Interstate 190 (Illinois)

Infobox road
state=IL
type=I
route=190
maint=Illinois DOT


alternate_name=Kennedy Expressway
length_mi=3.07
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]
year_established=1978
direction_a=West
terminus_a=
junction=Jct|state=IL|I|294 in Rosemont
Jct|state=IL|US|12|US|45 in Chicago
direction_b=East
terminus_b=Jct|state=IL|I|90 in Chicago
previous_type=IL
previous_route=185
next_type=IL
next_route=192
commons=category

Interstate 190 (abbreviated I-190) is an intrastate Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of Illinois. I-190 runs west from I-90 to O'Hare International Airport. This is a distance of convert|3.07|mi|km|2. Interstate 190 is the westernmost leg of the Kennedy Expressway.

Route description

Interstate 190 has two lanes in either direction between Interstate 90 and Interstate 294, and three lanes west of I-294. The freeway portion of I-190 consists largely of cloverleaf interchanges.

Each road crossing I-190 is accessible via exit ramps. Not all interchanges are accessible in the same way from both directions, however. For example, the exit to southbound U.S. 12/45 traveling eastbound on I-190 requires exiting at Bessie Coleman Drive. Westbound, direct access is provided.

There is no specific sign indicating Interstate 190's western terminus at O'Hare. Interstate-standard freeway ends roughly at the ramps to the upper (Departure) and lower (Arrival) loops. The freeway then resumes shortly after both loops merge to cross an emergency fire lane.

The eastern terminus, I-90, is considered to be the origin point of the highway. Both exit numbers and mileage markers on roadside light fixtures ascend traveling westbound.

History

The highway that is now I-190 was signed Illinois Route 194 from 1960 to 1970. In 1971, it was changed to Illinois Route 594. and was changed to I-190 around 1978 after the rest of Illinois 194 was changed to Interstate 90 in the mid to late 1970s.Carlson, Rich. [http://www.n9jig.com/181-200.html Illinois Highways Page: Routes 181 thru 200] . Last updated April 15, 2005. Retrieved June 27, 2006.]

O'Hare Airport originally opened in 1942, and was expanded to its current size in 1962.

In late 2005, the intersection with Mannheim Road is being reconstructed to remove unsafe conditions and bring the route closer to Interstate standards. In the late 1990s, the Illinois Department of Transportation restriped I-190 at Interstate 294. This action increased the number of lanes west of I-294 from two to three. In the process, the speed limit was reduced from 45 to 35, and yield signs were erected at the ends of the ramp from northbound Mannheim Road to westbound I-190, the busiest ramp at that intersection. This created a hazardous condition, often leading to high-speed crashes should drivers waiting on the ramp become impatient or underestimate the speed of westbound traffic. Often, an IDOT Minuteman (rapid response vehicle) would be stationed on the ramp waiting to tow away vehicles that would be involved in a crash during rush hour.

The improvements are designed to widen bridges and create significantly more merging space so that collision hazards are mitigated. In addition, the Mannheim Road bridge over Interstate 190 had outlived its useful life.

Emergency Traffic Patrol (IDOT Minutemen)

All portions of I-190 between Manheim road and East River Road/I-90 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 I-190 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

The entire route is in Cook County. Although exit numbers are marked as increasing east to west, IDOT measures mileposts from O'Hare International Airport, increasing west to east.

External links

* [http://www.kurumi.com/roads/3di/i190.html Kurumi's Highway Page: Interstate 190]

References