Have you driven through Illinois during the past two years?

[Conan The Librarian]

I have, several times. The full north-south, east-west dimensions of the state.

Darned near every square inch of road in that state is being replaced. They have been doing heavy, heavy road work for the past couple of years.

Gee. I wonder if that has anything to do with where all the "stimulus" money is being spent.

[Empty Quiver]

They just flip it over and use the smooth side for another twenty years.

 Strange you should say that, my buddy owns a construction dump truck and is moaning about the lack of work this summer. He isn't exactly starving, but sat more than he is acustomed to.

[eye shot]

Thats probaly all union work, a pay back from O.

[pastorp]

Naw not me, I do my best to avoid all them yankee states     I jokes,

[nodlenor]

I wish they would give some of that money to Missouri. The roads in the north central area are some of the worst roads in the nation. Even if money was given to Missouri it would go to S.L., K.C. and points farther south.

[Glanceblamm]

I believe that we rank #13 in the nation for having bad roads. This is mainly because there is good black farm soil under them instead of a rock base like some other states have.

I do not know about the Stimulus monies but do know that our common plate sticker to be purchased annually cost $85 and we pay State sales tax on top of this.

If you are in a construction zone, watch for that white ISP van that records your speed along with taking your picture as this particular ticket will cost you $385

[JBlk]

If you think that they are fixing the roads here in Illinois just wait a couple of years and see how fast they go to h__.I was born and raised in this state and our roads stink.Missouri has much better roads, but they probably control their graft better.

[Blackhawker]

I have, several times. The full north-south, east-west dimensions of the state.

Darned near every square inch of road in that state is being replaced. They have been doing heavy, heavy road work for the past couple of years.

Gee. I wonder if that has anything to do with where all the "stimulus" money is being spent.

The funny part is, I give them four to five years and those newly repaired roads will turn to absolute crap and will be replaced again.  I just can't understand why they can't make a good road in Illinois.   

[BBF]

I went thru that State several yars ago, Not only  are most major highways now toll roads, they had also raised the fees by a very large amount. So, I'm not going there again.

[billy_56081]

I go through southern ILL several times a year. They had some crappy roads but they are getting better. I never stop and buy anything in this land of BO. I will not support a state that gave us that abomination.

[Empty Quiver]

To be honest I believe much of the problem has to do with the winter weather. Cold enought to freeze but warm enough to melt most afternoons. The temp cycles break up the road surface. The soils are also high in clay and poorly drained this also contributes to frost heave as well as the soil physically swells during the winter months. (note that most rebuilding is now including drainage tile under the road surface in an effort to address this)

This is pretty much the most productive soil on the planet along with the most favorable weather. The roads fall apart every spring, the two are related.

The facts are no fun though. I grew up there, and have as much (or little) animosity for the Land of Lincoln as anyone on this board. Politics may exacerbate the problems but is not the reason.

[hillbill]

To be honest I believe much of the problem has to do with the winter weather. Cold enought to freeze but warm enough to melt most afternoons. The temp cycles break up the road surface. The soils are also high in clay and poorly drained this also contributes to frost heave as well as the soil physically swells during the winter months. (note that most rebuilding is now including drainage tile under the road surface in an effort to address this)

This is pretty much the most productive soil on the planet along with the most favorable weather. The roads fall apart every spring, the two are related.

The facts are no fun though. I grew up there, and have as much (or little) animosity for the Land of Lincoln as anyone on this board. Politics may exacerbate the problems but is not the reason.

EQ has it in a nustshell. the type of soil under those roads coupled with a wet cold winter can wreak havoc on any road.ive built roads for over 20 yrs here in MO and have seen what the different soils and winters can do.a dry winter does not have near the effect that a wet one does.but ill bet yu one thing obamas home state is not suffering for lack of fed cash.

[Blackhawker]

As for the weather point, the biggest problem is SALT.  Salt causes tons of potholes in the Chicago area roads....which is where most of the toll roads and heavy traffic is found.  If they'd stop using salt and more Illinois drivers would actually learn how to drive in winter conditions, things would be better.   

[Empty Quiver]

If they stopped using salt on Chicago hwy's they just as well fill railcars with people and ship them downtown to spend the winter. You obviously have not spent any time in Chicago during a snow storm. Within minutes of snow accumulation the traffic will pack the snow into ice. Soon the Ice snow mix turns into washboard surface of several inch tall proportions enough to bottom lower cars.

There are too many people on the roadways to allow a 6sec following distance, period end of story. Add to this every single driver would need premium snow tire as well as AWD and a fairly extensive driving school resume. De-icers are the only answer, or make city populations over about 20,000 illegal. Throw in something about 4 mile commutes as well.

Road repair is no different than than furnace repair. If you are going to live in a northern climate suck it up and pay the bill cause the alternative is far worse.