For those going south on 94 from Wisconsin, READ THIS!!!!!!!

[Chitown]

I have posted this on many topics from people that live in Wisconsin using I-94 from Milwaukee to go to SFGAm.

I now feel it necessary to post this as a topic and put a sticky on it.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO USE THE TOLLWAY TO GO TO THE PARK.

That's right. You can take an alternate that will take you right near the main gate on Grand Ave. and avoid the construction crap, along with paying $1.50 for a toll (or 75 cents if you have I-Pass).

As soon as you near the Illinois/Wisconsin border, exit onto Rte 41 that says Waukegan. Once on 41, go to the 2nd stoplight which is Wadsworth road and make a right. Once on Wadsworth Road, make a first left onto Dilleys Road. Take this road all the way up to Grand Ave. which is right by the McDonalds and Speedway gas station right near the park. Take a left on Grand Ave. and the park entrance is right there on the right.

This has been your friendly public service message by me.

[zjohn1988]

whats the time difference?

[RagingBullFan]

It depends on what day of the week you go. For me when I go to work I take 41 to 21 and then you can take it to Grand Ave. This only adds a few minutes to the trip. It takes me about 15 minutes to get from I-94 to the park via 41.

[w00dland]

I've been taking 41 for over a year now, it saves me $3 every trip and unless you are leaving during rush hour it only adds a few minutes to the trip, not to mention that you completely pass all that construction that is goign on at that toll booth.

[diggerg56]

Speaking of Tollways...You Governor must have some ego since he plasters his name on every construction advisory ande Tollway area.

I know he wants everyone to know that Open Road Tolling is "his baby" but WOW!.

I travel to Chicago frequestly from Iowa City so I have an IPASS to save money and I appreciate the convenience, especially getting to SFGAm.

I've used 41 from the north as well and that does work pretty well most of the time. Give it a try.

[SFaddiction84]

I take 41 all the way to highway 21, turn slight right. take that 1 block and grand avenue is right there, then take a right and the gate is on your left!

wouldnt 41 all the way to 21 be faster since the speed limit is higher?

Which is faster? 41/wadsworth/dilleys/grand avenue? or 41/21/Grand Avenue?

[Bob O]

Use 41, it is just as fast and it is always good to give as little money to government as possible!!!
I use it every time and have no problems, and at the end of the day it is much easier to exit by turing right then going with the majority of traffic which exits the parking lot left.

[Director_Guy]

sfgamworld should consider a traffic suggestions page on the website....if there isn't one already.

[Chitown]

^That is why I put it as a sticky.

If anyone has other alternate routes or whatnot to get to the park, feel free to contribute them here.

[twixmix0303]

If anyone coming from the south wants to enter (or exit) at Washington Street, then exit I-94 to 120 West, take the ramp onto Rte 21 and make a left at the light onto Rte 21. This will take you right up to the Rte 21/Washington St. intersection. Of course, if you're coming from the north, there is an exit from I-94 directly onto Rte 21. Make a left at Rte 21 and that will take you to the Rte 21/Washingon St. intersection. This probably saves a lot of time in the morning and evening when traffic especially backs up at the Grand Ave entrance.

[sixflagspr]

In addition, be aware that tollway construction has been causing backups going back into WI lately. When you leave the park, consider taking an alternate route.

[SFGAm Security]

On certain days, using Rt. 41 will actually be FASTER. Plus you won’t be giving your money to the corrupt Illinois toll authority. Also, last year the Washington Street entrance was open almost all year long which would guarantee you entrance into the front lot (verse the overflow lot on busy days). I will update this post when I find out more about the Washington Street entrance for 2007.

[BrianPlencner]

Not sure if I should have started a new topic or not, but this does involve going south from Wisconsin to the park. However, it also involves those that travel to the park from the south via I-94.

From the following page on the Illinois Tollway webpage

http://www.illinoistollway.com/portal/p ... ema=PORTAL

North Tri-State Tollway (I-294/94) Rebuild & Widen Project
In 2007, the Illinois Tollway is beginning a 39-mile North Tri-State Tollway (I-294/I-94) Rebuild and Widen Project in order to provide congestion relief. A rebuild and widen project will begin between Dempster Street and Grand Avenue in order to provide congestion relief and reduced travel times for Tollway customers. The less busy 8.5-mile section north of Grand Avenue to Russell Road will be rebuilt. The Tollway will also resurface the pavement from Russell Road to the state line. This work is part of the Tollway's $5.3 billion Congestion-Relief Program to reduce travel times.

I also want to point out this section, which talks about bridges that will be impacted due to this project.

Bridge Impacts
To minimize the impact on local roads, work on crossroad bridge construction will be staggered to the extent possible to reduce inconvenience. The bridges will remain open but with reduced lanes. The Tollway is coordinating bridge work with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Cook and Lake County officials to minimize the impact to local roads. While we are working to minimize the impact, delays are expected.

Bridges that will be widened include Ballard Road, Golf Road, Central Road, Milwaukee Avenue, Lake Avenue, Willow Road, Sanders Road, Lake-Cook Road, Half Day Road, Townline Road, Rockland Road, O’Plaine Road, Belvidere Road, Washington Street and Grand Avenue.

While most of this work is not expected to start till the fall of 2007, I figured it was a good idea to give everyone a heads up on this. While most of us will probably not take I-94, the fact that both Grand Ave and Washington Street will see impact due to the bridge work could have a direct impact on us getting to/from the park.

--Brian

[cycamps]

That's quite handy; I'm going to Milwaukee later this Summer than to SFGam, so that is nice to have (I don't know why I put the )

[Mr. Greg]

I've always taken 41. Since you Illinoisers never pay tolls in my state to go to Wisconsin Dells, I'm not paying to drive to SGFam

[FParker185]

we prefer FIB's.