Posted on 04/10/2017 11:02:13 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Since tolls descended on Route 390, there has been an exodus of cars and trucks from the former Elgin-O'Hare Expressway.
Vehicles decreased between 38 percent and 28 percent on sections of Route 390 between Lake Street and I-290, according to Illinois tollway data comparing usage before construction and in February.
Where are those thousands of commuters and truckers going? Boycotting 20-cent a mile tolls on Route 390 and spilling off onto local roads in communities like Roselle, some residents say.
Commuter Brian McGehee was running late Friday at 7 a.m., "so, I bit the bullet," he said referring to Route 390. "The (toll) road was very open and un-congested."
But en route to the toll road, Central Avenue in Roselle -- an east-west alternative to Route 390 -- "was a nightmare," crowded with semitrailers, box trucks and large delivery vans, McGehee said.
Tollway officials said they anticipated a drop-off in Route 390 traffic, and it's actually better than projected.
"Fewer people than we anticipated chose to try alternate roads, indicating that our customers recognize the value of the convenience and faster travel times provided by the new Route 390," spokesman Dan Rozek said.
"We are pleased to see that usage is greater than we initially anticipated."
In 2012, before any construction began, daily traffic counts on Route 390 averaged about 42,000 vehicles at Lake Street, about 71,000 vehicles at Mitchell Boulevard and about 78,450 vehicles at Plum Grove Road, Rozek said.
Tolling began July 5 and from that date through October, daily traffic counts on Route 390 averaged 30,450 vehicles at Lake Street, 56,650 at Mitchell Boulevard and 59,450 at Plum Grove.
In February, the daily averages came to 26,200 vehicles at Lake Street, 51,300 at Mitchell Boulevard and 54,000 at Plum Grove.
The new numbers show a 4 to 8 percent decline during February compared to averages recorded since the new toll road opened.
"The traffic reductions recorded in February on Route 390 are similar to the declines typically seen across our system during the winter months," Rozek said.
Roselle hasn't conducted any scientific studies of post-toll traffic, officials said.
Last summer, "we did feel there was an increase to local traffic on Central Avenue as drivers may have avoided I-390 by accessing Central Avenue off Gary Avenue, Rodenburg Road, and Roselle Road," Village Manager Jeffrey D. O'Dell said.
Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski also notices more trucks, particularly on Central Avenue.
"When there is change there's always discombobulation," she said.
"We hope at some point the truckers will realize it takes them longer on Central and go back to using the toll road."
With road repairs on Central coming, there's a built-in incentive, Smolinski added.
This year, workers will finish building Route 390 between I-290 and Route 83, with more tolls to kick in by the end of 2017.
What that means for traffic in other suburbs along Route 390 is anyone's guess.
One thing's certain. Roselle's Marsha Pedersen won't be hopping on the new road soon.
"I used to travel from Roselle Road to Lake Street many times a week (on the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway). Now it would cost me 60 cents each way. That's a hefty price for a few minutes' drive," she said.
As we reported in November, revenues are pouring in from Route 390 at a higher rate than officials expected. Transactions at toll plazas exceeded $2.3 million in January.
"You are not alone. Make the call," is the message on posters coming soon to train stations along the Union Pacific Northwest Line. Barrington's two Rotary clubs are sponsoring the posters aimed at preventing deaths by suicide, which came at a time when some mental health centers are seeing increased calls for counseling, said Rotarian Jeanne Hanson, executive director of Samaritan Counseling Center of the Northwest Suburbs. The posters include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, (800) 273-(HELP) 8255.
This isn’t Chicago.
Spot on, it was simply a direct route from Lake Street to 53... and still shitty.
I have a valid FOID and a CCL. I can carry legally anywhere in the state that’s not on the list of Prohibited Places.
And we do, daily.
L
Well good for you.
People need to stop posting misinformation about Illinois gun laws. A Chicagoan was instrumental in changing things not just for us here in Illinois but all across the nation.
Google up McDonald v City of Chicago sometime.
L
At one time toll roads and bridges were set up so that once all of the money spend to build them was made back ( plus some profit for the company ), the roads and bridges would be transferred to the taxpayers and the tolls would go away. Provision is probably still in place although I doubt we’ll ever see tolls end again.
It is hard to downplay a bad reputation. I am a lifelong resident of Michigan, born and raised with a gunsmithing father. I know people who have been legally raped by Illinois for firearms. Nothing you can say to change my opinion.
Years ago that was true. But things have changed.
You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. You are not, however, entitled to your own facts.
My wife and I carry concealed daily. We rarely encounter the legally required “no guns” signs anywhere. And if we do we either find another place to spend our money or we ignore the stupid signs and go about our business discreetly.
L
Good for you folks.
Thank you for the article. What happened to this business owner is very unfortunate, and I am surprised the driver didn’t take it further. I wish I knew where this occurred.
I am not a CC instructor or even a CC expert; However, I do know that IL CC law is continually changing—and for the better for the CC community.
I would say from what I know, this officer’s conduct and attitude is not the norm—officer had issues was spooked by something? Perhaps there had been a recent incident? Not defending officer—just saying it is not the norm from what I have heard or experienced—I have been stopped a 3 times over past 20 years—even once in Cook county passing an officer—The officer, late 40s and black, was gracious, asked me if I knew I was speeding, etc. and ended up not even giving me a warning. I was courteous and polite—good rule of thumb for any stop! When you are pulled over and start talking about warrants, Constitution, etc...may be asking for trouble—though not saying it is not the driver’s right to do so.
I have driven between Iowa and IL, Wisconsin and IL, Indiana and IL, and Missouri and IL each dozens of times and had no problems.
I asked a CC instructor about LE attitudes towards citizens with CC permits. He told me that For the most part, they are favorable. However, maybe that is only for in-state plates that can be checked?
Unfortunately even tho the officer obviously had some serious issues, I believe the driver was in major violation of IL laws. Given the current climate towards LE, I am guessing Police are very skiddish about stopping people these days...In IL, your CC (if not your FOID which will soon be linked to CC), is linked to your license plates, so an officer is aware you might be carrying even before talking to the driver. I don’t know about out-of-state plates.
IF pulled over, CC permit holders are told to indicate to the officer immediately that they are carrying a firearm as CC implies it could be in front seat or on their person. From what I know, if you do not have a CC or are carrying a firearm that cannot be concealed, if you are carrying, you are supposed to have it in a locked case separate from any ammo which is locked up too—preferably those items are in one of the firearm bags with separate compartments and locked—in trunk or at least in back—idea is to not have a loaded gun in reach.
Again, a truly unfortunate story, and officer sure seemed to have some issues (if we got the whole story...) perhaps there was some sort of alert for someone bringing money or drugs? Don’t know. I would say anyone transporting any type of weapon over state lines needs to exercise extreme care. The guy was lucky in that although he was hassled big-time, he did not get some sort of ticket or charge for illegal transport.
As an aside, I was told that the LE in forest preserves in IL are even more stringent regarding the storing and transport of hunting in vehicles on forest preserve properties...
Again, thanks for the article...interesting website too :)
Hmm well I guess if you need to drive though IL with firearms, stay out of Cook County. BTW, I am not sure that you cannot transport through Cook County...I just am not sure since I don’t.
The rest of the state is fine for transport if you follow the transport regs—not difficult, basically just need to not have the firearm and ammo accessible to anyone—so ammo and unloaded firearm locked up and in trunk...
Seriously, stay away ;) I don’t mind if you don’t come—just less traffic with which I have to contend. The vast amount of crime is occurring in certain, specific areas—not saying it can’t and doesn’t spill over into theater or shopping districts, etc. sometimes—sadly every city has some crime, but the shootings in the news for the most part are occurring in areas controlled by gangs between gang members—they are not shooting at tourists down on the Mag Mile.
Chicago has some beautiful areas, great museums, theater, concerts, sporting events, wonderful restaurants, and great shopping. Good hospitals and some top institutions of higher learning. I don’t live in Cook County, so I minimally impacted by Rahm and his high taxes and crazy schemes.**
Sad so many who don’t live in Chicagoland are so quick to stereotype. Same thing happens with California and probably New York. There are good people and places in all those areas.
Of course all these areas would be far better if controlled by Conservative Mayors and City Councils :)
**The sadder story is what is happening to the STATE of IL because of Mike Maddigan and his daughter :( Again, we need CONSERVATIVE GOVERNOR AND LEADER OF IL HOUSE!!!
Hey, good for you.
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