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Racing Discussion => Racing Discussion => Topic started by: dylanfan53 on December 28, 2004, 05:55:09 AM

Title: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: dylanfan53 on December 28, 2004, 05:55:09 AM
Thanks to the stinkin' Illinois politicians it will cost me between $20 and $30 more just to haul my bike to a BHF weekend.  

From Monday's Chicago Tribune:

"We have bad news for Mr. W. and others with his situation. Their vehicles will be charged the new rate for medium-sized trucks starting Jan. 1.

Hitch even one additional axle to a car and you have what toll authorities consider a truck.

Truck tolls are set to almost triple depending on the size of the vehicle, the time of day and whether I-PASS is used.

Lower tolls on truckers will be charged during non-peak hours, which are weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and all day on weekends.

An automobile with a two-axle trailer now pays an 80-cent toll, or 20 cents for each additional trailer axle, at toll plazas where the standard toll for cars is 40 cents.

Starting Jan. 1, the driver of the same automobile pulling a two-axle trailer will pay $1.75 during the overnight hours regardless of whether cash or I-PASS is used, as well as when using I-PASS during non-peak weekday and weekend daytime hours, according to the toll authority.

The toll for the automobile with the two-axle trailer jumps to $2.25 during peak hours whether cash or I-PASS is used, as well as if cash is used during non-peak weekday and weekend daytime hours.

Trucks and trailers will be categorized in three categories: small truck, two axles with six tires; medium, three to four axles; and large truck, five or more axles, said tollway spokeswoman Jan Kemp.

A vehicle with two axles and two or four tires is still considered a car, for purposes of toll rates, Kemp said.

Tolls will increase 100 percent at all times next year for cars not using the I-PASS automated toll-collection system. Cars with I-PASS will not see a change in rates, regardless of the time of day they travel. That explains why I-PASS usage jumped to 1.4 million accounts recently.

Some additional advice: Drivers towing boats or campers must continue to use the manual lanes even if traveling with a standard car I-PASS transponder. The toll collector will classify your vehicle for the additional toll amount for the trailer. In the future, I-PASS customers towing trailers will be able to use open-road tolling lanes, which allow traffic to flow at highway speeds, and the toll is automatically charged.

In the meantime, drivers who frequently haul a trailer or a camper on the tollway can choose to get special I-PASS transponders for Class 7 (for one-axle trailer) or Class 8 (for two-axle trailer) vehicles that will permit use of either the manual lanes, the Truck I-PASS Only lanes or the I-PASS Express lanes while having the toll electronically deducted.

More information on I-PASS is available at www.getipass.com. I-PASS can be purchased online, by going to local Jewel-Osco stores, Road Ranger locations in the Rockford area, northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin and at some toll plazas."

>:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: OmniGLH on December 28, 2004, 06:59:24 AM
Yeah, this state sucks.  I hadn't even thought about the fees when going to BHF!  Luckily - there ARE backroads to get there, allowing you to avoid the tollways altogether.

I currently spend close to $50/month in tolls, just driving to/from work.  After January 1st, that will double and be close to $100.

With I-Pass, they force you to keep a $10/month minimum balance... and automatically charge $40 to your credit-card each time your balance falls below $10.  If you shut off the credit-card autorenewal... they "fine" you an additional $10.  It really rubs me raw that they get to collect interest every month on that 10 bucks.  I actually got an I-Pass for Christmas (I'd never have bought one myself)... I think I'll keep it for emergencies and just take surface streets to work.  Traffic sucks on 90 in the morning anways.

Did you know that something ridiculous... like 70%.... of the toll revenue generated goes to cover the tollway authority's operating costs?!  That means that of the $50/month I spend with them... a whopping $15 actually goes to fixing/maintaining the roads.  The remaining $35?  That pays the salaries of the toll booth workers, and the tollway authority fat cats.  What a crock.

I hate this state.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: TZDeSioux on December 28, 2004, 07:46:42 AM
Blagojevich is a moron.  >:(
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: dylanfan53 on December 28, 2004, 08:07:32 AM
Even with a lowly one axle trailer the toll will go up from $0.60 to either $1.75 or $2.25 depending on whether I travel peak or non-peak.

I get to choose between a 290% or a 375% increase times about 8 or 9 tolls to WI.

Looks like I'll be pulling a one axle trailer through the city and across corn fields to get there. That should add at least an hour.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: KBOlsen on December 28, 2004, 08:11:30 AM
It started a long, long time before Dick Mell's Boy Wonder.

The toolroad was to have become profitable decades ago - and the toll itself was supposed to be "temporary".  Yeah.  Riiiiiiiiiight.   ::)

Don - You could probably take 80 west to I-39 and avoid the whole mess - but it would probably add some time.  But then again, considering Friday traffic, maybe not as much as you'd think!  Hmmm.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: OmniGLH on December 28, 2004, 08:31:35 AM
Whereabouts are you, Don?
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: pmoravek on December 28, 2004, 09:47:45 AM
Do we have to go through this stuff for that new FUSA round at Jolliet?

I've never been there yet and I'm wondering what to expect.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: dylanfan53 on December 28, 2004, 10:24:15 AM
I think I tried I-80 once and it was a bit longer, but I may try it again.  I live about 50 miles around the lake east of Chicago in lovely Chesterton, IN.   ::)
And only about an hour and 10 minutes from Gingerman.

If I plan just right, to attend Friday practice at BHF I get to see first hand the Indiana rush hour, the Chicago rush hour and a bit of traffic in Rockford as well.  

I may go through the city next year and cut the tolls some by using I-90.

As far as I-80 to Joliet, I don't know that road but K3 will.

Enough whining for me today.  I know there are others who spend a lot more money and time to get to the track.  I just can't comprehend where they get off taking money from people like that.  
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: OmniGLH on December 28, 2004, 10:40:38 AM
I-90 will be affected too.  And isn't portions of I-80 toll?  (Or is that 88?)

I don't know of any shortcuts from IN to BHF.  I know a good, quick way from my place in McHenry (northwest burbs)... but that doesn't really help ya.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: H-man on December 28, 2004, 10:56:07 AM
QuoteIt really rubs me raw that they get to collect interest every month on that 10 bucks.

Stand by to be REALLY galled Omni.

If they have over 1 million accounts each with a minimum balance of $10, then they're in the ball park to do some fancy investing.  They're probably involved in "overnight euro bond market". :o  They're using your fixed fund amount to rake in the Dineros each evening!!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: OmniGLH on December 28, 2004, 11:24:01 AM
QuoteStand by to be REALLY galled Omni.

If they have over 1 million accounts each with a minimum balance of $10, then they're in the ball park to do some fancy investing.  They're probably involved in "overnight euro bond market". :o  They're using your fixed fund amount to rake in the Dineros each evening!!

Yep.  Sad, isn't it?  

1.4M I-Pass users x $10 ea = $14M.  And figure there's more than 1 or 2 people who won't do the CC auto-refill.

Looks like the tollway commissioner is getting a new mahogany desk to sit at while he's not flying around in the tollway authority helicopter.

It's just like cornercamping said - think of goverment as nothing but a big, for-profit business, and suddenly, it ALL makes sense.   ::)

It just REALLY irks me over how they strong-arm you into buying an I-Pass, by "fining" you an extra $0.40, $0.50, or $2.00 if you don't have one.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: Burt Munro on December 28, 2004, 03:19:59 PM
QuoteDon - You could probably take 80 west to I-39 and avoid the whole mess - but it would probably add some time.  But then again, considering Friday traffic, maybe not as much as you'd think!  Hmmm.

I-39 is the best route for me to Blackhawk.  Only 2 toll booths using I-39 to I-90 (and leaving the track taking I-90 to I-39 there is only one toll booth). I believe one was 10 or 15 cents getting onto I-90 and the other was 50 cents (for a car or bike).

Havn't gotten creative trying to find a good way around the west side of Rockford to avoid I-90.

I-88 east and west from I-39 is a tollroad. Not sure if I-80 has any tolls - none at I-39 anyway.

I take I-39 from I-55 at Bloomington and it's almost scary how open and desolate it is all the way to Rockford. (I know this doesn't help anyone unless they're coming from downstate Illinois or maybe Indy and south from Indiana.

Don...  I'm doing everything I can to get off of I-80 going to/from Gingerman. Don't know if it would help you much from home to BFR time wise (big help psychologically though on not sitting stuck in traffic). From Gingerman I get off I-80 at I-65 and head south.  Then head West on Indiana 10 toward Kankakee.  Big advantage to going through Kankakee is that if you call K3 on the way into town he'll have a pizza waiting for you!

Rick
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: dylanfan53 on December 28, 2004, 05:03:38 PM
If I stopped at K3's proper beer etiquette would mean I'd never get home... :)
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: Jan on December 28, 2004, 06:09:47 PM
I 39 North to US 20. Go West on US 20 towards Freeport. Go roughly 5 miles on US 20, go North on Meridian Road. Meridian Road dead ends in Shirland/Rockton Road. Go East ( Right) and about 5 miles later turn North on Prairie Road, 3 miles  and you are at  Blackhawk. About 25 minutes from the I 39 exit.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: GSXR RACER MIKE on December 28, 2004, 06:47:31 PM
QuoteI-39 is the best route for me to Blackhawk.  Only 2 toll booths using I-39 to I-90 (and leaving the track taking I-90 to I-39 there is only one toll booth). I believe one was 10 or 15 cents getting onto I-90 and the other was 50 cents (for a car or bike).

     Actually the toll has been removed completely at the I-39 / I-90 interchange. The greedy Governor finally got his huge money increases at the other tolls, so the pressure groups got him to remove that plaza completely, like he claimed he would over a year ago!

     I have absolutely no respect for anything that guy has done! >:(
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: Burt Munro on December 28, 2004, 08:50:55 PM
QuoteI 39 North to US 20. Go West on US 20 towards Freeport. Go roughly 5 miles on US 20, go North on Meridian Road. Meridian Road dead ends in Shirland/Rockton Road. Go East ( Right) and about 5 miles later turn North on Prairie Road, 3 miles  and you are at  Blackhawk. About 25 minutes from the I 39 exit.

Thanks Jan!  I'll have to try that next time.

Is this the Jan from Midwest Safety Crew?  

Anything I can do to avoid the toll booths I appreciate.... especially if I'm riding my bike..... just the pain in the butt of having to dig coins out of my tank bag!

Rick
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: diesel748 on December 29, 2004, 03:16:05 AM
I'm surprised this went through considering the teamsters support the dem's. This will really hurt trucking in one of the largest freight hubs in the country.

on a side note the tollways were paid for in the first six years (approx) the workers wrote a sweet pention plan and that is a major reason why we keep getting shaken down every few miles by our own IL trolls.

I like that the Illinios TROLLWAY!!!!!!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: spyderchick on December 29, 2004, 06:08:27 AM
Everyone thinks tolls are a government thing, but that's only partially so. Toll roads in Illinios and other states are privatized. Here's the thinking that got it all so messed up

The state needs road repair. The smart thing to do would be to sell a gov't bond to cover the cost. But wait! Mr. Corporation will foot the bill for the repairs. In return, they build a toll to "amortize" the cost over say 15 or 20 years. After that, the state takes over the toll and makes the profit.

One small glitch. After 15 or 20 years of pounding by every known vehicle that travels that road, the pavement needs repair, the bridges are crumbling, and there's no money to fix the road. BUT...the TOLLS!

Oh yes, doesn't matter whether that corp gets the money or the state does, the road will NEVER make a profit from a toll, because it's a vicious circle. The road will always need maintenance. This is the greedy working with the greedy, to screw the taxpayer.

They wanted to put a toll in downtown Milwaukee at the new Marquette interchange that's currently under construction. I don't know who it was that had their head attached firmly to thier neck, but buy that politician a drink for having common sense. Wisconsin will thankfully remain Toll free!
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: Dawn on December 29, 2004, 06:39:02 AM
.... and some of our roads are better than the tollways found in Illinois.

 :-/
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: diesel748 on December 29, 2004, 07:01:39 AM
the Gov was the one pulling hard and got the hike passed. The Il tollway is seperate but does enjoy some gov powers. If you don't pay thary can get your DL suspended and good stuff like that.
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: Lowe119 on December 29, 2004, 09:20:57 AM
Time to make a bridge from Milwaukee to South Haven  ;D
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: Woofentino Pugrossi on December 29, 2004, 10:17:07 AM
QuoteTime to make a bridge from Milwaukee to South Haven  ;D


I'll get right on it.  ;D



BTW I'm gonna need ALOT of popsicle sticks. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Illinois Tollway hates RV's
Post by: Eric Kelcher on December 29, 2004, 10:41:56 AM
We have a fun one going down here the DFW turnpike was built years ago like mid 60's and had a requirement that the tolss would remain until it was paid off. Well it was paid off in late 1978 tollbooths removed but the crazy exit ramps remained coupl,e of ramps are over a mile long from "free"way to surface street. Well guess what the road builders after keeping this up for over 25 years have decided to shorten ad directly connect as opposed to all traffic funneling through one checkpoint. Guess how they are goi g to fund it yep you guessed the DFW turnpike turned freeway is going back to the DFW turnpike with a twist, there will be some free lanes but express lane will be toll.