains to be seen.”
Read more here.
Jewel Park residents share their concerns regarding the U.S. Route 14/CN Underpass project
Posted in 220, BACOG, Barrington Area Library, Bicyclists, EJ&E/Canadian National, Going green, Guest Essay, IDOT, Land Use, OP/Ed, Organizations, Politics, Privacy, Property Taxes, Public Safety, Real Estate, Road construction, School Districts, Topics Of Interest, TRAC, Traffic, Transparency, Unions on March 1, 2024| 2 Comments »
As you may have seen in the recent News You Can Use communication from the Village of Barrington (seen here) the U.S. Route 14/CN Underpass project is expected to begin this spring.
The Village plans to begin clear-cutting approximately 10 acres of old-growth trees on 8 empty lots in the Jewel Park subdivision as well as along Route 14, Lake Zurich Rd., and next to the Barrington Area Library. The Village has marked the areas where the old-growth trees will be removed with orange stakes and orange tree bands.
A group of concerned Jewel Park residents has been actively discussing the project with the Village of Barrington, IDOT, and Civil Tech over the last several years.
We met with the Village again on Friday, February 9th to discuss the start of the project. We raised additional questions/concerns about the status on funding, realistic start and completion dates, safety issues, and early removal of old-growth trees.
Our focus has been to confirm that all funding sources listed in the following website are in place and available. In addition, the Contractors have been selected and have agreed to the cost and timeline estimates, and the project is completed in the quickest, safest, and most efficient manner with the least amount of disruption to Jewel Park and the surrounding areas.
Please note the excerpt from the February 2020 Village of Barrington newsletter below which projected the project would be completed in 2024.
“4. And Finally – The Route 14 Underpass Of course the biggest traffic-reduction project of all is now moving forward with the recent award of $48 million for the Route 14 underpass near Lake Zurich Road. The underpass will have the largest impact on traffic and safety in our community by providing a free-flowing, train-free passage around town once it is complete in approximately 2024. Phase II engineering work is being coordinated, with the construction phase expected to begin as early as fall 2022. You’ll undoubtedly be hearing more about this important project in the months to come.”
In our meeting we raised several questions/concerns and learned additional information which we have highlighted below:
- What is the status on all the funding sources? (See the funding sources listed on Barrington’s website: https://www.barrington-il.gov/underpass). The Village informed us during the meeting that the Surface Transportation Program (STP) for $48,000,000 is set to expire in April 2024. An extension will need to be granted before April 2024 and is currently an open item and is yet to be confirmed. The STP has allocated $2,000,000 to the project in 2024.
- The Shared Surface Transportation Grant Program is funded by the Highway Trust Fund which has been running at a deficit since 2008 and is currently funded through the Treasury’s general fund due to funding shortfalls. A Congressional subcommittee is studying how the Highway Trust Fund will be funded after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expires in 2026.
- The “Letting” process to select a General Contractor has been delayed for the 4th time in the last year and is projected to start June 14, 2024. The “Letting” process typically takes 90 days to complete and could be impacted by the competitive environment for Contractors due to the large number of Illinois construction projects.
- A new Culvert must be built under Route 59 before Flint Creek can be moved and a temporary Route 14 detour can be built in Jewel Park and around the curve to the Library.
- In addition, a temporary Shoo Fly Rail Track must also be built with crossings before the temporary Route 14 can be built. The Village informed us that the CN has not provided any information on when they will begin construction of the temporary Shoo Fly Rail Track.
- The Village informed us that Commonwealth Edison will temporarily relocate utilities to run along Elm Rd and will move them back along Route 14 once the project is complete. They also stated that the utilities will need to be moved in 2024 to prepare for the project.
- The Village has stated the current estimated completion time for the project is 18-24 months. There is a very similar underpass project in Washougal, Washington which is also building an underpass under the CN railroad track crossing which averages 45 trains per day. The project is significantly less complex than the Route 14 Underpass, estimated to cost $50,000,000 and the construction timeline estimate is 36-54 months.
- The residents of Jewel Park have raised several questions regarding the project which we have listed below:
- When will the Surface Transportation Grant be extended and will there be enough funding for the project long-term based on funding for the US Highway Trust Fund is set to expire in 2026?
- Will the “Letting “ process be delayed again and will a General Contractor agree to the estimated project cost and timeline?
- When will actual construction work begin -10/2024 or later?
- If a significant amount of work needs to be completed on a Route 59 culvert to move Flint Creek and CN Shoo Fly Rail Track before Route 14 can be moved why start tree removal in 3/2024?
- Why do utilities need to be moved in 2024 if the earliest that construction will start on a temporary Route 14 will be in 2025?
- Why would the Washougal, Washington project take 18-30 months longer than the Route 14 Underpass?
In summary, we wanted to be sure that you were aware of the Village of Barrington’s current plans, the status of the funding and “Letting“ process, etc., and the fact that the tree removal process has been moved to before a General Contractor is selected. As a result, the residents of Jewel Park and others in Barrington have requested that the Village delay the removal of the old-growth trees until a Contractor is confirmed and ready to move forward, funding is 100% certain and the pre-construction work is ready to begin on the project.
Concerned Residents of Jewel Park
Here’s how to get your I-PASS sticker tag, what it will cost, and more
Posted in IDOT, Jewel-Osco, Taxes on February 5, 2024| Leave a Comment »
Courtesy Illinois tollway
Story by NBC Chicago Staff
Another massive change is coming to the Illinois Tollway this year, as the agency phases out its bulky transponder units in favor of sticker tags for vehicles using the system.
The sticker tags are now available at numerous locations, including at Jewel-Osco and RoadRanger stores, and the agency is encouraging motorists to make the switch.
So how will they work? How much will they cost? And how many can you obtain? Here’s everything you need to know about the new program
Where can I get a sticker tag?
According to officials, the sticker tags can now be obtained at Illinois Tollway Customer Service centers, as well as at Jewel-Osco and RoadRanger stores in the Chicago area.
Sticker tags can also be purchased online via the Illinois Tollway’s website. Account users will need to log into their accounts to place an order for a new transponder, and will need to select “windshield-mounted” for transponder type in order to receive their stickers.
Motorists are also encouraged to check their mailing address to ensure that the stickers will be delivered to the proper location, with shipping happening within 14 business days.
How much will the tags cost?
The new sticker tags will be available free of charge at Customer Service centers and via the Illinois Tollway website, according to officials.
There will be a retail service fee assessed at Jewel-Osco and RoadRanger stores, the agency says.
How long will it take for my sticker to become active?
According to the Illinois Tollway, the sticker tags will be immediately ready for use on their roadways once it is linked to an I-PASS account, which can be done via the Tollway’s mobile app or via the Tollway’s website.
This process should be completed within 15 days of receiving the new sticker tag.
More here.
‘Next generation’ of tollway transponders is … a sticker. Here’s what you need to know
Posted in IDOT, Taxes on January 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »
The Illinois tollway will begin offering sticker tags this year as it phases out hard-case transponders. | Courtesy Illinois tollway
By Marni Pyke | Daily Herald
This year marks the start of the Illinois tollway’s transition to I-PASS sticker tags instead of the familiar hard-case transponder.
The new technology is cheaper and smaller than the traditional boxes, said officials, who plan a gradual roll-out of the “next generation” of toll collection devices. And unlike transponders, there will be no deposit fee.
The “tollway is continuing to adopt new tolling technology as it evolves, and I-PASS sticker tags mark the latest advance in toll collection,” Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse said.
“Sticker tags are being adopted by toll agencies across the country and by the Illinois tollway as they provide a convenient, reliable and less expensive travel experience for our customers.”
Here’s an overview of what’s next.
Q: When can I get a sticker?
A: By the end of January, I-PASS stickers should be available at customer service centers at the tollway’s headquarters and oases. Later on in February, I-PASS users should be able to request stickers at Jewel-Osco stores and Road Rangers, in the Rockford area, as well as online.
The tollway also plans to offer stickers at the Chicago Auto Show next month. More information will be available at illinoistollway.com.
Read more here.
Holiday travel period to be one of the busiest in recent memory
Posted in IDOT, Topics Of Interest, Traffic on December 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »
More Americans will travel by air this holiday season than ever before. The Federal Aviation Administration estimates about 7.5 million people will fly during the holiday travel season. Pat Nabong / Chicago Sun-Times
By David Struett | Chicago Sun-Times
Americans are expected to travel in near-record numbers this holiday season, with airports their busiest ever and roads more packed than any time since the COVID-19 lockdown.
About 5.9 million Illinoisans will travel more than 50 miles over the holidays, between Dec. 23 and New Year’s Day, according to auto club AAA. About 90% of those people will travel by car.
That’s 3.5% more people traveling than the same period last year. But it’s still about 3% less busy than the record travel in 2019, the last travel period before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those figures mirror national trends. More than 115 million Americans will travel over the holiday season, according to AAA.
“With a record number of travelers, the roads, airports and cruise lines will be more crowded than normal,” said Debbie Haas, vice president of travel for AAA.
Roads should be busiest on Dec. 23, and Dec. 28, according to INRIX, which analyzes transportation data. Avoid the worst congestion by traveling before lunchtime or after 7 p.m., INRIX advises.
In Illinois, more than 5.3 million residents will drive this holiday season, the second-highest number since 2019. That will be 2.5% higher than the number of travelers last year, AAA predicts.
Drivers can expect to pay about the same for a gallon of gas that they did last holiday season, when the Illinois average on Christmas Day was $3.22, according to AAA.
The busiest day for air travel should be Thursday, with more than 48,000 scheduled flights, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Read more here.
IDOT releases Algonquin Road/Route 62 “project update”
Posted in Accidents, Algonquin Rd, Cook, County, Horizon Farm, IDOT, Intergovernmental agreements (IGA), Land Use, Longmeadow Parkway, Plan Commission, Public Safety, Real Estate, Roads & Bridges Committee, Taxes, Topics Of Interest, Traffic on October 2, 2023| Leave a Comment »
IDOT has posted its September 2023 newsletter. Topics covered include:
- WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO?
- ENDANGERED SPECIES OVERVIEW
- UPDATES ALONG IL 62 CORRIDOR
- PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS
- PUBLIC COMMENTS (Including Traffic Signal at Bateman Road)
- PROJECT SCHEDULE
A copy of the newsletter can be viewed and downloaded here.
Medical examiner identifies woman killed after crashing head-on into pickup truck in Barrington Hills
Posted in Accidents, Algonquin Rd, BCFPD, IDOT, Traffic, VBHPD on October 1, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Sylvia Margaret Anderson
The medical examiner has identified a Fox River Grove woman who died after she struck a semi-truck and then crashed head-on into a pickup truck in Barrington Hills Wednesday afternoon.
An autopsy performed on Sylvia M. Anderson, 74, of Fox River Grove, showed she died as a result of multiple injuries from a motor vehicle collision, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Woman dies after sideswiping semi-truck, crashing head-on into pickup truck in Barrington Hills
Posted in Accidents, Algonquin Rd, IDOT, Longmeadow Parkway, VBHPD on September 28, 2023| 3 Comments »
The Barrington Hills Police Department and Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) investigates a fatal crash involving three vehicles at Algonquin Road and Bateman Road in Barrington Hills Wednesday afternoon. | Photo: Nick Rusin
A 74-year-old woman died after she struck a semi-truck and then crashed head-on into a pickup truck, causing a large fuel leak, in Barrington Hills Wednesday afternoon.
The Barrington Hills Police Department and Barrington-Countryside Fire Protection responded around 12:11 p.m. Wednesday to Algonquin Road and Bateman Road in Barrington Hills for a multiple-vehicle crash.
Barrington Hills Police Department Press Information Officer William Walsh said a preliminary investigation shows a 2016 Lexus, driven by a 74-year-old woman, was traveling southbound on Bateman Road.
The Lexus entered the intersection and struck the side of a semi-truck tractor-trailer, which was traveling eastbound on Algonquin Road, Walsh said.
The impact with the semi-truck caused the Lexus to go into the westbound lane of Algonquin Road.
The Barrington Hills Police Department and Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) investigates a fatal crash involving three vehicles at Algonquin Road and Bateman Road in Barrington Hills Wednesday afternoon. | Photo: Nick Rusin
The Lexus collided head-on with a 2016 Ford F-350 pickup truck, driven by a 49-year-old Crystal Lake man, Walsh said.
The impact with the semi-truck caused the Lexus to go into the westbound lane of Algonquin Road.
The Lexus collided head-on with a 2016 Ford F-350 pickup truck, driven by a 49-year-old Crystal Lake man, Walsh said.
Read more here.
Editorial note: Since IDOT has refused to install a traffic signals at the intersection of Route 62 and Bateman Road, we believe the speed limit in the areas of Bateman and Helm Roads should at least be significantly lowered.
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