You asked — We answer questions on Pace bus detours, rogue trucks and endless Route 53 work
Why is an Illinois tollway project delaying Pace buses? Can trucks hog the left lanes on highways? And when will the Route 53 construction dumpster fire subside?
Readers have questions and this column aims to give them answers.
First off is Mount Prospect’s Jeff Swirenski, who notes that tollway work at the River Road Toll Plaza has resulted in detours and subsequent delays for eastbound Pace Bus Routes 600, 603, 605 and 606.
“Pace's original notice said eastbound service was expected to return to its normal routing during summer 2026,” Swirenski wrote.
“We're now past that deadline, but the detour remains in place, meaning thousands of transit riders are continuing to experience longer trips because of the construction.”
Tollway officials said the River Road work is part of a systemwide project to move traffic more efficiently by removing outdated toll collection infrastructure, which also reduces maintenance costs.
“At the River Road Toll Plaza, work scheduled for 2025 and 2026 includes removal of the toll plaza canopy and barrier wall, as well as the installation of new monotube and tolling infrastructure,” spokesperson Joelle McGinnis said. “Improvements also include shoulder and barrier reconstruction on the ramp bridge carrying traffic from the Tri-State Tollway over River Road.
“Once the current phase of construction is complete, the traffic pattern will be modified, which will allow Pace to resume bus operations through the River Road Toll Plaza,” she said.
Weather permitting, the agency hopes to finish the work by the end of 2026.
Next up is Jennifer Chivers of Antioch, who frequently commutes on I-294 for work or errands and is curious about truck traffic rules.
“I have a question regarding trucks in the left two lanes on the toll road. Is it my imagination or are trucks (with their lower speed limits) supposed to stay in the right two lanes?” Chivers asked.
“Lately, I see trucks coming from Wisconsin, where I believe this is not the rule, in all four lanes.”
She added that if Illinois law prohibits trucks in the left lanes, “I would like to see enforcement of it.”
Illinois State Police Trooper Jayme Bufford explained that current state law asserts that “semi-trucks can drive in the left lane on Illinois interstates only when passing another vehicle, turning, or avoiding a road hazard.”
She noted that “some interstate (highways) have posted signage that says ‘No Trucks in the Left 2 Lanes.’ The restrictions generally don’t cover the entire span of the interstate, but rather sections,” Bufford said.
Regarding enforcement, “If a trooper observes a violation, it is at the discretion of that trooper to stop the vehicle and issue a citation or warning,” she said.
We also checked in with Wisconsin’s Department of Transportation officials who said the state has no laws requiring all large trucks to stay in the right lane.
Finally, Huntley’s Dan Brown is running out of patience with the “very worthwhile but irritating construction project on Route 53,” between I-90 and Lake-Cook Road.
“It’s in the heart of the Northwest suburbs and constantly carries thousands of vehicles. It’s got narrow temporary lanes, intensely busy off ramps etc. When in the dickens will the work be completed?” Brown wondered.
The answer is “the majority of the overall project on Route 53 is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year, with work on arterial streets, landscaping, miscellaneous and punch list work to be completed in spring 2027,” Illinois Department of Transportation spokesperson Maria Castaneda said.
She noted the $189 million project includes reconstructing and resurfacing Route 53 plus numerous bridges.
“This year’s work includes rehabilitating the following bridges: Kirchoff Road, Industrial Avenue, Northwest Highway/Union Pacific Railroad and Palatine Road.”
Got a transportation question or comment? Drop an email to mpyke@dailyherald.com.