Illinois Route 394

Infobox Illinois state route
article_route=394
alternate_name=Bishop Ford Freeway
length_mi=14.63
length_round=2
length_ref=cite web |author=Illinois Technology Transfer Center |url=http://www.dot.state.il.us/gist2/select.html |title=T2 GIS Data |accessdate=2007-11-08 |date=2006]
direction_a=South
starting_terminus=Jct|state=IL|IL|1 near Crete
direction_b=North
ending_terminus=Jct|state=IL|I|80|I|94|I|294 in Thornton
counties=Will, Cook
cities=None
established=After 1956Carlson, Rick. [http://www.n9jig.com/203-up.html Illinois Highways Page: Routes 203 through end] . Last updated March 15, 2006. Retrieved March 27, 2006.]
prev_type=I
prev_route=355
next_type=I
next_route=474

Illinois Route 394 (also known as the Bishop Ford Freeway, formerly known as the Calumet Expressway) is a short four-lane state freeway that travels south from Thornton at the Interstate 294/Interstate 94/Interstate 80 (Tri-State Tollway/Bishop Ford Freeway; this route is an extension of the latter freeway) interchange to Illinois Route 1 south of Steger and Crete. Before taking the Illinois 394 route, it was known as Illinois 1. Illinois 394 is convert|14.63|mi|km|2 long.

Illinois 394 is an Interstate standard highway until the junction with U.S. Highway 30 (Lincoln Highway) by Chicago Heights; however, it has not officially been designated Interstate 394 as of August 2007. Although it is not an Interstate highway, it is usually confused as one. It could receive the I-394 designation if the disputed Peotone airport is ever built, east of Interstate 57 near Peotone and west of Illinois 1.

This road is some times called I-394 as it is called IL-394 and it is built to Interstate standards.

outhland Interchange reconstruction

In 2006 and 2007, Illinois 394 was reconstructed north of Glenwood-Dyer Road as part of the massive Kingery Expressway reconstruction effort. The intersection with Interstates 80, 94 and 294 was improved in the following areas:
* Southbound: The ramps were rebuilt, with a gentler left-exit curve for Interstate 94 to travel from the Bishop Ford to the Kingery Expressway. The cloverleaf-style ramps to southbound Illinois 394 were replaced with a flyover and the distributor leg of a collector-distributor ramp from eastbound Interstate 80/294.
* Northbound: A dangerous ramp to eastbound Interstate 80/94 was replaced with a ramp to a set of collector-distributor lanes, intended for U.S. 6 and Illinois 83 (Torrence Avenue). A cloverleaf ramp from eastbound Interstate 80/294 was replaced with a flyover, and the merge area where Illinois 394 terminates was improved. (The Interstate 94 ramp itself has been moved nearly a mile (1.6 km) east to before Torrence Avenue). These improvements were completed in June 2007. [cite web|url=http://www.kingeryexpressway.com/press/r062907.html|publisher=Illinois Department of Transportation|title=Independence from roadwork along new Kingery Expressway and modernized Southland Corridor marks July 4th holiday week|accessdate=2007-06-29]

Emergency Traffic Patrol (IDOT Minutemen)

All portions of Illinois 394 between I-80/94 and US 30/East Lincoln Highway are patrolled by the Illinois State Police and the IDOT Emergency Traffic Patrol (IDOT ETP "Minutemen"). The ETP patrol 24/7/365 and can be recognized by their large bright yellow-green wreckers and orange jumpsuits. They can be reached at *999 via cellphone and respond to all manner of expressway incidents that you may be involved in from flat tires and no gas to major crashes. They are direct state employees and all of their services are free of charge (gasoline nominal mail-in charge). If your vehicle is disabled, attempt to pull immediately to the shoulder, place your hazard lights on and STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE until ETP arrival! If your vehicle stalls in a live lane of traffic and you are unable to coast to the shoulder, immediately place your hazard lights on, dial 911 (especially if traffic is moving at high speeds) and *999 if you have a cell phone and inform the operator that you are stalled in an interstate traffic lane; and brace for a possible high-speed rear end collision, but remain in your vehicle! An ETP vehicle wil arrive within twenty minutes (much sooner if you are in a lane). Never walk on or cross Illinois 394 on foot! Also, never accept unsolicited help from a private towing company. These companies often attempt to illegally prey on vulnerable motorists and charge exorbitant rates. If you have a motor club, call them. But DO allow the ETP driver to fix your issue or relocate your vehicle to a safe spot off the interstate. The ETP and/or state trooper can provide you with a list of reputable towing companies.

Exit list

External links

* [http://illi-indi.com/il_EndsPage.php?id=1394&section=1 Illinois Highway Ends: Illinois Route 394]

References