Im wondering if the 90/94 reversible lanes can be turned into IPASS toll lanes and the money would go to the City of Chicago budget, rather than to the State?
While we’re on the subject, how much would it cost to move the 290 El tracks to either side of the highway and convert that space into reversible lanes and a toll?
I can’t really speak about the latter point, but I believe, on the former, those lanes are pretty crucial now in controlling traffic flow. Eliminating them might seriously up congestion. Also, knowing the state of Illinois, it’d take them two-three years to actually complete the construction.
You seriously underestimate. It’d take 2-3 years to decide on a plan, another 2-3 to choose a contracter, 2-3 more to begin construction, then 7 or 8 to complete it.
I don’t think CAJPhoto is suggesting ELIMINATING those lanes, but making them into toll-lanes. That is, if you want to use the express lanes (going in to the city in the morning, coming out in the evening), you need to pay something. So, it wouldn’t be difficult, just setting up one of those iPass-gizmo readers and signs warning “iPass users only.” In the morning, you’d only be able to enter going into the City (as currently), but they’d charge a toll. In the evening, ditto ditto coming out of the City (as currently), but ditto ditto.
Actually sounds like a good idea to me. Half the time, the (soi-disant) express lanes are slower than the normal lanes.
Moving the L-track is, of course, a different story altogether.
Interstate highways are owned by the state, so any tolls would normally go to them.
Honolulu’s new elevated rail line is projected to cost $265 million per mile. That would mean about $1.6 billion for a new line on structure from Halsted to Central.
The question is whether some special deal could be negotiated so that the City gets a higher proportion. That’s a matter of politics, I presume.
Does Illinois HAVE any toll roads other than 294 ?
Whaa…? If you’re serious, here’s an Illinois Tollway map (1.5Meg pdf):
Illinois tollways map
You got at least portions of I’s 90, 355, 88, 94 & 294.
I forgot about the Skyway until I looked at the map. Isn’t that a City of Chicago-run/leased tollway? The Toll Authority doesn’t seem to have anything to do with it.
And how independent IS the Toll Authority? Does the state maintain oversight or what?
Yup, owned by the city, privately leased out since 2006. However, it’s always been owned by the city. While you can use your iPass on the Skyway now, it’s otherwise unaffiliated with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (which runs the other tollways).
Reading the Wikipedia article, it looks like there has been some uncertainty in the past as to whether the Skyway is officially part of I-90, though the state and the Feds both do consider it to be so.