I-55 PHASE I STUDY DUPAGE • COOK COUNTIES ◆ JANUARY 2020 ISSUE 4 I-55 PROJECT INFORMATION The I-55 Managed Lane Project has received a variety of questions regarding the project. This newsletter is designed to provide answers and information on frequently asked questions. MANAGED LANES The Illinois Department of Transportation (Department) TRANSIT was a key consideration in this Study. The completed preliminary engineering and environmental studies Department wanted to continue the success of the existing (Phase I) for the improvement of I-55 from Interstate 355 Pace bus-on-shoulder program. The proposed improvement (I-355) to Interstate 90/94 (I-90/94) in December 2018. The recommended in this study will allow Pace to function better improvement consists of the addition of one lane along I-55 and allow the program to grow by eliminating restrictions in each direction between I-355 and east of Interstate 294 and removing gaps in the current system. (I-294) and two lanes in each direction from east of I-294 ENVIRONMENT AND NOISE were evaluated as a part to I-90/94, the most congested portion of the I-55 corridor. of this study. A noise analysis was conducted, and noise These improvements will address the projected congestion abatement walls are likely to be included where they meet through 2050. A previous Phase I study was completed in policy requirements. The addition of managed lanes will November 2016 for one managed lane in each direction. allow for improved traffic flow. Since vehicles won’t be idling THE STUDY EVALUATED MULTIPLE ALTERNATIVES for in congestion, air quality will improve. ◆ this corridor and Express Toll Lanes (ETL) showed the best improvement for traffic flow and congestion relief. The existing travel lanes along I-55 will remain free, but the new lanes are proposed to be managed as express toll lanes (ETL) with dynamic pricing to provide travel choices within the corridor. The addition of the ETL within the existing median will provide options to adapt to frequently changing traffic conditions across all lanes and provide a sustainable transportation solution. The addition of the ETL would also increase the capacity of the overall roadway. As a result, the existing travel (free) lanes would also experience reduced congestion. On I-55, as other highly congested highways across the country, adding free lanes would have less impact on congestion, does not provide reliable transportation, and would eliminate the Pace bus-on-shoulder program which allows Pace buses to use the median shoulder. Noise Abatement In 2016, a noise analysis found that nearly 12 miles of noise walls meet IDOT criteria. A viewpoint solicitation was conducted for each receptor "benefited" by a noise wall to vote in favor of or opposed to the wall. This vote resulted in 12 of the 13 potential noise walls receiving a majority vote in favor of construction. A new noise study was completed for the current study. This study did not remove any previously approved walls and two additional walls met criteria and are recommended to be included in the project subject to voting during the next phase. Traditionally, noise walls are installed following highway construction and installation is typically completed in one construction season. The map below shows the 12 supported noise walls in green. The wall not supported is shown in red. The new study indicates the location of two potential additional walls shown in blue. Construction of these two additional walls is subject to a vote of the benefited receptors during the final design phase ◆ and after funding has been identified. 45 NORTH 90 20 66 Cicero Wolf Rd. Wolf 43 I-90/I-94 50 Stickney 34 Lyons CHICAGO 34 294 12 Forest 55 View McCook 94 W. 55th St. S. Cass Ave. E. 55th St. Summit Countryside Chicago Midway Lemont Rd. 83 Indian International Head Park 43 Airport 55 Willowbrook Hodgkins Bedford Park 94 355 Darien 20 50 W. 75th St. Woodridge Burr Ridge W. 79th St. Justice Noise Wall Legend Plaineld Rd. = Supported Noise Wall 45 294 (Same as previous study) 55 91st St. 20 12 Bolingbrook W. 95th St. = Not Supported Noise Wall (Same as previous study) Archer Ave. = Additional Wall* I-355 (Identified with new study) * Dependent on future viewpoint solicitation 83 Lemont Tolls Express Toll Lanes are created to ease congestion and help pay for the facility and maintenance. Tolling the new lane(s) gives motorists the choice of using a lane that provides a reliable travel time or a free lane that may not be as reliable. The toll rate for this facility has not yet been developed, however, traditionally there are metrics that must be met to ensure the Express Toll Lane system is reliable. This is known as congestion pricing which means toll rates would fluctuate depending on the demand. This would help to control the volume in the Express Toll Lane, making it a reliable transportation alternative. The tolling rates and regulations will be determined in a future phase. ◆ ◆ Next Steps The Department is evaluating funding strategies and considering alternative delivery mechanisms such as Public Private Partnerships (P3) to deliver this much needed project to the region. The State of Illinois would need to pass legislation to allow the use of P3 for this project. ◆ Proposed highway improvements are typically processed in three distinct phases. In Phase I (preliminary engineering phase), proposed geometry, environmental concerns as well as right-of-way requirements are defined. During Phase II, contract plans are prepared and the necessary right-of-way is acquired. Phase III represents the actual construction of the improvement. PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III Preliminary Design/ Construction Engineering and Land Acquisition (Not Funded) Environmental (Funded) Studies (COMPLETED) At this time, funding for Phase II is included in the Department’s Fiscal Year 2020-2025 Proposed Highway Improvement Program. Funding for construction (Phase III) is not included in the current program. ◆ How will this project be paid for? Currently, IDOT is pursuing the option of implementing this project as a Public Private Partnership (P3). Having a contractual arrangement between a public agency and a private entity provides an on time and Other on budget project delivery, allows for technical innovations, brings private sector efficiencies and provides an investment of private capital. At this time, legislation would be needed to deliver the project Frequently as a P3. Asked Why doesn’t this study look south of I-355? Once the managed lanes are in place they can be expanded south Questions to I-355. In the meantime, IDOT completed a Phase I study between I-355 and IL 53 to add an auxilary lane in each direction. However it is not funded at this time. Where will the entrance and exits to the ETL be? The number of entry/exit points and their locations will be refined during the design phase. Currently, there are approximately 10 ingress/egress locations recommended inbound and outbound throughout the corridor. Will trucks be allowed in the ETL? Large trucks are anticipated to be prohibited in the managed lanes. Where will the Express Toll Lanes end at the northeast limit? The express toll lanes will end approximately at Damen Avenue prior to the I-90/94 interchange. Will arterial routes experience increased congestion during construction? There is the potential that arterial roadways will see an increase in traffic during construction. History has shown that during major construction, motorists will alter their habits. This happens through use of alternate routes such as I-57 and I-290, public transportation and adjusting their travel times..