Pace Begins Shoulder Riding Program Today
By Chuck Sudo in News on Nov 14, 2011 3:20PM
Folks using the Stevenson Expressway to travel to and from the city take note: Pace's pilot program where buses will ride on the shoulder of the expressway begins today.
Pace will use routes 755 and 855, which run between the southwest suburbs, the Illinois Medical District and Downtown, to Stevenson Expressway’s inside shoulders between I-355 and Kedzie Avenue during the inbound morning and outbound afternoon commuting times. The shoulders will only be available when expressway traffic is slower than 35 MPH. Buses will be restricted to traveling no more than 15 MPH over the top traffic speed in the main lanes, never greater than 35 MPH. The shoulders will also be off limits during periods where they're being used for snow removal, maintenance, traffic stops or traffic breakdowns. the program is funded by a $1.5 million federal grant for projects that improve air quality.
We've expressed skepticism in the past for the timing of the program and the seeming limitations on when and how the buses can use the shoulder and think the results Pace is looking for will be realized when the weather starts to warm next year.
Pace has been trying to spread the word to motorists not to follow buses on the shoulder.