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I-55 to see first P3 managed lane project in Illinois history
Better Roads (Equipment World) ^ | February 8, 2016 | Chris Hill

Posted on 02/08/2016 8:11:36 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has announced with members of the state general assembly a plan allowing the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to add at least one additional lane in each direction to a 25-mile stretch of Interstate 55 near Chicago using a public-private partnership (P3) agreement.

IDOT is allowed to use P3 agreements only if the general assembly adopts a resolution supporting a proposed project, a state law in place since 2011.

This would be the first P3 managed lane project in the state.

“By using existing resources to leverage private investment, we can build the type of infrastructure that allows Illinois to better compete in the 21st century,” Rauner says. “This is an innovative project that will create jobs, improve the region’s quality of life and show that Illinois is open for business.”

The section of I-55 in question runs from I-355, also known as Veterans Memorial Tollway, to I-90/I-94, also known as Dan Ryan Expressway. It is estimated 170,000 vehicles travel on the highway each day.

The plan opens up options for tolled and non-tolled carpool lanes as well as express toll lanes, with federal environmental studies to be completed later this year to determine the preferred option.

Officials estimate a P3 for this project would save $435 million on construction and construction could start next year and be completed by 2019.

“Managed lanes are truly an expressway within an expressway – one more option that will make travel more convenient for everyone who uses I-55,” says Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “This project signals a new way of doing business at IDOT and a model for improvements throughout our system.”


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: brucerauner; carpools; chicago; chicagoland; construction; expresslanes; generalassembly; highwayrobbery; hotlanes; i55; idot; illinois; infrastructure; managelanes; p3; ppp; tollfreeinterstates; tolls; transportation

1 posted on 02/08/2016 8:11:36 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
They might as well name it the Alfonse Capone Memorial Tollroad, since that who is going to build and run it. It will cost three times what an honest construction company would charge, and only last 5 years before a complete rebuild will be required, due to the shoddy materials and sub-standard methods.

In 6 years, I'll be curious to know how many indictments will have been issued.

2 posted on 02/08/2016 8:20:33 PM PST by jonascord (It's sarcasm unless otherwise noted... This time, it's not.)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
IDOT - an organization only one I away from the truth.
3 posted on 02/08/2016 8:27:50 PM PST by KarlInOhio (An orange jumpsuit is the new black pantsuit.)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
I used to run about 15 to 20 miles of this section of I55 on my old commute. They just repaved a huge stretch of this road about 5 or 6 years ago, both the northbound and southbound lanes. I55 sees quite a bit of truck traffic from the city all the way to I80 just past Joliet.

There were some pretty noticeable tire grooves, so it was time to repave. They took care of the tire grooves, but they flubbed the expansion joints. It's not terribly bad in a car, but on the motorcycle it's borderline intolerable. I've actually felt pain in my internal organs from hitting the spots where the seams have buckled.

Luckily, an opportunity to transfer to a closer facility arose. Now I only have to deal with it occasionally. On the bike I still avoid it like the plague.

4 posted on 02/08/2016 9:20:46 PM PST by Christopher
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Are they going to run the speed cameras through the construction zones while building it? I drove through Illinois this summer on a long road trip from WA to MI, and it was the worst part of the trip going both ways.


5 posted on 02/08/2016 11:26:22 PM PST by Feasor13
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
This .pdf from Ohio DOT includes a list of proposals ongoing in other states. These Public Private Partnerships (P3) and Asset Maintenance contracts (AMs), seem to be a trend across the country.

I am a PMI® and ITIL® V3 certified PMP(now retired). Project Management Professionals obviously developed this Program Management proposal document.

6 posted on 02/08/2016 11:48:42 PM PST by higgmeister ( In the Shadow of The Big Chicken! Trump 2016 - and Dude, Cruz ain't bona fide either)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Just a way to slap tolls on existing roads. The intention is to create vip lanes like the Soviets had in Moscow. Roads for the 1 percent.


7 posted on 02/09/2016 2:20:24 AM PST by PAR35
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To: jonascord

It will cost three times what an honest construction company would charge


You have to understand.....it creates jobs! In normal road construction performed by any governmental entity it takes 6 men to dig a hole. One to dig and 5 to watch.

The benefit of this new road is even better since more jobs are created. It will take 12 men to dig a hole. One to dig and 11 to stand around and watch.

See? What an economic boon it would be for jobs???


8 posted on 02/09/2016 4:29:51 AM PST by DH (Once the tainted finger of government touches anything the rot begins)
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To: DH
You have to understand.....it creates 3 jobs!

Fixed it. :)

9 posted on 02/09/2016 4:35:08 AM PST by ShadowAce (Linux - The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
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