Section 550.10  General Instructions for Securing a Permit For Access Driveways to State Highways

 

a)         A permit is required for the construction of any new access driveway or the revision of any existing driveway within the right-of-way along a State highway when the work is to be done by any person or agency other than the Department of Transportation.  This permit is generally issued by the appropriate Regional or District Office of the Department of Transportation. In some cases where the curbing along a State highway is maintained by a municipality, permits for driveway work may be issued by that municipality with the State's concurrence.  The Regional/District Offices will advise an applicant of the appropriate issuing authority.  In all cases where the driveway is to a State highway, final jurisdiction concerning the permit will remain with the Department.  Illustration A lists the addresses of the Regional and District Offices and the map indicates the jurisdictional boundaries of those offices.

 

b)         A driveway constructed under a permit must be done by or for the property owner at his expense.  Where a commercial driveway requires additions to the highway facility, these must also be done at the owner's expense.  Existing driveways may be altered by the Department, at its expense, when reconstruction or changing conditions warrant.

 

c)         Public road or street entrances to a State highway constructed by or for a local governmental agency do not normally require an access permit since they are generally Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) projects which the Department has an opportunity to review and which adequately bond the contractor. Proposed street entrances constructed with other than MFT funds or by a subdivider, however, must be authorized by permit.  It is preferable to issue the permit to the local governmental agency, but it can be issued to the subdivision owner.  The design of such a facility will need to meet the requirements of the appropriate local agencies and will be reviewed by the Department as a public road or street connection rather than a driveway.

 

d)         The application for a permit, which may be a letter or other form of written request, should include the location and a brief description of the proposed work and the intended use of the driveway and be accompanied by plans, drawings, or a sketch.  The application must also include the name, address, and phone number of the applicant and the owner of record of property served by the entrance.  Following receipt of the permit request, the Regional/District Office will review the application to determine that the proposed driveway construction, the location of the driveway on the property, and the development of the property being served are in conformance with the provisions of this policy.  Plans for commercial driveways may also be reviewed for compliance with regulations pertaining to land usage. A meeting may be required between the applicant and a representative of the Department.  When all requirements are met, the permit forms will be prepared for processing.

 

e)         Driveways are classified basically as noncommercial or commercial. A permit for a residential or general noncommercial driveway requires the least amount of time to process.  However, the Department receives a large number of such requests, and they must be processed in the order in which they are received.  The applicant should therefore not wait until he is ready to start work to apply for a permit.  A permit for a commercial driveway requires a longer time period to process, and the request should, accordingly, be submitted as early as possible.  A driveway to a high-volume industrial, commercial, or recreational traffic generator may require a formal agreement, which will necessitate additional time for review by the Central Office of the Department.

 

f)         The applicant is cautioned that proper access to his property is a key factor to successful development, whether noncommercial or commercial, and that access arrangements should be resolved prior to any building construction and preferably before any building design.

 

g)         In situations where a driveway or other related work is to be done by the State's contractor, at the owner's expense (normally in conjunction with an improvement along the State highway), where there is to be some financial participation by the State in the work to be done, or where the amount of work to be done on the State highway is extensive, a formal agreement between the applicant and the Department will be necessary.  The agreement includes a description of the proposed work and defines the responsibilities of the State and the applicant.  This agreement must be executed by the owner of record, the applicant (if other than the owner of record) and the Department.  In cases where an agreement is required, the construction within the State right-of-way will be done under State contract.  This contract will be let and the construction performed in accordance with normal State contract procedures.

 

h)         Applicants may be required to furnish a bond to insure satisfactory completion and conformance to the permit requirements.  Bonds are required for all commercial driveways and may be required for other special cases. The bond will be made a part of the permit and will be in an amount and for the period specified by the Department.  In lieu of individual bonds for each permit, a blanket bond, as specified by the Department, will be acceptable.

 

i)          Copies of the formal permit (and bond or agreement where necessary) will be mailed to the applicant for signing.  All of these copies must be returned to the appropriate Regional/District Office for execution on behalf of the Department.  Approved copies will be returned to the applicant. A copy of the approved permit must be available for inspection on the job site at all times.  No work shall be undertaken on State right-of-way until the approved copy has been received by the applicant.

 

Section 550.20  Definitions and Objectives

 

a)         Definition of Terms

 

            "Areas" – An area, either incorporated or unincorporated, is defined as Urban where it has been developed primarily for residential and/or business purposes (Illinois Vehicle Code Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 95½, par. 1-214.1). The speed limits will generally be 40 miles per hour or less, the street or highway will normally be curbed, and at least 50 percent of the frontage on one side of the highway within one-half mile of the driveway location developed with residences and/or businesses. All locations not included under the Urban definition should be considered as Rural.

 

            "Department" – The Illinois Department of Transportation, usually acting through its Regional or District Engineers (See Illustration I)

 

            Driveway Types

 

            "A Noncommercial Driveway" is one providing access to a single family residence.  The term shall also apply to driveways used as access to agricultural land, including field entrances.

 

            "A Commercial Driveway" is one providing access to property being used other than for a single family residence or for agricultural purposes.

 

            "Industrial-Commercial-Recreational-High-Volume Traffic-Generator Driveways" are those which provide access to facilities which generate high-volume traffic, such as shopping centers, industrial parks, athletic fields, etc.

 

            "Flare" – The part of the driveway surface outlined by the edge of the highway, the edge of the nominal width or through part of the driveway, and the curved (normally) outer edge of the driveway.

 

            "Freeway" – A highway or street designated by the Department as a freeway in accordance with Ill. Rev. Stat. 1981, ch. 121, pars. 8-101 et seq., which includes both full and partial control facilities.

 

            "Frontage" – The distance along the highway right-of-way line in front of the owner's property, determined by projecting a perpendicular line from the center line of the roadway to the corner points of the property on the right-of-way line.

 

            "Frontage Road" – A public street or road auxiliary to and normally located alongside and parallel to a highway for purposes of maintaining local road continuity and for control of access.

 

            "Island" – A physical barrier to direct the flow of traffic and to separate highway traffic from the activity on the adjacent property.

 

            "Median" – The portion of a divided highway or divided driveway separating the traveled ways for traffic in opposite directions.

 

            "Permit" – The term "Permit", as used in this policy, shall mean a Highway Permit (Form BT 1045) to allow construction or reconstruction of a driveway in accordance with the provisions thereon, granted by the Department in accordance with this policy.  The form may also be used for other permit work, such as backslope grading, etc.

 

            "Right-of-Way Line" – The boundary between the land acquired for or dedicated to highway use and adjacent property.

 

            "Shoulder" – The portion of the highway contiguous with the traveled way for the accommodation of stopped vehicles and for emergency use.

 

            "State Highway" – Any street or highway that is part of the State highway system prescribed in Article 2 of the Illinois Highway Code.  Basically, those highways that are maintained by the State or State routes maintained by a City under the terms of a City-State Maintenance Agreement.

 

            "Subdivision" – Land divided or subdivided into two or more parcels or tracts less than five acres.

 

            "Traffic Control Devices" – All signs, signals, markings, and devices that conform to the Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, placed or erected by authority of a public body or official having jurisdiction, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.

 

            "Turning Lane" – An auxiliary lane, including  tapered areas, primarily for the acceleration or deceleration and storage of vehicles entering or leaving the through traffic lanes.

 

b)         Purpose of Access Driveway Permit Procedures

 

1)         Various sections of the Illinois Highway Code restrict persons from working on State highways, and specifically constructing access driveways, except under the terms of a permit issued by the Department.  The intent of the Department in issuing these permits is to provide maximum protection to the public through the orderly control of traffic movements onto and from the highway, to safeguard the traffic carrying capacity of the highway, to protect the public investment in highway facilities, and to assure uniform practices throughout the State in the design and construction of driveways. The standards and procedures in this policy have been developed to aid in accomplishing these goals.

 

2)         The standards recognize the differences between noncommercial and commercial driveways, between rural and urban areas, and between relatively low and high traffic volume facilities.  High-volume entrances need to be designed to standards similar to those required for street intersections with corresponding traffic.

 

3)         In reviewing a permit request, consideration will be given to all factors affecting the operation of the driveway and the highway.  These factors will include, but not be limited to, the location and geometrics of the driveway, turning lane requirements, capacity of the roadway, driveway drainage, safety and operational efficiency of the driveway as related to the highway, and land use.  Driveways should be designed to provide good service to users of the entrance while at the same time minimizing interference to highway traffic.

 

4)         The standards contained in this policy were developed to minimize the frequency and severity of potential conflicts between through vehicles and those entering or leaving driveways.  Some of the principles considered were:

 

A)        Reducing the speed differential between through vehicles and those using the driveways;

 

B)        Eliminating encroachment of turning vehicles on adjacent lanes;

 

C)        Prohibiting use of the highway as a portion of the internal circulation system of abutting property;

 

D)        Providing sufficient spacing between driveways to lessen interference with traffic from adjacent driveways;

 

E)        Discouraging parking on streets or backing onto the highway, except where such maneuvers clearly will not constitute a hazard or prove detrimental to the operation of the highway;

 

F)         Preserving or improving the integrity of the highway and drainage facilities.

 

5)         Construction on or adjacent to the highway roadway constitutes a hazard to the motorist.  For this reason, not only the design of the driveway but the method and type of construction will be governed by the permit.

 

6)         Bonds are required for various types of permits to assure the construction is done properly and completely and that the integrity of the highway is maintained.

 

c)         Laws Pertaining to Entrances

            The statutory provisions pertaining to the adoption and observance of this official policy are contained in Articles 4-209, 4-210, 4-211, 4-212, 8-102, 8-103, and 9-105 of the Illinois Highway Code.  These sections are reprinted in Appendix E of this policy.

 

Section 550.30  General Requirements

 

a)         Conditions and Limitations of Permits

 

1)         Construction of Driveways.

 

A)        All work performed on a State highway under the terms of a Highway Permit (Form BT 1045) is subject to the conditions on the permit itself and all accompanying plans, drawings, sketches, or other attachments.  The Highway Permit form is illustrated in Appendix A.  The permittee or his contractor shall have a copy of the permit available at the site during construction.

 

B)        A single permit can be issued both for driveway work and other work at the same location, such as backslope grading, etc., provided the work is all to be done by the same person or contractor.

 

C)        During the period of time the access driveway is being constructed, care must be taken to insure the protection of workmen and traffic.  The work should be accomplished in a manner that will minimize interference with normal highway operations.  The third condition on the back of the Highway Permit form specifies when the work may be done.  All warning signs shall be in compliance with the Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (to be codified as 92 Ill. Adm. Code 546).  That manual also contains a series of traffic control standards, copies of which may be attached to the permit, indicating to the permittee the manner in which he must protect and control traffic during construction operations.  Special care must be taken during the construction of driveways and development of the property to avoid tracking mud or other material onto the highway.

 

2)         Maintenance of Driveways.  Property owners having access to a State highway are fully responsible for the maintenance of their driveway.  This maintenance responsibility includes the removal of snow and ice and keeping the portion of the driveway within the highway right-of-way in a safe condition for the general public.  Where the owner of a commercial or industrial property is required to construct turning lanes on the State highway, the Department may in the interest of public convenience provide maintenance and remove snow and ice on the portions of those lanes constituting an integral part of the highway.  Once a culvert is properly installed under a permit, it becomes public property in accordance with Article 9-105 of the Illinois Highway Code and will henceforth be maintained by the Department.

 

3)         Future Additional Driveways.  In preparing a permit for driveways to a large property that is to be developed commercially or subdivided, it may be necessary to assure that the driveway arrangement will not subsequently be altered, as parcels of the original property may be sold to other owners. To accomplish this, a document, illustrated in Appendix D, may be executed and filed in the county recorder's office.  Access to any individual parcels subsequently established will need to be by means of internal circulation, and the integrity of the driveway layout along the State highway will be maintained.

 

4)         Temporary Driveways.  Permits may be issued for the construction and operation of driveways for a specific period of time.  Such permits will clearly indicate that the driveways are temporary and are to be removed by the holder of the permit at the end of the specified time period.  A bond will be required to assure the proper removal of the driveways and restoration of the highway right-of-way.

 

5)         Driveways along Freeways.

 

A)        The designation of an existing highway as a freeway in accordance with Article 8 of the Illinois Highway Code has, in the past, brought about special problems in connection with the issuance of driveway permits subsequent to the date of the freeway order.  This is particularly true where the physical conversion of the highway is delayed for some period of time after the designation order.

 

B)        When a permit request is received for a driveway to an existing highway that has been declared a freeway, the Department will take one of the following courses of action.

 

i)          The Regional/District Office may elect to acquire access rights to the property for which the driveway permit has been requested, consistent with the eventual plans for converting the highway to a complete or partial access-controlled facility.

 

ii)         The Regional/District Office may initiate action to have the Freeway Order revised or rescinded in such a manner that the requested driveway is no longer to a designated freeway.  This will normally be done when an Interstate or supplemental freeway has been constructed parallel to an existing highway previously designated.  A standard driveway permit may then be issued in accordance with the provisions of this policy.

 

iii)        The Regional/District Office may not be in position to acquire access rights or wish to revise the Freeway Order.  In that case, a normal permit will be issued even though such driveway may subsequently need to be eliminated (by purchasing the property's access rights) or revised to come onto a frontage road or service drive.

 

C)        At those locations where there is an existing State-maintained frontage road, the same policies relating to location and construction shall govern the issuance of permits for access to the frontage road as outlined for other access to State highways.

 

D)        Where no frontage road has been constructed, no part of a driveway entering a crossroad or street that intersects the freeway at grade shall be closer to the near edge of the through-traffic lane of the freeway than 100 feet for noncommercial driveways or 200 feet for commercial driveways. These minimum distances shall be measured at right angles to the highway pavement.

 

E)        Where access rights have been acquired, driveway permits cannot generally be issued.  Under certain circumstances, permits can be granted for new roads or streets that will become dedicated public roads or streets.  Requests for revisions in access control after the construction of a freeway has been completed should be submitted to the Bureau of Traffic, together with adequate information to review the request.  The information will be forwarded to the Federal Highway Administration for their approval of a change in the Access Control Plan.  Permits for such connections will be transmitted by the Bureau of the Traffic to the Director of the Division of Highways for execution.

 

F)         Requests for such connections must meet the following conditions.

 

i)          Permit applications must be presented by and issued in the name of the local public agency that is to be responsible for the maintenance of the facility upon its construction.

 

ii)         Evidence should be presented that the proposed public road will become an integral part of an existing or definitely planned public road system, rather than merely becoming a provision for internal circulation within a particular piece of property.

 

G)        Connections will be subject to the spacing restrictions established for median crossovers, as outlined in Section 3-110.06 of the Department's Design Manual.  Where the connection is to a highway with an existing median, it should be at an existing or preplanned opening.

 

b)         Site Requirements

 

1)         To properly review a permit request, the Department must be provided a plan, drawing, or sketch of the property or site that is served by the driveway. This may vary from a simple sketch in the case of a residential driveway to a site plan and a survey plat for a high-volume traffic generating commercial development.  The Regional/District Office handling the permit may specify the extent and detail of the information needed.

 

2)         In general, the plans for commercial driveways should provide the following information.

 

A)        Existing Conditions:  Width of pavement and right-of-way; storm drainage layout (the layout should be extended outside the site area in order to show the relationship of the proposed work to the existing drainage facilities); existing curb, sidewalk, shoulders, and ditches; location of utility poles, street lights, traffic signals, hydrants, and trees; location of underground mains and cables; right-of-way and property lines.

 

B)        Proposed Work:  Geometrics of driveways, street returns, pavement widening and parking layouts; profile of driveway grades; lateral and longitudinal location of proposed mains and sewers; detailed internal site plan showing parking, buildings, and drainage; material specifications, such as size, thickness, diameter, weight, gauge, type, class, etc., of proposed work.

 

3)         In some cases, Department personnel may need to meet with representatives of the developer to discuss the internal development of the property and the relationship of the development to the highway facility, as well as the layout and details of the entrances themselves.  Most commercial driveway design elements are directly related to the layout of the parking area, amount of vehicle reservoir space (for drive-in service facilities), type of loading facilities, circulation pattern, and the size and placement of the buildings within the site.

 

4)         Perhaps the single most important factor in developing an access plan for a commercial site is a determination of the potential traffic generation. Driveways serving commercial, industrial, and high density residential developments represent an important element in the efficiency and safety of the street or highway onto which their traffic enters and exits.  In order to properly handle traffic from such entrances, the anticipated traffic volumes must be determined and may be required to be submitted to the Department for review, along with the other documents comprising the permit request.  The Institute of Traffic Engineer's "Guidelines for Driveway Design and Location" listed in the bibliography contains a section on traffic generation and includes a table of traffic generation rates.

 

5)         With anticipated traffic volumes available, other critical factors may be analyzed, such as the number of entrances, the size of the parking area, the length of storage lanes for traffic entering and leaving the development, and the internal traffic circulation pattern.

 

6)         As a general rule, a ratio of 5.5 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross leasable area is recommended.  The parking area of a commercial development must be controlled to reduce interference with traffic using the driveways.  A sufficient length of curb must be extended along driveways into larger lots to prohibit interference between vehicles circulating within the lot and those leaving or entering the highway.  The length of this section will be determined from the largest storage required for the anticipated vehicular volumes.  A center median in the access roadway may be required to preserve this storage length.

 

7)         If a commercial development includes office spaces, the exit facility should be designed to accommodate this addition to the peak hour flow. Internal circulation for subdivisions shall be directed to one or more central common entrances, depending upon the volumes.  These entrances shall be designed in accordance with the current requirements for intersection design. Direct access from single lots of a new subdivision to a State highway will not be allowed.  The access agreement described in Section 550.30(a)(3) (illustrated in Appendix D) may be used to assure future compliance with this requirement.

 

8)         The location of driveways, particularly commercial ones, is a critical factor in minimizing the hazard and disruption to traffic and pedestrians. Sites must be developed to permit driveways to be well located.  The various requirements for proper location are covered in Section 550.50(a).

 

9)         Adequate storage must be provided on commercial sites so that vehicles do not wait on the highway.  This problem is most evident with drive-in service developments that generate high volumes and require drivers to remain in their vehicles while being served or until service begins.  Such operations must be carefully analyzed to assure the proposal provides for proper storage. The layout of a site used as a car wash, drive-in bank or theater, etc., must provide that all waiting vehicles are off the right-of-way.

 

10)        Adequate storage space is a function of the demand volume, service time per facility, and the number of service facilities available.  The geometrics of the internal circulation control a portion of the service time.  The service time is dependent upon the time required to maneuver into position and the time necessary to obtain the service.  The radii of internal curves should be as large as possible.  An approach lane width of 11 to 12 feet and traffic patterns as straight as possible should be provided in advance of each area.  The lane widths may be reduced to 8.5 to 9 feet at the point of service.  The positioning of the service facilities so that maneuvers to the exit driveway are reduced will maximize the use of storage area.

 

11)        For drive-in theaters, a storage area between the ticket booths and the highway shoulders should be provided for an equivalent of 10 percent of the rated vehicle capacity of the theater.  This storage area should be determined on a basis of 150 square feet per vehicle.

 

12)        Studies have indicated the space requirements for storage at drive-in banks should be based on serving an average of 40 vehicles per hour per window.  Automatic car washes having a multibay design generally require storage reservoirs of 50 feet or greater in length for each bay.  For single-lane drive-through car washes, storage to accommodate a minimum of 12 cars should be provided.  These minimum requirements are provided for general guidance only, and specific storage areas must be determined on an individual basis.

 

13)        Applicants for permits to drive-in service developments will be required to furnish the following data, in addition to other necessary information.

 

A)        Traffic flow pattern for the facility and, if included, of the service station operation.

 

B)        The total number of off-street storage spaces for the operation.

 

C)        Information regarding the type of equipment, including the expected hourly output.

 

D)        The number of service operations anticipated during peak periods.

 

E)        The hours and days of operation.

 

14)        The site must be developed in such a manner that there are no encroachments of commercial activities or of the parking lot onto the highway right-of-way. Signs cannot be placed on or overhang the right-of-way.

 

15)        The site of a service station shall be laid out to provide that the minimum distance from the right-of-way line to the near edge of the pump island shall be 13 feet at the closest point.  A greater distance is recommended to permit freer movement of large vehicles and to insure they are entirely off the street or highway right-of-way while being serviced, as required by Article 9-113.1 of the Illinois Highway Code.

 

16)        Commercial sites must be laid out to create the minimum amount of hazard to passing traffic.  As an example, the position of the screen of a drive-in theater should be such that the picture is not visible from the highway.

 

17)        Junk yards or scrap-processing facilities must be properly screened or fenced before an access permit will be issued for a property with such an operation.  Land fill operations and similar activities must be conducted in such a manner as to avoid tracking or spilling material on the highway.

 

18)        Where property is being developed by an owner on both sides of a State highway, consideration must be given to pedestrian crossings.  A pedestrian overpass may be necessary if the volume of crossing is such that it impedes the flow of vehicular traffic.  Such a facility may be erected at the property owner's expense under the terms of a permit issued by the Department.

 

c)         Local Regulations

 

1)         Permit requests should be reviewed for conformance to existing land use and zoning plans.  The local planning and zoning agencies will normally be provided an opportunity to comment on commercial driveway applications. The applicant, however, is responsible for insuring compliance with local building codes, setback requirements, minimum lot sizes, density of building, provision for adequate parking, and other ordinances and regulations.  Permits will not be granted for entrances if local planning and zoning agencies indicate that the development does not conform to their land use and zoning plans.

 

2)         Permits issued by the Department cover the construction of driveways on the right-of-way and do not release the applicant from compliance with regulations of local authorities.  The requirements of the planning and zoning boards and local ordinances are not altered by the issuance of a permit by the Department, and the applicant is not relieved from obtaining the required local approvals and permits.

 

d)         Bonds

 

1)         To protect the Department against the cost of completing construction or correcting deficiencies, a bond in an amount and for a period specified by the Department shall be executed and become a part of a permit issued for access facilities serving a commercial property.  Under certain conditions, a bond may also be required for access facilities to be used for other purposes. Either an individual bond for a specific permit or a blanket bond covering all permits issued to a person or firm throughout the State may be used.  The bonds may be obtained from any surety company licensed in Illinois.

 

2)         Form BT 1046, Individual Highway Permit Bond, which is illustrated in Appendix B, will be used for individual bonds.  The amount of the bond is dependent upon the amount of work to be done within the highway right-of-way. Such bonds will generally be kept in effect a minimum period of five years. They will be executed in the Regional/District Offices, and those offices will determine the amount and duration of the bond after reviewing the plans.

 

3)         The Blanket Bond for Highway Access Permits form, illustrated in Appendix C, will be used for blanket bonds.  They will be in an amount determined by the Department based on the number of permits anticipated to be issued annually to the applicant.  The minimum amount will be $10,000, and the maximum will normally not exceed $50,000.  They will be kept in effect permanently and the amount raised if the volume of permits issued increases sufficiently above the anticipated number.  A rider form will be provided upon request which, when executed, will cancel individual bonds issued previous to the approval of the blanket bond.  The issuance of blanket bonds for driveway permits will be handled in the Bureau of Traffic Central Office in Springfield.

 

e)         Agreements

 

1)         In cases where a driveway or other related work is to be done by the State's contractor, at the owner's expense (normally in conjunction with an improvement along the State highway), where there is to be some financial participation by the State in the work to be done, or where the amount of work to be done on the State highway is extensive, a formal agreement between the applicant and the Department will be necessary.  The agreements will include the following information.

 

A)        The location description of the work to be done.

 

B)        Who will make the surveys and prepare plans (usually the State at the developer's expense; however, where the property owner wishes to expedite plan preparation, plans and specifications prepared by a consulting engineer and approved by the Department may be considered satisfactory).

 

C)        Who will furnish the construction engineering (usually the State at the developer's expense).

 

D)        How the construction costs will be paid and the amount (usually by the State with reimbursement by the developer in the form of a certified check).

 

E)        Who will maintain the facilities.

 

F)         A clause that no advertising signs or other encroachments will be permitted on the right-of-way.

 

G)        Details pertaining to any dedication or purchase of right-of-way.

 

2)         Major commercial developments often involve a variety of special access requirements, and each agreement must therefore be individually developed and tailored to fit the particular situation.  The Regional/District Office will draft the agreement after discussing the details with the developer. The draft, together with appropriate plans and other pertinent information, will be forwarded to the Engineer of Traffic in Springfield.  The draft and plans will be reviewed by various Central Bureaus and returned to the Regional/District Office with their comments.  The agreement may then be finalized, executed by the developer, and forwarded again to the Engineer of Traffic for execution by the Department.  The proposed work may then be scheduled on a Department letting.

 

3)         Construction inspection for contracts let by the Department will normally be accomplished under the control of Regional/District Construction personnel. Costs of construction engineering are the responsibility of the applicant, and this engineering can be done, at the discretion of the Regional/District Engineer, by a consultant who works under the supervision of a Resident Engineer assigned by the Department.

 

4)         Highway permits may be issued by the Regional/District Engineer in cases where there will also be an agreement, in order to provide a record of the driveways constructed under the agreement.  However, if all work done within the right-of-way is performed under a contract let by the Department, the normal requirement for a permit may, at the discretion of the Regional/District Engineer, be suspended.

 

Section 550.40  Highway Considerations

 

a)         Turning Lanes

 

1)         Turning lanes for either right or left turns into a commercial driveway may be necessary for capacity purposes when there are high roadway and/or turning volumes or for safety when the roadway speeds are moderate or high. The entry movement to a series of driveways serving interconnected or common parking areas tends to be heavily concentrated at the first driveway in the series.  Turning lanes may therefore be needed only at the first one or two driveways serving a given approach to a major facility.  The final determination concerning the need for such facilities will rest with the Department.

 

2)         Turning lanes consist of a taper and a full width auxiliary lane. The design of the lanes is based primarily on the speed at which drivers will turn into the lane, the speed to which drivers must reduce in order to turn around the driveway radii after traversing the deceleration lane, and the amount of vehicular storage that will be required.  Other special considerations are the volume of trucks that will use the turning lane and the steepness of an ascending or descending grade.

 

3)         The cost of providing turning lanes for other than a public road is the responsibility of the property owner.  The lanes must be constructed in accordance with State standards and specifications.  Where the width of the highway right-of-way is insufficient to permit the construction of a needed turning lane, the property owner shall provide any necessary additional right-of-way to the Department.  Right-turning lanes should generally be constructed entirely within the frontage of the property being served, since an adjacent owner might subsequently require an entrance that would otherwise come into the turning lane.  On an undivided highway or a divided highway with a median width inadequate for a left-turn lane, the applicant may be required, if a left-turn lane is necessary, to widen the highway in order to provide for the turning lane.  Illustration 8 depicts a typical left-turn lane on a two-lane highway.  The need for, and location of, turning lanes will affect the location of the entrances, which is covered in further detail in Section 550.50(a)(1).  The construction of turning lanes may necessitate a formal agreement (Section 550.30(e)(1)).

 

b)         Median Crossovers

 

1)         Where a divided highway has been constructed with a median, crossovers in the median for new driveways will not be permitted where there are frequent openings for intersections with local streets that form a street network. Left-turn access into the property may therefore need to be by use of entrances to side streets adjacent to the property or a frontage road.

 

2)         The layout of entrances to a large development should be done in such a manner as to take advantage of existing or preplanned median crossovers. In such cases, the construction of left-turn lanes must be considered.

 

3)         Median crossovers along modified access-controlled highways (expressways) must be located in accordance with Section 3-110.06 of the Department's Design Manual.  These requirements should also be used for divided nonfreeways insofar as practical.

 

c)         Shoulders

 

1)         The roadway shoulders adjacent to driveways constructed under permit shall be reconstructed to match the shoulders in the immediate area.  Where more than one surfaced commercial entrance is being constructed the Regional/District Office issuing the permit may allow or require the shoulder area between the entrances to also be surfaced.  In order to establish well-defined traffic flow patterns, curbing may be allowed or required at the edge of the shoulder.

 

2)         The shoulder in the area of the driveway shall not be used as an auxiliary lane.  The property owner shall assist in prohibiting the parking or commercial use of the roadway shoulder or right-of-way.

 

d)         Lighting

 

1)         Lighting commercial driveways used extensively after dark may be helpful to assist motorists in easily locating the entrances.  Such lighting must be erected on private property unless the driveway permit specifically provides for units to be located on the right-of-way.

 

2)         Lights on commercial premises should not constitute a nuisance to passing motorists.  Such lights must not be similar to traffic control devices (i.e., signals or flashing beacons).  No flashing, oscillating, or rotating lights visible from any public highway may be placed on any building or structure within 200 feet of the highway (Illinois Highway Code, par. 9-112.2).  No signs may have lights that are not effectively shielded so as to prevent light rays from causing glare or impairing the vision of motorists.

 

3)         In the case of some major commercial developments, it may be determined necessary to have the developer place highway or street lighting units to illuminate a part of the highway facility.  Provisions for such lighting may be included in the permit and/or agreement.  The units must meet standards and specifications approved by the Department.

 

e)         Traffic Controls

 

1)         Short-duration high-volume traffic generated by an industrial or commercial facility (such as a drive-in theater)  may require special traffic control at an entrance to a State highway.  Either deputized officers (uniformed off-duty policemen or security guards) on the highway or other personnel off the highway may be needed to regulate traffic during such times.  Traffic on the highway may be directed only by a deputized officer.  He shall not unduly delay traffic on the highway, and frequent breaks in traffic from the industrial or commercial facility shall be made for the benefit of through traffic.  Such operation will be under the general supervision of the appropriate police agency, which will take suitable action to protect the rights of through traffic.

 

2)         It may be desirable where short-duration high-volume traffic exists to utilize an appropriate warning sign with an 8-inch amber flashing light mounted above the sign.  Such flashing lights may be activated only during the times when the high traffic volumes would be entering or leaving the site.  Flashing lights have also been used above warning signs where an industrial area periodically creates smoke or a fog-like condition that constitutes a hazard to traffic.  Flashing lights may be installed only when determined necessary by the Regional/District Office.  The installation may either be done by the State, at the expense of the property owner, or by a private contractor under the conditions of a permit.

 

3)         Some large traffic generators, such as shopping centers and industrial or institutional parking lots, may for certain hours of the day generate traffic volumes that substantially exceed the minimum hourly volume requirements for the installation of traffic signals.  In order to adequately handle these short-duration peak traffic volumes, traffic signals may be installed at locations on State highways satisfying the warrants for commercial-industrial signals prescribed in the Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to be codified as 92 Ill. Adm. Code 546, subject to the following provisions:

 

A)        Agreements and Permits

 

i)          Agreements – An agreement will normally be required between the Department and a local or private agency only when there is to be some financial participation by the State in some highway improvements to be done in conjunction with the installation of signals or when the State will be maintaining the signals, with reimbursement by the local or private agency.

 

ii)         Permits – When an agreement is not required, a permit may be issued by the Department for the installation and maintenance of commercial-industrial signals.  Within the corporate limits of a municipality, the permits are generally issued to the municipality upon a request in the form of a resolution. Outside a municipality, such permits may be issued directly to the private agency.

 

B)        Financial Responsibility

            The entire cost for the installation, modernization, maintenance, and energy charges of the signals shall be the responsibility of the local or private agency.  Motor Fuel Tax funds may not be used for these items. The agreement or permit shall provide that the Department shall not be held liable for accidents or damages sustained in connection with the operation of the signals.  The Department may require the removal of the signals for any sufficient reason upon 30 days' notice in writing.  Improper use, lack of enforcement, failure to maintain or defray maintenance costs, failure to modernize the signals when required, or a significant reduction in traffic volumes shall be considered as sufficient reason to require removal.  The signals shall be maintained either by the Department with full reimbursement, by the local or private agency, or by a municipality that is capable of proper traffic signal maintenance.

 

C)        Design and Operation

            The design and operation of commercial-industrial signals shall conform to the requirements set forth in the Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.

 

4)         If determined necessary by the Regional/District Offices, other traffic control devices, such as regulatory or warning signs, delineators, pavement markings, etc., may be required to be installed at the expense of a commercial developer.  All such devices shall be in accordance with the Illinois Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to be codified as 92 Ill. Adm. Code 546.

 

Section 550.50  Driveway Design

 

a)         Location

 

1)         A driveway or system of driveways must be located so as to provide:

 

A)        The most favorable vision, grade, and alignment conditions for motorists using the proposed driveway and the highway;

 

B)        No undue interference with the free and safe movement of highway traffic;

 

C)        Maximum safety and convenience for pedestrians and other users of highway rights-of-way.

 

2)         In the interest of public safety and convenience, the Department may restrict the placement of a driveway to a particular location along the owner's frontage.  Driveways will not generally be permitted along acceleration or deceleration lanes or lane tapers.  Proposed driveways near bridges must be critically reviewed to assure that adequate sight distance is available.

 

3)         Driveways should be located so that sufficient sight distance is available to enable vehicles entering the highways to determine when gaps in the traffic stream are sufficient to permit the following maneuvers.  Driveways should be located to enable vehicles entering the highway:

 

A)        Upon turning left or right, to accelerate to the operating speed of the highway without causing approaching vehicles to reduce speed by more than approximately 10 miles per hour; and

 

B)        Upon turning left, to clear the near half of the street without conflicting with vehicles approaching from the left.

 

4)         Normally, only one driveway will be permitted for each residential property and two for an average commercial property.  Where the single residential driveway is along a high-speed highway, the property owner is strongly urged to provide facilities on his property to permit cars to turn around and avoid backing onto the highway.  Where the need for additional entrances can be substantiated operationally and adequate frontage exists, the Department may grant permission for additional driveways.  A minimum distance of at least 440 feet, and preferably 660 feet, will be required between the center lines of entrances into shopping centers and similar developments that generate high traffic volumes.  However, service drives into such centers not used by the general public may be closer than 440 feet as long as they will not encroach on turning lanes.  This minimum distance does not apply to entrances into service stations where the entrance does not provide easy access to the abutting development.  This minimum distance between major entrances is also desirable between such entrances and the nearest public road intersecting the State highway.  Circulation between driveways servicing a single property must be accomplished within the property, on a frontage road, or by means of other facilities permitting circulation off the through lanes of the State highway.

 

5)         Various minimum distances must be provided between driveways and property lines, intersecting public roads, and other driveways.  Noncommercial, Commercial, and Industrial-Commercial-Recreational Driveways are contained in Sections 550.60, 550.70, and 550.80, respectively.

 

6)         Existing or proposed highway features, such as median openings, turning lanes, intersections, drainage and traffic signals, should be considered in determining the locations of driveways.  These items are discussed in Section 550.40.

 

b)         Layout

 

1)         The width, angle, radii of flares, and other geometric features of the driveways and islands should permit vehicles to enter and exit with a minimum of interference to through traffic.  Interference caused by an access point can be measured by the delay incurred by motorists in the through lanes who are forced to reduce their speed due to the turning vehicles using the driveway.

 

2)         The widths of driveways will be based primarily on the speeds and volumes of traffic on the highway and the types and volumes of vehicles using the driveway.  The effective width will also vary with the angle of the driveway. The driveway width should be restrictive enough to discourage parallel entry into the traffic stream and other maneuvers that would cause visibility restrictions or other conflicts.  Driveways of excessive width or with large open areas offer poor protection to pedestrians, as well as promote haphazard parking and circulation.  On the other hand, entrances must be wide enough so that no vehicular conflicts occur in the driveway or on the roadway.  Commercial driveways that are to provide for two way traffic must be wide enough to accommodate two lanes without conflict.  The width of an entrance will be measured at right angles to the center line of the driveway and will be exclusive of the flare.  The width will be considered edge to edge of pavement, except where a monolithic curb is used, in which case the width will be face to face of curbs.

 

3)         Multiple driveway openings shall be separated by an island area.  Where the island is less than 25 feet long or 10 feet wide, it should be outlined by curbing in a curbed section or by concrete curbs, masonry, or other devices between the edge of shoulder and right-of-way line in an uncurbed section.

 

4)         The radii of the flares for a driveway shall be selected after considering the proposed volumes, the driveway angle, width of the drive, type of land use to be served, whether parking is allowed along the curb, and the volume and character of the through and driveway traffic.  The radius provided must be compatible with the speeds acceptable to the drivers and the level of service desired on the through roadway.  Radii in angles less than 90 degrees will generally be in the lower part (minimum) of the range given in this policy.  Radii in angles over 90 degrees will be toward the upper (maximum) limit.  Along a high-speed highway, the flare for traffic leaving the highway may need to be greater than for traffic entering onto the highway.

 

5)         While the outside edge of a flare is generally curved around a radius point, a straight edge may be acceptable.  Such triangular flares may be desired where the distance between the edge of the highway and the sidewalk or right-of-way is small and only the minimum radius could be used.  Such flares may also be desirable to simplify construction.  Flares will increase the surfaced area since they should start at the beginning of the normal curved flare along the highway to the point where the curve would end along the edge of the driveway.

 

6)         The selection of the return radius for a facility with a large percentage of truck traffic will require special consideration of the geometrics. The flare used to connect the driveway to the roadway should normally fall within the right-of-way.  However, it may be permitted to go outside the right-of-way if raised curbing extends into the private property.  The use of three centered curves or other compound curves and/or islands may be necessary to accommodate proposed truck movements.  All flares used at commercial developments in urban areas should be defined with concrete curbs from the curb line to at least the right-of-way, except across sidewalks.  Additional curb may be necessary as determined by the Department to provide adequate storage for the anticipated volumes.  The layout of driveways to fire stations may be altered from these requirements as necessary to accommodate these special vehicles.

 

7)         The specific requirements pertaining to the layout of Residential, Commercial, and Industrial-Commercial-Recreational Driveways are contained in Sections 550.60, 550.70, and 550.80, respectively.

 

c)         Grades

 

1)         All driveways constructed in rural locations shall have a grade that slopes away from the highway surface at a rate equal to the slope of the shoulder but not less than ³/₁₆ inch nor greater than 1 inch per foot. This slope shall continue for a distance equal to the prevailing shoulder width.  Beyond the shoulder, the grade of rural driveways within the right-of-way should not exceed 10 percent for commercial driveways and 12 percent for noncommercial.  The slopes of all drives constructed in urban locations shall be compatible with the provisions for drainage of the existing designed cross section but should not exceed 6 and 8 percent, respectively, for commercial and noncommercial driveways.  The grades used shall permit facilities that will accommodate the flow of the drainage in the vicinity of the driveway, and should be designed so that future widening would not require reconstruction of the intersection.  Such facilities shall be the responsibility of the applicant and are discussed further in subsection (e) of this Section.

 

2)         Where a sidewalk is located close to the curb line and the driveway opening is to be provided across a depressed or cut curb, the sidewalk should be removed and replaced with driveway pavement and be warped to conform to the driveway profile.  One or both edges of the sidewalk may be depressed across the driveway, provided the resulting sidewalk cross slope does not exceed ½ inch per foot.  In some cases, it may be necessary to discontinue the sidewalk across the driveway and to construct a curb along each driveway edge.  However, curbed driveways must meet the necessary requirements established to allow for wheelchairs.

 

3)         Where curbs are cut for the construction of driveways, the entire curb and gutter section must be removed.  The removal of only the raised portion of the curb and paving over the broken section will not be allowed.  Cut curb ends shall be tapered from full height to ground level in a distance of approximately 2 feet.  Where drainage is carried along the curb, the driveway shall be constructed with a short upgrade to prevent runoff from spilling into private property and the flowline of the gutter through the driveway shall be restored.

 

d)         Cross Section and Material

 

1)         Driveways must be surfaced and well maintained to ensure that the original profile is retained, that operational speeds are not reduced by pot holes or rough surfaces, and that no damage to or deterioration of the highway pavement is caused by the condition of the driveway.  All driveways shall be surfaced from the roadway edge to the right-of-way line.  Unsuitable material must be removed and replaced with the proper base material.  The type of material and thickness will be specified in the permit and will depend primarily on the intended use of the driveway, as well as the proposed volume and types of vehicles using the entrance.

 

2)         Noncommercial rural driveways will be required, as a minimum, to be surfaced with a specified thickness of gravel or crushed stone.  In some urban areas, a bituminous or concrete surface may be specified for noncommercial drives.  Commercial driveways will generally be required to have a bituminous or portland cement concrete surface on an approved base material.

 

3)         The shoulder area between driveways may also be required to be surfaced as outlined in Section 550.40(c).

 

e)         Drainage

 

1)         Driveways must be constructed so that they do not adversely affect the highway drainage of the adjacent property.  The drainage and the stability of the highway subgrade must not be impaired by driveway construction or roadside development.  In no case may the construction of a driveway cause water to flow across the highway pavement, or to pond on the shoulders or in the ditch, or result in erosion within the right-of-way.

 

2)         Drainage collected by ditches, gutters, or pipes on private property shall not be discharged into the highway drainage system unless expressly approved by the Department.  The permittee may be required to submit a drainage study to the Department justifying the drainage system proposed and the pipe or sewer sizes to be used.  Natural drainage laws and practices must be observed.

 

3)         Where the construction of a driveway necessitates crossing a highway ditch, a culvert pipe shall be installed in the ditch by the permittee. The low point of the driveway profile shall be at or close to the ditch line.  Under no circumstances will existing ditches or gutters be filled without adequate alternate provisions for drainage being made.

 

4)         Culvert pipe shall be of a size adequate to carry the anticipated flow in the ditch as determined by the Department and shall not be smaller than 15 inches inside diameter.

 

5)         The structural material and gauge of the driveway culvert pipe shall be adequate to withstand the loads from the anticipated vehicular traffic across the driveway.  The culvert shall meet the requirements of the Illinois Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.  The length of the culvert may be determined as the sum of the width of the driveway (surfaced width and shoulder) at the ditch line and the length needed to accommodate a sideslope of at least 1 vertical to 2 horizontal from the driveway grade to the ditch, with a minimum length of 22 feet regardless of ditch depth. Along sections of highway on which some end treatment of entrance culverts was provided on original construction or by reconstruction, culverts installed under permit shall have the same or similar end treatment as specified by the Department.  Permit applicants may install such end treatment on any road section at their option in lieu of equivalent culvert length.

 

Section 550.60  Noncommercial Driveway Requirements (Illustrations C and D)

 

a)         Width of Drive.  All noncommercial driveways shall have a width between the minimum of 12 feet and the maximum of 24 feet.  This width shall be measured at right angles to the center line of the driveway.  The width may be increased by permissible radii to allow for smooth ingress and egress at the highway connection.  Where a driveway is to be used by large farm equipment, a width of 20 feet should be considered.  Although such arrangements are discouraged, permits may be issued for common residential entrances to serve adjacent properties.  These entrances shall be centered on the property line and shall not exceed the 24-foot maximum width.  The permit will be issued jointly to the two owners and must be executed by both owners.

 

b)         Radius of Flare.  The flare used to connect the driveway to the roadway shall normally fall entirely within the right-of-way.  The radii for noncommercial entrances should be between 10 and 30 feet in rural areas and 5 to 15 feet in urban areas.  In cases where the right-of-way is narrow, traffic volumes are large, or speeds are high, radii outside these ranges may be permitted to allow for efficient use of the driveway.

 

c)         Angular Placement.  The driveway center line should generally be at a right angle to the pavement edge and follow this angle from the roadway to the right-of-way line or, in rural areas, to a distance of 40 feet from the edge of pavement, whichever is less.  If the size and shape of the property are such that the driveway must be at an angle to the pavement, this angle should be parallel to the property line.  However, no driveway shall be placed that will have a center line angle measured from the roadway less than 45 degrees in urban locations or less than 60 degrees in rural locations.

 

d)         Location.  No part of a driveway, including the flare, should encroach on the frontage of the adjacent property.  Where the driveway services a corner property, a minimum distance shall be maintained to the public road intersecting the highway.  This distance shall be measured parallel to the edge of pavement or curb of the highway from the edge of the intersecting road to the beginning of the driveway flare.  For rural locations, this distance shall be a minimum of 50 feet, and for urban locations, this distance shall be sufficient to allow a 5-foot section of undisturbed curb length.  In both rural and urban areas, no part of the driveway, including the flare, may be closer than 5 feet to the extension of the near right-of-way line of the intersecting road.

 

Section 550.70  Commercial Driveway Requirements (Illustrations E and F)

 

a)         Width of Drive.  All commercial driveways shall be limited to a maximum width of 35 feet measured at right angles to the center line of the drive, exclusive of flares.  The width may be increased by permissible radii to allow for smooth ingress and egress at the highway connection.  The maximum permissible width for rural locations shall be 60 feet measured along a line 6 feet from and parallel to the roadway edge.  For urban locations, the maximum width shall be 85 feet measured at the face of the curb.

 

b)         Radius of Flare.  The flare used to connect the driveway to the roadway shall normally fall entirely within the right-of-way.  It may be permitted to go outside the right-of-way if raised curbing extends into the private property.  In rural locations, the radii shall be between 10 and 40 feet, while in urban cases they shall be between 10 and 25 feet.  In special cases, after consideration of the right-of-way width, proposed volumes, types of vehicles, speeds on the roadway, and parking regulations, radii outside these ranges may be permitted to allow for the efficient use of the driveway.  The geometrics necessary for smooth operation of the driveway may require the use of modified radii flares or three-center curves with or without island.

 

c)         Angular Placement.  The center line of a single driveway that services a commercial property should generally be at a right angle to the roadway or parallel to the property line.  The angle of the center line with the roadway may be reduced to 60 degrees for two-way driveways or 45 degrees for multiple entrances where the driveways will be used for one-way traffic. Angled driveways may be allowed for high-speed roadways and/or large volume movements.

 

d)         Location.

 

1)         Sufficient distance must be maintained between the property line and the edge of the driveway to allow for the construction of an adequate island between drives should the adjacent property owner desire to build an entrance. In rural locations, this distance shall be measured along a line 6 feet from and parallel to the roadway edge and should be a minimum of 5 feet.  In urban situations, a curb length of not less than 3 feet shall be left undisturbed adjacent to each property line.

 

2)         All commercial driveways shall be located to provide a specified minimum distance from the intersecting public roads.  This distance shall be measured along a line parallel to but not greater than 5 feet from the pavement edge. For rural locations, the minimum distance between the beginning of the flare and the edge of the intersecting road shall be 50 feet.  At urban locations, the beginning of the flare must be at least 5 feet from the extension of the near right-of-way line of the intersecting road.  In no case shall the distance between the point at which the edge of the driveway intersects the pavement edge and the line of the through traffic lane extended be greater than 5 feet.  Where a separate right-turn lane is provided, no part of the lane taper shall encroach on the highway flare.

 

e)         Islands.  Where a commercial establishment is serviced by more than one driveway, an island separator shall be provided and maintained between drives.  The back edge of this island measured along the right-of-way line should have a minimum length of 10 feet for rural and 6 feet for urban locations. The island width 6 feet from the edge of the highway must also meet these minimums. Where the island is less than 25 feet long or less than 10 feet in width, its shape shall be defined by the use of concrete curb, masonry, or other devices to restrict the path of vehicles using the driveways.

 

Section 550.80  Industrial-Commercial-Recreational High-Volume Traffic Generator Driveway Requirements (Illustration G)

 

a)         This category is for industrial or commercial complexes that generate high-volume traffic, such as shopping centers, office buildings, apartment or residential complexes, and also includes recreational facilities, such as racetracks, athletic parks, and drive-in theaters.

 

b)         It is difficult to establish standards for these types of driveways because of the uniqueness of each one and the critical effect each may have on the operation of the highway onto which the driveway is to be constructed. They should meet the standards for public road intersections with corresponding traffic, although each such entrance will need to be individually designed.

 

c)         It is recommended that a preliminary meeting between the developer and the Department be held to discuss entrance location prior to the final arrangement of buildings, internal driveways, and parking facilities within the entire development.

 

d)         The permit request must be accompanied with the final site layout and other information necessary to review the proposed entrances.  Traffic and drainage studies may also be needed.

 

e)         The following general requirements will pertain to these types of driveways.

 

1)         Width of Drive.  A driveway for these types of developments may have a maximum width of 35 feet when undivided or may consist of two 24-foot drives, one for entering and one for exiting traffic, divided by a median. The entrance to the development shall be designed to avoid backing up traffic on the highway so that traffic waiting to enter into the facility blocks through traffic.  The number of lanes exiting from the development and turning in one direction shall not exceed the number of available traffic lanes on the highway in that direction.  For example, if the exit is on a two-lane two-way pavement, no more than one lane will be allowed to exit at the same time in each direction.

 

2)         Radius of Flare.  The flare used to connect the driveway to the roadway shall normally fall entirely within the right-of-way.  It may be permitted to go outside the right-of-way if raised curbing extends into the private property.  The radii will generally be between 30 and 50 feet, except that three-center curves, with or without island, may be required.  Vehicle turning paths should be used to design the flares to prevent vehicles using the driveway from encroaching outside the right lane of the highway.

 

3)         Angular Placement.  The center line of a two-way driveway shall either be at a right angle to the roadway or parallel to the property line.  The angle of the center line of the driveway is 60 degrees for a two-way driveway or 45 degrees for multiple entrances where the driveways will be used for one-way traffic.

 

4)         Location.

 

A)        A minimum distance of 10 feet shall be maintained between a property line and any part of the driveway flare.  The distance between the beginning of the driveway flare and the near edge of an adjacent roadway intersecting the State highway shall be 100 feet.  Where volume projections indicate a need, sufficient distance from adjacent roadways or property lines should be allowed for the construction of a right or left-turn lane.

 

B)        If multiple drives are provided for these facilities, sufficient distance must be allowed between entrances for the construction of turning lanes.  This will also result in separating the points of conflict created by such entrances and will encourage internal circulation.  A minimum distance of 440 feet between the center lines of adjacent entrances will be required for these purposes.

 

5)         Medians.  Where a divided entrance separating entering and exiting traffic is utilized, the median shall be between 4 and 18 feet wide and extend into the property as far as necessary to promote smooth traffic patterns. The median shall begin at the edge of the normal shoulder in an uncurbed section or 4 to 10 feet from the face of the curb in a curbed section.

 

Section 550.APPENDIX A   Highway Permit

 

STATE OF ILLINOIS

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

HIGHWAY PERMIT

 

District Serial No.

WHEREAS, I(We)

,

(Name of Applicant)

(Mailing Address)

,

hereinafter termed the Applicant,

(City)

(State)

request permission and authority to do certain work herein described on the right-of-way of the State highway known as ______________ Route___________, Section___________, from Station ____________ to Station ____________, ______________ County. The work is described in detail on the attached sketch and/or as follows:

It is understood that the work authorized by this permit shall be completed within ____________ after the date this permit is approved, otherwise the permit becomes null and void. This permit is subject to the conditions and restrictions printed on the reverse side of this sheet.

This permit is hereby accepted and its provisions agreed to this _____________ day of ____________19____.

Signed

Applicant

Witness

Mailing Address

Mailing Address

City

State

City

State

SIGN AND RETURN TO:  Regional or District Engineer_____________, Illinois

Approved this________ day of________19____.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

BY:

Regional or District Engineer

BT 1045 (Rev. 9-72)

            First:  The applicant represents all parties in interest and shall furnish material, do all work, pay all costs, and shall in a reasonable length of time restore the damaged portions of the highway to a condition similar or equal to that existing before the commencement of the described work, including any seeding or sodding neccessary.

 

            Second:  The proposed work shall be located and constructed to the satisfaction of the Regional or District Engineer or his duly authorized representative. No revisions or additions shall be made to the proposed work on the right-of-way without the written permission of the Regional or District Engineer.

 

            Third:  The applicant shall at all times conduct the work in such a manner as to minimize hazards to vehicular and pedestrian traffic.  In performing this work, the applicant shall provide a traffic control plan acceptable to the Regional or District Engineer.  All signs, barricades, flagmen etc., required for traffic control shall be furnished by the applicant. The work may be done on any day except Sunday, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4^th, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.  Work shall be done only during daylight hours.

 

            Fourth:  The work performed by the applicant is for the bona fide purpose expressed and not for the purpose of or result in parking or servicing vehicles on the highway right-of-way.  Signs that overhang the right-of-way shall be prohibited.

 

            Fifth:  The applicant, his successors or assigns, agrees to hold harmless the State of Illinois and its duly appointed agents and employees against any action for personal injury or property damage sustained by reason of the exercise of this permit.

 

            Sixth:  The applicant shall not trim, cut, or in any way disturb any trees or shrubbery along said highway without the approval of the Regional or District Engineer or his duly authorized representative.

 

            Seventh:  The State reserves the right to make such changes, additions, repairs, and relocations within its statutory limits to the facilities constructed under this permit or their appurtenances on the right-of-way as may at any time be considered necessary to permit the relocation, reconstruction, widening, or maintaining of the highway and/or to provide proper protection to life and property on or adjacent to the State right-of-way.  However, in the event this permit is granted to construct, locate, operate, and maintain utility facilities on the State right-of-way, the applicant, upon written request by the Regional or District Engineer, shall perform such alterations or change of location of the facilities, without expense to the State, and should the applicant fail to make satisfactory arrangements to comply with this request within a reasonable time, the State reserves the right to make such alterations or change of location or remove the work, and the applicant agrees to pay for the cost incurred.

 

            Eighth:  This permit is effective only insofar as the Department has jurisdiction and does not presume to release the applicant from compliance with the provisions of any existing statutes or local regulations relating to the construction of such work.

 

            Ninth:  The construction of access driveways is subject to the regulations listed in the "Policy on Permits for Access Driveways to State Highways" (92 Ill. Adm. Code 550). Utility installations shall be subject to "Policy on Accommodations on Utilities on State Highways" (92 Ill. Adm. Code 580).

 

            Tenth:  The applicant(s) affirms that the property lines shown on the attached sheet are true and correct, and binds and obligates himself to perform the operation(s) in accordance with the description and attached sketch and to abide by the policy regulations.

 

Section 550.APPENDIX B   Individual Highway Permit Bond

 

STATE OF ILLINOS

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

INDIVIDUAL HIGHWAY PERMIT BOND

 

Bond No.

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I(We)

(Name of Applicant)

(Mailing Address)

as Principal, and

(Surety Company

a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of __________ and licensed to do business in the State of Illinois, are held firmly bound unto the People of the State of Illinois in the penal sum of___________ Dollars ($_____________) lawful money of the United States well and truly to be paid unto said People of the State of Illinois, for payment of which we bind ourselves, our successors and assigns, jointly, severally, and firmly by these presents.

WHEREAS, Highway Permit No. _________________ issued by the Department of

Transportation of the State of Illinois grants to ______________________________ permission and authority to construct, locate, operate, and maintain the work described in said Permit, upon or adjacent to ________ Route _____________________________ in _____________________ Conty as more fully described in said Permit and Sketch, which by this reference are made a part hereof as if written herein at length, in and by which Permit and Sketch the said Principal has promised and agreed to perform said described operation and related activities in accordance with the terms and conditions of and description in said Permit and Sketch.

NOW, THEREFORE, if the said Principal shall well and truly perform said operation

in accordance with the terms and conditions of and description in said Permit and Sketch to the satisfaction of said Department, and shall perform no other work or construction at said location without first applying for and receiving another permit from said Department, and shall indemnify and save harmless the State of Illinois against all claims for damages that may occur to persons or property, due to accidents or otherwise by reason of the location, operation, or maintenance of the work authorized by the referenced highway permit, including damages to property belonging to the State of Illinois arising out of the performance of said described operation and related activities during a period of five years from the date of approval of this bond by the Department, then this obligation to be void. Otherwise, this bond or so much thereof as may be necessary shall inure to the said Department as cost and expense to change and correct said construction to conform to the terms and conditions of and description in said Permit and Sketch.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WE HAVE DULY EXECUTED THE FOREGOING THIS _______ DAY OF ___________19____.

Surety

Principal

Address

Address

City-State

City-State

By

(Seal)

By

(Seal)

Attorney in Fact

Department of Transportation

Agent for Surety

Address

By

District/Region Engineer

City-State

By

 

BT 1046 (Rev. 11-72)

 

Section 550.APPENDIX C   Blanket Bond for Highway Access Permits

 

STATE OF ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS
BLANKET BOND FOR HIGHWAY ACCESS PERMITS
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I(We)
as Principal and
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of ______________and licensed to do business in the State of Illinois, as Surety, are held and firmly bound unto the People of the State of Illinois in the penal sum of _____________ Dollars ($__________________________), lawful money of the United States, well and truly to be paid until said People of the State of Illinois, for payment of which we bind ourselves, our heirs, administrators, successors and assigns, jointly, severally, and firmly by these presents.

 

            THE CONDITION OF THE FOREGOING OBLIGATION IS SUCH that; whereas, the Department of Transportation of the State of Illinois may, from time to time, issue to said Principal the right, permission and authority to construct access driveways and appurtenances thereto from private properties to and on State Highways, as fully described in each Permit and Permit Sketch, which by this reference are each and everyone made a part hereof as if written herein at length, in and by which Permits and Permit Sketches the said Principal has promised and agreed to construct said access driveways and appurtenances thereto in accordance with the terms and conditions of said Permits and Permit Sketches.

 

            NOW, THEREFORE: if the said Principal shall well and truly perform said construction in accordance with the terms and conditions of said Permits and Permit Sketches to the satisfaction of said Department, and shall perform no other work or construction at any of said locations without first applying for and receiving other permits from said Department, then no claim or demand will be made against the above obligation:  otherwise, so much of this bond as may be necessary shall inure to the benefit of said Department as cost and expense to change said construction to conform to the terms and conditions of any applicable Permit and Permit Sketch.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WE have duly executed the foregoing Obligation this ________day of _______________, A.D. 19____.

 

 

 

(Seal)							Surety		(Seal)
(Principal)
By:							By:
	Principal							Attorney in Fact
		Approved this _________day of					Countersigned
			A.D. 19____				By:
								Agent for Surety
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Department of Transportation
								Address of Agent
By
	Engineer of Traffic

 

 

Section 550.APPENDIX D   Access Agreement

 

STATE OF ILLINOIS

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

 

ACCESS AGREEMENT

 

 

            This agreement covers the entire property served by entrance(s) described in Highway Permit, District Serial No. __________.  The entrance(s) to be constructed (is) (are) to proved access to the following described property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

            The undersigned applicant (whether one or more) represents that he (they) is (are) the sole and only owner(s) of the above described land and does (do) hereby covenant and agree that the above described driveway(s) shall be the sole and only ingress from and egress to the State highway for any or all of the above described land whether same may now or hereafter be subdivided or owned in separate tracts or parcels.  Applicants further agree that the Department or its successors or assigns may enforce such covenant by any proceedings deemed desirable at law or in equity in addition to any other rights or privileges the Department has or may have.

 

 

This agreement is hereby accepted and its provisions agreed to this day of _____________ 19____

Approved this ___________ day of

, A.D. 19____

Signed

Applicant

STATE OF ILLINOIS

Department of Transportation

Mailing Address

By

Regional or District Engineer

City

State

STATE OF)

)

)

)SS

COUNTY OF)

)

I, ______________________________, a Notary Public in and for said County and State

aforesaid, do hereby certify that

who ______________ personally known to me to be the same person ___________ whose name ________________ subscribed to the foregoing instrument appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that ______ he ______ signed, sealed and delivered the said instrument as ______________ free and voluntary act, for the uses and purposes therein set forth, including the release and waiver of the rights of homestead.

Given under my hand and notarial seal this ______ day of _______________ A.D. 19____.

Notary Public

(SEAL)

My Commission expires

, 19____.

 

BT 1363

 

Section 550.APPENDIX E  Bibliography

 

 

 

American Association of State Highway Officials, A Policy on Arterial Highways

in Urban Areas, Washington, D.C., 1973.

 

American Association of State Highway Officials, A Policy on Geometric Design of Rural Highways, Washington, D.C., 1973.

 

Highway Research Board, Special Report 87, Highway Capacity Manual, Washington, D.C., 1965.

 

Illinois Department of Transportation, Design Manual.

 

Illinois Department of Transportation, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.  (92 Ill. Adm. Code 546)

 

Illinois Department of Transportation, Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 1973.

 

Illinois Highway Code, Chapter 121, Illinois Revised Statutes.

 

Illinois Vehicle Code, Chapter 95 1/2, Illinois Revised Statutes.

 

Institute of Traffic Engineers, Guidelines for Driveway Design and Location, Washington, D.C., 1973.

 

National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Report 93, Guidelines for Medial and Marginal Access Control on Major Roadways, Washington, D.C., 1970.

 

Illinois Highway Drainage Policy and Practice Manual.

Section 550.ILLUSTRATION A   District and Region Boundaries with Office Locations

 

 

Section 550.ILLUSTRATION B   Table of Entrance Layout Requirements

 

	NONCOMMERCIAL RURAL	NONCOMMERCIAL URBAN	COMMERCIAL RURAL		COMMERCIAL URBAN	INDUSTRIAL-COMMERCIAL-RECREATIONAL HGH-VOLUME TRAFFIC GENERATORS
WIDTH OF DRIVE	12' Min. 24' Max.		35' Max. (60' Max. 6' from Edge of Pavement)		35' Max. (85' Max. at Curb)	2@24' or 35' Max.
RADII OF FLARE	10' Min. 30' Max.	5' Min. 15' Max.	10' Min. 40' Max.		10' Min. 25' Max.	30 – 50' or 3 C.C.
ANGLE OF DRIVE	60º - 90º	*45º - 90º
ISLAND AREA	----		10' Min. at ROW 5' Min. Radius 10' Min 6' from Pavement		6' Min. at Edge of Pavement and at ROW 5' Min. Radius	4' – 18" Wide Median
DISTANCE FROM PROPERTY LINE (To any part of driveway or flare)	0' Min.		5' Min. (6' from Edge of Pavement)		3' Min.	10' Min.
DISTANCE FROM INTERSECTING STREET	**50' Min.	***5' Min.	**50' Min.		----	**100' Min.
	5' Min. from beginning of flare to extension of intersecting road ROW
DISTANCE BETWEEN DRIVES	----			10' Min. (6' from Edge of Pavement and at ROW)	6' Min. (at Edge of Pavement and at ROW)	440' Min. 660' Desirable

 

*         45º permitted only for one-way drives; 60º minimum for two-way drives.

**       From edge of intersecting road to beginning of driveway flare.

***     Undisturbed length of curb between driveway flare and intersecting street flare.

 

Section 550.ILLUSTRATION C   Non-commercial-Rural

 

 

 

 

Section 550.ILLUSTRATION D   Non-commercial-Urban

 

 

 

Section 550.ILLUSTRATION E   Commercial-Rural

 

 

 

Section 550.ILLUSTRATION F   Commercial-Urban

 

 

 

When the island between drives is less than 25 feet long or less than 10 feet wide, it shall be defined by curves, masonry, or other devices.

*45º min. angle permitted only for one-way driveways.

60º min. angle for two-way driveways.

Section 550.ILLUSTRATION G   Industrial-Commercial-Recreational High Volume Traffic Generator

 

 

 

Section 550.ILLUSTRATION H   Typical Left-Turn Lane on Two-Lane Highway

 

 

 

 

 

Note 1 – Distances shown are based on 50 mph design speed.

Note 2 – Double yellow thermoplastic or painted median diagonals.

12-inch lines with spacing as indicated in Section 3-3.8 of MUTCD.

Note 3 – Increased if necessary for storage requirements.

Note 4 – In rural areas, 500-foot minimum no-passing zone should be marked on approaches.

Section 550.ILLUSTRATION I   Location of Driveways Along Public Road Intersecting Freeway with Partial Access Control