Pace I-88/I-290 Express Service Study

[NewFlyerMCI]

More info here: https://www.pacebus.com/news/express-service-study-launch

My speculation is that this will result in a Yorktown/Oakbrook to Forest Park/Harlem & Lake CTA highway express with maybe some bus-on-shoulder as well

[artthouwill]

1 hour ago, NewFlyerMCI said:

More info here: https://www.pacebus.com/news/express-service-study-launch

My speculation is that this will result in a Yorktown/Oakbrook to Forest Park/Harlem & Lake CTA highway express with maybe some bus-on-shoulder as well

So I guess the 757 and the 747 weren't good enough  before?  

[Busjack]

1 hour ago, artthouwill said:

So I guess the 757 and the 747 weren't good enough  before?  

757 was killed by COVID; might come back.

747 was linked to 301 because the Hillside Strangler made it no faster. With that unclogged (at least west of 25th Ave.) and other work (290/294 interchange improvements) and flex lanes, 747 might work better.

[artthouwill]

5 minutes ago, Busjack said:

757 was killed by COVID; might come back.

747 was linked to 301 because the Hillside Strangler made it no faster. With that unclogged (at least west of 25th Ave.) and other work (290/294 interchange improvements) and flex lanes, 747 might work better.

Actually the Hillside Stranger still strangles.  One can shave off a scant few minutes by using the Manheim exit lanes but nit exit at Manheim.  Its still merging 5 lanes ( 2 I 290 lanes, 1 I 88 lane, abd 2 Manheim exit/ Truck lanes) into 3 lanes..  While the 747 and 757 primary dealt with reverse peak direction travel, the study may look at peak direction travel.  The question is whether Pace would be looking at a Bus on Shoulder solution to the I-290 traffic problem.   Also how much of a factor will IDOT reconstruction if the expressway,  if ever, will affect Pace's planning?

[Busjack]

1 hour ago, artthouwill said:

 Also how much of a factor will IDOT reconstruction if the expressway,  if ever, will affect Pace's planning?

That's the whole point of the study.

1 hour ago, artthouwill said:

Actually the Hillside Stranger still strangles. 

That's why I said the congestion moved to 25th Ave.

[Busjack]

On 3/11/2025 at 5:37 PM, artthouwill said:

... The question is whether Pace would be looking at a Bus on Shoulder solution to the I-290 traffic problem.   Also how much of a factor will IDOT reconstruction if the expressway,  if ever, will affect Pace's planning?

 

On 3/11/2025 at 7:11 PM, Busjack said:

That's the whole point of the study.

Which is exactly what Metzger said at the March meeting. Pace is trying to be prepared to tell IDOT that when it plans the next project in that area, Pace wants BOS and has successfully run that service.