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leadman · 07-30-2020, 06:17 PM

Was driving up from Springfield on 55 Tuesday and hit a construction zone from heck. The construction company had ground the concrete down on the bridge overpasses except for where the expansion joints are. Probably 6 to 8 bridges.
The concrete was sticking up at least 4" and to make the transition smoother they added a tiny amount of asphalt on the approach. Seemed like about only 6" wide. Anyway after the first couple I slowed to about 30 mph and took to the shoulder on a couple of them The bumps were severe.
A bit down the road was a new looking Itasca with its' nose about 4" off the ground from what I saw when I passed. A bit further was a new looking pick up with one of the nice enclosed cargo trailers behind it off to the side. Looked like one tire might have blown and the body of the trailer was almost on the ground on the left side.
Just past this was fresh asphalt that has lane marking on it but the big orange barrels were still off to the side. The asphalt must have been laid over the old road with no repair done to it as it was consistently bumpy. I would be ashamed to tell anyone I had laid that road.
This was the worst stretch of road on our trip from Az to Michigan. Made New Mexico I-40 look like a cake walk.

153stars · 08-02-2020, 08:33 PM

Embarrassed to say Welcome to my ride to work for the last 29 yrs. From Braidwood to Joliet There has been construction on this 25miles of I-55 every year. I- 80 was just as bad in area. We now are huge hub for rail to truck and warehouses going up everywhere . Killing the roads. Most these "JOBS" are fed by temp agencies and they drop you at certain amount of time as not to hire full time. The companies are protected by using sub-contractors. There have been many class action lawsuits for wage theft. My son got ripped off by two different subs at Wal-Mart warehouse.

jimcumminsw · 08-08-2020, 01:48 PM

Welcome to IL.
The Mayor of Joliet IL had paid for and put up a billboard sign that stated" Travel at your own risk" for the Des Plains river bridge on Rt 80. Per the inspection report on interstate bridges this has been deemed structurally unsafe.

Here is a news story from early 2019. https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/02...y-intolerable/

I refuse to drive that stretch of roadway and go out of my way when required to be in the area!

richard5933 · 08-08-2020, 02:06 PM

I've been traveling that stretch of road recently as an OTR truck driver. If my memory is correct, the speed limit in the construction zone is 45 mph. You'll be able to spot me easily - I'm the one actually doing 45, as this is a dangerous piece of roadway. Unfortunately, not too many ways around it if you need to be in that area.