Route 150 problems angering drivers

A school bus, with children on board, takes the shoulder, cars slow down to a crawl.

Avoiding the potholes and navigating the quilt-like surface of State Route 150 in the Chester city limits has become a hazardous game of Frogger.

Chester Mayor Tom Page, speaking to the Herald Tribune last Thursday about the situation, called the road "dangerous."

"It's as bad as a shape of a highway I've ever been on," he said. "I think it's dangerous and I've had communications with IDOT about this situation."

Page said the city has no authority to intervene on repairing a state highway.

Even if the city could, repairing the road would be financially difficult as the state already owes the City of Chester close to $1.3 million in missed utility payments.

"We're getting darts thrown at us because they think the city should fix that," Page said. "But the city can't fix that, it's a state highway.

"It's just absolutely horrible and I get mad every time I come in to Chester that way."

IDOT's District 8 office in Collinsville confirmed it has received multiple calls on the situation. A IDOT patching crew filled holes on Monday, but a long-term fix is needed.

"We are working on a set of plans for significant patching through that area," said Joseph Monroe, Operations engineer for IDOT District 8, in a phone interview on Monday. "It's subject to the approval of the annual and multi-year programs.

"It's on our radar and it's on the fast track."

Monroe said IDOT is hoping the list of approved projects will be announced this month.

"We're aware of the issue and we're doing our best to fast-track it," he said. "It's just a competitive market for funding.

"That area needs attention."

Drivers have also spoken out about the situation, reporting vehicle and health issues allegedly caused by navigating the route, which receives significant traffic from tractor-trailers of all kinds.

"I live on George Street and have to travel that road because my husband works at Walmart and Opdyke (Street) is not much better, so there's not a great alternative route," Chester resident Jamie Whited wrote in a Facebook message to the newspaper. "The front end of my car sounds like it's about to fall apart and we've had to replace the tires two times this year."

Whited said she travels the route daily with her three teenagers.

"I honestly wouldn't have a clue where to start for a daily estimate," she said. "I just know for those of us on George Street, we are trapped to avoid bad roads. Right before you turn on George from Opdyke is not great either."

"I will go on record about the foundation issues it is causing at my home," said Brandi McCormick. "If you look, you can see the entire front porch caving in, steps included.

"Every time a truck goes by, it sounds like an earthquake. If you look at anyone's foundation along this road, you will see it crumbling."

Recently a "Bump" sign was placed along Route 150 prior to the intersection of Hacker and State streets, where a fissure has opened up in an area that was previously patched.

That intersection is one of several problem areas along the route heading into Chester.

"I was very, very clear with (IDOT) that I was very unhappy with the condition of the highway," Page said.